Patent Application
20130038149
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the art of generators and, more particularly, a silencer module for a generator collector ventilation system.
Many energy generation facilities employ generators driven by, for example, turbomachines. In many installations, the generators are mounted on a foundation in line with the turbomachine. Generators typically include a collector assembly within which are mounted brush assemblies that direct electrical energy to electrical windings of a rotating generator magnetic field. During operation, heat builds up in the collector assembly. Accordingly, the collector assembly is provided with ventilation system for cooling. Generally, the ventilation system includes passageways or ducts formed in the foundation. Typically, a first or supply duct delivers ventilating air to the collector assembly, and a second or exhaust duct passes the ventilating air along with dust from the brush assemblies to an exhaust outlet. Air passing through the collector assembly creates a considerable noise signature that passes through the ducts and adds to an overall sound footprint of the energy generation facility
According to one aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a generator collector ventilation system includes a ventilation inlet duct formed in a support foundation. The ventilation inlet duct has a first end that extends to a second end. The second end is configured and disposed to direct ventilation fluid into a generator collector housing. A ventilation outlet duct is formed in the support foundation. The ventilation outlet duct includes a first end portion that extends to a second end portion. The second end portion is configured and disposed to direct ventilation fluid from the generator collector housing. A silencer module is arranged in one of the ventilation inlet duct and the ventilation outlet duct. The silencer module is configured and disposed to condition the ventilation fluid passing through the generator collector housing to lower an overall noise signature of the generator collector ventilation system.
According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, an energy generation system includes a support foundation including a ventilation system having a ventilation inlet duct including a first end that extends to a second end, and a ventilation outlet duct including a first end portion that extends to a second end portion. A turbomachine is mounted to the support foundation, and a generator is mounted to the support foundation and operatively connected to the turbomachine. The generator includes a collector having a collector housing. The collector housing is positioned about the second end of the ventilation inlet duct and the second end portion of the ventilation outlet duct. A silencer module is arranged in one of the ventilation inlet duct and the ventilation outlet duct. The silencer module is configured and disposed to condition ventilation fluid passing through the generator collector housing to lower an overall noise signature of the generator collector ventilation system.
According to yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method of reducing a noise signature from a generator collector includes installing a first silencer module in one of a first end and a second end of a ventilation duct leading into a generator collector housing, and installing a second silencer module in one of a first end portion and a second end portion of a ventilation outlet duct leading out from the generator collector housing. The first and second silencer modules collectively reducing a noise signature from the generator collector.
These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.
The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification.
The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
With reference to
In accordance with the exemplary embodiment, ventilation system 14 includes a first silencer module 50 arranged within ventilation inlet duct 20 at second end 28, and a second silencer module 52 arranged within ventilation outlet duct 22 at second end portion 32. As each silencer module 50, 52 is substantially similar, a detailed description will follow referencing
Reference will now be made to
In further accordance with the exemplary aspect shown, double flow silencer module 110 includes a first sound absorbing material 141 that extends along first side portion 123; a second sound absorbing material 142 that extends along second side portion 124, a third sound absorbing material 143 that extends along first side section 134, and a fourth sound absorbing material 144 that extends along second side section 135. First and second sound absorbing materials 141 and 142 condition ventilation flow passing into collector housing 44, and third and fourth sound absorbing materials 143 and 144 condition ventilation flow passing from collector housing 44. With this arrangement, double flow silencer module 110 reduces an over all sound signature created by ventilation flow passing into and out from collector housing 44.
Reference will now be made to
At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments describe silencer modules that condition a ventilation flow passing into and out from a generator collector housing. The silencer modules can be arranged within ventilation ducts in the collector housing, or at an opposing end of the ventilation ducts. It should also be understood that while described as being fitted into an expanded portion of ventilation ducts, the silencer modules can also be inserted into a duct having constant dimensions. Also, it should be understood, that the silencer ducts could include duct extensions that extend into the ventilation inlet duct and ventilation outlet duct respectively. Further, it should be understood that the inlet duct could be provided with a silencer support feature.
While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
