Division 3 Test bench

The test bench is to be a ‘direct drive’ alternator test bench. The alternator is to be directly linked to the torque meter and to the shaft of the drive train. The alternator is to be loaded with a battery and an electronic load. See the test bench configuration in figure 1.

In figure 1 an overview of the test bench configuration is given. The alternator transfers the mechanical power of the brushless motor into electrical power. The brushless motor generates an amount of power which is defined by the torque (Nm) and by the rotational speed (rad.s^–1). The torque and the speed are to be measured by the torque meter.

The alternator produces power to overcome the load which is connected to the alternator. This amount of power is equal to the alternator voltage (V) times the alternator current (I).

The efficiency of the alternator is to be defined as the electric power (output of the alternator) divided by the mechanical power (output of the torquemeter).

Where: