9.1 Discuss the operating principle of a mechanical rectifier.

Vibrator type
This was the reverse of a vibrator inverter. An electromagnet, powered by DC through contacts it operated (like a buzzer) (or fed with AC), caused a spring to vibrate and the spring operated change-over contacts which converted the AC to DC. This arrangement was only suitable for low-power applications, e.g. auto radios and was also found in some motorcycle electrical systems, where it was combined with a voltage regulator.

Motor-driven type
This operated on the same principle as the vibrator type but the change-over contacts were operated by a synchronous motor. It was suitable for high-power applications, e.g. electrolysis cells and electrostatic precipitators.

9.2 A four pole motor has an armature having 276 conductors, each pole face is designed and constructed with 25 sq.in. with flux density of 47,500 lines per sq.in. If the armature current is designed at 75 A and the structure of windings in wave (2 parallel paths), verify the rated torque of the motor.

9.3 During the operation of a dc motor and a dc generator, explain how the rotor and stator works.

Every DC motor has six basic parts -- axle, rotor (a.k.a., armature), stator, commutator, field magnet(s), and brushes. In most common DC motors, the external magnetic field is produced by high-strength permanent magnets1. The stator is the stationary part of the motor -- this includes the motor casing, as well as two or more permanent magnet pole pieces. The rotor (together with the axle and attached commutator) rotate with respect to the stator. The rotor consists of windings (generally on a core), the windings being electrically connected to the commutator. The above diagram shows a common motor layout -- with the rotor inside the stator (field) magnets.

9.4 The car of a light rail transit is propelled by a 660-volt dc motor connected to the dc feeder lanes of a rectifier station. This cars required to exert a tractive effort of 9,500 kg at a velocity of 50 km/hr. How much current will be drawn from the feeder lines if the overall efficiency of the motor and flywheel drive is 65%?