Abstract: A system includes: a pre-charge circuit configured to produce direct current (DC) electrical power; a common DC bus; and a plurality of inverters, each inverter including: a local DC bus; a capacitor network connected to the local DC bus; an electrical network connected to the local DC bus, the electrical network configured to generate an alternating current (AC) drive signal; and a plurality of switching assemblies, each switching assembly being associated with one of the inverters, and each switching assembly configured to control whether the local DC bus and the capacitor network of the associated inverter are electrically connected to the common DC bus or to the pre-charge circuit.

Abstract: A power converter includes: a filter system including a plurality of input nodes, each input node configured to electrically connect to one phase of a multi-phase AC electrical power distribution network; an electrical network including a plurality of intermediate nodes, each intermediate node electrically connected to one phase of the filter system, the electrical network configured to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), the electrical network including a plurality of electronic switches; a DC link electrically connected to the electrical network and configured to receive the DC current from the electrical network; and a control system configured to: estimate an unbalance metric at the intermediate nodes; and control the electronic switches to compensate for the estimated unbalance metric to thereby reduce an amplitude of a ripple current in the DC current.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: A compact motor control system for selectively controlling power from a power source to a load includes a motor switching assembly having a solid state contactor with a plurality of solid state switches. The motor switching assembly also includes at least one direct current (DC) link coupled to the solid state contactor and redundant first and second inverters coupled to the at least one DC link. The motor switching assembly further includes a first relay coupled between the solid state contactor and an input of the inverter and a second relay coupled between the solid state contactor and an input of the second inverter. In addition, the motor control system includes a control system programmed to control the motor switching assembly to selectively supply power to the load from the power source.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an energy storage system electrically connected across a bus. the energy storage system comprising: a first energy storage element. and a second energy storage element electrically connected to the first energy storage element at an energy node that is between the first energy storage element and the second energy storage element: and an energy filter system electrically connected to the energy node. The energy filter system is configured to electrically connect to one phase of a multi-phase alternating current (AC) power system.

Abstract: A bi-directional power converter includes: a plurality of input nodes, each input node configured to electrically connect to one phase of a multi-phase AC electrical power distribution network; and an electrical network configured to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and to convert DC current to AC current, the electrical network including a plurality of electronic switches. The bi-directional power converter also includes a control system configured to: estimate harmonic voltage content at three intermediate nodes in the bi-directional power converter based on a measured electrical quantity; and control the electronic switches to compensate for the estimated harmonic voltage content.

Abstract: A system for determining an initial angular position of a rotor of a synchronous machine includes a motor driver module configured to provide a motor driver voltage signal to the synchronous machine, the motor driver voltage signal being sufficient to induce an electrical current in the synchronous machine; and a rotor position determination module configured to receive an indication of the current generated in the machine and to determine the initial position of the rotor based on the indication of the current generated in the machine.

Abstract: A combination motor control device includes a power circuit structured to sense voltage and/or current flowing through the combination motor control device, a semiconductor switching and interruption circuit including a number of solid state transistors and being operable to turn on to allow power to flow through the combination motor control device and to turn off to stop allowing power to flow through the combination motor control device, and a control circuit structured detect faults in power flowing through the combination motor control device based on the sensed voltage and/or current, to control the semiconductor switching and interruption circuit to provide a motor starter and/or motor controller functionality, and to control the semiconductor switching and interruption circuit to turn off in response to detecting a fault in power flowing through the combination motor control device.

Abstract: A combination motor control device includes a power circuit (180) structured to sense voltage and/or current flowing through the combination motor control device, a semiconductor switching and interruption circuit (170) including a number of solid state transistors and being operable to turn on to allow power to flow through the combination motor control device and to turn off to stop allowing power to flow through the combination motor control device, and a control circuit (190) structured detect faults in power flowing through the combination motor control device based on the sensed voltage and/or current, to control the semiconductor switching and interruption circuit (170) to provide a motor starter and/or motor controller functionality, and to control the semiconductor switching and interruption circuit (170) to turn off in response to detecting a fault in power flowing through the combination motor control device.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus configured to electrically connect to a multi-phase alternating current (AC) electrical power distribution network includes: an input electrical network including: a plurality of input nodes, each configured to electrically connect to one phase of the multi-phase AC electrical power distribution network; at least one non-linear electronic component electrically connected to the input electrical network; an impedance network electrically connected between the input electrical network and ground; and a control system configured to: access a voltage signal that represents a voltage over time at the input electrical network; determine a frequency content of the voltage signal; determine a property of the frequency content; and determine whether an input current performance condition exists in the electrical apparatus based the property of the frequency content.

Abstract: A bi-directional power converter includes: a plurality of input nodes, each input node configured to electrically connect to one phase of a multi-phase AC electrical power distribution network; and an electrical network configured to convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) and to convert DC current to AC current, the electrical network including a plurality of electronic switches. The bi-directional power converter also includes a control system configured to: estimate harmonic voltage content at three intermediate nodes in the bi-directional power converter based on a measured electrical quantity; and control the electronic switches to compensate for the estimated harmonic voltage content.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: A power conversion circuit having a solid-state circuit breaker integrated therein is disclosed. With a disconnect switch between a utility source and the power conversion apparatus described for meeting UL489, the power conversion circuit includes an input connectable to an AC source, a rectifier circuit connected to the input to convert an AC power input to a DC power, and a DC link coupled to the rectifier circuit to receive the DC power therefrom. The rectifier circuit comprises a plurality of phase legs each including thereon an upper switching unit and a lower switching unit, wherein at least one of the upper and lower switching units on each phase leg comprises a bi-directional switching unit that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions, so as to provide a circuit breaking capability that selectively interrupts current flow through the rectifier circuit, while maintaining original power conversion functionalities.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining an initial angular position of a rotor of a synchronous machine includes a motor driver module configured to provide a motor driver voltage signal to the synchronous machine, the motor driver voltage signal being sufficient to induce an electrical current in the synchronous machine; and a rotor position determination module configured to receive an indication of the current generated in the machine and to determine the initial position of the rotor based on the indication of the current generated in the machine.

Abstract: A matrix converter includes one or more current sensors structured to sense current flowing through the matrix converter, a matrix of switches including a number of solid state transistors, and a control circuit structured to detect faults in power flowing through the matrix converter based on the sensed current, to control the matrix of switches to drive an external device, and to control the matrix of switches to switch to prevent power from flowing internal to the matrix converter, or external to the external device in response to detecting a fault in power flowing through the matrix converter.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus configured to electrically connect to a multi-phase alternating current (AC) electrical power distribution network includes: an input electrical network including: a plurality of input nodes, each configured to electrically connect to one phase of the multi-phase AC electrical power distribution network; at least one non-linear electronic component electrically connected to the input electrical network; an impedance network electrically connected between the input electrical network and ground; and a control system configured to: access a voltage signal that represents a voltage over time at the input electrical network; determine a frequency content of the voltage signal; determine a property of the frequency content; and determine whether an input current performance condition exists in the electrical apparatus based the property of the frequency content.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system for determining an initial angular position of a rotor of a synchronous machine includes a motor driver module configured to provide a motor driver voltage signal to the synchronous machine, the motor driver voltage signal being sufficient to induce an electrical current in the synchronous machine; and a rotor position determination module configured to receive an indication of the current generated in the machine and to determine the initial position of the rotor based on the indication of the current generated in the machine.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus configured to electrically connect to a multi-phase alternating current (AC) electrical power distribution network includes: an input electrical network including: a plurality of input nodes, each configured to electrically connect to one phase of the multi-phase AC electrical power distribution network; at least one non-linear electronic component electrically connected to the input electrical network; an impedance network electrically connected between the input electrical network and ground; and a control system configured to: access a voltage signal that represents a voltage over time at the input electrical network; determine a frequency content of the voltage signal; determine a property of the frequency content; and determine whether an input current performance condition exists in the electrical apparatus based the property of the frequency content.

Abstract: A motor driver apparatus includes: a converter including a first electrical network configured to convert AC electrical power into DC electrical power, the first electrical network including at least one electronic element that includes a wide bandgap semiconductor material; and an inverter electrically connected to the converter, the inverter including a second electrical network configured to generate an AC motor power signal from the DC electrical power, the second electrical network includes a plurality of electronic elements that include a semiconductor material that is not a wide bandgap semiconductor material.

Abstract: A compact motor control system for selectively controlling power from a power source to a load includes a motor switching assembly having a solid state contactor with a plurality of solid state switches. The motor switching assembly also includes at least one direct current (DC) link coupled to the solid state contactor and redundant first and second inverters coupled to the at least one DC link. The motor switching assembly further includes a first relay coupled between the solid state contactor and an input of the inverter and a second relay coupled between the solid state contactor and an input of the second inverter. In addition, the motor control system includes a control system programmed to control the motor switching assembly to selectively supply power to the load from the power source.