Self-guiding instrument carrier for in-situ operation in a generator
First Claim
1. A method for guiding an instrument carrier in the annular gap between a stator and a rotor of a generator, the generator having an axially extending rail-like structure defined by alternating ferromagnetic rails and non-magnetic rails of the stator and of the rotor, the method comprising:
- axially guiding the instrument carrier; and
passively centering the instrument carrier with magnets, including allowing free axial and circumferential movement of each wheel, ball, roller bearing or roller of the instrument carrier.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
Removal of the rotor of a large electrical machine is costly and time consuming, and in particular the outage time of a power plant, which is needed for the removal of a generator rotor, is very expensive and should be minimized. To avoid opening of the generator for inspection and maintenance instrument carriages can be used. A method allows the reliable guidance for an in-situ instrument carrier inside the annular gap of a generator and a corresponding instrument carrier. The method avoids the use of sensors and active control systems for the guidance of the instrument carrier. A passively self-guiding system and method takes advantage of the internal structure of a generator and uses the passive centering properties of magnets to guide the instrument carrier through the annular gap of a generator.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for guiding an instrument carrier in the annular gap between a stator and a rotor of a generator, the generator having an axially extending rail-like structure defined by alternating ferromagnetic rails and non-magnetic rails of the stator and of the rotor, the method comprising:
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axially guiding the instrument carrier; and passively centering the instrument carrier with magnets, including allowing free axial and circumferential movement of each wheel, ball, roller bearing or roller of the instrument carrier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An instrument carrier for the inspection and/or repair of a generator stator and/or rotor, at least one of the stator and rotor having at least one ferromagnetic rail having a width, the generator including an annular gap, the carrier comprising:
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at least one guidance magnet configured and arranged to have a magnetic field that interacts with said at least one ferromagnetic rail; and wheels, balls, roller bearings, or rollers, each configured and arranged to allow free axial and circumferential movement of the instrument carrier in the generator annular gap. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification