Extra high speed modified Lundell alternator parameters and open/short-circuit characteristics from global 3-D-FE magnetic field solutions

A combined magnetic vector potential, magnetic scalar potential method of computation of 3-D magnetic fields by finite elements is used for global 3-D field analysis and machine performance computations under open-circuit and short-circuit conditions for an example 14.3 kVA modified Lundell alternator, whose magnetic field is of an intrinsic 3-D nature. The computed voltages and currents under these machine test conditions were verified and found to be in very good agreement with corresponding test data. Results of the use of this modeling and computation method in the study of a design alteration example, in which the stator stack length of the example alternator is stretched in order to increase voltage and volt-ampere rating, are given. These results demonstrate the inadequacy of conventional 2-D based design concepts and the need for this type of 3-D magnetic field modeling in the design and investigation of such machines