Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to circuitry that isolates low power circuitry of a battery management system. One or more circuits can be utilized with a battery management system to provide isolation of low power circuitry from at least one of a high voltage, noise interference from a battery, noise interference from a high voltage, sensor signals, control signals, among others. The circuitry further provides high voltage from a grid to be stepped-down to a voltage level usable by circuitry, port(s), and/or a processor.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for protecting one or more electrical machines during a grid fault on an electrical system connected with the one or more electrical machines is provided. The method includes detecting a grid fault on an electrical system; taking one or more first actions from a first set of actions based on detected grid fault on the electrical system; detecting at least one operating condition of the electrical system after taking one or more first actions from the first set of actions based on the detected grid fault on the electrical system; and taking one or more second actions from a second set of actions based on the detected at least one operating condition of the electrical system.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for protecting one or more electrical machines during an islanding event is provided. The method includes connecting one or more electrical machines to an alternating current (AC) electric power system, wherein the AC electric power system is configured to transmit at least one phase of electrical power to the one or more electrical machines or to receive at least on phase of electrical power from the one or more electrical machines; electrically coupling at least a portion of a control system to at least a portion of the AC electric power system; coupling at least a portion of the control system in electronic data communication with at least a portion of the one or more electrical machines; and detecting an islanding of the one or more electrical machines based on one or more conditions monitored by the control system.

Abstract: A power converter system includes a converter configured to be coupled to a power generation unit for receiving current from the power generation unit. A bus is coupled to the converter, and energy is stored within the bus when the current is conducted through the power converter system. A damping circuit is configured to be coupled to the bus and to the power generation unit, and a control system is coupled to the converter and to the damping circuit. The control system is configured to selectively discharge at least a portion of the energy stored within the bus through the damping circuit when the control system determines that a predetermined condition is met.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to circuitry that isolates low power circuitry of a battery management system. One or more circuits can be utilized with a battery management system to provide isolation of low power circuitry from at least one of a high voltage, noise interference from a battery, noise interference from a high voltage, sensor signals, control signals, among others. The circuitry further provides high voltage from a grid to be stepped-down to a voltage level usable by circuitry, port(s), and/or a processor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying power to a battery heater in one or more battery modules. A first DC electrical signal derived from an AC source or a second DC electrical signal derived from a DC bus is used to power a battery heater of one or more battery modules in dependence on a voltage level associated with the first DC electrical signal relative to a voltage level of the second DC electrical signal.

Abstract: A device includes a controller configured to regulate one or more voltages applied to a gate of an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The controller is configured to receive one or more voltage values associated with the IGBT, and generate a gating signal and transmit the gating signal to the IGBT. The gating signal is configured to activate or deactivate the IGBT. The controller is configured to generate a voltage clamping signal and transmit the voltage clamping signal to activate or deactivate an active switching device. The active switching device is configured to periodically limit the one or more voltage values associated with the IGBT based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the voltage clamping signal.

Abstract: A power converter system includes a converter, a DC link, an inverter, a damping circuit, and a control system. The converter includes an input to couple to a power generation unit and an output to provide a direct current (DC) DC power output. The DC link includes a capacitor coupled to the converter output. A voltage across the capacitor defines a DC link voltage. The inverter includes an input coupled to the DC link. The damping circuit is coupled between the converter and the inverter in parallel with the DC link capacitor. The damping circuit includes a normally closed switching device, and a resistor coupled in series with the normally closed switching device. The control system is coupled to the damping circuit and configured to control the normally closed switching device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the power converter system.

Abstract: Systems, power modules (108), and methods (200) for using in controlling a converter (110) coupled between a power generator (104) and an electric grid (102) are provided. One of the power modules (108) includes the converter (110) configured to supply an output from the power generator (104) to the electric grid (102), and a controller (112) coupled to the converter (110). The controller (112) includes a phase-lock-loop (PLL) module (123) and at least one regulator (128, 130). The at least one regulator (128, 130) is configured to at least partially control the converter (110) as a function of at least one parameter.

Abstract: Systems (100), power modules (108), and methods for using in controlling a converter (110) coupled between a power generator (104) and an electric grid (102). A power module (108) includes the converter (110) configured to supply the output from the power generator (104) to the electric grid (102) and a controller (112) coupled to the converter (110) and configured to disable the converter (110) in response to a grid fault event, to identify the type or the grid fault event after a first predetermined interval from disabling the converter (110), and to enable switching of the converter (110), when the type of the grid fault event is identified as a low voltage condition.

Abstract: A device includes a controller configured to regulate one or more voltages applied to a gate of an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The controller is configured to receive one or more voltage values associated with the IGBT, and generate a gating signal and transmit the gating signal to the IGBT. The gating signal is configured to activate or deactivate the IGBT. The controller is configured to generate a voltage clamping signal and transmit the voltage clamping signal to activate or deactivate an active switching device. The active switching device is configured to periodically limit the one or more voltage values associated with the IGBT based at least in part on one or more characteristics of the voltage clamping signal.

Abstract: A regulating system for an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) includes a clamping circuit coupled to the IGBT. The IGBT is coupled to a gate driver circuit. The regulating system also includes a feedback channel coupled to the clamping circuit. The feedback channel is configured to transmit signals representative of a conduction state of said clamping circuit. The regulating system further includes at least one gate driver controller coupled to the feedback channel and the gate driver circuit. The gate drive controller is configured to regulate temporal periodicities of the IGBT in an on-condition and an off-condition.

Abstract: A power converter system includes a converter configured to be coupled to a power generation unit for receiving power from the power generation unit, and a bus coupled to the converter, wherein a voltage is generated across the bus when electricity is conducted through the power converter system. The power converter system also includes an inverter coupled to the bus, wherein the inverter is configured to supply power to an electrical distribution network. A control system is coupled to at least one of the converter and the inverter, wherein the control system is configured to adjust an operation of the at least one of the converter and the inverter to reduce the voltage across the bus during at least one of a low voltage event and a high voltage event.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of converting power is described. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving direct current (DC) power; channeling the DC power through an inverter including a first bridge and a second bridge, wherein each of the first bridge and the second bridge includes at least one switch; controlling the at least one switch of the first bridge and the at least one switch of the second bridge to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power; and, channeling the AC power through an inductor that includes a first winding and a second winding, wherein the first winding is coupled to an output of the first bridge and the second winding is coupled to an output of the second bridge and wherein the inductor is configured to have a first magnetic path for common mode inductance and a second magnetic path for differential mode inductance.

Abstract: A regulating system for an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) includes a clamping circuit coupled to the IGBT. The IGBT is coupled to a gate driver circuit. The regulating system also includes a feedback channel coupled to the clamping circuit. The feedback channel is configured to transmit signals representative of a conduction state of said clamping circuit. The regulating system further includes at least one gate driver controller coupled to the feedback channel and the gate driver circuit. The gate drive controller is configured to regulate temporal periodicities of the IGBT in an on-condition and an off-condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving low-load efficiency of power converters are provided. The power converter can include one or more bridge circuits having multiple switching modules, such as insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules, connected in parallel within the same bridge circuit. The power converter is configured to convert power from an input power source, such as a photovoltaic array or a wind turbine, into output power at a grid frequency. To avoid excessive switching losses at low load conditions, the power converter can be controlled to selectively operate a subset of the switching modules within the same bridge circuit based on a load condition for the power converter. The remaining switching modules in the bridge circuit can be disabled.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing reactive current in burn-in test systems for solar power converters is disclosed. An emulator configured to simulate a DC power source and the power converter subject to the burn-in test can be coupled in a two-unit circulating configuration. An AC feeder line configured to supply power to the two-unit circulating configuration. A controller can be configured to adjust the output of one or more of the emulator and power converter to reduce reactive current flowing in the AC feeder line. For instance, the controller can adjust the modulation of switching devices used in the power converter or emulator to adjust the power factor of various components of the burn-in test system to compensate for the reactive current in the AC feeder line.

Abstract: A fault protection scheme for a photovoltaic power converter system is provided. According to aspects of the present disclosure, a fault protection circuit is coupled between a power converter and a ground reference. The fault protection circuit includes a fuse and a current sensor coupled in series with the fuse. A controller is configured to receive current readings from the current sensor and compare the current readings to a current threshold. The current threshold is selected to be less than the fuse current rating of the fuse. The controller identifies a fault condition if the current flowing through the ground protection circuit exceeds the current threshold value. A contactor can also be provided to temporarily lift the power converter relative to the ground reference to determine the existence of other fault paths in the system.

Abstract: A power converter includes a plurality of direct current (DC) conduits and a precharging and clamping circuit coupled to the DC conduits. The precharging and clamping circuit includes at least one diode, at least one switching device coupled in parallel with the diode, and at least one contactor device coupled to an alternating current (AC) source and the diode. The at least one contactor device is configured to facilitate alternating said precharging and clamping circuit between precharging operation and voltage clamping operation.

Abstract: A power converter system includes a converter, a DC link, an inverter, a damping circuit, and a control system. The converter includes an input to couple to a power generation unit and an output to provide a direct current (DC) DC power output. The DC link includes a capacitor coupled to the converter output. A voltage across the capacitor defines a DC link voltage. The inverter includes an input coupled to the DC link. The damping circuit is coupled between the converter and the inverter in parallel with the DC link capacitor. The damping circuit includes a normally closed switching device, and a resistor coupled in series with the normally closed switching device. The control system is coupled to the damping circuit and configured to control the normally closed switching device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the power converter system.