Abstract: An electrical circuit, in particular a circuit used for generating electric power, wherein this circuit comprises a generator with n phases, a converter and a transformer to which a p-phase load can be connected. The converter comprises m partial converters, each of the partial converters is composed of p units and each of these units is provided with n/m switching circuits. The switching circuits of the individual units are connected symmetrical to the generator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum switch assembly for interrupting and isolating fault current. The vacuum switch assembly includes first and second dc lines that, in use, are electrically connected to the dc output terminals of a primary dc power source and a dc network. Each dc line includes at least one vacuum switch having contacts that are opened and closed under the control of a vacuum switch controller. A passive dc power supply unit is electrically connected to the first and second dc lines and includes a secondary dc power source that provides a substantially ripple-free sensing voltage. The vacuum switch controller is adapted to open the vacuum switch contacts when a fault condition (e.g. a fault current or other fault) or an operator request has been identified and when the current flowing between the vacuum switch contacts is below a chopping current associated with the vacuum switches.

Abstract: An electrical circuit, in particular a circuit used for generating electric power, wherein this circuit comprises a generator with n phases, a converter and a transformer to which a p-phase load can be connected. The converter comprises m partial converters, each of the partial converters is composed of p units and each of these units is provided with n/m switching circuits. The switching circuits of the individual units are connected symmetrical to the generator.

Abstract: A power supply system is provided. The power supply system includes a converter converting a direct input current into a polyphase alternating output current including a plurality M of phases. The converter includes two input terminals, is arranged at the input of the element and delivers the polyphase alternating current to element. The power supply system also includes a controller controlling the converter, a storage bank including at least one storage capacitor between the input terminals, a device protecting the element from over-voltages or over-currents of the polyphase alternating current, between the converter and element, including a plurality of switching arms between the respective phases of the polyphase alternating current. Each switching arm includes two thyristors connected head-to-tail and in parallel. The controller applies a negative voltage to the terminals of at least one thyristor during a period greater than a predetermined turn-off time of the thyristor.

Abstract: A power converter that interfaces a motor requiring variable voltage/frequency to a supply network providing a nominally fixed voltage/frequency includes a first rectifier/inverter connected to a stator and a second rectifier/inverter. Both rectifier/inverters are interconnected by a dc link and include switching devices. A filter is connected between the second rectifier/inverter and the network. A first controller for the first rectifier/inverter uses a dc link voltage demand signal indicative of a desired dc link voltage to control the switching devices of the first rectifier/inverter. A second controller for the second rectifier/inverter uses a power demand signal indicative of the level of power to be transferred to the dc link from the network through the second rectifier/inverter, and a voltage demand signal indicative of the voltage to be achieved at network terminals of the filter to control the switching devices of the second rectifier/inverter.

Abstract: An assembly includes an electrical machine connected to a power converter by a three-phase circuit having three conductors, e.g. cables. Each conductor is associated with a switching device such as a contactor or the like that connects the conductor to a common conductor or terminal. In the event of a fault current being developed in the circuit or the power converter, the switching devices are operated to close the fault current and connect together the conductors or the three-phase circuit to provide a full three-phase short circuit.

Abstract: A fault detection method uses inertial measurements provided by an inertial measurement unit (IMU) (2) to detect faults in position measurement equipment (PME) (4). The method uses at least one inertial measurement (a(t?N) . . . a(t)) to derive at least one unaided marine vessel state estimate (x(t?N) . . . x(t)) in an unaided solution function block (12). This is then compared with at least one position measurement (p(t?N) . . . p(t)) provided by the PME (4) in a fault detection function block (14) to determine if there is a fault in the PME. An earlier inertial measurement (a(t?N+1)) and an earlier position measurement (p(t?N+1)) are used to derive an aided marine vessel state estimate (x?(t?N+1)) in an aided solution function block (10). The aided marine vessel state estimate (x?(t?N+1)) is used as a start condition to the step of deriving the at least one unaided marine vessel state estimate (x(t?N) . . . x(t)). The aided and unaided solution function blocks (10, 12) can be implemented as a Kalman filter.

Abstract: An electronic power converter is provided. The electronic power converter includes at least one DC capacitor bank and one voltage inverter. The voltage inverter includes at least three phase modules connected to one another, each one specifically for the shaping of the current on one phase at the output of the voltage inverter. The DC capacitor bank is connected to the phase modules. The phase modules of the voltage inverter are distributed angularly around an axis in order to delimit between them a cylindrical space. The phase modules are interconnected by connection elements arranged inside the cylindrical space delimited by the phase modules. The DC capacitor bank is connected to the phase modules by the connection elements arranged inside the cylindrical space delimited by the phase modules.

Abstract: A system for converting at least one electrical input direct current into an electrical output alternating current comprising M phases and supplied to M output terminals includes N polyphase inverters, connected in parallel, each converting the input direct current into an intermediate alternating current comprising M phases and supplied to M intermediate terminals; N×M first electromagnetic coupling coils, each being connected to a respective intermediate terminal; N×M magnetic cores, each first coil being wound around a respective core. This system comprises N×M second electromagnetic coupling coils, each being connected to a respective first coil and wound around a distinct core from that of the respective first coil. The first and second coils of a same core correspond to a single phase, and generate respective common mode fluxes of opposite directions. Each output terminal is connected to the M second coils of a single phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved single-layer coil 10 for a rotating or linear electrical machine. The coil 10 has a first endwinding 12 that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis LA of the coil and a second endwinding 14 that is bent away from, or towards, the longitudinal axis. The coil 10 therefore has differently shaped endwindings with one end 12 being ‘straight’ and the other end 14 being ‘bent’.

Abstract: An ac synchronous electrical machine includes a stator and a multi-phase stator winding that defines a plurality of stator poles. The stator winding has two or more coil groups, each coil group including a plurality of coils for each phase that are received in winding slots in the stator. The stator winding is connected to a power source/sink. The coil groups are connected in series and each coil group is connected to a power source/sink by a respective switch (26a, 26b . . . ). This allows one or more of the coil groups to be selectively supplied with power from the associated power source/sink or selectively supply power to the associated power source/sink. The switches are operated by a controller. The coils in each coil group are arranged substantially symmetrically around the circumference of the stator to define selected poles of the electrical machine and to produce a constant and balanced rotating torque when any particular coil group or combination of coil groups is active.

Abstract: A torsional vibration damper is integrated into a rotating electrical machine. A rotatable assembly of the electrical machine includes a rotor core pack having a first end and a second end, The integrated torsional vibration damper consists of a torsional elastic coupling and a torsional elastic damper and provides mechanical damping. The integrated torsional vibration damper is mounted to the rotatable shaft of the electrical machine by a flange. The rotor core pack is mounted at the first end to the integrated torsional vibration damper by suitable structure members such as a mounting flange and is not fixedly mounted directly to the rotatable shaft. In the case where the rotor core pack is cooled by circulating coolant fluid (e.g. MIDEL) then the integrated torsional vibration damper may be a viscous damper that uses the coolant fluid as a viscous working, fluid.

Abstract: A method of driving a number of series connected active power semiconductor groups, wherein each of the active power semiconductor groups includes one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices. The method includes generating a current pulse, providing the current pulse to a primary portion of a transformer unit and in response thereto causing a number of reflected current pulses to be reflected at a secondary portion of the transformer unit, and transferring and latching each of the reflected current pulses to create a respective latched gate drive signal, and providing each respective latched gate drive signal to an associated one of the active power semiconductor groups for driving the one or more gate oxide-isolated active power semiconductor devices of the associated one of the active power semiconductor groups. Also, a gate drive circuit that implements the method.

Abstract: A dc energy store includes auxiliary systems operable in different modes, including self-supporting, island mode and normal modes. In the self-supporting mode a first controller uses a voltage demand signal indicative of desired ac voltage of an AC/DC power converter to control semiconductor power switching devices to achieve the desired level of ac voltage. The voltage demand signal is derived from comparing a voltage feedback signal and a second voltage demand signal preset to provide the desired ac voltage for the auxiliary systems. A second controller uses a current demand signal indicative of the desired dc link current to control the semiconductor power switching devices of a DC/DC power converter to achieve the desired level of dc link current. The current demand signal is derived from comparing a dc link voltage demand signal indicative of a desired dc link voltage and a dc link voltage feedback signal.

Abstract: A rotor for a high power electric motor intended to operate at particularly high rotational speeds. It includes a magnetic mass, gripped on either side by short circuit rings, and passed through at a plurality of notches by main bars forming a squirrel cage. The rotor also includes secondary bars passing through the magnetic mass via notches. The shape and arrangement of each notch is defined so as to ensure contact between the main bars and the secondary bars sufficient to allow the passage of an electric current when the rotor is in rotation. In particular, the invention applies to asynchronous motors capable of operating at high peripheral speeds typically starting at 100 m·s?1, in particular motors intended for gas or oil applications, whether land-, sea-, or undersea-based.

Abstract: Deionized-water cooling system for electrical equipment, connected electrically to a primary power supply, characterized in that it includes: a main circuit to channel and cool the deionized water intended to circulate within the electrical equipment; a main pumping system; a main power source; a deionization circuit connected at two points to the main circuit and including a deionizer; a secondary pumping system to circulate the deionized water in the deionizer, and a secondary power source, which secondary power source has less power than the main power source. Application to the cooling of an underwater power converter.

Abstract: The energy conversion device (10) includes a power module (14), elements (16) for cooling the power module (14), and a sealed enclosure (12) for housing the power module (14) and at least one portion of the cooling elements (16). The cooling elements (16) include a cooling circuit 18, in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, a first heat exchange (20) with the power module (14), through which passes the heat transfer fluid of the cooling circuit (18) and at least one pump (24) for driving the heat transfer fluid circulating in the circuit (18). The enclosure (12) includes an area (26) for receiving heat transfer fluid, filled with heat transfer fluid, and the cooling circuit (18) includes an inlet orifice (28) in the circuit (18) made upstream from the driving pump (24) and opening into the heat transfer fluid of the receiving area (26).

Abstract: A permanent magnet arrangement for an electrical machine comprises a support structure for carrying magnetic flux and a pole assembly fixed to the support structure. The pole assembly comprises a magnet pole comprising at least one piece of permanent magnet material and a magnet carrier on which the magnet pole is mounted and which provides a magnetic flux path between the magnet pole and the support structure. The permanent magnet arrangement further comprises a sleeve containing the magnet pole and at least part of the magnet carrier. The magnet carrier is secured to the support structure to fix the pole assembly to the support structure and the sleeve is clamped to the support structure by the magnet carrier. A method for assembling the permanent magnet arrangement is also described.

Abstract: A static energy supply unit has an energy store 4-connected to an ac supply network by a power converter. A unit controller for the static energy supply unit includes an amplitude controller, a phase controller and a frequency controller. These measure and record characteristics of the supply network and provide output signals indicative of the voltage characteristics for an operating condition of the supply network. A signal generator for generating a simulated output voltage signal for each phase of the ac supply network is provided. A comparator is used to compare the simulated output voltage signal for each phase and a measured voltage for a corresponding phase of the supply network. The controller controls the operation of the power converter to vary the amount of power that is supplied to the supply network from the energy store 4-based on the comparison of the simulated output voltage signal(s) and the measured ac voltage(s).

Abstract: The energy conversion device (10) includes a power module (14), a unit (16) for cooling the power module (14), and a sealed enclosure (12) housing the power module (14) and at least part of the cooling unit (16). The cooling unit (16) includes a cooling circuit (18), in which a coolant circulates, a first heat exchanger (20) with the power module (14), through which the coolant passes, and at least one pump (24) making the coolant circulate in the circuit (18). The cooling circuit (18) includes a pressure regulating branch (26), extending between an outlet and an inlet of the driving pump (24), the regulating branch (26) including a pressure regulating valve (28), normally closed, capable of opening when the pressure difference between the outlet and the inlet of the driving pump (24) exceeds a predetermined threshold.