Multifunction sensor system for electrical machines

• US 7,508,119 B2
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Issued: 03/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Younsi, Karim Abdelkrim, Salem, Sameh Ramadan, Seeley, Charles Erklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Leung; Quyen P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rosenau; Derek J
• Application Number:
  US11/425,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20070296309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,006 Days
• Field of Search: 310/338, 310/340, 310/344, 310/346, 310/365, 310/366
• US Class Current: 310/338
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/02 Measuring two or more variables by means not covered by a single other subclass
• 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 3/487 Slot-closing devices

Abstract

A multifunction sensor system for an electrical machine includes a piezoelectric vibration sensor a resistive temperature and partial discharge sensor which may optionally be integral with the piezoelectric vibration sensor; and packaging enclosing the vibration, the resistive temperature, and the partial discharge sensors.

Claims

1. A multifunction sensor system for an electrical machine comprising:

a piezoelectric vibration sensor;

a resistive temperature and partial discharge sensor, wherein the piezoelectric vibration sensor and the resistive temperature and partial discharge sensor comprise a piezoelectric substrate comprising two opposing surfaces, a first side electrode overlying a first opposing surface, and a second side electrode overlying a second opposing surface;

packaging enclosing the vibration, resistive temperature, and partial discharge sensors, and

two coaxial cables comprising a first coaxial cable coupled to the second side electrode and a first end of the first side electrode and a second coaxial cable coupled to the second side electrode and a second end of the first side electrode.

2. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the packaging has a thickness of less than or equal to ten millimeters.

3. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric vibration sensor is integral with the resistive temperature and partial discharge sensor and comprises an integrated sensor.

4. The sensor system of claim 1 wherein the first side electrode comprises a serpentine shape.

5. The sensor system of claim 3 wherein the integrated sensor comprises a piezoelectric substrate comprising two opposing surfaces, a first electrode facing a first opposing surface, and a second electrode facing a second opposing surface.

6. The sensor system of claim 5 wherein the piezoelectric substrate comprises polyvinylidene fluoride or lead zirconate titanate.

7. The sensor system of claim 5 further comprising a molding compound for securing the piezoelectric substrate, the first and second electrodes, and the coaxial cables.

8. The sensor system of claim 5 further comprising a second substrate and a third electrode situated on the second substrate.

9. A multifunction sensor system for an electrical machine comprising:

a piezoelectric substrate comprising two opposing surfaces;

a first electrode facing a first opposing surface;

a second electrode facing a second opposing surface;

a second substrate;

a third electrode situated on the second substrate,

wherein the second electrode comprises a ground plane situated between the piezoelectric substrate and the second substrate,

wherein the piezoelectric substrate and the first and second electrodes comprise a piezoelectric vibration sensor, and

wherein the second substrate and the second and third electrodes comprise a resistive temperature and partial discharge sensor.

10. A multifunction sensor system for an electrical machine comprising:

an integral piezoelectric vibration, partial discharge, and resistive temperature sensor comprising a piezoelectric substrate comprising two opposing surfaces, a first side electrode overlying a first opposing surface, and a second side electrode overlying a second opposing surface, wherein the first side electrode comprises a serpentine shape;

cables selectively coupled to the first and second side electrodes; and

packaging enclosing the sensor.

11. The sensor system of claim 10 further comprising two coaxial cables comprising a first coaxial cable coupled to the second side electrode and a first end of the first side electrode and a second coaxial cable coupled to the second side electrode and a second end of the first side electrode.

12. The sensor system of claim 10 wherein the serpentine shape comprises a square wave, a triangular wave, or a curved wave.

13. The sensor system of claim 10 wherein the piezoelectric substrate is selected from the group of monolithic piezoelectric substrates and embedded-fiber piezoelectric substrates.