Nonatmospheric Gas Patents (Class 310/55)
  • Patent number: 7888124
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator where the system monitors the health of the electrical generating system by calculating the time remaining until preventative maintenance is required based on hydrogen usage. The system also monitors the health of the system by detecting the occurrence of major leaks within the electrical power generator and adapting the operation of the system to maintain a desired operating environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems
    Inventor: A. John Speranza
  • Publication number: 20100307191
    Abstract: A motor coolant method and system is used to cool a compressor motor (36) in a refrigeration system having a multi-stage compressor (38). The compressor includes a first compressor stage (42) and a second compressor stage (44), the first compressor stage providing compressed refrigerant to an input of the second compressor stage. The motor coolant system has a first connection with the refrigerant loop to receive refrigerant into the motor cavity for cooling, the received refrigerant provided from a system component having a high pressure, and a second connection with the refrigerant loop to return refrigerant to an intermediate pressure greater than an evaporator operating pressure. The pressure inside the motor cavity may be approximately the pressure within the first stage discharge and second stage suction to minimized seal leakage between the motor cavity and the internal pressures of the first and second stage compressors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Steven T. Sommer
  • Publication number: 20100270875
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a high-voltage bushing of a rotating electric machine, the communicating holes are inclined at least toward a circumferential direction of the hollow conductor or toward a machine external side from a direction vertical to a wall surface of the hollow conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yasuo Kabata, Yoshihiro Taniyama, Junichi Uematsu, Mikio Kakiuchi, Takashi Ueda
  • Publication number: 20100264761
    Abstract: A gas treatment machine includes a main gas treatment circuit, connected to a gas compression chamber, a gas compressor, mounted in the compression chamber, a rotating electrical machine, for driving the gas compressor, including at least one coil for the flow of electric current for generating a magnetic flux, and a secondary cooling circuit, transporting gas from the compression chamber to the rotating electrical machine, for cooling this rotating electrical machine. The coil includes at least one toroidal core formed from a rolling of a plurality of turns (20) each consisting of at least one conductor (22) insulated over the length thereof by a primary insulator (24), the rolling which forms the toroidal core in turn being covered with a secondary insulator (26), the primary insulator (24) and the secondary insulator (26) including PolyEtherEtherKetone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: CONVERTEAM TECHNOLOGY LTD.
    Inventor: Lionel Durantay
  • Patent number: 7816826
    Abstract: A machine has a rotor, that can be rotated about an axis, with a superconductive winding that is coupled in a heat-conducting manner to a central coolant area of a fixed heat conducting body proturding into a hollow of the rotor via a winding carrier and a heat contact gas. The coolant area forms a line system with the line parts thereof, that are laterally connected thereto, and a condenser area of a cold unit, in which a coolant circulates in the line system as result of a thermosiphon effect. To maintain the supply of coolant to the central coolant area, even when the rotor encounters difficulties, the coolant area is provided with a lining of a porous material, preferably a sinter material, having high thermal conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernd Gromoll
  • Patent number: 7816825
    Abstract: A cooling gas ventilation chimney is provided for enhancing the heat transfer of an end region of a dynamoelectric machine. The dynamoelectric machine includes a rotor having a plurality of radial slots. A plurality of coils are seated in the radial slots, and the coils form a plurality of radially stacked turns. The ventilation chimney includes one or more chimney slots defined in at least a portion of the radially stacked turns. The chimney slots extend in a substantially radial direction to the rotor, and some of the chimney slots have an axial or circumferential length different from other chimney slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Emil D. Jarczynski, Norman J. Suguitan, William D. Gerstler, Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Hendrik P. J. de Bock
  • Patent number: 7808135
    Abstract: A cooling flow bifurcation member is positioned in an outside radial flow passage of a generator between an end portion of a stator core and a stator flange. The flow bifurcation member includes a main body portion having a tapered surface that transforms a first flow having a first velocity passing into the outside radial flow passage into at least one other flow having another velocity. The at least one other flow is directed along at least one of an outer surface of the end portion of the stator core and the stator flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Samir Armando Salamah, Richard Nils Dawson, Sandip Hirade, Rebinth J Robin
  • Patent number: 7791230
    Abstract: A rotor is provided for a dynamoelectric machine having one or more windings. The windings have one or more turns, and the turns have one or more outlet ducts that are located near a chimney. When the outlet ducts are stacked one on top of another, they form substantially radially oriented passages. The heat transfer performance of a portion of the rotor can be improved by locating two or more circumferentially spaced radial ducts near the chimney. A chimney can also be formed of one or more chimney slots defined in at least a portion of the turns, where one or more chimney slots extend in a substantially slanted direction to a radial direction of the rotor. A transition region of the rotor can also include one or more diagonal flow channels, which discharge into one or more chimneys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kaminski, Emil D. Jarczynski, William D. Gerstler, Norman J. Suguitan, Hendrik P. J. de Bock
  • Publication number: 20100187921
    Abstract: A hydrogen cooled generator assembly includes a hydrogen cooled generator and a fundament, wherein the generator is mounted on the fundament, and wherein the fundament includes at least one cavity underneath the generator. The at least one cavity includes at least one terminal box disposed adjacent to the generator and extending downward from the generator for collection of a plurality of electrical links from the generator; at least one collection box disposed beneath the at least one terminal box having a top wall and a first and a second side wall and configured to guide the plurality of electrical links from the at least one terminal box in a further downward direction; a lateral space; and a seal plate covering the lateral space at an upper end of the lateral space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: ALSTOM TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Michel Verrier, Flore Bouichou
  • Publication number: 20100148601
    Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine having a cooler for a rotator is provided. The superconducting rotating machine includes a rotator wound with a superconducting coil, a stator enclosing the rotator and separated therefrom by a predetermined gap, the cooler having a cold head directly attached to the rotator and at least one compressor connected with the cold head, and a flexible coupling disposed between the cold head and the compressor and enabling a cryogenic refrigerant to flow therein. The cold head is directly connected to the rotator, and the cold head and the compressor are driven using the flexible coupling, so that it is possible to prevent vibration of the compressor and enhance cooling efficiency by thermally separating the cryogenic cold head from the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Hyun LEE, Je Heon Jung, Woon Sik Kwon, Heui Joo Park, Chi Hwan Lee, Yeong Chun Kim
  • Publication number: 20100071889
    Abstract: A closed loop control system for controlling generator cooling pressure, purity and dew point at power plants with hydrogen cooled generators to achieve optimum efficiency. The present invention uses feedback from plant status monitoring software to dynamically control parameters such as hydrogen pressure, purity and dew point to achieve optimum efficiency and provide necessary reserve capacity. The hydrogen pressure setpoint can be manipulated based on plant conditions such as output voltage, MVAR reserve capacity, likelihood of increased demand and other parameters. In general, an attempt is made to lower the pressure setpoint to achieve efficiency. Margin is built in to account for time lag in raising hydrogen pressure in the case of increased demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventor: Brad Radl
  • Patent number: 7673452
    Abstract: A motor-driven supercharger of the invention is provided with a cooling fluid flow rate adjusting device (a flow rate adjuster (37) and a controller (40)) capable of adjusting a flow rate of a cooling fluid. On the basis of the flow rate adjuster (37) and the controller (40), a flow rate of a cooling fluid (41) is set to a first flow rate (a large flow rate) for cooling an electric motor (20) in a state where a temperature difference obtained by subtracting a temperature of the cooling fluid (41) from a temperature of the electric motor (20) is equal to or more than a predetermined temperature equal to or more than zero, and the flow rate of the cooling fluid (41) is set to a second flow rate (a small flow rate) which is smaller than the first flow rate and is for suppressing a heating effect to the electric motor (20) in a state where the temperature difference is lower than a predetermined temperature equal to or more than zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7667358
    Abstract: In a cooling structure of a superconducting motor in which a superconducting coil is attached to a rotor, grooves are concavely provided on an outer surface of a rotating shaft that penetrates and is fixed to the rotor. A refrigerant is circulated through a refrigerant circulation pipe disposed inside the grooves to that the superconducting coil is cooled by the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Okazaki, Shingo Ohashi, Hidehiko Sugimoto, Toshio Takeda
  • Patent number: 7652402
    Abstract: A plurality of coils wound around a stator magnetic-pole core are connected together and connected to output wires by use of a bus bar. The bus bar having a generally cylindrical body portion is disposed at one axial end of the stator magnetic-pole core, around which the coils are wound such that clearances are formed within magnetic-pole core slots, with an axial clearance formed between the bus bar and the coils. The body portion has such a radial dimension that at least a portion of the clearances within the magnetic-pole core slots is left uncovered. Air holes are formed in the motor housing on opposite sides of the stator magnetic-pole core to thereby form cooling air passages extending through the magnetic-pole core slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Kinoshita, Yuichiro Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20090309434
    Abstract: A hydrogen cooled generator having an axis and more than three phases, the generator comprises a main casing section enclosing a stator with windings; a casing end section; at least one end winding disposed in the casing end section; a toroidal duct formed on at least one of the casing end section and the main casing section having a bottom wall and two side walls, wherein at least one of the bottom wall and the two side walls shares a wall of the casing end section so as to form a common wall; at least one bushing penetrating the common wall and inclined towards the axis of the generator so as to form an inclination, the at least one bushing having a first end connected to the at least one winding and a second end terminating in the toroidal duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Andre Arndt, Nagib Rajput
  • Publication number: 20090309433
    Abstract: A hydrogen cooled generator having an axis and a plurality of phases comprises a main casing section enclosing a stator with windings; a casing end section; at least one end winding disposed in the casing end section; a toroidal duct formed on at least one of the casing end section and the main casing section having a bottom wall and two side walls, wherein at least one of the bottom wall and the two side walls shares a wall of the casing end section so as to form a common wall; and at least one bushing penetrating the common wall and inclined towards the axis of the generator, the at least one bushing having a first end connected to the at least one end winding and a second end terminating in the toroidal duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Reinhard Joho, Andre Arndt
  • Patent number: 7629716
    Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Encap Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
  • Patent number: 7550113
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for an a system for maintaining hydrogen purity in an electrical power generator. The purity system includes: a generator, a hydrogen generator configured to provide hydrogen gas to the generator, a purity monitor for detecting the level of hydrogen purity in the generator and providing a signal when the purity drops below a predetermined threshold. The system automatically compensates for gas loss or contamination to maintain the desired level of efficiency in the electrical generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: A. John Speranza, Luisa Gudino
  • Patent number: 7538464
    Abstract: The seal devices on both ends of the rotary shaft are supported by the casing, the bearing on one end of the rotary shaft is supported by a bearing pedestal which is separated of the casing, the bearing on the other end of the rotary shaft is supported by the casing, the seal ring of the seal device on one end of the rotary shaft is divided into circumferential segments, and the seal ring of the seal device on the other end of the shaft is a unified seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Hemmi, Takashi Watanabe, Takahiko Sano
  • Publication number: 20090121561
    Abstract: A machine has a rotor, that can be rotated about an axis, with a superconductive winding that is coupled in a heat-conducting manner to a central coolant area of a fixed heat conducting body proturding into a hollow of the rotor via a winding carrier and a heat contact gas. The coolant area forms a line system with the line parts thereof, that are laterally connected thereto, and a condenser area of a cold unit, in which a coolant circulates in the line system as result of a thermosiphon effect. To maintain the supply of coolant to the central coolant area, even when the rotor encounters difficulties, the coolant area is provided with a lining of a porous material, preferably a sinter material, having high thermal conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernd Gromoll
  • Patent number: 7530230
    Abstract: In a supercharger (10) with an electric motor in accordance with the invention, an inner side of the center housing (10) is provided with an air introduction path (38) introducing a part of a compressed air within the compressor housing (8) to the electric motor (20), and a cooling structure portion (40) cooling the air flowing through the air introduction path (38). The center housing (14) has a cooling fluid flow path (34) which is formed so as to surround the electric motor (20) and puts a cooling fluid for cooling the electric motor (20) in circulation inside. The cooling structure portion (40) is structured such as to be capable of heat exchanging between the cooling fluid and the air flowing through the air introduction path (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Shibui, Yukio Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20080018181
    Abstract: Electromagnetic components are provided with a heat exchange mechanism. For example, a fluid-cooled electromagnetic field-functioning device, such as a motor, generator, transformer, solenoid or relay, comprises one or more electrical conductors. A monolithic body of phase change material substantially encapsulates the conductors or an inductor. At least one liquid-tight coolant channel is also substantially encapsulated within the body of phase change material. The coolant channel may be part of a heat pipe or cold plate. The coolant channel may be made by molding a conduit into the body, using a “lost wax” molding process, or injecting gas into the molten phase change material while it is in the mold. The coolant channel may also be formed at the juncture between the body and a cover over the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Griffith D. Neal
  • Patent number: 7285881
    Abstract: The supraconductor device contains a rotor, which can rotate about a rotational axis, with a supraconductive coil in a heat conducting coil support. The coil support comprises a central cylindrical cavity. A cooling head, which is located outside of the rotor, of a cooling unit is connected in a heat conductive manner to a heat transfer body, which projects into the cavity of the coil support while remaining stationary. An annular gap located between the coil support and the heat transfer body is filled with a heat conducting contact gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Florian Steinmeyer, Carla Brigitte Trautenberg, legal representative, Ulrich Trautenberg, legal representative, Elke Trautenberg, legal representative, Peter Van Hasselt, Elmar Trautenberg, deceased
  • Patent number: 7142125
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a fan comprises measuring power usage of the fan, determining a derivative of the measured fan power usage, tracking the derivative over time, and predicting impending fan failure based on the tracked fan power usage derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Thane M. Larson, Christopher G. Malone
  • Patent number: 7141898
    Abstract: Gaseous coolant, preferably helium, flows from coolers 12 past the winding overhangs 7 of the stator 3, then through cooling channels in the rotor 1, then into the rotor/stator gap 4, then through cooling ducts in the stator core 6 into a coolant receiving region 11, and then through the coolers 12. The coolant flow is preferably caused solely by the rotor auto-ventilation effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Denis Thiot
  • Patent number: 6965185
    Abstract: A rotor in an electrical machine, the rotor comprises a magnetic core having at least two poles, a plurality of winding assemblies, one for each pole, and a cylindrical tube enclosing the magnetic core and winding assemblies, the tube including a plurality of rings having different axial widths. Each of the rings is axially spaced apart from an adjacent ring. The respective axial widths of the rings become progressively smaller than the axial width of the ring axially located at or near the center of the tube as the axial distance away from the center of the tube increases. A plurality of winding braces are coupled to at least one of the winding assemblies, the winding braces having different radial heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher Anthony Kaminski, Anand Shankar Tanavde, Robert John Nygard, Sang Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6943469
    Abstract: An electrical generator (80) utilizes supplemental blowers or fans (140) to move additional cooling fluid through coolant flow paths (116, 124) in the generator, thus reducing the internal temperature of the generator. The supplemental blower comprises a blower (160) for supplementing cooling fluid flow through a discharge coolant flow path (155) and/or a supplemental blower (176, 178) for supplementing cooling fluid flow through an inlet coolant flow path (156). Either supplemental blower has the effect of lowering the peak internal generator temperature (134).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Robert John Nelson
  • Patent number: 6936939
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine having a plurality of ventilating passages formed between a stator frame and a stator iron core and coolers which cool a coolant being provided in the plurality of the ventilating passages. A ventilating circuit in which at least a portion of the coolant which is cooled by one of the coolers is further cooled by another of the coolers, and is allowed to flow to a central portion in an axial direction of the stator iron core in a direction from an outer peripheral side to an inner peripheral side of the stator iron core at least via one ventilating passage of the plurality of ventilating passage which communicates with the central portion in the axial direction of the stator iron core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Ide, Kenichi Hattori, Akiyoshi Komura, Yoko Yamashina, Tadashi Sonobe, Akitomi Semba, Junji Sato, Ryoichi Shiobara, Mitsunori Yamashina
  • Patent number: 6825584
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to ensure efficient coolilng in an electric rotary machine (2), in particular in a high-voltage generator. To achieve this, the invention provides a coolant channel (10) which extends in a radial direction and in which a number of high-voltage conductors (14) are located. A coolant gas is preferably used as the coolant. The advantage of positioning the high-voltage cables (14) in the coolant channels (10) is that the coolant comes into direct contact with said high-voltage cables (14), thus ensuring efficient and uniform cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Voith Siemens Hydro Power Generation GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Kulig, Dirk Peier, Klaus Sedlazeck
  • Patent number: 6803688
    Abstract: The bearing housing of an electrical generator is isolated from the interior of the generator enclosure by forming a cavity in the generator end wall with a seal between the generator end wall and the rotor. By sealing the bearing housing from the interior of the enclosure, the bearing housing is subject entirely to ambient pressure while the interior of the generator is subject to high vacuum pressure for cooling purposes. This isolation minimizes or eliminates potential for oil leakage into the interior of the generator previously caused by exposure on one side of the bearing housing to high vacuum pressure within the generator enclosure and the opposite side to the ambient pressure. This isolation system also eliminates the need for a high suction pressure vapor extractor and enables a conventional vapor extractor associated with the lubrication oil system to remove oil vapors from the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Luis Alberto Estrada, Christopher Steven Terrey, David Robert Kettlewood
  • Publication number: 20040189110
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine having a plurality of ventilating passages formed between a stator frame and a stator iron core and coolers which cool a coolant being provided in the plurality of the ventilating passages. A ventilating circuit in which at least a portion of the coolant which is cooled by one of the coolers is further cooled by another of the coolers, and is allowed to flow to a central portion in an axial direction of the stator iron core in a direction from an outer peripheral side to an inner peripheral side of the stator iron core at least via one ventilating passage of the plurality of ventilating passage which communicates with the central portion in the axial direction of the stator iron core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Kazumasa Ide, Kenichi Hattori, Akiyoshi Komura, Mitsunori Yamashina, Tadashi Sonobe, Akitomi Semba, Junji Sato, Ryoichi Shiobara, Yoko Yamashina
  • Patent number: 6795720
    Abstract: A rotor for a synchronous machine comprising: a superconducting field winding assembly having a coil winding and at least one winding support extending between opposite sides of the winding, and a rotor core formed of a plurality of rotor core sections, each of said core sections having a tension bar slot to receive said at least one tension bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Yu Wang
  • Patent number: 6759770
    Abstract: Modular field windings including multiple coils are provided about a rotor core. Axially spaced spacers maintain the coils circumferentially spaced from one another, the spacers and coils defining radially directed openings in the rotor. Flow directing elements are disposed in the openings to maintain constant or increased flow velocity of cooling gas in a radial outward direction along passages between the elements and the coils to maintain or increase the heat transfer coefficient, thereby enhancing the cooling effect of the gas flow on the turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Christopher Anthony Kaminski
  • Patent number: 6727609
    Abstract: A high-power electrodynamic machine has a relatively elongated rotor. In a preferred generator embodiment, a rotor having a winding formed integral therewith is integral to a hollow shaft mounted within a stator having a plurality of windings. The shaft has an axial end region with an inlet for a cooling fluid. The rotor winding is disposed in apposition to one of the stator windings. The rotor comprises a plurality of laminations. At least one pair of adjacent laminations has periodic slots. The slotted laminations are sandwiched between laminations without slots such that the slots in the adjacent laminations form a continuous, zigzag, generally radial outward passageway for the cooling fluid. The outlet of the passageway is arranged to discharge the fluid onto the winding to provide relatively even cooling along the entire length of the rotor without significantly reducing structural integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Tyrone A. Johnsen
  • Patent number: 6727610
    Abstract: In an electromagnetic generator with a reverse-flow ventilation scheme, a baffle structure is provided to guide the outside space block cooling gas all the way to the stator core inner diameter. The baffle structure helps cool the first package by preventing hot air recirculations that conventionally occur at the tip of the flange and next to the first tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei-Min Ren, Mohamed Ezz Osama
  • Patent number: 6724107
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine exhibits a substantially level axial temperature rise distribution by supplying a coolant which is sufficiently cooled to a central portion of an iron core which is most distant from each of the axial ends of the iron core. A plurality of ventilating passages, which continuously extend in the peripheral direction, are provided in the axial direction between a stator frame and a stator iron core, and coolers are provided in the ventilating passages. A coolant boosted by a booster is cooled by the coolers and is allowed to flow to a central portion of the stator iron core in the direction from the outer peripheral side to the inner peripheral side of the stator iron core via ventilating passages which communicate with the central portion of the stator iron core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazumasa Ide, Kenichi Hattori, Akiyoshi Komura, Mitsunori Yamashina, Tadashi Sonobe, Akitomi Semba, Junji Sato, Ryoichi Shiobara
  • Patent number: 6707179
    Abstract: An apparatus having a slidable seal and related methods to prevent leakage of hydrogen gas or other fluids in a power generator is provided. The seal can connect to a high-current conductor when slidably contacting the surface of a fluid channel formed around the conductor. The seal slidably moves relative to and maintains contact with the surface of the fluid channel. The seal preferably includes a seal body having an abrasion abatement layer of soft metal to prevent abrasions of the seal surface as it slidably moves relative to the fluid channel. The seal can include at least one sealing gasket positioned to fit within a sealing gland formed in the fluid channel. Alternatively, the seal can have at least one sealing gasket positioned in a sealing gasket formed in the seal body and an insulating gasket positioned to restrict the flow of seal-degrading electrical currents in the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Guttromson, Daniel J. Ryan
  • Publication number: 20040000820
    Abstract: An electric generator for use with an automotive vehicle having a liquid coolant system includes a housing defining a closed interior chamber. A stator is mounted within the housing around the interior chamber while a liquid cooled passageway is formed in the housing around the stator. At least two fluid ports are open to the liquid coolant passageway adjacent opposite ends of the liquid coolant passageway and these fluid ports are adapted for fluid connection with the coolant system of the vehicle. A rotor having two axial ends is rotatably mounted to the housing within the interior chamber. A gas flow passageway is open at one end to the interior chamber adjacent one end of the rotor and is open at its other end to the interior chamber adjacent the other end of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph Charles Cromas, Susumu Tajima
  • Publication number: 20030222518
    Abstract: An energy generation device for mobile carriers is disclosed. The mobile carrier moves in a fluid environment. The disclosed device contains a rotating mechanical unit, a power generation unit, and a power storage unit. The rotating mechanical unit is connected to the surface of the mobile carrier, and is exposed in the fluid environment for converting the fluid kinetic energy into rotational energy. In addition, the power generation unit converts the rotational energy into electrical energy, which is then stored in the power storage unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hong-Li Tseng
  • Publication number: 20030090164
    Abstract: A modular system for monitoring a hydrogen-cooled generator includes a skid having a platform and an upwardly extending support. The support is attachable to a hydrogen gas purity monitoring module, a generator overheat monitoring module, a hydrogen gas dryer module, a gas/generator monitoring module, and a gas manifold. The gas/generator monitoring module allows monitoring the operation of the hydrogen-cooled generator and generating data regarding the performance of the hydrogen-cooled generator. The gas/generator monitoring module may display an optimization factor or data regarding the performance of the hydrogen-cooled generator, and/or may be connected via a communications link to a remote control center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: Environment One Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald F. Brosnihan, Thomas J. Chenaille, James T. Clark, Steven D. Kilmartin, Steven E. Kodesch, Robert A. Williams
  • Patent number: 6489701
    Abstract: A superconducting rotating machine has a relatively compact construction while still providing a relatively high output power, thus the superconducting rotating machine has an increased power density characteristic. The superconducting rotating machine includes a stator assembly, a rotor assembly configured to rotate within the stator assembly and having at least one HTS superconducting winding assembly which, in operation, generates a magnetic flux linking the rotor assembly to the stator assembly, and a refrigeration system for cooling the at least one superconducting winding. The superconducting rotating has a gap shear characteristic greater than 10 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce B. Gamble, Gregory L. Snitchler, Dariusz Antoni Bushko, Swarn S. Kalsi, Peter M. Winn, William T. Sand
  • Patent number: 6450781
    Abstract: A centrifugal compressor assembly includes two centrifugal compressor stages, a diffuser duct, a plurality of collection chambers, inlet and outlet tubing, and a built-in electrical motor between the stages. The centrifugal compressor assembly is used in a refrigerating system. The electrical motor includes a rotor positioned with the compressor stage rotors on one shaft mounted on gasodynamic bearings, with the stator fixed inside the motor housing, forming a cooling skirt. The cooling skirt for the stator is formed by lengthwise slots on the surface of the stator in contact with the housing, with the ends of the slots being connected to annular grooves on the internal surface of the motor housing. Each of the annular grooves is connected to coolant feed and discharge ducts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Samjin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Verechtchagin Mikhail Petrovich, Verechtchagin Maxim Mikhailovich, Kolontchine Victor Semenovich
  • Patent number: 6355995
    Abstract: A motor cooling system 10 for and electric motor 20 having a rotor 60, mounted on a rotor shaft 62 rotatable about a central axis and a stator 70, comprises a fluid nozzle 100 extending through an aperture disposed in said motor 20 having an inlet 104 oriented to allow a compressed cooling fluid, preferably compressed air, to expand rapidly therefrom and direct said cooling fluid circumferentially around said motor 20 interior. A plurality of exhaust ports 120 are provided to maintain a positive pressure differential between upstream 80 and downstream 90 chambers of said motor 20, thereby enhancing cooling fluid flow through the rotor-stator gap 72.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: J. W. I. of Howell, LTD
    Inventor: Gregory C. Jeppesen
  • Patent number: 6211586
    Abstract: In a gas-cooled electrical machine, the conductor bars (3, 4) in the winding overhang are cooled directly by a flow element of the cooling gas flow which is passed through cooling channels (8) located within the eyes (5a, 5b) of the bar ends. To this end, the bar levels of the winding bars, which are designed as a two-level bar, are spaced apart from one another in the eye region, and thus form a radial cooling channel (8). These radial cooling channels (8) are coupled to the discharge eyes (5b) by pipe connections (10) which are connected electrically, and in terms of the flow, to round connections (20). The cooling channels (9) in the round connections (20) are connected by insulating tubes (31) or insulating hoses to an induction area (32) of the machine fan, which is separated from the winding overhang area (30) by a bulkhead wall (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Asea Brown Boveri AG
    Inventors: Daniel Hediger, Francesco Stallone
  • Patent number: 5808387
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric motor for an electric vehicle with an improved cooling capacity by causing coils wound around a stator to serve as a tubular heat pipe type heat transfer device. An electric motor for an electric vehicle includes a stator 11, coils 12 wound around at least the stator, and a rotor 13 being rotated by an induction field developed around the coils 12. In one embodiment of the invention the coils 12 are formed of a tubular container 121 which is filled with a working fluid which vibrates in an axial direction of a tube by nuclear boiling generated at a high temperature portion of the coils 12. The coils themselves are arranged as a non-looped tubular heat pipe type heat transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignees: Actronics Co., Ltd., Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisateru Akachi, Tatsuyuki Yamamoto, Hiroshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 5785114
    Abstract: Hydrogen coolers are provided with a cooler frame; cooling tubes positioned within the cooler frame; a tube bundle: an inlet chamber adjacent to an inlet end of the tube bundle; a reverse chamber adjacent to the reverse end of the tube bundle; and a support bracket adapted to be mounted on a frame of an electric generator. The support bracket defines an opening sized to receive inlet and outlet connections to the inlet chamber. The support bracket includes a shoulder for supporting the inlet chamber. This invention also encompasses the method of assembling these coolers in an electric generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick W. Armstrong, Homer G. Hargrove
  • Patent number: 5753986
    Abstract: A bearing 12 is provided on the end portion of a housing 30. This bearing 12 supports a shaft 14. A magnetic circuit 15, 16 for driving the shaft 14 is provided between the shaft 14 and the housing 30 with a gap 29 passing through in an axial direction. An entry route R1 for leading gas from the outside of the housing 30 to the gap 29 in the magnetic circuit 15, 16 and an exhaust route R2 for exhausting the gas to the outside of the housing 30 are provided so as not to reach the bearing 12. As a result, the lifespan of the electric motor can be lengthened, the startup time can be shortened, the number of parts can be reduced, the number of steps required for processing and assembly can be reduced, and the power loss can be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Tokico Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukio Ohtani
  • Patent number: 5703421
    Abstract: A reluctance motor/generator apparatus capable of operation at high rates of revolu-tion and high energy densities with reduced cooling-related windage losses and without incurring thermal damage to motor/generator elements. The apparatus includes an electrical winding-free reluctance rotor having a plurality of windage controlling and heat dissipating divider or barrier elements (which are also referred-to as thermal elements in the descriptions) disposed at opposite ends and periodically along its axial length to definite a plurality of rotor cooling chamber areas. The divider or barrier elements are provided with cooling fluid limiting apertures selected in size to optimize a relationship between rotor cooling effectiveness and windage energy losses. The machine stator is provided with cooling fluid release apertures of predetermined position and size relationship with the rotor cooling chamber areas. Use of the disclosed apparatus in the aircraft dynamoelectric machine environment is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Edward B. Durkin
  • Patent number: 5602435
    Abstract: In the case of a gas-cooled electrical machine, the effective flow cross-section of the connection from the outer hot-gas chambers to the cooler is provided with an adjustable restrictor device (29, 31; 32, 33). In this way, the splitting of the various cooling-air flows within the machine can be influenced, without intervention in the actual machine, such that equalization of the temperature level in the machine longitudinal direction is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventors: Markus Iseli, Lothar Koppetsch, Hans Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 5477095
    Abstract: A rotor of a turbogenerator having direct gas cooling of an excitation winding conductor. An insulating strip is provided between a slot base and the excitation winding conductor. A resiliently elastic intermediate layer, which may be in a form of a corrugated spring, is provided between the insulating strip and the excitation winding conductor in order to compensate for seating phenomena of the excitation winding. This corrugated spring extends in a direction of the rotor body center, originating from the body end. In order to fix this corrugated spring axially without the cross section of the keyway being constricted, the corrugated spring has a pair of projections which point downwards and engage in lateral recesses in the insulating strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1995
    Assignee: ABB Management AG
    Inventors: Johann Kleinburger, Hans Zimmermann