Abstract: A system and method includes a secondary energy storage system (SESS) and a control system. The SESS is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and conductively connected via switch devices to a primary battery and a cranking device of the vehicle. The control system is configured to control the switch devices to close a conductive path to discharge electric current from the SESS for powering the cranking device to rotate an engine shaft during a cranking operation. The control system is configured to control the switch devices to open the conductive path and prevent discharge of electric current from the SESS after the cranking operation is complete.

Abstract: A system and method includes a secondary energy storage system (SESS) and a control system. The SESS is configured to be disposed onboard a vehicle and conductively connected via switch devices to a primary battery and a cranking device of the vehicle. The control system is configured to control the switch devices to close a conductive path to discharge electric current from the SESS for powering the cranking device to rotate an engine shaft during a cranking operation. The control system is configured to control the switch devices to open the conductive path and prevent discharge of electric current from the SESS after the cranking operation is complete.

Abstract: A system for testing a ground fault detection system in an electric circuit establishes a ground connection between a bus and the ground via an inverter and a load by closing an inverter switch of the inverter and a grounding switch disposed between the load and the ground, determines whether the ground connection is detected, and determines a fault in the ground fault detection system responsive to the first ground connection not being detected by the ground fault detection system. Optionally, a ground fault may be identified by determining three phase voltages provided from each of plural inverters, determining symmetrical components of the three phase voltages for each of the inverters, and identifying a ground fault in one or more of the inverters while powered by the power supply based on the symmetrical components.

Abstract: A bus assembly is provided having a bus bar with first and second conductive layers extending along an insulator sheet interposed between the first and second conductive layers. The first and second conductive layers are partially aligned with respect to each other to form a first overlap region of the insulator sheet. The bus assembly includes a first set of arms having a set of diodes and a second set of arms having a set of switches. The bust bar includes a plurality of bus links coupling the plurality of arms to the bus bar forming a plurality of inverters. Each of bus links include a respective first bracket and a respective second bracket aligned with each other forming a second overlap region of the insulator sheet. The first bracket is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer and the second bracket is electrically coupled to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A system for providing mechanical and electrical power in a vehicle or other engine-driven platform includes a first engine having a first power rating and a second engine having a second power rating that is less than the first power rating. The system further includes a first generator (for example, an alternator) for generating electrical power for a load operation (such as vehicle propulsion), and a second generator (for example, a DFIG) for generating fixed frequency electrical power; both generators are operatively connected to and powered by the first and/or second engines. The first and/or second engines may be selected to power the first generator for generating power for vehicle propulsion or another load operation depending upon situational power requirements of the engine-driven platform.

Abstract: A bus assembly is provided having a bus bar with first and second conductive layers extending along an insulator sheet interposed between the first and second conductive layers. The first and second conductive layers are partially aligned with respect to each other to form a first overlap region of the insulator sheet. The bus assembly includes a first set of arms having a set of diodes and a second set of arms having a set of switches. The bust bar includes a plurality of bus links coupling the plurality of arms to the bus bar forming a plurality of inverters. Each of bus links include a respective first bracket and a respective second bracket aligned with each other forming a second overlap region of the insulator sheet. The first bracket is electrically coupled to the first conductive layer and the second bracket is electrically coupled to the second conductive layer.

Abstract: A system for testing a ground fault detection system in an electric circuit establishes a ground connection between a bus and the ground via an inverter and a load by closing an inverter switch of the inverter and a grounding switch disposed between the load and the ground, determines whether the ground connection is detected, and determines a fault in the ground fault detection system responsive to the first ground connection not being detected by the ground fault detection system. Optionally, a ground fault may be identified by determining three phase voltages provided from each of plural inverters, determining symmetrical components of the three phase voltages for each of the inverters, and identifying a ground fault in one or more of the inverters while powered by the power supply based on the symmetrical components.

Abstract: A system for testing a ground fault detection system in an electric circuit establishes a ground connection between a bus and the ground via an inverter and a load by closing an inverter switch of the inverter and a grounding switch disposed between the load and the ground, determines whether the ground connection is detected, and determines a fault in the ground fault detection system responsive to the first ground connection not being detected by the ground fault detection system. Optionally, a ground fault may be identified by determining three phase voltages provided from each of plural inverters, determining symmetrical components of the three phase voltages for each of the inverters, and identifying a ground fault in one or more of the inverters while powered by the power supply based on the symmetrical components.

Abstract: A system for providing mechanical and electrical power in a vehicle or other engine-driven platform includes a first engine having a first power rating and a second engine having a second power rating that is less than the first power rating. The system further includes a first generator (for example, an alternator) for generating electrical power for a load operation (such as vehicle propulsion), and a second generator (for example, a DFIG) for generating fixed frequency electrical power; both generators are operatively connected to and powered by the first and/or second engines. The first and/or second engines may be selected to power the first generator for generating power for vehicle propulsion or another load operation depending upon situational power requirements of the engine-driven platform.

Abstract: A system for testing a ground fault detection system in an electric circuit establishes a ground connection between a bus and the ground via an inverter and a load by closing an inverter switch of the inverter and a grounding switch disposed between the load and the ground, determines whether the ground connection is detected, and determines a fault in the ground fault detection system responsive to the first ground connection not being detected by the ground fault detection system. Optionally, a ground fault may be identified by determining three phase voltages provided from each of plural inverters, determining symmetrical components of the three phase voltages for each of the inverters, and identifying a ground fault in one or more of the inverters while powered by the power supply based on the symmetrical components.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple inverter-driven loads includes a controller that is configured to be coupled with an inverter that receives direct current and converts the direct current into an alternating current in order to supply the alternating current to plural loads that are connected to the inverter by plural respective contactors. The controller also is configured to control operations of the inverter and of the contactors in order to individually control which of the loads remain connected to and powered by the inverter and which of the loads are disconnected from the inverter.

Abstract: A control method includes monitoring changes in torque produced by a traction motor when an excitation frequency of current supplied to the traction motor changes, determining if the torque produced by the traction motor decreases when the excitation frequency of the current supplied to the traction motor increases, and responsive to the torque produced by the traction motor decreasing when the excitation frequency increases, preventing the excitation frequency of the current supplied to the traction motor from increasing further.

Abstract: A control method comprises determining wheel creep of a wheel operably coupled to a traction motor and limiting a rate of change of an excitation frequency applied to the traction motor to drive the wheel, based on the determined wheel creep. According to one aspect, the rate of change of the excitation frequency is limited if the wheel creep exceeds a wheel creep threshold.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple inverter-driven loads includes a controller that is configured to be coupled with an inverter that receives direct current and converts the direct current into an alternating current in order to supply the alternating current to plural loads that are connected to the inverter by plural respective contactors. The controller also is configured to control operations of the inverter and of the contactors in order to individually control which of the loads remain connected to and powered by the inverter and which of the loads are disconnected from the inverter.

Abstract: A control method includes monitoring changes in torque produced by a traction motor when an excitation frequency of current supplied to the traction motor changes, determining if the torque produced by the traction motor decreases when the excitation frequency of the current supplied to the traction motor increases, and responsive to the torque produced by the traction motor decreasing when the excitation frequency increases, preventing the excitation frequency of the current supplied to the traction motor from increasing further.

Abstract: Power system and method for providing electrical power are provided. The system includes a traction system and auxiliary equipment coupled to a power bus. The traction system includes one or more electromotive machines having a first type of stator winding that provides protection relative to voltage spikes expected at the traction stator under a first voltage level appropriate for the traction system. The auxiliary equipment includes one or more electromotive machines having a second type of stator winding that provides protection relative to spikes expected at the auxiliary stator under a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level. Inverter circuitry is coupled to drive the auxiliary equipment, and signal-conditioning circuitry is provided to attenuate voltage spikes produced by the inverter circuitry. The power bus is operated at the first voltage level, and the voltage spike attenuation is sufficient to protect the auxiliary stator.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling a propulsion system of a vessel including an engine and a propeller. In one embodiment, the method comprises independently adjusting each of an engine setting and a propeller setting responsive to real-time vessel operating data.

Abstract: Power system and method for providing electrical power are provided. The system includes a traction system and auxiliary equipment coupled to a power bus. The traction system includes one or more electromotive machines having a first type of stator winding that provides protection relative to voltage spikes expected at the traction stator under a first voltage level appropriate for the traction system. The auxiliary equipment includes one or more electromotive machines having a second type of stator winding that provides protection relative to spikes expected at the auxiliary stator under a second voltage level lower than the first voltage level. Inverter circuitry is coupled to drive the auxiliary equipment, and signal-conditioning circuitry is provided to attenuate voltage spikes produced by the inverter circuitry. The power bus is operated at the first voltage level, and the voltage spike attenuation is sufficient to protect the auxiliary stator.

Abstract: In a locomotive having at least one electrical load connected to at least one power source via a locomotive power carrying bus, a system for ensuring a current connection between the at least one power source and the at least one electrical load is provided. The system includes a first rectification device, wherein the first rectification device is connected between the at least one electrical load and the locomotive power carrying bus to provide a rectified current connection between a first power source and the at least one electrical load.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a power output of an auxiliary alternator of a diesel powered system having at least one diesel-fueled power generating unit, the alternator powering at least one dynamoelectric device of the diesel powered system. The system includes an alternator coupled to the diesel-fueled power generating unit having a wound rotor for supplying electrical power to at least one dynamoelectric device of the diesel powered system. The system also includes a controller for determining a desired operating frequency of the dynamoelectric device and providing a control signal for producing the desired operating frequency. The system further includes a regulator for providing a rotor control output responsive to the control signal to control an electrical condition of the rotor for adjusting the electrical power supplied to the dynamoelectric device effective to produce the desired operating frequency.