Removable Coil Box Field Rotor for Superconducting Machines

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional field rotors of superconducting rotary machines are difficult to manufacture accurately and sustain high electromagnetic forces effectively.

Innovation Solution

A field rotor design featuring removably fastened coil boxes with integrated cooling medium passages and low-heat contraction members, allowing for easier assembly and effective cooling of superconducting coils, while protective resistors and wedge members enhance thermal insulation and stress management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional field rotor structures are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but manufacturing precision and accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield rotor manufacturing accuracyVSAvoidfield rotor manufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The field rotor is divided into modular components: coil boxes that can be separately manufactured and then assembled onto the rotary shaft. Each coil box is a discrete unit that can be precisely fabricated and tested independently, improving overall manufacturing accuracy while simplifying the production process through standardization of parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The coil boxes are pre-manufactured with precise dimensions and cooling medium passages before being assembled to the rotary shaft. This preliminary fabrication allows for quality control and precision work to be done on standardized components rather than attempting to manufacture the entire field rotor as a single complex piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional cooling structures are used, then device complexity is reduced, but cooling effectiveness and electromagnetic force sustainability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic force sustainabilityVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling medium passages are integrated directly into the walls of the coil boxes, merging the cooling system with the structural components. This combination ensures that cooling channels are precisely positioned to maximize heat removal from superconducting coils while maintaining the structural integrity of the coil boxes, thereby sustaining high electromagnetic forces without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of repair

If coil boxes are permanently fixed to rotary shaft, then structural strength is improved, but ease of repair and maintenance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoil box replacement easeVSAvoidcoil box attachment strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system transitions from a static permanent bond to a dynamic reversible connection. Fastening mechanisms allow coil boxes to be securely attached during operation to withstand electromagnetic forces, yet can be easily removed for maintenance or replacement, providing adaptability between operational strength requirements and maintenance accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design enables more accurate and efficient manufacturing of field rotors, effectively sustaining high electromagnetic forces and ensuring uniform cooling and protection of superconducting coils.

Implementation Method 1

each of the coil boxes includes therein a cooling medium passage through which flows a cooling medium used for cooling the superconducting coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the superconducting coils are disposed in the spaces of the coil boxes, respectively, and constitute field windings of the superconducting rotary machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2822162B1Field rotor of superconducting rotating machine
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP2822162B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2822162B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2822162B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A field rotor (100) of a superconducting rotary machine, comprises a rotary shaft (10), a plurality of coil boxes (20), and a plurality of superconducting coils; wherein the coil boxes extend in a center axis direction of the rotary shaft, have walls defining spaces within the coil boxes, respectively, and are removably fastened to a peripheral surface of the rotary shaft; wherein the superconducting coils are disposed in the spaces of the coil boxes, respectively, and constitute field windings of the superconducting rotary machine.