Analysis of the efficiency of an automotive alternator by replacing Mild steel into aluminum as a material for rotor

In real time automotive electrical systems, an alternator is usually used for charging the vehicle. The alternator generates AC voltage which is converted into DC voltage through rectifier of an alternator and this DC voltage helps to charging the vehicle's battery. The alternator further coupled with the vacuum pump, provides vacuum to the suction line of the vehicle's braking system. The rotor of the vacuum pump is made of mild steel which weighs high. Hence, it may act as a load to the alternator and reduces its efficiency. In the proposed model, efficiency and performance characteristics of the alternator are improved by reducing the mass of the rotor. Here, the mild steel is replaced by aluminum metal which weighs less. By using this, the mass of the vacuum pump is reduced, due to which the output power of the alternator gets increased. This increase in output power improves the efficiency of an alternator and subsequently the performance of the vehicle's charging system is improved. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.