Starter and power generator and associated motor

Abstract

Disclosed are a starter and power generator which starts an engine and which is subsequently driven by the engine to generate power, and a motor used in the starter, in particular, a self-controlled commutatorless motor in which a rotating magnetic field is developed across the stator in accordance with an angle of rotation of the rotor. Normally, output matching means is connected to the three phase windings of the stator, whereby an alternator is defined by the combination of the rotor, the stator and the output matching means. However, in response to a starting command, energizing means is substituted for the output matching means, whereby a combination of the rotor, the stator, timing means and energizing means form a commutatorless motor. Thus, subsequent to starting the engine, the motor is driven by the engine to generate power. When the arrangement functions as a commutatorless motor and when a single phase excitation is employed for a lap winding of plurality of phases to define the individual magnetic poles of the stator, a forced starting operation is achieved by causing an energization of at least one of the phases of the stator coils if the starting command is issued at a timing where the energization of all the phases of the stator coils is interrupted.