Combined turbine and generator

Claim 2

An axial flow rotor for an electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous machine, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings associated with respective blades and located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades.

Claim 3

A rotor according to claim 1 wherein the field coils are respectively wound on blade root portions.

Claim 4

A rotor according to claim 1 wherein the field coils are wound around a ferromagnetic hub at locations intermediate the blades.

Claim 5

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by non-magnetic portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 6

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by copper portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 7

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the ferromagnetic material is steel.

Claim 8

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the ferromagnetic material is a steel alloy.

Claim 9

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the blades are made of laminations.

Claim 10

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the pole tips are made of laminations.

Claim 11

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the blades are formed as aerofoil sections.

Claim 12

A rotor according to any of claims 1 to 3 including a cover means formed in a generally cylindrical shape, the cover means being secured on the rotor coaxially so as to enclose the field coils and seal them against ingress of water, the cover means being of non-magnetic material at least adjacent the poles.

Claim 13

An electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous generator/pump comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings associated with respective blades and located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades, the stator containing a winding and a laminated ferromagnetic core, the stator being adapted to surround the rotor with the ferromagnetic core spaced by a small gap from the pole tips whereby continuous magnetic flux paths comprising the blades, pole tips, stator core are formed and link the stator winding.

Claim 14

An electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous generator/pump comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings associated with respective blades and located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades, the stator containing a winding and a laminated ferromagnetic core, the stator being adapted to surround the rotor with the ferromagnetic core spaced by a small gap from the pole tips whereby continuous magnetic flux paths comprising the blades, pole tips, stator core are formed and link the stator winding.

Claim 15

A machine according to claim 12 wherein the field coils are respectively wound on blade root portions.

Claim 16

A machine according to claim 12 wherein the field coils are wound around a ferromagnetic hub at locations intermediate the blades.

Claim 17

A machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by non-magnetic portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 18

A machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by copper portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 19

A machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the ferro-magnetic material is steel.

Claim 20

A machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the ferromagnetic material is a steel alloy.

Claim 21

A machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the blades are made of laminations.

Claim 22

A machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the blades are formed as aerofoil sections.

Claim 23

A machine according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein a non-magnetic sleeve is provided on the stator core between the core and the pole tips.

Claim 24

An electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous generator/pump comprising a stator, an axial flow rotor and a flow tube, the axial flow rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the axial flow rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings associated with respective blades and located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades, pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades, the stator containing a winding and a laminated ferromagnetic core, the stator surrounding the axial flow rotor with the ferromagnetic core spaced by a small gap from the pole tips whereby continuous magnetic flux paths comprising the blades, pole tips, stator core are formed and link the stator winding, the flow tube surrounding the rotor and establishing an axial fluid flow path through the rotor, the tube being formed in two parts defining a circular gap into which projects from the outside the stator core and from the inside the pole tips.

Claim 25

An electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous generator/pump comprising a stator, an axial flow rotor and a flow tube, the axial flow rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the axial flow rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings associated with respective blades and located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades, pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades, the stator containing a winding and a laminated ferromagnetic core, the stator surrounding the axial flow rotor with the ferromagnetic core spaced by a small gap from the pole tips whereby continuous magnetic flux paths comprising the blades, pole tips, stator core are formed and link the stator winding, the flow tube surrounding the rotor and establishing an axial fluid flow path through the rotor, the tube being formed in two parts defining a circular gap into which projects from the outside the stator core and from the inside the pole tips.

Claim 26

The invention of claim 22 wherein the field coils are respectively wound on blade root portions.

Claim 27

The invention of claim 22 wherein the field coils are wound around a ferromagnetic hub at locations intermediate the blades.

Claim 28

The invention according to any of claims 22, 23 or 24 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by non-magnetic portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 29

The invention according to any of claims 22, 23 or 24 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by copper portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 30

The invention according to any of claims 22, 23 or 24 wherein the ferromagnetic material is steel.

Claim 31

The invention according to any of claims 22, 23 or 24 wherein the ferromagnetic material is a steel alloy.

Claim 32

The invention according to any of claims 22, 23 or 24 wherein the blades are made of laminations.

Claim 33

The invention of claim 22, 23 or 24 further comprising end frames at opposite ends of the flow tube at least one of the end frames having means for regulating the flow of fluid through the tube.

Claim 34

The invention of claim 22, 23 or 24 wherein the tube parts have non-magnetic end flanges which abut the stator core.

Claim 35

An axial flow rotor for an electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous machine, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, permanent magnet means associated with respective blades and located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades.

Claim 36

An axial flow rotor for an electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous machine, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, permanent magnet means associated with respective blades and located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades.

Claim 37

A rotor for an electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous machine, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick turbine blades of the impulse type for transferring mechanical energy from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings each of which is associated with at least one blade, the field windings being located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades, so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades.

Claim 38

A rotor for an electrical a.c. salient pole synchronous machine, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick turbine blades of the impulse type for transferring mechanical energy from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings each of which is associated with at least one blade, the field windings being located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades, so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades.

Claim 39

A rotor according to claim 33 wherein the blades are divided into a plurality of groups each of which is made up of a like plurality of blades and wherein a respective one of the field windings is associated with each group.

Claim 40

A rotor according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the field coils are respectively wound round on blade root portions.

Claim 41

A rotor according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the field coils are wound around a ferromagnetic hub at locations intermediate to the blades.

Claim 42

A rotor according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by non-magnetic portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 43

A rotor according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by copper portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 44

A rotor according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the ferromagnetic material is steel.

Claim 45

A rotor according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the ferromagnetic material is a steel alloy.

Claim 46

A rotor according to claim 33 or 34 wherein the pole tips are made of laminations.

Claim 47

An electrical A.C. salient pole synchronous generator comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick turbine blades of the impulse type for transferring mechanical energy from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings each of which is associated with at least one blade, to fold windings being located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades, so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades, the stator being adapted to surround the rotor with the ferromagnetic core spaced by a small gap from the pole tips whereby continuous magnetic flux paths comprising the blades pole tips, stator core are formed and link the stator winding.

Claim 48

An electrical A.C. salient pole synchronous generator comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick turbine blades of the impulse type for transferring mechanical energy from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings each of which is associated with at least one blade, to fold windings being located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades, so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades, the stator being adapted to surround the rotor with the ferromagnetic core spaced by a small gap from the pole tips whereby continuous magnetic flux paths comprising the blades pole tips, stator core are formed and link the stator winding.

Claim 49

A machine according to claim 43 wherein the blades are divided into a plurality of groups each of which is made up of a like plurality of blades and wherein a respective one of the field windings is associated with each group.

Claim 50

A machine according to claim 42 or 43 wherein the field coils are respectively wound round on blade root portions.

Claim 51

A machine according to claim 42 or 43 wherein the field coils are wound around a ferromagnetic hub at locations intermediate to the blades.

Claim 52

A machine according to claim 42 or 43 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by non-magnetic portions forming together with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 53

A machine according to claim 42 or 43 wherein the pole tips are interconnected to each other by copper portions forming with the pole tips a continuous ring.

Claim 54

A machine according to claim 42 or 43 wherein the ferromagnetic material is steel.

Claim 55

A machine according to claim 42 or 43, wherein the ferromagnetic material is a steel alloy.

Claim 56

A machine according to claim 42 or 43 wherein the pole tips are made of laminations.

Claim 57

A machine according to claim 42 or 43 wherein a non-magnetic sleeve is provided on the stator core between the core and the pole tips.

Claim 58

An axial flow rotor for an electrical A.C. salient pole synchronous machine, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings each of which is associated with at least one blade, the field windings being located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades.

Claim 59

An axial flow rotor for an electrical A.C. salient pole synchronous machine, the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially spaced thick, axial flow propellor turbine blades for transferring mechanical energy to or from a liquid, the blades being formed of a ferromagnetic material and being mutually interconnected at their radially inner ends by portions of the rotor also made of ferromagnetic material, direct current field windings each of which is associated with at least one blade, the field windings being located proximate radially inward portions of the blades so as to generate magnetic flux in the blades and pole tips of ferromagnetic material carried at the radial extremities of the blades so as to shape and distribute the magnetic flux carried by the blades.