Abstract: A solid state circuit interruption arrangement monitors a current path to provide protection to both a load and a solid state switch. The arrangement includes an energy absorber for absorbing energy from the current path in response to the solid state switch interrupting the current path, and a control circuit for periodically generating the interrupt signal to interrupt the current path for prescribed intervals and to control the current supplied to the load between a maximum current level and a minimum current level.

Abstract: A solid state circuit interruption arrangement in a distributed power network provides fast and reliable circuit interruption. A common power source provides power to a plurality of loads via respective current paths. A main circuit breaker and a plurality of solid state circuit breakers are arranged to interrupt the current paths in response to command signals sent from a central controller. Current sensors and voltage sensors are coupled to the current paths for monitoring purposes. An automatic controller responds to any of the current sensors detecting a fault condition by automatically generating a command signal, which forces the associated solid state breaker to interrupt the associated current path. Thereafter, the controller automatically generates a signal to the main circuit breaker to interrupt the power provided from the common power source in the event that the associated current path is not interrupted by the solid state breaker.

Abstract: An improved electrically actuated solenoid is used to regulate the function of a hydraulic flow control valve. The solenoid directs a control valve to generate a predetermined output pressure as a function of the solenoid input current. The working air gap surface area is increased by locating it at a greater circumferential radius than the pole piece to increase the air gap permeance, thereby increasing the output force obtainable from a solenoid of relatively small physical dimensions and low cost.

Abstract: A solenoid operated hydraulic control valve system including a solenoid operated valve having a specially ported spool valve to statically balance spool forces in the opened and closed positions.

Abstract: A solenoid operated hydraulic control valve which has a specially ported spool valve to statically balance spool force in the opened and closed positions, and a specially designed solenoid operator which includes very small ratios of gaps to cross-sectional areas for the working and non-working gaps between the armature and stator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for solenoid driver control of high speed solenoid actuators which includes supplying a high regulated level of acceleration current to operate the actuator, monitoring and controlling the current requirements of solenoid actuation, automatically reducing the solenoid current at a rapid rate to a lesser level of regulated solenoid hold current for the remaining duration of actuator operation, and rapidly reducing the solenoid current between acceleration and holding levels and for rapid solenoid release. Current is controlled at the different levels using switch mode power control techniques for power efficiency.

Abstract: A relatively simple inverter-motor system, comprising a minimum number of circuit components, is provided by employing a voltage-controlled thyristor inverter which in turn drives a synchronous motor having a leading power factor. With the motor current leading the motor voltage, the thyristor switching devices will be motor-commutated, thereby precluding the need for any auxiliary commutating elements or circuits to effect forced commutation. Since, with a leading power factor, the current through a conducting thyristor falls to zero before the thyristor has to be switched off, ample turn-off time is provided. Furthermore, as compared to a conventional forced commutated voltage source inverter, the customary reactive diodes, usually shunting the switching devices in an inverter to permit the flow of reactive motor current, are not necessary.

Abstract: Stabilized operation of a damperless synchronous motor, which is driven by a voltage source inverter energized by a d-c bus voltage, is obtained under transient conditions, such as during sudden variations of load torque, in order to maintain the torque angle in the motor relatively stable at all times and within the stability limit. This is achieved by employing transient changes in either the d-c bus voltage, the d-c bus current or the motor voltage, which changes reflect transient variations of the torque angle, to rapidly adjust the inverter frequency as necessary to hold the torque angle reasonably constant. For example, if there is an abrupt load increase on the motor, the bus voltage tends to drop and the motor tends to slow down, the torque angle thereby tending to increase.

Abstract: If the thyristor switching devices of a chopper controlled inverter are normally motor-commutated during running operation, a starting system is needed to initially rotate the motor fast enough to develop a sufficient back EMF in the motor for motor commutation to occur. This is achieved by regulating the operation of the chopper to produce bus current pulses and by gating the thyristors on in predetermined sets and in a prescribed sequence to current pulse energize the motor to effect step-by-step rotation. After a set of conducting thryistors have supplied a bus current pulse to the motor, the reactive energy that builds up and becomes locked or stored in the inductances, through which the motor current flows, must be dissipated in order to commutate the conducting thyristors off and reduce the motor current to zero before the next set of thyristors are turned on.

Abstract: A pulse-width modulated inverter system and a method for operating the same is described for providing three-phase power to a load at a preselectable output frequency and a preselectable output voltage wherein modulated inverter logic control circuitry is provided for activating switching devices to produce waveforms at output terminals having at least one pulse of a variable width disposed symmetrically about the center or 90.degree. point in the middle 60.degree. portion in each half cycle thereof. The width of the pulses are varied continuously to obtain the preselected output voltage. The number of pulses to be added in the middle 60.degree. portion in each half cycle of the waveforms is increased automatically and continuously as the preselectable output frequency is reduced.

Abstract: An a-c supply system includes an input bridge circuit, connected to receive a-c input voltage and produce an output d-c voltage which is passed through a filter to an inverter having a plurality of thyristor switches, which switches are regulated to produce an a-c output voltage for supplying a load. If two of the switches are inadvertently triggered on to produce a fault across the bus, the rapid discharge of the filter capacitor into this fault is sensed, and the protection circuit provides both simultaneous turn-on of all of the inverter power switches, and turn-off of the input bridge. The input bridge turn-off is achieved by simultaneous removal of the gate drive from all the power switches in the input bridge and commutation of all the power switches in the input bridge circuit, or by interrupting power transfer from the input bridge toward the inverter.

Abstract: A static switch including main and auxiliary SCR's has a commutating capacitor coupled between the common connections of these main and auxiliary SCR's. An independent external charging circuit is provided and connected to complete a charging path for the commutating capacitor which is isolated by at least one diode from the main d-c bus. This enables the commutating capacitor to charge to a level above that of the d-c bus voltage and maintain effective commutation.