SARTO, Jomar C.

BSECE 4-4

Energy Conversion

ALTERNATORS

I.

DEFINITION An alternator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current. Most alternators use a rotating magnetic field. In principle, any AC electrical generator can be called an alternator, but usually the word refers to small rotating machines driven by automotive and other internal combustion engines. Alternators in power stations driven by steam turbines are called turbo-alternators. In an automobile, alternator is considered as one of the major automotive charging systems together with the battery and voltage regulator. It charges the battery and powers up the electrical devices of the vehicle. An alternator produces alternating current (AC).

II.

PARTS

Rotor Assembly The rotating part of the alternator that holds the main field coils, field poles, slip rings, and the shaft. It is supplied by a DC voltage through the split rings. It acts as a rotating electromagnet that provides the magnetic field for the alternator. Stator The stationary part of the alternator that consists of the fixed armature poles and armature windings. It receives the magnetic field propagated by the rotor assembly and then produces a multi-phase AC output.

 Slip Rings It serves as rotating terminals for the DC input of the rotor assembly. The two end points of the main field coil are connected to them. It has a constant contact with the brushes. Brush Assembly It holds the brush holder. It is usually made of insulating material. Brush Holder It serves as the holder of the brush as well as the external terminal wires for the DC power input. Brush It is a conducting material usually made of carbon which has a constant and direct contact with the split rings. It delivers the DC power input to the rotor assembly. Brush Cover The plate that covers and protects the brush assembly. Diode Set The main solid state rectifier of the alternator which converts the multi-phase AC power to DC power output. Shaft The rod that holds the rotor assembly and provides mechanical contact to the prime mover. Bearings Highly smooth rotating parts that holds the shaft. Cover It serves as the holder and casing for the stator assembly. Front Cover The front end cover of the alternator. It holds the bearing for the front end of the alternator. Serves as a protection. Bearing Cover Covers the bearings which serve as protection from minute particles that may clog the rotation of the rotor. Pulley/Cooling Fan Serves as the mechanical contact for the prime mover as well as the ventilation system for the generator to prevent it from overheating.

III.

PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION

Rotating Field Alternator

When a magnetic field cuts across a wire (typically a coil of copper wire) an electrical current is induced, this is called electromagnetic induction. The amount of electrical current and voltage will depend on the strength of the magnetic field (the flux), how quickly the magnetic field moves, how many winds in the coil of wire and the thickness of the copper wire. Alternators generate electricity using the same principle as DC generators, namely, when the magnetic field around a conductor changes, a current is induced in the conductor. Typically, a rotating magnet, called the rotor turns within a stationary set of conductors wound in coils on an iron core, called the stator. The field cuts across the conductors, generating an induced EMF (electromotive force), as the mechanical input causes the rotor to turn. The rotating magnetic field induces an AC voltage in the stator windings. Often there are three sets of stator windings, physically offset so that the rotating magnetic field produces a three phase current, displaced by one-third of a period with respect to each other.

The rotor's magnetic field may be produced by induction (as in a "brushless" alternator), by permanent magnets (as in very small machines), or by a rotor winding energized with direct current through slip rings and brushes. The rotor's magnetic field may even be provided by stationary field winding, with moving poles in the rotor. Automotive alternators invariably use a rotor winding, which allows control of the alternator's generated voltage by varying the current in the rotor field winding. Permanent magnet machines avoid the loss due to magnetizing current in the rotor, but are restricted in size, due to the cost of the magnet material. Since the permanent magnet field is constant, the terminal voltage varies directly with the speed of the generator. Brushless AC generators are usually larger machines than those used in automotive applications. An automatic voltage control device controls the field current to keep output voltage constant. If the output voltage from the stationary armature coils drops due to an increase in demand, more current is fed into the rotating field coils through the voltage regulator (VR). This increases the magnetic field around the field coils which induces a greater voltage in the armature coils. Thus, the output voltage is brought back up to its original value. Alternators used in central power stations may also control the field current to regulate reactive power and to help stabilize the power system against the effects of momentary faults.

IV.

ADVANTAGES OVER DYNAMOS

Alternator can give higher charge rate at slow speeds due to multiple phases Alternators approach maximum output much earlier Alternators are much more efficient

 Alternators are more reliable Easier to diagnose

V.

ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION Alternators are AC generators that uses DC input voltage as its field exciter. Most of alternators are rotating field alternators where the main fields are the ones that rotate instead of the armature. Alternators usually come in multiphase packages which gives a much smoother output levels. In automobiles, the alternator output voltage is rectified to produce DC voltage. This is done by the solid-state rectifying devices such as the diodes. Alternator can give higher charge rate at slow speeds due to multiple phases and thus approach maximum output much earlier. Alternators are much more efficient because it can produce higher output at slower rotating speed. They have smaller construction than the dynamo and tend to be more reliable. Alternators are easier to maintain because it uses slip rings rather than commutators. A commutator tends to wear the brushes sooner because of its rough surface. Commutator also introduces spark arcs when it uses higher voltages. Alternators are easier to diagnose because they use simpler topology of voltage regulation circuit.

VI.

REFERENCES http://auto.howstuffworks.com/alternator2.htm http://blogcarparts.blogspot.com/2011/09/what-does-alternator-do.html http://automotiveservices.blogspot.com/2011/02/alternator.html http://www.microgreen.co.uk/alternator-basics.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternator http://www.autoshop101.com/trainmodules/alternator/alt102.html http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/AlternatorGeneratorTheory.htm http://www.ehow.com/facts_5455888_alternator-basics.html