# US 10,871,152 B1 · Modified WYE ring > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,152 B1 - Document ID: US10871152B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/028,033 - Filed: 2020-09-22 - Published: 2021-01-07 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-08-04 - Applicants: Christopher Hodges - Inventors: Christopher Hodges - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871152B1 ## CPC - F03D 80/50: Maintenance or repair - F03D 9/25: the apparatus being an electrical generator (F03D9/22 takes precedence) - H02K 3/38: around winding heads, equalising connectors, or connections thereto - H02K 3/50: Fastening of winding heads, equalising connectors, or connections thereto - H02K 7/1838: {Generators mounted in a nacelle or similar structure of a horizontal axis wind turbine} - H02K 15/50: Disassembling, repairing or modifying dynamo-electric machines (repairing of cooling fluid boxes H02K15/38) - H02K 2203/09: Machines characterised by wiring elements other than wires, e.g. bus rings, for connecting the winding terminations - Y02E 10/72: Wind turbines with rotation axis in wind direction - F03D: WIND MOTORS - H02K: DYNAMO-ELECTRIC MACHINES (dynamo-electric relays H01H53/00; conversion of DC or AC input power into surge output power {H03K3/53}) - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract Methods for replacing a Wye-ring of a wind turbine generator preferably, but not necessarily, in-situ are described along with a combination of three arcuate Wye-ring sections that when assembled comprise a Wye-ring. The method after gaining access to the Wye-ring typically comprises: removing all or most of the damaged Wye-ring; installing the replacement sections typically by welding or brazing them in place; insulating the new ring; installing new blocking; and adhesively securing the new blocking in place. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of replacing a Wye-ring of a generator with a replacement Wye-ring, the method comprising: providing the replacement Wye-ring comprising in combination (1) a first arcuate section having an effective radius comprised of one or more strips electrically conductive ribbon, the first arcuate section including first and second ends with the respective ends including radially outwardly extending first and second arms, (2) a second arcuate section, having the effective radius comprised of one or more strips electrically conductive ribbon, the second arcuate section including third and fourth ends with the respective ends including radially outwardly extending third and fourth arms, and (3) a third arcuate section having the effective radius comprised of one or more strips electrically conductive ribbon, the third arcuate section including fifth and sixth ends with the respective ends including radially outwardly extending fifth and sixth arms; dismantling the generator to gain access to the Wye ring, removing the annular ring of the Wye-ring while leaving most to substantially all of three radially extending cups in place, attaching each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth arms to one of the three radially extending cups; and reassembling the generator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said dismantling, said removing, said attaching and said reassembling is performed with the generator located in situ within the wind turbine. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said removing the annular ring comprises cutting the Wye ring at the base of each of the three radially extending cups proximate where each cup intersects the annular ring. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said attaching comprises welding each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth arms to one of the three radially extending cups. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said dismantling the generator includes removing blocking located between the Wye-ring and generator coils in regions proximate the location of each of the three radially extending cups. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising after said attaching: insulating the first second and third arcuate sections in proximity to their connection to the respective radially extending cups; installing and securing replacement blocking. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein said insulating comprises wrapping the first second and third arcuate sections with a non-woven felt and impregnating the felt with epoxy, and wherein said installing and securing comprises applying epoxy to the replacement blocking. ### Claim 8 A method of replacing a Wye-ring of a generator with a replacement Wye-ring, the method comprising: providing the replacement Wye-ring comprising in combination (1) a first arcuate section having an effective radius comprised of one or more strips electrically conductive ribbon, the first arcuate section including first and second ends with the respective ends including radially outwardly extending first and second arms, (2) a second arcuate section, having the effective radius comprised of one or more strips electrically conductive ribbon, the second arcuate section including third and fourth ends with the respective ends including radially outwardly extending third and fourth arms, and (3) a third arcuate section having the effective radius comprised of one or more strips electrically conductive ribbon, the third arcuate section including fifth and sixth ends with the respective ends including radially outwardly extending fifth and sixth arms, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth arms each extend about 2.80″ and include an outward jog about half to three-quarters of the distance up the arm to form one half of a cup; dismantling the generator to gain access to the Wye ring; substantially removing the Wye-ring; both attaching each of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth arms to a coil of the generator and attaching adjacent arms of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth arms to form a Wye ring cups; and reassembling the generator. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said dismantling, said substantially removing, said both attaching and said reassembling is performed with the generator located in situ within the wind turbine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said attaching adjacent arms comprises brazing the adjacent arms together. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein said attaching adjacent arms comprises welding the adjacent arms together.