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US4251745A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for cooling superconductive windings of electric machines

Assignee: BBC BROWN BOVERI and Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1979-01-19
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Granted: 1981-02-17
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Expires: 1999-01-19
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Abstract

Abstract A cooling arrangement for superconductive windings of electric machines is disclosed where the winding is held in a slot by means of a key. A distribution manifold is provided having distribution ducts adjacent to the key. The axially extending rotor slot is provided with upper and lower collecting ducts in its upper and lower portions respectively which are interconnected with a plurality of generally radially extending cooling ducts. The arrangement insures an efficient cooling with a comparatively simple design.

Inventors

  • 👤 Willy Germann

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 09:12
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K3/00; H02K3/04; H02K3/24; H02K55/00; H02K55/02; H02K55/04; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E40/00; Y02E40/60; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/825; Y10S505/876; Y10S505/877; Y10S505/878

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 82 words
An electric machine comprising: a rotatably mounted rotor having a plurality of axially-extending slots; an electrically conductive winding positioned in each slot and fashioned from a superconductive material; a corresponding plurality of keys, each key being positioned in a corresponding slot so as to hold the winding therein; a manifold positioned in each slot above the corresponding winding and having distribution channels; and a plurality of radially extending cooling ducts positioned internally of each winding and communicating with the corresponding distribution channels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 82 words
An electric machine comprising: a rotatably mounted rotor having a plurality of axially-extending slots; an electrically conductive winding positioned in each slot and fashioned from a superconductive material; a corresponding plurality of keys, each key being positioned in a corresponding slot so as to hold the winding therein; a manifold positioned in each slot above the corresponding winding and having distribution channels; and a plurality of radially extending cooling ducts positioned internally of each winding and communicating with the corresponding distribution channels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein the distribution channels extend in two directions relative to the rotor, the directions being mutually perpendicular, and the distribution channels intersecting each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The machine of claim 2 wherein the two directions are respectively, axial relative to the rotor and circumferential relative to the rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 30 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein each key includes a plurality of radially extending channels, each radially extending channel being located laterally of the longitudinal direction defined by the key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein each manifold and the sides of the associated slot cooperate to define an upper collecting duct disposed laterally adjacent to the manifold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein: the winding in each slot has a plurality of portions; and spacers are positioned between the winding portions to define internal cooling ducts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 25 words
The machine of claim 6 wherein spacers are also disposed between the winding portions and the sides of the slot to define external cooling ducts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein spacers are disposed between the winding and the sides of the slot to define the cooling ducts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 46 words
The machine of claim 1 or claim 5 wherein: the slot has a root portion; and a lower collecting means for receiving cooling fluid is disposed in the root portion and is connected with the manifold channels by the cooling ducts to ensure proper fluid circulation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 46 words
The machine of claim 6 wherein: the winding portions are covered by an insulation layer which is bent at the upper and lower ends to lengthen current leakage paths and seal the windings; and the spacers are positioned between the insulation layers of adjacent winding portions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 110 words
A method of cooling a superconductive conductor in a rotor of an electric machine comprising the steps of: providing a rotor with axially extending slots each having a superconductive winding, a retaining key therein and a distributing manifold between the winding and the key; supplying a cryogenic fluid to the manifold; distributing the cryogenic fluid with the manifold to a plurality of cooling ducts extending radially inwardly through the superconductive winding; passing the cryogenic fluid radially inwardly through the superconductive winding; cooling the superconductive winding with the cryogenic fluid to attain the superconductive properties of the winding; and collecting the cryogenic fluid with collection ducts for removal from the rotor.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 110 words
A method of cooling a superconductive conductor in a rotor of an electric machine comprising the steps of: providing a rotor with axially extending slots each having a superconductive winding, a retaining key therein and a distributing manifold between the winding and the key; supplying a cryogenic fluid to the manifold; distributing the cryogenic fluid with the manifold to a plurality of cooling ducts extending radially inwardly through the superconductive winding; passing the cryogenic fluid radially inwardly through the superconductive winding; cooling the superconductive winding with the cryogenic fluid to attain the superconductive properties of the winding; and collecting the cryogenic fluid with collection ducts for removal from the rotor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 11 further including the step of distributing the cryogenic fluid to cooling ducts between the winding and the sides of the associated slot.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2724064A Cited
US2664512A Cited
US2702870A Cited
US2749457A Cited
US2791707A Cited
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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) 1984-02-17 1984-08-18 1985-02-17 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-02-17 1988-08-18 1989-02-17 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-02-17 1992-08-18 1993-02-17 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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