On 2021-May-04, at 4:06 PM, Donald via cctalk wrote:
> In the deep recesses of my mind I seem to remember something about S/360
> machines using a motor generator.
>
> If I am right was this to create a stable power source at a certain
> frequency or voltage?
I dont know about the 360, but a motor/gen can provide several benefits:
- isolate the load side from mains noise
- provide a degree of regulation from mains fluctuation thanks to the
inertia of the rotating mass
- raise the frequency so subsequent power supply transformers and caps
can be smaller (ala 400Hz operation in aircraft)
- convert to 3-phase as Chuck mentioned, although I would have thought
that by the time a 360 is running from a motor-gen
it's probably already being supplied with incoming 3-phase mains
