Transformer winding

1. A method of producing a winding for a high voltage transformer including the steps of:

forming a predetermined number of spaced conductor winding groups joined together to form a single winding of the transformer; and

winding each spaced winding group as a solenoid-type winding having, in section, a plurality of interwoven axial columns and radial rows from a predetermined number of turns of conductor, wherein a spacing (a n ) between an n th solenoid-type winding and an (n+1) th solenoid-type winding is greater than a spacing (a n+1 ) between the (n+1) th solenoid-type winding and an (n+2) th solenoid-type winding, an individual coil to coil partial capacitance (C n ) between the n th solenoid-type winding and the (n+1) th solenoid-type winding being greater than an individual coil to coil partial capacitance (C n+1 ) between the (n+1) th solenoid-type winding and the (n+2) th solenoid-type winding, thereby providing a substantially uniform lighting impulse distribution across the transformer.

2. A method according to claim 1 further including the step of selecting the number of spaced winding groups and number of turns of each winding group such that a predetermined voltage stress for a given operating voltage of the transformer is not exceeded.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the winding is formed from high temperature superconductors.

4. A method according to claim 1 including the step of forming each winding group from a single uninterrupted length of conductor.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein each conductor turn includes a plurality of conductors.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the winding groups are spaced and stacked vertically.

7. A method according to claim 6 including the step of winding each winding group in sequence vertically.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein each solenoid-type winding has a winding length such that a lighting impulse creep strength of dielectrics is met across a coil face of the transformer.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein a voltage between the n th and (n+1) th solenoid-type windings meets a lighting impulse breakdown strength of a dielectric between the n th and (n+1) th solenoid-type windings.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein a voltage between the n th and (n+1) th solenoid-type windings meets a power frequency breakdown strength of a dielectric between the n th and (n+1) th solenoid-type windings.

11. A high voltage transformer comprising:

a winding including a predetermined number of spaced winding groups joined together to form a single winding of the transformer, each spaced winding group being solenoid wound from a predetermined number of turns having, in section, a plurality of interwoven axial columns and radial rows, wherein a spacing (a n ) between an n th winding group and an (n+1) th winding group is greater than a spacing (a n+1 ) between the (n+1) th winding group and a (n+2) th winding group, an individual coil to coil partial capacitance (C n ) between the n th winding group and the (n+1) th winding group being greater than an individual coil to coil partial capacitance (C n+1 ) between the (n+1) th winding group and the (n+2) th winding group, thereby providing a substantially uniform lighting impulse distribution across the transformer.

12. A transformer according to claim 11 wherein the transformer is a superconducting transformer.

13. A transformer according to claim 11 wherein each winding group has a winding length such that a lighting impulse creep strength of dielectrics is met across a coil face of the transformer.

14. A transformer according to claim 11 wherein a voltage between the n th and (n+1) th winding groups meets a lighting impulse breakdown strength of a dielectric between the n th and (n+1) th winding groups.

15. A transformer according to claim 11 wherein a voltage between the n th and (n+1) th winding groups meets a power frequency breakdown strength of a dielectric between the n th and (n+1) th winding groups.