ELECTRICAL MACHINE WITH A CONDUCTIVE SLEEVE

Abstract

An electrical machine providing a stationary part, a turning part, at least one bearing and an earthing fibre brush. The electrical machine having a conductive sleeve with an annular base made of an electrically conductive material, the annular base being fixed to the turning part or to a turning race of the bearing, and a conductive coating based on chromium nitride covering at least partly a surface of the base (21) so that the free end of the fibres is in sliding contact against the coating based on chromium nitride.

Claims

1. An electrical machine comprising: a stationary part, a turning part (14), at least one bearing supporting the turning part in rotation, the bearing comprising a turning race fixed to the turning part and a stationary race fixed to the stationary part, and an earthing fibre brush, the earthing fibre brush comprising a support fixed to the stationary part or to the stationary race and a plurality of conductive fibres a first end that is fixed to the support and a free second end that is opposite the first end which extends toward the turning part, a conductive sleeve (20) with: an annular base formed of an electrically conductive material, the annular base being fixed to the turning part or to the turning race of the bearing, and a conductive coating based on chromium nitride (CrN) covering at least partly a surface of the base facing the free second end of the conductive fibres of the earthing fibre brush so that the free second end of the fibres is in sliding contact against the coating based on chromium nitride.

2. The electrical machine according to claim 1, in which the coating based on chromium nitride contains silver.

3. The electrical machine according to claim 1, wherein the annular base of the conductive sleeve comprises an annular ring fixed to the turning part or to the turning race of the bearing.

4. The electrical machine according to claim 3, wherein the annular ring comprises a sliding contact surface for the free second end of the fibres of the earthing brush and at least the sliding contact surface of the annular ring is provided with the coating based on chromium nitride.

5. The electrical machine according to claim 4, in which the annular ring of the sleeve comprises a toroidal track inside which the fibres of the brush come to extend, the free second end of the fibres of the brush coming into sliding contact against the toroidal track and at least the toroidal track being provided with the coating based on chromium nitride.

6. The electrical machine according to claim 3, wherein the base of the conductive sleeve further comprises a radial portion extending radially from the annular ring in the direction of the stationary part.

7. The electrical machine according to claim 6, wherein the annular ring and the radial portion are connected by a curved portion, the free second end of the fibres of the brush coming into sliding contact against the curved portion and at least the curved portion being provided with the coating based on chromium nitride.

8. The electrical machine according to claim 3, wherein the annular ring of the conductive sleeve comprises at least one retaining ring extending radially from a lateral face of the annular ring in the direction of the stationary part, the retaining ring cooperating mechanically with a groove on a surface of the turning race of the bearing.

9. The electrical machine according to claim 3, wherein the annular base of the conductive sleeve comprises an annular washer extending radially, the washer coming to bear axially against a front face of the turning race of the bearing, and an axial ring extending axially from an edge of the washer, the ring coming to bear radially on the turning race of the bearing, the axial ring being a tight fit on the turning race of the bearing, the free second end of the fibres of the brush coming into sliding contact against the annular washer, and at least the annular washer being provided with the coating based on chromium nitride.

10. The electrical machine according to claim 1, wherein the fibres of the brush extend in a direction inclined toward the coating based on chromium nitride.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0052] The present invention will be better understood after studying the detailed description of embodiments chosen by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which: At least one of the embodiments of the present invention is accurately represented by this application's drawings which are relied on to illustrate such embodiment(s) to scale and the drawings are relied on to illustrate the relative size, proportions, and positioning of the individual components of the present invention accurately relative to each other and relative to the overall embodiment(s). Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the present invention is not limited to the scaled drawings and that the illustrated proportions, scale, and relative positioning can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the broadest descriptions set forth in any portion of the originally filed specification and/or drawings. The present invention will be better understood after studying the detailed description of embodiments chosen by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0053] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in section of an electrical machine provided with a conductive sleeve in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view in section of an electrical machine provided with a conductive sleeve in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[0055] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in section of an electrical machine provided with a conductive sleeve in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

[0056] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view in section of an electrical machine provided with a conductive sleeve in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0057] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view in section of an electrical machine provided with a conductive sleeve in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention;

[0058] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view in section of an electrical machine provided with a conductive sleeve in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention; and

[0059] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view in section of an electrical machine provided with a conductive sleeve in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] hose of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that when a range is provided such as (for example) an angle/distance/number/weight/volume/spacing being between one (1 of the appropriate unit) and ten (10 of the appropriate units) that specific support is provided by the specification to identify any number within the range as being disclosed for use with a preferred embodiment. For example, the recitation of a percentage of copper between one percent (1%) and twenty percent (20%) provides specific support for a preferred embodiment having two point three percent (2.3%) copper even if not separately listed herein and thus provides support for claiming a preferred embodiment having two point three percent (2.3%) copper. By way of an additional example, a recitation in the claims and/or in portions of an element moving along an arcuate path by at least twenty (20°) degrees, provides specific literal support for any angle greater than twenty (20°) degrees, such as twenty-three (23°) degrees, thirty (30°) degrees, thirty-three-point five (33.5°) degrees, forty-five (45°) degrees, fifty-two (52°) degrees, or the like and thus provides support for claiming a preferred embodiment with the element moving along the arcuate path thirty-three-point five (33.5°) degrees. In the following description the terms “outer” and “inner” are referred to a rotation axis X-X of a turning part 14 of an electrical machine 10, inner parts being closer to the axis than outer parts.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 1, an electrical machine 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention comprises a stationary housing 12, a rotating shaft 14, a bearing 15 supporting the shaft 14 in rotation and an earthing fibre brush 18 mounted in the housing 12.

[0062] Here the electrical machine 10 is illustrated with a single bearing 15. As an alternative, the electrical machine may comprise a plurality of bearings.

[0063] The electrical machine 10 is illustrated with a turning part formed by a shaft and a stationary part formed by a housing. As an alternative, the shaft may be a stationary part and the housing may be a turning part.

[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rotating shaft 14 has a staggered cylindrical outer surface 14a with a shoulder 14b. The bearing 15 is mounted radially between an inner surface or bore 12a of the housing 12 and the outer surface 14a of the rotating shaft 14. The bore 12a of the housing 12 may comprise shoulders or axial retaining means in such a manner as to retain the bearing 15 axially inside the housing 12.

[0065] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention given by way of non-limiting example the bearing 15 comprises a turning inner race 16, a stationary outer race 17 and a range of rolling elements 15a, here balls, arranged between the races 16, 17. The bearing 15 may further comprise a cage (not illustrated here) to retain the rolling elements 15a circumferentially. As an alternative, the bearing may comprise a plurality of rows of rolling elements. As an alternative, the bearing may comprise other types of rolling elements, such as rollers or tapered rollers. As an alternative, the bearing may consist of a smooth bearing. As an alternative, in the situation where the shaft 14 is stationary and the housing 12 rotates, the inner race 16 may be a stationary race and the outer race 17 a turning race.

[0066] The inner race 16 and the outer race 17 consist in concentric races in relative rotation about the rotation axis X-X of the bearing 15, the outer race 17 radially surrounding the inner race 16.

[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inner race 16 of the bearing 15 is of the solid type and is delimited radially by a cylindrical inner surface or bore 16a in radial contact with the shaft 14 and a cylindrical outer surface 16b provided with a raceway for the rolling elements 15a. The inner race further comprises two opposite radial front faces 16c, 16d that delimit axially the inner cylindrical surface 16a and the outer cylindrical surface 16b. The inner race 16 is fastened to the shaft 14 and supports the movement in rotation of the shaft 14.

[0068] As illustrated, the outer race 17 of the bearing 15 is of solid type and is delimited radially by a cylindrical inner surface 17a provided with a raceway for the rolling elements 15a and a cylindrical outer surface 17b in radial contact with the inner surface 12a of the housing 12. The outer race 17 further comprises two opposite radial front faces 17c, 17d that delimit axially the cylindrical inner surface 17a and the cylindrical outer surface 17b. The outer race 17 is fastened to the housing 12 and is stationary.

[0069] The earthing fibre brush 18 comprises a support 18a and a plurality of conductive fibres 19 having a first end 19a fixed to the support 18a and a free second end 19b opposite the first end extending essentially radially toward the shaft 14.

[0070] The support 18a is fixed in the housing 12, for example by a tight fit in the inner surface 12a or by any other retaining or adhesive means. As an alternative, the support 18a may be fastened to the bearing 15, for example to the outer race 17.

[0071] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the conductive fibres 19 are carbon fibres.

[0072] In accordance with the invention the machine 10 further comprises a conductive sheath 20 forming a sliding surface for the free end 19b of the fibres 19 of the earthing brush 18.

[0073] In accordance with the first embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the conductive sleeve 20 comprises a base 21 with an annular ring 22 that is tight fit on the cylindrical outer surface 14a of the rotating shaft 14.

[0074] The annular ring 22 is delimited radially by a cylindrical inner surface 22a in radial contact with the shaft 14 and a cylindrical outer surface 22b. The annular ring 22 is fastened to the shaft 14 and is associated in the movement in rotation of the shaft 14. The annular ring 22 is delimited axially by two radial front faces 22c, 22d that delimit axially the cylindrical inner surface 22a and the cylindrical outer surface 22b.

[0075] One of the radial front surfaces 22b comes to bear axially against the shoulder 14b on the shaft 14. The axial position of the sleeve 20 is therefore defined by the shoulder 14b.

[0076] The base 21 of the conductive sleeve is formed of an electrically-conductive material, preferably a metal. For example, the base 21 is formed of steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, copper alloy, aluminium, aluminium alloy or any other metal suitable for this application.

[0077] In accordance with a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention at least the cylindrical outer surface 22b of the ring 22 of the conductive sleeve 20 is covered by a coating 24 based on chromium nitride (CrN).

[0078] In the example illustrated in FIG. 1 only the cylindrical outer surface 22b of the annular ring 22 of the base 21 is covered entirely by the coating 24 based on chromium nitride. In accordance with a variant that is not illustrated the coating 24 based on chromium nitride may also cover at least in part one of the other surfaces of the annular ring 22, namely the cylindrical inner surface 22a mounted on the shaft 14, the free radial front surface 22c, and the radial front surface 22d bearing against the shoulder 14b. All the outer surfaces of the ring 22 of the base 21 may be covered by the coating 24 based on chromium nitride. In all cases the coating 24 based on chromium nitride faces the free end 19b of the conductive fibres 19 of the earthing brush 18 and the coating 24 forms a sliding contact surface for the fibres 19. The free end 19b of the fibres 19 comes into sliding contact against the outer surface formed by the coating 24 based on chromium nitride on the cylindrical outer surface 22b of the base 21 of the conductive sleeve 20.

[0079] The thickness of the coating 24 based on chromium nitride is between 1 and 3 μm inclusive and preferably equal to 2 μm.

[0080] The hardness of the coating 24 based on chromium nitride is between 15 and 20 GPa inclusive.

[0081] In accordance with a variant the coating 24 based on chromium nitride may contain silver (Ag). The proportion of chromium nitride in the coating is advantageously between 30 and 40% inclusive.

[0082] The coating 24 based on chromium nitride is applied to the annular base 21 of the conductive sleeve 20 by a vacuum deposition process. For example, the deposition process used is a physical vapour phase deposition (PVD) process. In accordance with a variant, the coating 24 based on chromium nitride may be applied to the annular base 21 of the conductive sleeve 20 by a plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition (PACVD) process.

[0083] The coating 24 based on chromium nitride is of high hardness. Applied to the cylindrical outer surface 22b, the coating 24 forms a barrier against contact wear caused by the free end 19b of the fibres 19 rubbing. The outer surface 14a of the rotating shaft is therefore protected against oxidation and abrasion. The coating 24 based on chromium nitride is not degraded by the fibres 19 and assures the sliding contact surface function throughout the service life of the electrical machine 10.

[0084] Moreover, the coating 24 based on chromium nitride is electrically conductive. In combination with the conductive material of the base 21 of the conductive sleeve 20 this coating 24 assures the passage of electrical current between the stationary housing 12 on the one hand and the rotating shaft 14 on the other hand. The housing 12 and the shaft 14 are at the same electrical potential, likewise the outer race 17 fastened to the housing 12 and the inner race 16 fastened to the shaft 14. This greatly reduces the risk of electrical discharge and of associated wear.

[0085] The combination of these technical features to form this kind of conductive sleeve 20 enables optimum passage of electrical current between the housing 12 and the shaft 14 via the earthing fibre brush 18 throughout the service life of the electrical machine 10.

[0086] A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 and is distinguished from the preceding embodiment in that one of the radial front surfaces 22d of the annular ring 22 of the base 21 of the conductive sleeve 20 comes into axial contact against one of the radial front surfaces 16c of the inner race 16 of the bearing 15.

[0087] In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the annular ring 22 is thicker than that illustrated in FIG. 1. This kind of structure of the annular ring 22 enables it to withstand high axial loads, depending on the requirements of the application. The conductive sleeve 20 forms both a sliding contact surface for the brush 18 and axial spacing means for the bearing 15.

[0088] The annular ring 22 is made of a conductive material, preferably a metal. The cylindrical outer surface 22b of the ring 22 is covered by a coating 24 based on chromium nitride. The free end 19b of the fibres 19 of the earthing brush 18 comes into radial sliding contact with the coating 24 of the conductive sleeve 20.

[0089] A third embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 3 and is distinguished from the first embodiment in that the outer surface 22b of the ring 22 comprises a toroidal track 26.

[0090] The toroidal track 26 is covered by the coating 24 based on chromium nitride. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3 only the toroidal track 26 is covered by the coating 24. In accordance with a variant all of the outer surface 22b including the toroidal surface 26 is covered by the coating 24. In accordance with a further variant all of the surfaces of the ring 22 are covered by the coating 24.

[0091] The free ends 19b of the fibres 19 of the earthing brush 18 are contained in the hollow formed by the toroidal track 26 in such a manner as to maximise the contact of the fibres with the toroidal track 26 covered with the coating 24 based on chromium nitride. The axial movement of the fibres 19 is therefore limited.

[0092] A fourth embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is distinguished from the preceding embodiments by the general shape of the base 21 of the conductive sleeve 20.

[0093] The conductive sleeve 20 comprises an annular base 21 fixedly mounted on the outer surface 14a of the rotating shaft 14. The base 21 comprises an annular ring 22 of cylindrical shape extending axially. The base 21 further comprises a radial portion 28 extending radially from an axial side of the ring 22 in the direction of the housing 12. The ring 22 and the radial portion 28 are connected by a curved portion 29 in such a manner that the base 21 is formed in one piece.

[0094] The annular ring 22 of the conductive sleeve 20 is fixedly mounted on the outer surface 14a of the rotating shaft 14. The ring 22 is preferably a tight fit on the outer surface 14a of the rotating shaft 14.

[0095] The radial portion 28 of the conductive sleeve 20 is mounted so as to bear axially against a radial front surface 16c of the inner race 16 of the bearing 15. In accordance with a variant that is not illustrated the radial portion 28 may come to bear axially against a shoulder on the outer surface 14a of the shaft 14.

[0096] As illustrated in FIG. 4 the outer surface of the base 21, namely the surface formed by the outer surface 22b of the ring 22, the outer surface 28a of the radial portion 28 and the outer surface 29a of the curved portion 29, is covered by a coating 24 based on chromium nitride. In accordance with a variant that is not illustrated only the outer surface 29a of the curved portion 29, that is to say the surface opposite the surface facing the inner race 16 and the shaft 14, is covered by the coating 24.

[0097] The free end 19b of the conductive fibres 19 of the earthing brush 18 comes into sliding contact against the outer surface 29a of the curved portion 29. In a particularly advantageous manner the conductive fibres 19 of the brush 18 extend in a direction inclined in the direction of the curved portion 29 and the free end 19b of the fibres 19 comes into radial and axial contact against the coating 24 of the conductive sleeve 20.

[0098] In accordance with a variant, the fibres 19 come into sliding radial contact only on the outer surface 22b of the annular ring 22 of the base 21. In this case only the outer surface 22b of the annular ring 22 is provided with the coating 24. In accordance with another variant the fibres 19 come into sliding axial contact only on the outer surface 28a of the radial portion 28 of the base 21. In this case only the outer surface 28a of the radial portion 28 is provided with the coating 24.

[0099] A fifth embodiment in which the annular ring 22 comprises a retaining rib 22e is illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0100] The retaining rib 22e extends radially outwards from a radial front surface 22d of the annular ring 22. The retaining rib 22e cooperates with an inner groove 16e on the inner surface 16a of the inner race 16 of the bearing 15. The retaining rib 22e is therefore housed in the corresponding groove 16e of the inner race 16 and thus provides mechanical axial retention of the conductive sleeve 20. Mounting the sleeve 20 by clipping it onto the retaining rib 22e is a simplified solution with no necessity for retention by a tight fit of the base 21 of the sleeve 20.

[0101] The retaining rib 22e may be annular. As an alternative, the ring 22 may comprise a plurality of retaining ribs 22e distributed circumferentially on the radial front surface 22d.

[0102] In a sixth embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 6 the base 21 of the conductive sleeve 20 comprises an annular washer 28 extending radially, the washer 28 coming to bear axially against a front face 16c of the inner race 16 of the bearing 15. The base 21 further comprises an axial ring 22 extending axially from an outer edge of the washer 28, the rim 22 coming to bear radially on the cylindrical outer surface 16b of the outer race 16 of the bearing 15.

[0103] The axial rim 22 is advantageously a tight fit on the cylindrical outer surface 16b of the outer race 16.

[0104] The front surface 28a of the washer 28 is advantageously covered by a coating 24 based on chromium nitride. The free second end 19b of the conductive fibres 19 of the earthing brush 18 comes into sliding contact against the coating 24 on the front surface 28a of the annular washer 28.

[0105] In a particularly advantageous manner the conductive fibres 19 of the brush 18 extend in a direction inclined in the direction of the washer 28 and the free end 19b of the fibres 19 comes into axial contact against the coating 24 on the surface 28a.

[0106] This kind of configuration of the conductive sleeve 20 makes possible a compact structure of the electrical machine 10.

[0107] In a seventh embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 7 the inner race 16 of the bearing 15 comprises an axial portion 16f extending axially beyond the radial front face 17c of the outer race 17, the conductive sleeve 20 being mounted on the axial portion 16f.

[0108] The conductive sleeve 20 comprises an annular ring 22. The annular ring 22 comprises a cylindrical inner surface 22a that is a tight fit on the outer surface of the axial portion 16f of the inner race 16.

[0109] The free end 19b of the conductive fibres 19 of the earthing brush 18 is in sliding radial contact on the coating 24 covering the cylindrical exterior surface 22b of the ring 22. As an alternative, all of the ring 22 is covered with the chromium nitride coating 24.

[0110] In all of the embodiments described hereinabove the base 21 of the conductive sleeve is made of an electrically conductive material, preferably a metal. For example, the base 21 is made of steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, copper alloy, aluminium, aluminium alloy, or any other metal suitable for the application.

[0111] In all of the embodiments described hereinabove the thickness of the coating 24 based on chromium nitride is between 1 and 3 μm inclusive and preferably equal to 2 μm and the hardness of the coating 24 based on chromium nitride is between 15 and 20 GPa inclusive. In accordance with a variant, the coating 24 based on chromium nitride may contain silver (Ag). The proportion of chromium nitride in the coating is advantageously between 30 and 40% inclusive.

[0112] The embodiments described hereinabove are non-limiting examples of the invention and relate to an electrical machine 10 in which the shaft is the turning part and the housing is the stationary part. However, the invention also concerns embodiments in which the shaft is the stationary part and the housing is the turning part. As a general rule the earthing fibre brush is fixed to the stationary part or the stationary race of the bearing and the conductive sleeve according to the invention is fixed to the turning part or the turning race of the bearing.