Abstract: A modular multilevel converter system. The system includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC cells arranged into at least two output phase modules. A first one of the output phase modules has an inductance and an effective capacitance associated therewith. The first one of the output phase modules is configured so that a natural resonant frequency of the inductance with the effective capacitance of the first one of the output phase modules is greater than at least one of the following: an operating frequency of the first one of the output phase modules; a switching frequency of the first one of the output phase modules; and a switching frequency of any of the M2LC cells of the first one of the output phase modules.

Abstract: A circuit breaker module (which may also be termed an interrupter) including circuit breaker contacts which are opened and closed by an electrically-activated magnetic actuator and capable of interrupting fault currents. The magnetic actuator is stable in either a breaker-closed state or a breaker-open state without requiring electrical current flow through the magnetic actuator. An externally-connectable mechanical drive is linked to the magnetic actuator in a manner such that movement of the externally-connectable mechanical drive can destabilize the breaker-closed state to open the circuit breaker contacts. An external actuator activated by an external condition is connected to said externally-connectable mechanical drive so as to cause said circuit breaker contacts to open upon occurrence of the external condition.

Abstract: Electrical switchgear which combines, connected electrically in series, a visible disconnect switch (operated by a main switch actuator) and a circuit breaker module (which may also be termed an interrupter) including circuit breaker contacts which are opened and closed by an electrically-activated magnetic actuator and capable of interrupting fault currents. The magnetic actuator is stable in either a breaker-closed state or a breaker-open state without requiring electrical current flow through the magnetic actuator. An interlock is provided such that, as the main switch actuator begins to move from its switch-closed position to its switch-open position, the breaker-closed state is destabilized to open the circuit breaker contacts. An interlock is also provided such that the circuit breaker contacts cannot close while the visible disconnect switch is open.

Abstract: A preload assembly for a thrust bearing. The preload assembly includes a carrier plate having a central annular protrusion, wherein the annular protrusion has an inner diameter and an outer diameter; an inner disc spring; an outer disc spring; and a housing having an annular channel for housing the carrier plate, the inner disc spring, and the outer disc spring.

Abstract: A system. The system includes a processor, a first module, a second module and a third module. The first module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for calculating a q-axis voltage component and a d-axis voltage component. The second module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for determining a voltage angle relative to the q-axis. The third module is communicably connected to the processor and is configured for (1) comparing the determined voltage angle to a predetermined value, (2) outputting the determined voltage angle if the determined voltage angle is less than the predetermined value, and (3) outputting the predetermined value if the predetermined value is less than the determined voltage angle.

Abstract: A system. The system is a modular multilevel converter system and includes a plurality of series connected modular multilevel converter cells. At least one of the modular multilevel converter cells is a three-level modular multilevel converter cell. The plurality of series connected modular multilevel converter cells are coupled to a rectifier system via a DC bus.

Abstract: A two-level two-terminal modular multilevel converter subsystem. The subsystem includes a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The modular multilevel converter subsystem is configured to selectively place the first capacitor in series with the second capacitor. The modular multilevel converter subsystem is also configured to selectively place the first capacitor in parallel with the second capacitor relative to first and second output terminals of the modular multilevel converter subsystem.

Abstract: A modular multilevel converter system. The system includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems and a control system module. The two-terminal M2LC subsystems are arranged into at least two output phase modules. A first one of the output phase modules defines a total value of inductance and includes a positive arm and a negative arm. The control system module is configured to apply selectively reassigned modulated switch functions to only one of the following at a given instance of time: the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the positive arm of the first one of the output phase modules or the two-terminal M2LC subsystems of the negative arm of the first one of the output phase modules. The selective reassigning of the modulated switch functions forces charge balance of the individual capacitors of the series connected two-terminal M2LC subsystems at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A system. The system is a modular multilevel converter system and includes a plurality of series connected two-terminal modular multilevel converter subsystems. The subsystems are magnetically coupled to an AC current source power supply.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving the current pulse from multiple pairs of pulsed alternators used for driving large loads such as an electromagnetic launcher (i.e., “rail gun”) load. Conventional current pulse ripples are reduced by interleaving pulses from multiple pairs of contra-rotating pulsed alternators. Current pulses supplied by different pairs of pulsed alternators are timed so that they are interspersed between one another to provide more pulses for a given launch time. The interleaved current pulses increase the frequency and reduce the magnitude of the ripple on the average load current.

Abstract: A combined canned motor-pump operates directly in the process fluid without the need for shaft seals or buffer or lubricating fluids. The pump incorporates an integral gas-separating system that includes gas separating hydraulics and a flow path that returns the gas to the main gas/oil separator. The gas-separating system includes a pump inlet for accepting incoming multiphase flow, at least one blade rotatable about the axis of rotation, an open annulus region for separating gas from liquid in the multiphase flow, at least one radial hole in the shaft for directing separated gas to the axial hole, and a pump outlet for discharging liquid from the pump.

Abstract: In subsea multiphase pumping systems, the use of a gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC) as a separator to recirculate liquid from pump discharge to pump suction, especially during high gas inlet conditions from a multiphase petroleum stream. Further contemplated is protection of the pump from momentary high gas inlet conditions due to an incoming slug flow profile from a petroleum stream, via transforming a naturally varying multiphase petroleum stream into separated phases for measured distribution to the pump suction and ensuring a minimum liquid flow.

Abstract: A control and regulation system for use with a harmonic neutralization frequency changer system. In the generalized frequency changer system, a direct converter frequency changer is used to convert bulk power, but unwanted harmonics are introduced. Input and output power distortion is monitored by a control system, and groups of high performance inverters inject shunt/series harmonic currents/voltages into a specially designed transformer to neutralize the power distortion to a specific acceptable level. Two control strategies are used including one that is based on discrete narrow band harmonic regulation and another that is based on wide band harmonic control. Each of these control strategies can be used at the input and/or output of the frequency changer and can be injected using shunt-current and series-voltage schemes.

Abstract: A closed loop current controller for an electromagnetic rail gun. It is necessary to control the muzzle velocity of a rail gun accurately for the gun to be a good artillery device. The present invention provides a closed loop control system to accurately regulate the energy transfer to a rail gun projectile and control its muzzle velocity. The rail gun control system includes a state space (state domain) control concept adapted to discrete control events that transition the system from one state to another until the final desired state (i.e., muzzle velocity) is reached. The control regulator preferably generates state transition functions that transition the projectile from state to state according to a defined current profile to provide a specified projectile muzzle velocity. The rail gun closed loop current controller also includes current reference compensation to correct for errors in previous state transitions.

Abstract: An electrical contactor draw out tray has a movable frame and a stationary frame in which the movable frame carries the electrical components for an electrical feeder circuit. The stationary frame is preferably housed within a power distribution center and has input terminals for the incoming electrical power and output terminals for delivering electrical power to equipment operating on the feeder circuit. The movable frame carries the contactors that control the flow of electricity through the apparatus as well as the electrical components to monitor conditions of the apparatus and various parameters for the electricity carried therein to for conditions such as short circuits, overloads, ground faults, overvoltages and undervoltages. A disconnect mechanism locks the movable frame relative the stationary frame and provides a primary means for disengaging electrical flow through the apparatus.

Abstract: The cascaded, multi-level inverter can be found in a variety of applications and in a variety of industries. The inverter is typically used as a motor drive to provide variable voltage and variable frequency to a propulsion motor or other loads requiring variable frequency and voltage. In the present invention, the transformer is eliminated and its function included in an existing generator by adding a plurality of secondary windings to supply the isolated voltages needed by the multi-level power converter. Two specific examples of the present invention include a cascaded, multi-level inverter, or a variant referred to as the multi-source, flying source inverter, whose ac input voltage is derived from an electromagnetic generatorator.

Abstract: A control concept for large pulsed power applications that use multiple pulsed alternators to generate high-energy current pulses. Pulsed alternators produce a large reaction torque during discharge, but paired pulsed alternators are characterized by equal and opposite torque which result in a negligible reaction. However, it is necessary to synchronize the pulsed alternators prior to discharge to ensure that the load current will share equally and large transient and unequal torque reactions will not occur. The present control system utilizes closed loop feedback control to synchronize two or more pulsed alternators at the discharge speed and maintain synchronization before discharge and between multiple discharges in a burst pulse mode.

Abstract: A linear motor system including compartmentalized stator sections provides an interchangeable and serviceable alternative to other linear motors. The stator sections may be individually-energized so that power is only sent to stator sections adjacent to the thrust plate or rotor of the linear motor. A sufficiently long thrust plate is used to cover any gaps in the linear stator, and additional compensation stator sections are used to provide additional motor force to the thrust plate adjacent to these gap sections. If utilized onboard a ship, additional compensation stator sections may be incorporated into the face of deck hatches. The linear motor system can also be used to counteract gravitational effects in a large hanging door system implementation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanical-electrical connector for interconnecting two separate circuits, as in two separate stator coil sections. The conductive end pieces of the stator coil sections to be interconnected are machined such that they can be inserted into the connector. The connector provides alternating conductive and dielectric layers to connect successive stator sections in an easy-to-assemble, non-permanent mechanism. A series of external jumper conductors provide interconnection between the internal conductive layers.