Abstract: A renewable energy, utility size electric power system is provided with a high voltage, renewable energy harvesting network connected by a direct current link to a centralized grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. The harvesting network includes distributed renewable energy power optimizers and transmitters that control delivery of renewable energy to the grid synchronized multiphase regulated current source inverter system. A visual immersion monitoring and control system can be provided for a three-dimensional, visually-oriented, virtual reality display, command and control environment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clamping device for compression clamping of one or more semiconductor devices and associated semiconductor components with a desired compression force equally distributed across the opposing surfaces of the devices and associated components. The semiconductor devices and components are located between opposing jaws that are joined together by at least two tie rods, which compressively load the opposing jaws to apply the desired compression force to the semiconductor devices and components. The desired compression force is first achieved in even distribution between independent clamp pressure set point assemblies and the first jaw, where each of the independent clamp pressure set point assemblies is associated with one of the tie rods.

Abstract: Electric power from typically unstable multiple dc sources is converted to ac electric power of suitable quality for injection into an electric power grid. Conversion is accomplished by current regulation of the output from the dc sources to the input of each one of multiple inverters in a system, with each inverter outputting multiple phase currents that are out of phase with the multiple phase currents outputted from all other inverters in the system. The multiple phase currents from all of the inverters in a system are connected to the secondary windings of a phase transformation network that produces a three phase current output having a step-shaped waveform for injection into the electric power grid.

Abstract: Solid or semi-solid feedstock is melted in an open bottom electric induction cold crucible furnace. Directionally solidified multi-crystalline solid purified material continuously exits the bottom of the furnace and may optionally pass through a thermal conditioning chamber before being gravity fed into a transport mold where an ingot of the purified multi-crystalline solid material is transported to a remote holding area after the transport mold is filled with the multi-crystalline material and cut from the continuous supply of material. Cool down of the ingot is accomplished remote from the open bottom of the cold crucible furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for induction heating of a workpiece. The workpiece is moved through an inductor to inductively heat treat the workpiece with electric power of varying frequency and duty cycle or amplitude control to control the magnitude of electric power as the frequency changes. Alternatively the workpiece may be stationary and the inductor can be moved along the workpiece, or combined and coordinated movement of both the workpiece and inductor can be used.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for induction heating of a workpiece. The workpiece is moved through an inductor to inductively heat treat the workpiece with electric power of varying frequency and duty cycle or amplitude control to control the magnitude of electric power as the frequency changes. Alternatively the workpiece may be stationary and the inductor can be moved along the workpiece, or combined and coordinated movement of both the workpiece and inductor can be used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process wherein an intermediate form of titanium, namely titanium sponge, is produced by reduction of a feedstock of titanium in a reactant liquid bath, where the feedstock, titanium tetrachloride, is reduced by molten magnesium to titanium sponge, and the reactant liquid bath is inductively stirred during the reduction process. The reduction process with induced stirring is performed in an electric induction cold crucible, with or without a liner. Subsequent purification and melting of the titanium sponge can be accomplished in the electric induction cold crucible so that purified titanium can be supplied from the cold crucible.

Abstract: A method for setting the operating frequency of a forge welding machine for a preferred width of the of the heat affected zone during a forge weld. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to determine the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of a preferred width of the heat affected zone. The operating power setting for the forge welding machine may also be determined in combination with the operating frequency in response to an inputted value of weld temperature.

Abstract: Solar photovoltaic power is collected in a multiple nodal arrangement where the DC output voltage of each node is held constant while the DC current is allowed to vary based upon the maximum power point of the solar cells making up the solar power collectors in each node. The output of each solar power collection node is regulated by a node-isolated step-down current regulator that maintains a constant DC current output while the DC output voltage is allowed to vary. The outputs of all node-isolated step-down current regulators are connected together in series and fed to a plurality of regulated current source inverters that each convert input DC power into a three phase AC output. The AC outputs of the regulated current source inverters are connected to a phase shifting transformation network that supplies three phase electric power to a conventional AC electrical transmission system.

Abstract: Wind-generated electric power is collected in a multiple nodal arrangement where the DC output current of each node can be held constant while the DC output node voltage is allowed to vary. The DC outputs from the wind-generated power collection nodes are connected together in series and fed to a plurality of regulated current source inverters via a high voltage DC transmission link. Each inverter converts input DC power into a three phase AC output. The AC outputs of the regulated current source inverters are connected to a phase shifting transformation network that supplies three phase electric power to a conventional AC electrical transmission system. Alternatively wind-generated and photovoltaic-generated electric power is commonly collected in a nodal arrangement and transported at high voltage DC to a plurality of regulated current source inverters for supply to the conventional AC electrical transmission system.

Abstract: The present invention is apparatus for, and method of, heating, melting and purifying a material by electric induction heating in a susceptor furnace. Non-electrically conductive solid charge may initially be placed in the furnace. Output frequency from a power source supplying current to one or more induction coils surrounding the furnace is selected to maximize magnetic coupling with the susceptor material in the susceptor furnace to induce eddy current heating in the material. Heat transfers by conduction from the susceptor material to the non-electrically conductive charge placed in the susceptor furnace to melt the charge. Output frequency is reduced as the charge melts and becomes electrically conductive to enhance magnetic coupling with the melt in the furnace. Degassing of impurities from the melt can be achieved by bubbling a gas through the melt while the surface level of the melt is maintained at vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention is apparatus for, and method of, purification of silicon by electric induction heating and melting of silicon in a crucible or susceptor vessel, with subsequent directional partial cooling of the silicon melt to an initial amorphous-to-crystalline (solidification) temperature to produce a directionally solidified purified quantity of silicon and a separate quantity of high impurity silicon. The quantity of high impurity silicon is removed from the vessel and the purified quantity of silicon at solidification temperature is remelted in the vessel for removal from the vessel or further processing.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module is formed from a single linear, series-connected arrangement of solar cells on a linear mounting assembly or substrate that provides high heat dissipation from the photovoltaic module. Multiple photovoltaic modules are connected together to form a photovoltaic collector for high voltage applications with solar tracker mounting. High voltage photovoltaic collectors are interconnected to form a high power capacity photovoltaic power source for conversion to AC power.

Abstract: A system and method for computing the parameters of a forge welding machine for the forge welding of one or more materials is provided. A computer program executes a self-tuning routine to compute the operating frequency and operating power setting for the forge welding machine in response to an inputted width of the heat affected zone and an inputted weld temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for directional solidification of silicon by electric induction susceptor heating in a controlled environment. A susceptor vessel is positioned between upper and lower susceptor induction heating systems and a surrounding induction coil system in the controlled environment. Alternating current selectively applied to induction coils associated with the upper and lower susceptor heating systems, and the induction coils making up the surrounding induction coil system, result in melting of the silicon charge in the vessel and subsequent directional solidification of the molten silicon. A fluid medium can be directed from below the vessel towards the bottom, and then up the exterior sides of the vessel to enhance the directional solidification process.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for gradient induction heating or melting of a workpiece with a plurality of induction coils, each of the plurality of induction coils is connected to a power supply that may have a tuning capacitor connected across the input of an inverter. The plurality of induction coils are sequentially disposed around the workpiece. The inverter has a pulse width modulated ac power output that may be in synchronous control with the pulse width modulated ac power outputs of the other power supplies via a control line between the controllers of all power supplies.

Abstract: Power from the dc outputs of wind-generated power collection nodes is converted to ac power of suitable quality for injection into an electric power grid. Conversion is accomplished by current regulation of the dc outputs of the wind-generated power collection nodes to the input of each one of multiple inverters in a system, with each inverter outputting multiple phase currents that are out of phase with the multiple phase currents outputted from all other inverters in the system. The multiple phase currents from all of the inverters in a system are connected to the secondary windings of a phase transformation network that produces a three phase current output having a step-shaped waveform for injection into the electric power grid. Alternatively the dc input to each one of the multiple inverters may be a combination of the dc outputs of wind-generated power collection nodes and the dc outputs of solar photovoltaic power collection nodes.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for forming a two-metal flat bonded article. A flat metal sheet in solid form is placed in the indention of a heat resistant plate. A second heat resistant plate is placed over the flat metal sheet in the indentation to form a flat metal sheet enclosure. The flat metal sheet enclosure is placed in a U-shaped inductor assembly embedded with a solenoidal induction coil. Supply of alternating current to the solenoidal induction coil inductively heats the flat metal sheet after which the sheet is withdrawn from the inductor assembly. The second heat resistant plate is removed and a bond metal in liquid form is placed over the top surface of the flat metal sheet in the indentation so that the two-metal flat bonded article is formed as the bond metal solidifies.

Abstract: A current fed inverter with duty cycle regulation of dc current to the input of the inverter is provided to increase the magnitude of inverter output power while operating a resonant load at resonant frequency. The regulator duty cycle period is synchronized to the period of the output current of the inverter so that there are two regulator periods for each single output current period of the inverter. Duty cycle regulation may be provided by a single pulse in the regulator period, or a series of pulses in the regulator period. Output power magnitude greater than that available at full duty cycle can be provided by operating the inverter at off resonance. Multiple current fed inverters may be connected to individual coil sections around a crucible and selectively interconnected for a heating or melting mode, or a stir mode.

Abstract: An impeder for use in an electric induction welding process is provided. Optionally the impeder does not require internal forced cooling. In embodiments using internal forced cooling a high efficiency cooling system is provided.