Space Power Demonstration Engine linear alternator dynamometer test results

To verify the alternator bench test and finite element code results, it was decided to test the Space Power Demonstration Engine (SPDE) alternator on a linear dynamometer. The dynamometer tests confirmed that the primary source of losses in the SPDE alternator assembly was the adjacent magnetic structure and not the alternator proper. Alternator efficiency above 90% was demonstrated by substitution of nonmagnetic materials for the adjacent magnetic structure. A brief description is given of the SPDE alternator assembly and the MTI linear dynamometer test rig, and the dynamometer test and code prediction results are presented in detail