Influence of slip-ring waviness on current distribution in the sliding contact of a synchronous machine

Abstract

An investigation of the influence of slip-ring waviness on current distribution in the sliding contact with several brushes connected in parallel has been the objective of the paper. The authors have presented their own measurement results of slip-ring waviness and have made decomposition of this waviness into harmonic components. The authors' model of the sliding contact with two mechanical degrees of freedom (published earlier) has been used for calculations. This model takes into consideration nonlinear visco-elastic interactions among the brush, the slip-ring and the brush holder. The results of calculations of radial vibrations of the brush were used to determine the resistance of the transition between the brush and the slip-ring. A nonlinear dependence of this transition resistance R(sp) has been proposed. It is assumed that R(sp) is a function of current flowing through the brush and of the distance between the sliding surfaces of the brush and the slip-ring. Several simplifying assumptions had to be adopted while deriving this dependence. Necessity of simplifications is a result of complexity of the problem as well as the lack of some essential parameter data in literature. On the basis of the sliding contact model with a single brush the authors have worked out an electromechanical model of the whole sliding contact of a synchronous machine with parallel brushes. This model allows for determination of current distribution in the sliding contact during transient states and for steady states. The angular speed and the excitation current can be a time dependant forcing. Simulation results of the influence of the waviness amplitude spectrum on current distribution in the sliding contact have been shown