Abstract: A system includes a generator control unit (GCU). The GCU includes a saturable reactor and a rectifier. Each of the saturable reactor and the rectifier has a separate input to receive AC power from a separate respective permanent magnet generator (PMG). A method includes supplying AC power from a first permanent magnet generator (PMG) of a generator to a saturable reactor of a generator control unit (GCU) that is operatively connected to control the generator. The method includes supplying AC power from a second PMG to a rectifier of the GCU, wherein the first PMG supplies a lower AC voltage to the saturable reactor than the second PMG supplies to the rectifier.

Abstract: A system includes a generator control unit (GCU). The GCU includes a saturable reactor and a rectifier. Each of the saturable reactor and the rectifier has a separate input to receive AC power from a separate respective permanent magnet generator (PMG). A method includes supplying AC power from a first permanent magnet generator (PMG) of a generator to a saturable reactor of a generator control unit (GCU) that is operatively connected to control the generator. The method includes supplying AC power from a second PMG to a rectifier of the GCU, wherein the first PMG supplies a lower AC voltage to the saturable reactor than the second PMG supplies to the rectifier.

Abstract: A system includes a generator control unit (GCU). The GCU includes a first rectifier and a second rectifier. Each of the first rectifier and the second rectifier has a separate input to receive AC power from a separate respective permanent magnet generator (PMG). A method includes supplying AC power from a first PMG of a variable frequency generator (VFG) to a first rectifier of a generator control unit GCU that is operatively connected to control the VFG. The method includes supplying AC power from a second PMG to a second rectifier of the GCU. The first PMG supplies a lower AC voltage to the first rectifier than the second PMG supplies to the second rectifier.

Abstract: An exciter drive circuit comprises a direct current (DC) link to provide a positive DC voltage to a positive voltage exciter rail and a negative DC voltage to a negative voltage exciter rail. An exciter winding includes a first exciter terminal connected to the positive voltage exciter rail and an opposing second exciter terminal connected to the negative voltage exciter rail. A flyback circuit establishes a first flyback current path that conducts the current from exciter winding in response to an inductive flyback event. A flyback fault protection circuit establishes a second flyback current path that conducts the current from exciter winding in response to the inductive flyback event and a fault present in the flyback circuit. The second flyback current path delivers the current output by the exciter winding from the negative voltage exciter rail to the positive voltage exciter rail.

Abstract: A system includes an alternating current (AC) bus. An active rectifier is connected to receive alternating current from the AC bus. An exciter inductor coil is connected to receive direct current (DC) output from the active rectifier. A method includes performing current control on an alternating current (AC) bus to output DC current to an exciter inductor coil.

Abstract: A trim head drive is provided. The trim head drive includes a nonlinear power supply. The nonlinear power supply includes an output and a return connected to a trim coil of a generator. An output of the nonlinear power supply directly drives a trim coil to control an output frequency of the generator. The nonlinear power supply varies the output positively and negatively to either sink or source a trim head current to control an output frequency of the generator.

Abstract: System and methods for providing power to a generator control circuit are provided. Aspects include a generator, a first power converter comprising a first input and a first output, the first input coupled to an output of the generator and the first output coupled to a valve circuit, a second power converter comprising a second input and a second output, the second input coupled to the output of the generator and the second output coupled to the valve circuit, and a controller configured to monitor a characteristic associated with the generator, cause the first power converter to provide power to the valve circuit when the characteristic of the generator is within a first range of characteristic values, and cause the second power converter to provide power to the valve circuit when the characteristic of the generator is within a second range of characteristic values.

Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A power distribution circuit includes a power input in electrical communication with a power input line, a switching circuit electrically connected to the power input line, and an overcurrent protection circuit electrically connected to the power input line. The overcurrent protection circuit includes a discrete silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) circuit, and a pulse qualifier configured and adapted to drive the discrete SCR circuit. A method for controlling a power distribution circuit includes detecting an ON status of at least a switching circuit. A semi-conductor control signal line connects the semi-conductor switch and the voltage command circuit. The method includes detecting an overcurrent status of the switching circuit with an overcurrent detection circuit. The method includes clamping voltage on the semi-conductor control signal line to cause the semi-conductor switch to be turned off.

Abstract: System and methods for providing power to a generator control circuit are provided. Aspects include a generator, a first power converter comprising a first input and a first output, the first input coupled to an output of the generator and the first output coupled to a valve circuit, a second power converter comprising a second input and a second output, the second input coupled to the output of the generator and the second output coupled to the valve circuit, and a controller configured to monitor a characteristic associated with the generator, cause the first power converter to provide power to the valve circuit when the characteristic of the generator is within a first range of characteristic values, and cause the second power converter to provide power to the valve circuit when the characteristic of the generator is within a second range of characteristic values.

Abstract: A power distribution system and method has a controller and at least one semiconductor switch. The power distribution system additionally has an on status detector which detects the status of the semiconductor switches, and an overcurrent status circuit which checks for overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A system including a generator and a controller. The generator includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG), and an exciter. The controller manages operations of the generator. The controller includes an alternating current to direct current (AC-to-DC) converter that generates a direct current (DC) voltage, an exciter drive that provides a DC current to the exciter of the generator using the DC voltage created by the AC-to-DC converter in accordance with the control signal, and a regulator controller that drives the active AC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: A power quality monitor (PQM) module includes a solid-state semi-conductor switch having a voltage input, two signal inputs and two voltage outputs. A voltage input line is electrically connected to the voltage input. A PQM signal input line is operatively connected to at least one of the two signal inputs. A voltage output line is electrically connected to one of the two voltage outputs to provide power to a load. A method of controlling a GCB includes opening a solid-state semi-conductor switch when a PQM signal is powered at a first logic voltage. The method includes closing the solid-state semi-conductor switch when a PQM signal is powered at a second logic voltage lower than the first logic voltage to allow a voltage from a GCU to go to the GCB.

Abstract: A system including a generator and a controller. The generator includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG), and an exciter. The controller manages operations of the generator. The controller includes an alternating current to direct current (AC-to-DC) converter that generates a direct current (DC) voltage, an exciter drive that provides a DC current to the exciter of the generator using the DC voltage created by the AC-to-DC converter in accordance with the control signal, and a regulator controller that drives the active AC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: A trim head drive is provided. The trim head drive includes a nonlinear power supply. The nonlinear power supply includes an output and a return connected to a trim coil of a generator. An output of the nonlinear power supply directly drives a trim coil to control an output frequency of the generator. The nonlinear power supply varies the output positively and negatively to either sink or source a trim head current to control an output frequency of the generator.

Abstract: A power distribution system and method has a controller and at least one semiconductor switch. The power distribution system additionally has an on status detector which detects the status of the semiconductor switches, and an overcurrent status circuit which checks for overcurrent conditions.

Abstract: A generator control unit includes a plurality of permanent magnet generator (PMG) inputs, a transformer including a multi-configuration input winding and at least one output winding. Each PMG input in the plurality of PMG inputs is connected to the multi-configuration input winding at a corresponding input winding input.

Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A generator control unit includes a plurality of permanent magnet generator (PMG) inputs, a transformer including a multi-configuration input winding and at least one output winding. Each PMG input in the plurality of PMG inputs is connected to the multi-configuration input winding at a corresponding input winding input.

Abstract: An assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a synchronous machine including a rotating portion and a stationary portion, the rotating portion including at least one rotating diode coupled to a field winding, and the stationary portion including a stator winding and an exciter winding. A control unit includes a first gate and a second gate. The exciter winding is connected in series to the first gate and the second gate during a first operating mode to energize the exciter winding. The exciter winding is electrically connected in series to a first gate but is electrically disconnected from the second gate in a second, different operating mode to electrically disconnect the exciter winding from an exciter energy source. A method of operating a synchronous machine is also disclosed.