Stator Ring Projections for Wind Turbine Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stator rings for electrical generators in wind energy plants face limitations in heat dissipation due to increasing electrical power generation, despite known cooling solutions, necessitating further improvements in cooling capacity.
Innovation Solution
The stator ring features projections on its second radial section arranged offset in the circumferential direction, creating a spiral cooling air flow that enhances heat transfer and dissipation, with optional heat sinks and a support structure for improved thermal conductivity and mechanical integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional cooling solutions are used in the stator ring, then basic cooling function is provided, but cooling capacity is insufficient for increasing electrical power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The projections are arranged in a spiral pattern around the stator ring, creating a curved flow path for the cooling air. This spiral arrangement causes the cooling air to follow a rotational trajectory, increasing the contact time and surface area between the cooling air and the stator ring, thereby enhancing heat dissipation capacity to match increasing electrical power generation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling projections extend in the radial direction from the stator ring surface, adding a radial dimension to the cooling structure. This radial extension creates multiple cooling surfaces at different radial positions, increasing the overall heat transfer area and improving cooling capacity without compromising the electrical power generation capability
2Loss of energy
If cooling ribs are added to improve cooling, then heat dissipation is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stator ring is divided into multiple discrete cooling projections distributed around its circumference. Each projection acts as an independent cooling element, allowing the cooling function to be segmented into multiple small units rather than requiring a single complex cooling rib structure. This segmentation provides effective heat dissipation while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling projections are strategically positioned at specific locations around the stator ring where heat generation is most significant. By concentrating cooling capability at these critical local areas rather than uniformly distributing complex cooling structures throughout, the design achieves effective heat dissipation with minimal increase in overall device complexity
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 significantly improves cooling efficiency by prolonging the cooling air flow's contact with the stator ring, enhancing heat dissipation and reducing thermal energy buildup, while maintaining mechanical integrity without additional structural support.
Implementation Method 1
a flow of cooling air is guided in the axial direction along the second radial section on the stator ring
Implementation Method 2
the projections... are designed for this purpose at the second radial section to generate a flow of cooling air directed at least partially in the circumferential direction
Implementation Method 3
improve the heat transfer from the stator ring to the air flowing past with the projections arranged offset
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a stator ring for an electric generator, in particular a synchronous generator of a wind turbine, with at least one stator lamination stack (17, 17') which has several lamination segments (19, 19', 29, 29') stacked one behind the other in the axial direction of the stator ring (11), wherein in a first radial section (21) of the lamination stack (17, 17') facing a rotor (5) of the generator (1) a plurality of stator slots (23) for receiving the stator winding are provided, and in a second radial section (25) of the lamination stack (17, 17') arranged opposite the first section (21) a plurality of projections (15, 15') for forming cooling fins (27) are arranged.The invention proposes that the projections (15, 15') on the second radial section (25) are arranged circumferentially offset from the projections (15, 15') adjacent in the axial direction and are designed to generate a cooling airflow directed at least partially circumferentially on the second radial section (25).