Title of Invention

COATING METHOD FOR AN END WINDING OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE

Abstract The invention relates to a coating method for an end winding (3) of an electric machine (4), comprising the steps of providing a laminated core (6,7) of an electric machine (4) with slots containing a conductor arrangement (2) which is fed out of the laminated core (6,7) at an end surface thereof to form an end winding (3); providing an electrostatic spray device (1). Applying an electrostatic potential to the laminated core (6,7) of the electric machine (4) to thereby establish an electrostatic potential difference (U) between the spray device (1) and the conductor arrangement (2); applying a first layer material (20) directly onto the conductor arrangement (2) to form a first coating with the spray device (1) such that atomized particles of the first layer material (20) are transported along electric field lines (14,16) which are generated as a result of the electrostatic potential difference (U); and applying a second layer material (21) that differs from the first layer material (20) all-round onto the first coating (20) with the spray device (1) such that atomized particles of the second layer material (21) are transported along electric field lines (14,16) which are generated as a result of the electrostatic potential difference (U).
Full Text

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a coating method for an end winding of an electric
machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Coatings of different types and for different purposes are provided on the end
winding of an electric machine, designed for example as an electrodynamic
motor or generator. For example, they serve to provide electrical insulation,
mechanical protection or chemical protection, and are produced by means of
multiple impregnation with impregnating resins and impregnating varnishes or by
casting with inorganically filled impregnating resins (=cast resin). Immersion
methods or airless spray methods, for example, are used for this purpose.
Because of the sometimes complex geometry of the end winding,-a layer
produced using one of these known end winding coating methods does not have
a uniform coating thickness throughout. Only lower coating thicknesses often
result, particularly in the area of edges, points, clefts, undercuts or shaded areas.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention therefore consists in specifying a coating method of
the kind described in the introduction with which a more uniform layer thickness
of the end winding coating can be achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved by the features of the invention. The coating method
according to the invention is such a method in which
providing a laminated core (6,7) of an electric machine (4) with slots containing
a conductor arrangement (2) which is fed out of the laminated core (6,7) at an
end surface thereof to form an end winding (3);
providing an electrostatic spray device (1);
characterized by:
applying an electrostatic potential to the laminated core (6,7) of the electric
machine (4) to thereby establish an electrostatic potential difference (U) between
the spray device (1) and the conductor arrangement (2);
applying a first layer material (20) directly onto the conductor arrangement (2)
to form a first coating with the spray device (1) such that atomized particles of
the first layer material (20) are transported along electric field lines (14,16)

which are generated as a result of the electrostatic potential difference (U); and
applying a second layer material (21) that differs from the first layer material
(20) all-round onto the first coating (20) with the spray device (1) such that
atomized particles of the second layer material (21) are transported along
electric field lines (14,16) which are generated as a result of the electrostatic
potential difference (U).
Very homogeneous layer thicknesses can be achieved with the coating method
according to the invention, even in the case of complex end winding geometry.
This also particularly applies to the problematic areas mentioned above. An
increased field line density is present particularly at edges and points, which,
inherently to the method, results in a higher transport rate of the atomized
particles of the layer material, and the development of too low a layer thickness
is counteracted virtually automatically. Shaded or undercut areas are also
affected by the electric field lines so that an adequate layer thickness is achieved
even here. No uncoated and therefore unprotected areas remain, even in these
critical zones of the end winding. Furthermore, large layer thickness differences,
such as are found with the known methods, are avoided.

Particularly when applying an electrically insulating layer material, a kind of self-
regulation occurs as the coating proceeds. An ever increasing electrical counter
field is set up as the thickness of the applied material increases, as the charges
are able to flow away less and less well or even not at all as a result of the
growing insulating layer. This is beneficial, as electrically insulating layer
materials are used almost exclusively, particularly when coating an end winding.
The reason for using electrically insulating layer materials lies in the electrically
active conductor arrangements to be coated, which carry current and are live
during the operation of the electric machine.
The coating method according to the invention is therefore used for coating
electrically active parts. In contrast with this, the previously known electrostatic
spray methods have always been used for coating electrically non-active parts.
Furthermore, the coating method according to the invention is also very sparing
on material consumption due to the field-line-controlled and therefore very
accurate material feed as well as the described self-regulation. Compared with
the conventional immersion methods or airless spray methods, this results in a
reduction of the required layer material by about 30%.

There is both a first variant, in which the spray device is connected to a high
electrostatic potential, in particular lying in the kV range, and a second variant, in
which the conductor arrangements of the end winding to be coated are
connected to a high electrostatic potential. In the first variant, the end winding
including its conductor arrangements are connected particularly to ground. In the
second variant, a ground connection is particularly made to the spray device. In
both cases, the particles are transported beneficially along the electric field lines.
Furthermore, a laminated core, which is part of a stator or a rotor of the electric
machine for example, can also be connected to a high electrostatic potential. The
conductor arrangements are laid in slots of the laminated core, in particular
electrically insulated with respect to the laminated core, and are fed out of the
laminated core at two face surfaces. The conductor arrangements, which are fed
out here, form an end winding at each face end. Electrical contact can easily be
made to the laminated core, which in particular is made from electrically
conducting iron sheets, and the laminated core can therefore easily be connected
to the high electrical potential. Once again there is a beneficial path of the
electric field lines from the spray device to the conductor arrangements of the
end winding to be coated.

In a further embodiment, the conductor arrangements of the end winding are
coated with a layer material made from impregnating resin, insulating varnish or
silicone rubber. These materials serve to provide mechanical or chemical
protection or protection against moisture or saline mist, or electrical insulation.
At the same time, depending on the application, the silicone rubber can also be
in the form of a gel-like extensively self-healing polymer material. In particular, it
is a silicone gel with a very good adhesive capability and a particularly high
elasticity, accordingly with a very low modulus of elasticity (=Young's modulus).
Preferably, in addition, a layer thickness of a coating to be applied to the
conductor arrangements of the end winding is set by means of the value of the
electrostatic potential difference, that is to say the electric field strength. In this
way, layer thicknesses between 0.1 mm and 1 mm can be realized without any
problems, a layer thickness in the range of 0.1 mm being used rather for a
moisture-repellent coating, and a layer thickness in the range of 1 mm being
used rather for a coating intended as the main electrical insulation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further characteristics, advantages and details of the invention can be seen from
the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the
accompanying drawing. In the drawing:
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a spray device for the electrostatic
coating of an end winding of an electric machine formed from several conductor
arrangements,
FIG. 2 shows the path of the electric field lines between the spray device
according to FIG. 1 and a protruding edge of an object to be coated,
FIG. 3 shows the path of the electric field lines between the spray device
according to FIG. 1 and several conductor arrangements according to FIG. 1 with
partial shading,
FIG. 4 shows a cleft between two conductor arrangements according to FIG. 1,
and
FIG. 5 shows a cross section through a coated conductor arrangement according
to FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Corresponding parts are given the same references in FIGS. 1 to 5.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a spray device 1 for the electrostatic
coating of two end windings 3 of an electric machine 4, which is shown in partial
cross section, wherein said windings are formed from several conductor
arrangements 2.
The section through the electric machine 4 runs along an axis of rotation 5
through a stator 6 of the electric machine 4 and shows only part of the top half
of the stator 6. An actually active area 7 with the iron laminations of the stator
and the electric coil conductors guided in slots is not shown in detail but only
schematically. The end windings 3 are arranged on both axial face ends of the
active area 7. They are formed by a large number of electrical conductor
arrangements 2, which are fed out of the iron laminations of the stator in the
direction of the axis of rotation 5. The end windings 3 and in particular the
conductor arrangements 2, which run in the area of the end windings 3, are
protectively coated by means of the spray device 1.
The spray device 1 comprises a spray gun 8, which is connected to a main unit
11 by means of a material feed line 9 and an electrical feed line 10. Components
such as a material storage container and an electrical high-voltage source, which
are not shown in detail, are accommodated in the main unit 11.

The spray device 1 works on the electrostatic spray method principle. Here, a
high electrical voltage U is applied between the output nozzle of the spray gun 8
and the object to be coated, that is to say in the exemplary embodiment the
conductor arrangements 2 of the end winding 3. The layer material to be applied
is atomized at the nozzle and in particular sprayed or squirted in the direction of
the conductor arrangements 2, whereby the thus atomized electrically charged
material particles move along the electric field lines toward the conductor
arrangements 2 to be coated.
In the exemplary embodiment, the output nozzle of the spray gun 8 is at a high
electrostatic potential of several kV, whereas the conductor arrangements 2 are
connected to ground potential. However, in principle, these electrical potential
connections can also be reversed.
The electrostatic' spray method used enables the electrically active conductor
arrangements 2 of the end windings 3 to be coated very uniformly. A good
coating also results in problematic zones where only a reduced material coating
or even none at all is achieved with other coating methods.

Examples of such problematic zones are shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. An object 12 with
a protruding edge 13 to be coated is shown in FIG. 2. Electric field lines 14,
which form between the output nozzle of the spray gun 8 and the object 12, are
also shown. A higher field line density is produced in the area of the edge 13 so
that material is also transported to this point at a higher rate. A sufficiently thick
coating is therefore also applied to the . edge 13.
According to the illustration in FIG. 3, the conductor arrangements 2 can be
placed next to one another in such a way that parts of the surfaces to be coated
are shaded with respect to the spray gun 8 and are therefore barely or not at all
accessible for conventional coating methods. These shadings or undercuts are
shown by 15 in FIG. 3. With the electrostatic spray method, they are also
affected by electric field lines 16 and consequently also coated.
According to the illustration of FIG. 4, two adjacent conductor arrangements 2
can be fed so that they form a cleft 17, which is also difficult to access for
conventional coating methods. This critical area can also be coated by means of
the electrostatic spray method.
From the cross-section through one of the coated conductor arrangements 2
shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that, in the exemplary embodiment, the
conductor arrangements 2 used for the coil windings are made up of several

partial conductors 18, which are electrically insulated with respect to one
another. The partial conductors 18 consist of copper bars. Each partial conductor
18 is enclosed by a partial conductor insulation 19 made of a Kapton film.
In the exemplary embodiment, the coating produced by means of the
electrostatic spray method has two layers. It includes an inner first covering layer
20 and an outer second covering layer 21. The first covering layer 20, which is
applied directly to the conductor arrangement 2, consists of a silicone gel, and
the second covering layer 21 consists of a cast resin. However, in principle, a
rubber-elastic silicone rubber can also be provided in place of the cast resin.
Thanks to the particularly beneficial electrostatic spray method used for
production, the two covering layers 20 and 21 each have a layer thickness, which
is practically uniform overall. The two covering layers 20 and 21 also carry out
the function of the main electrical insulation so that an additional intermediate
insulation layer can be dispensed with. This simplifies the construction, and the
manufacturing costs are reduced. The intermediate insulation layer, which is
otherwise provided, consists of winding the conductor arrangements 2 with mica
tape. This winding is laborious, particularly in the area of the end windings 3,
and can often only be carried out by hand. In contrast, an electrostatic spray
method can be carried out without any problems in an automated manner.

We Claim:
1. A coating method for an end winding (3) of an electric machine (4),
comprising the steps of:
providing a laminated core (6,7) of an electric machine (4) with slots containing
a conductor arrangement (2) which is fed out of the laminated core (6,7) at an
end surface thereof to form an end winding (3);
providing an electrostatic spray device (1);
characterized by:
applying an electrostatic potential to the laminated core (6,7) of the electric
machine (4) to thereby establish an electrostatic potential difference (U) between
the spray device (1) and the conductor arrangement (2);
applying a first layer material (20) directly onto the conductor arrangement (2)
to form a first coating with the spray device (1) such that atomized particles of
the first layer material (20) are transported along electric field lines (14,16)
which are generated as a result of the electrostatic potential difference (U); and
applying a second layer material (21) that differs from the first layer material
(20) all-round onto the first coating (20) with the spray device (1) such that
atomized particles of the second layer material (21) are transported along
electric field lines (14,16) which are generated as a result of the electrostatic
potential difference (U).

2. The coating method as claimed in claim 1, comprising the step of adjusting a
layer thickness of the first and second coatings in dependence on a value of the
electrostatic potential difference (U).
3. The coating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first layer material (20)
is silicone gel.
4. The coating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second layer material
(21) is cast resin.
5. The coating method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second layer material
(21) is a rubber-elastic silicone rubber.


The invention relates to a coating method for an end winding (3) of an electric
machine (4), comprising the steps of providing a laminated core (6,7) of an
electric machine (4) with slots containing a conductor arrangement (2) which is
fed out of the laminated core (6,7) at an end surface thereof to form an end
winding (3); providing an electrostatic spray device (1). Applying an electrostatic
potential to the laminated core (6,7) of the electric machine (4) to thereby
establish an electrostatic potential difference (U) between the spray device (1)
and the conductor arrangement (2); applying a first layer material (20) directly
onto the conductor arrangement (2) to form a first coating with the spray device
(1) such that atomized particles of the first layer material (20) are transported
along electric field lines (14,16) which are generated as a result of the
electrostatic potential difference (U); and applying a second layer material (21)
that differs from the first layer material (20) all-round onto the first coating (20)
with the spray device (1) such that atomized particles of the second layer
material (21) are transported along electric field lines (14,16) which are
generated as a result of the electrostatic potential difference (U).

Documents:

03809-kolnp-2007-abstract.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-claims.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.1.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.2.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-correspondence others 1.3.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-correspondence others.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-description complete.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-drawings.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-form 1.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-form 18.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-form 2.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-form 3.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-gpa.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-international exm report.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-international publication.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-international search report.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-pct request form.pdf

03809-kolnp-2007-translated copy of priority document.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-ABSTRACT.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-AMANDED CLAIMS.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-CORRESPONDENCE.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-DRAWINGS.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-FORM 1.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-FORM 18.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-FORM 2.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3 1.1.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-FORM 3.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-FORM 5 1.1.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-FORM 5.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GPA.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-ABSTRACT.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-CLAIMS.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-DESCRIPTION (COMPLETE).pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-DRAWINGS.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 1.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-FORM 2.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-GRANTED-SPECIFICATION.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS 1.1.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-OTHERS.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-PETITION UNDER RULE 137.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT 1.1.pdf

3809-KOLNP-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT.pdf

abstract-03809-kolnp-2007.jpg


Patent Number 252194
Indian Patent Application Number 3809/KOLNP/2007
PG Journal Number 18/2012
Publication Date 04-May-2012
Grant Date 01-May-2012
Date of Filing 08-Oct-2007
Name of Patentee SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
Applicant Address WITTELSBACHERPLATZ 2, 80333 MUNCHEN, GERMANY
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 KAUFHOLD MARTIN HALLERSTRASSE 33 90419 NURNBERG, GERMANY
2 KLAUSSNER BERNHARD GROLANDSTRASSE 21 90408 NURNBERG, GERMANY
PCT International Classification Number H02K 15/12,B05D 1/04
PCT International Application Number PCT/EP2006/061461
PCT International Filing date 2006-04-07
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 102005017111.7 2005-04-13 Germany