Impact of Static Air-Gap Eccentricity on Thermal Responses of Stator Winding Insulation in Synchronous Generators

In this article, we present a comprehensive analysis on the thermal response characteristics of the stator winding insulation under static air-gap eccentricity (SAGE) conditions in synchronous generators. Different from previous studies, this article not only takes into account the interactions of both the core-loss-caused heat and the copper-loss-caused heat but also investigates the thermal degrading distribution regularities due to SAGE. The whole work is based on the qualitatively theoretical analysis, the finite-element analysis, and the experimental validation on a nonsalient synchronous generator. The study shows that SAGE will significantly make the temperature rise, resulting in uneven temperature distribution and intensifying the thermal responses, such as the thermal deformations, stresses, and strains, of the insulation. The nose part and the joint between the line winding and the end winding on the smaller air-gap side are the two most dangerous positions.