Abstract: A device is provided in which messages are received from a backplane through backplane connectors. Switching circuitry identifies which messages received from the backplane are intended for the operational circuitry of the device and interprets the input/output protocol of such messages while returning messages not intended for the operational circuitry to the backplane. The switching circuitry is removable from the device independently of the backplane connectors, allowing it to be changed for use with different backplane protocols without affecting other device elements.

Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit comprising a fuse and a fuse detect circuit. The fuse and the fuse detect circuit are arranged to be coupled in parallel between a reference point and a second point of a monitored circuit for which ground faults are to be detected. The fuse detect circuit is further arranged to detect a fuse break indicative of a ground fault condition and disable at least a portion of the monitored circuit.

Abstract: An electromechanical system includes an inverter drive, a component arranged during operation to generate a variable force having one or more periodic frequency components, and processing circuitry arranged to determine the power output of the inverter drive, measure a difference between the power output and a reference power output, and control an output frequency of the inverter drive as a function of the measured difference, so as to stabilise the power output during operation of the component. Other example electromechanical systems, inverter drives and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A capacitor bank comprising at least two series chains each comprising a plurality of capacitors, wherein the series chains are coupled in parallel at corresponding points; and a fusible link arranged to form at least part of each coupling; wherein the corresponding points of each chain that are coupled to one another are at the same voltage when the capacitor bank is operational.

Abstract: An energy bypass circuit for connection between an energy source and a capacitance has first and second relays, a switch, and a resistance. The relays are operable so as to have a first state in which the energy source is not connected to the capacitance, a second state in which the energy source is connected to the capacitance via the resistance, and a third state in which the energy source is connected to the capacitance not via the resistance. The switch is operable, when the relays are in the third state, to enable additional charge stored by the capacitance to discharge via the resistance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an a method, apparatus and computer program product for controlling the operation of a drive unit comprising a plurality of switching modules arranged to receive a DC electricity supply and generate an AC electricity supply for driving a load from the received DC electricity supply, the AC electricity supply being generated by the switching of the plurality of switching modules between a conducting state and a non-conducting state. The method comprises receiving one or more characteristics associated with each of the switching modules, comparing, for each switching module of the plurality of switching modules, a characteristic of the switching module with an equivalent characteristic associated with one or more other switching modules of the plurality of switching modules, and controlling a time period during which one or more of the plurality of switching modules are in the conducting state in accordance with a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A control module for use within a control network, the control module comprising: interface circuitry for enabling communication with an external device; communication means configured to communicate with the external device over the control network by communication with the interface circuitry; coupling means configured to mechanically couple the control module to an adjacent control module and provide a data connection between the communication means and the adjacent module; and an electrical isolation in the data connection between the communication means and the coupling means.

Abstract: A circuit for an electrical load comprises a passive transformer, the secondary of which is connected to power cells for each phase according to the transformer tappings. Each power cell comprises a low cost but efficient power factor correction circuit to produce lower harmonics on the transformer.

Abstract: There is provided a motor drive comprising: a temperature sensor arranged to sense a temperature of the drive; a braking resistor; switching means arranged when activated to cause current to flow to the braking resistor; and controlling means arranged to activate the switching means when the sensed temperature falls below a predetermined threshold. There is also provided a method of controlling a temperature of a motor drive comprising a braking resistor. The method comprising comprises: monitoring a temperature of the drive; and activating switching means to cause current to flow to the braking resistor when the monitored temperature falls below a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a first semiconductor device on an inverter module of a drive configured to drive an electrical machine is disclosed. The method comprises calculating at least one harmonic component of at least one power loss of at least the first semiconductor device; using the at least one harmonic component of the at least one power loss of the at least the first semiconductor device to calculate a temperature of the first semiconductor device; and if the calculated temperature of the first semiconductor device does not meet a predetermined temperature condition, issuing a command to control the operation of the drive such that the temperature of the first semiconductor device is changed to meet the predetermined temperature condition.

Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of a component is disclosed. The component is part of a drive configured to drive an electrical machine via an electrically conductive member. The method comprises determining a value of an attribute of the electrically conductive member; configuring a model to calculate the temperature of the component, the model being configured based on the determined value of the attribute of the electrically conductive member; using the model to calculate the temperature of the component; and if the calculated temperature of the component does not meet a predetermined temperature condition, issuing a command to control the operation of the drive such that the temperature of the component is changed to meet the predetermined temperature condition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and tool for assisting alignment of one or more pin headers. In particular, the invention relates to a tool-assisted method of aiding alignment of one or more pin headers placed on a printed circuit board (PCB) prior to soldering, as well as to the tool itself.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling a power output of an inverter. The method comprises measuring an output current of the inverter, determining a difference between the output current and a reference current, and controlling a reference input voltage of the inverter as a function of the determined difference. In a second aspect of the disclosure, there is described a system for controlling a power output of an inverter. The system comprises an inverter arranged to output a current as a function of a reference input voltage. The system further comprises a controller arranged to determine a difference between the output current and a reference current. The controller is further arranged to control the reference input voltage as a function of the determined difference.

Abstract: An electromechanical system includes an inverter drive, a component arranged during operation to generate a variable force having one or more periodic frequency components, and processing circuitry arranged to determine the power output of the inverter drive, measure a difference between the power output and a reference power output, and control an output frequency of the inverter drive as a function of the measured difference, so as to stabilize the power output during operation of the component. Other example electromechanical systems, inverter drives and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and a control system for a multiphase-phase inverter system, the control system comprising an electric current detection circuit and a processor, wherein each phase of an electrical cycle is separated into a plurality of sections, inputs from the electric current detection circuit are received, each input indicating a measured phase current, and a phase current is calculated in each section, wherein the phase current calculation in at least one of the sections is determined from a changing ratio of the value of the phase current calculated from the measured values of the other phase currents in the multiphase system and the measured value of the phase.

Abstract: There is provided a method and control system for controlling a switching device in a power converter according to a modulation scheme. The switching device couples a direct current (DC) source to provide an alternating current (AC) output at a particular switching frequency. The method comprises the step of, in each switching period, switching the switching device between active configurations providing a finite voltage at the output and inactive configurations providing a zero voltage at the output. The ratio between the total period of time in which the switching device is in an active configuration and the total period of time in which the switching device is in an inactive configuration is the same for each switching period and is determined according to the desired voltage at the AC output.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of determining an offset between a detector and a point on a motor, the movement of the point on the motor being impeded in at least one direction. In particular, this disclosure relates to a method of determining a commutation offset for an encoder that works in conjunction with a synchronous motor. The commutation offset is an offset between the detector and the north pole of a permanent magnet within the motor. The method comprises setting a test value for the offset, causing a displacement of the detector based on the test value and measuring that displacement. The method further comprises repeatedly increasing the test value, and causing and measuring a displacement for each so increased test value until it is determined that the test value has crossed a threshold.

Abstract: A ground fault detection circuit comprising a fuse and a fuse detect circuit. The fuse and the fuse detect circuit are arranged to be coupled in parallel between a reference point and a second point of a monitored circuit for which ground faults are to be detected. The fuse detect circuit is further arranged to detect a fuse break indicative of a ground fault condition and disable at least a portion of the monitored circuit.

Abstract: Conducting emission suppression in a power circuit for an electric motor comprises a negative temperature co-efficient resistor and capacitor connecting one of the power lines to ground. The NTC resistor is self-stabilizing so that changes in the load current are automatically compensated for.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power conversion system comprising a transformer comprising first, second, and third inductive coupling elements, a first power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the first coupling element, a second power supply arranged to provide a voltage across the second coupling element, an output arranged to receive a voltage from the third coupling element. In use, the voltage across the first coupling element and the voltage across the second coupling element are arranged to induce a voltage in the third coupling element. The system also comprises a control arrangement arranged to independently control the operation of the first and second power supplies.