Abstract: A system for converting a first voltage into a second voltage, comprising: input terminals and output terminals; switching members disposed between the terminals, which can convert voltage; and a device for controlling the switching members, said device comprising a cell for controlling a switching member and a member for managing and supplying the control cell, said member being connected to the control cell by a link allowing the simultaneous transmission of a control signal and electrical energy. The member comprises means for generating a pulse comprising at least two different control intervals. During the second control interval, the pulse has a substantially constant value different from a reference value corresponding to the absence of control commands, the value of the pulse different from one control interval to the other and, during the first control interval, the pulse has a value strictly greater than the value during the second control interval.

Abstract: A corona igniter 20 includes an insulator 28 surrounding a central electrode 24 and a shell 30 surrounding the insulator 28. The shell 30 presents a shell gap 38 having a shell gap width ws between a shell lower end 34 and a shell inner surface 90 or shell outer surface 92. The shell 30 has a shell thickness ts decreasing toward the shell lower end 34 allowing the shell gap width ws to increase toward the shell lower end 34. The shell gap 38 is open at the shell lower end 34 allowing air to flow therein, and the shell gap width ws is greatest at the shell lower end 34. The increasing shell gap width ws enhances corona discharge 22 along the insulator 28 between the central electrode 24 and shell 30.

Abstract: A system for converting a first electric voltage into a second electric voltage, comprising: at least two input terminals and two output terminals; and switching members disposed between the terminals, which can convert the first voltage into the second voltage. At least one switching member comprises at least two arms connected in parallel and each arm includes an electronic switch that can be controlled such as to occupy either an on-state or an off-state, said switch comprising a control electrode and two conduction electrodes that conduct current in the on-state. The switching member comprises a common control terminal connected to the control electrode of the switch of each arm, as well as a first common conduction terminal and a second common conduction terminal connected respectively to a first conduction electrode and a second conduction electrode of the switch of each of the arms.

Abstract: An active magnetic bearing comprising a plurality of electromagnetic actuators, each actuator receiving for control thereof an input current and being able to exert a radial force on a shaft of a rotary machine, with respect to the rotation axis of said shaft, the shaft being able to be held without contact between the electromagnetic actuators and to undergo radial motion when it is in rotation, means for supplying input current of each actuator, the supply means comprising means for controlling the input current of each actuator, according to the position of the shaft with respect to the actuators. The supply means comprise means for damping the radial motion of the shaft.

Abstract: A semi-conductor electronic device for mounting in a pressed stack assembly. The device comprises a box comprising a lower plate, an upper plate and a lateral wall mechanically connecting the lower plate to the upper plate, the lower and upper plates being electrically conductive, several semi-conductor components, each component comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrodes being electrically connected to the lower plate and the second electrodes being electrically connected to the upper plate, and elastic parts positioned between the components and a supporting plate chosen from the lower plate and the upper plate.

Abstract: A drive train comprising an electric machine including a rotor and a stator, the stator being electrically connected to an alternating grid and having a stator frequency, and a bidirectional system for converting an alternating current into another alternating current. The conversion system is connected between the grid and the rotor, and comprises an ac/dc converter connected to the network, and an inverter connected between the ac/dc converter and the rotor, the inverter and the rotor being interconnected at an intermediate point for each phase of the alternating voltage. The drive train comprises a band-stop filter for a target interval of between 0.6 times the stator frequency and 1.4 times the stator frequency, said band-stop filter being connected between the intermediate points and attenuating the voltage at the intermediate point for the frequencies of the target interval.

Abstract: A rotary drum apparatus comprising a drum rotatable around a longitudinal axis, and at least one electric motor for driving the drum in rotation around the longitudinal axis, each drive motor comprising a stator and a rotor, the rotor comprising at least one ring portion joint together with the drum and extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis. The stator of each drive motor extending against a part of circumference of the drum perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A drive train comprising an electric machine including a rotor and a stator, the stator being connected to an alternating grid and having a stator frequency, and a bidirectional system for converting an alternating current into another alternating current. The conversion system is connected between the grid and the rotor, and comprises an AC-DC converter connected to the grid, an inverter connected between the AC-DC converter and the rotor, and a device for controlling switches of the inverter according to a control law. The control law is such that the active power exchanged by the inverter with the rotor is essentially always lower than 0.3 times the nominal power of the direct current specifically circulating between the AC-DC converter and the inverter, for the frequencies of a target interval of between 0.6 times the stator frequency and 1.4 times the stator frequency.

Abstract: The power supply system for supplying electrical power to a load is capable of delivering an output voltage to the load from an input voltage coming from an electric power network. The power supply system includes: at least two input terminals and at least two output terminals, the input terminals being adapted to be connected to the electric power network and the output terminals being adapted to be connected to the load, a converter capable of converting the input voltage into the output voltage, the converter being connected between the input terminals and the output terminals, and a device for limiting the homopolar current that is likely to flow between the electric power network and the load. The device for limiting the homopolar current comprises a transformer connected in parallel with respect to the converter, between the input terminals and the output terminals, the transformer having a first electromagnetic coil and a second electromagnetic coil.

Abstract: The power conversion system comprises: a first transformer adapted to be connected to an AC network, the first transformer including a first primary winding and two first secondary windings, and two power converters, each being connected to a first respective secondary winding. The system further comprises a second transformer and a secondary electrical device, the second transformer including a second primary winding (30) and two second secondary windings, each second secondary winding being connected to a respective first secondary winding, and the secondary device being connected to the second primary winding.

Abstract: A power amplifier circuit that has an inductor and capacitor connected to one end of the output winding of an RF transformer. The other end of the output winding is connected to a resistor that in turn is connected to ground. The transformer has two primary windings. Both primary windings have one end connected to a variable DC voltage supply. The other end of each primary winding is attached to a switch, such as a MOSFET. All three windings are wound around a core. Current flowing from the DC voltage supply to the switches causes a magnetic flux in the core. A voltage is generated on the secondary winding resistor. This voltage is fed back to the switches, controlling on and off timing. In this way the need to measure and record natural frequency is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of driving a number of series connected active power semiconductor groups, wherein each of the active power semiconductor groups includes one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices. The method includes generating a current pulse, providing the current pulse to a primary portion of a transformer unit and in response thereto causing a number of reflected current pulses to be reflected at a secondary portion of the transformer unit, and transferring and latching each of the reflected current pulses to create a respective latched gate drive signal, and providing each respective latched gate drive signal to an associated one of the active power semiconductor groups for driving the one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices of the associated one of the active power semiconductor groups. Also, a gate drive circuit that implements the method.

Abstract: This invention relates to a corona discharge ignitor used to ignite air/fuel mixtures in automotive applications and the like. To suppress an arc from forming when a voltage is applied to the ignitor, the corona discharge ignitor has various shapes and configurations, such as angular depressions or grooves, at the tip of the insulator. The shape and configuration of the tip provides a smaller radius which creates a more intensified electric field and provides better combustion.

Abstract: Device for balancing voltage on terminals of at least one capacitor of a set of N?1 capacitors connected in series between a positive terminal and a negative input terminal and connected through intermediate points, comprising at least one balancing module connected between both input terminals; each balancing module including means for determining the amount of excess or lacking charges in the intermediate points, a temporary electric energy storage element including two terminals, first current guiding means to extract electric charges from an intermediate point towards a terminal of the storage element, second current guiding means to inject electric charges from the other terminal of the storage element towards an intermediate point, and a member able to control the first means so as to extract charges from at least one intermediate point and able to control the second means so as to inject the charges to at least one intermediate point.

Abstract: A method of driving a number of series connected active power semiconductor groups, wherein each of the active power semiconductor groups includes one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices. The method includes generating a current pulse, providing the current pulse to a primary portion of a transformer unit and in response thereto causing a number of reflected current pulses to be reflected at a secondary portion of the transformer unit, and transferring and latching each of the reflected current pulses to create a respective latched gate drive signal, and providing each respective latched gate drive signal to an associated one of the active power semiconductor groups for driving the one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices of the associated one of the active power semiconductor groups. Also, a gate drive circuit that implements the method.

Abstract: A corona igniter 20 includes an insulator 28 surrounding a central electrode 24 and a shell 30 surrounding the insulator 28. The shell 30 presents a shell gap 38 having a shell gap width ws between a shell lower end 34 and a shell inner surface 90 or shell outer surface 92. The shell 30 has a shell thickness is decreasing toward the shell lower end 34 allowing the shell gap width ws to increase toward the shell lower end 34. The shell gap 38 is open at the shell lower end 34 allowing air to flow therein, and the shell gap width ws is greatest at the shell lower end 34. The increasing shell gap width ws enhances corona discharge 22 along the insulator 28 between the central electrode 24 and shell 30.

Abstract: A method of balancing voltages in a group of capacitors of a power electronic device, such as a multilevel power inverter, includes making a balancing determination regarding whether to (i) inject energy into the selected one of the capacitors from an energy storage element, or (ii) extract energy from the selected one of the capacitors into the energy storage element based on the voltage of a selected one of the capacitors, and either injecting energy into the selected one of the capacitors from the energy storage element, or extracting energy from the selected one of the capacitors into the energy storage element based on the balancing determination. Also, a voltage balancing circuit that implements the method. In one particular implementation, a spatial second derivative algorithm is used. In another particular implementation, a comparison to an average capacitor voltage is used.

Abstract: A mechanical arrangement of a multilevel power converter circuit includes a power converter having a first portion with a plurality of first control inputs, at least three direct current voltage inputs, and an alternating current voltage output, and a second portion with a plurality of second control inputs, the at least three direct current voltage inputs and the alternating current voltage output. The second portion is split apart from the first portion. The power converter has at least three levels corresponding to the at least three direct current voltage inputs.

Abstract: A density and viscosity sensor 1 for measuring density and viscosity of fluid F, the sensor 1 comprising a resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D arranged to be immersed in the fluid F, an actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B coupled to the resonating element, and a connector 7 for coupling to the actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B. The sensor 1 further comprises a housing 2 defining a chamber 8A isolated from the fluid F, the housing 2 comprising an area of reduced thickness defining a membrane 9 separating the chamber 8A from the fluid F. The actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B is positioned within the chamber so as to be isolated from the fluid F and mechanically coupled to the membrane 9. The resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D arranged to be immersed in the fluid F is mechanically coupled to the membrane 9. The membrane 9 has a thickness enabling transfer of mechanical vibration between the actuating/detecting element 4A, 4B and the resonating element 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D.

Abstract: A density and viscosity sensor for measuring density and viscosity of a fluid, and method for measuring, are presented herein. The sensor comprises a resonating element, and actuating/detecting element, a connector and a housing. The actuating/detecting element is positioned within a chamber defined by the housing so as to be isolated from the fluid. The resonating element is arranged to be immersed in the fluid, and has a shape defining a first resonance mode and a second resonance mode characterized by different resonance frequencies and different quality factors. The first resonance mode is adapted to move a volume of fluid, and the second resonance mode is adapted to shear a surrounding fluid.