Electric Machine Winding Bundle Interchange for Current Displacement Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrical machines with windings in slots experience significant additional losses due to current displacement phenomena, particularly at high frequencies, leading to increased ohmic resistance and energy losses.

Innovation Solution

The bundles of the strands are interchanged between coils such that each bundle is arranged at least n times and at most n' times at each possible bundle position relative to the lowest possible bundle position, where n is the integer quotient of the number of series-connected coils and possible bundle positions, effectively distributing bundles evenly within the slots to minimize current displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If traditional bundle arrangement is used in slots, then manufacturing is simple, but current displacement losses are high at high frequencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent displacement lossesVSAvoidbundle arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the bundles into multiple groups and assigns them to different slot positions systematically. Each bundle is segmented and placed in specific slot positions according to the calculated distribution, reducing current displacement losses by ensuring more uniform current distribution across the conductor cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the arrangement parameters of bundles in slots by calculating optimal distribution based on the number of series-connected coils and possible bundle positions. This parameter optimization ensures that each bundle position is occupied evenly, minimizing skin effect and current displacement losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If bundles are evenly distributed across all positions, then ohmic resistance is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveohmic resistanceVSAvoidbundle interchange complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent calculates and determines the optimal bundle arrangement in advance during the design phase. The distribution pattern is pre-planned based on the number of series-connected coils and possible bundle positions, allowing manufacturers to follow a clear guideline rather than making complex real-time decisions during assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a periodic distribution pattern where bundles are arranged in a repeating sequence across slot positions. This periodic arrangement ensures even distribution and minimizes ohmic resistance while providing a simple, rule-based manufacturing process that can be easily replicated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Power

If high feed frequency is used, then power transmission capability is improved, but current displacement losses increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transmission capabilityVSAvoidadditional losses from current displacement
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the frequency-related current displacement problem by introducing a spatial dimension solution. Instead of changing the electrical parameters, it optimizes the physical arrangement of bundles across multiple slot positions, creating a multi-dimensional current distribution path that reduces skin effect and allows higher frequency operation with lower losses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 arrangement significantly reduces ohmic resistance, resulting in lower energy losses and improved efficiency by compensating current displacement effects across the windings, outperforming existing methods like bundle swapping and sub-conductor transposition.

Implementation Method 1

With alternating current flowing through electrical conductors, the current density inside a conductor is lower than on the surface. This effect, known as current displacement or skin effect, can also be observed in an electrical machine that has windings and turns arranged in slots.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCurrent displacement (skin effect): Skin Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2845296B1Reduction of the electrical resistance for an electric machine having windings arranged in grooves
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 SIEMENS AG
  • EP2845296B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2845296B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2845296B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electric machine has grooves and windings, divided into strands, of electrical conductors. At least one strand has a number s of coils connected in series and arranged in the grooves. Each coil has sub-conductors connected in parallel and arranged in bundles. Each bundle is arranged in a groove at a bundle position relative to a deepest possible bundle position in the groove. The positions of all bundles in all coils define a number b of possible bundle positions of the strand. The bundles are interchanged between the coils such that each bundle is arranged in the grooves at least n times and at most n′ times at each possible bundle position, wherein n is the integer quotient in regard to the quotient of the number s and the number b, wherein n′=n if s is divisible by b and n′=n+1 if s is not divisible by b.