Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of motors includes: a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control at least one property of the motors, the VFD having a current interruption rating that is greater than a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined; a bus electrically connected to the VFD; and a plurality of protection modules, each protection module including: a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus. A state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of motors includes: a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control at least one property of the motors, the VFD having a current interruption rating that is greater than a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined; a bus electrically connected to the VFD; and a plurality of protection modules, each protection module including: a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus. A state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors.

Abstract: A motor driver control system is configured for connection to a plurality of motors, the motor control system includes a motor driver command module, and the motor driver command module is configured to: access information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyze the information to determine whether a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors; and if a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors: prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors, identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition, disconnect the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and restore electrical power to all of the plurality of motors other than the identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: A motor driver control system is configured for connection to a plurality of motors, the motor control system includes a motor driver command module, and the motor driver command module is configured to: access information related to one or more operating metrics of the plurality of motors; analyze the information to determine whether a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors; and if a maintenance condition exists in any of the plurality of motors: prevent electrical power from reaching any of the plurality of motors, identify which one or more of the plurality of motors has the maintenance condition, disconnect the one or more identified motors from the motor driver control system, and restore electrical power to all of the plurality of motors other than the identified motors after disconnecting the one or more identified motors.

Abstract: A system for controlling a plurality of motors includes: a variable frequency drive (VFD) configured to control at least one property of the motors, the VFD having a current interruption rating that is greater than a continuous current rating of all of the plurality of motors combined; a bus electrically connected to the VFD; and a plurality of protection modules, each protection module including: a motor overload device electrically connected to a particular one of the plurality of motors; and a switching relay in series with the motor overload device, the switching relay configured to connect the protection module to and disconnect the protection module from the bus. A state of the switching relay determines whether the protection module is electrically connected to the bus, the VFD is configured to control the state of the switching relay, and the switching relay has a current interruption rating that is less than the continuous current rating of the particular one of the plurality of motors.

Abstract: A motor control system for selectively controlling power from a power source to a load is provided. The motor control system includes at least one PCB structure and a plurality of protection and control components mounted onto the at least one PCB structure so as to be electrically coupled therewith. The plurality of protection and control components includes a power converter operable to provide a controlled output power to the load, a plurality of switching devices operable to selectively control power flow from the power source into the power converter and to bypass the power converter, and one or more protection devices configured to selectively interrupt current flow from the power source to the power converter during a fault condition. The motor control system also includes a housing enclosing the at least one PCB structure and the plurality of protection and control components.

Abstract: A motor control system for selectively controlling power from a power source to a load is provided. The motor control system includes at least one PCB structure and a plurality of protection and control components mounted onto the at least one PCB structure so as to be electrically coupled therewith. The plurality of protection and control components includes a power converter operable to provide a controlled output power to the load, a plurality of switching devices operable to selectively control power flow from the power source into the power converter and to bypass the power converter, and one or more protection devices configured to selectively interrupt current flow from the power source to the power converter during a fault condition. The motor control system also includes a housing enclosing the at least one PCB structure and the plurality of protection and control components.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: A wellness circuit is for a rotating electrical apparatus having a rated current and being operatively associated with an electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus structured to provide a number of currents and a number of voltages of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit includes a current sensor scaled to the rated current and structured to provide a notch current signal representative of one of the number of currents; an interface to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus, the interface providing the number of currents and the number of voltages; and a processor employing the number of currents and the number of voltages from the interface and the notch current signal to determine wellness of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit is structured to be separate from or added to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an AC motor drive includes a control system programmed with an energy algorithm configured to optimize operation of the motor drive. Specifically, the control system receives input of an initial voltage-frequency command to the AC motor drive, receives a real-time output of the AC motor drive generated according to the initial voltage-frequency command, and determines a real-time value of a motor parameter based on the real-time output of the AC motor drive. The control system also inputs a plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands to the AC motor drive, determines the real-time value of the motor parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands, and identifies an optimal value of the motor parameter based on the real-time values of the motor parameter.

Abstract: A wellness circuit is for a rotating electrical apparatus having a rated current and being operatively associated with an electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus structured to provide a number of currents and a number of voltages of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit includes a current sensor scaled to the rated current and structured to provide a notch current signal representative of one of the number of currents; an interface to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus, the interface providing the number of currents and the number of voltages; and a processor employing the number of currents and the number of voltages from the interface and the notch current signal to determine wellness of the rotating electrical apparatus. The wellness circuit is structured to be separate from or added to the electrical switching, control, protection or monitoring apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an AC motor drive includes a control system programmed with an energy algorithm configured to optimize operation of the motor drive. Specifically, the control system receives input of an initial voltage-frequency command to the AC motor drive, receives a real-time output of the AC motor drive generated according to the initial voltage-frequency command, and determines a real-time value of a motor parameter based on the real-time output of the AC motor drive. The control system also inputs a plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands to the AC motor drive, determines the real-time value of the motor parameter corresponding to each of the plurality of modified voltage-frequency commands, and identifies an optimal value of the motor parameter based on the real-time values of the motor parameter.

Abstract: An data interface module is provided for allowing a user to remotely modify a predetermined number of operating parameters of a motor driven by a motor control and for displaying the same. The interface module includes a micro-controller interconnected to a communications network and a visual display structure. The visual display structure has a first screen which displays a scrollable list of the operating parameters and a second screen which displays a data value for a user selected one of the operating parameters. A user may modify the user selected operating parameter when the second screen is displayed.

Abstract: An data interface module is provided for allowing a user to remotely modify a predetermined number of operating parameters of a motor driven by a motor control and for displaying the same. The interface module includes a micro-controller interconnected to a communications network and a visual display structure. The visual display structure has a first screen which displays a scrollable list of the operating parameters and a second screen which displays a data value for a user selected one of the operating parameters. A user may modify the user selected operating parameter when the second screen is displayed.

Abstract: An interface module is provided for allowing a user to remotely set the operating parameters of a motor driven by a motor control. The interface module includes a micro-controller having a plurality of input devices interconnected thereto. Each input device provides a control signal to the micro-controller which, in turn, generates an instruction signal in response thereto. A communications link transmits the instruction signal from the micro-controller to the motor control over a network.