Cementing Rotors for the Canberra Homopolar Generator

Abstract

A description is given of the cementing together of two 20-ton steel discs to form a composite 40 ton rotor, 139 in. in diameter and 20 in. in thickness, which functions as a two-turn winding of the homopolar generator at the Research School of Physical Sciences of The Australian National Univer­sity. The bond between the steel discs is required to withstand a 200 volt difference in potential and large mechanical forces due to temperature differences and short circuit currents. The bottom rotor pair was cemented first, followed by the top rotor pair.