MAIN GENERATOR

A diesel electric locomotive uses a main generator to convert the mechanical power developed by the diesel engine into electrical power. This main generator, is a three phase alternator equipped with two independent and interwoven sets of stator windings and a rotating field common to the windings. NOTE In order to provide a higher main generator output voltage, both halves of the generator are permanently connected in series. The output from the series connected windings is supplied to two air cooled rectifier assemblies in an airbox that is an integral part of the main generator. The rectifier assemblies consist of high current, high voltage silicon diodes in threephase, full wave rectifier circuits. The circuits have delta connected resistors and capacitors for suppression of commutation transients, and are provided with fuses for automatic isolation of failed diodes. Each fuse has a spring loaded indicator that protrudes when a diode failure causes the fuse to blow. Windows for fuse inspection are located in the airbox. The main generator is an assembly made up of the main generating device and its excitation source; the companion alternator. These air cooled, 3phase, electrically independent generators are mechanically coupled on the same shaft. The main generator consists of 10 field poles and the required stator windings for generating three phase AC power. The AC power is rectified by two

banks of air cooled silicon diodes that are an integral part of the TA-17-CA6B main generator assembly. The resulting DC power is applied to the DC link circuit.

COMPANION ALTERNATOR
The companion alternator is physically connected to but electrically independent of the traction alternator. The companion alternator rotor (rotating field) is excited by low voltage current from the auxiliary generator through a pair of slip rings adjacent to the slip rings for the main generator. The 3 phases AC output of the companion alternator comes from the stationary armature (stator). There are no controls in the companion alternator excitation circuit, thus it will be excited and developing power whenever the diesel engine is running. Output voltage will vary with speed of rotation, alternator temperature, and load. The companion alternator, is a variable frequency, variable voltage, three phase, wye connected AC generator with a rating of 250 KVA at 0.8 power factor. Nominal output is 230 volts at 120 cycles per second when the diesel engine is rotating at a speed of 900 RPM. The companion alternator/main generator rotating assembly is directly coupled to the crankshaft of the diesel engine The companion alternator provides power for the inertial filter blower motor, radiator blower motors, traction inverter blower motors, TCC electronics blower, and excitation for the main generator, and for various control circuits.

The companion alternator