Assemblies for electrical machines
The present invention provides an assembly for mounting to, or forming part of, the stator assembly of a rotating electrical machine. A plurality of component modules are provided at angularly spaced-apart locations around the assembly and contain power electronics components. Electrically conductive toroidal inlet and outlet manifolds are provided to convey coolant fluid (preferably a liquid dielectric such as MIDEL) to and from the component modules. The inlet and outlet manifolds provide a dual function as a coolant circuit for conveying coolant fluid and as busbars.
1. An assembly for an electrical machine comprising:
a plurality of component modules; and
electrically conductive inlet and outlet manifolds for conveying liquid dielectric coolant to and from the component modules and for one or more of supplying power to and receiving power from the component modules;
wherein the inlet manifold is connected to a primary inlet and the outlet manifold is connected to a primary outlet;
the component modules being fluid-tight housings containing liquid dielectric coolant, each housing including an inlet pipe connected to the inlet manifold and an outlet pipe connected to the outlet manifold such that liquid dielectric coolant is supplied to the inlet manifold through the primary inlet, is conveyed to each of the housings through the inlet pipes, is conveyed from each of the housings through the outlet pipes to the outlet manifold, and is then discharged through the primary outlet such that, in use, liquid dielectric coolant is circulated through each of the housings to cool power electronics components within each housing that are at least partially immersed in the liquid dielectric coolant.
2. The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of component modules are provided at angularly spaced-apart locations around the assembly.
3. The assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the inlet and outlet manifolds are substantially toroidal.
4. The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet and outlet manifolds carry a dc supply.
5. The assembly according to claim 4 , wherein the inlet and outlet manifolds respectively define a busbar for each polarity of the dc supply.
6. The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet and outlet manifolds carry an ac supply.
7. The assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the inlet and outlet manifolds respectively define a busbar for a phase of the ac supply.
8. The assembly according to claim 7 , further comprising one or more busbars for carrying a phase of the ac supply.
9. The assembly according to claim 1 , being mounted to, or forming part of, a stator assembly of an electrical machine.