Generator armature bar support system and related method

Abstract

A generator armature bar support system includes in a temporary assembly state, an elongated armature bar having a bottom surface, a top surface and a pair of side walls. A spacer is then temporarily located on the top surface of the armature bar; and an elastomer stretched and wound about the armature bar and spacer along substantially the length of the armature bar. A method of supporting a generator armature bar in a radial slot of a stator core body is also disclosed and includes locating a spacer on a top surface of the armature bar; wrapping the armature bar and spacer with an elastomer having shape memory properties along substantially the length of the armature bar, while stretching the elastomer to thereby reduce its thickness; locating the armature bar in the radial slot of the stator core body such that the spacer is radially inward of the armature bar; tearing the elastomer along a line adjacent a radially inner surface of the spacer to thereby create a pair of free edges and to cause the elastomer to relax and fill any air space between the side walls of the radial slot and the side walls of the armature bar; and then removing the spacer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.