Abstract: An ungrounded electrical power distribution system may experience a single line to ground fault. Such a fault may not disrupt operation of the system, but its presence may raise a risk of additional problems if left uncorrected. A system for progressively grounding the ungrounded system may be initiated when a line to ground fault is suspected. As grounding through successively lower impedance proceeds, fault current may increase and detection of severity of the line to ground fault may be more readily achieved, thus facilitating localization of the fault.

Abstract: A method and system for improving peak power capability in an electrical system is disclosed. The system may include an auxiliary generator operated in conjunction with one or more main engine generators during the need for increased transient load demands. The system may include a main engine generator, an auxiliary generator, an inverter/converter controller (ICC) connected to respective generators, a semi-conductor power device connected between the ICCs, and a main bus between the semi-conductor power device and a load.

Abstract: A shell that mechanically supports the diode lead wires against movement both during assembly and subsequent operation of the rotor shaft. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for retaining diode lead wires in a power generator rotor by using the shell of the present invention.

Abstract: A semiconductor power device, e.g., an Insulated Gate Bi-polar Transistor (IGBT) or a Metal-Oxide Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) may be constructed in a reusable and repairable cost-effective sealed shell. The switch may be provided with direct-pressure-contact caps which may perform as electrical conductors for a semiconductor die of the switch and also as thermal heat-sink contacts for the device. The switch may be provided with internal self-powered gate driving control and PHM incorporated in sealed shell. Embodiments of the switch may be constructed with no external gating/PHM connection pin penetrations through the shell.

Abstract: Properly managing surges of regenerative power is needed in systems where power is generated and distributed to mechanical and electrical loads to protect them from overvoltage. A controller provides protection against excess regenerative power when these systems operate at a wide range of speeds. Controller functions and control methods for overvoltage protection may include an added control loop for detecting an overvoltage condition, calculating a power factor and generating a gating signal to transition the controller into a motoring mode that converts the excess regenerative power into mechanical power.

Abstract: An ungrounded or floating DC electrical power distribution system may experience a single line to ground fault. Such a fault may not disrupt operation of the system, but its presence may raise a risk of additional problems if left uncorrected. A system for progressively grounding the ungrounded system may be initiated when a line to ground fault is suspected based on the voltage difference measured to a common chassis point. As grounding through successively lower impedance proceeds, fault current may increase and detection of severity of the line to ground fault may be more readily achieved, thus facilitating localization of the fault. Localization may be achieved through an analysis of direction of capacitive currents in isolatable zones of the system.

Abstract: A controlled frequency generating system (CFG) may be constructed with a main generator and an exciter driven by a common shaft. Excitation power may be provided from the common shaft; as distinct from prior-art systems which may require independent excitation power sources. While controlling the output voltage and frequency of the main generator, the bi-directional controller extracts power from a main generator output and may supply the extracted power to supplement excitation power when needed at certain rotational speeds. The controller may extract power from the exciter when, at other rotational speeds, the exciter produces excess power. The extracted excess power may be delivered to the output of the main generator to maintain a desired level of output power at a desired frequency, irrespective of speed of rotation of the CFG.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting a turbine blade of an aircraft engine may include a shaft having a proximate end and a distal end, an attachment device coupled to the distal end of the shaft and capable of being attached to a strut of the aircraft engine and an engagement device, coupled to the attachment device, capable of moving away from the attachment device and attaching to a trailing edge of the turbine blade. The apparatus may also include a probe moveably coupled to the engagement device and capable of moving along a leading edge of the turbine blade to detect a surface anomaly of the turbine blade and a control device for controlling the movement of the probe along the leading edge of the turbine engine in response to user manipulation.