Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of an alternating current induction motor having windings supplied by electrical power from the polyphase alternating current source includes a load commutated inverter circuit which is connected between the power source and the induction motor for furnishing electrical power to the motor. Controllers responsive to a command signal and a feedback signal indicative of motor operating parameters control the operation of said load commutated inverter circuit. There is further provided a fixed capacitor circuit connected between the windings of the motor for supplying reactive volt amperes (VARs) to said load commutated inverter circuit and said motor.

Abstract: A load commutated inverter synchronous motor drive system wherein a thyristor firing control of the inverter is determined by the amplitude of pesudo flux waveforms which are derived from the integral of the line voltages coupling the inverter to the motor being driven. A firing strategy is provided based on the premise that optimum thyristor firing in a load commutated inverter operating at a leading power factor occurs at a point just below the peak of the forthcoming pseudo flux waveform which point comprises an amount of volt-seconds necessary to effect current commutation plus a nominal safety margin. The determination and control is implemented, preferably, in a software phase lock loop but can, when desirable, be implemented in hardware.

Abstract: A control system for a load commutated inverter AC synchronous motor drive provides an operational shift in the event of an increase in motor terminal voltage V.sub.TERM above a preselected reference level. Under such an increase in terminal voltage, control is transferred from a condition where torque is controlled by current and the terminal voltage is uncontrolled to a condition where the load current, e.g., the DC link current I.sub.L flowing between a source side thyristor converter (AC to DC) 12 and a load side thyristor inverter (DC to AC) 14 is utilized to control the motor terminal voltage while the firing angle of the thyristor inverter 14 is used to control the motor torque. This involves increasing the minimum load or motor drive current for a desired torque while adjusting the inverter firing angle from a previous value, so that the desired torque is provided at a higher current I.sub.L and lower terminal voltage V.sub.TERM than before.

Abstract: The load side converter or inverter in a load commutated inverter motor drive, including a source side AC to DC converter coupled to a DC to AC converter via a DC link circuit, is adapted to have at least three and preferably four modes of operation for bringing an AC motor load, and more particularly a synchronous motor, up to speed. In the preferred embodiment, the first mode constitutes an idle mode wherein the converter thyristors are maintained in a non-conducting state until commanded for normal operation. The second mode constitutes an initial start-up mode which assumes no knowledge of initial rotor position of the motor and simply utilizes a fixed low frequency firing signal to sequentially gate the thyristors using forced commutation to commutate the off-going thyristor.

Abstract: A current limiter for a load commutated inverter-synchronous motor drive including a source side AC to DC converter (12) and a load side DC to AC converter (14) coupled via a DC link circuit including an inductor (16) wherein a torque reference signal (TORQUE REF) generated for controlling both the converters is limited in response to the peak value .psi..sub.MAX of the pseudo flux waveform (.psi..sub.ab, .psi..sub.bc, .psi..sub.ca) which is derived from the integral (.intg.) of the motor terminal voltage (v.sub.ab, v.sub.bc, v.sub.ca) in order to limit the motor stator current I.sub.s to a value corresponding to the region of peak output torque T.sub.MAX obtainable for the motor field current I.sub.f applied. Control of both the source side converter (12) and the load side converter (14) by the torque reference signal operates to control the magnitude of the current I.sub.L in a DC link circuit which corresponds to the motor stator current I.sub.

Abstract: A control system for powering an AC load such as a polyphase synchronous motor having at least two sets of three phase (3.phi.) windings. Each three phase winding set is powered by an independently operable six pulse load commutated inverter drive including a source side converter and a load side converter coupled together by means of a DC link and wherein the source side converter and the load side converter are operated in accordance with respective current and load angle regulators which respond to torque command signals generated by speed regulators.