Abstract: A line power unit controls electrical power delivery to a grid from a three phase permanent magnet generator. A line power unit controller receives a power level command and controls a main inverter that draws DC power from a DC bus to deliver the commanded power to a grid. The DC bus is fed DC voltage via a three phase permanent magnet generator and a rectifier. The inverter delivers power to the grid via a filter, transformer and main contactor. The line power unit controller also controls the main contactor to break the connection with the grid. A precharge circuit draws power from the grid to precharge the DC bus to a precharge voltage. Alternatives include a start inverter separate from the main inverter that permits simultaneous delivery of power to the grid and commutation of the permanent magnet generator as a motor to spin an engine connected thereto at a speed sufficient to permit engine starting.

Abstract: A communications processor is disclosed for a power generation system that permits data and control signals to be communicated to and from the power generation system and a host computer. The control signals include a power level command and power factor that are sent from a remote host to the power generation system which responds by delivering the requested power level having the desired power factor to a grid. The remote host receives performance data that permits an operator to accurately gauge the performance of the power generation system including the performance and any fault conditions of a line power unit, generator, and engine driving the generator. The communications processor unburdens the line power unit controller that is responsible for controlling power generation from the task of processing input data and driving local displays. The host may also be provided at a location remote from the power generation system.

Abstract: A solid state latching control circuit for a DC power supply including a pair of series connected DC power sources, such as batteries, which provide both a positive and negative polarity switched supply voltage to a load. A pair of complementary MOSFET transistors are simultaneously rendered conductive and non-conductive by means of the outputs of a latching type of flip-flop circuit comprised of a pair of cross-coupled CMOS NAND gates whose mutually opposite on and off states are switched in response to the operation of a pair of electrical switches, a third CMOS NAND gate and a differentiator circuit coupled to one of the flip-flop inputs, and an R-C charging and discharging network coupled to another of the flip-flop inputs.