Main lead connector for a generator/motor rotor

• US 5,122,696 A
• Filed: 03/13/1991
• Issued: 06/16/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Archibald, James B., Shih, True T.
• Primary Examiner(s): DESMOND, EUGENE
• Application Number:
  US07/668,902
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 310/71, 310/270, 310/271
• US Class Current: 310/71
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/51 applicable to rotors only

Abstract

A flexible main lead connector design for connecting an end turn of a rotor winding of a generator/motor to a terminal stud. The connector includes a first elongate, radially directed, conductive member attached to the rotor winding and a second elongate conductor member connected to the centralized terminal stud. The first conductive member has an inverted "T" shape with its base tapering from a relatively thick central portion to relatively thin outer portions. The second conductor member has a central "T" shaped portion and two relatively thin peripheral band portions shaped to generally follow the side and lower top surfaces of the central "T" shaped portion. The bands continue in a curved manner toward and join with the relatively thin outer portions of the first conductive member and thus form a flexible connector allowing relative movement between the first and second conductive members. The connector, however, also supports the flexible bands against centrifugal forces present at rotor operating speeds by the inclusion of the "T" shaped portion of the second conductor member which is positioned to form a support cap for the bands.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for forming a low resistance current path from a central main terminal to a conductor adjacent the periphery of a rotatable body, said connector comprising:

a first conductive member with two side legs and a central leg portion, and having the profile of an inverted "T", said first member adapted to be connected to said peripheral conductor;

a second conductive member with two side legs and a central portion and having a "T" shaped profile, said second conductive member adapted to be connected to said main terminal;

flexible intermediate conductive members joined to the peripheral edges of said two side legs of said first conductive member and also connected to the sides of the central leg of said second conductive member, a portion of each said intermediate member formed to generally follow the lower surface of said side legs of the second conductive member,

whereby the "T" shaped second conductive member restrains said flexible intermediate members against movement due to centrifugal forces present when said body is rotating.

2. An electrical connector as in claim 1 wherein said flexible intermediate members are relatively thin bands of conductive material and the side legs of said first conductive member are relatively thick adjacent to the central leg portion of said first member and taper to join the relatively thin intermediate members.

3. An electrical connector as in claim 1 wherein the side legs of said second conductive member are relatively thick adjacent to the central leg portion of said second member and taper to relatively thin ends,

whereby said side legs of the second conductive member form a support cap to restrain said intermediate conductive members from radial outward movement when subjected to centrifugal forces.

4. An electrical connector as in claim 1 of integral construction wherein said members are formed from a single piece of conductive material.

5. An electrical connector as in claim 1 further including a bore hole in said second conductive member for use in forming a connection with said main terminal.

6. A main lead connector for connecting a rotor winding of a generator or motor to a rotor terminal element, said connector comprising:

first and second conductive members, each member having a substantially "T" shaped profile with a central portion and two side portions;

said first and second conductive portions positioned such that both are symmetrical about a common axis through the central portions thereof and so that the "T" profiles are each inverted with respect to the other;

first and second flexible bands, each band connected to a side portion of said first member, each further connected to opposite sides of the central portion of said second member and each including a portion which is adjacent a side portion of said second member,

whereby the first and second flexible bands are restrained from movement toward said winding when the rotor is rotating.

7. The main lead connector of claim 6 further comprising means for joining said rotor terminal element to said second conductive member.

8. The main lead connector of claim 6 wherein the first and second flexible bands are connected at the approximate midpoints of said second conductive member sides.

9. The main lead connector of claim 6 wherein said first and second members are respectively connected to the rotor winding and terminal by brazing.

10. The main lead connector of claim 6 wherein said members and said bands are of a one-piece integral design.

11. The main lead connector of claim 6 wherein said members and said bands are of a high conductivity alloy such as chromium-copper.