Wind generator rotor connection replacement

A system for retrofitting a rotating electric machine comprising a central rotor shaft and a winding spaced apart therefrom, the system comprising:

• a wye ring having an open central region configured to surround the central rotor shaft of the rotating electric machine, the wye ring comprising:
• a cover plate comprising three connection points along an inner circumference thereof, each connection point configured to accept one of three main lead connectors thereon,
• a neutral ring comprising (i) two separate circumferential slots in a top surface thereof, each slot having a neutral ring connector positioned therein, or (ii) one continuous circumferential slot in the top surface thereof having one continuous neutral ring positioned therein, and
• a phase ring comprising three separate circumferential slots in a top surface thereof, each slot having a jumper positioned therein,
• wherein each of the neutral ring, phase ring, and cover plate are formed of an insulating material, and each of the neutral ring connectors and jumpers are formed of a conductive material, and
• wherein the cover plate, neutral ring, and phase ring form an axial stack with the cover plate at one end and either of the neutral ring or the phase ring at the other end;
• and
• a flexible connector system comprising:
• an attachment lug, and
• a flexible lead having a longitudinal extent delimited by a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is configured for connection to the winding via the attachment lug and the second end portion is configured for attachment to the wye ring,
• wherein the flexible lead is designed to absorb differential centrifugal strains between the winding and the wye ring.

A system for retrofitting a rotating electric machine comprising a central rotor shaft and a winding spaced apart therefrom, the system comprising:

• a wye ring having an open central region configured to surround the central rotor shaft of the rotating electric machine, the wye ring comprising:
• a neutral ring comprising connection points for flexible leads along an outer diameter,
• a phase ring comprising discrete circumferential slots in a top surface, a bottom surface, or both the top and bottom surfaces, each slot having a jumper positioned therein,
• a cover plate attachable to a top surface of the phase ring with the neutral ring positioned therebetween, the cover plate comprising connection points on an outer diameter configured for attachment of main leads that extend from the central rotor shaft, and
• a mounting ring attachable to a bottom surface of the phase ring, wherein the mounting ring is configured to be shrunk fit or bolted onto the rotor shaft of the rotating electric machine,
• wherein the phase ring and cover plate are formed of an insulating material, and the neutral ring and jumpers are formed of a conductive material;
• and
• a flexible connector system comprising:
• an attachment lug, and
• flexible leads having a longitudinal extent delimited by a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion is configured for connection to the winding via the attachment lug and the second end portion is configured for connection to the connection points on the neutral ring and the jumpers,
• wherein the flexible lead is designed to absorb differential centrifugal displacement between the winding and the neutral ring and ring.