Superconducting generator driven by a wind turbine
A superconducting generator includes an annular armature connectable to rotate with a rotating component of a wind turbine. A stationary annular field winding is coaxial to the armature and separated by a gap from the armature. The field winding includes superconducting coils, and there is a non-rotating support for the field winding. The non-rotating support is a torque tube. The torque tube is a member formed of a composite material, or a member formed of a plurality of segmented sections, a space frame or strut torque carrying assembly. The torque tube is connected to a thermal shield casing or a field winding housing.
1. A superconducting generator comprising:
an annular armature connectable to rotate with a rotating component of a wind turbine;
a stationary annular field winding coaxial to the armature and separated by a gap from the armature, wherein the field winding includes superconducting coils;
a non-rotating support for the field winding, the non-rotating support comprising a torque tube, the torque tube comprised of:
a plurality of segmented sections joined together;
a flange located on at least one axial end of the torque tube; and
wherein the torque tube is connected to a thermal shield casing or a field winding housing by a plurality of members separate from the flange and spaced apart circumferentially around the torque tube.
2. The superconducting generator of claim 1 , wherein the torque tube comprises a generally cylindrical shaped member.
3. The superconducting generator of claim 1 , wherein the torque tube comprises a frustoconical shaped member.
4. The superconducting generator of claim 1 , wherein the segmented sections are formed of a composite material, and the composite material is mixtures of or one of:
a fiber reinforced plastic;
an epoxy fiberglass laminate;
a phenolic fiberglass laminate;
a phenolic fiberglass with wound filaments;
a polyester fiberglass laminate;
a polyester fiberglass laminate with wound filaments;
a polymide fiberglass laminate;
a carbon epoxy; or
a fiberglass epoxy laminate.
5. The superconducting generator of claim 4 , wherein the composite material has a hoop oriented fiber pattern with angles oriented at about 65 degrees to about 85 degrees.
6. The superconducting generator of claim 4 , wherein the composite material has a hoop oriented fiber pattern with angles oriented at about 75 degrees.
7. The superconducting generator of claim 1 , wherein the segmented sections each comprises a flat plate.
8. The superconducting generator of claim 1 , wherein the segmented sections each comprises an arcuate plate.
9. The superconducting generator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of members separate from the flange and spaced apart circumferentially around the torque tube each comprises a straps.
10. The superconducting generator of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of members separate from the flange and spaced apart circumferentially around the torque tube comprises a space frame or a strut assembly.
11. A wind turbine comprising:
a tower;
a nacelle mounted on top of the tower;
a hub connected to the nacelle and supported by the tower;
a plurality of blades connected to the hub;
a superconducting generator housed within the nacelle, the superconducting generator comprising:
an annular armature connectable to rotate with the hub;
a stationary annular field winding coaxial to the armature and separated by a gap from the armature, wherein the field winding includes superconducting coils;
a non-rotating support for the field winding, the non-rotating support comprising a torque tube, the torque tube comprised of:
a plurality of segmented sections joined together;
a flange located on at least one axial end of the torque tube; and
wherein the torque tube is connected to a thermal shield casing or a field winding housing by a plurality of members separate from the flange and spaced apart circumferentially around the torque tube.
12. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the torque tube comprises a generally cylindrical shaped member.
13. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the torque tube comprises a frustoconical shaped member.
14. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the segmented sections are formed of a composite material, and the composite material is mixtures of or one of:
a fiber reinforced plastic;
an epoxy fiberglass laminate;
a phenolic fiberglass laminate;
a phenolic fiberglass with wound filaments;
a polyester fiberglass laminate;
a polyester fiberglass laminate with wound filaments;
a polymide fiberglass laminate;
a carbon epoxy; or
a fiberglass epoxy laminate.
15. The wind turbine of claim 14 , wherein the composite material has a hoop oriented fiber pattern with angles oriented at about 65 degrees to about 85 degrees.
16. The wind turbine of claim 14 , wherein the composite material has a hoop oriented fiber pattern with angles oriented at about 75 degrees.
17. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the segmented sections each comprises a flat plate.
18. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the segmented sections each comprises an arcuate plate.
19. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of members separate from the flange and spaced apart circumferentially around the torque tube comprises a straps.
20. The wind turbine of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of members separate from the flange and spaced apart circumferentially around the torque tube comprises a space frame or a strut assembly.