Abstract: A system may include an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator configured to convert torque from a shaft to an AC power signal. The ISVF generator may have one or more pole pairs with an equivalent shaft frequency equaling a shaft frequency multiplied by the number of pole pairs. A generator control unit may set a generator output frequency of the ISVF generator equal to a lower frequency limit of an AC bus when the equivalent shaft frequency is less than the lower frequency limit, set the generator output frequency of the ISVF generator equal to an upper frequency limit of the AC bus when the equivalent shaft frequency is greater than the upper frequency limit, and set the generator output frequency of the ISVF generator equal to the equivalent shaft frequency when the equivalent shaft frequency is between the lower frequency limit and the upper frequency limit.

Abstract: A system may include an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator and an excitation source configured to provide an excitation signal to rotor field windings of the ISVF generator to produce a rotating magnetic flux that is independent of a shaft speed of the ISVF generator. The system may include a bus configured to receive an output voltage of the ISVF generator. A generator control unit may be configured to generate a first excitation voltage reference component based on a shaft frequency of the ISVF generator, generate a second excitation voltage reference component based on a difference between a reference voltage and a measured output voltage of the ISVF generator, and generate an excitation voltage control signal based on a combination of the first excitation voltage reference component and the second excitation voltage reference component, the excitation voltage control signal usable to control a voltage magnitude of the excitation signal.

Abstract: A synchronous machine (100) has a frame (110), a shaft (115), a main section (120), and an exciter section (125). The main section (120) has a stator winding (130) which is mounted on the frame, and a rotor winding (135) which is mounted on the shaft. The exciter section has a transformer (140) and a rectifier (145). The transformer has a primary winding (140A) mounted on the frame and a secondary winding (140B) mounted on the shaft. The rectifier is mounted on the shaft and rectifies an output of the secondary winding to provide a rectified output to the rotor. A control unit (170) provides a high-frequency control signal to the primary winding. This signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, rectified, and then applied to the rotor to control the operation of the synchronous machine.

Abstract: A hybrid electric propulsion system may include an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator coupled to an alternating current (AC) bus via a first switch. The system may further include a variable frequency independent speed (VFIS) motor coupled to the AC bus via a second switch, the system omitting circuitry to perform a full-power rated power conversion between the ISVF generator and the VFIS motor. The system may also include an alternating current direct current (AC/DC) converter coupled to the AC bus via a third switch. The system may include a battery coupled to the AC/DC converter.

Abstract: A power conditioning unit includes unit a rectifier having an input terminal coupled to a power transfer unit output terminal and a regulator having an input terminal coupled to an output terminal of the rectifier. The power conditioning unit also includes an energy buffer coupled to an output terminal of the regulator. The power conditioning unit includes an inverter having an input terminal coupled to the energy buffer and having an output terminal configured to couple to a load.

Abstract: A method may include transmitting an excitation signal from a stator of a motor to a rotor of the motor, where the excitation signal is received at a set of rotor windings, and where the excitation signal produces a rotating magnetic flux at the rotor that generates a first alternating current (AC) voltage at a set of stator windings. The method may further include controlling the excitation signal to equalize and synchronize the first AC voltage to a second AC voltage at an AC bus. After the synchronization, the method may also include electrically connecting the set of stator windings to the AC bus. The method may include reducing an amplitude of the excitation signal to enable current flow from the AC bus to the set of stator windings, thereby generating torque that results in rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for compensating microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes for quality factor variations are described. Quality factor variations arise when mechanical losses are introduced in the gyroscope's resonator, for example due to thermoelastic damping or squeeze-film damping, which may hinder the gyroscope's ability to accurately sense angular velocity. Quality factor compensation may be performed by generating a compensation signal having a time decay rate that depends on the quality factor of resonator. In this way, artifacts that may otherwise arise in gyroscope's output are limited. Additionally, or alternatively, quality factor compensation may be performed by controlling the force with which the gyroscope's resonator is driven. This may be achieved, for example, by controlling the average value of the drive signal.

Abstract: An electric motor apparatus may include a rotor and a stator. The apparatus may include a main field motor stage having a set of stator armature windings positioned on the stator and a set of main field windings positioned on the rotor, where the set of stator armature windings is configured to receive a main multiphase power signal from an alternating current power bus having a first current that causes a first rotating magnetic flux that rotates relative to the stator, where the set of main field windings is configured to receive a secondary multiphase power signal having a second current that causes a second rotating magnetic flux that rotates relative to the rotor, and where a combination of the first rotating magnetic flux and the second rotating magnetic flux causes the rotor to turn at a predetermined reference frequency.

Abstract: Described is an independent speed variable frequency generator system that may include a rotor and a stator. The system may further include a pilot generator stage including a magnetic field source positioned on the rotor and a set of pilot multiphase windings positioned on the stator. The system may also include a high frequency transformer stage including a first set of high frequency transformer multiphase windings positioned on the stator and a second set of high frequency transformer multiphase windings positioned on the rotor. The system may also include a main machine stage including a set of main field multiphase windings positioned on the rotor and a set of main armature multiphase windings positioned on the stator, where the second set of high frequency transformer multiphase windings are coupled directly to the set of main field multiphase windings. The system may include a generator control unit.

Abstract: An electric motor apparatus may include a rotor and a stator. The apparatus may include a main field motor stage having a set of stator armature windings positioned on the stator and a set of main field windings positioned on the rotor, where the set of stator armature windings is configured to receive a main multiphase power signal from an alternating current power bus having a first current that causes a first rotating magnetic flux that rotates relative to the stator, where the set of main field windings is configured to receive a secondary multiphase power signal having a second current that causes a second rotating magnetic flux that rotates relative to the rotor, and where a combination of the first rotating magnetic flux and the second rotating magnetic flux causes the rotor to turn at a predetermined reference frequency.

Abstract: Described is an independent speed variable frequency generator system that may include a rotor and a stator. The system may further include a pilot generator stage including a magnetic field source positioned on the rotor and a set of pilot multiphase windings positioned on the stator. The system may also include a high frequency transformer stage including a first set of high frequency transformer multiphase windings positioned on the stator and a second set of high frequency transformer multiphase windings positioned on the rotor. The system may also include a main machine stage including a set of main field multiphase windings positioned on the rotor and a set of main armature multiphase windings positioned on the stator, where the second set of high frequency transformer multiphase windings are coupled directly to the set of main field multiphase windings. The system may include a generator control unit.

Abstract: A current balancing system, and associated method and computer-readable medium are disclosed herein. The current balancing system comprises a plurality of power inverters, each power inverter included within a respective current loop and configured to generate a corresponding current amount. The current balancing system further comprises a plurality of inverter controllers, each inverter controller associated with a respective one of the plurality of power inverters and configured to receive a reference frame-transformed amount of the corresponding current amount. Each inverter controller is capable of independently controlling the corresponding current amount provided to a load.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) power distribution system may include an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator configured to generate an AC power signal having a frequency that is independent from a frequency of a prime mover. The system may also include at least one AC load configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion. In another embodiment, an AC power distribution system includes a generator configured to generate an AC power signal and an AC motor configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion, where the AC motor is configured to rotate at a rotational frequency that is independent from a frequency of the AC power signal.

Abstract: An independent speed variable frequency alternating current (AC) generator apparatus may include a rotor and a stator, the rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator. The apparatus may further include a magnetic field source attached to the rotor and configured to generate a first rotating magnetic field upon rotation of the rotor, where a rotational frequency of the first rotating magnetic field is dependent on a rotational frequency of the rotor. The apparatus may also include a main rotor winding attached to the rotor and configured to generate a second rotating magnetic field upon the rotation of the rotor, where a rotational frequency of the second rotating magnetic field is independent of the rotational frequency of the rotor.

Abstract: A system may include a first bus transfer switch configured to open and close connections between a generator control unit, a pilot permanent magnet generator stage of an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator, and an external power source. The system may further include an inverter configured to set a main field winding of the ISVF generator into a motor state. The system may also include a second bus transfer switch configured to open and close a connection between a main armature winding of the ISVF generator, a power distribution bus, and a motor start driver configured to send a current through the main armature winding to generate a magnetic field pattern that causes the rotor to turn, enabling startup of an engine.

Abstract: A main field circuit of an electrical generator and associated system and method are disclosed. The main field circuit comprises a main field winding configured to conduct a main field current, and a counter-field winding arranged proximate to the main field winding. The main field circuit further comprises a switch element configured to selectively couple at least a portion of the main field current into the counter-field winding to reduce a magnitude of the main field current. Coupling at least a portion of the main field current into the counter-field winding may be performed responsive to one or predefined conditions, such as a predefined load fault condition and enabling a predefined field weakening operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling power distribution from a plurality of inverters to one or more loads. The method comprises determining, using one or more computer processors, a plurality of possible combinations of the plurality of inverters to meet load demands corresponding to the one or more loads. Each possible combination of the plurality of possible combinations includes a respective set of one or more inverters of the plurality of inverters. The method further comprises accessing, from a memory coupled with the one or more computer processors, one or more predefined efficiency functions associated with the one or more inverters; selecting, based on the one or more predefined efficiency functions, a combination from the plurality of possible combinations; and transmitting control signals to the set of one or more inverters corresponding to the selected combination to thereby power the one or more loads.

Abstract: A system may include a first bus transfer switch configured to open and close connections between a generator control unit, a pilot permanent magnet generator stage of an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator, and an external power source. The system may further include an inverter configured to set a main field winding of the ISVF generator into a motor state. The system may also include a second bus transfer switch configured to open and close a connection between a main armature winding of the ISVF generator, a power distribution bus, and a motor start driver configured to send a current through the main armature winding to generate a magnetic field pattern that causes the rotor to turn, enabling startup of an engine.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for compensating microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes for quality factor variations are described. Quality factor variations arise when mechanical losses are introduced in the gyroscope's resonator, for example due to thermoelastic damping or squeeze-film damping, which may hinder the gyroscope's ability to accurately sense angular velocity. Quality factor compensation may be performed by generating a compensation signal having a time decay rate that depends on the quality factor of resonator. In this way, artifacts that may otherwise arise in gyroscope's output are limited. Additionally, or alternatively, quality factor compensation may be performed by controlling the force with which the gyroscope's resonator is driven. This may be achieved, for example, by controlling the average value of the drive signal.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) power distribution system may include an independent speed variable frequency (ISVF) generator configured to generate an AC power signal having a frequency that is independent from a frequency of a prime mover. The system may also include at least one AC load configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion. In another embodiment, an AC power distribution system includes a generator configured to generate an AC power signal and an AC motor configured to receive the AC power signal without performing a full-distribution-power-rated power conversion, where the AC motor is configured to rotate at a rotational frequency that is independent from a frequency of the AC power signal.