Principles of a Water-Wheel Generator with Floating Rotor

In an axial-field vertical-shaft hydro-electric generator, magnetic pull can be utilized to support the rotating body and provide smooth starting and stopping. The magnetic flux densities in the generator´s upper and lower airgaps are purposely made unequal by injecting unequal currents in its two field windings. In addition to other advantageous features which also justify the axial-field configuration, the floating rotor principle greatly simplifies the construction of the thrust bearing and its auxiliary mechanical system. Operations of turbine-generator sets will no longer be restricted by their bearing temperature as they are now with conventional units. An experimental machine was designed, constructed and tested.