This application relates to a generator stator wherein the conductors are provided by hybrid wires.
Generators are known and are driven by a source of rotation to, in turn, generate electricity. In general, the source of rotation, such as a gas turbine engine, drives a rotor. The rotor carries magnets and a stator is positioned to have conductors positioned adjacent to the rotating magnets. The rotation of the magnets relative to the conductors generates an electric current which may then be utilized. In some applications, the rotor consists of windings wound on discrete poles which are energized to create an electromagnet in place of magnets.
Historically, the conductors have been formed of a single material. Copper is often utilized.
So-called “hybrid” materials are utilized for electrical power transmission. One known hybrid material may have an outer copper layer and an internal aluminum core.
These materials take advantage of what is known as the “skin effect.” The skin effect relies on the recognition that the current density is greatest at the outer periphery of a component carrying AC current.
Thus, the better conducting material, for example copper, is positioned at the outer periphery while a less conductive material, for example aluminum, is positioned internally of the copper layer. Since aluminum weighs less than copper, this reduces the weight of the transmission component.
These materials have been utilized in bus bar applications.
A generator comprises a rotor to be driven for rotation adjacent a stator. The stator includes a laminated core having circumferentially intermediate slots and a conductor received within the slots. The conductor has an outer copper layer and an inner aluminum core.
A stator is also disclosed.
These and other features may be best understood from the following drawings and specification.
A gas turbine engine 20 is shown schematically driving a generator rotor 22. A generator 23 includes a stator 24 positioned outwardly of the rotor 22. As is known, as the rotor 22 is driven to rotate relative to the stator 24, electric current is generated. This electric current may be conveyed to an electric use 26. One application for such systems is on aircraft.
The conductors 31 are received inwardly of the insulator 32. The conductor 31, as disclosed, includes an outer copper layer 44 and an inner aluminum core 46.
One known material, which may be utilized as the conductor 31, is available from Bruker EST, Hydrostatic Extrusions Limited of Perth, Scotland, United Kingdom.
The conductors 31 have a shape such that they are generally oval with long sides 48 connected by shorter sides 50.
The use of the aluminum core 46 within the copper layer 44 reduces weight. However, as an unexpected result of utilizing such materials in a generator, eddy current losses, which typically occur in a generator, are reduced. By utilizing the copper only at the outer surfaces, such eddy current losses are reduced.
Generators operating in a range of 300-800 Hz will particularly benefit from this disclosure.
As shown in
where
p=resistivity of the conductor
ω=angular frequency of current=2π×frequency
μr=relative magnetic permeability of the conductor
μ0=the permeability of free space
A designer, knowing the operational frequency of the generator, and the other variables mentioned above, would be able to properly size the thickness d.
Although an embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.