Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., 12) for interrupting an electrical current between two contacts includes a first contact (12) and a second contact (16). The first and second contacts are separable away from one another to interrupt an electrical current flowing between the contacts. An arc constrictive zone (20) may be disposed around the contacts confining an arc (32) generated between the contacts during a separation of the contacts. An ablative material (28) may be disposed in the arc restrictive zone to be ablated by the arc to form a vapor for cooling the arc and producing an increased pressure in the restrictive zone responsive to the arc to force separation of the contacts.

Abstract: A power converter system is provided for supplying power to an electrical load. The power converter system includes a power converter circuit adapted to perform an AC to DC power conversion and an active clamp circuit coupled to the power converter circuit for regulating DC bus voltage overshoots. The power converter circuit is configured from a plurality of semiconductor switches having reverse voltage withstand capability.

Abstract: A power converter system is provided for supplying power to an electrical load. The power converter system includes a power converter circuit adapted to perform an AC to DC power conversion and an active clamp circuit coupled to the power converter circuit for regulating DC bus voltage overshoots. The power converter circuit is configured from a plurality of semiconductor switches having reverse voltage withstand capability.

Abstract: An ac-ac power converter system is provided for supplying power to an electrical load. The ac-ac power converter system provides an output voltage having variable amplitude and/or frequency. The ac-ac power converter system includes a boost inductor for applying a discontinuous current to an ac-ac power converter. The ac-ac power converter includes a rectifier circuit comprising of a first set of gate controllable active switches for converting an input ac power to a dc power and an inverter circuit comprising of a second set of gate controllable active switches for converting the dc power to an output ac power. In addition, the ac-ac power converter system includes a switch for switching between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation.

Abstract: A method for testing battery connectivity in a battery-backed up system, the method includes inducing a step increase in a battery bus voltage, and monitoring a magnitude of a corresponding current pulse of a battery charge due to the step increase in the battery bus voltage, where the magnitude of the current pulse provides an indicator of battery connectivity.