Electrical generator arrangement
AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsPaul D. Hopewell, Alan S. Kinson
Life of this patent
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AssigneeROLLS-ROYCE plc
InventorsPaul D. Hopewell, Alan S. Kinson
Estimating the term…
In some circumstances such as with regard to contra-rotating turbo prop arrangements in aircraft it is desirable to vary the pitch of the blades and/or provide de-icing facilities. Advantageously, these blade pitch and de-icing facilities could be provided through electrical actuators. Unfortunately, provision of electrical power to such rotating components traditionally requires utilisation of slip rings which are subject to wear. By providing a self-contained electrical generator comprising a first hub and second hub with respective generator parts it is possible to utilise the contra-rotating nature in order to create relative motion and therefore electrical power generation in coils opposed by permanent magnets. Slide contacts for electrical connection are avoided whilst electrical power can be generated within the rotating reference frame defined by the hubs.
A gas turbine engine comprising a contra-rotating rotor incorporating an electrical generator arrangement, the rotor arranged to cause in use movement of a first generator part relative to a second generator part, the generator characterised in that the rotor comprises a first hub and a second hub arranged in use to rotate in opposite directions with a gap between them, the first generator part in the first hub and the second generator part in the second hub with the second generator part opposite the first generator part across the gap.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.