Abstract: A wound rotor motor apparatus includes an energy recovery circuit having a rectifier connecting the rotor circuit to a gated inverter having an input filter for return of rotor power to the three-phase power supply system. A voltage chopper circuit connects the rectifier to the recovery inverter and operates to establish and maintain a constant direct current voltage to the inverter regardless of motor speed. The voltage is greater than the line voltage and is returned at near unity power factor. The chopper circuit is dual gated thyristors. A first thyristor connects an inductor in series to the rectifier. The first thyristor is turned on at the chopper frequency and current flows through the inductor. A commutating thyrister in series with diode is connected in series with a first thyristor and a parallel and back-biasing diode.