A magnetic-equivalent-circuit-based performance computation of a Lundell alternator

A claw-pole synchronous generator, or Lundell alternator, is the main source of electric energy in today's internal combustion engine automobile. Keeping in mind that, as consumer power on board a vehicle steadily increases, the importance of creating an accurate computational tool for Lundell alternator analysis and potential gains on output, efficiency and weight, is clear. This paper shows how a contemporary electric machine analysis tool, the magnetic equivalent circuit method, helps one predict performance of a Lundell alternator with a very high accuracy and a minimum of computational time.