Patent US3796900A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3796900A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Current transfer in homopolar machines
Assignee: Rolls Royce Power Engineering PLC
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Filing: 1972-03-15
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Granted: 1974-03-12
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Expires: 1992-03-15
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 is sprayed from an annular distribution trough which projects from the periphery of the rotor into the collecting trough.
Inventors
- 👤 Nab I Mc
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:33
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K31/00; H02K31/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
In a homopolar dynamo-electric machine, current transfer means comprising a stationary, annular, collecting trough coaxially surrounding the periphery of the rotor, said trough comprising a current transfer surface of electrically-conductive material, a plurality of openings extending through the periphery of the rotor facing said current transfer surface, conduit means interiorly in said rotor disposed and communicating with said openings, and feed means for introducing liquid metal into said conduit means in a region radially inwards of the periphery of said rotor whereby upon rotation of said rotor the liquid metal is caused to issue from said openings by the centrifugal force resulting from said rotation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
In a homopolar dynamo-electric machine, current transfer means comprising a stationary, annular, collecting trough coaxially surrounding the periphery of the rotor, said trough comprising a current transfer surface of electrically-conductive material, a plurality of openings extending through the periphery of the rotor facing said current transfer surface, conduit means interiorly in said rotor disposed and communicating with said openings, and feed means for introducing liquid metal into said conduit means in a region radially inwards of the periphery of said rotor whereby upon rotation of said rotor the liquid metal is caused to issue from said openings by the centrifugal force resulting from said rotation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
Current transfer means as claimed in claim 1 in which said feed means comprises a circuit connecting said collecting trough to said conduit means for the flow of liquid metal from the trough to the conduit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Current transfer means as claimed in claim 2 in which said circuit includes a pump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
Current transfer means as claimed in claim 3 in which said pump is driven by said rotor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Current transfer means as claimed in claim 4 in which said pump comprises a fixed spigot and an Archimedean spiral formed within said rotor shaft and surrounding said spigot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Current transfer means as claimed in claim 1 in which said conduit means in said rotor comprises radially-extending tubes and nozzles at the outer ends of the tubes defining the said openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Current transfer means as claimed in claim 1 in which the said opening is in the form of a substantially continuous peripheral slot whereby the liquid metal forms a sheet jet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the conduit means includes an annular distribution trough open on its radially-inward side, said openings being formed in the radially-outward side of said distribution trough and said feed means comprising at least one stationary supply pipe feeding into the radially-inward side of said distribution trough.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 8 in which the distribution trough is located within the collecting trough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 9 having a pump for drawing liquid metal from the collecting trough and feeding it to the supply pipe.
Claim 12
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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 1 having contact brushes mounted over said openings whereby the liquid metal emerging from said openings flows through said brushes by centrifugal action, said brushes engaging said current transfer surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 12 in which said brushes are composed of metal-coated carbon fibres.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A homopolar machine as claimed in claim 12 wherein said collecting trough forms part of a stationary housing surrounding said rotor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A homopolar machine as clAimed in claim 12 comprising a reservoir, a circuit for the flow of liquid metal from said collecting trough to said reservoir, and pump means driven by said rotor and connected between said reservoir and said conduit means in said rotor.
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) | 1977-03-11 | 1977-09-10 | 1978-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-11 | 1981-09-10 | 1982-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-09-10 | 1986-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |