Abstract: A system comprises a first 3-phase rectifier having a positive DC lead and a negative DC lead and a second 3-phase rectifier having a positive DC lead and a negative DC lead. The system also includes a 4-phase, 3-level inverter connected to the first and second 3-phase rectifiers. A method comprises receiving variable frequency, 3-phase power from a first generator, receiving variable frequency, 3-phase power from a second generator, rectifying the variable frequency, 3-phase power from each of the first and second generators into DC power. And inverting the DC power into 4-phase, constant frequency power for powering a load.

Abstract: A method of operating a power conversion system including converting variable frequency AC voltage to constant frequency AC voltage by a power converter, setting a first peak current reset threshold above operating currents previously observed during steady state short circuit current regulation in by a controller of the power converter, setting a second peak current reset threshold at a current lower than the previously observed steady state short-circuit regulation point observed during previous operation during steady state short circuit current regulation by the controllers of the power converter, resetting inverter converter AC output regulating voltage to 0 volts, and ramping AC output regulating voltage back up into steady-state operation when the second a peak current reset threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: A generator system can include a generator configured to produce an output of alternating current (AC), a rectifier connected to the generator to rectify the AC into direct current (DC) rectifier output, an inverter connected to the rectifier to receive the DC rectifier output and configured to output three phase AC inverter output, and a plurality of output lines connected to the inverter to receive the three phase AC inverter output. The system can include a control module configured to control the output of the inverter. The control module can be operatively connected to one or more of the output lines via one or more local sense leads to receive a local feedback. The control module can be configured to control the inverter as a function of the local feedback to provide one or more of protection, voltage regulation, or harmonic correction.

Abstract: A system comprises a first 3-phase rectifier having a positive DC lead and a negative DC lead and a second 3-phase rectifier having a positive DC lead and a negative DC lead. The system also includes a 4-phase, 3-level inverter connected to the first and second 3-phase rectifiers. A method comprises receiving variable frequency, 3-phase power from a first generator, receiving variable frequency, 3-phase power from a second generator, rectifying the variable frequency, 3-phase power from each of the first and second generators into DC power. And inverting the DC power into 4-phase, constant frequency power for powering a load.

Abstract: A system comprises a generator control unit (GCU) configured to control a generator. The system includes a first sensor connected to provide feedback to the GCU for generator control. The first sensor is configured to connect to sense at least one of voltage and/or current in a feeder connecting between the generator and a load. The system also includes a second sensor connected to provide feedback to the GCU for generator control. The second sensor is configured to sense at least one of voltage and/or current in a feeder connecting between the generator and the load. The first and second sensors are configured to connect to the feeder apart from one another with feeder impedance therebetween.

Abstract: A dual feeder circuit system for supplying electrical power can include one or more feeder groups, each feeder having a first wire and a second wire connected between a source terminal and a load terminal to carry the same electrical signal on both wires. The system can include one or more current transformers disposed on one or more of the feeders groups such that the current transformer is disposed around both the first wire and the second wire. The first wire can be passed directly through a first side of the current transformer to allow current to travel through the current transformer in a first direction, and the second wire can include a loop and be passed through a second side of the current transformer to allow current to travel through the current transformer in an second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A method of controlling a variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) power converter is provided. The method includes receiving a determination that a sensed AC current output has exceeded a predetermined limit. The AC current output is converted from a DC voltage and has a constant frequency. The DC voltage is converted from a variable frequency AC voltage. The variable frequency AC voltage is generated in response to a mechanical energy input having a varying parameter. The method further includes decreasing the DC voltage in response to a determination that the sensed AC current output has exceeded the predetermined limit.

Abstract: A method of operating a power conversion system including converting variable frequency AC voltage to constant frequency AC voltage by a power converter, setting a first peak current reset threshold above operating currents previously observed during steady state short circuit current regulation in by a controller of the power converter, setting a second peak current reset threshold at a current lower than the previously observed steady state short-circuit regulation point observed during previous operation during steady state short circuit current regulation by the controllers of the power converter, resetting inverter converter AC output regulating voltage to 0 volts, and ramping AC output regulating voltage back up into steady-state operation when the second a peak current reset threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: An inductor includes a printed wiring board (PWB) and a plurality of electrically-conductive heat pipes operatively connected to the PWB. The PWB includes electrically conductive traces electrically connected to the plurality of electrically-conductive heat pipes. The traces and plurality of electrically conductive heat pipes form an inductor winding. A method of manufacturing an inductor includes mounting a plurality of electrically conductive heat pipes to a printed wiring board (PWB), wherein the PWB includes electrically conductive traces to connect the plurality of electrically-conductive heat pipes to form an inductor winding.

Abstract: A fault detection method includes, at a generator module having a generator, a rectifier connected to the generator by phase leads, and an inverter connected to the rectifier by a direct current (DC) link, receiving a measurement of voltage applied to the rectifier by the phase leads and receiving a measurement of voltage applied to the inverter by the DC link. DC link voltage balance and sequence voltages are calculated using the measurement of voltage applied to the rectifier by the phase leads and the measurement of voltage applied to the inverter by the DC link. Determination is made using the DC link voltage balance and phase sequence voltages when no fault exists in the generator module. Determination is made that a fault condition exists using the DC link voltage balance and phase sequence voltages when a fault exists in the generator module. Generator modules are also described.

Abstract: A generator system can include a generator configured to produce an output of alternating current (AC), a rectifier connected to the generator to rectify the AC into direct current (DC) rectifier output, an inverter connected to the rectifier to receive the DC rectifier output and configured to output three phase AC inverter output, and a plurality of output lines connected to the inverter to receive the three phase AC inverter output. The system can include a control module configured to control the output of the inverter. The control module can be operatively connected to one or more of the output lines via one or more local sense leads to receive a local feedback. The control module can be configured to control the inverter as a function of the local feedback to provide one or more of protection, voltage regulation, or harmonic correction.

Abstract: A converter implementing a dual-reference three-level pulse width modulation (PWM) technique for constraining a midpoint duty cycle is provided. The converter includes a phase leg that includes upper, mid-upper, mid-lower, and lower switches. The upper, mid-upper, mid-lower, and lower switches are connected in series between direct current (DC) positive and negative leads, with an alternating current (AC) output lead connected at a junction of the mid-upper and mid-lower switches. The phase leg includes a first clamping diode connected to the junction of the switch and mid-upper switches and connected to a DC midpoint lead and a second clamping diode connected between the DC midpoint lead and connected to the junction of the mid-lower and lower switches. The converter is electrically coupled to and operatively associated with a controller to receive control signals to drive the converter to constrain the midpoint duty cycle between the DC midpoint and AC output leads.

Abstract: A generator system can include a generator configured to produce an output of alternating current (AC), a rectifier connected to the generator to rectify the AC into direct current (DC) rectifier output, an inverter connected to the rectifier to receive the DC rectifier output and configured to output three phase AC inverter output, and a plurality of output lines connected to the inverter to receive the three phase AC inverter output. The system can include a control module configured to control the output of the inverter. The control module can be operatively connected to one or more of the output lines via one or more local sense leads to receive a local feedback. The control module can be configured to control the inverter as a function of the local feedback to provide one or more of protection and/or voltage regulation.

Abstract: A fault detection method includes, at a generator module having a generator, a rectifier connected to the generator by phase leads, and an inverter connected to the rectifier by a direct current (DC) link, receiving a measurement of voltage applied to the rectifier by the phase leads and receiving a measurement of voltage applied to the inverter by the DC link. DC link voltage balance and sequence voltages are calculated using the measurement of voltage applied to the rectifier by the phase leads and the measurement of voltage applied to the inverter by the DC link. Determination is made using the DC link voltage balance and phase sequence voltages when no fault exists in the generator module. Determination is made that a fault condition exists using the DC link voltage balance and phase sequence voltages when a fault exists in the generator module. Generator modules are also described.

Abstract: A method of controlling a variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) power converter is provided. The method includes receiving a determination that a sensed AC current output has exceeded a predetermined limit. The AC current output is converted from a DC voltage and has a constant frequency. The DC voltage is converted from a variable frequency AC voltage. The variable frequency AC voltage is generated in response to a mechanical energy input having a varying parameter. The method further includes decreasing the DC voltage in response to a determination that the sensed AC current output has exceeded the predetermined limit.

Abstract: A dual feeder circuit system for supplying electrical power can include one or more feeder groups, each feeder having a first wire and a second wire connected between a source terminal and a load terminal to carry the same electrical signal on both wires. The system can include one or more current transformers disposed on one or more of the feeders groups such that the current transformer is disposed around both the first wire and the second wire. The first wire can be passed directly through a first side of the current transformer to allow current to travel through the current transformer in a first direction, and the second wire can include a loop and be passed through a second side of the current transformer to allow current to travel through the current transformer in an second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A generator system can include a generator configured to output an alternating current (AC) generator output, a rectifier operatively connected to the generator and configured convert the AC generator output into a direct current (DC) rectifier output, and a four wire inverter operatively connected to the rectifier to receive the DC rectifier output, the four wire inverter configured to convert the DC rectifier output into 3 phase AC inverter output, wherein the four wire inverter can include three output wires, each output wire configured to output a respective phase of the 3 phase AC, wherein the four wire inverter can include a fourth neutral wire for providing a neutral path.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting dampener resistor degradation and failure are provided. The method includes determining a normal operating admittance value of a filter that includes a dampener resistor, injecting a voltage signal with a frequency value at least one order of magnitude different from a filter resonant peak, receiving an admittance output in response the injected voltage signal, and comparing the admittance output with the normal operating admittance value to determine the presence of dampener resistor degradation and failure.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a DC midpoint terminal voltage of a three level inverter is provided. The method includes receiving an input power signal at a three level motor controller system that includes a three level inverter, measuring, using a current sensor in the three level motor controller system, a DC current of the input power signal before the input power signal is provided to the three level inverter, and adjusting a zero-sequence inverter output voltage to adjust a midpoint voltage at the DC midpoint based on the measured DC current.

Abstract: An inductor includes a printed wiring board (PWB) and a plurality of electrically-conductive heat pipes operatively connected to the PWB. The PWB includes electrically conductive traces electrically connected to the plurality of electrically-conductive heat pipes. The traces and plurality of electrically conductive heat pipes form an inductor winding. A method of manufacturing an inductor includes mounting a plurality of electrically conductive heat pipes to a printed wiring board (PWB), wherein the PWB includes electrically conductive traces to connect the plurality of electrically-conductive heat pipes to form an inductor winding.