Generator system including an electric generator and a centrifugal chiller

• US 6,688,136 B1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Lemberg, Alexander Abram
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Chen Wen
• Application Number:
  US10/305,183
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 625/05, 624/30, 622/383, 310/52, 310/53, 310/54
• US Class Current: 62/505
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/24 with channels or ducts for cooling medium between the conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 9/20 wherein the cooling medium vaporises within the machine casing

Abstract

A cooling system for an electric generator involves connecting a centrifugal chiller to the electric generator. The centrifugal chiller circulates a refrigerant throughout the hot spots of the electric generator.

Claims

1. A cooling system for an electric generator, said system comprising:

a centrifugal chiller located externally to the electric generator and connected to the electric generator for circulating a refrigerant throughout and in direct contact with hot spot areas in the electric generator.

2. A cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hot spot areas include the stator winding and core ends.

3. A cooling system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hot spot areas include the field winding.

4. A cooling system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hot spot areas further include the field winding.

5. A generator system for producing electricity and having an increased unit power rating, said system comprising:

an electrical generator for generating electrical power; and

a centrifugal chiller connected to the electric generator for circulating a refrigerant throughout hot spot areas in the electric generator.

6. A cooling system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hot spot areas include the stator winding and core ends.

7. A cooling system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hot spot areas include the field winding.

8. A cooling system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hot spot areas further include the field winding.

9. A method for increasing the unit power rating of an electrical generator, said method comprising connecting the electric generator with an externally located centrifugal chiller, wherein the centrifugal chiller uses a refrigerant to directly contact and cool hot spots of the electric generator.

10. A cooling system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hot spot areas include the stator winding and core ends.

11. A cooling system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the hot spot areas include the field winding.

12. A cooling system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hot spot areas further include the field winding.