Alternator Parts and Function

Parejas, Reighn Andrie B.
BSMT-AT 2A
Alternator parts and function

Alternator is a main part of charging system. The alternator produce electrical energy
while the engine is running to charge the battery . When the engine is off, the battery
can be used as electrical power source to powered the starter motor and make the
engine runs.
1. Pulley
The first part of alternator is pulley. The pulley function is to rotate the rotor assembly as
the engine is running. Yes, the pulley works as a connector between the rotor assembly
and the engine through a drive belt were known as alternator belt or serpentine belt.
There are three types of alternator pulley, solid pulleys, one-way clutch pulleys (OWCs),
and overrunning alternator decoupler pulleys (OADs). Even they have different types,
but the function is still remain the same; to rotating the rotor assembly as the engine
runs.
2. Housing
The second part of alternator is housing. The housing function is to protect the inner
parts of alternator and become a house hold of them like stator, bearings, rectifier, and
so on.
The housings are splitted into two parts, front housing and rear housing. Front housing
is located near the pulley while the rear housing is at the opposite. Between of them
there is a stator assembly body.
3. Bearings
The third part of alternator is bearings. The bearings function is to make the rotor
assembly rotate freely, they attached in front of and at the end of the rotor shaft. They
support the rotor shaft so the rotation runs smooth and freely.
These bearings sits on the alternator housing. Front bearing is attached on the front
housing and the rear bearing is attached on the rear housing.
4. Rotor assembly
The fourth part of alternator is rotor assembly. The rotor assembly function is to
generate magnetic field by electromagnetic force were built up because the electric
current flows from the battery through the rotor coil.
When the rotor assembly is spinning, the magnetic field will cut the stator coil. As the
magnetic field cuts the stator coil, the stator coil generates electricity energy. More
faster the rotor rotations, it's increasing the electric current were generate in stator coil.
The rotor assembly is build from several parts such as

 Rotor shaft ; the shaft that will rotate the rotor assembly. It is connected to the
bearings, and on the rear end shaft, the slip rings attached.
 North claw poles ; the claw were change to be the north pole electromagnetic
when the electric flow through the rotor coil.
 South claw poles ; the claw were change to be the south pole electromagnetic
when the electric flow through the rotor coil.
 Rotor coil ; A coil were rolled between the rotor shaft and the rotor claws (north
and south claws). This coil is connected to the slip rings.
 Slip rings ; a rounded shapes cooper were connected to the rotor coil. The slip
rings makes the electric current flows while the rotor shaft is spinning.
 Cooling fan ; the cooling fan function is to cooling down the air temperature
inside the alternator.
5. Stator assembly
The fifth part of alternator is stator assembly. The stator assembly function is to
generate electric current as the rotor assembly (being electromagnetic) cuts the stator
coil. The stator is a stationary set of windings that surrounds the rotor. The coil build in
rounded shapes so the rotor assembly can rotate inside the stator coil.
There are two types coil connection were used inside the stator coil, Y connection and
delta connection. In a Y connection type stator, the wire ends from the stator windings
are connected to a neutral junction so that the circuit looks like the letter "Y". A Y-type
stator provides good current output at low engine speeds.
In a delta connection type stator, the wires are connected end-to-end so that the circuit
looks like a triangle. Delta-type stators are used in high-output alternators.
6. Rectifier
The sixth part of alternator is rectifier. The rectifier is used to convert current from
alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) during the charging process.
Since the stator windings generate an alternating current, it is cannot be use in most car
electrical system. So, to convert the alternating current to be direct current, an alternator
is equipped with rectifier were build from 6 or more diodes.
7. Voltage regulator
The next part of alternator is voltage regulator. The voltage regulator controls the
amount of power distributed from the alternator to the battery in order to control the
charging process. As we mentioned before, "more faster the rotor rotations, it's
increasing the electric current were generate in stator coil", so, the voltage regulator is
used to control the output voltage.
If the alternator output voltage is below 14.5 volts, the voltage regulator responds by
increasing current through the field coil of the rotor. This causes the voltage to increase.
And if the alternator output voltage is at or above 14.5 volts, the voltage regulator will
decreasing current through the field coil of the rotor so it's cause the ouput voltage to
decrease.
Todays modern cars used an IC regulator type were attached inside the alternator and
build in with carbon brush were connected with the slip rings from the rotor assembly,
while the olds used an external voltage regulator.
8. Protective cap
The last part of alternator is protective cap. The protective cap is used to protec he
rectifier components were placed outside of the rear housing. This protective cap is
depends by the alternator makers. Some makers didnot use protective cap, but they put
the all parts inside the alternator and just leaving the terminal +B and socket.

Alternator Parts and Function

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Alternator Parts and Function

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Alternator Parts and Function

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Parejas, Reighn Andrie B.

Alternator parts and function

The rotor assembly is build from several parts such as

You might also like