Patent ID: 7348700

Claim:
An automotive alternator comprising: a rotary shaft having an end portion; slip rings fixed to said end portion of said rotary shaft; a brush holder; brushes accommodated in said brush holder, said brushes being so held by said brush holder as to establish sliding contacts with said slip rings to excite the automotive alternator; a cover covering said end portion of said rotary shaft, said slip rings, said brush holder, and said brushes; a seal member interposed between said brush holder and said cover, said seal member having a base portion and an extension portion that extends radially outward from part of an outer circumference of said base portion, wherein said base portion is formed substantially in a disk like shape; a cooling air flow path, formed between said base portion of said seal member and said cover, having a labyrinth shape, to supply cooling air to said brushes; and a water shield formed by said extension portion of said seal member and said cover to prevent water from entering into an entrance of said cooling air flow path.