Hermetically sealed feed-through assembly for gas turbine engine starter generators and related methods

• US 6,628,024 B1
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Issued: 09/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc., Power Current, LLC
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Mirmobin, Parsa
• Primary Examiner(s): MULLINS, BURTON S
• Application Number:
  US10/208,388
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 310/71, 174/153.G, 174/153.GM, 174/151, 174/152.R
• US Class Current: 310/71
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 17/303 Sealing of leads to lead-through insulators
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/10 with arrangements for protection from ingress, e.g. water or fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132

Abstract

A terminal assembly for rotating electrical machines, such as high speed starter-generators used for gas turbine engines in aircraft or other vehicles, is made from components that are readily assembled for ease of installation, maintenance, and repair. The terminal assembly includes a feedthrough body, an electrically conductive electrode that extends through the feedthrough body, and a hermetical seal that couples the electrode to the feedthrough body inner surface.

Claims

1. An starter-generator for a gas turbine engine, comprising:

a housing;

a stator mounted within the housing;

a rotor rotationally mounted at least partially within the stator; and

a terminal assembly mounted on the housing, the terminal assembly including;

a feedthrough body having an outer surface and an opening therethrough forming an inner surface,

at least one electrically conductive electrode extending through the opening in the feedthrough body,

a hermetic seal coupled to the feedthrough body inner surface, and

a sleeve coupled between the electrode and the hermetic seal,

wherein the electrode has a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the hermetic seal and the sleeve.

2. The starter-generator of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the electrode, the insulator electrically insulating the electrode from the generator housing.

3. The starter-generator of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the sleeve, the insulator electrically insulating the electrode and the sleeve from the generator housing.

4. The starter-generator of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one seal surrounding the feedthrough body, each seal providing a substantially leak-tight seal between the feedthrough body and the generator housing.

5. The starter-generator of claim 1, further comprising:

a groove formed on an inner surface of the generator housing; and

a retaining ring having at least a first portion inserted in the groove and a second portion positioned adjacent the feedthrough body.

6. The starter-generator of claim 1, further comprising:

a support ledge formed on an inner surface of the generator housing; and

a spring positioned between the ledge and the feedthrough body.

7. A terminal assembly for electrically connecting a stator mounted within the housing of an electrical machine to external equipment and systems, comprising:

a terminal housing adapted for coupling to the machine housing;

a feedthrough body mounted within the terminal housing, the feedthrough body having an outer surface and an opening therethrough forming an inner surface;

at least one electrically conductive electrode extending through the opening in the feedthrough body;

a hermetic seal coupled to the feedthrough body inner surface; and

a sleeve coupled between the electrode and the hermetic seal,

wherein the electrode has a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the hermetic seal and the sleeve.

8. The terminal assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the electrode, the insulator electrically insulating the electrode from the machine housing.

9. The terminal assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the sleeve, the insulator electrically insulating the electrode and the sleeve from the machine housing.

10. The terminal assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

at least one seal surrounding the feedthrough body, each seal providing a substantially leak-tight seal between the feedthrough body and the machine housing.

11. The terminal assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a groove formed on an inner surface of the terminal housing; and

a retaining ring having at least a first portion inserted in the groove and a second portion positioned adjacent the feedthrough body.

12. The starter-generator of claim 7, further comprising:

a support ledge formed on an inner surface of the terminal housing; and

a spring positioned between the ledge and the feedthrough body.

13. An electrical feedthrough assembly for electrically connecting a stator housed within an electrical machine to external equipment and systems, comprising:

a feedthrough body having an outer surface and an opening therethrough forming an inner surface;

at least one electrically conductive electrode extending through the opening in the feedthrough body;

a hermetic seal coupled to the feedthrough body inner surface; and

a sleeve coupled between the electrode and the hermetic seal,

wherein the electrode has a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the hermetic seal and the sleeve.

14. The feedthrough assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the electrode.

15. The feedthrough assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

an insulator surrounding at least a portion of the sleeve.

16. The feedthrough assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

at least one seal surrounding the feedthrough body.

17. A method of assembling a terminal assembly for a rotating electrical machine housing, comprising:

providing a feedthrough body having an outer surface and an opening therethrough forming an inner surface;

inserting at least one electrically conductive electrode into the feedthrough body and through the opening therein;

coupling a hermetic seal to the feedthrough body inner surface; and

coupling a sleeve between the electrode and the hermetic seal,

wherein the electrode has a coefficient of thermal expansion larger than the hermetic seal and the sleeve.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

surrounding at least a portion of the electrode with an insulator.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

surrounding at least a portion of the sleeve with an insulator.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

coupling at least one seal around the feedthrough body.