Abstract: A fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell; a reaction gas supplier which supplies a fuel gas and an oxidizing gas to the fuel cell; a first converter which converts the output voltage of the fuel cell; a secondary battery; a connection line connecting the first converter and the secondary battery in parallel to a load; and a controller. The controller includes a first operation mode and a second operation mode. In the first operation mode, the first converter is operated with a step-up capability that is able to be realized by the first converter. In the second operation mode, the first converter is operated with the maximum step-up capability that is able to be realized by the first converter and in which the reaction gas supplier is used to control the output current of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A rotating shaft is attached rotatably to a front body and a rear body of an AC generator. Feeding brushes are disposed around a rear end portion of the rotating shaft. A heat radiating plate is attached to a rear end of the rear body. A control board is attached to a back of the heat radiating plate. External air flows in from an air inlet and advances in a radially inward direction after passing through a cooling fin disposed on the heat radiating plate by a first air flow passage. In addition, the external air passes through and around the rear end portion of the rotating shaft after flowing into a rear surface side of the heat radiating plate via a second air passage.

Abstract: A rotating shaft is attached rotatably to a front body and a rear body of an AC generator. Feeding brushes are disposed around a rear end portion of the rotating shaft. A heat radiating plate is attached to a rear end of the rear body. A control board is attached to a back of the heat radiating plate. External air flows in from an air inlet and advances in a radially inward direction after passing through a cooling fin disposed on the heat radiating plate by a first air flow passage. In addition, the external air passes through and around the rear end portion of the rotating shaft after flowing into a rear surface side of the heat radiating plate via a second air passage.

Abstract: An automotive alternator includes a stator winding that is made of a metal other than copper and copper alloys. The alternator also includes a built-in rectifier that includes a plurality of rectifying elements and a plurality of electrical conductors. The rectifying elements and the electrical conductors together form a rectification circuit for rectifying AC power output from the stator winding into DC power. Further, at least one of the electrical conductors includes first and second portions. The first portion is connected to at least one of the rectifying elements, and made of copper or a copper alloy. The second portion is connected to the stator winding, and made of a metal containing a metallic element that is also contained in the metal of which the stator winding is made.

Abstract: A rotary electric machine is provided which includes a rotor, a stator, a power circuit which includes a power element, a control circuit which controls the power element, a frame which accommodates the rotor and the stator, a cooling fin which is made of metal and is connected to the frame to cool the power circuit, and a fixing member which is made of metal and is connected to the cooling fin to fix the control circuit.

Abstract: A vehicle A.C. generator has a rotor. The rotor has a pair of pole cores and magnet holders. Each pole core has a plurality of claw-like magnet poles. Each magnet holder contains a permanent magnet and placed between the adjacent claw-like magnet poles in order to prevent leakage flux. The rotor has a pair of supporting members in order to stop each magnet holder shifting in the direction of a rotary shaft of the rotor. Each supporting member has projecting parts which correspond to the magnet holders. The supporting members are fixed to one end surface of the pole cores, respectively. Each projecting part fixes the position of the corresponding permanent magnet in the rotor.

Abstract: In a vehicular alternator having a permanent magnet protection mechanism, each magnet holder of a non-magnetic characteristic if a rectangle prism shape accommodates each permanent magnet disposed between adjacent claw poles. The magnet holders are connected in a ring shape along a circumferential direction of the alternator by using each connecting plate part which extends from each magnet holder in approximate circumferential direction toward an inner side of and at a front tip part of each claw pole. The connecting plate parts and the magnet holders are made from a non-magnetic plate by cutting and bending. Making the surfaces and the connecting plate part of each magnet holder from the non-magnetic plate by cutting and bending provides a high accuracy magnet position in the alternator with low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A vehicle alternator and a stator for the vehicle alternator are disclosed wherein a stator winding includes a plurality of base segments wound on slots of the stator, each of the base segments including a large segment and a small segment disposed in the same slots distanced from each other by one-pole pitch. The large and small segments have turning portions extending from one axial end of the stator to form coil ends, respectively, with the turning portions of the large and small segments being dislocated from each other in a circumferential direction of the stator core to provide a circumferential space to create a cooling wind flow path to pass cooling wind in a radial direction of the stator core.

Abstract: A vehicle A.C. generator has a rotor. The rotor has a pair of pole cores and magnet holders. Each pole core has a plurality of claw-like magnet poles. Each magnet holder contains a permanent magnet and placed between the adjacent claw-like magnet poles in order to prevent leakage flux. The rotor has a pair of supporting members in order to stop each magnet holder shifting in the direction of a rotary shaft of the rotor. Each supporting member has projecting parts which correspond to the magnet holders. The supporting members are fixed to one end surface of the pole cores, respectively. Each projecting part fixes the position of the corresponding permanent magnet in the rotor.

Abstract: An automotive alternator includes a stator winding that is made of a metal other than copper and copper alloys. The alternator also includes a built-in rectifier that includes a plurality of rectifying elements and a plurality of electrical conductors. The rectifying elements and the electrical conductors together form a rectification circuit for rectifying AC power output from the stator winding into DC power. Further, at least one of the electrical conductors includes first and second portions. The first portion is connected to at least one of the rectifying elements, and made of copper or a copper alloy. The second portion is connected to the stator winding, and made of a metal containing a metallic element that is also contained in the metal of which the stator winding is made.

Abstract: In a vehicular alternator having a permanent magnet protection mechanism, each magnet holder of a non-magnetic characteristic if a rectangle prism shape accommodates each permanent magnet disposed between adjacent claw poles. The magnet holders are connected in a ring shape along a circumferential direction of the alternator by using each connecting plate part which extends from each magnet holder in approximate circumferential direction toward an inner side of and at a front tip part of each claw pole. The connecting plate parts and the magnet holders are made from a non-magnetic plate by cutting and bending. Making the surfaces and the connecting plate part of each magnet holder from the non-magnetic plate by cutting and bending provides a high accuracy magnet position in the alternator with low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A vehicle alternator and a stator for the vehicle alternator are disclosed wherein a stator winding includes a plurality of base segments wound on slots of the stator, each of the base segments including a large segment and a small segment disposed in the same slots distanced from each other by one-pole pitch. The large and small segments have turning portions extending from one axial end of the stator to form coil ends, respectively, with the turning portions of the large and small segments being dislocated from each other in a circumferential direction of the stator core to provide a circumferential space to create a cooling wind flow path to pass cooling wind in a radial direction of the stator core.