| The full name ''dynamo-electric machine'' was given by Siemens in 1867, to distinguish his [[invention]] from the magneto-electric [[machines]] previously used, in which the [[electric]] current was [[generated]] by means of a [[permanent]] [[magnet]]. But in the shortened [[form]] dynamo (recommended by Prof. S. P. Thompson early in 1882), the use of the [[word]] has been extended so as to include all [[forms]] of these [[machines]]: | | The full name ''dynamo-electric machine'' was given by Siemens in 1867, to distinguish his [[invention]] from the magneto-electric [[machines]] previously used, in which the [[electric]] current was [[generated]] by means of a [[permanent]] [[magnet]]. But in the shortened [[form]] dynamo (recommended by Prof. S. P. Thompson early in 1882), the use of the [[word]] has been extended so as to include all [[forms]] of these [[machines]]: |
− | A '''dynamo''', [[originally]] another [[name]] for an [[electrical]] [[generator]], now means a generator that produces [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_current direct current] with the use of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commutator_(electric) commutator]. Dynamos were the first [[electrical]] [[generators]] capable of delivering [[power]] for industry, and the [[foundation]] upon which many other later electric-[[power]] conversion devices were based, including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor electric motor], the alternating-current [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternator alternator], and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_converter rotary converter]. They are rarely used for [[power]] [[generation]] now because of the [[dominance]] of alternating current, the disadvantages of the commutator, and the ease of [[converting]] alternating to direct current using [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_state_(electronics) solid state] [[methods]]. | + | A '''dynamo''', [[originally]] another [[name]] for an [[electrical]] [[generator]], now means a generator that produces [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_current direct current] with the use of a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commutator_(electric) commutator]. Dynamos were the first [[electrical]] [[generators]] capable of delivering [[power]] for industry, and the [[foundation]] upon which many other later electric-[[power]] conversion devices were based, including the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_motor electric motor], the alternating-current [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternator alternator], and the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_converter rotary converter]. They are rarely used for [[power]] [[generation]] now because of the [[dominance]] of alternating current, the disadvantages of the commutator, and the ease of [[converting]] alternating to direct current using [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_state_(electronics) solid state] [[methods]]. |
− | The [[word]] still has some regional usage as a replacement for the word [[generator]]. A small electrical generator built into the hub of a bicycle wheel to [[power]] [[light]]s is called a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hub_dynamo Hub dynamo], although these are invariably AC devices. | + | The [[word]] still has some regional usage as a replacement for the word [[generator]]. A small electrical generator built into the hub of a bicycle wheel to [[power]] [[light]]s is called a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hub_dynamo Hub dynamo], although these are invariably AC devices. |