Miniature rotating rectifier assembly

• US 5,365,133 A
• Filed: 11/29/1993
• Issued: 11/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eemco/Datron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eemco/Datron, Inc.
• Inventors: Raad, Bernard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephan, Steven L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LABALLE, CLAYTON E
• Application Number:
  US08/158,281
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 310/54, 310/61, 310/68 D, 310/71, 363/145
• US Class Current: 310/68.00D
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/042 Rectifiers associated with rotating parts, e.g. rotor cores or rotary shafts
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/197 in which the rotor or stator space is fluid-tight, e.g. to provide for different cooling media for rotor and stator

Abstract

A modular rotating rectifier assembly for use with a brushless self-excited, liquid cooled, dynamo electric device such as a generator. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned in a rotating hollow shaft of the generator and is coupled with a coolant circulating system for transferring heat from the rectifier assembly to the coolant flowing therethrough. The rotating rectifier assembly is positioned inside the shaft in close proximity to a central axis, longitudinally extending through the shaft, thereby minimizing the centrifugal forces induced on the diode components of the rotating rectifier assembly.

Claims

1. A rectifier assembly in combination with a brushless, self-excited, cooled, dynamo electric device, said dynamo electric device being of the type having a main dynamo unit with a rotating DC field producing structure associated with a hollow shaft, said unit being energized by an exciter dynamo unit having a rotor associated with said hollow shaft and producing AC, said shaft having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and means for circulating coolant operatively associated with said dynamo electric device;

said rectifier assembly being disposed in said hollow shaft comprising;

a receptacle portion being retained inside said hollow shaft, said receptacle portion being electrically coupled to said dynamo electric device;

a diode assembly being disposed in said hollow shaft and matable with said receptacle portion for electrically coupling said diode assembly to said dynamo electric device for rectifying AC to DC to provide current to said DC field producing structure;

an entry port formed through one end of said diode assembly;

an exit port formed through an end of said receptacle portion distal said entry port;

a passage extending though said diode assembly and said receptacle portion, said passage communicating with said entry port and said exit port, said means for circulating coolant communicating with said entry port for providing coolant to said diode assembly and said receptacle portion;

at least two reduced dimension surfaces being defined on outside surfaces of said diode assembly and said receptacle portion having a dimension which is less than an inside surface of said hollow shaft, said reduced dimension surfaces being generally equidistantly spaced apart on said outside surfaces of said diode assembly and receptacle portion; and

a gap being defined between each of said reduced dimension surfaces and said inside surface of said hollow shaft, said gap communicating with said exit port for transporting coolant from said passage over the outside of said receptacle portion and said diode assembly, each of said gaps defining substantially equal volumes for balancing fluid flow and weight distribution of fluid flowing therethrough.

2. A rectifier assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

positive and negative connectors attached to said diode assembly;

a first end of said positive connector being coupled with a positive bus of said diode assembly;

a second end of said positive connector defining a male plug component, said male component being electrically conductive;

a positive female plug component on said receptacle portion for receiving said positive male component, said female component being electrically conductive and coupled with said dynamo electric device;

a first end of said negative connector being coupled with a negative bus of said diode assembly;

a second end of said negative connector defining a male plug component, said male component being electrically conductive; and

a negative female plug component on said receptacle portion for receiving said negative male component, said female component being electrically conductive and coupled with said dynamo electric device.

3. A rectifier assembly for use with a dynamo electric device, said dynamo electric device being of the type having a rotor associated with a hollow shaft, said shaft having a central axis extending longitudinally therethrough, and means for circulating coolant operatively associated with said dynamo electric device, said rectifier assembly being disposed in said hollow shaft, said rectifier assembly comprising:

a receptacle portion being retained inside said hollow shaft, said receptacle portion being electrically coupled to said dynamo electric device;

a diode assembly being disposed in said hollow shaft and matable with said receptacle portion for electrically coupling said diode assembly to said dynamo electric device for rectifying AC to DC;

an entry port formed through one end of said diode assembly;

an exit port formed through an end of said receptacle portion distal said entry port;

a passage extending though said diode assembly and said receptacle portion, said passage communicating with said entry port and said exit port, said means for circulating coolant communicating with said entry port for providing coolant to said diode assembly and said receptacle portion;

at least two reduced dimension surfaces being defined on outside surfaces of said diode assembly and said receptacle portion having a dimension which is less than an inside surface of said hollow shaft, said reduced dimension surfaces being generally equidistantly spaced apart on said outside surfaces of said diode assembly and receptacle portion; and

a gap being defined between each of said reduced dimension surfaces and said inside surface of said hollow shaft, said gap communicating with said exit port for transporting coolant from said passage over the outside of said receptacle portion and said diode assembly, each of said gaps defining substantially equal volumes for balancing fluid flow and weight distribution of fluid flowing therethrough.

4. A rectifier assembly as recited in claim 3, further comprising:

positive and negative connectors attached to said diode assembly;

a first end of said positive connector being coupled with a positive bus of said diode assembly;

a second end of said positive connector defining a male plug component, said male component being electrically conductive;

a positive female plug component on said receptacle portion for receiving said positive male component, said female component being electrically conductive and coupled with said dynamo electric device;

a first end of said negative connector being coupled with a negative bus of said diode assembly;

a second end of said negative connector defining a male plug component, said male component being electrically conductive; and

a negative female plug component on said receptacle portion for receiving said negative male component, said female component being electrically conductive and coupled with said dynamo electric device.