Thermally conductive material between rotor coil and core for improved cooling

• US 10,305,353 B2
• Filed: 11/25/2014
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies (Alstom SA)
• Original Assignee: GE Renewable Technologies (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Baumeister, Stefan, Frutiger, Simon Andreas
• Primary Examiner(s): Rojas, Bernard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Singh, Alexander A
• Application Number:
  US14/553,163
• Publication Number:
  US 20150155751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,645 Days
• Field of Search: 310 52, 310 53, 310 54, 310 55, 310 56, 310 57, 310 58, 310 59, 310 60 R, 310 61, 310 62, 310 63, 310 64, 310 65
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2213/03 Machines characterised by numerical values, ranges, mathematical expressions or similar information
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/30 Windings characterised by the insulating material
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/345 between conductor and core, e.g. slot insulation
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/527 applicable to rotors only
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/223 Heat bridges

Abstract

The present invention relates to a rotor for a rotating machine and more in particular, to a component of the rotor. The present invention generally relates to an improved cooling configuration of a rotating machine. Unlike generally known arrangements, the solution proposed herein does not guide coolant fluid to parts which require cooling. Instead, the heat generated from the losses in the rotor pole is transferred to parts having favourable characteristics for establishing heat exchange.

Claims

1. A component for a rotating machine comprising a rotor pole, the rotor pole comprising;

a pole core; and

a rotor coil arranged around said pole core, wherein said rotor coil is separated from the pole core such that at least a gap is formed in between the rotor coil and the pole core;

wherein said at least a gap is partially filled with a material having a thermal conductivity substantially greater than 0.25 W/mK;

wherein the pole core is mushroom-shaped such that a first lateral gap and a second upper gap are formed between the pole core and the rotor coil;

wherein said first lateral gap is perimetral around the pole core, the material being inserted only within two opposite sides of said first lateral gap without extending around perimetral ends of said first lateral gap, the sides filled with said material being aligned with a rotating axis (A) of the rotating machine when the pole core is mounted therein; and

said second upper gap transverse to said first lateral gap and defined between an upper top side of the rotor coil and an underside the mushroom-shaped pole core, the material also filled in said second upper gap between and against the underside of the mushroom-shaped pole core and the upper top side of the rotor coil and spaced apart from said material in said first lateral gap by an air gap.

2. The component according to claim 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the material is substantially equal or greater than 1 W/mK.

3. The component according to claim 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the material has a value comprised within a range of 20-80 W/mK.

4. The component according to claim 1, wherein the thermal conductivity of the material has a value comprised within a range of 50-100 W/mK.

5. The component according to claim 1, wherein the material is a thermally high conductive silicone.

6. The component according to claim 5, wherein the material is a silicone matrix comprising aluminum oxide and/or aluminum nitride particles dissolved therein.

7. The component according to claim 5, wherein the material is in the form of consolidated glue or resin inserted within said gaps.

8. The component according to claim 1, wherein the material is aluminum oxide and/or aluminum nitride.

9. The component according to claim 8, wherein the material is in the form of powder or grain.

10. The component according to claim 1, wherein the material has a form of one or more plates.

11. A rotor for a rotating machine comprising at least a component according to claim 1.

12. A rotating machine comprising a rotor according to claim 1.