Rotor Core Alternating Spoke Conductor Pattern
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Solution Overview
Problem
Known rotating electric machines generate harmonics that lead to asynchronous rotating fields, causing eddy currents and reducing efficiency by consuming power and increasing losses in the rotor assembly, stator, and air gap.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a rotor core with an alternating pattern of spokes and conductor openings, where the spokes have slots extending radially along the central longitudinal axis between conductor openings, reducing harmonic content and eddy currents, thereby enhancing efficiency and power density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional rotor assembly design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but harmonics generate eddy currents that reduce efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor core is segmented into multiple discrete components: a plurality of conductors arranged radially about the central axis, and a plurality of spokes positioned between adjacent conductors. This segmentation breaks the continuous conductive path that would otherwise allow large eddy currents to flow, thereby reducing eddy current losses while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The spokes act as intermediary elements positioned between adjacent conductors. These spokes serve as magnetic flux barriers that interrupt the path of eddy currents while allowing magnetic flux to pass through the conductor regions. This intermediary structure reduces harmful eddy current effects without significantly complicating the overall rotor design.
2Productivity
If rotor core with alternating pattern is implemented, then efficiency is improved by reducing harmonics, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor core is divided into repeating modular units consisting of one or more conductors followed by one or more spokes in an alternating radial pattern. This segmentation into standardized modules simplifies the manufacturing process through repetition and assembly of identical or similar components, while achieving the desired alternating pattern that reduces harmonics and improves power density.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for variation in parameters such as the number of conductors, number of spokes, radial positions, and angular spacing to optimize performance for different applications. By adjusting these parameters while maintaining the fundamental alternating pattern, the rotor can be manufactured with different specifications without fundamentally changing the manufacturing approach, thus balancing efficiency improvement with ease of manufacture.
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 configuration reduces harmonic content and eddy currents, improving the efficiency and power density of electric machines by minimizing losses and allowing for reduced material usage, which can lower costs and enhance reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The radial arrangement of the spokes and conductor openings about the central longitudinal axis includes an alternating pattern of spokes and conductor openings
Implementation Method 2
The spokes include slots extending therethrough along the central longitudinal axis. The slots are positioned radially about the central longitudinal axis between adjacent conductor openings
Data Source
AI summary
A rotor core is provided for an electric machine. The rotor core includes a body extending a length along, and being configured to rotate about, a central longitudinal axis. The body includes spokes arranged radially about the central longitudinal axis and conductor openings arranged radially about the central longitudinal axis. The radial arrangement of the spokes and conductor openings about the central longitudinal axis includes an alternating pattern of spokes and conductor openings. The spokes include slots extending therethrough along the central longitudinal axis. The slots are positioned radially about the central longitudinal axis between adjacent conductor openings. The rotor core also includes conductors extending within the conductor openings of the body.