A system and method for controlling the voltage output of an alternator is
disclosed. The system includes an alternator having a rotor, which has a
field winding, a stator having a plurality of phases, a rectifier bridge
connected to the plurality of phases, at least one detection circuit
connected to each of the plurality of phases, and a controller in
communication with the at least one detection circuit and the rectifier
bridge. The plurality of phases of the stator are magnetically coupled to
the field winding. The rectifier bridge has a plurality of switches for
rectifying the alternating current developed in the plurality of stator
phases. The at least one detection circuit connected to each of the
plurality of phases are used to sense a current reversal in each of the
plurality of stator phases. The controller controls the operation of the
plurality of switches when the reversal of the current has been sensed by
the at least one detection circuit.