Implementation, Integration, Testing and Performance Evaluation of Compact, Battery-Less Alternator with External Regulator on Diesel Engine for Avionics Application

This paper describes the implementation, integration, testing and performance evaluation of compact and battery-less alternator with external regulator for diesel engine for avionics application. The key responsibility of this alternator is to generate 2.8kW power with 28V regulated power supply for various loads. The alternator has been integrated and installed on the diesel engine and further tested on dynamometer and thrust cradle with propeller combination. The alternator when used in conjunction with ACU (Alternator Control Unit) that is designed to boot strap field voltage during low speed operation, has the ability to self-excite. The alternator / ACU system has the ability to generate power even in the absence of battery voltage i.e. in battery less systems or those in which the battery is not always connected to the alternator. External voltage regulator has been used which minimizes ripple up to 1.0V. The alternator rpm ranges from 3000 to 10000 for generating maximum power. Self-excitation ability is derived from residual magnetism in the rotor pole pieces. Experimental setup on thrust cradle and dynamometer with resistive load was setup and performance of alternator has been established as per design requirements.