Support structure and segmented stator for an electric machine, wind turbine and method of manufacturing a support structure

A method of manufacturing a support structure for supporting a lamination stack and a winding structure in order to form a stator segment for an electric machine, the method comprising

• providing a frame comprising two parallel end plates and two side plates, the side plates extending between corresponding end portions of the end plates, wherein at least one of the end plates is connected to a finger plate laterally spaced therefrom via a finger plate connecting structure, wherein the at least one of the end plates comprises a plurality of holes, and wherein the finger plate connecting structure comprises a plurality of hollow cylindrical spacers receiving a plurality of bolts extending between the finger plate and the at least one of the end plates,
• providing a plurality of internal connecting members extending within the frame between the end plates, and
• providing a plurality of external connecting members extending outside of the frame, each external connecting member forming an extension of a corresponding internal connecting member beyond the at least one of the end plates, wherein the plurality of external connecting members each have a u-shaped cross section, wherein each of the u-shaped cross sections has a height that decreases with increasing distance away from the at least one of the end plates, and
• wherein the internal and external connecting members are adapted to engage with corresponding fastening members for securing a lamination stack.