Abstract: According to the features discussed herein, through a single generalized arc-fault detection algorithm, various types of series and/or parallel arc faults can be detected without any nuisance trip for either AC or DC Electric Power Systems. Running Discrete Fourier Series (RDFS) formulation for nuisance-free operation and cost-effective implementation is developed. Unlike other methods which require numerous source and load-side current and voltage measurements, only source side current is required. An arc detector may include a first detector to monitor variations of a magnitude of a fundamental component of a current, and a second detector to monitor an overload condition based in an i2t calculation.

Abstract: A super capacitor energy storage supplementing a battery providing power to a direct current bus including charge and discharge converters is disclosed. A bank of super capacitors may be charged by a battery with a pulse-width modulation controller and an electromagnetic interference filter. The bank of super capacitors may be controllably connected to the direct current bus through an isolating transformer implemented as a isolated boost converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing isolated high and low direct current power supplies to a Power Device using a sealed high Power Device Gate Driver having a single transformer, wherein the Gate Driver integrates the power supplies, gating control and gate control, gate drive and Power Device diagnostics into a sealed unit, wherein the unit may be further sealed hermetically.

Abstract: A neutral line regulator is designed as a plug-in module or new integrated inverter with a lower rating 4th-leg, instead of using a conventional four-leg inverter to supply power to three-phase four-wire unbalanced AC loads or three-phase nonlinear loads without a neutral connection. The neutral line regulator may be designed for controlling only the unbalanced power rather than using a fully rated inverter leg. Since this plug-in module may be separate from the main inverter and may operate at a lower power, the switching frequency may be higher than the main inverter. Thus, the size and weight requirements for providing the neutral line can be significantly reduced. In addition, the plug-in regulator may maintain voltage balance between the center-tapped DC link capacitors for non-linear, unbalanced loads. Moreover, the plug-in module may be used as a retrofit module replacing, for example, delta-wye transformers.

Abstract: An electrical power system may be provided with temporary power from a bank of supercapacitors connected to a bus of the power system. The supercapacitors may be charged from an output from a primary power source of the system during start-up of the power source. Output voltage of the primary power source may progressively increase and capacitor charging may occur at this progressively increasing voltage. Dedicated current-limiting devices are not required during charging. When temporary power is required the supercapacitors may be discharged sequentially in a series combination so that a high internal voltage of each capacitor is maintained and so that virtually all of the stored energy of the capacitor may be discharged to the bus at a usable voltage.

Abstract: Integrated current sensors are used in AC electric power systems. An integrated current sensor according to one embodiment comprises: an inductor (101), wherein an AC current passes through the inductor (101); an integrator circuit (103), the integrator circuit (103) receiving a voltage associated with the AC current; a gain control circuit (116) operationally connected to the integrator circuit (103), the gain control circuit (116) outputting a gain controlled signal; and a compensation circuit (115) operationally connected to at least two of the integrator circuit (103), the gain control circuit (116), and the inductor (101), to compensate for parameter variation induced in the gain controlled signal or in the output of the integrator circuit (103).

Abstract: Integrated current sensors are used in DC electric power systems. An integrated current sensor (200B) according to one embodiment comprises: a DC inductor (111B) including a resistive component and an inductive component, wherein a DC current passes through the DC inductor (111B); an integrator circuit (161), the integrator circuit (161) receiving a voltage associated with the DC inductor (111B); and a feedback system operationally connected to the DC inductor (111B) and to the integrator circuit (161), to subtract a voltage associated with the resistive component and obtain a voltage associated with the inductive component.

Abstract: A super capacitor energy storage supplementing a battery providing power to a direct current bus including charge and discharge converters is disclosed. A bank of super capacitors may be charged by a battery with a pulse-width modulation controller and an electromagnetic interference filter. The bank of super capacitors may be controllably connected to the direct current bus through an isolating transformer implemented as a isolated boost converter.

Abstract: An electrical power system may be provided with temporary power from a bank of supercapacitors connected to a bus of the power system. The supercapacitors may be charged from an output from a primary power source of the system during start-up of the power source. Output voltage of the primary power source may progressively increase and capacitor charging may occur at this progressively increasing voltage. Dedicated current-limiting devices are not required during charging. When temporary power is required the supercapacitors may be discharged sequentially in a series combination so that a high internal voltage of each capacitor is maintained and so that virtually all of the stored energy of the capacitor may be discharged to the bus at a usable voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting DC input power to DC output power. The apparatus comprises a plurality of parallel connected flyback circuits. A controller is coupled to the switches within the flyback circuits to provide accurate timing and automatic current balancing amongst the plurality of flyback circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for converting a DC input power to a DC output power. The apparatus comprises an energy storage module and a burst mode controller. The burst mode controller causes energy to be stored in the energy storage module during at least one storage period, and further causes the energy to be drawn from the energy storage module during at least one burst period. During the at least one burst period, the DC output power is greater than the DC input power. Additionally, the burst mode controller employs a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) technique for operating a device providing the DC input power proximate a maximum power point (MPP).

Abstract: According to the features discussed herein, through a single generalized arc-fault detection algorithm, various types of series and/or parallel arc faults can be detected without any nuisance trip for either AC or DC Electric Power Systems. Running Discrete Fourier Series (RDFS) formulation for nuisance-free operation and cost-effective implementation is developed. Unlike other methods which require numerous source and load-side current and voltage measurements, only source side current is required. An arc detector may include a first detector to monitor variations of a magnitude of a fundamental component of a current, and a second detector to monitor an overload condition based in an i2t calculation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anti-islanding of distributed power generation systems having an inverter comprising a phase locked loop (PLL), a phase shift generator for injecting a phase shift into the PLL during at least one sample period, and a phase error signature monitor for monitoring at least one phase error response of the PLL during the at least one sample period.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are used for power supply input connection.

Abstract: A matrix converter may be provided with AC switches that comprise bi-directional sets of semiconductor switches that are gated with a common gating link. A low loss diode-bridge based snubber may facilitate introduction of time delay between sequential operations of the bi-directional set of semiconductor switches. The matrix converter may be operated in a three-phase mode with only one gating signals for each AC switch, in contrast to prior-art matrix converters which may require use multiple gating signals for each AC switch.

Abstract: A semiconductor power device, e.g., an Insulated Gate Bi-polar Transistor (IGBT) or a Metal-Oxide Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) may be constructed in a reusable and repairable cost-effective sealed shell. The switch may be provided with direct-pressure-contact caps which may perform as electrical conductors for a semiconductor die of the switch and also as thermal heat-sink contacts for the device. The switch may be provided with internal self-powered gate driving control and PHM incorporated in sealed shell. Embodiments of the switch may be constructed with no external gating/PHM connection pin penetrations through the shell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing isolated high and low direct current power supplies to a Power Device using a sealed high Power Device Gate Driver having a single transformer, wherein the Gate Driver integrates the power supplies, gating control and gate control, gate drive and Power Device diagnostics into a sealed unit, wherein the unit may be further sealed hermetically.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus detect series and/or parallel arc faults in AC and DC systems. The method according to one embodiment inputs an AC current signal; extracts a fundamental component of the AC current signal and monitoring an amplitude variation profile for the fundamental component, thereby generating a first arc fault detection measure; detects non-stationary changes in the AC current signal applying at least one measure of order higher than one, thereby generating a second arc fault detection measure; and determines whether an arc fault exists based on the first arc fault detection measure and the second arc fault detection measure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are used for AC and DC electric power systems. The apparatus according to one embodiment is a pin system (180A) for AC and DC electric power systems which comprises a female pin (418), the female pin (418) comprising a resistive region (405), the resistive region (405) forming a first portion of an inner surface of the female pin (418), and a conductive region (406), the conductive region (406) forming a second portion of the inner surface of the female pin (418), the conductive region (406) contacting the resistive region (405), the conductive region (406) being located further than the resistive region (405) from an open end of the female pin (418); and a male pin (415) adapted to be inserted in the female pin (418) along the inner surface of the female pin (418), the male pin (415) being made of a conductive material.

Abstract: Integrated current sensors are used in DC electric power systems. An integrated current sensor (200B) according to one embodiment comprises: a DC inductor (111B) including a resistive component and an inductive component, wherein a DC current passes through the DC inductor (111B); an integrator circuit (161), the integrator circuit (161) receiving a voltage associated with the DC inductor (111B); and a feedback system operationally connected to the DC inductor (111B) and to the integrator circuit (161), to subtract a voltage associated with the resistive component and obtain a voltage associated with the inductive component.