Rotor windage losses for Lundell alternators.

A range of experimental data was generated to permit accurate calculation of the windage power loss for Lundell alternator design. Windage tests were conducted on two concentric rotor-stator configurations in ambient air, producing Reynolds numbers as high as 100,000. Cylindrical rotors 10 and 12 inches in diameter were operated up to 24,000 rpm, and an 8 inch diameter Lundell rotor was operated up to 36,000 rpm. Gap-to-radius ratios of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.04 were tested. Tests were also conducted with axial slots machined on the stator surfaces to simulate alternator winding slots. Using the data obtained, a method was developed to calculate the windage loss for any Lundell alternator given the geometry and cavity conditions.