Abstract: An aircraft includes an engine and a first variable frequency generator having a first rotor that is rotatable at a rate that is based on a rotational rate of the engine to cause the first variable frequency generator to generate a first multiphase signal. The aircraft further includes a second variable frequency generator having a second rotor that is rotatable at the rate to cause the second variable frequency generator to generate a second multiphase signal. The first multiphase signal is phase aligned with the second multiphase signal. The aircraft further includes one or more switches coupled to a first electrical system and configured to selectively provide power to the first electrical system based on either the first multiphase signal or the second multiphase signal.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of power distribution control output channels operatively coupled to at least one power source, and comprising an access control input from an access control device, and a control output for a controlled device. A controller receives an access control input signal for each power distribution control output channel and provides a control signal to each power distribution control output channel such that each power distribution control output channel provides a control output signal according to requirements of a corresponding controlled device. The controller can individually isolate one or more power distribution control output channels from the at least one power source such that the control output signal is removed from the corresponding controlled device, while any other power distribution control output channels coupled to the same power source continues to operate without interruption.

Abstract: A wind farm side voltage source converter comprises a DC terminal for connection to a DC transmission link, an AC terminal for connection to a wind farm that includes at least one wind turbine, and a main controller. The main controller is configured to modify an active power demand (Pdemand) of the voltage source converter which is received from a higher level controller by introducing an artificial inertia factor and/or in response to a measured DC voltage (Vdc_msr) at the DC terminal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for determining a grid condition, such as a weakened grid condition, and controlling a power plant, such as a wind or solar power plant, in a manner which is appropriate to the grid condition. The method includes measuring (14) output parameters of a generator, such as a wind turbine or PV generator. The measured output parameters include reactive power and voltage. The method further includes determining (16) a relationship between the measured output parameters of the generator. The relationship between the measured output parameters of the generator is indicative of a condition of a power grid to which the plant supplies power. The method allows controlling (18) the plant responsive to the relationship between the measured output parameters of the generator to avoid onset of oscillatory behavior, which could otherwise occur in the power plant in the presence of a weakened grid condition.

Abstract: A vehicle may include a vehicle charging system having an alternator operatively coupled to an engine and a controller. The controller may be programmed to output a warning indicative of a vehicle charging system fault in response to a quotient of a voltage drop associated with the alternator and an output current of the alternator exceeding a threshold value while the alternator is operating in a steady state condition.

Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a control unit that performs control such that the motoring of an engine is carried out at a higher rotational speed when a required braking force is large than when the required braking force is small, from the start of charge of a battery to the start of rapid decrease in a charging power of the battery, in the case where predetermined control is performed to control a first motor and a second motor such that the battery is charged within a range of a permissible charging power through regenerative driving of the second motor and the motoring of the engine by the first motor with fuel injection stopped and that the required braking force at a braking request is applied to the vehicle, in response to the making of the braking request during the performance of cruise control or variable speed limiter control.

Abstract: In a rotary electric machine, a modulation signal generator generates a modulation signal including information indicative of rotation of a rotor based on change of a voltage at an output end of a stator winding, and outputs the modulation signal. A rectifying unit alternately turns on and off the switch to rectify the voltage at an output end of the stator winding, thus generating a rectified voltage. An excitation current supplying circuit is communicably connected to the modulation signal generator via a communication line, and starts a supply of an excitation current to the excitation winding of the rotor to induce a rotating magnetic field in the stator winding when the modulation signal output from the modulation signal generator is input thereto via the communication line.

Abstract: Inertia control system for a wind turbine comprising a rotor (5), generator (12) driven by the rotor (5) that interacts with a power converter (13) to generate electricity, a wind turbine controller (15) that comprises a blade pitch controller (19) and a generated power controller (18), a controller for the power converter (14) that interacts with the wind turbine controller (15), characterized because it comprises an inertia emulation block (17) that generates an extra power signal (32) negatively proportional to the frequency change rate (23) that is added to the power reference of the wind turbine generated power controller (15) and adapts the rotational speed reference of the wind turbine controller (15) according to the grid frequency (21) to prevent distortion in the active power output after adding or subtracting power in proportion to the frequency change rate (23).

Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a first smoothing capacitor and a second smoothing capacitor connected in parallel to each other, an inrush current preventing circuit connected in series to the first smoothing capacitor, the inrush current preventing circuit including an inrush preventing resistor for suppressing an inrush current and a first relay connected in parallel to the inrush preventing resistor; a second relay connected in series to the second smoothing capacitor; an inverter circuit for converting the output smoothed by the first smoothing capacitor and the second smoothing capacitor into an AC voltage and outputting the AC voltage to a load; and relay controlling means for controlling a switching operation of the first relay and the second relay.

Abstract: An output of a generator may vary according to the speed of the engine, physical characteristics of the engine, or other factors. A profile for a generator that describes a periodic fluctuation in an operating characteristic for the generator is identified. A field current of an alternator associated with the generator is modified based on the profile for the generator in order to counter variations in the output of the generator.

Abstract: A method of operating a converter of a wind turbine for providing electric energy to a utility grid includes determining a grid voltage. If the grid voltage is between a nominal voltage and a first voltage threshold, i.e. higher than the nominal voltage, a normal procedure for lowering the grid voltage is performed. If the grid voltage is above the first voltage threshold, another procedure for keeping the wind turbine connected is performed, wherein the other procedure is different from the normal procedure. Further a corresponding arrangement is described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive, from a contact associated with a generator breaker, a reported status of the generator breaker, receive operational data associated with one or more parameters of a generator associated with the generator breaker, and correlate the reported status of the generator breaker and the operational data. Based on the correlation, the processor may establish an actual status of the generator breaker, and, based on the actual status, selectively modify a mode of excitation of the generator.

Abstract: An alternator has rectifying module groups. The rectifying module groups form a bridge circuit. The rectifying module groups have a load dump protection judgment section for monitoring an output voltage of rectifying module groups. When the monitored output voltage exceeds a first threshold voltage, the load dump protection judgment section provides to a control section an instruction to turn on MOS transistors in a lower arm of the bridge circuit at a time when a predetermined delay time has elapsed. When a second threshold voltage is lower than the first threshold voltage and the monitored output voltage becomes less than the second threshold voltage after the monitored output voltage exceeds the first threshold voltage, the load dump protection judgment section provides to the control circuit an instruction to turn on the MOS transistors in the lower arm after the MOS transistors are turned off during a predetermined time length.

Abstract: A setpoint for a mechanical torque of a generator in a recuperation system of a motor vehicle is specified, and a generator current of the generator for setting the specified mechanical torque of the generator is set.

Abstract: A plurality of generators can be connected in parallel to a common electrical bus. Each generator has a controller that regulates the voltage and frequency of the electricity being produced. Before a given generator connects to the electrical bus, its controller senses whether electricity is present on the bus and if not, the connection is made. Otherwise, the controller synchronizes the electricity being produced to the electricity is present on the bus before the connection occurs. The controller in each generator may also implement a load sharing function which ensures that the plurality of generators equitably share in providing the total amount of power demanded by the loads. The load sharing can be accomplished by controlling the generators to operate a substantially identical percentages of their individual maximum power generation capacity.

Abstract: A method for controlling a specific electric machine includes receiving with a controller a back electromotive force (BEMF) coefficient for the specific electric machine. The controller is configured to control operation of an inverter coupled to the electric machine where the inverter is configured to provide or receive multi-phase electricity to or from the electric machine in motor mode or generator mode, respectively. The method further includes receiving with the controller an input related to a selected torque to be applied by or a selected power to be removed from the electric machine. The method further includes determining a first electrical parameter the inverter is to apply to in motor mode or a second electrical parameter the inverter is to convert power to in generator mode using the BEMF coefficient, and applying the first electrical parameter to the electric machine or converting the received power to the second electrical parameter.

Abstract: A vehicle generator includes armature windings, rectifier module groups, an upper MOS on-timing determining section, a lower MOS on-timing determining section, a rotational speed calculating section, a target electrical angle setting section for setting a value of a target electrical angle, an upper MOS off-timing determining section, a lower MOS off-timing determining section, and drivers for driving high-side and low-side MOS transistors constituting upper and lower arms. The target electrical angle represents a margin period between when the low-side MOS transistor was turned off a half cycle ago and the moment when the lower arm on-period has ended. The upper MOS off-timing determining section and the lower MOS off-timing determining section set off timings of the MOS transistors such that the margin period is equivalent to the set value of the target electrical angle.

Abstract: A device for detecting a change in a generator output signal of a vehicle generator includes a window comparator for comparing a signal amplitude of the generator output signal to at least one threshold value which limits a signal amplitude range, a detector for detecting a change in the generator output signal based on an output signal of the window comparator, a detection unit for detecting a signal amplitude difference between a maximum signal amplitude and a minimum signal amplitude of the generator output signal, and an adaptation unit for adapting the signal amplitude range of the window comparator, based on the signal amplitude difference, when there is the change in the generator output signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a variable speed wind turbine generator is disclosed. The generator is connected to a power converter comprising switches. The generator comprises a stator and a set of terminals connected to the stator and to the switches of the power converter. The method comprises: determining a stator flux reference value corresponding to a generator power of a desired magnitude, determining an estimated stator flux value corresponding to an actual generator power, determining a difference between the determined stator flux reference value and the estimated stator flux value, and operating said switches in correspondence to the determined stator flux reference value and the estimated stator flux value to adapt at least one stator electrical quantity to obtain said desired generator power magnitude.

Abstract: A method of controlling a motor is provided. The method may determine a speed of the motor, and engage a soft chopping routine on a first switch and a second switch of each phase if the motor speed is relatively low. The first switch may be driven by a first pulse width modulated PWM signal and the second switch being driven by a second PWM signal. The first and second PWM signals may be alternatingly configured such that at least one of the first switch and the second switch is closed at any point during the distributed soft chopping routine and both the first switch and the second switch are never simultaneously open.

Abstract: A power distribution system comprises at least one fuel cell that is selectively operated in response to conditions to provide power to electrical loads and/or to charge an electrical storage device such as a vehicle battery. One form of an alternator can be selectively engaged or disengaged to provide power to the electrical loads and/or to charge the electrical storage device. Either or both of the fuel cell and alternator can be operated to provide electrical power.

Abstract: The invention relates to electromechanical assemblies comprising an alternator, especially of high power, typically greater than or equal to IMW, and a converter, the alternator comprising a rotor driven in rotation, by a wind turbine for example, and more particularly to wound rotor synchronous alternators. The drive can also take place by means of a tide-driven, hydraulic or marine-current-driven generator. An alternator comprises in a manner known per se a field winding, generally at the rotor, supplied with DC current either by split rings and brushes, or by an exciter, so as to generate in an armature winding, generally at the stator, an AC voltage.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an AC generator for a vehicle can obtain large regeneration energy without making the size of the generator large. In the control apparatus in which an AC output current is rectified and supplied to a vehicle mounted battery (6) and an electric load of the vehicle, provision is made for a regulator (5) that controls a continuity rate of electric power supply to a field coil (3) of a generator (1) by controlling an output voltage of the generator (1). The regulator (5) suppresses the continuity rate of electric power supply to the field coil (3) at the time of steady operation of the vehicle, and switches a suppression value of the continuity rate of electric power supply so as to increase the continuity rate of electric power supply at the time of deceleration operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes: an AC generator including an AC generating section, and a rectifier for rectifying an AC voltage generated in the AC generating section, and outputting a DC voltage; and a DC/DC converter for converting the output voltage of the rectifier into a DC voltage having a different voltage value, wherein the output voltage of the rectifier is set to be larger than the output voltage of the DC/DC converter in accordance with the rotation speed of the AC generating section and the amount of power supply to an electrical load connected to the DC/DC converter, and is stepped down and outputted by using the DC/DC converter. The power supply apparatus is capable of increasing an output power efficiently.

Abstract: A setpoint for a mechanical torque of a generator in a recuperation system of a motor vehicle is specified, and a generator current of the generator for setting the specified mechanical torque of the generator is set.

Abstract: A power converter that interfaces a motor requiring variable voltage/frequency to a supply network providing a nominally fixed voltage/frequency includes a first rectifier/inverter connected to a stator and a second rectifier/inverter. Both rectifier/inverters are interconnected by a dc link and include switching devices. A filter is connected between the second rectifier/inverter and the network. A first controller for the first rectifier/inverter uses a dc link voltage demand signal indicative of a desired dc link voltage to control the switching devices of the first rectifier/inverter. A second controller for the second rectifier/inverter uses a power demand signal indicative of the level of power to be transferred to the dc link from the network through the second rectifier/inverter, and a voltage demand signal indicative of the voltage to be achieved at network terminals of the filter to control the switching devices of the second rectifier/inverter.

Abstract: It is an object to stabilize a utility grid even when an unexpected fluctuation in the frequency of the utility grid occurs. A wind turbine generator includes a rotor that rotates by wind power, a generator that is driven by rotation of the rotor, and a control device that controls a power output of the generator to increase while a rotational speed of the generator decreases when a frequency of a utility grid becomes smaller than or equal to a predetermined rated frequency and when the rotational speed of the generator is greater than or equal to a first predetermined value. In this way, even when the frequency of the utility grid fluctuates, the frequency fluctuation can be suppressed, and the utility grid can be stabilized.

Abstract: A method of operating a converter of a wind turbine for providing electric energy to a utility grid includes determining a grid voltage. If the grid voltage is between a nominal voltage and a first voltage threshold, i.e. higher than the nominal voltage, a normal procedure for lowering the grid voltage is performed. If the grid voltage is above the first voltage threshold, another procedure for keeping the wind turbine connected is performed, wherein the other procedure is different from the normal procedure. Further a corresponding arrangement is described.

Abstract: A method for controlling the progressive charge of a motor vehicle alternator. The alternator comprises a stator, a rotor which is provided with an excitation coil, a voltage regulator which acts on an excitation current which is supplied to the excitation coil in order to regulate an output voltage of the alternator, and a device for controlling the progressive charge which, by means of limitation of the excitation current to a maximum value, determines a maximum mechanical torque which the alternator can collect on a thermal engine of the vehicle. The maximum mechanical torque is determined according to a speed of rotation (NALT) of the alternator, and the progressive charge control device comprises a so-called progressive charge return (PCR) signal which indicates the maximum value which the excitation current (lexc) can assume.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling the speed of a motor driving a load that is electrically connected to a generator driven by an engine, through use of a first control feedback loop configured to control the rotor flux of the motor by controlling the field excitation of the generator, and a second control feedback loop configured to control the speed of the motor by controlling the throttle position of the engine.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for controlling a power output of a power generation system by controlling an acceleration of a generator of a power generation system. The arrangement includes an input terminal for receiving an input signal indicative of an actual grid frequency of a utility grid, a control circuit for generating a control signal, and an output terminal to which the control signal is supplied. The control circuit is adapted for receiving the input signal, for determining whether the actual grid frequency is above a predefined threshold, and, if the input signal indicates that the actual grid frequency is above the predefined threshold, for generating the control signal based on the input signal. The control signal is indicative of an acceleration of the generator. The power output of the power generation system is controlled by controlling the acceleration of the generator. Further a power generation system is described.

Abstract: A method for controlling a variable speed wind turbine generator is disclosed. The generator is connected to a power converter comprising switches. The generator comprises a stator and a set of terminals connected to the stator and to the switches of the power converter. The method comprises: determining a stator flux reference value corresponding to a generator power of a desired magnitude, determining an estimated stator flux value corresponding to an actual generator power, determining a difference between the determined stator flux reference value and the estimated stator flux value, and operating said switches in correspondence to the determined stator flux reference value and the estimated stator flux value to adapt at least one stator electrical quantity to obtain said desired generator power magnitude.

Abstract: A device includes a rotor and a stator with coils arranged to form a phase element. The phase element includes a first coil group including a first coil and a second coil and a second coil group including a third coil and a fourth coil, where the rotor is positioned between the first coil group and the second coil group. The device also includes one or more switches that enable reconfiguration of the phase element by switching an electrical configuration of the coils. In a first mode, the coils are arranged with the first coil in a first coil path and the second coil in a second coil path that is coupled in parallel with the first coil path. The coils are arranged such that a voltage generated across the first coil path is substantially equal to a voltage generated across the second coil path.

Abstract: A method and a system for reducing belt noise in an engine, wherein the belt is engaged with an alternator includes a transmission upshift detection module determining a transmission upshift or a quickly closing throttle detection module determining a quickly closing throttle. The control module further includes an engine speed prediction module determining a predicted engine speed in response to determining a transmission upshift and an engine deceleration prediction module determining a predicted engine deceleration when the predicted deceleration of the engine crankshaft is greater than a threshold. An alternator control module controls a rotor current in the alternator to add load to the alternator rotor to reduce potential belt noise.

Abstract: In a controller, a voltage controller operates, in an initial excitation mode, to turn selectively on and off a switch to supply an excitation current as an initial excitation current to the field winding, and operates, in a power generation mode, to selectively increase and reduce the excitation current to be supplied to the field winding to regulate an output voltage of the power generator to a target value. A mode-shift determiner determines, while the voltage controller operates in the initial excitation mode, whether to shift an operation mode of the voltage controller from the initial excitation mode to the power generation mode based on: a measured rotation number of a rotor, a threshold rotation number of the rotor, and a preset time period, the time period being equal to or longer than an expected maximum value of cycle of pulsations of rotation of the engine.

Abstract: A device for controlling an on-vehicle power generator is provided with switching means, detecting means, voltage control means, startup control means and normal state control means. The voltage control means controls the output voltage of the power generator together with the switching means. The detecting means detects state of the power generation including a startup state where the engine is in startup condition and a normal state where normal power generation has been performed. The startup control means controls the voltage control means to start/stop of the power generation based on the frequency of the phase voltage of the power generator in the startup state. The normal state control means controls the voltage control means in the normal state such that the normal state control means controls the voltage control means to continue the power generation or stops the power generation based on the frequency of the phase voltage.

Abstract: A regulating device for regulating the output voltage of a generator; in particular a vehicle generator is described. To improve protection of the voltage regulation from failure, for normal operation it is proposed to perform the regulation using a main regulator which is implemented as software in a control unit, and in the event of a malfunction of the main regulator, to perform the regulation using an auxiliary regulator.

Abstract: A generator has a field coil of a rotor, an armature coil of a stator, a control device supplying an exciting current to the field coil when detecting rotation of the rotor, and a control circuit alternately setting an upper arm transistor and a lower arm transistor in on state in a rectifier module to generate a phase voltage. The control device detects the rotation from a periodic change in a sign of the difference between the phase voltage and a reference voltage. When the rectifier module is overheated, the control circuit sets the upper arm transistor in the off state and sets the lower arm transistor in the on state to almost fix the phase voltage, the control device detects no rotation and stops supplying the exciting current, and the rectifier module generates no phase voltage to decrease temperature of the rectifier module.

Abstract: An electric powered vehicle according to the present invention comprises a battery, an electric power converting device, an electric motor, a drive wheel, a control part, an accelerator, a brake, and a rotation sensor. The control part detects the velocity using the rotation sensor. When a first velocity threshold is Vt1, and a second velocity threshold is Vt2, and when the thresholds are Vt1<Vt2, regenerative control is permitted in the case where a running velocity increases to or above the second velocity threshold, and the regenerative control is prohibited in the case where the running velocity falls below the first velocity threshold.

Abstract: A generation control device for a hybrid vehicle in which an electrical generator is driven by an engine, and a battery is charged by electrical generation performed by the electrical generator and the engine, includes: a shift position detection unit that detects a shift position; a brake detection unit that detects whether a brake of is on or off; a charging start unit; an increasing/decreasing unit that conducts increasing operation or decreasing operation; and a control unit that starts to charge the battery when the shift position is a non-travel position, the brake is on, and the charging start unit is operated, the control unit that, after starting to charge the battery, conducts setting for increasing parameter related to the electrical generation when the increasing/decreasing unit conducts the increasing operation, or conducts setting for decreasing the parameter related to the electrical generation when the increasing/decreasing unit conducts the decreasing operation, to set the parameter, the cont

Abstract: A vehicle alternator comprises a housing with a voltage regulator positioned within the housing. The alternator further comprises a rotor having a field coil positioned within the housing and a stator positioned within the housing. The stator includes stator windings configured to provide an output voltage in response to rotation of the rotor. The voltage regulator is configured to receive a battery temperature signal from outside of the alternator and control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the received battery temperature signal. In at least one embodiment, the battery temperature signal is provided from a temperature sensor positioned adjacent to the vehicle battery. The voltage regulator of the alternator includes a processor configured to control the current provided to the field coil based at least in part on the particular type of vehicle battery used in association with the alternator.

Abstract: A wind turbine generator system can regulate the rotational velocity of the wind turbine within an operation range even when the wind velocity suddenly changes and can perform continuous operation of the wind turbine. The wind turbine generator system includes a generator connected to the shaft of the wind turbine and a converter connected to the generator. When the rotational velocity of the wind turbine is within a predetermined range, power outputted from the generator is controlled so as to follow the instruction concerning the generator output given from the wind turbine to the converter. When the rotational velocity of the wind turbine is out of the predetermined range, the power outputted from the generator is controlled without following the instruction concerning generator output given from the wind turbine to the converter.

Abstract: An electric power generation system is provided, including a generator having a plurality of stages engaged by a prime mover; and a plurality of branches for connecting the stages to an electrical load, each of the branches having a switch for connecting or disconnecting the branch to the stages. Power from a prime mover, such as a turbine, is sent by a controller to one or more of the branches as appropriate to handle the power level generated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protection system of a doubly-fed induction machine, the system comprises a doubly-fed induction machine with a stator and a rotor, the stator of said doubly-fed induction machine is connected to a grid and the rotor of said doubly-fed induction machine is connected to the grid via a converter, said converter comprises a machine side converter, a DC-link and a line side converter. The system comprises additionally at least one crowbar, said crowbar is connected to the rotor, at least one DC-chopper provided in the DC-link, a converter controller and a separate protection device. The object of the present invention to provide a protection system and a protection method of a doubly-fed induction machine which can be easily used with high sampling rates and which provides a good protection for the doubly fed induction machine is resolved in that the DC-chopper and the crowbar are controlled with the separate protection device.

Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes: an AC generator including an AC generating section, and a rectifier for rectifying an AC voltage generated in the AC generating section, and outputting a DC voltage; and a DC/DC converter for converting the output voltage of the rectifier into a DC voltage having a different voltage value, wherein the output voltage of the rectifier is set to be larger than the output voltage of the DC/DC converter in accordance with the rotation speed of the AC generating section and the amount of power supply to an electrical load connected to the DC/DC converter, and is stepped down and outputted by using the DC/DC converter. The power supply apparatus is capable of increasing an output power efficiently.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a method for operating a wind turbine having a generator, the generator having for each phase a plurality of coils, wherein the plurality of coils of each phase includes at least one group of coils including at least two coils, the group of coils including at least two subgroups including at least one coil, wherein the generator has a first state in which the coils of the group of coils are electrically connected in series, and, the generator has a second state in which the at least two subgroups are switched electrically in parallel; the method including: changing the state of the generator.

Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes: an accessory that adjusts torque that is output from an internal combustion engine, by giving load to the internal combustion engine; an ignition timing control portion that is provided so as to adjust ignition timing of the internal combustion engine, and that adjusts the torque output from the internal combustion engine by performing a retardation control of the ignition timing; an accessory load adjustment portion that adjusts an accessory load that is the load given from the accessory to the internal combustion engine; and a catalyst that purifies exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine. The ignition timing control portion reduces the retardation of the ignition timing with increase in temperature of the catalyst. The accessory load adjustment portion increases the accessory load with increase in the temperature of the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for reducing variations in tension in a drive belt 7 of an accessory belt drive system is disclosed in which an electrical load imposed upon the drive belt 7 by an electrical generator 8 is modulated based upon fluctuations in the speed at which the drive belt 7 is driven. By reducing the electrical load when the drive belt 7 is being accelerated and increasing the electrical load when the drive belt is decelerating the difference between the maximum tension and the minimum tension in the drive belt 7 is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a reversible electrical machine (14) coupled to a heat engine (13). The electrical machine comprises a field winding (18) which is fed by an excitation current and an armature comprising a plurality of phase windings (22) fed by phase currents. According to the invention, the excitation current of the electrical machine is controlled according to the instantaneous rotational speed of the machine and the torque of the heat engine. According to other characteristics, the excitation current is equal to a pre-determined nominal current when the torque of the engine is resistant and the instantaneous speed is slower than a first pre-determined rotational speed, and is weaker than the nominal current when the torque of the engine is driving or the instantaneous speed is faster than the first speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the progressive charge of a motor vehicle alternator. The alternator comprises a stator, a rotor which is provided with an excitation coil, a voltage regulator which acts on an excitation current which is supplied to the excitation coil in order to regulate an output voltage of the alternator, and a device for controlling the progressive charge which, by means of limitation of the excitation current to a maximum value, determines a maximum mechanical torque which the alternator can collect on a thermal engine of the vehicle. The maximum mechanical torque is determined according to a speed of rotation (NALT) of the alternator, and the progressive charge control device comprises a so-called progressive charge return (PCR) signal which indicates the maximum value which the excitation current (lexc) can assume.