Electrical Machine Laminations Inner Diameter Cleating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for stacking laminations in electrical machines, such as cleating/clenching, require mechanical space on the outer diameter, leading to increased weight, volume, and non-uniform outer diameters, causing stress issues, especially in aerospace applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of cleat apertures formed within the winding slots at the inner diameter of the lamination, allowing for a locked position that maintains a uniform outer diameter and reduces weight and complexity by using an interference fit with a deformable cleat, preventing radial movement and ensuring a tight stack without increasing the outer diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If cleating/clenching is used to stack laminations, then the stacking method is simple and cost effective, but mechanical space on the outer diameter is required which increases weight and volume
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the cleat from the outer diameter dimension to the inner diameter dimension. The cleat is positioned within the inner diameter of the lamination stack and engages with slots formed in the laminations, eliminating the need for outer diameter mechanical space while maintaining the simplicity of the cleating method.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleat is nested within the inner diameter space of the lamination stack rather than being attached to the outer diameter. The cleat fits into the hollow central region of the stacked laminations, utilizing existing internal space to achieve the stacking function without adding external volume or weight.
2Stability of the object's composition
If outer diameter cleat is used to hold the stack together, then the stack is secured, but the outer diameter becomes non-uniform leading to additional stress on the outer diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The invention relocates the stress-bearing function from the outer diameter to the inner diameter. The cleat positioned within the inner diameter engages with slots in the laminations to secure the stack, eliminating stress concentration on the outer diameter and maintaining uniform outer diameter geometry.
3Reliability
If mechanical space on outer diameter is increased to accommodate cleat, then the stack can be held together, but volume and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleat is nested within the internal hollow space of the lamination stack's inner diameter. This utilizes existing internal volume rather than requiring additional external volume, maintaining compact core dimensions while achieving reliable stack holding through engagement with lamination slots.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a compact, lightweight, and uniform electrical machine core with improved stress distribution and assembly fit, allowing for efficient heat transfer and minimal impact on existing core designs.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable cleat positioned within the inner diameter of the lamination stack and configured to prevent radial movement of the stack
Data Source
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AI summary
A lamination (100) for an electrical machine lamination stack includes a body(101) defining a plurality of winding slots (103) on an inner diameter thereof and at least one inner diameter cleat aperture (105) defined by the body (101) configured to receive a cleat (107) in an unlocked position and to interfere with the cleat (107) when the cleat (107) is transitioned to a locked position within the inner diameter cleat aperture (105) such that a plurality of laminations (100) can be stacked and locked together by the cleat (107).