FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. More
specifically, the present disclosure relates to an alternator assembly of heavy-duty
vehicles with a splash protection for protecting the alternator from water damage.
5
BACKGROUND:
Conventional alternators are used in all types of motor vehicles, such as passenger
cars and trucks and other industries. An alternator is an electromechanical device
that converts mechanical energy into alternating current (AC) electrical energy.
10 Automotive alternators are mechanically driven using a drive belt wrapped on a
pulley connected to a crankshaft of a vehicle's internal combustion engine. The belt
drives the pulley that rotate an internal rotor assembly of the alternator to generate
alternating current (AC) electrical power from stator winding of the alternator. This
AC power is rectified to a direct current (DC) supply connected to a storage battery
15 of the vehicle.
There has been an increase in the number of electrical on-board systems and
accessories in contemporary motor vehicles. Present day requirements have demand
for efficient motor vehicle design, cost, and performance demands, which have in
20 turn placed more emphasis on having more efficient alternator designs.
The conventional alternator used in the automotive segment have separate plastic
housing fitted on the rear end bracket which is used for enclosing the slip ring.
Further, the same plastic housing has an opening for the brush to assemble from the
25 brush holder with the slip ring. However, the area where the brush enters inside the
plastic housing is not having any sealing material which causes no positive sealing
for water or mud entry. Also, there is no sealing provided between the rear end
bracket and plastic housing. The addition of separate plastic housing between rear
end bracket and bearing may also cause misalignment between stator assembly and
30 rotor assembly. Further, the use of a separate plastic housing increases the number
of parts and accordingly time required for assembly/maintenance of the alternator.
3
Therefore, the present disclosure is directed to address one or more problems as
discussed above and other problems associated with the art.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
5 One or more shortcomings of conventional alternators have been overcome, and
additional advantages are provided through the structure as claimed in the present
disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques
of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are
described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
10
The present disclosure relates to an alternator assembly comprising a front end
bracket and a rear end bracket. The front end bracket is removably connected to the
rear end bracket to form a housing. A rotor assembly comprising a rotating shaft is
enclosed in said housing. The front end bracket comprises a front end bearing, and
15 a plurality of air vents adapted to permit air to flow out of the alternator assembly.
The rear end bracket comprises an extension portion integrally extending in an axial
direction from a radially extending surface. The extension portion is provided to
entirely cover a rear end of the rotating shaft including a pair of slip rings to prevent
entry of any foreign particle (Dust and Water) inside the alternator assembly.
20
In an embodiment, the extension portion is integrally molded with the rear end
bracket to form a unitary structure.
In an embodiment, the rear end bracket comprises a web having a plurality of
25 openings through which an interconnection strip is passed to facilitate mounting of
diodes.
In an embodiment, the extension portion is having a cylindrical shaped structure to
accommodate rear end of the rotating shaft.
30
4
In an embodiment, the cylindrical wall of the extension portion comprises an
integrally formed rim to facilitate connection of a voltage regulator.
In an embodiment, a sealing member is disposed between the rim and the brush
5 assembly to seal any gap between the rim and outer cover of the brush assembly.
In an embodiment, the rotor assembly comprises a pair of slip rings disposed near a
rear end of the rotating shaft.
10 In an embodiment, the voltage regulator comprises a plurality of brushes adapted to
receive in the rim such that the brushes are in sliding contact with the pair of slip
rings.
In an embodiment, the rotor assembly comprises a rear end bearing supported by the
15 rear end bracket, and an O-ring interposed between the rear end bearing and the rear
end bracket.
In an embodiment, the front end bearing is adapted to receive in an opening provided
on the front end bracket, and the front end bearing is sized to matingly receive the
20 rotating shaft of the rotor assembly.
In an embodiment, a plurality of air vents are disposed in radial side surfaces of the
front end bracket and the rear end bracket for cooling the alternator.
25 In an embodiment, the rear end bracket sealingly covers the entire rear end of the
rotating shaft, the pair of slip rings and the brush assembly.
In another embodiment, a cooler assembly comprises a front end fan and a rear end
fan mounted near the front end and rear end of the rotating shaft. The front end fan
30 and the rear end fan provide a cooling air flow path between the front end bracket
5
and the rear end bracket to the extension portion. The cooler assembly facilitates
flow of cooling air to the pair of slip rings enclosed inside the extension portion.
It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described
5 above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and
embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the
disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
10 The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended
claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a mode of use, further objectives
and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following
detailed description of an embodiment when read in conjunction with reference to
the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals represent like elements
15 and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded side view of the important parts of alternator
assembly.
20 FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the alternator assembly which shows all the
essential parts of the alternator in accordance with the present disclosure.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the rotor assembly of the alternator.
25 FIG. 4 illustrates another perspective view of the stator assembly of the alternator.
FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view along Y-Y axis of the rear part of the alternator.
FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the rear end bracket of the alternator
30 assembly according to an embodiment disclosure.
6
FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of the voltage regulator of the alternator
assembly according to an embodiment disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only.
5 One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that
alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be
employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
10 While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and
alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example
in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it
is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the
contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative
15 falling within the scope of the disclosure.
It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present
disclosure and modify construction of the sealing arrangement in an alternator.
However, such modifications should be construed within the scope of the disclosure.
20 Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to
understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the
disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art having benefit of the description herein.
25 The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the
disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system and
method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components
but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such system,
method, or assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system
30 or device proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints,
7
preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or
device.
The alternator assembly comprises a front end bracket, a rear end bracket removably
5 connected to one another to form a housing. The housing is adapted to protect the
components like rotating shaft, rotor coil, bearings, stator winding and other
construction elements from accidental damages. In accordance with the present
disclosure, the alternator assembly comprises a uniquely formed rear end bracket to
prevent entry of foreign particles like – water, dust etc into the alternator interior
10 space. The front end bracket and the rear end bracket are connected to one another
by mechanical fastening means like bolts. The alternator assembly comprises lesser
number of assembling component when compared to the existing alternator
assemblies in order to reduce the manufacturing cost and increasing the lifetime of
the alternator. The alternator assembly further comprises a rotor assembly, a stator
15 assembly, a slip ring assembly to perform respective functions.
The front end bracket and the rear end bracket comprise a central opening to receive
a front end bearing and a second end bearing respectively. The rotating shaft having
a front end and a rear end is adapted to receive in the front end bearing and a rear
20 end bearing respectively. The front end bearing, and the rear end bearing facilitate
rotational movement of a rotating shaft of the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly
further comprises a first hub and a second hub fixedly secured to the rotating shaft.
The first hub is provided with plurality of first claw pole fingers to engage with
plurality of second claw pole fingers provided on the second hub of the rotating
25 shaft. The front end of the rotating shaft is attached to a drive pulley rotatably
connected to an output shaft of an engine by a power transmission means like power
transmission belt. The rear end of the rotating shaft is provided with a pair of slip
rings adapted to be in sliding contact with a plurality of brushes of a voltage
regulator. The sliding contact between the pair of slip rings and the plurality of
30 brushes makes and maintain the electrical connection.
8
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear end bracket is provided with an
extension portion integrally extending in an axial direction from a radially extended
surface. The extension portion may be integrally molded with the rear end bracket
to form a unitary structure. The extension portion may be of any preferred shape
5 such that it entirely covers the rear end of the rotating shaft. In accordance with the
present disclosure, the extension surface comprises a cylindrical shaped structure.
The extension portion is provided with a cutout portion extending from a cylindrical
wall surface to facilitate mounting of the voltage regulator. The cutout portion is
referred to as rim in the present disclosure. The rim is adapted to receive a sealing
10 member to cover the entire area between the plurality of brushes of voltage regulator
and internal surface of the rim. The sealing member prevents entry of any foreign
particles like – dust, water etc into the mounting region of the voltage regulator. The
unitary structure of the rear end bracket of the alternator assembly prevents entry of
any foreign particles and significantly increases the product lifecycle.
15
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a cooling system is provided to the
alternator assembly to facilitate proper cooling of coils by means of a pair of cooling
fans. The pair of cooling fans are mounted at two ends of the rotating shaft i.e. near
the front end and near the rear end. The pair of cooling fans are located inside the
20 housing and towards the front end bracket and the rear end bracket. The front end
bracket and the rear end bracket are provided with plurality of air vents disposed in
radial side surfaces of the brackets. The plurality of air vents provide proper air
channel to facilitate smooth and continuous flow of air into and out of the alternator
assembly.
25
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described with
reference to FIGs. 1-7.
FIG 1-2 shows an alternator assembly (10) that includes a front-end bracket (11) and
30 a rear end bracket (12) which together form a housing (13). The front end bracket
(11) and the rear end bracket (12) are removably connected to each other by plurality
9
of fastening means like mounting bolts (40). The front-end bracket (11) and the rear
end bracket (12) house a rotor assembly (14). The rotor assembly (14) is shown in
more detail in FIG. 3. The rotor assembly (14) is provided with a rotating shaft (15)
having an X-X axis. The rotating shaft has a front end (15a) and a rear end (15b). A
5 first hub (16) and a second hub (17) are fixedly secured to the rotating shaft (15).
The rotor assembly (14) is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced first
claw-pole fingers (18) which are supported by the first hub (16) and which extend
from the first hub (16) towards the second hub (17). The first claw-pole fingers (18)
are constructed of a magnetically permeable material. The rotor assembly (14) is
10 further provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced second claw-pole
fingers (19) which are supported by the second hub (17) and which extend from the
second hub (17) towards the first hub (16) such that the second claw-pole fingers
(19) are enclosed with the first claw-pole fingers (18). The second claw-pole fingers
(19) are constructed of a magnetically permeable material. A rotor coil form (20) is
15 fixedly supported by the rotating shaft (15) of the rotor assembly (14) and is disposed
generally between the first hub (16) and the second hub (17). The rotor coil form
(20) is disposed radially intermediate or below the first and second claw-pole fingers
and is carrying a coil magnet (not shown). The coil magnet generates a rotating
magnetic field as the rotor assembly (14) rotates.
20
The rotor assembly (14) is provided with a pair of a slip ring (22) which are disposed
on the rotating shaft (15), near the rear end (15b). A rear end bearing (23) is provided
with the rotor assembly (14) so that the rear end bracket (12) supports the rotor
assembly (14) at the rear end by supporting the rear end bearing (23). An ‘O’ ring
25 (24) is interposed between the rear end bearing (23) and the rear end bracket (12) to
maintain contact between each other. To supply electricity to the slip rings (22) of
the rotor assembly (14), the alternator assembly (10) is provided with a brush
assembly (26) comprising plurality of brushes (27, 28) disposed in a voltage
regulator (39). Referring to FIG. 7, The brush assembly (26) includes a first brush
30 (27) and a second brush (28). In an assembled condition of the alternator (10), the
first brush (27) and the second brush (28) are adapted to be in sliding contact with
10
the slip ring (22) to make and maintain an electrical connection. The rear end bracket
(12) covers the rear end (15b) of the rotating shaft (15), the slip ring (22) and the
brush assembly (26).
5 Further, the front-end bracket (11) is provided with a front end bearing (29), an
opening (30) and a plurality of air vents (31) adapted to permit air to flow out of the
alternator interior space. The front-end bearing (29) is adapted to receive in the
opening (30) formed on the front end bracket (11) therethrough. The front end
bearing (29) is sized to matingly receive the rotating shaft (15) of the rotor assembly
10 (14) near the front end. In an assembled condition of the alternator (10), the front
end bearing (29) is supported by the front-end bracket (11) and the rotating shaft
(15) extends through the opening (30) provided in the front-end bracket (11) through
the front end bearing (29), so that the front-end bracket (11) rotatably supports the
rotor assembly (14).
15
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a drive pulley (32) and a front-end fan
(33a) are disposed on a portion of the rotating shaft (15) of the rotor assembly (14)
which is disposed of externally of the front-end bracket (11). The drive pulley (32)
and the front-end fan (33a) are secured on the rotating shaft (15) via a hexagonal nut
20 (34). The drive pulley (32) is spaced a distance from the front-end fan (33a) by a
pulley spacer (35) disposed coaxially on the rotating shaft (15) of the rotor assembly
(14). The drive pulley (32) is shaped to receive a drive belt or power transmission
belt (not shown) which couples the drive pulley (32) to a drive shaft of an engine
(not shown) in a manner well known in the art so that the rotor assembly (14) can be
25 selectively rotated.
Further, the alternator assembly (10) is provided with a stator assembly (36) as
shown in FIGs. 2 and 4. The stator assembly (36) is positioned in the rotating
magnetic field generated by the coil magnet of the rotor assembly (14) and is
30 clamped between the front-end bracket (11) and the rear end bracket (12) such that
the stator assembly (36) is supported by the housing (13) of the alternator assembly
11
(10) when the alternator assembly (10) is in an assembled condition. As shown in
FIG. 4, the stator assembly (36) is provided with a stator lamination (37) and a
plurality of stator windings (38) wound about the stator lamination (37). The stator
lamination (37) is formed from a plurality of layers of a laminated magnetically
5 permeable material which have been bonded together in a conventional manner.
FIGs. 2 and 5 show the alternator assembly (10), which is provided with a voltage
regulator (39). The voltage regulator (39) is connected with the rear end bracket
(12)in such a manner to prevent entry of any foreign particles like – dust, water etc.
10 Referring to FIG. 7, the voltage regulator (39) comprises a plurality of brushes (27,
28) adapted to receive inside a rim (48) provided on an extension portion (46) of the
rear end bracket (12). The input terminal of the voltage regulator (39) receives
electricity from an electrical system of a vehicle via a battery terminal assembly (not
shown). The output of the voltage regulator (39) is electrically connected to the brush
15 assembly (26) which is disposed of through a second opening.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rear end bracket (12) as shown in
FIG. 6 will now be described in detail. The rear end bracket (12) is connected to the
front-end bracket (11) so as to sandwich the stator assembly (36) therebetween via
20 a plurality of the mounting bolts (40). The voltage regulator (39) and a set of diodes
(42) are mounted on the rear end bracket (12) for rectifying the alternating voltages
delivered by the stator windings (38). These set of diodes (42) are generally mounted
by means of an interconnection strip (43) on inside of a cooler assembly (44). A
sealing member (41), may be made of rubber or any other suitable material, is
25 disposed between the rear end bracket (12) and the voltage regulator (39).
In addition, the alternator (10) includes air vents (31) which are disposed in radial
side surfaces of the rear end bracket (12). Furthermore, the alternator (10) includes
a rear end fan (33b) disposed at a rear end of the rotating shaft (15b). The rear end
30 fan (33b) includes a plurality of blades provided perpendicular to the axis of the
rotating shaft (15). The air enters through the number of air vents (31) in an axial
12
direction of the alternator (10) and is then redirected to a radial flow by the rear end
fan (33b) blades.
The rear end bracket (12) comprises an extension portion (46) which is cylindrical
5 in shape. The extension portion (46) may be integrally molded with the rear end
bracket (12) to form a unitary structure. The extension portion (46) is extended
radially by a web (50) in which air vents (31) are provided in a predetermined
disposition for cooling the alternator (10). Close to the radially outer edge of the web
(50) there are formed openings (51) through which the interconnection strip (43)
10 passes and the set of diodes (42) are engaged as force fit in a respective one of the
opening (51) formed in the web (50) of the rear end bracket (12).
The extension portion (46) integrally extends in an axial direction from a radially
extending surface (47) of the rear bracket (12). The extension portion (46) is made
15 of the shape corresponding to the shape of the rear end (15b) of the rotating shaft
(15) fitted with the slip rings (22) such that the extension portion (46) entirely covers
the rear end of the rotating shaft (15) as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5. Further, the
extension portion (46) defines a cut-out for facilitating connection of the first brush
(27) and the second brush (28) with the slip rings (22). In the embodiment as shown
20 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the extension portion (46) is substantially cylindrical in shape
and the cut-out is provided slanted on a cylindrical wall of the extension portion
(46). The cutout may be defined by the rim (48) extending from the cylindrical
surface of the extension portion (46). The rim (48) may be configured to sealing
mate with a corresponding rim (not shown) of the brush assembly (26) to prevent
25 entry of any foreign particles through the cutout. In the embodiment as shown, the
sealing member (41) is placed between the rim (48) and the brush assembly (26) to
seal any gap between the rim (48) and the outer cover of the brush assembly (26).
In addition, since the extension portion (46) entirely covers the rear end of the
30 rotating shaft (15), the area where the brush assembly (26) enters inside the extension
portion (46) reliably prevent foreign matter (for example, mud, water, etc.) from
13
reaching inside the rear end bracket (12) and degrading the plurality of brushes(27,
28). Further, since the sealing is obtained by employing a part (i.e. extension portion
(46)) of the rear end bracket (12), it becomes possible to reduce the number of
components inside the alternator assembly (10). Additionally, since the extension
5 portion (46) is aligned coaxially with the rotating shaft (15), it also reduces the
chances of misalignment between stator assembly (36) and rotor assembly (14)
during the operation of alternator (10).
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cooler assembly (44) is disclosed to
10 provide proper cooling to the alternator assembly (10), preferably near the rear end
bracket (12) of the alternator. The cooler assembly (44) comprising the front end fan
(33a) and the rear end fan (33b) providing a cooling air flow path formed between
the front end bracket (11) and the rear end bracket (12), and the extension portion
(46) of rear end bracket (12). The plurality of air vents (31) are provided to permit
15 air to flow inside the alternator interior space of the alternator (10). The rear end
bracket (12) is further provided to cover the brush assembly (26) and electrical
components including the voltage regulator (39) to prevent these components from
being affected by foreign matter. Therefore, cooling air can be supplied to a slip ring
assembly (45) while preventing water or dust particles from entering the inlet of the
20 cooling air flow path through the cooler assembly (44). The slip ring assembly (45)
comprises the pair of slip rings (22) located near the rear end (15b) of the rotating
shaft (15).
It is to be understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art may develop a structure
25 of similar configuration without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
Such modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope
of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers
such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
30
14
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those
having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the
singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various
5 singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and
especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally
intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as
10 “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at
least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,”
etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number
of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited
in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For
15 example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim
recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that
the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing
20 only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases
“one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a”
and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”);
the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations.
In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
25 recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be
interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two
recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two
or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous
to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended
30 in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a
system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to
15
systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B
and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a
convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the
5 convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not
be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and
C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further
understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase
presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or
10 drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of
the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will
be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.” While various
aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and
15 embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended
to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We Claim:
1. An alternator assembly (10) comprising:
a front end bracket (11) and a rear end bracket (12), the front end bracket
5 (11) removably connected to the rear end bracket (12) to form a housing (13);
a rotor assembly (14) comprising a rotating shaft (15), wherein the rotor
assembly (14) is enclosed in the housing (13);
wherein the front end bracket (11) comprises a front end bearing (29) and a
plurality of air vents (31) adapted to permit air to flow out of the alternator
10 assembly (10);
wherein the rear end bracket (12) comprises an extension portion (46)
integrally extending in an axial direction from a radially extending surface
(47), wherein
the extension portion (46) is adapted to entirely cover a rear end (15b) of the
15 rotating shaft (15) and prevent entry of any foreign particle inside the
alternator assembly (10).
2. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension portion
(46) is integrally molded with the rear end bracket (12) to form a unitary structure.
20
3. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear end bracket
(12) comprises a web (50) having a plurality of openings (51) through which an
interconnection strip (43) is passed to facilitate mounting of diodes (42).
25 4. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the extension portion
(46) is having a cylindrical shaped structure to accommodate rear end (15b) of the
rotating shaft (15).
5. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical wall
30 of the extension portion (46) comprises an integrally formed rim (48) to facilitate
connection of a voltage regulator (39).
18
6. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sealing member
(41) is disposed between the rim (48) and the brush assembly (26) to seal any gap
between the rim (48) and outer cover of the brush assembly (26).
5 7. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotor assembly
(14) comprises a pair of slip rings (22) disposed near a rear end (15b) of the rotating
shaft (15).
8. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voltage regulator
10 (39) comprises a plurality of brushes (27, 28) adapted to receive in the rim (48) such
that the brushes (27, 28) are in sliding contact with the pair of slip rings (22).
9. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotor assembly
(14) comprises:
15 a rear end bearing (23) supported by the rear end bracket (12), and
an O-ring (24) interposed between the rear end bearing (23) and the rear end
bracket (12).
10. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front end bearing
20 (29) is adapted to receive in an opening (30) provided on the front end bracket (11),
and
the front end bearing (29) is sized to matingly receive the rotating shaft (15) of the
rotor assembly (14).
25 11. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of air
vents (31) are disposed in radial side surfaces of the front end bracket (11) and the
rear end bracket (12) for cooling the alternator.
12. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear end bracket
30 (12) sealingly covers the entire rear end (15b) of the rotating shaft (15), the pair of
slip rings (22) and the brush assembly (26).
19
13. The alternator assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cooler assembly
(44) comprises:
a front end fan (33a) and a rear end fan (33b) mounted near the front end
(15a) and rear end (15b) of the rotating shaft (15), wherein
5 the front end fan (33a) and the rear end fan (33b) provide a cooling air flow
path between the front end bracket (11) and the rear end bracket (12) to the extension
portion (46), and
the cooler assembly facilitates flow of cooling air to the pair of slip rings (22)
enclosed inside the extension portion (46)