Abstract: A stabilizer and synchronous electric power generator system using same that provides both power system damping and excitation limiter functionality. The stabilizer includes a processing unit and a memory storing routines executable by the processing unit. The routines are adapted to receive a voltage signal indicative of a voltage and a current signal indicative of a current output by the generator system, generate, utilizing the voltage and current signals, a power system stabilizer signal for damping oscillations and one or more excitation limiter function signals for controlling excitation level. The routines are also adapted to generate a feedback signal for the generator system by combining the power system stabilizer signal and one or more of the one or more excitation limiter function signals.

Abstract: A method controls and monitors a parallel array of a plurality of rectifier bridges each of which is adapted to convert a plurality of alternating current voltages of a plurality of alternating current phases to a voltage. The bridges include a plurality of segments each of which has an element. Each of the elements of one bridge is electrically interconnected in parallel with at least one corresponding element of at least another one of the bridges. A plurality of control signals are output to repetitively fire the elements. Conduction or non-conduction of the elements is sensed. The method determines, for the elements of the bridges, if any of the elements of one bridge and all of the at least one corresponding element of at least another one of the bridges, which are electrically interconnected in parallel, have the sensed non-conduction. An alarm signal is output responsive to the sensed non-conduction.

Abstract: A controlled rectifier bridge includes a plurality of segments each having an element responsive to a control signal, and an output having a voltage, a first current and a second current. Sensors provide sensed current values from first and second output currents from the bridge. A routine determines if the sensed current values are greater than a predetermined value. A regulator outputs the control signals to the segments in order to control current conduction within the segments. A routine determines if a circuit interrupter is open or if current is not flowing between bridge inputs and the corresponding alternating current phases. A routine disables the control signals to pairs of the segments when the sensed current values are greater than the predetermined value, and when the circuit interrupter is open or when current is not flowing between the inputs and the corresponding alternating current phases.

Abstract: A method controls and monitors a parallel array of a plurality of rectifier bridges each of which is adapted to convert a plurality of alternating current voltages of a plurality of alternating current phases to a voltage. The bridges include a plurality of segments each of which has an element. Each of the elements of one bridge is electrically interconnected in parallel with at least one corresponding element of at least another one of the bridges. A plurality of control signals are output to repetitively fire the elements. Conduction or non-conduction of the elements is sensed. The method determines, for the elements of the bridges, if any of the elements of one bridge and all of the at least one corresponding element of at least another one of the bridges, which are electrically interconnected in parallel, have the sensed non-conduction. An alarm signal is output responsive to the sensed non-conduction.

Abstract: A power bridge rollout service system for removing and installing a power bridge, the power bridge having a housing with an external bus assembly. The power bridge rollout service system includes a roller assembly, an enclosure assembly, and a dolly assembly. The roller assembly is structured to support the power bridge and has a plurality of wheels. The enclosure assembly has a frame assembly structured to support the power bridge and has two wheel tracks. The dolly assembly has a frame assembly, a vertical lifting device, and a plurality of wheels. The vertical lifting device and wheels are coupled to the dolly frame assembly. The vertical lifting device acts upon a work platform such as a skid table assembly. The skid table assembly has a generally flat lifting plate. The skid table assembly may be raised so that the lifting plate is at the same general height as the frame assembly wheel tracks.

Abstract: A power bridge rollout service system for removing and installing a power bridge, the power bridge having a housing with an external bus assembly. The power bridge rollout service system includes a roller assembly, an enclosure assembly, and a dolly assembly. The roller assembly is structured to support the power bridge and has a plurality of wheels. The enclosure assembly has a frame assembly structured to support the power bridge and has two wheel tracks. The dolly assembly has a frame assembly, a vertical lifting device, and a plurality of wheels. The vertical lifting device and wheels are coupled to the dolly frame assembly. The vertical lifting device acts upon a work platform such as a skid table assembly. The skid table assembly has a generally flat lifting plate. The skid table assembly may be raised so that the lifting plate is at the same general height as the frame assembly wheel tracks.

Abstract: A controlled rectifier bridge includes a plurality of segments each having an element responsive to a control signal, and an output having a voltage, a first current and a second current. Sensors provide sensed current values from first and second output currents from the bridge. A routine determines if the sensed current values are greater than a predetermined value. A regulator outputs the control signals to the segments in order to control current conduction within the segments. A routine determines if a circuit interrupter is open or if current is not flowing between bridge inputs and the corresponding alternating current phases. A routine disables the control signals to pairs of the segments when the sensed current values are greater than the predetermined value, and when the circuit interrupter is open or when current is not flowing between the inputs and the corresponding alternating current phases.

Abstract: A method for controlling a parallel array of rectifier bridges includes outputting control signals to repetitively fire bridge elements; skipping repetitive firing of the elements for one out of plural counts; sensing temperatures of the elements; averaging some of the sensed temperatures to provide a corresponding average temperature for each of the parallel bridge elements; comparing one of the sensed temperatures to the corresponding average temperature; increasing the counts when the sensed temperature of one of the elements is less than the corresponding average temperature, or decreasing the counts when the sensed temperature of the one of the elements is greater than the corresponding average temperature; and setting the counts to a first predetermined value when the sensed temperature of the one of the elements is greater than a second predetermined value above the corresponding average temperature.

Abstract: An excitation control system includes a circuit breaker, a bridge and a controller. The bridge converts AC phases from the breaker to an excitation voltage. The controller includes an output to open the breaker, a first sub-system inputting voltages corresponding to the AC phases and outputting a sensed voltage, and a second sub-system inputting the excitation voltage and outputting a sensed excitation voltage. A first function detects a trip signal and responsively outputs firing signals to the bridge to provide a negative excitation voltage. A second function determines if a threshold is greater than the sensed voltage and if the trip signal is asserted, and responsively asserts the output to open the breaker. A third function determines if the trip signal is asserted and responsively delays for a predetermined time, unless a negative threshold is greater than the sensed excitation voltage, and after the predetermined time responsively asserts the output.

Abstract: An RTD assembly includes a resistance temperature detector having two outputs, and a pair of electrical conductors including a first end and a second end. The electrical conductors are electrically connected at the second end thereof to the outputs of the resistance temperature detector. An electrically insulating polytetrafluoroethylene body, such as Teflon®, includes a closed end, a cavity and an open end. The resistance temperature detector is disposed within the cavity of the electrically insulating body and proximate the closed end thereof. The electrical conductors extend from the cavity of the electrically insulating body with the first end of the electrical conductors being external to the electrically insulating body. A cured potting compound is disposed within the cavity of the electrically insulating body and about the resistance temperature detector and the second end of the electrical conductors.

Abstract: A control system includes a rectifier bridge including a heat sink having a temperature, and also including an SCR having a gate. The SCR thermally engages the heat sink. A circuit controls the rectifier bridge through the gate of the SCR. An RTD circuit measures the temperature of the heat sink. A circuit disables gating of the SC based upon the temperature of the heat sink.

Abstract: A device for holding a kit of items used for wet shaving has a razor-receiving section for storing a razor in an upright manner with the blade head protectively located, and a container-receiving section for storing a can of shaving foam or gel. The body of the holder has an internal storage space for storing one or more replacement blade cartridges, and a miniature mirror is removably and reversibly fitted in the base of the device.

Abstract: An RTD assembly includes a resistance temperature detector having two outputs, and a pair of electrical conductors including a first end and a second end. The electrical conductors are electrically connected at the second end thereof to the outputs of the resistance temperature detector. An electrically insulating polytetrafluoroethylene body, such as Teflon®, includes a closed end, a cavity and an open end. The resistance temperature detector is disposed within the cavity of the electrically insulating body and proximate the closed end thereof. The electrical conductors extend from the cavity of the electrically insulating body with the first end of the electrical conductors being external to the electrically insulating body. A cured potting compound is disposed within the cavity of the electrically insulating body and about the resistance temperature detector and the second end of the electrical conductors.

Abstract: A device for holding a kit of items used for wet shaving has a razor-receiving section for storing a razor in an upright manner with the blade head protectively located, and a container-receiving section for storing a can of shaving foam or gel. The body of the holder has an internal storage space for storing one or more replacement blade cartridges, and a miniature mirror is removably and reversibly fitted in the base of the device.

Abstract: A method of enabling functional blocks for a controller includes encrypting a purchase code for a functional block of the controller based upon a unique controller identification number and an identifier number of the functional block. The purchase code is decrypted to obtain a decrypted controller identification number and a decrypted functional block identifier number. The functional block of the controller is enabled when the decrypted controller identification number is equal to the unique controller identification number and the decrypted functional block identifier number is equal to the functional block identifier number.

Abstract: A regulator selector for selecting between an automatic regulator and a manual regulator for controlling field excitation provided to an exciter in a synchronous electric power generator, includes logic which prevents switching from the automatic regulator to a failed manual regulator.

Abstract: An isolation system is provided for generating a control voltage in a low voltage control system that is representative of the input voltage in a high voltage power system of an excitation system, such as in a rotating electrical apparatus. The control voltage isolation system includes a voltage-controlled oscillator for converting the input voltage into a first frequency signal corresponding to the input voltage. Fiber optic conversion and receiving devices are employed in conjunction with a fiber optic cable to transmit the first frequency signal from the high voltage power system to the low voltage control system. Utilizing a fiber optic device provides voltage isolation between the power system and the control system. The use of a fiber optic device for voltage isolation also resists the damaging effects of relatively high transient currents and voltages from affecting sensitive semiconductor components and the like in the control system.

Abstract: An excitation control system for a generator includes an SCR bridge for providing an excitation voltage to the input of the generator; a regulator for regulating the excitation voltage; and a sensing sub-system for providing an electrical signal, such a generator current or generator watts, which is related to the output of the generator. The generator includes a circuit breaker for the one or more alternating current phases output by the generator. An output of the circuit breaker has a signal with a true state when the circuit breaker is closed and the generator is on-line and with a false state when the circuit breaker is open and the generator is off-line. A comparator provides a validation signal when the generator electrical signal is greater than a predetermined signal, such as minimum generator current or minimum generator watts, respectively. An OR gate qualifies the signal of the output of the circuit breaker with the validation signal and provides a qualified signal therefrom.

Abstract: An excitation control system for a generator includes a silicon controlled rectifier bridge having an input interconnected with a plurality of alternating current (AC) phases of positive and negative polarity, an output interconnected with the field input of the generator in order to provide an excitation voltage thereto, and an SCR segment for each of the positive and negative polarities of the AC phases. Each of the SCR segments has an SCR responsive to a control signal in order to control current conduction within the segment between the input and the output of the SCR bridge. A regulator circuit requests a maximum value of the excitation voltage for the generator. The auxiliary contacts of a generator circuit breaker determine when the generator is on-line and connected to a power circuit. A phase lock loop provides an error signal from the AC phases. A control circuit outputs control signals to the SCR segments in order to control current conduction within the segments.

Abstract: A controlled rectifier or SCR bridge converts a plurality of alternating current voltages from a plurality of alternating current phases to a rectified voltage. The bridge includes an input interconnected with the alternating current phases and an output having the rectified voltage. The bridge has a segment for each of the positive and negative polarities of the alternating current phases. Each of the segments has an SCR responsive to a control signal in order to control current conduction within the segment between the input and the output of the bridge. A phase control circuit outputs some of the control signals to some of the segments in order to control current conduction within the segments. A phase lock loop or startup circuit detects an abnormal condition of the AC voltages of the alternating current phases.