IP Library Granted Patent US 7,405,491
Granted Patent B2
US 7,405,491 · App. 11/456,429 · Granted Jul 29, 2008

Electric power generating device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,405,491
App. No.
11/456,429
Granted
Jul 29, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

There is provided an electric power generating device which includes a generator which is constituted by an interior permanent magnet (IPM) synchronous generator, and is connected to a steam turbine without interposition of a reduction gear, cooling means which flows a liquid coolant used to cool the generator, and a frequency converter which converts an electric power generated by the generator into an electric power at a commercial frequency, and outputs the converted electric power, the cooling means includes a circulation passage to which a tank which is used to store the liquid coolant (oil), a cooler which cools the liquid coolant, and a pump which pressure-feeds the liquid coolant are connected, and through which the liquid coolant circulates, and this configuration enables the generator to operate at a high rotational speed, thereby efficiently utilizing the steam energy.

Claims (16)

1. An electric power generating device comprising:

a driving device that is driven by steam;

a permanent magnet synchronous generator that is driven by said driving device to generate an electric power, said permanent magnet synchronous generator being connected to said driving device without a reduction gear being interposed;

cooling means that circulates a liquid coolant used to cool said permanent magnet synchronous generator; and

a frequency converter that converts the electric power generated by said permanent magnet synchronous generator to an electric power at a commercial frequency.

2. The electric power generating device according to claim 1 , wherein said driving device is a steam turbine.

3. The electric power generating device according to claim 1 , wherein said driving device is a screw expander.

4. The electric power generating device according to claim 1 , wherein said permanent magnet synchronous generator is an interior permanent magnet synchronous generator.

5. The electric power generating device according to claim 1 , wherein said cooling means comprises a circulation passage to which a tank that stores the liquid coolant, a cooler that cools the liquid coolant, and a pump that pressure-feeds the liquid coolant are connected, thereby circulating the liquid coolant.

6. The electric power generating device according to claim 5 , wherein said circulation passage communicates with a cooling passage provided on a body section of a casing of said generator.

7. The electric power generating device according to claim 6 , wherein said cooling passage is provided through said body section of said casing in peripheral and axial directions.

8. The electric power generating device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a main pipe that leads steam generated by steam generating means to a steam utilizing facility;

an inlet pipe that is connected to an inlet side of said driving device, said inlet pipe being connected to said main pipe; and

an outlet pipe that is connected to an outlet side of said driving device, said outlet pipe being connected to said main pipe,

wherein the steam flowing through said main pipe flows into said inlet pipe, is fed to said driving device, is discharged from said driving device, and returns to said main pipe through said outlet pipe.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 6, 2022
From: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.), AKA KOBE STEEL, LTD.,
To: KOBELCO COMPRESSORS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059352/0373 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2006
From: MATSUKUMA, MASAKI; FUKUSHIMA, YASUO; MIYAJI, TOSHIKAZU; UEHARA, KATSUHIRO
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA KOBE SEIKO SHO (KOBE STEEL, LTD.)
Reel/Frame 018144/0669 →