Abstract
The electromagnetic torque, antagonistic to the movement that to prime mover exerts on the shaft the contemporary synchronous generator, it is the fundamental cause of the enormous amount of energy consumed in thermoelectric plants, diesel – generators, hydroelectric plants, wind turbines, etc.; in this text, two old alternators from the 19th century are analyzed: Ferranti and Hassel wander, great British and German engineers respectively, while this text mentions about the homopolar generator, all today seen as museum objects due to their great historical value, however their behavior with respect to the harmful electromagnetic torque is much lower than in the current synchronous generator; based on the study of both electric generators, it is demonstrable that by modifying the magnetic circuit of the current synchronous generator it is possible to generate with less electromagnetic torque, which is equivalent, assuming constant rotation speed, to lower power consumption in the primary motor only by changing the magnetic circuit of the generator.
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