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Overvoltage protection
it is often advisable to install overvoltage protection as a precautionary measure in case of abnormal operating conditions.
Such overvoltages take the form of very brief voltage peaks, lasting only a few milliseconds which reach a maximum of 350 V and originate from the coil ignition. Overvoltages are also generated when the line between battery and alternator is open-circuited with the engine running (this happens when an outside battery is used as a starting aid), or when high-power loads are switched off. For this reason, under normal driving conditions, the alternator is not to be run without the battery connected. Under certain circumstances though, short-term or emergency operation without battery is permissible. This applies to the following situations: - Driving of new vehicles from the final assembly line to the parking lot - Loading onto train or ship (the battery is installed shortly before the vehicle is taken over by the customer) - Service work, etc.
This type of overvoltage-protection device is connected directly to the D+ and D- terminals on T1 alternators
The unit responds to voltage peaks and consistent overvoltage that exceed its response threshold of approx. 31 V. thyristor Th becomes conductive. The thyristor assumes responsibility for the short-circuit current. The activation voltage is defined by Zener diode ZD response delay is regulated by resistors Rl and R2 along with capacitor C. The unit requires only milliseconds to short circuit the regulator and alternator across D+ and D-. current from the battery triggers the charge-indicator lamp to alert the driver. The thyristor remains active, reverting to its off-state only after the ignition has been switched off, or the engine and alternator come to rest. The unit will not provide overvoltage protection if the wires at terminals D+ and D- are reversed.
This type of protection device is designed for use with T1 alternators The unit incorporates two inputs, D+ and B+ which react to different voltage levels and with varying response times.
Input D+ provides rapid overvoltage protection The second input, B+, responds only to defects at the voltage regulator, while the alternator voltage continues to climb until it reaches the units response voltage of approx. 31 V. The alternator then remains shorted until the engine is switched off This overvoltage-protection device makes it possible for the alternator to operate for limited periods without a battery in the circuit. The alternator voltage collapses briefly when the overvoltage device responds. If the load becomes excessive, renewed alternator excitation is impossible. Voltage peaks which can be generated by the alternator itself when loads are switched off ("load-dump"), cannot damage other devices in the system because the alternator is immediately short-circuited.
This protection device is specially designed for use with the Double-T1 alternator with two stators and two excitation systems
While the overvoltage-protection device short-circuits the alternator, the consequential-damage protection unit functions as a kind of backup regulator, even with the battery out of circuit. Provided that the alternator's speed and the load factor allow, it maintains a mean alternator voltage of approximately 24 V to furnish emergency capacity. interrupting the alternator's excitation current approx. 2 seconds after the alternator output passes the response threshold of 30 V When the system is operated with the battery out of circuit, the unit reacts to voltage peaks of 60 V or more lasting for more than 1 ms. Maximum operating times in this backup mode extend to approx. 10 hours, after which the consequential-damage protection device must be replaced.
Compact-diode-assembly alternators use single-flow cooling. The external fan is attached to the drive end of the alternator shaft. Air is drawn in by the fan at the collector-ring or rectifier end, passes through the alternator, and leaves through openings in the drive-end shield.
Due to their higher specific power output, compact alternators are equipped with double-flow cooling One essential advantage lies in the use of smaller fans, with the attendant reduction of fan-generated aerodynamic noise.
When fresh air is used for cooling purposes, a special air-intake fitting is provided on the intake side in place of the air-intake openings. A hose is used to draw in cool, dust-free air from outside the engine compartment. It is particularly advisable to use the fresh-air intake method when engine-compartment temperatures exceed 80C and when a highpower alternator is used. With the compact alternator, the fresh-air method can be applied for cooling the rectifiers and the regulator
6.5 Noise
Alternator noise is comprised of two main components: aerodynamic noise and magnetically induced noise. Aerodynamic noise can be generated by the passage of the cooling air through open-ings, and at high fan speeds. Magnetically induced noises are attributable to strong local magnetic fields and the dynamic effects which result between stator and rotor under load. One of the most effective measures for reducing radially radiated noise is the "claw-pole chamfer" Optimization of the claw-pole chamfer method, combined with a reduction of the housing's noise-radi-ating surfaces, results in noise reductions of up to 10 dB(A)
Measures taken to reduce noise also have an effect on the alternator's power output, as well as upon component temperature and alternator manufacturing costs. The challenge is to find the best-possible compromise between these conflicting factors. This necessitates the use of state-of-the-art simulation and measuring techniques such as: - Finite Element Methods (FEM) for the optimization of oscillatory behavior and mechanical strength - Software for noise calculations - Flow and temperature simulation - Test stands for noise and flow measurements
K C () 14V 40-70A K Alternator size (stator OD) C Compact alternator () Direction of rotation, clockwise 14 V Alternator voltage 40 A Current at n = 1,800 rpm 70 A Current at n = 6,000 rpm
9. Alternator circuitry
9.1 Parallel-connected power diodes
At high currents, excessive heat-up would destroy them. when considering the heavily loaded power diodes, alternators are equipped with two or more parallelconnected power diodes for each phase.
10. Alternator operation in the vehicle 10.1 Energy balance in the vehicle
When specifying or checking alternator size, account must be taken of the battery capacity, the power consumption of the connected loads, and the driving conditions. battery charge is the prime consideration. It is decisive for sufficient energy being available to start the en-gine again after it has been switched off. The ideal situation is a balance between input and output of energy to and from the battery An under-rated (i.e. overloaded) alternator is not able to keep the battery sufficiently charged, which means that battery capacity cannot be fully utilized. Even under the most unfavorable operating conditions, in addition to powering all the electrical loads, the alternator power must suffice to keep the battery sufficiently charged so that the vehicle is always ready for operation.
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