Axial airgap machines and improved cooling system therefor

Claim 1

IN A DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINE, A ROTOR SECTION HAVING A CENTRAL SUPPORT COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED RADIALLY EXTENDING SPOKES, AN AXIALLY EXTENDING CENTRAL SHAFT MOUNTED FOR ROTATION IN SAID MACHINE, THE INNER ENDS OF SAID RADIAL SPOKES BEING CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT TO EFFECT ROTATION OF SAID ROTOR SECTION WITH SAID SHAFT, A STATOR SECTION DISPOSED ADJACENT TO SAID ROTOR SECTION IN SURROUNDING RELATION TO SAID SHAFT, SAID STATOR SECTION INCLUDING A CENTRAL PORTION SPACED FROM SAID SHAFT TO DEFINE AN OPEN AIR PASSAGEWAY EXTENDING IN AN AXIAL DIRECTION AROUND SAID SHAFT AND ADJACENT TO SAID RADIALLY EXTENDING SPOKES, AND MEANS PROVIDING AN AIR ENTRY PASSAGE COMMUNICATING THE EXTERIOR OF SAID MACHINE WITH SAID AXIALLY EXTENDING STATOR AIR PASSAGEWAY AND WITH THE SPACES BETWEEN SAID RADIALLY EXTENDING SPOKES FOR EFFECTING A FLOW OF COOLING AIR FROM THE EXTERIOR OF SAID MACHINE TO THE INTERIOR OF SAID MACHINE AND THENCE IN A SUBSTANTIALLY AXIAL DIRECTION AROUND SAID SHAFT, SAID ROTOR AND STATOR SECTIONS BEING MOUNTED IN AXIALLY SPACED RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIALLY RADIALLY EXTENDING GAP THEREBETWEEN FOR THE EGRESS OF SAID COOLING AIR FROM THE INTERIOR OF SAID MACHINE PAST SAID ROTOR AND STATOR SECTIONS TO THE EXTERIOR OF SAID MACHINE.