Manifold assembly for a fluid cooled generator
A concentric manifold ring assembly comprises an internal distribution manifold for a generator. The manifold is for use in a direct-liquid-cooled alternator together with a mating housing to form a concentric fluid distribution channel that enables the transport and distribution of chilled coolant from a heat exchanger to select locations in the alternator via channels, ducts, and jets. The external heat exchanger feeds chilled coolant through a feed port where the incoming fluid is directed circumferentially via a channel formed by the manifold body and housing. From the circumferential flow, streams of coolant flow from drilled jet ports, while the circumferential flow back-cools rectifier mounting surfaces. Fluid flows flowing axially out of ducts to create an active end-to-end circulation of chilled fluid within the alternator to absorb thermal energy from alternator components before being drawn out of a return flow channel via a return flow port.
1. A concentric manifold assembly for a rotating machine, comprising:
a flow inlet configured to receive incoming fluid flow;
a first flow path concentric with the concentric manifold assembly;
a carrier ring forming a concentric portion of the first flow path;
a rectifier mounting plate;
an outlet positioned opposite the carrier ring from a location of a rectifier mounting plate, wherein the outlet is configured to direct a portion of fluid from a concentric flow around the carrier ring via the first flow path to a radial flow directed towards an interior volume of the concentric manifold assembly;
an axial flow duct directing fluid flow from concentric flow within the concentric manifold assembly to axial flow within a housing of a generator and concentric with and surrounding the concentric manifold assembly; and
a flow outlet configured to receive fluid returning axially from within the housing.
2. The concentric manifold assembly of claim 1 for the rotating machine, wherein the flow inlet comprises an inlet assembly and the flow outlet comprises an outlet assembly.
3. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 2 , wherein each of the inlet assembly and the outlet assembly are removably attached to the concentric manifold assembly.
4. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 1 , comprising sidewalls of the carrier ring forming at least a portion of the first flow path.
5. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 4 , wherein the concentric portion of the first flow path is formed between an outer surface of the carrier ring and an interior surface of the housing.
6. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 1 , wherein the axial flow duct is removably attached to a carrier ring comprising at least a portion of the first flow path.
7. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 1 , wherein the rectifier mounting plate is formed as a part of the concentric manifold assembly.
8. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the concentric manifold assembly is formed from a thermally conductive material.
9. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the carrier ring that forms the first flow path guides a first fluid flow along the first flow path adjacent to a housing of the rotating machine, wherein the first fluid flow is received from a fluid supply; and
wherein the axial flow duct is configured to direct fluid from the concentric flow of the first flow path to the axial flow of a second flow path, wherein the second flow path is in an axial direction of the rotating machine.
10. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 9 , comprising an inlet assembly and an outlet assembly, wherein the inlet assembly is fluidly connected to the first flow path and the outlet assembly is fluidly connected to the second flow path.
11. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 9 , wherein the rectifier mounting plate is thermally connected to a rectifier module mounted to the rectifier mounting plate.
12. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 11 , wherein a third flow path comprises a fluid flow between a radial flow jet along the first flow path and a component mounted to the rectifier mounting plate.
13. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the first flow path is defined by an exterior surface of the carrier ring, an interior surface of the housing, and interior side surfaces of the carrier ring.
14. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the second flow path is formed between an exterior surface of the carrier ring and an interior surface of the housing.
15. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 9 further comprising:
a feed port adapter adjacent a feed port through the carrier ring; and
a return port adapter adjacent a return port through the carrier ring.
16. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 15 , comprising a divider located between the feed port and the return port, wherein a first edge of the divider forms a portion of the first flow path and a second edge forms a portion of the second flow path, wherein the second flow path is opposite the divider from the first edge.
17. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 1 ,
wherein the carrier ring comprises:
an input flow adapter;
an output flow adapter, wherein the output flow adapter is physically adjacent to the input flow adapter;
an upper surface;
a first protrusion from the upper surface, the first protrusion located adjacent a first edge of the carrier ring;
a second protrusion from the upper surface, the second protrusion located adjacent a second edge of the carrier ring, wherein the second edge is opposite the first edge, wherein the upper surface, the first protrusion, and the second protrusion form a flow channel along an outer edge of the carrier ring and wherein the flow channel is concentric with the carrier ring and is enclosed by a housing; and
wherein the axial flow duct fluidly connects the flow channel to an interior space within the housing of the rotating machine, wherein the axial flow duct directs fluid received via the concentric flow within the manifold via the flow channel to the axial flow away from the carrier ring, wherein the axial flow is within the housing.
18. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 17 , further comprising the housing.
19. The concentric manifold assembly for the rotating machine of claim 1 , comprising a radial flow jet located along the first flow path, wherein the radial flow jet is configured to direct a portion of the concentric flow of the first flow path to a radial flow directed in a third flow path.