Sliding support for a superconducting generator rotor

Abstract

The sliding support connection of the inner rotor to the rotating outer rotor and stub shaft of the generator power train is closed by a flexible diaphragm which has protruding axially therefrom a plurality of integrally attached fingers. These fingers, at an outside radial surface, bear into a complementary cylindrical cavity in the end of the stub shaft having female spline receiving concavities. The fingers on their inside dimension define a frustoconical surface which bears against a spring loaded frustoconical mandrel, preferably loaded by a Belleville spring. During thermal axial excursion incident to cool down, the fingers by sliding into and out of the spline concavities in the stub shaft accommodate relative axial movement of the inner rotor relative to the outer rotor. During on-line operation of the rotor, the fingers maintain a positive and nonsliding fit with the stub shaft so that by positive outward pressure at the fingers, slip and fretting corrosion of the fingers and stub shaft is prevented. All necessary rotational flexure of the inner rotor is taken by the flexible diaphragm closing the inner rotor.