Separator for separating windings

• US 20080011505A1
• Filed: 06/06/2007
• Published: 01/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cummins Generator Technologies Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cummins Generator Technologies Limited (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Maddison, Christopher, Saunders, Joseph, Hanwell, Peter, Riley, Mark, Gee, Adrian, Shanel, Martin
• Granted Patent: US 7,923,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 174/146
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/34 between conductors or between conductor and core, e.g. slot insulation

Abstract

A separator is disclosed which provides an electrically insulating layer between groups of windings in an electrical apparatus, such as a rotating electrical machine. The separator comprises a matrix of interconnected rods. This can allow air gaps to be present between groups of windings, which may improve the cooling efficiency of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A separator which provides an electrically insulating layer between groups of windings in an electrical apparatus, the separator comprising a matrix of interconnected rods.

2. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of cells each defining a hole through the separator.

3. A separator according to claim 2, wherein each side of a cell is formed from a rod.

4. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the rods are connected by a plurality of joints.

5. A separator according to claim 4, wherein a joint has a narrower cross-section than a rod.

6. A separator according to claim 4, wherein a joint is integrally formed with a rod.

7. A separator according to claim 4, wherein a joint is formed from the same material as a rod.

8. A separator according to claim 4, wherein at least one joint connects the ends of at least three rods.

9. A separator according to claim 4, wherein at least one joint is flexible.

10. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of rods connected end to end.

11. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the matrix comprises a plurality of intersecting rods.

12. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the separator is pre-formed into a desired final shape.

13. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the separator is flexible.

14. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the separator can bend in one or more planes.

15. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the separator has a varying thickness.

16. A separator according to claim 1, wherein at least one rod has a varying thickness.

17. A separator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the rods has a rounded upper surface.

18. A separator according to claim 1, wherein the rods are compressively rigid.

19. A separator according to claim 1, further comprising a tag which holds the separator in position while a group of windings is being formed on the separator.

20. A separator according to claim 19, wherein the tag carries an adhesive.

21. A separator according to claim 19, wherein the tag is connected to the separator by means of a flexible joint.

22. A separator according to claim 19, wherein the tag is formed integrally with a rod.

23. A separator according to claim 1, constructed from a plastics material.

24. An electrical apparatus comprising two groups of windings separated by a separator, the separator comprising a matrix of interconnected rods.

25. An electrical apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the groups of windings are overlapping groups of windings.

26. An electrical apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the electrical apparatus is a multiphase apparatus and each group of windings is a different phase.

27. An electrical apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the separator defines a plurality of air gaps between the groups of windings.

28. An electrical apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the air gaps are sufficient to ensure the required electrical separation of the groups of windings.

29. A method of winding an electrical apparatus, the method comprising inserting a separator comprising a matrix of rigid rods between groups of windings.

30. A method according to claim 29, the method comprising winding a first group of windings, placing the separator on the first group of windings, and then winding a second group of windings on the separator.