Generator Coil Layout for HTS Tape Conductors
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-temperature superconducting (HTS) generators in wind turbines face challenges in overlapping coils at end-windings due to the flat rectangular shape of superconducting conductors, which can cause bending stress and damage, and require a solution that avoids complex coil geometries.
Innovation Solution
The coil layout in the electric generator features superconducting coils with slot portions housed in circumferentially distributed slots, allowing end-windings of adjacent coils to overlap radially, thereby avoiding bending stress and complex geometries, with embodiments including different curvatures, inclinations, or parallel orientations of slot portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If superconducting coils with flat rectangular conductors are overlapped at end-windings, then radial clearance is achieved, but bending stress damages the conductor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions slot portions in different circumferential locations around the stator, utilizing the circumferential dimension to achieve radial clearance between end-windings. By distributing slots circumferentially and placing coil ends in adjacent slots, the design creates radial separation without requiring bending of the flat rectangular conductors, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving clearance and maintaining conductor integrity.
2Productivity
If coils are overlapped at end-windings to avoid contact interference, then space utilization improves, but complex coil geometries are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each superconducting coil into two separate slot portions that are housed in different slots of the stator. This segmentation allows the coil ends to be positioned in adjacent slots with radial clearance, achieving efficient space utilization without requiring complex bent geometries. The segmented approach simplifies the coil structure while maintaining compact arrangement.
3Ease of manufacture
If circular section conductors are bent at end-windings, then overlapping is achieved easily, but this approach is problematic for tape conductors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different spatial arrangements to different parts of the coil structure. The slot portions are positioned in circumferentially distributed slots to create radial clearance, while the main body of the coils maintains their superconducting functionality. This local quality approach allows the flat rectangular tape conductors to maintain their shape without bending while still achieving the required overlapping arrangement at end-windings.
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 arrangement provides radial clearance for end-windings, preventing damage from bending stress while maintaining a straightforward coil design, applicable to both integral-slot and fractional-slot generators and wind turbine superconducting generators.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of superconducting coils (41, 42, 43) is arranged in the slots (51a, 52a, 53a, 51b, 52b, 53b)
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an electric generator having a stator, a rotor, a plurality of coils including conductors shaped as a tape, the stator extending axially along a longitudinal axis between a first axial end and a second axial end, the stator including a plurality of slots, the plurality of slots being circumferentially distributed around a longitudinal axis of the stator, each of the coils respectively comprising: two slot portions respectively housed in two slots of the stator, two end-windings axially protruding from stator at the first axial end and a second axial end.