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Question regarding single rotor axial gen
By whatsnext, Section Wind Posted on Wed Sep 22, 2004 at 03:22:10 PM MST
Can I use an iron ring instead of laminations?

I'm getting ready to build my first alt, a single rotor, and was wondering if I could substitute an iron ring instead of using laminated metal in plywood like most people do in their stators. The idea would be to give the coils a pathway to shed heat and give me mounting options if I drill and tap the back side of the ring. Is there any reason, performance wise, that the iron ring would not work?
tia, John.....

Question regarding single rotor axial gen | 7 comments (7 topical)

Re: Question regarding single rotor axial gen (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by antw on Wed Sep 22, 2004 at 03:58:08 PM MST

I think you will have problems with eddy currents if you use a solid ring behind the coils, which will generate heat in the ring, and add heat to the coils.

Do a search on eddy current as there is lots of information in previous posts :-)

Regards
Antony

Re: Question regarding single rotor axial gen (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Parameter on Wed Sep 22, 2004 at 05:30:31 PM MST

If you can't get laminates, this would be the next best solution and could be simplified for your needs though I like the slots in there.
http://www.windstuffnow.com/main/poured_stator.htm

Para

[ Parent ]

Re: Question regarding single rotor axial gen (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by windstuffnow on Wed Sep 22, 2004 at 06:06:39 PM MST

I also have plenty of silicon steel laminant material if you need some. Just let me know the OD an ID. I have 1/2" wide and 3/4" wide on the winder right now both are .014 thick.

Have Fun
Windstuff Ed

Have Fun! Windstuff Ed
[ Parent ]

Re: Question regarding single rotor axial gen (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by troy on Wed Sep 22, 2004 at 06:10:00 PM MST

Any time you pass a magnet past a solid chunk of metal, you induce currents. If it's one big chunk of metal in your stator, they call those eddy currents and they turn into heat. They also act as a brake on your rotor. Both the heating and the braking action are bad. Laminations limit both of those effects by using many small strips of metal, each electrically insulated from the next layer by varnish or paper or rust or whatever, but still allowing the whole stack of laminations to conduct magnetism and complete the magnetic circuit.

Various substitute have been tried, metal strapping/banding, band saw blades, bb's in epoxy. Don't use the band saw blades, they don't work nearly as well as a soft low carbon steel. Better yet, track down some silicone steel sheet that's made for laminations or rob some laminations out of an old motor. Lots of options.

But the key issue is that a solid chunk of metal behind your coils will kill the performance of the alternator.

Good luck and have fun!

troy

Re: Question regarding single rotor axial gen (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by hiker on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 12:58:43 AM MST

had this on a while back --any way heres some lam's. made from scrap steel strapping-
taped on the back side -then coiled up..
this was just a test--i took the front rotor off of my dual rotor alt,and stuck the lam's on the face of the stator--results were -dual rotor works better than single rotor with lam's. may have worked better with silcon.................

WILD IN ALASKA
[ Parent ]

Re: Question regarding single rotor axial gen (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by tecker on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 07:28:53 AM MST

I like those saw blades in that rotor

[ Parent ]

Re: Question regarding single rotor axial gen (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by Ungrounded Lightning Rod on Thu Sep 23, 2004 at 07:35:53 AM MST

Did you try a single-rotor with a double layer of magnets for the comparison? Your efficiency drop might have been from less flux rather than lam inefficiency.

[ Parent ]

Question regarding single rotor axial gen | 7 comments (7 topical)

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