Fig. 1,404.—Revolving field of Fort Wayne alternator equipped with amortisseur winding. The object of this winding is to check any tendency toward hunting when the alternator is to be run as a synchronous motor, either for rotary condenser or power service. The amortisseur winding consists of heavy copper bars, placed around and through the pole faces and short circuited at the ends by heavy copper rings; it serves as a starting winding to bring the rotor up to speed as an induction motor, and also serves as a damping device to neutralize any tendency toward "hunting" caused by variation in speed of the generator supplying the current.

Alternators which produce a smooth current wave and are maintained at uniform speed by properly designed governors, operate fairly well in parallel, but are not entirely free from hunting, and other means are provided to overcome the difficulty.

When heavy copper flanges, called dampers, are put over the polar projections or copper bars laid in grooves on the pole face and short circuited by connecting rings (called amortisseur winding), the powerful induced currents which are produced when the alternators get out of step tend to quickly re-establish the phase relation.

Fig. 1,405.—Westinghouse field with amortisseur or "damper" winding for 75 kva. and larger belted alternators, which prevents hunting and reduces eddy currents in the pole pieces. The copper bars of the amortisseur cage winding are arranged in partially closed slots in the pole pieces.

Two examples of a field provided with amortisseur[4] winding are shown in figs. 1,404 and 1,405.

[4] NOTE.—Amortisseur windings are often erroneously called "squirrel cage" windings on account of similarity of construction. The latter term should be reserved for its proper significance as being the name of the type of armature winding generally used for induction motors, the name being suggested by the resemblance of the finished armature to the wheel of a squirrel cage. A comparison of figs. 1,405 and 1,746 will show the distinction. In a squirrel cage winding there is a large number of bars uniformly spaced; an amortisseur winding consists of a comparatively small number of bars, usually unevenly spaced, that is they are divided into groups with considerable space between the groups, as in fig. 1,405, and less pronounced in fig. 1,404. The bars are short circuited by rings the same as in squirrel cage winding.

Fig. 1,406.—Diagram of monocyclic system, showing monocyclic armature and transformer connections. The monocyclic system is a single phase system primarily intended for the distribution of lights with an incidental load of motors. The lighting load is entirely connected to one single phase circuit, and the motors are started and operated from this circuit with the assistance of the teazer wire. The long coil indicates the main winding of the armature, which is similar in its arrangement and size to the ordinary armature winding of a single phase alternator. The short coil which connects at one end to the middle point of the coil above mentioned, and at the other to a third collector ring is called the "teazer" coil. Its use is to generate a pressure in quadrature with that of the main coil. This pressure is combined with the main pressure of the alternator by transformers, so as to give suitable phase relations for operating induction motors. In the diagram the voltage has been assumed to be 2,080 volts, and the voltages marked to correspond with the generated pressure. The coils of the alternator armature are connected, as shown, to two main leads and to a teazer wire. Between each end of the main coil and the end of the teazer coils, a resultant pressure is generated. These resultants are about 12 per cent. larger than half the main pressure. They also have a phase difference.

Monocyclic Alternators.—This type of alternator was designed prior to the introduction of the polyphase systems, to overcome the difficulties encountered in the operation of single phase alternators as motors. A single phase alternator will not start from rest as a motor, but must first be started and brought up to the proper speed before being connected with single phase mains. This condition constituted a serious difficulty in all cases where the motor had to be stopped and started at comparatively frequent intervals.

Fig. 1,407.—Monocyclic system diagram showing transformer connections.

Fig. 1,408.—Diagram showing section of monocyclic alternator armature illustrating the armature winding. The main coils are wound on every other tooth, and the teazer coils are placed in quadrature with them, as shown.

The monocyclic alternator is a single phase machine provided with an additional coil, called a teaser coil, wound in two phase relationship with, and connected to the center of the main single phase coil. It is provided with three collector rings; two for the single phase coil, and one for the free end of the teaser coil.

Fig. 1,409.—Diagram showing connections of General Electric Monocyclic alternator. For 2,300 volt machine, connect as shown by solid lines. For 1,150 volt machine, omit connections A to B, C to D, E to F, and G to H, and connect as shown by dotted lines. The armature of a standard monocyclic alternator rotates in a counter clockwise direction facing the commutator. When the alternator is loaded, the voltage between the teazer coil and the two terminals of the main coil may be different; therefore, it is necessary to have the commutator connected in corresponding ends of the main coil. If the machine has not been arranged for clockwise rotation, the following change in the connections on the commutator-collector must be made if the machine is to be run in parallel with another. Fig. 1,410 shows the connections of monocyclic alternators. In fig. 1,409, the studs on the commutator-collector marked 1 and 6 are the terminals of the main coil. These should be reversed. The numbers are stamped on the ends of the stud and may be seen with the assistance of a mirror. By reference to this diagram it is a simple matter to trace out the connections with a magneto, after the armature leads are disconnected and the brushes raised.

By this arrangement ordinary single phase incandescent lighting can be accomplished by means of a single pair of wires taken from the single phase coil. Where three phase motors have to be operated, however, a third wire, called the power wire, which is usually smaller than the main single phase wires is carried to the point at which the motor is located, and by the use of two suitably connected transformers three phase currents are obtained from the combined single phase and power wires for operating the motors.

Fig. 1,410.—Diagram showing connections of General Electric monocyclic alternator. The solid lines show standard connections for counter-clockwise rotation; the broken lines show connection changed for clockwise rotation.

Fig. 1,406 shows the connections of the monocyclic system and it is only necessary to carry the teaser wire into buildings where motors are to be used.

Armature Reaction.—Every conductor carrying a current creates a magnetic field around itself, whether it be embedded in iron or lie in air. Armature inductors, therefore, create magnetic fluxes around themselves, and these fluxes will, in part, interfere with the main flux from the poles of the field magnet. The effect of these fluxes is:

1. To distort the field, or

2. To weaken the field.

These disturbing fluxes form, in part, stray fluxes linked around the armature inductors tending to choke the armature current.

Figs. 1,411 and 1,412.—Section of armature and field showing distorting effect of armature reaction on the field. When a coil is opposite a pole as in fig. 1,411, no current is flowing (assuming no self induction) and the field is undisturbed, but, as the inductors pass under a pole face as in fig. 1,412, current is induced in them, and lines of force are set up as indicated by the dotted lines. This distorts the main field so that the lines of force are crowded toward the forward part of the pole face as shown.

Ques. Explain how the field becomes distorted by armature reaction.

Ans. Considering a slotted armature and analyzing the electrical conditions as the inductors move past a pole piece, it will be observed: 1, when the coil is in the position shown in fig. 1,411, the current will be zero, assuming no armature self-induction, consequently for this position the armature coil has no disturbing effect upon the field set up by the field magnet; 2, when the inductors have moved under the pole face, as in fig. 1,412, currents will be induced in them, and they will tend to set up a magnetic field as indicated by the dotted lines, and in direction, by the arrow heads. The effect of this field will be to distort the main field, strengthening one side of the pole and weakening the other side.

Fig. 1,413.—Section of armature and field showing weakening effect of armature reaction in the field. Self-induction being present (as it almost always is), the current lags more or less behind the pressure, so that when the coil is in the position of zero induction, as shown, the current has not yet come to rest. Accordingly, lines of force (indicated by the dotted lines) are set up by the current flowing through the coils which are in opposition to the field, thus weakening the latter. The dots and crosses in inductor sections, have their usual significance in defining the direction of current, representing respectively the heads and tails of arrows.

Ques. Explain how the field becomes weakened by armature reaction.

Ans. In all armatures there is more or less inductance which causes the current to lag behind the pressure a corresponding amount. Accordingly, the current does not stop flowing at the same instant that the pressure becomes zero, therefore, when the coil is in the position of zero pressure, as in fig. 1,413, the current is still flowing and sets up a magnetic field which opposes the main field as indicated by the dotted arrows, thus weakening the main field.

Ques. In what kind of armature is this effect especially pronounced?

Ans. In slotted armatures provided with coils of a large number of turns.

Fig. 1,414.—Section of armature and field showing strengthening effect of armature reaction when the current leads the pressure. If the circuit contain an excess of capacity the current will lead the pressure, so that when the coil is in the position of zero induction, as shown, the current will have come to rest and reversed. Accordingly, lines of force (indicated by the dotted lines) are set up by the current flowing through the coil and which are in the same direction as the lines of force of the field, thus strengthening the latter.

Ques. What would be the effect if the current lead the pressure?

Ans. It would tend to strengthen the field as shown in fig. 1,414.

The value of the armature ampere turns which tend to distort and to diminish or augment the effect of the ampere turns on the field magnet is sometimes calculated as follows:

.707 × I × T × P
A =
s

in which

This value of ampere turns, combined at the proper phase angle with the field ampere turns gives the value of the ampere turns available for producing useful flux.

Fig. 1,415.—Fort Wayne separately excited belt driven alternator, a form adapted for installation in small plants where low power factor is to be encountered. This condition exists in a line where power is supplied to induction motors, transformers or other inductive apparatus. The type here shown is built in sizes from 37½ kw. to 200 kw., 60 cycles, two or three phases and voltages of 240, 480, 600, 1,150 or 2,300 volts. They may be operated as single phase alternators by using two of the phases and may then be rated at 70 per cent. of the polyphase rating. The field is excited by direct current at a pressure of 125 volts. These alternators may be used as synchronous motors and for this duty are fitted with amortisseur winding in the pole faces which does not interfere with their use as alternators.

Single Phase Reactions.—Unlike three phase currents, a single phase current in an alternator armature produces a periodic disturbance of the flux through the machine. In the magnet system this disturbance is of twice the normal frequency, while in the armature core it is the

Figs. 1,416 to 1,425.—Diagrams illustrating superposition of fields. In the figures magnetic curves representing the effect of the armature currents in several different cases are superposed upon the magnetic curves assumed to be due to the field magnet. The uppermost line shows the primary field due to the exciting coils on the magnet poles. They are shown passing into the armature teeth in two principal positions, where the middle of a pole is: 1, opposite a tooth, and 2, opposite a slot. In the second line is shown the field due to the armature currents assuming no lag, and that the magnets are not excited. If there be no lag, the places of strongest current will be opposite the poles. As shown in the right hand figure when the current in one phase C, is at its maximum, those in the other phases A and B will be of half strength. In the left hand figure when the current in one phase B, is at its zero value, those in the other phases will be of equal value, or 87 per cent. of the maximum. In the third line is shown the effect of superposing these fields due to the current upon those due to the magnets as depicted in the first line. Inspection of this resultant field shows how the armature current distorts the field without altering the total number of lines per pole. In the fourth and fifth lines are shown the effects of a lagging current. A lag of 90° is assumed; and in that case the maximum current occurs in any inductor one quarter period after the pole has passed, or at a distance of half a pole pitch behind the middle point of the pole, as in the fourth line. When these armature fields are superposed on those of the magnets in the first line the resultant fields are those depicted in the fifth line. On inspection it will be seen that in this case there is no distortion, but a diminution of the flux from each pole, as the lines due to the armature currents, tending to pass through the pole cores in the sense opposite to those of the primary magnetism, must be deducted from the total. The twelve lines per pole are correspondingly reduced to eight; and, of these eight, four go astray constituting a leakage field. This illustrates the effect of a lagging current in demagnetizing the field magnets and in increasing the dispersion.

same as the normal frequency. In both cases the eddy currents which are set up, produce a marked increase in the load losses, and thus tend to give the machine a higher temperature rise on single phase loading.

Designers continue to be singularly heedless of these single phase reactions, resulting in many cases of unsatisfactory single phase alternators. Single phase reactions distort the wave form of the machine.

Three Phase Reactions.—The action of the three phase currents in an alternator is to produce a resultant field which is practically uniform, and which revolves in synchronism with the field system. The resultant three phase reaction, because of its uniformity, produces no great increase in the load losses of the machine, the small additional losses which are present being due to windings not being placed actually in space at 120°, and to the local leakage in the teeth.

Fig. 1,426.—Diagram showing lateral field between adjacent poles.

Magnetic Leakage.—In the design of alternators the drop of voltage on an inductive load is mainly dependent upon the magnetic leakages, primary and secondary. They increase with the load, and, what is of more importance, they increase with the fall of the power factor of the circuit on which they may be working. This is one reason why certain types of alternator, though satisfactory on a lighting circuit, have proved themselves unsatisfactory when applied to a load consisting chiefly of motors.

The designer must know the various causes which contribute to leakage and make proper allowance.

In general, to keep the leakage small, the pole cores should be short, and of minimum surface, the pole shoes should not have too wide a span nor be too thick, nor present needless corners, and the axial length of the pole face and of the armature core should not be too great in proportion to the diameter of the working face.

Figs. 1,427 and 1,428.—Diagram showing respectively the character of stray field between adjacent straight poles, and between adjacent poles with shoes. Across the slightly V-shaped spaces the stray field passes in lines that, save near the outer part, are nearly straight. Quite straight they would not be, even were the sides parallel, because the difference of magnetic pressure increases from the roots towards the pole ends. At the roots, where the cores are attached to the yoke, the magnetic pressure difference is almost zero. It would be exactly zero if there were not a perceptible reluctance offered by the joints and by the metal of the yoke. The reluctance of the joint causes a few of the lines to take paths through the air by a leakage which adds to the useful flux. At the tops of the cores there is a difference of magnetic pressure equal to the sum of the ampere turns on the two cores, tending to drive magnetic lines across. This difference of magnetic pressure increases regularly all the way up the cores from root to top; hence, the average value may be taken as equal to the ampere turns on one core. The stray field, therefore, will steadily increase in density from the bottom upwards. In addition to this stray field between the pole cores there is also a stray field between the projecting tips or edges of the pole shoes, as shown in fig. 1,428. In some machines the dispersion due to the pole shoes is greater than that between the flanks of the cores.

To keep the increase of leakage between no load and full load from undue magnitude, it is required that armature reactions shall be relatively small, that the peripheral density of the armature current (ampere-conductors per inch) be not too great, and that the pole cores be not too highly saturated when excited for no load.

Fig. 1,429.—Lincoln revolving field alternator. The frame has openings for ventilation, the fanning action of the pole pieces causing a current of air to pass not only over the end of the windings, as is usual with other designs, but also through ventilating slots in the windings themselves. The armature core laminations are annealed after punching and before assembling to guard against the crystalizing effect of the punching. The armature coils are form wound and insulated before being placed in the slot. There is also slot insulation which is put in the slot previous to inserting the coil. When the winding is completed, it is tested with a pressure of 4 to 10 times the normal voltage of the machine. The bearings are self-aligning. The machine is normally designed to operate at a power factor of approximately 70 per cent., which means that at that power factor, the armature and fields at full load will heat equally. If it have a higher power factor than 70 per cent. it means that the field windings will run considerably cooler than the armature windings with full load. If the power factor be lower than this, it will mean that the field windings will run hotter than the armature on full load; however, the machine is designed so that harmful heating does not occur on full load with greater power factor than 40 per cent.

The general character of the stray field between adjacent poles is shown in figs. 1,427 and 1,428 for straight poles and those having shoes.

Field Excitation of Alternators.—The fields of alternators require a separate source of direct current for their excitation, and this current should be preferably automatically controlled. In the case of alternators that are not self exciting, the dynamo which generates the field current is called the exciter.

The excitation of an alternator at its rated overload and .8 power factor would not, in some cases, if controlled by hand, exceed 125 volts, although, in order to make its armature voltage respond quickly to changes in the load and speed, the excitation of its fields may at times be momentarily varied by an automatic regulator between the limits of 70 and 140 volts.

Fig. 1,430.—Western Electric armature for self-excited alternator. The main winding is placed at the bottom of the slots, each coil being surrounded by an armour of horn fibre. The exciter winding occupies a very small portion of the slot, being placed on top of the main winding, and connected to the commutator immediately in front of the core and between core and collector rings as shown.

The exciter should, in turn, respond at once to this demand upon its armature, and experience has shown that to do this its shunt fields must have sufficient margin at full load to deliver momentarily a range from 25 to 160 volts at its armature terminals.

It is obvious from the above that an exciter suitable for use with an automatic regulator must commutate successfully over a wide range in voltage, and, if properly designed, have liberal margins in its shunt fields and magnetic circuits.

Alternator fields designed for and operated at unity power factor have often proved unsatisfactory when the machines were called upon to deliver their rated kva. at .8 power factor or lower. This is due to the increased field current required at the latter condition and results, first, in the overheating of the fields and, second, in the necessity of raising the direct current exciting voltage above 125 volts, which often requires the purchase of new exciters.

Ques. What is a self-excited alternator?

Ans. One whose armature has, in addition to the main winding, another winding connected to a commutator for furnishing direct field exciting current, as shown in fig. 1,430.

Fig. 1,431.—Frame, bed plate and armature winding for Westinghouse bracket bearing polyphase alternator.

Ques. How is a direct connected exciter arranged?

Ans. The exciter armature is mounted on the shaft of the alternator close to the spider hub, or in some cases at a distance sufficient to permit a pedestal and bearing to be mounted between the exciter and hub. In other designs the exciter is placed between the bearing and hub.

Figs. 1,432 and 1,433 are examples of direct connected exciter alternators, in fig. 1,432 the exciter being placed between the field hub and bearing, and in fig. 1,433, beyond the bearing.

Ques. What is the advantage of a direct connected exciter?

Ans. Economy of space.

This is apparent by comparing figs. 1,432 and 1,433 with fig. 1,434, which shows a belted exciter.

Fig. 1,432.—General Electric alternator with direct connected exciter mounted on shaft between field hub and bearing. In the smaller sizes, the magnet frame is bolted to the bearing bracket, but in the larger sizes special construction is used depending upon the conditions to be met. The exciters are capable of furnishing the desired excitation for low power factors.

Ques. What is the disadvantage of a direct connected exciter?

Ans. It must run at the same speed as the alternator, which is slower than desirable, hence the exciter must be larger for a given output than the gear driven type, because the latter can be run at high speed and accordingly be made proportionally smaller.

Ques. What form of gear is generally used on gear driven exciters?

Ans. Belt gear.

Fig. 1,433.—Fort Wayne alternator with direct connected exciter mounted on the field shaft at such distance as to permit a pedestal and bearing to be mounted between the exciter and revolving field. In the view, the bearing is hidden by the exciter, only the foot of the pedestal being visible.

Ques. What are the advantages of gear driven exciters?

Ans. Being geared to run at high speed, they are smaller and therefore less costly than direct connected exciters. In large plants containing a number of alternators one exciter may be used having sufficient capacity to excite all the alternators, and which can be located at any convenient place.

Ques. What is the disadvantage of gear driven exciters?

Ans. The space occupied by the gear.

Fig. 1,434.—Diagram showing a Westinghouse 50 kva., 2,400 volt, three phase, 60 cycle revolving field separately excited alternator direct connected to a steam engine. The exciter is belted to the alternator shaft, the driving pulley being located outside the main bearing. The small pulley on the exciter gives an indication of its high speed as compared with that of the alternator.

In the case of a chain drive very little space is required, but for belts, the drive generally used, there must be considerable distance between centers for satisfactory transmission.

Slow Speed Alternators.—By slow speed is here understood relatively slow speed, such as the usual speeds of reciprocating engines. A slow speed alternator is one designed to run at a speed slow enough that it may be direct connected to an engine. Such alternators are of the revolving field type and a little consideration will show that they must have a multiplicity of field magnets to attain the required frequency.

In order that there be room for the magnets, the machine evidently must be of large size, especially for high frequency.

Fig. 1,435.—Crocker-Wheeler 350 kva., slow speed alternator direct connected to a Corliss engine. In front is seen a belted exciter driven from a pulley on the main shaft between the alternator and the large band wheel. The latter serves to give the additional fly wheel effect needed for close speed regulation.

EXAMPLE.—How many field magnets are required on a two phase alternator direct connected to an engine running 240 revolutions per minute, for a frequency of 60?

An engine running 240 revolutions per minute will turn

240 ÷ 60 = 4 revolutions per second.

A frequency of 60 requires

60 ÷ 4 = 15 cycles per phase per revolution, or

15 × 2 = 30 poles per phase. Hence for a two phase alternator the total number of poles required is

30 × 2 = 60.

It is thus seen that a considerable length of spider rim is required to attach the numerous poles, the exact size depending upon their dimensions and clearance.

Fig. 1,436.—Three Crocker-Wheeler 75 kva., slow speed alternators direct connected to high speed engines. The alternator is styled slow speed although connected to a high speed engine, because what is considered high engine speed is slow speed for alternator operation. The alternators have direct connected exciters which are plainly seen in the illustration placed on an extension of bearing pedestal. Direct connected exciters on units of this kind do not, as a rule, assume too bulky proportions, because of the high engine speed.

Fly Wheel Alternators.—The diameter of the revolving fields on direct connected alternators of very large sizes becomes so great that considerable fly wheel effect is obtained, although the revolutions be low. By giving liberal thickness to the rim of the spider, the rotor then answers the purpose of a fly wheel, hence no separate fly wheel is required. In fact, the revolving element resembles very closely an ordinary fly wheel with magnets mounted on its rim, as illustrated in fig, 1,437.

Fig. 1,437.—General Electric 48 pole 750 kw., three phase fly wheel type alternator. It runs at a speed of 150 revolutions per minute, giving a frequency of 60 cycles per second and a full load pressure of 2,300 volts. The slip rings and leads to the field winding are clearly shown in the figure. The field magnets are mounted directly on the rim of the spider, which resembles very closely a fly wheel, and which in fact it is—hence the name "fly wheel alternator."

High Speed Alternators.—Since alternators may be run at speeds far in excess of desirable engine speeds, it must be evident that both size and cost may be reduced by designing them for high speed operation.

Since the desired velocity ratio or multiplication of speed is so easily obtained by belt drive, that form of transmission is generally used for high speed alternators, the chief objection being the space required. Accordingly where economy of space is not of prime importance, a high speed alternator is usually installed, except in the large sizes where the conditions naturally suggest a direct connected unit.

Fig. 1,438.—Allis-Chalmers high speed belted type alternator. The small pulley at the right and the angle of the belt suggest the high speed at which such alternators are run, a 50 kva. machine turning 1,200 revolutions per minute.

An example of high speed alternator is shown in fig. 1,438. Machines of this class run at speeds of 1,200 to 1,800 or more, according to size.

No one would think of connecting an alternator running at any such speed direct to an engine, the necessary speed reduction proper for engine operation being easily obtained by means of a belt drive.

Water Wheel Alternators.—In order to meet most successfully the requirements of the modern hydro-electric plant, the alternators must combine those characteristics which result in high electrical efficiency with a mechanical strength of the moving elements which will insure uninterrupted service, and an ample factor of safety when operating at the relatively high speeds often used with this class of machine.

Fig. 1,439.—Allis-Chalmers 5,000 kva., 450 R. P. M., 6,600 volt, 60 cycle, 3 phase, horizontal water wheel alternator. The shaft is extended for the reception of a flange coupling for direct connection to water wheel. Owing to the wide range in output of the generating units and also in the speed at which they must operate to suit varying conditions of head, types of wheels used, and other features pertaining to water power developments, it has been necessary to design a very complete line of machines for this work. The bearings are of the ring oiling type with large oil reservoirs.

When selecting an alternator for water wheel operation a careful analysis of the details of construction should be made in order to determine the relative values which have been assigned by the designers to the properties of the various materials used. Such analysis will permit the selection of a type of machine best adapted to the intended service and which possesses the required characteristics of safety, durability and efficiency.

Fig. 1,440.—Stator of 500 k.w. Allis-Chalmers alternator for direct connection to vertical shaft hydraulic turbine.

The large use of electric power transmitted by means of high pressure alternating current has led to the development of a large number of water powers and created a corresponding demand for alternators suitable for direct connection to water wheels.

Ques. Name two forms of water wheel alternator.

Ans. Horizontal and vertical.

Examples of horizontal and vertical forms of water wheel alternator are shown in figs. 1,439 and 1,440.

Ques. How should the rotor be designed?

Ans. It should be of very substantial construction.

Ques. Why?

Ans. Because water wheel alternators are frequently required to operate safely at speeds considerably in excess of normal.

Fig. 1,441.—Allis-Chalmers revolving field for water wheel alternator. In this type of alternator it is essential that the rotating part be designed to have a liberal factor of safety not only at the ordinary operating speed, but also at speeds much in excess of normal. Frequently machines are required to operate safely at a speed 50 to 75 per cent. in excess of normal, so that there may be no danger in case the water wheel races. In most machines the field spider is of steel cast in a single piece for the smaller alternators and in two or more parts for the larger sizes. For alternators running at high peripheral speed, the rim is built up of steel laminations supported by a cast steel spider; the latter serves merely to rotate the rim, which is in itself able to withstand all stresses due to the high speed. The field poles are laminated, being built up of steel punchings held between malleable iron or bronze end plates, the latter being used on high speed machines. With but very few exceptions the poles are attached by dovetail projections that fit into corresponding slots. Steel tapered keys are driven in alongside the dovetails, and the pole pieces cannot become loose. All field coils, except on a few of the smallest machines, are of edgewise wound copper strip. This style of coil is essential for revolving field alternators where the pressure on the insulation, due to centrifugal force, is so great that cotton insulation on round wire will not stand. Current is led into the rings by means of carbon brushes, the number of brushes being such that the current density at the rubbing contact is kept within conservative limits. At least two brushes per ring are always provided so that one can be removed for inspection without interrupting the exciting current. In large machines the brush holder studs are mounted on a stand supported from the base; in small alternators they are usually fastened to the cap of one of the bearing pedestals.

Figs. 1,442 to 1,444.—Diagram of turbine alternator windings for revolving armature. Fig. 1,442 illustrates a two pole design in which all overlapping is avoided. It has 72 slots of which only 48 are filled, giving 8 slots per phase. The projecting claws from the brass end shield which hold the coils in position are shown in section. Fig. 1,443 shows a four pole design having 48 slots or 4 slots per phase per pole, the coils being made up of 8 inductors per slot taped together, the end bends forming two ranges. Fig. 1,444 shows a two pole design for a two phase armature with 18 slots per pole per phase. The core discs are spaced out as for 108 slots, but of these, 4 lots of 7 each are not stamped out, and 8 of those stamped are left empty, so that there are 72 slots filled.

Ques. What special provision is made for cooling the bearings?

Ans. They are in some cases water cooled.

Turbine Driven Alternators.—Although the principle of operation of the steam turbine and that of the reciprocating engine are decidedly unlike, the principle of operation of the high speed turbine driven alternator does not differ from that of generators designed for being driven by other types of engine or by water wheels. There are, therefore, with the turbine driven alternator no new ideas for the operator who is familiar with the older forms to acquire.

It must be obvious that the proportions of such extra high speed machines must be very different from those permissible in generators of much slower speeds.

Ques. How does a turbine rotor differ from the ordinary construction?

Ans. It is made very small in diameter and unusually long.

Ques. Why?

Ans. To reduce vibration and centrifugal stresses.

Ques. What are the two classes of turbine driven alternators?

Ans. They are classed as vertical or horizontal.

Ques. How do they compare?

Ans. The vertical type requires less floor space than the horizontal design, and while a step bearing is necessary to carry the weight of the moving element, there is very little friction in the main bearings.

The horizontal machine, while it occupies more space, does not require a step bearing.

Ques. Describe a step bearing.

Ans. It consists of two cylindrical cast iron plates bearing upon each other and having a central recess between them into which lubricating oil is forced under considerable pressure by a steam or electrically driven pump, the oil passing up from beneath.

Ques. What auxiliary is generally used in connection with a step bearing?

Ans. A weighted accumulator is sometimes installed in