System and method for inserting wave springs.

[0001] the invention relates to a system and method for inserting electrical machines and in particular generally wave springs in electrical machines.

[0002] in general is an electrical machine, such as a current generator or motor, the routine-wise regarding suitable maintenance and high efficiency during operation monitored. One of the few aspects of monitoring the condition of the electrical machine is the inspection the stator bars windings, to ensure, that the windings move during operation of the electric machines not. Typically an electrical machine includes a wedge system, to cause radial holding force on a stator, the stator windings to allow a reduction in the movement in a stator slot bars. Such a wedge system may contain (e.g. - tops and side wave springs) wave springs, which are embedded in the stator winding arrangement. The wave springs are generally in a state of compression, prevent the windings from movement. But when the wedge system is loose, the amount of the holding force is reduced such, that the stator bars windings can move during operation. With time the relative movement of the stator bar causes damage to the insulation surrounding the stator windings and a possible stator bar winding bars can occur error. This can lead to electrical shorts and ground and thus reduce the efficiency of the machine and further reduce the period between the electrical machine downtime. Therefore monitoring the condition of the electrical machine is performed periodically, to determine, whether any stator bar winding movement in the stator slots exceeds predetermined tolerances.

[0003] when the wedge system (including the wave springs) must be replaced, a technician must manually removing the wedge system and a new installation. To shorten the time during a maintenance failure, it may be desired, to leave the motor on the ground. When the engine is left in situ, wave springs can be extremely difficult to install, particularly side wave springs, since the resulting spaces for the work of the technician only insufficient space and carrying out the desired task lead. A technician would typically use a hammer, to drive the wave spring into its location. The distance between the rotor and the stator to 61 cm (24 inches of 12 may be to) only 30.5, and this space is too limited for the technician, to insert the hammer to drive the wave spring in the correct position and effectively.

[0004] is therefore replace the wedge system, while the engine is left in situ, an ongoing need for a more efficient system and method, it allows a technician, wave springs to replace.

[0005] according to one aspect of the invention includes a system for inserting a wave spring in a slot of an electrical machine with at least one groove and a compression plate wherein the compression plate has a ramped portion at one end thereof. A driving plate has at least one guide rail, within the at least one groove adapted for a seat. A striking tool is adapted, and apply a driving force to the driver plate engage the driver plate. The compression plate is adapted, at least partially retain the wave spring and the ramped portion is adapted to exert, a compressive force onto the wave spring, the striking tool and the driver plate while the wave spring driving on the ramp-shaped portion, to drive the wave spring into the slot of the electrical machine.

[0006] the wave spring can be a side wave spring.

[0007] the at least one groove can consist of at least one dove-tail groove. The compression plate can optionally contain two dovetail-shaped grooves.

[0008] the above-mentioned system can further comprise each compression plate: two side rails, adapted to, the compression plate in a slot to support an electric machine, and wherein the two side rails are adapted, to allow alignment of said wave spring.

[0009] the at least one guide rail in each above-mentioned system can consist of at least one dovetail shaped rail.

[0010] the above-mentioned system can contain two dovetail-shaped rails each driver plate. the above-mentioned system can further comprise each impact tool: a slotted cap, the end of the striking tool is adapted for a seat on a driver, wherein the slotted cap is adapted, over a portion of an end of the driver plate to sit.

[0012] the slotted cap of the above-mentioned system can consist of acetal resin.

[0013] the compression plate and the driver plate each above-mentioned system can consist of acetal resin.

[0014] in a preferred system for inserting a wave spring compression plate contains the at least two dovetail-shaped grooves, and the driver plate has two dovetail-shaped guide rails, and this dovetailed guide rails are adapted for a seat within the dovetail slots.

[0015] the above-mentioned system can further comprise each compression plate: two side rails, adapted to, the compression plate in a slot to support an electric machine, and wherein the two side rails are adapted, to allow alignment of said wave spring.

[0016] the above-mentioned system can further comprise each impact tool: a slotted cap, the end of the striking tool is adapted for a seat on a driver, wherein the slotted cap is adapted, over a portion of an end of the driver plate to sit.

[0017] according to still a further aspect is a method for inserting a wave spring provided in a slot of an electrical machine. The method comprising the steps of providing a compression plate having at least one groove, wherein the compression plate a ramped portion at one end thereof, and the ramped portion is adapted to, exert a compressive force onto the wave spring, the wave spring during the ramp-shaped portion passes. Another step is to provide a driver plate having at least one guide rail used, and the guide rail is adapted, to sit within the at least one groove. Additional steps are for providing a percussive tool, the is adapted, on the driver plate and a driving force on the drive plate engage exert, for placing the wave spring on the compression plate, the compression plate for placing the wave spring and at least partially in a slot of an electrical machine, and for activating the percussive tool used on the driver plate, an impact force to the driver plate and the wave spring to exert. The wave spring by the striking tool, the drive plate and the ramped portion of the compression plate driven into the slot.

[0018] the method can further comprise the step of:

Providing the at least one groove as at least one dovetail-shaped groove.

[0019] each above-mentioned method may further comprise: providing the compression plate with two dovetail grooves.

[0020] each above-mentioned method can further comprise the step of: providing the compression plate having two side rails, adapted to, the compression plate in a slot to support an electric machine, and wherein the two side rails are adapted, to allow alignment of said wave spring.

[0021] each above-mentioned method can further comprise the step of: providing the at least one guide rail as at least one dovetail shaped rail.

[0022] each above-mentioned method can further comprise the step of: providing the driver plate having two dovetail-shaped rails.

[0023] each above-mentioned method can further comprise the step of: providing the impact tool having a slotted cap, the end of the striking tool is adapted for a seat on a driver, and wherein the slotted cap is adapted, over a portion of an end of the driver plate to sit.

[0024] these and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood, the following detailed description when read with reference to the enclosed claims, in which identical reference symbols designate identical parts are continuously by the drawings, in which:

Figure. 1 isometric partial view of a portion of the stator of an electric machine is a, the wedge assembly according to an embodiment of the invention represents a stator;

Figure. 2 with an exemplary wave spring is connected to a measuring system, with the electric machine of FIG. 1 is used;

Figure. 3 a isometric view of a system for inserting a wave spring in a slot in an electrical machine according to one aspect of the present invention illustrated;

Figure. 4 an isometric view of the system according to one aspect of the present invention illustrated;

Figure. 5 a cross-sectional view of the partially inserted into a slot of an electric machine system according to one aspect of the present invention illustrated; and

Figure. 6 a slotted cap according to one aspect of the present invention illustrates a isometric view.

[0025] one or more specific embodiments of the present invention are described below. In the interests of, a concise description of these embodiments to give, cannot all features are described in the patents implementing an actual writing. It should be apparent, in the development of any such actual implementing that as with any technical or constructive project specific decisions must many implementing, the specific objectives of the developer, such as business-related restrictions and accordance with system related, to achieve, to the other from a implementing can vary. Should further be apparent, such a development effort may be time consuming and complex that, but as regards design, preparation and manufacturing for the normal expert with the advantage of this disclosure would be a routine task.

[0026] elements of different embodiments of the present invention are used when, the article "a, a, a" to, "the, the, the" and "said, said, said" have the meaning, that one or more of the elements may be present. The terms "comprising", "including" and "off" should be and have the meaning including, additional further elements that may be present in addition elements listed. Examples of operating parameters and/or ambient conditions/parameters further closing all the disclosed embodiments not conditions. Can further, unless explicitly indicated to the contrary, embodiments, the one or more element with a special property "have" or "have", include additional such elements, the not have this property.

[0027] Figure. 1 illustrates a isometric fragmentary view, of a portion of a stator core of an electric machine with a stator wedge mechanism. The stator core 10 includes a plurality of stator teeth 12; wherein the stator teeth 12 further contain the stator slots 14, adapted to, (also designated as the stator coils) receive stator windings 16. The stator windings in the stator slots 14 by a plurality of flat plates 16 as 15, shim plates 18, 20 and stator wedges with beveled edges 22 21 upper wave springs for engagement with correspondingly shaped grooves 24 in the side walls of the stator teeth 12 held elements represented. In different applications can be a conductive metallic flat plate 15 the flat plate or a non-metallic flat plate (non-conducting) include. The upper wave springs 20 are compressed between the stator wedges and shim plates 21 18, to generate a force, which holds the stator windings 16 in position. The upper wave spring 20 can be made from a non-conductive material, such as, but not limited, from a plastic laminate. The stator core 10 can also include a plurality of side wave springs 26, a close fit of the stator windings in said stator core 10 ensure 16. The side shaft spring of a conductive or non-conductive material 26 can, such as, but not limited to, a plastic laminate or a glass fiber composite, be made.

[0028] the upper wave springs 16 and/or over time can the springs lose their elasticity side shaft 26, so that the stator is loosely wedge system. This can cause rocking of the stator windings 16, resulting in a damage to the stator core 10 and a possible failure of the electric machine can lead.

[0029] Figure. 2 illustrates a side shaft spring 26. In a isometric view as represented, the side shaft has a height H and a length L along the uncompressed spring 26 extending wave cycle. The wave cycle in a 45 degree angle but which also with respect to the length L or at any other suitable angle as in the specific application extend desired. It should be noted, that the wave spring length L and a width d dependent on the size of the (as shown in the figFig. 1 slot 14) a stator slot are selected variable. In a further embodiment the side shaft spring 26 with an upper portion is repeatedly laminated layer, a middle layer and an oppositely disposed lower portion layer portion.

[0030] Figure. 3 illustrates a isometric view of a system 300 for inserting a wave spring in a slot in an electrical machine according to one aspect of the present invention. Simply as an example can be a wave spring a side wave spring. The electric machine can be a motor or a generator. The system includes a compression plate 310 312 and 314 a ramp-shaped section with at least one groove at one end thereof. The groove 312 can be constructed as a dovetail-shaped groove. According to one aspect of the present invention can contain one or more dovetail grooves 312 the compression plate 310. The compression plate 310 can include two side rails 316, compression plate 310 for assisting in a slot of an electrical machine are arranged. The two side rails 316 can be used, to allow alignment of wave springs. The compression plate can only as an example, the side rails and/or the ramp portion 314 from an acetal resin.

[0031] a driver plate 320 includes at least one guide rail is arranged in the groove 312 and 322 for a seat. The guide rail can be arranged as a dovetail rail 322. According to one aspect of the present invention contains the driver plate two or more dovetail-shaped rails 320 322. Only as an example of the driver plate and the guide rails from an acetal resin can.

[0032] a striking tool 330 is for engagement with the driver plate for applying a driving force to the driver plate 320 and 320 arranged. The striking tool 330 can a hand-held hammer, nail gun or any other suitable hand-held tool for applying a driving force impact on the driver plate be 320. For example the striking tool 330 can be electrically powered nail gun or a pneumatically actuated hammer /. The striking tool 330 also includes a slotted cap 332, the end of the impact tool for a seat on a driver 330 is arranged. The slotted cap 332 is also over a portion of an end of the driver plate for a seat 320 arranged. The slotted cap can only as an example of an acetal resin.

[0033] Figure. 4 illustrates a isometric view of the system 300 and a wave spring 426, is placed on the compression plate 310. In the use of the system 300 is a wave spring compression plate and the compression plate 310 310 426 on the adapted is placed, at least partially retain the wave spring. For example the base of the compression plate 310 by the wave spring 426 can, the ramp portion 314, 316 and/or the end of the driver plate the side rails 320 are retained. The ramped portion 314 is set up, exerting a compressive force onto the wave spring, the wave spring and the driver plate as soon as the impact tool 330 320 314 pushing on the ramp-shaped portion.

[0034] Figure. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the partially placed in a slot in a electric machine system 300. A stator winding 16 is located between two stator teeth 12 and 14 in the slot. A wave spring between the stator winding and the opposite slot surface 426 is 16 to 14, and the wave spring travels in the direction indicated by an arrow 550. The compression plate 310 and the wave spring are placed in the slot 14, and both elements lie on the top of the stator winding are 16th the driver plate is on the top of the wave spring (with respect to the drawing view) (not shown in the figFig. 5) is placed and the impact tool 320 placed on top of the driver plate and used, the wave spring 426 downwardly into the slot 14 to drive. The ramped surface 314 compresses the wave spring 426, while the wave spring passes the ramped surface, the insertion of the wave spring between the stator winding 16 thereby and an opposite surface of the slot 14 to allow. After the first wave spring is used, the next stator winding used and the process can be repeated. The side rails for removal and attachment to the compression plate 310 316 can also be arranged, so that different sizes of side rails to accommodate different widths of slots 14 can be used.

[0035] Figure. 6 illustrates a isometric view of the slotted cap 332. The slotted cap 332 includes a first slot 610, on the driver plate is adapted to receive and seat 320. Secondary slots 620 can be used, to facilitate the installation of the cap on the impact tool 330.

[0036] according to a further aspect of the present invention is also a method for inserting a wave spring provided. The method comprising the steps of providing a compression plate having at least one groove, wherein the compression plate comprises a ramped portion at one end thereof for applying a compressive force to the ramped portion and the wave spring is arranged, while the wave spring passes the ramp-shaped portion. A further step is a driver plate prepared with at least one guide element, wherein the guide member is adapted, to seat in the at least one groove. The method also includes the step of providing an impact tool, the is adapted, on the driver plate and a driving force on the drive plate engage exercise.

[0037] the method also includes the steps of placing the wave spring on the compression plate, the positioning of the wave spring and the compression plate at least partially in a slot of an electrical machine and the placement of the striking tool on the driver plate. A subsequent step is used to activate the impact tool, an impact force to the driver plate and the wave spring to apply, and wherein the wave spring by the striking tool, the drive plate and the ramped portion of the compression plate is driven into the slot. The method can also the additional steps of providing the at least one groove include as at least one dovetail groove, of providing the compression plate with two dovetail grooves, at least one guide element providing the at least one dovetail-shaped element and of providing the driver plate as with two dovetail-shaped elements. The method additionally includes the steps of providing the compression plate having two side rails, adapted to, the compression plate in a slot to support an electric machine, wherein the two side rails are adapted, to allow alignment of said wave spring, and the provision of the impact tool having a slotted cap, the end of the striking tool is adapted for a seat on a driver, and wherein, the slotted cap over a portion of an end of the driver plate for a seat is arranged.

[0038] this description uses examples, the invention including its best embodiment and also allow to expose each expert, the production and use of all elements and systems including the invention and the implementation of all included method into practice. The scope of protection of the invention is defined by the claims patentable and can comprise further examples, showing for the expert. In the scope of protection of the invention such other examples should be included, provided they have structural elements, which do not differ from the text of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial changes from the text of the claims.

[0039]

10 stator core

12 stator teeth

14 the stator slots

15 flat plates

16 stator windings

18 shim plates

20 upper wave spring

21 wedge

22 chamfered edge

24 groove

26 side shaft spring

300 a system

310 compression plate

312 groove

314 ramp-shaped portion

316 side rail

320 driver plate

322 guide rail

330 impact tool

332 slotted cap

426 wave spring

550 part

610 slot

620 slot