Integrated arrangement of optical fibers in a conductor

• US 7,174,075 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2004
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd. (Alstom SA)
• Original Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd. (Alstom SA)
• Inventors: Izquierdo, Alberto, Drubel, Oliver, Scherf, Gunter
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; John D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Peace; Rhonda S.
• Application Number:
  US10/883,793
• Publication Number:
  US 20050082084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 945 Days
• Field of Search: 385/101, 174/70.R
• US Class Current: 385/101
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 1/14 Supports; Fastening devices; Arrangements for mounting thermometers in particular locations
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/32 using changes in transmittance, scattering or luminescence in optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2027/406 Temperature sensor or protection
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/28 Coils; Windings; Conductive connections
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/20 for measuring, monitoring, testing, protecting or switching rectifiers H02K11/04; power electronics H02K11/33
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/25 Devices for sensing temperature, or actuated thereby
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/04 Windings characterised by the conductor shape, form or construction, e.g. with bar conductors
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 3/14 with transposed conductors, e.g. twisted conductors

Abstract

An electrical conductor and in particular a conductor bar of an electrical machine, particularly a generator or transformer, in which an optical measuring device can be integrally arranged. A measuring unit includes an electrical conductor and an optical measuring device arranged in the conductor, and a production method for producing such an electrical conductor is described. The electrical conductor (10), having a conductor cross section and also an extent in the conductor longitudinal direction, includes a recess (11, 12, 13) in the conductor longitudinal direction at least along a section of the conductor, for integrated arrangement of a signal conductor, in particular an optical waveguide.

Claims

1. An electrical conductor useful in an electrical machine, the conductor comprising:

a conductor cross section and a length in a longitudinal direction;

a recess in the conductor longitudinal direction at least along a section of the conductor, configured and arranged for integrated arrangement of a signal conductor; and

a wound bar, and wherein the bar includes a plurality of partial conductors;

wherein the recess runs transversely over said plurality of partial conductors.

2. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, wherein the recess comprises a slot-shaped groove.

3. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, wherein the recess comprises a separation of the electrical conductor.

4. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, comprising a bar.

5. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, wherein the recess runs along at least one of said plurality of partial conductors.

6. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of recesses arranged at different positions of the conductor.

7. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, configured and arranged for building into an electrical generator or transformer.

8. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, wherein the recess is configured and arranged for integrated arrangement of an optical waveguide.

9. An electrical conductor according to claim 1, wherein the wound bar comprises a Roebel bar.

19. A measuring unit comprising:

an electrical conductor according to claim 1; and

a signal conductor arranged in the recess of the electrical conductor.

20. A measuring unit according to claim 19, further comprising:

at least one temperature sensor or at least one strain measuring sensor, configured and arranged such that signals generated by the at least one sensor are conducted into the signal conductor.

21. A measuring unit according to claim 19, wherein the signal conductor is configured and arranged to perform sensor functions, the sensor is a component of the signal conductor, or both.

22. A measuring unit according to claim 19, further comprising:

an optical waveguide arranged such that it insulates conductive paths from one another, insulates the conductor bar, or both.

23. A measuring unit according to claim 19, further comprising:

a tube; and

wherein the optical waveguide is integrated in the tube.

24. A measuring unit according to claim 19, wherein the signal conductor comprises an optical waveguide.

10. An electrical conductor useful in an electrical machine, the conductor comprising:

a conductor cross section and a length in a longitudinal direction;

a recess in the conductor longitudinal direction at least along a section of the conductor, configured and arranged for integrated arrangement of a signal conductor; and

a wound bar, and wherein the bar includes a plurality of partial conductors;

wherein the recess comprises a conductor cable gap produced by removing at least one of said plurality of partial conductors from the bar.

11. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, wherein the recess comprises a slot-shaped groove.

12. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, wherein the recess comprises a separation of the electrical conductor.

13. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, comprising a bar.

14. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, wherein the recess runs along at least one of said plurality of partial conductors.

15. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, further comprising:

a plurality of recesses arranged at different positions of the conductor.

16. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, configured and arranged for building into an electrical generator or transformer.

17. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, wherein the recess is configured and arranged for integrated arrangement of an optical waveguide.

18. An electrical conductor according to claim 10, wherein the wound bar comprises a Roebel bar.

25. A measuring unit comprising:

an electrical conductor according to claim 10; and

a signal conductor arranged in the recess of the electrical conductor.

26. A measuring unit according to claim 25, further comprising:

at least one temperature sensor or at least one strain measuring sensor, configured and arranged such that signals generated by the at least one sensor are conducted into the signal conductor.

27. A measuring unit according to claim 25, wherein the signal conductor is configured and arranged to perform sensor functions, the sensor is a component of the signal conductor, or both.

28. A measuring unit according to claim 25, further comprising:

an optical waveguide arranged such that it insulates conductive paths from one another, insulates the conductor bar, or both.

29. A measuring unit according to claim 28, further comprising:

a tube; and

wherein the optical waveguide is integrated in the tube.

30. A measuring unit according to claim 25, wherein the signal conductor comprises an optical waveguide.