The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a hollow housing and a stator inserted inside said housing, and more particularly such an assembly intended to be incorporated into a pod.
In numerous applications, it is necessary to create an integral assembly comprising a housing and a stator inserted inside the housing.
For example, in marine vehicles such as ships, submarines or oil platforms, a pod conventionally comprises an electric motor. The electric motor includes in particular a rotor rotatably mounted with respect to a stator. The stator forms an integral assembly with a housing of the pod.
Conventionally, to create such an integral assembly, a housing comprising a cylindrical cavity is heated so as to cause an increase in the volume of the cylindrical cavity. The stator is inserted inside the cavity of the housing. During the cooling of the housing, the stator is shrink-fitted into the cavity and made integral with the housing.
Such integral assemblies have, however, the disadvantage of it not being possible to disassemble them.
Moreover, in many applications, the housing may be subjected to significant impacts. For example, a housing intended for a pod of an icebreaker ship may frequently come in contact with blocks of ice. This results in the appearance of significant deformations and vibrations on the housing. These deformations and/or these vibrations are transmitted to the stator shrink-fitted inside the housing. The deformations and/or the vibrations of the stator that result therefrom can lead to a failure of the electric motor.
Given the above, the goal of the invention is to allow the creation of an integral assembly comprising a housing and a stator, easy to assemble, capable of being disassembled and in which the effect of the impacts on the housing produces as few deformations and vibrations as possible on the stator.
For this purpose, an assembly is proposed comprising a housing and a stator inserted inside a cylindrical cavity of said case, characterised in that said assembly comprises a means for point-to-point attachment of the stator to the housing.
Thanks to such means for point-to-point attachment, it is possible to dispose the means for attachment in zones of minimal deformation of the housing. The transmission of the deformations and/or of the vibrations from the housing to the stator is thus minimised. The stator is thus preserved as much as possible so as to limit the risk of a failure of the stator following a particularly strong impact or a repetition of impacts.
The present invention is very particularly advantageous when the assembly is intended to be incorporated into a pod of a marine vehicle. Indeed, in such an application, the pod cases are particularly subjected to impacts on the lateral faces tending to give the housing an oval shape. In this case, four zones are slightly deformed and form ideal zones for incorporating a means for point-to-point attachment therein. However, it should not be forgotten that the invention can apply to other fields of application.
Advantageously, said means for point-to-point attachment is capable of implementing a maintaining stress directed according to the radial orientation and/or a maintaining stress directed according to the tangential orientation.
The implementation of these maintaining stresses can easily be ensured by the same means for point-to-point attachment. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “axial”, “radial” and “tangential” must be understood as referring to a cylindricity axis of the stator.
In one embodiment, the assembly further comprises a first plane of symmetry, said means for point-to-point attachment being located in an angular sector forming an angle of between 0° and 40° with said first plane of symmetry or in an angular sector forming an angle of between 140° and 180° with said first plane of symmetry.
Such angular sectors correspond to zones of minimal deformation when the housing is affected by impacts occurring on its lateral surfaces. By choosing such angular sectors, the transmission of the deformations and/or of the vibrations of the housing onto the stator is thus minimised. Such an assembly is thus particularly adapted to being incorporated into pods intended for icebreaker ships.
There can also be at least one pressure bolt located in an angular sector forming an angle of between 1.5° and 6.5° with said first plane of symmetry, and at least one pressure surface located in an angular sector forming an angle of between 155° and 180° with said first plane of symmetry.
This pressure bolt and this pressure surface allow to increase the robustness of the maintaining stress directed according to the radial orientation. Moreover, their location in the aforementioned angular sectors allows to facilitate the access of an operator to the pressure bolts.
In one embodiment, the stator comprises two end flanges respectively located at the two axial ends of the stator, said assembly comprising, for each end flange of the stator, a first means for point-to-point attachment located in an angular sector forming an angle of between 0° and 40° with said first plane of symmetry, a second means for point-to-point attachment located to be symmetrical to the first means for point-to-point attachment with respect to the first plane of symmetry, a third means for point-to-point attachment located in an angular sector forming an angle of between 140° and 180° with said first plane of symmetry, and a fourth means for point-to-point attachment located to be symmetrical to the third means for point-to-point attachment with respect to the first plane of symmetry.
In such an embodiment, the embedding link between the housing and the stator is made robust while minimising the transmission of the deformations and/or of the vibrations of the housing to the stator. Moreover, it is possible to ventilate the stator because of the small surface area of the stator in contact with the housing. Furthermore, the means for point-to-point attachment located at a flange at an axial end of the stator are made easy to access.
It is also possible for the stator to comprise at least one intermediate flange axially located between the end flanges, said assembly comprising, for each intermediate flange of the stator, a first means for point-to-point attachment located in an angular sector forming an angle of between 0° and 40° with said first plane of symmetry and a second means for point-to-point attachment located to be symmetrical to the first means for point-to-point attachment with respect to the first plane of symmetry.
Thus, the robustness of the embedding link between the housing and the stator is reinforced even more. Because only two means for point-to-point attachment are provided for each intermediate flange, the access to these means for point-to-point attachment is facilitated.
In one embodiment, said means for point-to-point attachment comprises a main body and a taper washer system capable of selectively rigidly connecting the main body to the housing and to the stator.
Such a means for attachment can easily be installed or disassembled, or tightened. The installation, the elimination or the adjustment of the embedding link of the housing and of the stator are thus facilitated.
In one embodiment, said main body comprises a plate and a part having a trapezoidal cross-section, said means for point-to-point attachment comprising two pairs of taper washers respectively located on either side of a second plane of symmetry of the main body, each taper washer being capable of moving in translation with respect to the main body according to a first orientation perpendicular to the plane of the plate, the inclined surface of each taper washer cooperating with an inclined surface of the part having a trapezoidal cross-section in such a way that the movement in translation according to the first orientation of said taper washer with respect to the main body in a direction tending to move said taper washer away from the plate causes a movement of the taper washer in translation with respect to the main body according to a second orientation perpendicular to the second plane of symmetry in a direction tending to move it away from the second plane of symmetry.
Advantageously, for each taper washer, the movement of said taper washer with respect to the main body is implemented via a respective clamping screw.
According to another aspect, a method is proposed in which the deformation of the housing of an assembly as defined above is simulated, said simulation preferably being implemented via a finite-elements model, at least one location of minimal deformation of the cylindrical case is determined, and the means for point-to-point attachment is placed at said location of minimal deformation.
Other goals, features and advantages of the invention will appear upon reading the following description, given only as a non-limiting example, and made in reference to the appended drawings in which:
The pod 2 includes in particular a housing 4 shown in a radial cross-section in
The housing 4 is symmetrical with respect to the cutting plane I-I of
As illustrated in
The portion 10 is axisymmetric around an axis 12 parallel to the vector {right arrow over (x)}. The portion 10 is radially defined by a cylindrical wall (not labelled) comprising an inner surface 11. The inner surface 11 defines a cylindrical cavity (not labelled) around the axis 12. The portion 10 is axially defined by a first front wall 14 and by a second front wall 16. Each front wall 14, 16 respectively comprises a cylindrical bore 18, 20. The bores 18 and 20 are coaxial around the axis 12.
The bores 18 and 20 are intended to receive a propulsion shaft (not shown). The shaft supports a propulsion means capable in particular of being a pod (not shown) or a pump rotor (not shown).
The housing 4 includes three annular flanges 22, 24 and 26. The flanges 22, 24 and 26 are substantially identical and extend radially towards the inside from the surface 11. The axial offset between the flanges 22 and 24 is substantially equal to the axial offset between the flanges 24 and 26.
The pod 2 includes an electric motor 28. The motor 28 is intended to rotate the propulsion shaft with respect to the housing 4. The motor 28 includes a stator 29 and a rotor 32. The stator 29 and the rotor 32 are coaxial around the axis 12. In a manner conventional per se, the stator 29 and the rotor 32 comprise windings made of electrically conductive material allowing to generate an electromagnetic stress driving the rotation of the rotor 32 with respect to the stator 29 about the axis 12. In the example illustrated, the windings forming the rotor 29 and the stator 32 are impregnated in a matrix by a method for vacuum impregnation under pressure. This method is also known by the Anglo-Saxon name “vacuum pressure impregnation”, or by the corresponding acronym “VPI”.
More particularly, in the example illustrated, the stator 29 comprises in particular a first portion 30 and a second portion 31. The first and second portions 30 and 31 are substantially identical, coaxial around the axis 12.
The stator 29 includes a first end flange 34, an intermediate flange 36 and a second end flange 38. The flanges 34, 36 and 38 are substantially identical. The flange 36 is axially disposed between the portions 30 and 31. The flange 34 is disposed at an axial end of the stator 29 adjacent to the portion 30. The flange 38 is disposed at an axial end of the stator 29 adjacent to the portion 31. The flanges 34, 36 and 38 are respectively visible in
According to the invention, the housing 4 and the stator 29 form an integral assembly (E). The means allowing to create an integral assembly comprising in particular the housing 4 and the stator 29 will now be described.
The pod 2 comprises four means 40 for axial stoppage. In this case, two means 40 for axial stoppage are visible in the cross-sectional view of
In order to ensure the locking according to the radial orientation and according to the tangential orientation of the integral assembly, ten means for point-to-point attachment 46 are provided. In this case, four means 46 are radially placed between the flanges 22 and 34, two means 46 are radially placed between the flanges 24 and 36 and four means 46 are radially placed between the flanges 26 and 38. The operation of the means 46 is further described in detail below.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As visible in
For each flange 22, 24 or 26, an orifice 48 and a bolt 50 are located in an oriented angular sector between 1.5° and 6.5°, around the axis 12 when considering that the vector {right arrow over (z)} corresponds to the zero angle, and an orifice 48 and a bolt 50 are located in an oriented angular sector between −1.5° and −6.5°, around the axis 12 when considering that the vector {right arrow over (z)} corresponds to the zero angle. Preferably, the pairs consisting of an orifice 48 and of a bolt 50 are respectively located in an oriented angular sector between 3° and 5° and in an oriented angular sector between −3° and −5°.
For each flange 22, 24 or 26, a pressure surface 52 is located in an oriented angular sector between 155° and 180°, around the axis 12 when considering that the vector {right arrow over (z)} corresponds to the zero angle, and a pressure surface is located in an oriented angular sector between 180° and 205°, around the axis 12 when considering that the vector {right arrow over (z)} corresponds to the zero angle. Preferably, the pressure surfaces 52 are respectively located in an oriented angular sector between 160° and 172° and in an oriented angular sector between 188° and 200°.
In reference to
The means 46 comprises a main body 54. An orthonormal vector basis 56 attached to the body 54 is defined. The base 56 consists of a vector {right arrow over (u)}, a vector {right arrow over (v)} and a vector {right arrow over (w)}. The body 54 accepts a plane of symmetry Psymmetry perpendicular to the vector {right arrow over (u)}.
The body 54 comprises in particular a plate 58 perpendicular to the vector {right arrow over (v)}. The plate 58 comprises two through-holes 60. The holes 60 are cylindrical around the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (v)}. The holes 60 have the same diameter. The plate 58 comprises four through-holes 62 cylindrical around the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (v)}. The holes 62 have the same diameter smaller than that of the holes 60. The through-holes 62 comprise an inner thread.
The main body 54 further includes a part 64 having a trapezoidal cross-section. The cross-section of the part 64 according to a cutting plane perpendicular to the vector {right arrow over (w)} is a trapezoid, the small side of which is adjacent to the plate 58 and the large side of which is opposite to the plate 58. In other words, with respect to the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (v)}, the part 64 is defined by a small rectangular face (not labelled) and by a large rectangular face (not labelled). The part 64 is maintained in contact by its small rectangular face with the plate 58 by two attaching screws 66. The part 64 is maintained in contact by its large rectangular face with a secondary plate 68 by a secondary attaching screw 70.
With respect to the direction of the vector {right arrow over (u)}, the part 64 is defined by a first inclined surface 72 and by a second inclined surface 74 (labelled in
The means 46 includes a first pair of taper washers comprising a taper washer 76 and a taper washer 78. The washers 76 and 78 are identical. In particular, their cross-section with respect to a cutting plane perpendicular to the vector {right arrow over (w)} is a right trapezoid. The washers 76 and 78 include an inclined surface 80 (labelled in
The washers 76 and 78 are respectively located facing two through-holes 62. Each washer 76 and 78 can move in translation according to the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (v)} with respect to the body 54, via four pins 82. The pins 82 have with the washers 76 and 78 play sufficient for the washers 76 and 78 to be able to also move in translation according to the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (u)} over a clearance width Δu.
The washers 76 and 78 are respectively placed facing two orifices 62. To move the washers 76 and 78, a clamping screw (not shown) is used, the shank diameter and the thread of which are adapted to cooperate with the holes 62. By screwing the clamping screw, a pressure is exerted on the taper washer according to the direction and the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (v)}. The taper washer thus moves in the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (v)} towards the plate 68. Via the cooperation of the inclined surfaces 80 and 72, this movement causes another movement of the taper washer in the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (u)} and in a direction opposite to that of the vector {right arrow over (u)}. When the clamping screw is unscrewed, the taper washer is free to move according to the opposite movements.
The means 46 comprises a second pair of taper washers consisting of a taper washer 84 and of a taper washer 86 (not visible in the drawings). The taper washers 84 and 86 have a design identical to the washers 76 and 78, and are mechanically connected to the main body in the same manner. The washers 84 and 86 are located on the other side of the washers 76 and 78 with respect to the plane of symmetry Psymmetry.
To attach the stator 29 onto the housing 4 with a view to creating the integral assembly (E), the means for attachment 46 are initially configured as illustrated in
When the stator is placed inside the portion 10, an operator introduces the means 46 into the grooves of the flanges 22, 24, 26 and into the grooves of the flanges 34, 36 and 38. With regard to the means 46 shown in
The operator then introduces the clamping screws into the orifices 62. The operator screws the clamping screws. The washers 76, 78, 84 and 86 move according to the orientation and the direction of the vector {right arrow over (v)} until stopped against the plate 68. Via the inclined surfaces 72 and 80, the washers 76, 78, 84 and 86 move according to the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (u)} so as to move away from the plane of symmetry of the main body 54. Indeed, the washers 76 and 78 move in the direction opposite to the direction of the vector {right arrow over (u)} while the washers 84 and 86 move in the direction of the vector {right arrow over (u)}. The thickness of the means 46 is thus increased according to the orientation of the vector {right arrow over (u)} by a value that can reach 2*Δu. The washers 76 and 84 thus exert a normal stress on the walls of the groove of the flange 26. A tangential friction stress attaching the means for attachment 46 to the housing 4 is produced. Likewise, the washers 78 and 86 exert a normal stress on the groove of the flange 38. The tangential friction stress that appears attaches the means 46 to the stator 29. Via the contacts of the washers 76 and 84 with the flange 26 and of the washers 78 and 86 with the flange 38, the means for attachment 46 are adjusted one by one so as to faster the stator 29 onto the housing 4 while avoiding static indeterminacy.
To disassemble the means 46, the operator only has to carry out the reverse actions. The washers 76, 78, 84 and 86 return to their initial position as illustrated in
With the pod 2, it is possible to create the integral assembly (E) consisting in particular of the housing 4 and of the stator 29. The means for point-to-point attachment creating the assembly (E) are placed in wisely chosen locations, namely on upper and lower portions of the end flanges and on upper portions of the intermediate flange, and in precise angular sectors around the axis 12. Therefore, the transmission of the deformations and/or of the vibrations from the housing 4 to the stator 29 is made minimal. Moreover, the creation of the assembly (E) is facilitated; it is possible to disassemble the assembly (E) and to readjust the robustness of the embedding link between the stator 29 and the housing 4.
These advantages are crucial in numerous fields of application. In the field of pods, for example, the risk of a failure of the electric motor is limited, and it is possible to replace the stator independently of the housing, and vice versa, or to tighten the stator after an extreme impact.
An example of a method that can be implemented to design and manufacture the pod 2 will now be described in detail.
In a first step, the deformation of the pod 2 following an impact is simulated. In this case, the appearance of an impact on one of the lateral faces of the housing 4 is simulated. To implement this simulation, a finite-elements model of the pod 2 is used.
In a second step, for any point of the housing 4, the variation in the relative position of this point with respect to the axis 12 is determined. Thus, a location of minimal deformation of the cylindrical case following the simulated impact can be found. It is advantageous to compare the variations in relative position with respect to the axis 12, since an overall movement of the pod 2 is taken into account so that the locations of minimal deformation are more quickly identified. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, ten locations of minimal deformation are determined. Four locations of minimal deformation are located on the flange 22, two locations of minimal deformation are located on the flange 24 and two locations of minimal deformation are located on the flange 26.
In a last step of the method, the means for point-to-point attachment 46 are placed at each location of minimal deformation. More particularly, grooves are made in the flanges 22, 24 and 26 at the locations of minimal deformation. Grooves are then made in the flanges 34, 36 and 38 in angular sectors corresponding to the angular sectors of the locations of minimal deformation. Means for point-to-point attachment are then placed in the grooves made.
Via the method that has just been described, it is possible to design and manufacture an integral assembly having the advantages of the pod 2.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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1763022 | Dec 2017 | FR | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/EP2018/080726 | 11/9/2018 | WO |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO2019/120742 | 6/27/2019 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
10135316 | Carrasco | Nov 2018 | B2 |
20160285342 | Carrasco | Sep 2016 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
0911948 | Apr 1999 | EP |
0911948 | Apr 1999 | EP |
1320173 | Jun 2003 | EP |
1320173 | Jun 2003 | EP |
20150100939 | Sep 2015 | KR |
2019120742 | Jun 2019 | WO |
Entry |
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International Search Report from PCT Appl. No. PCT/EP2018/080726. dated Jan. 8, 2019. |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20210006104 A1 | Jan 2021 | US |