Abstract: A detection circuit including a converter configured to convert a multiphase alternating current (AC) input into a direct current (DC) output, a plurality of sensing diodes, each sensing diode being separately electrically connected to one phase of the multiphase AC input, at least one node arranged downstream from the plurality of sensing diodes relative to the multiphase AC input, a power source configured to output a power source voltage to the at least one node and plurality of sensing diodes, and a mask time generator configured to determine a node voltage at the at least one node and determine whether the node voltage persists for a predetermined mask time period.

Abstract: A detection circuit including a converter configured to convert a multiphase alternating current (AC) input into a direct current (DC) output, a plurality of sensing diodes, each sensing diode being separately electrically connected to one phase of the multiphase AC input, at least one node arranged downstream from the plurality of sensing diodes relative to the multiphase AC input, a power source configured to output a power source voltage to the at least one node and plurality of sensing diodes, and a mask time generator configured to determine a node voltage at the at least one node and determine whether the node voltage persists for a predetermined mask time period.

Abstract: A system for the detection of welded contacts in a circuit of a line converter system has a plurality of inverter switches, a plurality of utility switches in which a pair of utility switches is connected in series through a line to a utility, a voltage detector, an electronic controller, and a DC input source. The line converter system converts incoming DC power into AC output power that is delivered to the utility grid. The voltage detector measures the voltage across a first node and a second node of the circuit and provides an output that is interpreted by an electronic controller for each step performed during a method of detection of welded contacts. The detection method has a sequence of test steps in which at least one switch is opened and/or closed, a DC bus of the inverter or the utility grid is used as a stimulus voltage, and the voltage is measured.

Abstract: A current sensor is provided for measuring DC current in a primary conductor also carrying AC current. The current sensor includes a ferromagnetic core through which the primary conductor may extend. The core has a narrow air gap formed therein and a magnetic flux sensor is disposed in the air gap. A secondary winding is mounted to the core and has an impedance connected therein. The impedance has a value of substantially zero at one or more frequencies of the AC current. The impedance may be a short or an impedance source that includes a capacitor and an inductor.

Abstract: A full-bridge, NPC inverter uses pulse width modulation (PWM) to convert the DC voltage from a solar panel array to an AC voltage at the output of the inverter that is acceptable for connection to a utility. The PWM control unit has a predetermined carrier frequency. The carrier unit uses for each carrier period either positive or negative values of a reference voltage to generate a predetermined number of signals to control the switching on and off of each of the eight inverter switching elements in a predetermined pattern for a predetermined period of the carrier frequency period to thereby produce the acceptable alternating current voltage at the inverter output and not produce between the inverter input and earth ground a carrier frequency component.

Abstract: A system for the detection of welded contacts in a circuit of a line converter system has a plurality of inverter switches, a plurality of utility switches in which a pair of utility switches is connected in series through a line to a utility, a voltage detector, an electronic controller, and a DC input source. The line converter system converts incoming DC power into AC output power that is delivered to the utility grid. The voltage detector measures the voltage across a first node and a second node of the circuit and provides an output that is interpreted by an electronic controller for each step performed during a method of detection of welded contacts. The detection method has a sequence of test steps in which at least one switch is opened and/or closed, a DC bus of the inverter or the utility grid is used as a stimulus voltage, and the voltage is measured.

Abstract: A voltage converter includes a transformer with a pair of primary coils and a secondary coil. The converter has a DC input and a capacitor bank, having a pair of capacitors, is connected across the DC input. A switch is associated with each primary coil. A gate drive feedback module outputs a pulse width modulated signal to drive either the first or second primary coil. A gate drive switch has as an input the pulse width modulated signal and outputs to the first second switch. A pulse steering logic module determines which of the first or second capacitors has a higher voltage and controls the gate drive switch to direct the pulse width modulated signal in response thereto.

Abstract: A motor bypass is controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP) with embedded control software that allows fault detection and annunciation, serial communications between both a variable frequency drive (VFD) and a bypass controller and the bypass controller and a host computer. The use of the DSP and embedded control software further allows for contactor coil control to provide fault tolerant operation as well as fault condition detection and annunciation to the user.

Abstract: A motor bypass is controlled by a digital signal processor (DSP) with embedded control software that allows fault detection and annunciation, serial communications between both a variable frequency drive (VFD) and a bypass controller and the bypass controller and a host computer. The use of the DSP and embedded control software further allows for contactor coil control to provide fault tolerant operation as well as fault condition detection and annunciation to the user.

Abstract: Non-linear inductor(s) are used to reduce the percent total harmonic distortion of the harmonics in the line currents in the input side rectifier system of an ac drive system. Several constructions for the non-linear inductor(s) are described. The non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from E and I laminations. The gap depends on the construction of the middle leg of the E laminations and may have a step with a constant spacing or a variable spacing which depends on the stacking of the laminations. Alternatively the non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from a toriodal core that either has a step gap or a variable type gap.

Abstract: Non-linear inductor(s) are used to reduce the percent total harmonic distortion of the harmonics in the line currents in the input side rectifier system of an ac drive system. Several constructions for the non-linear inductor(s) are described. The non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from E and I laminations. The gap depends on the construction of the middle leg of the E laminations and may have a step with a constant spacing or a variable spacing which depends on the stacking of the laminations. Alternatively the non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from a toriodal core that either has a step gap or a variable type gap.

Abstract: Non-linear inductor(s) are used to reduce the percent total harmonic distortion of the harmonics in the line currents in the input side rectifier system of an ac drive system. Several constructions for the non-linear inductor(s) are described. The non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from E and I laminations. The gap depends on the construction of the middle leg of the E laminations and may have a step with a constant spacing or a variable spacing which depends on the stacking of the laminations. Alternatively the non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from a toriodal core that either has a step gap or a variable type gap.

Abstract: The direct torque control (DTC) principle is used to control the torque of a wound ring rotor slip induction machine, also known as a doubly fed or cascade machine, by utilizing a solid state inverter on the rotor side. In addition, the DTC principle is used to control the power factor at the stator terminals of the doubly fed machine to a desired level and also to perform the task of synchronization of stator voltage to the grid voltage. An integrated controller is used to implement these three functions.

Abstract: Non-linear inductor(s) are used to reduce the percent total harmonic distortion of the harmonics in the line currents in the input side rectifier system of an ac drive system. Several constructions for the non-linear inductor(s) are described. The non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from E and I laminations. The gap depends on the construction of the middle leg of the E laminations and may have a step with a constant spacing or a variable spacing which depends on the stacking of the laminations. Alternatively the non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from a toriodal core that either has a step gap or a variable type gap.

Abstract: Non-linear inductor(s) are used to reduce the percent total harmonic distortion of the harmonics in the line currents in the input side rectifier system of an ac drive system. Several constructions for the non-linear inductor(s) are described. The non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from E and I laminations. The gap depends on the construction of the middle leg of the E laminations and may have a step with a constant spacing or a variable spacing which depends on the stacking of the laminations. Alternatively the non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from a toriodal core that either has a step gap or a variable type gap.

Abstract: Non-linear inductor(s) are used to reduce the percent total harmonic distortion of the harmonics in the line currents in the input side rectifier system of an ac drive system. Several constructions for the non-linear inductor(s) are described. The non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from E and I laminations. The gap depends on the construction of the middle leg of the E laminations and may have a step with a constant spacing or a variable spacing which depends on the stacking of the laminations. Alternatively the non-linear inductor(s) may be constructed from a toriodal core that either has a step gap or a variable type gap.

Abstract: The direct torque control (DTC) principle is used to control the torque of a wound ring rotor slip induction machine, also known as a doubly fed or cascade machine, by utilizing a solid state inverter on the rotor side. In addition, the DTC principle is used to control the power factor at the stator terminals of the doubly fed machine to a desired level and also to perform the task of synchronization of stator voltage to the grid voltage. An integrated controller is used to implement these three functions.

Abstract: The direct torque control (DTC) principle is used to control the torque of a wound ring rotor slip induction machine, also known as a doubly fed or cascade machine, by utilizing a solid state inverter on the rotor side. In addition, the DTC principle is used to control the power factor at the stator terminals of the doubly fed machine to a desired level and also to perform the task of synchronization of stator voltage to the grid voltage. An integrated controller is used to implement these three functions.

Abstract: A method for minimizing torque ripple in a permanent magnet brushless DC motor includes the steps of energizing a first winding of the motor to generate a first current, energizing a second winding of the motor to generate a second current, and overlapping the first and second currents in time by a preselected time to reduce torque ripple. The structure for performing the method includes conventional brushless DC motor drive circuitry responsive to a motor rotor position signal, and a speed control signal, to sequentially generate a gate drive signal for driving a respective semiconductor switch to energize each winding of the motor. The structure further includes a phase overlapping circuit interposed between the conventional brushless DC motor control circuitry output and the semiconductor switches used to energize each winding of the motor. The phase current overlap circuit includes a monostable multi-vibrator for generating a "one-shot.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in diagnosing an evaporative emission canister collection and purge system. An EVAP system of a vehicle is diagnosed through the use of a mechanism wherein a change in conductivity occurs in response to a change in concentration of fuel vapor in the variably conductive mechanism. By sensing the change in conductivity, a diagnostic mechanism determines whether the vapor collection and purge systems are operating correctly.