US3681633A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Current transfer in homopolar machines
Assignee: JOHN THOMPSON (PIPEWORK AND ORDNANCE DIVISION) Ltd
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Filing: 1970-08-19
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Granted: 1972-08-01
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Expires: 1990-08-19
Abstract
Abstract Current transfer in a homopolar dynamo-electric machine is effected by liquid metal which is caused to flow from the periphery of the rotor by centrifugal action and impinges on a stationary trough which provides a current transfer surface and serves to collect the liquid metal, which can then be recirculated to the rotor. The liquid metal can emerge from a porous pad to engage with brushes in the trough but in a preferred construction is sprayed from annular distribution trough which projects from the periphery of the rotor into the collecting trough.
Inventors
- 👤 Ian Roderick Mcnab
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 14:43
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K31/00; H02K31/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
In a homopolar dynamo-electric machine, current transfer means comprising stationary brush means arranged around the periphery of the rotor, at least one opening in the rotor at the periphery thereof, a porous pad covering said opening, means for introducing liquid metal to the rotor in a region radially inwards of the periphery, at least one rotor passage connecting said region to said opening, whereby upon rotation of the rotor, the liquid metal is caused by centrifugal forces to flow generally radially through the passage and issue through said porous pad to contact said stationary brush means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
In a homopolar dynamo-electric machine, current transfer means comprising stationary brush means arranged around the periphery of the rotor, at least one opening in the rotor at the periphery thereof, a porous pad covering said opening, means for introducing liquid metal to the rotor in a region radially inwards of the periphery, at least one rotor passage connecting said region to said opening, whereby upon rotation of the rotor, the liquid metal is caused by centrifugal forces to flow generally radially through the passage and issue through said porous pad to contact said stationary brush means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Current transfer means as claimed in claim 1 comprising an annular trough surrounding the periphery of the rotor for the collection of the liquid metal, said brush means forming part of said trough.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rotor has an annular distribution trough open on its radially inward side, said opening being formed in the radially outward side of said distribution trough and said means for introducing liquid metal comprising at least one stationary supply pipe feeding into the radially inward side of said trough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 3 having an annular collection trough surrounding the periphery of the rotor to receive said liquid metal, the current collection surface forming part of said collection trough.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 4 in which the distribution trough is located within the collection trough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 5 having a pump for drawing liquid metal from the collection trough and feeding it to the supply pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the said region into which liquid metal is introduced is a central region of the rotor and The rotor is formed to act as a pump for pumping the liquid metal to the said central region.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-01 | 1976-01-31 | 1976-08-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-01 | 1980-01-31 | 1980-08-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-01 | 1984-01-31 | 1984-08-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |