Stator bar header with hollow strand package

• US 6,577,038 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2000
• Issued: 06/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Barlette, Ronald Richard, Butman, Thomas Rufus, Iversen, Alan Michael, Blakelock, Thomas Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Lam, Thanh
• Application Number:
  US09/748,364
• Publication Number:
  US 20020079773A1
• Time in Patent Office: 896 Days
• Field of Search: 310/201, 310/54, 310/52, 310/57, 310/58, 310/60.A, 310/71, 310/260, 310/270
• US Class Current: 310/201
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/22 consisting of hollow conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/505 for large machine windings, e.g. bar windings H02K3/51 takes precedence

Abstract

A new and improved header design for a fluid tight, current carrying header that reduces direct contact between the liquid coolant and brazed joints. More specifically, the present invention provides for a header with hollow strands for carrying a coolant, and solid strands, the hollow strands being longer than the solid strands, the hollow strands grouped together at a first end of the header to form a hollow strand package, and the hollow strands and the solid strands grouped together at a second end of the header to form a mixed strand package. The hollow strand package may be fused to a liner of the header. This construction reduces water contact with the current carrying braze and groups the fluid carrying hollow strands in a separate hollow strand package where a reliable, corrosion-resistant metal fusing process can be applied to provide a reliable leak proof seal. By separating the hollow strands from the solid strands, hollow strands can be made from materials other than copper and that have low electrical loss, are corrosion-resistant and permit high fluid flow velocities without erosion.

Claims

1. A stator bar header comprising:

hollow strands for carrying a coolant,

solid strands,

the hollow strands being longer than the solid strands, the hollow strands grouped together at a first end of the header to form a hollow strand package, and the hollow strands and the solid strands grouped together at a second end of the header to form a mixed strand package, and

a header body extending between and in electrical connection with the hollow strand package and the mixed strand package, wherein the header body carries a high electrical current, the header body surrounding and extending past the hollow strand package and transmitting the high electrical current past the hollow strand package.

2. The stator bar header of claim 1 wherein the hollow strand package is fused to a liner.

3. The stator bar header of claim 2 wherein the hollow strands are connected to the liner by TIG welding.

4. The stator bar header of claim 1 wherein the hollow strands are made from stainless steel.

5. The stator bar header of claim 1 further having a plate that applies pressure to the mixed strand package to provide enhanced electrical contact between the mixed strand package and the header.

6. The stator bar header of claim 1, further comprising a liquid coupling at the first end of the header, wherein the liquid coupling provides a liquid connection with an adjacent stator bar header.

7. The stator bar header of claim 6, wherein the liquid coupling at the first end of the header provides an electrical connection with an adjacent stator bar header.

8. The stator bar header of claim 1, further comprising a series connector at the first end of the header, wherein the series connector provides an electrical connection with an adjacent stator bar header.

9. The stator bar header of claim 8, wherein the series connector is a solid electrical conductor.

10. A stator bar header comprising:

hollow strands for carrying a coolant,

solid strands,

the hollow strands being longer than the solid strands, the hollow strands grouped together at a first end of the header to form a hollow strand package wherein at least one portion of at least one hollow strand is in direct contact with at least one portion of another hollow strand, and the hollow strands and tile solid strands grouped together at a second end of the header to form a mixed strand package, and

a header body extending between and in electrical connection with the hollow strand package and the mixed strand package, wherein the header body carries a high electrical current, the header body surrounding and extending past the hollow strand package and transmitting the high electrical current past the hollow strand package.

11. The stator bar header of claim 10, wherein the hollow strand package is fused to a liner.

12. The stator bar header of claim 11, wherein the hollow strands are connected to the liner by TIG welding.

13. The stator bar header of claim 10, wherein the hollow strands are made from stainless steel.

14. The stator bar header of claim 10, further having a plate that applies pressure to the mixed strand package to provide enhanced electrical contact between the mixed strand package and the header.

15. The stator bar header of claim 10, further comprising a liquid coupling at the first end of the header, wherein the liquid coupling provides a liquid connection with an adjacent stator bar header.

16. The stator bar header of claim 15, wherein the liquid coupling at the first end of the header provides an electrical connection with an adjacent stator bar header.

17. The stator bar header of claim 10, further comprising a series connector at the first end of the header, wherein the series connector provides an electrical connection with an adjacent stator bar header.

18. The stator bar header of claim 17, wherein the series connector is a solid electrical conductor.