Dual Axis Alternator

An apparatus comprising:

• an exciter field device generating an exciter magnetic field in a first air gap;
• an exciter armature device configured to rotate with respect to the exciter magnetic field and impart a first voltage in a first set of coils at the first air gap;
• a main stator device including a second set of coils;
• a rotor field device configured to be energized by a field current in the first set of coils and generate a main magnetic field that imparts a second voltage on the main stator device at a second air gap,
• wherein the main stator device and the exciter field device lie in on a common plane normal to an axis of rotation and the exciter armature device is inwardly spaced from the exciter field device, main stator device, and the rotor field device;
• and
• wherein the rotor field device is axially outward of the exciter armature device, the exciter field device, and the main stator device.

A method for operating a generator coupled to an engine including:

• rotating an exciter armature device relative to an exciter field device to generate a rotating exciter magnetic field in a first air gap;
• imparting a first voltage at a first set of coils via the rotating exciter magnetic field and the first air gap;
• rotating a rotor field device including a second set of coils;
• generating a main magnetic field that imparts a second voltage on a main stator device via a second air gap,
• wherein the main stator device and the exciter field device lie in on a common plane normal to an axis of rotation, and the exciter armature device is inwardly spaced from the exciter field device, main stator device, and the rotor field device,
• wherein the exciter armature device and the rotor field device are integrally formed with a flywheel of an engine.