Series-parallel output switching for wind turbine driven alternator - uses transistor driven relay circuit to switch armature windings to series connection at low output levels

摘要

The alternator has series/parallel output connection to regulate its output voltage, which varies in proportion to the speed of the wind turbine. Mechanical speed control and braking is provided by conventional methods. At low wind speeds the armature windings of the alternator are connected in series by relay switching. This provides a substantial increase in output voltage to assist the conventional regulation also provided.The relay circuit is controlled by a transistor switching network which uses a zener diode to detect the alternator output voltage level and to actuate the series/parallel relay.