Thedamper winding (alsoamortisseur winding[1]) is asquirrel-cage-like winding on the rotor of a typical synchronouselectric machine. It is used to dampen the transient oscillations and facilitate the start-up operation.[2]
Since the design of a damper winding is similar to that of aasynchronous motor, the winding technically enables thedirect-on-line start and can even be used for the motor operation in the asynchronous mode.[2]
Originally the damper winding was invented byMaurice Leblanc in France andBenjamin G. Lamme in the US to deal with the problem ofhunting oscillations due to the early generators being driven by the directly connectedsteam engines with their pulsatingtorque. In the modern designs the generators are driven byturbines and the issue of hunting is less important,[3] although pulsating torque is still encountered by motors, for example, while driving thepiston compressors.[2]
The construction of the damper windings is complex and largely based onempirical knowledge. A typical damper winding consists of short-circuit bars that in the machines withcylindrical rotors share the slots with thefield windings, and in the case ofsalient pole rotors are located in the dedicated slots on the surfaces ofpole shoes. There are no bars in thequadrature axis area of the salient pole machines. The bars are terminated on rings or plates encircling the rotor.[2]
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