Electric generators: technology status

The use of generators by the military is examined. The factors determining generator size and weight for a given power rating and the generator scaling laws are discussed. Size and weight reduction is shown to be primarily a function of improvements in material properties and cooling techniques     

High-Speed Homopolar Inductor Alternators of Minimum Leakage Reactance

The leakage reactance of the machine is expressed as an equation involving slot leakage, end-connection leakage, differential leakage, stator-halves leakage, and tooth-top leakage reactance. This leakage reactance equation, or objective function, is then minimized under suitable constraints. Geometric programming is used to carry through the optimization procedure. A computer program is developed and applied to find the optimum leakage reactance for a 95 kVA, 208 V, wye-connected, 40 800 r/min aerospace alternator, using 8-, 10-, and 12-pole machines.     

Nonsymmetrical, Nonlinear Aerospace Alternators on Nonlinear Loads

A two-dimensional numerical analysis of the cross section of a homopolar inductor alternator supplying a rectifier load is developed. Besides the effects of the nonlinearities of the magnetic materials, the eddy currents induced in the rotor by the nonlinear load are considered. Results for a 95-kVA homopolar inductor alternator are presented and include magnetic induction and flux distribution at two instants of time, output voltage, eddy current densities, and loss. The theoretical results have been found to be in good agreement with available test data on the alternator.