Abstract: In one embodiment, a stator coil that includes a first turn with two or more strands is provided. The first turn includes first and second opposite sides, a coil termination at a first end of the first turn and an inversion region disposed at a second end, opposite the coil termination. The stator coil also includes at least one additional turn with two or more strands. The at least one additional turn includes first and second opposite sides, and an inversion region located adjacent to the inversion region of the first turn. The first and second sides of the first turn are inverted relative to the first and second sides of the at least one additional turn outside their respective inversion regions.

Abstract: A manifold for cooling the end turns of stator coils of a generator is provided. The manifold includes a ring having a surface with a plurality of spray nozzles formed integral with the ring and extending from the surface. Each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles includes a channel having a diameter, and a surface having a selected width and an angle, wherein the channel and the surface are configured to spray oil on first end turns of the stator coils.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stator coil that includes a first turn with two or more strands is provided. The first turn includes first and second opposite sides, a coil termination at a first end of the first turn and an inversion region disposed at a second end, opposite the coil termination. The stator coil also includes at least one additional turn with two or more strands. The at least one additional turn includes first and second opposite sides, and an inversion region located adjacent to the inversion region of the first turn. The first and second sides of the first turn are inverted relative to the first and second sides of the at least one additional turn outside their respective inversion regions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stator coil that includes a first turn with two or more strands is provided. The first turn includes first and second opposite sides, a coil termination at a first end of the first turn and an inversion region disposed at a second end, opposite the coil termination. The stator coil also includes at least one additional turn with two or more strands. The at least one additional turn includes first and second opposite sides, and an inversion region located adjacent to the inversion region of the first turn. The first and second sides of the first turn are inverted relative to the first and second sides of the at least one additional turn outside their respective inversion regions.

Abstract: Electrical generators having one or more conformal support and cooling devices for use in supporting and cooling rotating elements of the generator are disclosed herein. An electrical generator includes a housing, a shaft disposed axially through the housing, a rotor assembly including a plurality of poles that are disposed within the housing and mounted on the shaft, a support wedge disposed between two of the plurality of poles. The conformal support and cooling device includes an internal cooling channel in a helical configuration or a V-shape configuration that extends from a first length-wise end of the support and cooling device to a second length-wise end of the support and cooling device. Additive manufacturing processes are employed to fabricate the conformal support and cooling device.

Abstract: Electrical generators having one or more conformal support and cooling devices for use in supporting and cooling rotating elements of the generator are disclosed herein. An electrical generator includes a housing, a shaft disposed axially through the housing, a rotor assembly including a plurality of poles that are disposed within the housing and mounted on the shaft, a support wedge disposed between two of the plurality of poles. The conformal support and cooling device includes an internal cooling channel in a helical configuration or a V-shape configuration that extends from a first length-wise end of the support and cooling device to a second length-wise end of the support and cooling device. Additive manufacturing processes are employed to fabricate the conformal support and cooling device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a stator coil that includes a first turn with two or more strands is provided. The first turn includes first and second opposite sides, a coil termination at a first end of the first turn and an inversion region disposed at a second end, opposite the coil termination. The stator coil also includes at least one additional turn with two or more strands. The at least one additional turn includes first and second opposite sides, and an inversion region located adjacent to the inversion region of the first turn. The first and second sides of the first turn are inverted relative to the first and second sides of the at least one additional turn outside their respective inversion regions.

Abstract: A retention component for retaining a coil in a slot of a stator for a generator having a rotor includes a first segment and a second segment, both of which are configured to be inserted into the slot. At least one of the first and second segments is made entirely of laminated sheets that together form a unitary structure of magnetic material. At least one of the first and second segments has an interfacing surface configured to directly interface a rotor surface in the absence of a structure therebetween. A channel is between the first and second segments, and a third segment that extends along and within the channel. The third segment is less magnetic or non-magnetic than at least one of the first and second elements.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly for an input shaft and an output shaft includes a sleeve configured to be disposed about the input shaft and the output shaft. A cam is disposed about the sleeve. A cam follower is configured to contact the cam. An interfacing element is configured to operatively interface the sleeve, the input shaft, and the output shaft. The sleeve, the cam, the cam follower, and the interfacing element are configured to move between a respective connect position and a respective disconnect position.

Abstract: A method for generating electrical power may include the steps of rotating a rotor of a generator at a speed in excess of about 12,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to about 25,000 rpm and producing power with the generator at a rate in excess of about 800 kilowatts (kW). The generator has a power/weight ratio no smaller than about 3 kW/lbs. A rotor is cooled with cooling oil internally circulated through the rotor of the generator so that contact of cooling oil with external surfaces of the rotor may be precluded. The stator is also cooled with oil that is prevented from contacting the external surfaces of the rotor. Pressurized airflow may be produced in a gap between the rotor and a stator of the generator to preclude entry of cooling oil into the gap.

Abstract: A retention component for retaining a coil in a slot of a stator for a generator having a rotor includes a first segment and a second segment, both of which are configured to be inserted into the slot. At least one of the first and second segments is made entirely of laminated sheets that together form a unitary structure of magnetic material. At least one of the first and second segments has an interfacing surface configured to directly interface a rotor surface in the absence of a structure therebetween. A channel is between the first and second segments, and a third segment that extends along and within the channel. The third segment is less magnetic or non-magnetic than at least one of the first and second elements.

Abstract: A method for generating electrical power may include the steps of rotating a rotor of a generator at a speed in excess of about 12,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to about 25,000 rpm and producing power with the generator at a rate in excess of about 800 kilowatts (kW). The generator has a power/weight ratio no smaller than about 3 kW/lbs. A rotor is cooled with cooling oil internally circulated through the rotor of the generator so that contact of cooling oil with external surfaces of the rotor may be precluded. The stator is also cooled with oil that is prevented from contacting the external surfaces of the rotor. Pressurized airflow may be produced in a gap between the rotor and a stator of the generator to preclude entry of cooling oil into the gap.

Abstract: A disconnect assembly for an input shaft and an output shaft includes a sleeve configured to be disposed about the input shaft and the output shaft. A cam is disposed about the sleeve. A cam follower is configured to contact the cam. An interfacing element is configured to operatively interface the sleeve, the input shaft, and the output shaft. The sleeve, the cam, the cam follower, and the interfacing element are configured to move between a respective connect position and a respective disconnect position.

Abstract: A method for generating electrical power may include the steps of rotating a rotor of a generator at a speed in excess of about 12,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to about 25,000 rpm and producing power with the generator at a rate in excess of about 800 kilowatts (kW). The generator has a power/weight ratio no smaller than about 3 kW/lbs. A rotor is cooled with cooling oil internally circulated through the rotor of the generator so that contact of cooling oil with external surfaces of the rotor may be precluded. The stator is also cooled with oil that is prevented from contacting the external surfaces of the rotor. Pressurized airflow may be produced in a gap between the rotor and a stator of the generator to preclude entry of cooling oil into the gap.

Abstract: A method for generating electrical power may include the steps of rotating a rotor of a generator at a speed in excess of about 12,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to about 25,000 rpm and producing power with the generator at a rate in excess of about 800 kilowatts (kW). The generator has a power/weight ratio no smaller than about 3 kW/lbs. A rotor is cooled with cooling oil internally circulated through the rotor of the generator so that contact of cooling oil with external surfaces of the rotor may be precluded. The stator is also cooled with oil that is prevented from contacting the external surfaces of the rotor. Pressurized airflow may be produced in a gap between the rotor and a stator of the generator to preclude entry of cooling oil into the gap.

Abstract: A wedge cooling apparatus and method for cooling a rotating machine, such as a generator, disperses a spray of cooling fluid into the wedges of the generator. The spray cooling method results in a high heat transfer coefficient of about 2000-3000 W/m2C as opposed to conventional conduction cooling, which has a heat transfer coefficient of about 200-300 W/m2C. The apparatus and method of the present invention efficiently removes heat from high powered, high current density designed generators.

Abstract: A wedge cooling apparatus and method for cooling a rotating machine, such as a generator, disperses a spray of cooling fluid into the wedges of the generator. The spray cooling method results in a high heat transfer coefficient of about 2000-3000 W/m2C as opposed to conventional conduction cooling, which has a heat transfer coefficient of about 200-300 W/m2C. The apparatus and method of the present invention efficiently removes heat from high powered, high current density designed generators.

Abstract: A passive thermal actuator is used to control the position of a vent door mounted on an enclosure, to thereby selectively permit cooling air flow to one or more electronic units disposed within the enclosure. The passive thermal actuator is coupled to the vent door, is at least thermally coupled the electronics unit, and is comprised at least partially of a material, such as a shape memory alloy (SMA), that has a shape or volume that varies with electronics unit temperature variations. The passive thermal actuator, in response to the electronics unit temperature variations, selectively moves the vent door between its open and closed positions.