Synchronous machine with common motor/generator exciter stage

A method of manufacturing a synchronous machine operable as either a synchronous motor or a synchronous generator, the method comprising:

• providing a frame;
• mounting a stationary winding to the frame;
• providing a shaft which extends from at least one end of the frame;
• mounting a rotating winding on the shaft, the rotating winding being spaced apart from, and magnetically coupled to, the stationary winding;
• mounting a primary winding of a transformer on the frame, wherein the primary winding is formed as a disk defining a first plane, wherein the shaft does not intersect the first plane;
• mounting a secondary winding of the transformer to an end of the shaft, wherein the secondary winding is spaced apart from, and magnetically coupled to, the primary winding, wherein the second winding is formed as a disk defining a second plane that is parallel to the first plane;
• securing a rectifier to the shaft;
• connecting an input of the rectifier to the secondary winding;
• and
• connecting an output of the rectifier to the rotating winding.

A synchronous machine comprising:

• a rotatable shaft;
• a main section comprising:
• a rotating winding mounted to the rotatable shaft;
• and
• a stationary winding spaced apart from, and magnetically coupled to, the rotating winding;
• and
• an exciter section comprising:
• a primary transformer winding arranged near an end of the rotatable shaft, wherein the primary transformer winding is in a first plane that is perpendicular to an axis of the rotatable shaft, wherein the first plane and the rotatable shaft are non-intersecting;
• a secondary transformer winding secured to the rotatable shaft near the end, wherein the secondary transformer is in a second plane that is parallel to the first plane;
• and
• a rectifier mounted to the rotatable shaft, wherein an input of the rectifier is coupled to the secondary transformer winding, and wherein an output of the rectifier is coupled to the rotating winding.