Stationary DC Field Generator Layout Without Rotating Exciter Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical power generators are complex to manufacture and maintain due to rotating electronic components, which are prone to degradation, leading to reduced reliability and increased operating costs.
Innovation Solution
The electrical power generator features a stationary armature winding and DC field winding, a magnetic shaft with axially offset rotor poles, and a DC power source to generate a magnetic flux, eliminating the need for rotating components and simplifying the design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If rotating electronic components are used in the exciter and field winding, then the generator can produce magnetic field and electrical output, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by making the field winding stationary and the armature winding rotate on the shaft. This eliminates the need for rotating electronic components in the exciter, as the DC field winding remains fixed and is directly connected to the DC power source, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining magnetic field generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the exciter component with its rotating electronic components from the system. By providing DC excitation directly to the stationary field winding, the complex rotating rectifier and associated electronics are removed, simplifying the overall device structure
2Ease of operation
If rotating electronic components are used in the exciter and field winding, then the generator can function during operation, but reliability decreases due to component degradation
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the conventional design and making the field winding stationary while the armature rotates, the patent eliminates rotating electronic components that are prone to degradation. The stationary DC field winding has no moving parts, thereby improving reliability while still enabling continuous operation and magnetic field production
3Power
If rotating electronic components are used in the exciter and field winding, then the generator can produce electrical output, but manufacturing complexity increases due to clearance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies manufacturing by inverting the conventional arrangement: the stationary DC field winding eliminates the need for complex clearance designs around rotating electronics. The rotating armature winding on the shaft has simpler mechanical requirements, making the overall assembly easier to manufacture while maintaining electrical output generation capability
4Ease of operation
If rotating electronic components are used in the exciter and field winding, then the generator can operate, but operating costs increase due to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
By making the field winding stationary and the armature rotating, the patent eliminates rotating electronic components that require frequent replacement. The stationary DC field winding has no wear components, significantly reducing maintenance needs and operating costs while maintaining continuous operation capability
5Power
If rotating electronic components are used in the exciter and field winding, then the generator can function, but thermal stress increases requiring cooling schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces thermal stress by inverting the conventional design: the stationary DC field winding eliminates heat generation from rotating electronics and rectifiers. The rotating armature winding has better heat dissipation characteristics, reducing or eliminating the need for complex cooling schemes while maintaining electrical output generation
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 increases power density, efficiency, reliability, and operational lifespan while reducing complexity and operating costs, making it suitable for applications like aircraft power generation.
Implementation Method 1
The DC power source is electrically connected to the stationary DC field winding and configured to induce a DC voltage in the stationary DC field winding to generate a magnetic flux
Implementation Method 2
Within the main generator, the magnetic field produced by the field winding interacts with a magnetic field produced by rotation of the shaft to induce an output voltage in a stator winding of the main generator
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples are disclosed that relate to an electrical power generator (102) that has increased power density, efficiency, reliability, and reduced complexity relative to conventional approaches. In one disclosed example, an electrical power generator (102) includes a stator (200), a stationary armature winding (202), a stationary direct current (DC) field winding (204), a magnetic shaft (206), and a DC power source (112). The magnetic shaft (206) includes a rotor pole structure (212) including north pole(s) (214) and south pole(s) (216) that are axially offset relative to each other on the magnetic shaft (206) and are positioned on opposing sides of the stationary DC field winding (204). The DC power source (112) is electrically connected to the stationary DC field winding (204) and configured to induce a DC voltage in the stationary DC field winding (204) to generate a magnetic flux that is conducted through the magnetic shaft (206) and between the north pole(s) (214) and the south pole(s) (216) of the magnetic shaft (206).