Stator Winding Wave Pattern Reduces Switch Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stator windings for electric generators face challenges in efficiently converting electrical frequency while maintaining mechanical frequency, leading to issues with symmetry, increased current, and asymmetrical currents due to the need for multiple bidirectional switches and long conductors, which complicates the design and reduces reliability.

Innovation Solution

A wave winding scheme is introduced, where Z-shaped stator bars connect opposite parts in series, reducing the need for long conductors and bidirectional switches, and ensuring coils on opposite sides carry the same current, eliminating the need for thyristors and minimizing eddy currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a polygonal winding with multiple bidirectional switches is used for AC/AC conversion, then frequency conversion capability is improved, but device complexity and reliability deteriorate due to the large number of switches and long conductors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency conversion capabilityVSAvoidnumber of bidirectional switches and long conductors
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the bidirectional switches from the system by implementing a direct wave winding connection. The stator bars are connected directly in series through the wave winding structure, removing the need for external switching devices and long conductors that were previously required for AC/AC conversion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of frequency conversion and stator winding into a unified wave winding structure. The wave winding itself provides the frequency conversion capability through its symmetrical connection pattern, eliminating the need for separate bidirectional switches and long conductors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If bidirectional switches and long conductors are used to connect opposite parts of the winding, then frequency conversion is enabled, but asymmetrical currents and eddy currents increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency conversion capabilityVSAvoidasymmetrical currents and eddy currents
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry principle by creating a symmetrical wave winding structure that inherently balances the currents. The wave winding connects opposite stator bars in a symmetrical pattern, ensuring that currents flowing through opposite parts of the winding are equal and opposite, thereby eliminating asymmetrical currents and reducing eddy currents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Device complexity

If the number of bidirectional switches is reduced, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle asymmetrical currents worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of bidirectional switchesVSAvoidhandling of asymmetrical currents
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wave winding structure is self-balancing and automatically handles current symmetry without requiring external control switches. The inherent symmetrical connection pattern of the wave winding ensures that asymmetrical currents are naturally prevented, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining current balance.

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

The wave winding arrangement simplifies the stator design, reduces the number of long conductors required, and enhances reliability by directly connecting series-connected stator bars, thereby reducing the complexity and issues associated with bidirectional switches and asymmetrical currents.

Implementation Method 1

The rotor turns at a frequency where P is the number of poles of the machine and f el is the electrical frequency of the network. Electric generators are typically synchronous machines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

minimizing eddy currents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy currents: Eddy Currents

Data Source

PatentEP2800248B1Stator winding of an electric generator
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP2800248B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2800248B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2800248B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatus for producing electrical power from mechanical power, comprising an electric generator with a rotor and with a stator, the electric generator is configured for conversion of mechanical power into a polyphase alternating current, with the polyphase alternating current having more than three phases, with the stator having a stator core with a stator bore (109), with the stator core providing a plurality of stator slots (53-106) arranged at a distance from one another, with a plurality of coil portions inserted in the stator slots (53-106) and the coil portions are connected to form coils, wherein the coils comprises a plurality of Z-shaped portions and are laid out in a wave pattern.