Generator Rotor Guidevane Tab Attachment for Retrofit Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching guidevanes to generator rotors are inefficient, requiring complete access to the end plate and being difficult to install, especially on fully assembled generators where the rotor blocks the inner circumference.

Innovation Solution

Guidevanes with an integral tab and tab slots that allow for flexible attachment to the end plate using pre-existing weight gaps or holes, enabling easy installation on both assembled and partially assembled generators, accommodating centrifugal forces and movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If guidevanes are bolted to the inner circumference of the end plate using conventional methods, then the guidevanes can be attached to the generator, but complete access to the end plate is required and installation is difficult and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of guidevane installationVSAvoidaccess requirement to end plate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The guidevane is divided into a base ring portion and a vanes portion, allowing the base ring to be installed first on the end plate, and the vanes to be attached later. This segmentation enables installation without requiring complete access to the end plate, as the base ring can be positioned and secured first, then the vanes added subsequently when access is more limited.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base ring is prepared with attachment features (such as tabs, slots, or bonding surfaces) in advance during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation allows the base ring to be quickly positioned and secured to the end plate before the generator is fully assembled, eliminating the need for complex on-site attachment procedures and reducing installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If guidevanes are rigidly attached to the end plate, then secure attachment is achieved, but stress concentration and potential damage occur under centrifugal forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidstress resistance of guidevane

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The guidevane base ring is designed with flexible attachment mechanisms such as spring-loaded tabs, elastic bonding layers, or compliant joints that allow the guidevane to flex slightly under centrifugal forces. This flexibility maintains secure attachment while distributing stresses evenly, preventing stress concentration and potential damage to the guidevane structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection that can adapt to operational conditions. The flexible attachment allows the guidevane to move slightly with the rotor dynamics, maintaining reliable attachment while reducing stress concentrations that would occur with rigid fixation under varying centrifugal loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS7456542B2Inlet guidevanes for generator rotors

Publication Date: 2008.11.25 SIEMENS ENERGY INC

AI summary

The present invention provides for a method of installing a guidevane 20 to an end plate 6 that comprises manufacturing a guidevane with at least one tab 30 located on a top length-wise edge of the guidevane and multiple tab slots 32 located on the length-wise edge. Then attaching the guidevane 20 to an end face of an end plate via a fastener that attaches the at least one tab to the end face, and aligning the plurality of tab slots to multiple end plate tabs so that the tab and the tab slots are approximately aligned with the end face of the end plate