Rotor Magnetic Mass With Slot Cooling Separators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cooling schemes for rotary electric machines are complex and time-consuming, involving the creation of bores in rotor conductors, stacking conductors to define cooling paths, and assembling space blocks between end windings, which complicates the cooling of rotor windings.

Innovation Solution

A magnetic mass with axial slots closed by wedges, each housing a radial separator that channels cooling fluid to cool concentric windings, with extraction and supply ducts configured to efficiently direct cooling fluid and prevent movement of windings and separators, using electric insulating materials for the separator.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If cooling medium flows through bores in rotor conductors or stacking conductors to define cooling paths, then cooling of rotor windings is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the cooling function from the conductor structure itself and relocates it to separate separator elements. Instead of drilling bores in conductors or stacking conductors to create cooling paths, the separators are inserted into slots to provide cooling channels, thereby simplifying conductor manufacturing while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The rotor winding structure is segmented into distinct functional components: conductors for electrical function, separators for cooling function, and slots for structural integration. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - conductors can be manufactured without cooling considerations, while separators are specifically designed with cooling channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Temperature

If space blocks are assembled between end windings to define cooling paths, then cooling of rotor windings is achieved, but assembly time and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the cooling path definition function with the existing slot structure. Instead of adding separate space blocks between end windings, the separators are integrated directly into the slots where conductors are already placed, combining structural support and cooling functions in a single element positioned during normal winding assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If complex cooling schemes with multiple assembly steps are implemented, then cooling of rotor windings is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidease of assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The separators are designed to be self-positioning elements that automatically define cooling paths through their geometric shape and placement in slots. The cooling channels are inherently formed by the separator geometry itself, eliminating the need for additional assembly steps to create or activate cooling paths - the cooling function is self-realized through simple insertion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 simplifies the cooling process, enhances cooling efficiency, and reduces assembly time by eliminating the need for drilling and complex assembly, while maintaining effective heat dissipation for rotary electric machines.

Implementation Method 1

the separator being configured to channel a cooling fluid in the said slot to cool the concentric windings

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

cooling fluid flows axially from the ends of the rotor into corresponding bores in the rotor conductors toward the inside, issues radially into the air gap between stator and rotor after absorbing the rotor heat loss

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP4106152A1Magnetic mass for a rotor, associated rotor and rotating electric machine
Publication Date: 2022.12.21 GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD(GB)
  • EP4106152A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4106152A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4106152A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The magnetic mass (5) for rotor (3) which comprises slots (7) disposed on a diameter of the magnetic mass, extending along the magnetic mass in an axial direction and merging outwards in a radial direction, each slot being closed by a wedge (8). Each slot houses at least one separator (9) extending in the radial direction and two concentric windings (10, 11) separated by the separator in a circumferential direction, the separator being configured to channel a cooling fluid in the said slot to cool the concentric windings, the wedge being configured so that cooling fluid escapes the separator through the wedge and to prevent the concentric windings and the separator from moving in the slot.