Winding diagnostic system and method

• US 7,852,105 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2008
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Younsi, Karim, Hershey, John Erik, Salem, Sameh R., Seeley, Charles Erklin
• Primary Examiner(s): Tang; Minh N
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Trung Q
• Application Number:
  US12/328,840
• Publication Number:
  US 20100141294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 324/158.1, 324/772, 324538-554, 324558-559, 310/214, 310/68
• US Class Current: 324/765.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/1227 of components, parts or materials G01R31/1209, G01R31/1218, G01R31/18 take precedence; circuits therefor G01R31/14; testing vessels of electrodes G01R31/16
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/346 Testing of armature or field windings
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/50 Testing of electric apparatus, lines, cables or components for short-circuits, continuity, leakage current or incorrect line connections testing of sparking plugs H01T13/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults

Abstract

A winding diagnostic system is provided. The system includes a core having a winding to generate a magnetic flux. A retention device for holding the winding in place is provided. The system further includes a sensor disposed in a sensing relation with the retention device to generate signals related to at least one aspect of the winding.

Claims

1. A winding diagnostic system comprising:

a core comprising a winding to generate a magnetic flux;

a retention device for holding the winding in place; and

a sensor disposed in a sensing relation with the retention device to generate signals related to at least one aspect of the winding, wherein the aspect of the winding comprises at least one of a temperature, a vibration and a partial discharge.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the piezoelectric sensor is configured to generate signals corresponding to at least one of the winding.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is embedded in to the retention device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is coupled to a diagnostic device.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein coupling is wireless.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the diagnostic device generates a fault signal based up on signals from the sensors.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the diagnostic device mitigating faults.

9. An apparatus to measure winding tightness in an electrical machine, the apparatus comprising:

a core comprising a stator winding to generate a magnetic flux;

a ripple spring for holding the stator winding in place; and

a piezoelectric sensor embedded within the ripple spring, wherein the piezoelectric sensor is configured to generate signals related to at least one aspect of the winding, wherein the aspect of the winding comprises at least one of a temperature, a vibration and a partial discharge.

10. A device to monitor winding comprising:

a core comprising a winding to generate a magnetic flux;

a retention device for holding the winding in place;

a sensor disposed in a sensing relation with the retention device to generate signals related to at least one aspect of the winding; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the sensor to transmit signals from the sensors.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the retention device comprises ripple spring.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the core comprises teeth and slots, teeth configured to accommodate the winding.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the sensor is embedded in to the retention device.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein the sensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the piezoelectric sensor comprises varying electrical impedance up on changing mechanical boundary conditions.

16. The device of claim 10 further comprising a measuring system to receive signals.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the measuring system comprises generating a fault signal.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the fault signal mitigates fault.

19. An apparatus to measure winding tightness in an electrical machine, the apparatus comprising:

a core comprising a stator winding to generate a magnetic flux;

a ripple spring for holding the stator winding in place; and

at least two piezoelectric sensors embedded within the ripple spring and coupled in a null configuration, wherein the piezoelectric sensors is configured to generate signals related to at least one aspect of the winding.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the null configuration is configured to cancel a varying magnetic field.

21. A system to monitor and diagnose winding, the system comprising:

a core comprising a winding to generate a magnetic flux;

a retention device for holding the winding in place; and

a sensor disposed in a sensing relation with the retention device to generate signals related to at least one aspect of the winding;

an energy harvesting mechanism to generate operating power coupled to the sensor; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to the sensor to transmit signals from the sensors.

22. A method for measuring wedge tightness in an electromechanical device, said method comprising:

providing a ripple spring that holds a winding in place;

positioning the ripple spring at least partially within a stator slot defined within the electromechanical device;

disposing a piezoelectric sensor within the ripple spring;

generating signals from the piezoelectric sensor corresponding to at least one aspect of the winding; and

analyzing signals from the piezoelectric sensor to generate a fault signal.