Abstract: A power switch current estimator for a solid state power switch. The power switch includes a control terminal, an input current power terminal, and an output current power terminal. The power switch is further configured with at least one sense terminal. One or more parasitic elements define an electrical pathway between a power terminal and a corresponding sense terminal. A driver unit that selectively turns the power switch on and off is connected to the control terminal and a sense terminal. A current estimator generates an estimated level of current circulating through the solid state power switch in real time in response to one or more switching events of the power switch. The estimated level of current is based on values of at least one of the parasitic elements such that the estimated level of load current substantially corresponds to an actual level of load current circulating through the solid state power switch.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a semiconductor power switch connected for delivering current while driven by a gate drive voltage and an adaptive gate drive unit connected to a gate of the power switch. The gate drive unit is configured to select one of a plurality of pre-determined time functions for a gate drive voltage, and to deliver the gate drive voltage to the gate of the power switch according to the selected time function, thereby driving the power switch to deliver current within a pre-determined slew rate envelope.

Abstract: A power converter control system includes primary bridge controller that is configured to actuate a first plurality of gate drive units that switch a first plurality of power elements in a primary bridge of a power converter.

Abstract: A capacitor bank includes a laminated bus bar having a high potential conductive layer and a low potential conductive layer disposed in close proximity at opposing surfaces of an intervening insulation layer. The bank also includes a plurality of bus capacitors electrically connected to the laminated bus bar. The laminated bus bar and the bus capacitors having a combined inductance sufficiently low such that the bus capacitors are electrically connected effectively in parallel with the laminated bus bar.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a standard value for a characteristic of a power switch and obtaining a measured value of the characteristic, via a gate drive unit connected to a gate terminal of the power switch. The method also includes determining a health state of the power switch by comparing the measured value to the standard value of the characteristic.

Abstract: A power converter apparatus includes a primary bridge having a plurality of diagonally opposed primary power elements, and a secondary bridge having a plurality of diagonally opposed secondary power elements. The primary and secondary bridges are electrically coupled by a transformer. At least one control unit is configured to phase-shift switch the primary and secondary power elements, such that one or more of the primary and secondary power elements are switched off under near-zero current conditions to reduce voltage and current stresses and commutation losses within the power converter.

Abstract: A method for reducing thermal cycling of a semiconductor power switch includes obtaining a value indicative of a junction temperature of the power switch. The method also includes selecting one of several pre-determined gate drive voltages, based on the obtained value, and providing the selected gate drive voltage to a gate of the power switch. This reduces thermal cycling of a power switch relative to the thermal cycling that would be present during operation at a single gate temperature.

Abstract: A communication method includes detecting at a gate drive unit a change of state of a command signal that is received via a command link of the gate drive unit and initiating, responsive to the change of state of the command signal, a blanking period in which the gate drive unit will process as incoming data any further changes of state of the command signal. The method also includes receiving incoming data at the gate drive unit, by processing modulations of the command signal, within the blanking period.

Abstract: A switch apparatus includes a semiconductor power switch connected for delivering current while driven by a gate drive voltage and an adaptive gate drive unit connected to a gate of the power switch. The gate drive unit is configured to select one of a plurality of pre-determined time functions for a gate drive voltage, and to deliver the gate drive voltage to the gate of the power switch according to the selected time function, thereby driving the power switch to deliver current within a pre-determined slew rate envelope.

Abstract: A power unit (e.g., inverter module) includes a housing and a switch attached to the housing. The switch may be configured to be electrically coupled to a remotely-mounted drive circuit through two or more wire leads. The power unit also includes a clamping circuit electrically coupled to terminals of the switch and in parallel with the switch. The clamping circuit may be disposed inside the housing or on an outer surface of the housing, and is configured to limit a voltage across the switch.

Abstract: A power switch current estimator for a solid state power switch. The power switch includes a control terminal, an input current power terminal, and an output current power terminal. The power switch is further configured with at least one sense terminal. One or more parasitic elements define an electrical pathway between a power terminal and a corresponding sense terminal. A driver unit that selectively turns the power switch on and off is connected to the control terminal and a sense terminal. A current estimator generates an estimated level of current circulating through the solid state power switch in real time in response to one or more switching events of the power switch. The estimated level of current is based on values of at least one of the parasitic elements such that the estimated level of load current substantially corresponds to an actual level of load current circulating through the solid state power switch.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first rotor operatively connected to an output shaft and holding a first array of pole pieces; a second rotor operatively connected to an input shaft coaxially with the first rotor and holding a second array of pole pieces; and an array of field windings disposed coaxially with the first and second rotors. The array of field windings being arranged to interact magnetically with a harmonic frequency of the magnetic field of the first or second array of pole pieces in a magnetically geared manner and being selectively energizable to control electromagnetic coupling of the first array of pole pieces with the second array of pole pieces, and thereby to transfer at least one of torque and speed from the input shaft to the output shaft.

Abstract: An adaptable electrical braking system for an electrical propulsion system of a traction vehicle is provided. The electrical braking system is configured to dissipate electrical energy in a plurality of resistor grids. The braking system includes a braking system assembly including a baseline chopper circuit topology. The baseline chopper circuit topology includes a first semiconductor-based circuitry in an enclosure for accommodating the first semiconductor-based circuitry. The braking system further includes a second semiconductor-based circuitry electrically coupled to the first semiconductor-based circuitry to produce a chopper including a chopper circuit topology fully contained in the enclosure. The second semiconductor-based circuitry includes a circuit topology selectable to adapt the baseline chopper circuit topology to meet distinct operational requirements to be fulfilled by the braking system.

Abstract: A system for detecting and controlling a slug event in a flow through a pipeline is provided. The system includes multiple sensors configured to indicate one or more parameters of the flow for a slug at multiple locations in the pipeline. The system also includes a controller configured to receive one or more response signals corresponding to at least one of the parameters from the sensors. The system further includes a variable speed drive system electrically coupled to the controller and a compressor pumping fluid in the pipeline such that a ratio of liquid to gas is within an acceptable range, wherein the variable speed drive is configured to receive one or more signals from the controller and further configured to regulate at least one of a translational or a rotational speed or a power of the compressor based upon the signals. The system also includes a display unit coupled to the controller, the display unit configured to output the plurality of signals received from the controller.

Abstract: A system for stabilizing flow in a pipeline is provided. The system includes at least one of an internal supply or an external supply configured to provide fluid into the pipeline such that a ratio of liquid to gas in the flow is within an acceptable range. The system also includes one or more sensors configured to indicate the ratio of liquid to gas in the fluid. The system further includes at least one valve configured to regulate a flow of the fluid from the internal supply or the external supply into the pipeline based upon the ratio indicated by the one or more sensors.

Abstract: A kit and method for reconfiguring an electrical braking system for a traction vehicle are provided. The kit may include a braking system assembly including a chopper having a first chopper circuit topology. The first chopper circuit topology includes a first semiconductor-based circuitry having a footprint that defines at least one cavity in an enclosure for accommodating the first semiconductor-based circuitry. This enclosure constitutes the enclosure for accommodating the semiconductor-based circuitry in the chopper having electromechanical-based circuitry and semiconductor based circuitry. A second semiconductor-based circuitry is arranged in the at least one cavity in the enclosure for accommodating the first semiconductor-based circuitry. The second semiconductor-based circuitry when electrically coupled to the first semiconductor-based circuitry produces a chopper comprising a second chopper circuit topology fully contained in the enclosure.

Abstract: An adaptable electrical braking system for an electrical propulsion system of a traction vehicle is provided. The electrical braking system is configured to dissipate electrical energy in a plurality of resistor grids. The braking system includes a braking system assembly including a baseline chopper circuit topology. The baseline chopper circuit topology includes a first semiconductor-based circuitry in an enclosure for accommodating the first semiconductor-based circuitry. The braking system further includes a second semiconductor-based circuitry electrically coupled to the first semiconductor-based circuitry to produce a chopper including a chopper circuit topology fully contained in the enclosure. The second semiconductor-based circuitry includes a circuit topology selectable to adapt the baseline chopper circuit topology to meet distinct operational requirements to be fulfilled by the braking system.

Abstract: A kit and method for reconfiguring an electrical braking system for a traction vehicle are provided. The kit may include a braking system assembly including a chopper having a first chopper circuit topology. The first chopper circuit topology includes a first semiconductor-based circuitry having a footprint that defines at least one cavity in an enclosure for accommodating the first semiconductor-based circuitry. This enclosure constitutes the enclosure for accommodating the semiconductor-based circuitry in the chopper having electromechanical-based circuitry and semiconductor based circuitry. A second semiconductor-based circuitry is arranged in the at least one cavity in the enclosure for accommodating the first semiconductor-based circuitry. The second semiconductor-based circuitry when electrically coupled to the first semiconductor-based circuitry produces a chopper comprising a second chopper circuit topology fully contained in the enclosure.