Pressurised Electrical Machine Insulated Copper Bar Feedthroughs

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-power electrical machines with compressed gas enclosures face limitations due to bulky and pressure-sensitive electrical cables connecting bushings to coil heads, which restrict power capacity and safety during rapid depressurization.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of radially extending peripheral electrical feedthroughs within the machine's casing, using insulated copper bars to connect coil heads directly, allowing for increased power handling and improved safety during depressurization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical cables are used to connect bushings to coil heads, then electrical connections can be made, but the machine becomes bulky and cannot withstand rapid depressurization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewithstand rapid depressurizationVSAvoidinterior space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the vulnerable electrical cables from the high-pressure interior environment and replaces them with rigid rod passages that are integral to the casing structure. This removes the problematic element (cables) that cannot withstand rapid depressurization while maintaining the electrical connection function through alternative means (busbars connected to feedthroughs at the bushings).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and form of the electrical connection element from flexible cables to rigid rod passages with busbars. This parameter change enables the connection structure to withstand the mechanical stresses of rapid depressurization while maintaining electrical conductivity through the rod passages and feedthroughs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If a flange is used to separate pressurized zone from atmospheric zone, then electrical insulation and gas tightness are achieved, but maximum power capacity is limited to 1600A

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower capacityVSAvoidflange bushing arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the electrical connection system into multiple independent rod passages distributed around the periphery of the casing, each with its own feedthrough. This segmentation allows power capacity to be scaled by adding more rod passages without increasing the complexity of a single connection point, overcoming the flange's inherent limitation of accommodating only a maximum of twelve bushings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flange arrangement (where bushings are constrained to a flat surface) to a three-dimensional peripheral arrangement of rod passages around the casing. This dimensional change allows for unlimited scalability of power capacity by adding rod passages at different angular positions around the circumference,不受限于 flange的 bushing capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If cables are used for electrical connections, then flexibility is provided, but the machine becomes bulky and space is wasted in high pressure tubing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable interior spaceVSAvoidelectrical connection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the flexible cable system with a rigid rod passage system that is mechanically integrated into the casing. This substitution eliminates the need for bulky cable routing through high-pressure tubing while maintaining electrical connection functionality through the structurally sound rod passages and feedthroughs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2302764B1Pressurised electrical machine
Publication Date: 2013.06.05 GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD(GB)
  • EP2302764B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2302764B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2302764B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The machine (1) has a supporting frame (3) formed by a sealed enclosure containing compressed natural gas. A shaft is connected to the frame. A rotor is connected to the shaft. A stator (2) carries windings (4). The frame includes peripheral electrical bushings (15) extending radially for permitting passage of an electrical connection element (20) in each bushing along with a head of the windings. A part (22) of the connection element is formed by an insulated copper bar.