Three-phase vehicular generator construction

Claim 1

Generator structure for use in mobile or vehicular application to supply on-board power for a self-contained network, in combination with a voltage regulator, wherein the generator has end bells (1, 2) defining a housing, a stator (7) located in the housing; a shaft (13) rotatable in the housing; a rotor (10) secured to the shaft and rotatable within the stator; slip rings (12a, 12b) secured to the shaft; a brush holder (16a) located within the housing; brushes (17a, 17b) located in the brush holder and engaging the slip rings; wherein a holder plate (19) is provided said brush holder (16a) and the brushes therein, and said voltage regulator (16b) being secured to said plate and forming a brush holder--voltage regulator assembly (16); the end bell (2) adjacent the slip rings is formed with an opening (20) therein of such size that the brush holder--regulator assembly can pass therethrough from the outside for positioning of the brushes in the brush holder against the slip rings, and the entire assembly within the housing, said plate being larger than said opening (20) in the end bell and being fitted against and closing off said opening; and means (15) supplying cooling air to the interior of the housing and positioned to direct cooling air to said brush holder--regulator assembly within the housing to place the brush holder and the regulator in the stream of cooling air being supplied into the housing comprising a duct element extending radially outwardly from the end bell (2) adjacent the slip rings and at least approximately aligned with said brush holder--voltage regulator assembly (16).