Alternator Field Winding Switching for Flexible Power Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alternators in motor vehicles face limitations in adjusting output voltage and power without altering the design, particularly in heavy-duty applications, necessitating inefficient methods like increasing current to the field circuit winding.
Innovation Solution
A field winding circuit for alternators is divided into multiple portions, controlled by electronic switches, allowing dynamic connection to output terminals based on load requirements, with an electronic controller determining and adjusting the connection of these portions to optimize power output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the current given to the field circuit winding is increased to generate required output power, then the output power can be increased, but the energy loss and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The field circuit winding is divided into multiple portions (first winding portion, second winding portion, third winding portion) that can be independently connected or disconnected from the output terminals. This segmentation allows the system to use only the necessary number of winding portions based on load requirements, avoiding energy loss from using all windings when full power is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability where electronic switches (first switch, second switch, third switch) control the connection of different winding portions to output terminals based on real-time load requirements. This dynamic adjustment allows the alternator to optimize power output and minimize energy loss by activating only the necessary winding portions.
2Power
If the number of turns in the field circuit winding is increased to generate required output power, then the output power can be increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single large winding with many turns, the patent divides the field circuit winding into multiple portions that can be selectively connected. This segmentation achieves the required power output through parallel combination of fewer-turn windings, reducing the complexity of individual windings while maintaining the necessary power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The same field circuit winding portions serve multiple functions: they can be individually connected or combined in different configurations to meet varying power requirements. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate windings, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining power flexibility.
3Device complexity
If a single field circuit winding is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability decreases when the coil is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The field circuit winding is divided into multiple independent portions that can be selectively connected to output terminals. If one winding portion becomes damaged, the electronic controller can detect the fault and reconfigure the circuit to use only the functional winding portions, thereby maintaining system reliability without requiring complete replacement of the field circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements reconfigurable circuit topology where the connection parameters of the winding portions can be dynamically changed based on operational conditions and fault detection. This allows the system to adapt to damage by altering which winding portions are active, maintaining reliability while preserving the segmented structure's low complexity advantage.
4Device complexity
If the field circuit winding configuration is fixed, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different load requirements decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching capability using electronic switches controlled by an electronic controller. The controller can determine load requirements and automatically configure the appropriate number and arrangement of winding portions connected to output terminals, providing adaptability to different load conditions while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
The same set of segmented winding portions and switches can be configured in multiple ways to satisfy different power and voltage requirements. This universal configuration capability allows a single alternator design to serve multiple applications and load conditions without requiring complex dedicated circuits for each scenario.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances power output flexibility and redundancy, reducing load dependency and ensuring continued operation even if one coil is damaged.
Implementation Method 1
a stator, one or more magnets affixed to either the rotor or the stator, and a stator winding circuit capable of generating a voltage when a magnetic field created by the magnet(s) or electromagnets (field/rotor winding circuit) is moving relative to the stator/armature winding circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
A field winding circuit for an alternator, comprising an electromagnetic coil including a first winding portion and a second winding portion electrically connected in series. The winding circuit comprises a first switch, a second switch and a third switch configured to selectively connect one or both of the first and second winding portions to output terminals of the winding circuit. The winding circuit comprises an electronic controller configured to: determine the output power required by an electrical load connected to the stator output terminals, compare the required output power to a threshold value, connect only one of the first and second winding portions to the output terminals if the required output power is below the threshold value and connect both the first and second winding portions to the output terminals if the required output power is below the threshold value.