Rotating cooling system for wind turbine generator

A generator, comprising:

• a first stationary component carrying a first electromagnetic component configuration;
• a second rotating component carrying a second electromagnetic component configuration, the second rotating component arranged to rotate relative to the first stationary component;
• the second rotating component comprising:
• a body portion;
• a plurality of teeth spaced around and extending radially from the body portion, the body portion and the teeth extending longitudinally between opposite end faces;
• a slot defined between adjacent ones of the teeth, the second electromagnetic component configuration arranged in the slots;
• a housing arranged around and rotatable with the body portion;
• a heat exchange circuit arranged on the second rotating component, comprising:
• a coolant channel defined longitudinally in the teeth and extending between the opposite end faces of the teeth;
• a pump carried by the second rotating component;
• a heat exchanger arranged on the housing so as to be rotatable with the housing, the heat exchanger arranged across the housing transverse to a rotational direction of the housing such that rotation of the housing forces air flow through the heat exchanger;
• a liquid coolant;
• wherein the heat exchanger the pump, and the coolant channels are in a closed-loop configuration such that the liquid coolant is pumped through the heat exchanger and the coolant channels to cool the second winding configuration;
• and
• wherein the heat exchange circuit comprises a plurality of the pumps and a plurality of the heat exchangers, each of the heat exchangers pivotably arranged on the housing and pivotal between a functional position extending radially outward from the housing and a stowed position folded down against the housing.

A generator, comprising:

• a first stationary component carrying a first electromagnetic component configuration;
• a second rotating component carrying a second electromagnetic component configuration, the second rotating component arranged to rotate relative to the first stationary component;
• the second rotating component comprising:
• a body portion;
• a plurality of teeth spaced around and extending radially from the body portion, the body portion and the teeth extending longitudinally between opposite end faces;
• a slot defined between adjacent ones of the teeth, the second electromagnetic component configuration arranged in the slots;
• a housing arranged around and rotatable with the body portion;
• a heat exchange circuit arranged on the second rotating component, comprising:
• a coolant channel defined longitudinally in the teeth and extending between the opposite end faces of the teeth;
• a pump carried by the second rotating component;
• a heat exchanger arranged on the housing so as to be rotatable with the housing, the heat exchanger arranged across the housing transverse to a rotational direction of the housing such that rotation of the housing forces air flow through the heat exchanger;
• a liquid coolant;
• wherein the heat exchanger, the pump, and the coolant channels are in a closed-loop configuration such that the liquid coolant is pumped through the heat exchanger and the coolant channels to cool the second winding configuration;
• and
• wherein the heat exchanger is pivotably arranged on the housing and is pivotal between a functional position extending radially outward from the housing and a stowed position folded down against the housing.

A wind turbine, comprising:

• a superconducting generator, comprising:
• a stationary field assembly with a superconducting field winding configuration;
• a rotating armature assembly that rotates relative to the field assembly and comprises a body portion and a plurality of teeth spaced around and extending radially from the body portion, the body portion and the teeth extending longitudinally between opposite end faces and defining slots between the teeth;
• and
• an armature winding configuration comprising coils or bars arranged in the slots;
• a housing arranged around and rotatable with the body portion;
• a heat exchange circuit arranged on the rotating armature assembly, the heat exchange circuit, comprising:
• at least one coolant channel defined longitudinally in each of the teeth between the opposite end faces of the teeth;
• a pump carried by the rotating armature assembly;
• a heat exchanger arranged on the housing so as to be rotatable with the housing, the heat exchanger arranged across the housing transverse to a rotational direction of the housing such that rotation of the armature assembly forces air flow through the heat exchanger;
• a liquid coolant;
• and
• wherein the heat exchanger, the pump, and the coolant channels are in a closed-loop configuration such that the liquid coolant is pumped through the heat exchanger and the coolant channels to cool the armature winding.

A wind turbine, comprising:

• a superconducting generator, comprising:
• a stationary field assembly with a superconducting field winding;
• configuration:
• a rotating armature assembly that rotates relative to the field assembly and comprises a body portion and a plurality of teeth spaced around and extending radially from the body portion;
• the body portion and the teeth extending longitudinally between opposite end faces and defining slots between the teeth;
• and
• an armature winding configuration comprising coils or bars arranged in the slots;
• a housing arranged around and rotatable with the body portion;
• a heat exchange circuit arranged on the rotating armature assembly, the heat exchange circuit, comprising:
• at least one coolant channel defined longitudinally in each of the teeth between the opposite end faces of the teeth;
• a pump carried by the rotating armature assembly;
• a heat exchanger arranged on the housing so as to be rotatable with the housing, the heat exchanger arranged across the housing transverse to a rotational direction of the housing such that rotation of the armature assembly forces air flow through the heat exchanger;
• a liquid coolant;
• and
• wherein the heat exchanger, the pump, and the coolant channels are in a closed-loop configuration such that the liquid coolant is pumped through the heat exchanger and the coolant channels to cool the armature winding;
• and
• wherein the heat exchange circuit comprises a plurality of the pumps and a plurality of the heat exchangers, each of the heat exchangers pivotably arranged on the housing and pivotal between a functional position extending radially outward from the housing and a stowed position folded down against the housing.