Abstract: An electric group drive having synchronous motors which are fed from a static operating converter has a second converter for use in varying the relative angle position of the motors. Provision is made for using the second converter as a start-up and braking converter. A phase shifter and memory-oriented control logic are used to control the processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for changing the relative angles of the output shafts of a multiple-motor electric drive. For this purpose, the appropriate synchronous motor is switched to a phase-shifting frequency changer and its relative shaft (mechanical phase) angle is shifted by varying the frequency. The synchronous motor is then switched back to the operating frequency changer. The phase equality of the output voltages of the two frequency changers is monitored by signals derived from logic elements driving the frequency changers. In normal operation, the phase shifting frequency changer is driven by the same digital frequency generator as the operating frequency changer and is only switched to another frequency generator for phase shifting. Transition from one frequency changer to the other is made without shock.