Turbogenerator Rotor Blocking Member Cooling Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current generator rotor designs face challenges in achieving even temperature distribution and preventing hot spots in winding end sections due to inefficient coolant guidance, which is exacerbated by the use of blocking members with low thermal conductivity and uneven protrusions that can lead to recirculation areas and impaired cooling.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of axial and tangential blocking members with sealing arrangements and oblong flow guidance structures that minimize pressure loss and recirculation, ensuring a homogeneous coolant flow over the winding end sections, and the omission of radially inner baffles to enhance cooling and accessibility for maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If blocking members with protrusions or flow channels are provided to guide coolant flow, then cooling of winding end sections is improved, but uneven temperature distribution and hot spots occur due to low thermal conductivity of insulating material and recirculation areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature distribution uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is divided into multiple functional elements: a body portion with cooling fluid passage, multiple protrusions for supporting winding end sections, and a sealing member. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function optimally while working together to achieve uniform cooling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the blocking member and the winding end section. This sealing member improves the sealing effect and guides cooling fluid more effectively, preventing recirculation areas and ensuring uniform temperature distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If blocking members are provided to support winding end sections and ensure electric insulation, then mechanical support and insulation are improved, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to low thermal conductivity of insulating material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical support and insulationVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is segmented into a body portion for mechanical support and insulation, and a separate sealing member for cooling fluid guidance. This allows the blocking member to maintain its insulating properties while the sealing member optimizes cooling fluid flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking member incorporates a cooling fluid passage that allows cooling fluid to flow through the blocking member itself, directly cooling the winding end sections from the inside while maintaining electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Temperature

If radially inner baffles are provided to maintain cooling fluid guidance, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling fluid guidanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The radially inner baffle is completely removed from the structure. Instead, the sealing member performs the cooling fluid guidance function that would otherwise require the baffle, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining cooling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is designed to perform multiple functions: providing sealing between the blocking member and winding end section, guiding cooling fluid flow, and supporting the winding end section mechanically. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate baffles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If individual protruding flow guidance elements are made larger to support winding end sections, then mechanical support is improved, but cooling efficiency deteriorates due to reduced contact area with cooling fluid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical supportVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using fewer large protrusions, the design employs multiple smaller protrusions distributed across the blocking member. This segmentation increases the total surface area in contact with cooling fluid while providing adequate mechanical support through the combined effect of multiple contact points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are strategically positioned and sized to provide local support where needed while maintaining optimal exposure to cooling fluid. Each protrusion is designed with specific dimensions and spacing to balance mechanical support and thermal cooling requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution improves cooling efficiency, reduces temperature unevenness, and eliminates hot spots by optimizing coolant flow and reducing pressure losses, while also simplifying maintenance access and potentially lowering costs.

Implementation Method 1

at least one seal is provided between each surface of the wall of a blocking member and an adjacent winding end section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow guidance:

Implementation Method 2

cooling of the conductive windings can considerably enhance performance and possible power rating of the rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection cooling: Convection

Implementation Method 3

Efficient guiding of the cooling fluid can considerably improve turbogenerator performance and prevent local overheating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer:

Data Source

PatentEP3681016B1Generator rotor and end winding blocking member for a turbogenerator
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 GENERAL ELECTRIC TECH GMBH
  • EP3681016B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681016B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3681016B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A generator rotor (1) comprises a rotor body (11) and a plurality of conductive windings (21) extending along an axial extent of the rotor body. The conductive windings comprise winding end sections adjacent axial ends of the conductive windings, wherein the winding end sections are bent to comprise axially extending winding end sections (211) and adjacent circumferentially extending winding end sections (212). An axial blocking member (32) is provided between two neighboring circumferentially extending winding end sections (212) and a tangential blocking member (31) is provided between two neighboring axially extending winding end sections (211). An axial blocking member (32) comprises a circumferentially and radially extending wall (321) and a tangential blocking member comprises an axially and radially extending wall (311). At least one seal (313, 323) is provided between each surface of the wall of a blocking member and an adjacent winding end section.