US4172987A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical liquid contact for an electrical machine such as an electric unipolar machine having a horizontal shaft or the like
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1977-09-19
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Granted: 1979-10-30
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Expires: 1997-09-19
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to an electrical liquid contact for an electrical machine such as an electric unipolar machine with a horizontal shaft. The liquid contact includes a ring gap which is sealed laterally by ring gaps which extend at an angle or radially and in which the metallic liquid present therein is set in rotation. This is accomplished by a circulating pump located outside the ring gap. In addition, the speed of rotation in the ring gap is matched to the pressure of the liquid by changing the cross-sectional area of the passage through which the liquid flows.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernst Massar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R39/00; H01R39/64; H01R39/646; H02; H02K; H02K31/00; H02K31/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
In an electrical machine such as a unipolar machine equipped with a ring-shaped rotatable member and a stationary member mutually adjacent the rotatable member, the stationary member being likewise ring-shaped, an electric liquid contact arrangement including first and second surfaces formed on the members respectively, said surfaces being mutually adjacent to conjointly define a central annular gap therebetween filled with a liquid metal under pressure, said surfaces also conjointly defining lateral ring gaps bounding said central gap on respective lateral sides thereof, wherein the improvement in said contact arrangement prevents escape of liquid metal in said central annular gap and comprises: each of said lateral ring gaps extending above and below the highest and lowest points, respectively of said central annular gap; rotating means for rotating liquid metal in said lateral ring gaps during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member; and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal in said lateral gaps proportionally to the pressure of said liquid metal therein; said rotating means and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal being operative to prevent escape of the liquid metal in said central annular gap during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
In an electrical machine such as a unipolar machine equipped with a ring-shaped rotatable member and a stationary member mutually adjacent the rotatable member, the stationary member being likewise ring-shaped, an electric liquid contact arrangement including first and second surfaces formed on the members respectively, said surfaces being mutually adjacent to conjointly define a central annular gap therebetween filled with a liquid metal under pressure, said surfaces also conjointly defining lateral ring gaps bounding said central gap on respective lateral sides thereof, wherein the improvement in said contact arrangement prevents escape of liquid metal in said central annular gap and comprises: each of said lateral ring gaps extending above and below the highest and lowest points, respectively of said central annular gap; rotating means for rotating liquid metal in said lateral ring gaps during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member; and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal in said lateral gaps proportionally to the pressure of said liquid metal therein; said rotating means and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal being operative to prevent escape of the liquid metal in said central annular gap during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the pressure of the liquid metal varies with the elevation above the lowest location of said rotatable member, said means for matching comprising each of said lateral gaps being formed to have a cross-section varying in correspondence to said pressure of said liquid metal therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 2, each of said lateral gaps having a gap width which continuously changes to increase said cross-section thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The improvement of claim 2, said rotating means comprising a circulation pump disposed outside of said lateral ring gaps for pumping a portion of the liquid metal in each of said lateral gaps; and guide means for guiding said portion of the liquid metal to said circulation pump from said lateral ring gaps and for returning the same after pumping back to said lateral ring gaps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 4, said guide means being disposed at the region of said lateral ring gaps whereat said rotational speed is higher than in the remainder thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
230 words
In an electrical machine such as a unipolar machine equipped with a ring-shaped rotatable member and a stationary member mutually adjacent the rotatable member, the stationary member being likewise ring-shaped, an electric liquid contact arrangement including a liquid metal under pressure and first and second surfaces formed on the members respectively, said surfaces being mutually adjacent to conjointly define a central annular gap therebetween filled with the liquid metal under pressure, said surfaces also conjointly defining lateral ring gaps bounding said central gap on respective lateral sides thereof, said lateral ring gaps each extending from said center gap and being interconnected therewith, wherein the improvement in said contact arrangement prevents escape of liquid metal in said central annular gap and comprises: each of said lateral ring gaps extending above and below the highest and lowest points, respectively of said central annular gap; rotating means for rotating liquid metal in said lateral ring gaps during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member; and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal at different positions above and below the highest points in said lateral gaps proportionally to the pressure of said liquid metal thereat; said rotating means and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal being operative to prevent escape of the liquid metal in said central annular gap during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
230 words
In an electrical machine such as a unipolar machine equipped with a ring-shaped rotatable member and a stationary member mutually adjacent the rotatable member, the stationary member being likewise ring-shaped, an electric liquid contact arrangement including a liquid metal under pressure and first and second surfaces formed on the members respectively, said surfaces being mutually adjacent to conjointly define a central annular gap therebetween filled with the liquid metal under pressure, said surfaces also conjointly defining lateral ring gaps bounding said central gap on respective lateral sides thereof, said lateral ring gaps each extending from said center gap and being interconnected therewith, wherein the improvement in said contact arrangement prevents escape of liquid metal in said central annular gap and comprises: each of said lateral ring gaps extending above and below the highest and lowest points, respectively of said central annular gap; rotating means for rotating liquid metal in said lateral ring gaps during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member; and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal at different positions above and below the highest points in said lateral gaps proportionally to the pressure of said liquid metal thereat; said rotating means and means for matching the rotational speed of the liquid metal being operative to prevent escape of the liquid metal in said central annular gap during rotation and standstill of said rotatable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 6, wherein said lateral ring gaps extend radially from said center gap.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-29 | 1983-04-30 | 1983-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-29 | 1987-04-30 | 1987-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-29 | 1991-04-30 | 1991-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |