Abstract: A support structure is used to mount the stator of a rotating electrical machine (e.g. a motor or generator). The support structure includes a rigid external support frame (6). To minimise the transmission of vibrations caused by stator electromagnetic forces into the external support frame (6), at least one sandwich anti-vibration mount (14a) is secured between the external support frame (6) and a part of the stator (28). The mount (14a) is oriented relative to the stator such that it experiences compression loading in a substantially tangential direction of the stator and radial shear loading in a substantially radial direction of the stator during operation of the rotating electrical machine. The sandwich anti-vibration mount (14a, 14b) is pre-loaded with a pre-determined compression load substantially along its compression axis (Ac).

Abstract: The present invention relates a rotor assembly for an electrical machine (e.g. motor or generator) where a tuned vibration absorber adapted to provide radial damping is mounted directly to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A gearless drive for a rotating electrical machine comprises a rotor in the form of a hollow rotatable body and having an axis of rotation and a stator surrounding the rotor. A plurality of pole bodies are independently mounted circumferentially around the rotor by a pole mounting arrangement. The stiffness of the pole mounting arrangement in the radial direction is greater than the stiffness of the pole mounting arrangement in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: An electrical machine 20, 48 comprises a first stator 22 and a second stator 24 spaced from the first stator 22, at least one of the first stator 22 and the second stator 24 including a guide arrangement 26, 50. The electrical machine 20, 48 also includes a plurality of rotor elements 30, 46 located between the first stator 22 and the second stator 24 and cooperating with the guide arrangement 26, 50 for movement relative to the first stator 22 and the second stator 24. Adjacent rotor elements 30, 46 cooperate with each other so that the rotor elements 30, 46 form a rotor and at least one of the rotor elements 30, 46 includes a coupling element 32 to transfer force to or from the rotor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining band which provides outer reinforcement for the rotor assembly of a high speed electrical machine. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced permanent magnet assemblies. A retaining band is fitted around the rotor assembly and applies a pre-load to the permanent magnet assemblies in the radial direction. The retaining band has a plurality of voids that are sized and shaped to provide the retaining band with a progressive spring stiffness in the radial direction. The voids are open before the retaining band is fitted and during the fitting process the retaining band is deflected in the radial direction so that the voids close up and the retaining band becomes substantially solid.

Abstract: Monitoring the condition of an anti-vibration mount, e.g. a sandwich mount in which a plurality of elastomeric layers are interleaved with rigid plates. A set of effectiveness data is determined using input and output data measured or derived over a period of time. The effectiveness data is indicative of the effectiveness of the anti-vibration mount, in particular is dynamic stiffness. The input data is indicative of the amplitude of input vibrations that are applied to the anti-vibration mount and the output data is indicative of the amplitude of corresponding output vibrations of the anti-vibration mount (e.g. the vibrations that are transferred into an external support frame of the associated apparatus or equipment). The operating condition of the anti-vibration mount is monitored using the set of effectiveness data, e.g. by comparing successive sets of effectiveness data determined using input and output data collected over different time periods.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is integrated into a rotating electrical machine. A rotatable assembly of the electrical machine includes a rotor core pack having a first end and a second end, The integrated torsional vibration damper consists of a torsional elastic coupling and a torsional elastic damper and provides mechanical damping. The integrated torsional vibration damper is mounted to the rotatable shaft of the electrical machine by a flange. The rotor core pack is mounted at the first end to the integrated torsional vibration damper by suitable structure members such as a mounting flange and is not fixedly mounted directly to the rotatable shaft. In the case where the rotor core pack is cooled by circulating coolant fluid (e.g. MIDEL) then the integrated torsional vibration damper may be a viscous damper that uses the coolant fluid as a viscous working, fluid.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is integrated into a rotating electrical machine. A rotatable assembly of the electrical machine includes a rotor core pack having a first end and a second end, The integrated torsional vibration damper consists of a torsional elastic coupling and a torsional elastic damper and provides mechanical damping. The integrated torsional vibration damper is mounted to the rotatable shaft of the electrical machine by a flange. The rotor core pack is mounted at the first end to the integrated torsional vibration damper by suitable structure members such as a mounting flange and is not fixedly mounted directly to the rotatable shaft. In the case where the rotor core pack is cooled by circulating coolant fluid (e.g. MIDEL) then the integrated torsional vibration damper may be a viscous damper that uses the coolant fluid as a viscous working, fluid.

Abstract: The present invention relates a rotor assembly for an electrical machine (e.g. motor or generator) where a tuned vibration absorber adapted to provide radial damping is mounted directly to the rotor shaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining band which provides outer reinforcement for the rotor assembly of a high speed electrical machine. The rotor assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced permanent magnet assemblies. A retaining band is fitted around the rotor assembly and applies a pre-load to the permanent magnet assemblies in the radial direction. The retaining band has a plurality of voids that are sized and shaped to provide the retaining band with a progressive spring stiffness in the radial direction. The voids are open before the retaining band is fitted and during the fitting process the retaining band is deflected in the radial direction so that the voids close up and the retaining band becomes substantially solid.

Abstract: An electrical machine 20, 48 comprises a first stator 22 and a second stator 24 spaced from the first stator 22, at least one of the first stator 22 and the second stator 24 including a guide arrangement 26, 50. The electrical machine 20, 48 also includes a plurality of rotor elements 30, 46 located between the first stator 22 and the second stator 24 and cooperating with the guide arrangement 26, 50 for movement relative to the first stator 22 and the second stator 24. Adjacent rotor elements 30, 46 cooperate with each other so that the rotor elements 30, 46 form a rotor and at least one of the rotor elements 30, 46 includes a coupling element 32 to transfer force to or from the rotor.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is integrated into a rotating electrical machine. A rotatable assembly of the electrical machine includes a rotor core pack having a first end and a second end. The integrated torsional vibration damper consists of a torsional elastic coupling and a torsional elastic damper and provides mechanical damping. The integrated torsional vibration damper is mounted to the rotatable shaft of the electrical machine by a flange. The rotor core pack is mounted at the first end to the integrated torsional vibration damper by suitable structure members such as a mounting flange and is not fixedly mounted directly to the rotatable shaft. In the case where the rotor core pack is cooled by circulating coolant fluid (e.g. MIDEL) then the integrated torsional vibration damper may be a viscous damper that uses the coolant fluid as a viscous working fluid.

Abstract: A support structure is used to mount the stator of a rotating electrical machine (e.g. a motor or generator). The support structure includes a rigid external support frame (6). To minimise the transmission of vibrations caused by stator electromagnetic forces into the external support frame (6), at least one sandwich anti-vibration mount (14a) is secured between the external support frame (6) and a part of the stator (28). The mount (14a) is oriented relative to the stator such that it experiences compression loading in a substantially tangential direction of the stator and radial shear loading in a substantially radial direction of the stator during operation of the rotating electrical machine. The sandwich anti-vibration mount (14a, 14b) is pre-loaded with a pre-determined compression load substantially along its compression axis (Ac).

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is integrated into a rotating electrical machine. A rotatable assembly of the electrical machine includes a rotor core pack having a first end and a second end. The integrated torsional vibration damper consists of a torsional elastic coupling and a torsional elastic damper and provides mechanical damping. The integrated torsional vibration damper is mounted to the rotatable shaft of the electrical machine by a flange. The rotor core pack is mounted at the first end to the integrated torsional vibration damper by suitable structure members such as a mounting flange and is not fixedly mounted directly to the rotatable shaft. In the case where the rotor core pack is cooled by circulating coolant fluid (e.g. MIDEL) then the integrated torsional vibration damper may be a viscous damper that uses the coolant fluid as a viscous working fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stack assembly comprising at least one semiconductor device 2a-2d, preferably having an open construction, interspersed between heatsinks 20a-20e and adapted to be at least partially immersed in a liquid dielectric coolant. The open construction means that the at least one semiconductor device 2a-2d will be immersed and flooded in the liquid dielectric coolant. In other words, any spaces or gaps between the various component parts of the at least one semiconductor device 2a-2d will be filled with the liquid dielectric coolant to provide a suitable dielectric environment.