Directly cooled, rotating rectifier assembly for a synchronous machine

In a synchronous rotary electric machine having a rotor with a hollow shaft for the circulation of coolant, a multiphase AC winding and a DC winding, an improved rectifier assembly connected between the AC winding and the DC winding, comprising:

• a carrier plate on said shaft and in a plane generally at right angles thereto;
• a plurality of diode wafers mounted on said carrier plate;
• a sheet of insulating material for mounting said carrier plate thereon, said sheet having holes therein aligned with the positions of the diode wafers on the carrier plate;
• means connecting the diode wafers in a rectifier circuit between said AC and DC windings;
• and
• means for directing a flow of coolant from said shaft across the surface of said carrier plate remote from said wafers and past said holes.

In a synchronous machine having a rotor with AC and DC windings, a rectifier assembly rotatable with the rotor and connected between the AC and DC windings, comprising:

• a conductive base secured to the rotor;
• first and second diode wafers having an anode surface and a cathode surface, the anode surface of the first diode wafer and the cathode surface of the second diode wafer attached to and electrically conductive with the conductive base;
• a cover mounted over the base to form a housing for said diode wafers;
• terminal means mounted on the housing;
• means connecting the cathode of the first diode wafer, the anode of the second diode wafer and the conductive base to the terminal means;
• and
• means for providing a cooling medium to said diode wafers for direct cooling thereof.