Generator wedge with reduced eddy current losses

A wedge for being placed between adjacent coils in a generator comprising:

• a wedge body having a generally triangular portion to be positioned at a radially inner location, and a radially outer portion, said radially outer portion including ends that will be spaced at axial ends of said wedge when said wedge is positioned within a generator, said ends having a first surface spaced a first distance from an apex of said triangular portion, and end walls extending from said first surface at each of two positions spaced axially inwardly of said ends of said wedge body, said end walls being connected to side walls extending near circumferential edges of said wedge;
• an open pocket formed within said wedge body at locations between said side walls and axially between said axial end walls, wherein a ratio of an axial length of said pocket to an axial length of each of said end walls is between 5 and 7, including the end points;
• said end walls extending to a second distance from said apex of said triangle, and said side walls extending for a third distance, said third distance between intermediate said first and second distances, a ratio of a height of said side walls above a nominal surface of said pocket relative to a height of said end walls above said nominal surface of said pocket is between 0.4 and 0.7, including the end points;
• said side walls being rounded at a location where they merge into said end walls;
• outer faces of said side walls being ramped at an angle toward each other, inner faces of said side walls being generally parallel to each other;
• and
• said first surface, and an outer surface of said end walls being curved about radii of curvature spaced from said wedge body, and an outer surface of said end walls, and said pocket not being curved, and being generally parallel to each other.

A generator comprising:

• a stator;
• a rotary shaft to be driven to rotate about an axis within said stator and having a plurality of field coils positioned circumferentially spaced around an axis of rotation of said rotary shaft;
• and
• a plurality of wedges placed between adjacent coils in a generator, each wedge having a wedge body with a generally triangular portion positioned at a radially inner location, and a radially outer portion, said radially outer portion including ends spaced at axial ends of said wedge, said ends having a first surface spaced a first distance from an apex of said triangular portion, and end walls extending from said first surface at each of two positions spaced axially inwardly of said ends of said wedge body, said end walls being connected to side walls extending near edges of said wedge, and an open pocket formed within said wedge body at locations between said side walls and axially between said axial end walls.