Method of constructing a rotor assembly for homopolar generator
US4858304A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 14, 1988 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 14, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49865
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A homopolar generator (HPG) having the stator and an inner brush mechanism housed within the machine support structure utilizes a rotor separated into halves electrically insulated from each other, so as to fit around the stator and brush mechanism. A shaft is mounted in the support structure to carry the rotor. A first rotor half is thermally shrunk-fit onto the shaft, and the second rotor half is hydraulically expansion fit thereon. To hydraulically fit the second rotor on the shaft, a shaft is provided having a downward taper from its midpoint toward one end. The shaft also has a circumferential groove and a port therethrough from the end of the taper for communicating high pressure oil from an external pump to the shaft-rotor interface. High-pressure seals on each side of the groove prevent leakage. The application of high-pressure oil expands the bore in the rotor half and shrinks the shaft diameter. A hydraulic ram then pushes the rotor half onto the tapered shaft, whereupon the pressure is released and the rotor half bore contracts against the shaft.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.