Rotor Conductive Coating for Low-Speed Braking Torque

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Solution Overview

Problem

Rotating electric machines have a low braking capacity when the transmission shaft rotates at low speed, which is inadequate for applications requiring significant braking even at low rotational speeds, such as wind turbines.

Innovation Solution

A rotating electric machine design featuring a stator and rotor with electromagnetic conductivity-enhancing coatings, specifically copper, silver, or gold, applied to the rotor faces, increasing braking torque by enhancing electromagnetic interactions, and optionally a protective steel or cast iron coating to maintain efficiency and prevent wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If conventional rotor material (steel) is used, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the braking torque at low speed is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking torqueVSAvoid rotor structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor employs a composite structure consisting of a steel base material with a superficial layer of high electromagnetic conductivity material (copper, silver, or gold). This composite approach combines the structural strength of steel with the superior electromagnetic properties of precious metals, enabling significantly enhanced braking torque at low speeds while maintaining structural integrity and cost-effectiveness through selective material placement only on the braking surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electromagnetic conductivity parameter of the rotor surface by applying a coating layer with significantly higher electromagnetic conductivity than the base steel material. This parameter change in electromagnetic conductivity at the rotor surface directly enhances the electromagnetic interactions with the stator coils, thereby increasing braking torque without fundamentally altering the overall rotor structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If a thick coating layer is applied to increase braking torque, then the electromagnetic conductivity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking torqueVSAvoidcoating application ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The high electromagnetic conductivity coating is applied locally only on the braking surface of the rotor that directly interacts with the stator coils, rather than coating the entire rotor. This local quality approach concentrates the expensive precious metal material where it is most needed for electromagnetic interaction, reducing overall material cost and simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining effective braking torque generation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If no protective coating is applied, then the manufacturing process is simpler, but the rotor is susceptible to friction and wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotor protectionVSAvoidcoating structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotor employs a composite structure consisting of a steel base material with a superficial layer of high electromagnetic conductivity material (copper, silver, or gold). This composite approach combines the structural strength of steel with the superior electromagnetic properties of precious metals, enabling significantly enhanced braking torque at low speeds while maintaining structural integrity and cost-effectiveness through selective material placement only on the braking surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the electromagnetic conductivity parameter of the rotor surface by applying a coating layer with significantly higher electromagnetic conductivity than the base steel material. This parameter change in electromagnetic conductivity at the rotor surface directly enhances the electromagnetic interactions with the stator coils, thereby increasing braking torque without fundamentally altering the overall rotor structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Significantly increases braking torque at low rotational speeds, ensuring effective braking capacity even below 1400 rpm, while maintaining a high level of efficiency and protecting the rotor from friction and wear.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of the first face of the rotor arranged opposite the first inductor coils is covered by at least one layer of a first coating, the first coating being made of a material having an electromagnetic conductivity greater than the electromagnetic conductivity of steel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the present invention relates to a rotating electrical machine... characterized in that at least a portion of the first face of the rotor arranged opposite the first inductor coils is covered by at least one layer of a first coating, the first coating being made of a material having an electromagnetic conductivity greater than the electromagnetic conductivity of steel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP4491471A1Rotating electric machine
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 TELMA SA
  • EP4491471A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4491471A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4491471A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotating electrical machine (2) comprising a stator (4) and a rotor (6) capable of pivoting relative to the stator. The stator comprises a first support (8) provided with pole cores (12) and first inductor coils (14) arranged around the pole cores, each pole core (12) having an axis (Y1). The rotor comprises a first face (22) extending perpendicularly to the axes of the pole cores. The first face (22) of the rotor is covered by a layer (26) of a first coating, the first coating being made of a material having an electromagnetic conductivity greater than that of steel.