Structure Optimal Design of Electromagnetic Levitation Load Reduction Device for Hydroturbine Generator Set

Abstract EN

Thrust bearing is one part with the highest failure rate in hydroturbine generator set, which is primarily due to heavy axial load.

Such heavy load often makes oil film destruction, bearing friction, and even burning.

It is necessary to study the load and the reduction method.

The dynamic thrust is an important factor to influence the axial load and reduction design of electromagnetic device.

Therefore, in the paper, combined with the structure features of vertical turbine, the hydraulic thrust is analyzed accurately.

Then, take the turbine model HL-220-LT-550, for instance; the electromagnetic levitation load reduction device is designed, and its mathematical model is built, whose purpose is to minimize excitation loss and total quality under the constraints of installation space, connection layout, and heat dissipation.

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is employed to search for the optimum solution; finally, the result is verified by finite element method (FEM), which demonstrates that the optimized structure is more effective.