Abstract: A method for an auxiliary device of an auxiliary resonant commutated pole inverter (ARCPI) to determine a boosting time of the ARCPI is provided. The auxiliary device includes an auxiliary switch path that uses a resonant inductor with at least one saturable inductor. The method includes: calculating, by a processor of the auxiliary device, a first boosting time in the auxiliary switch path based on a theoretical resonance inductance and a voltage that are applied to the resonant inductor; determining, by the processor, a second boosting time in the auxiliary switch path based on a look-up table; and determining, by the processor, the boosting time in the auxiliary switch path based on the first boosting time and the second boosting time. The method further includes controlling, by the processor, boosting current of the ARCPI based on the boosting time in the auxiliary switch path.

Abstract: An insulated gate field effect transistor (IGFET) based converter circuit is described that includes a direct current input comprising a high voltage input and a low voltage input, an IGFET gate input, and an equivalent phase leg comprising a plurality of parallel-connected cells. The parallel-connected cells each include: a first wide bandgap IGFET having a first drain electrode connected to the high voltage input, a first gate electrode connected to a first gate control input, and a first source electrode; a second wide bandgap IGFET having a second drain electrode connected to the first source electrode, a second gate electrode connected to a second gate control input, and a second source electrode connected to the low voltage input; and a step-inducing inductor coupled to: the first source electrode of the first wide bandgap IGFET, and an output node. The step-inducing inductor is connected to the output node.

Abstract: A method for predicting power converter health is provided. The method comprises receiving a plurality of parameter measurements associated with a power converter system comprising a power converter. The plurality of parameter measurements comprises a first set of system measurements and a second set of failure precursor measurements. The method further comprises inputting the first set of system measurements into a first machine learning algorithm to generate expected failure precursor measurement information and inputting the expected failure precursor measurement information and the second set of failure precursor measurements into a second machine learning algorithm to generate component failure prediction information. The method also comprises performing one or more actions based on the generated component failure prediction information.

Abstract: An insulated gate field effect transistor (IGFET) based converter circuit is described that includes a direct current input comprising a high voltage input and a low voltage input, an IGFET gate input, and an equivalent phase leg comprising a plurality of parallel-connected cells. The parallel-connected cells each include: a first wide bandgap IGFET having a first drain electrode connected to the high voltage input, a first gate electrode connected to a first gate control input, and a first source electrode; a second wide bandgap IGFET having a second drain electrode connected to the first source electrode, a second gate electrode connected to a second gate control input, and a second source electrode connected to the low voltage input; and a step-inducing inductor coupled to: the first source electrode of the first wide bandgap IGFET, and an output node. The step-inducing inductor is connected to the output node.

Abstract: A step-down AC/AC converter for use in an electric distribution system includes at least one chopper circuit for each one of a plurality of phases of the AC power, each chopper circuit including a four-quadrant switch coupled in series between primary and secondary sides of the chopper circuit and a current-bidirectional two-quadrant switch coupled between the secondary side of the chopper circuit and a common node. Each current-bidirectional two-quadrant switch is oriented in the same direction, with respect to the secondary side of the corresponding chopper circuit and the common node. The converter further includes a control circuit configured to pulse-width-modulate control inputs of the switches, to convert a first multiphase AC voltage at the primary sides of the chopper circuits to a second multiphase AC voltage at the secondary sides of the chopper circuits, the second multiphase AC voltage being lower in voltage than the first multiphase AC voltage.

Abstract: A power generation system includes at least one generator that generates a medium voltage direct current that has a positive DC voltage output and a negative DC voltage output. The system also provides a medium voltage DC (MVDC) cable system with a positive pole cable and a negative pole cable, wherein the positive pole cable is connected to the positive DC voltage output and the negative pole cable is connected to the negative DC voltage output. A substation is connected to the MVDC cable system and includes at least one DC/DC step-up converter to step-up the medium voltage direct current to a high voltage direct current.

Abstract: A step-down AC/AC converter for use in an electric distribution system includes at least one chopper circuit for each one of a plurality of phases of the AC power, each chopper circuit including a four-quadrant switch coupled in series between primary and secondary sides of the chopper circuit and a current-bidirectional two-quadrant switch coupled between the secondary side of the chopper circuit and a common node. Each current-bidirectional two-quadrant switch is oriented in the same direction, with respect to the secondary side of the corresponding chopper circuit and the common node. The converter further includes a control circuit configured to pulse-width-modulate control inputs of the switches, to convert a first multiphase AC voltage at the primary sides of the chopper circuits to a second multiphase AC voltage at the secondary sides of the chopper circuits, the second multiphase AC voltage being lower in voltage than the first multiphase AC voltage.

Abstract: A power generation system includes at least one generator that generates a medium voltage direct current that has a positive DC voltage output and a negative DC voltage output. The system also provides a medium voltage DC (MVDC) cable system with a positive pole cable and a negative pole cable, wherein the positive pole cable is connected to the positive DC voltage output and the negative pole cable is connected to the negative DC voltage output. A substation is connected to the MVDC cable system and includes at least one DC/DC step-up converter to step-up the medium voltage direct current to a high voltage direct current.