Abstract: A temperature control system (300) for a variable frequency drive (10, 100) includes a sealed enclosure (310), a power electronic component (330) and/or a power magnetic component (320) positioned inside the sealed enclosure (310), and a controller (400) configured to control a temperature of the power electronic component (330) and/or the power magnetic component (320) relative to an internal air temperature (Tair) inside the sealed enclosure (310) prior to an electrical energy application and operation of the power electronic component (320) and/or power magnetic component (320) to prevent condensation induced electrical failure of the power electronic component (330) and/or power magnetic component (320) utilizing a cooling system (340) and/or a heating system (350).

Abstract: A temperature control system (300) for a variable frequency drive (10, 100) includes a sealed enclosure (310), a power electronic component (330) and/or a power magnetic component (320) positioned inside the sealed enclosure (310), and a controller (400) configured to control a temperature of the power electronic component (330) and/or the power magnetic component (320) relative to an internal air temperature (Tair) inside the sealed enclosure (310) prior to an electrical energy application and operation of the power electronic component (320) and/or power magnetic component (320) to prevent condensation induced electrical failure of the power electronic component (330) and/or power magnetic component (320) utilizing a cooling system (340) and/or a heating system (350).

Abstract: A system for cooling a multi-cell power supply, the system including a water pump, a water-to-air heat exchanger in fluid communication with the water pump, and a supply water manifold in fluid connection with the water-to-air-heat exchanger. The system further includes a plurality of power cells in fluid communication with the supply water manifold via one or more water hoses, and a multi-winding device in fluid communication with the plurality of power cells via at least one water-cooled bus, wherein the at least one water cooled bus electrically connects the power cells to secondary windings of the multi-winding device. The water-cooled buses provide both electrical current as well as cooling fluid to each winding of the multi-winding device, thereby eliminating a need for separate cooling and power connections.

Abstract: A method for designing a transformer using three secondary winding phase shift angles and a minimized core cross-sections. The method includes receiving an indication of an acceptable level of total harmonic distortion (THD) for the transformer, identifying a desired number of secondary windings per output phase of the transformer, simulating performance of various models for the transformer various potential phase shift angles, wherein each of the various models includes a set of phase shift angles for the secondary windings of the transformer. The method further includes identifying, based on the simulation, a transformer model that both has no more than three unique phase shift angles in the set and exhibits a primary side THD that is within the acceptable level, identifying an optimized core cross-sections, and reporting the identified transformer model having the three unique phase shift angle and the optimized core cross-sections.

Abstract: A three-phase, multi-winding includes a core, the core including a hub and an outer shell around a perimeter of the hub. wherein the hub and the outer shell are in a fixed position with respect to each other. The core also includes multiple slots. In addition to the core, the multi-winding device includes a primary winding positioned in at least two of the slots; and multiple spatially distributed secondary windings, wherein at least one of the secondary windings is positioned proximate the primary winding in at least one of the two slots.

Abstract: A power delivery system includes a group of removable power cells. Each power cell includes a water cooled heat sink, an air intake, and an air output. The system also includes a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger draws air from the cells, cools it, and recirculates the cooled air to the cells via each cell's air intake. The cell may be designed so that components that are not near the heat sink are cooled by air from the intake before that air reaches the heat sink.

Abstract: A power cell system includes a structure that provides multiple power cell locations. The system also includes at least one regenerative power cell, and at least one non-regenerative power cell. The cell locations and power cells are sized and positioned so that each cell location may interchangeably accept either a regenerative power cell or a non-regenerative power cell.

Abstract: A method of operating a power delivery system that has at least one power cell includes directing air into the power cells to cool them, receiving the air from the cells, directing the air to a cooling system, and recirculating the cooled air to the power cells. Each cell may include an air intake, an air output, a water-cooled heat sink, and optionally a plurality of capacitor connectors and/or a circuit board. The air may be directed through the air intake to the air output so that air passes over the capacitor connectors and/or the circuit board before passing over the heat sink.

Abstract: A power cell system includes a structure that provides multiple power cell locations. The system also includes at least one regenerative power cell, and at least one non-regenerative power cell. The cell locations and power cells are sized and positioned so that each cell location may interchangeably accept either a regenerative power cell or a non-regenerative power cell.

Abstract: A power cell system includes a structure that provides multiple power cell locations. The system also includes at least one regenerative power cell, and at least one non-regenerative power cell. The cell locations and power cells are sized and positioned so that each cell location may interchangeably accept either a regenerative power cell or a non-regenerative power cell.

Abstract: A method for designing a transformer using three secondary winding phase shift angles and a minimized core cross-sections. The method includes receiving an indication of an acceptable level of total harmonic distortion (THD) for the transformer, identifying a desired number of secondary windings per output phase of the transformer, simulating performance of various models for the transformer various potential phase shift angles, wherein each of the various models includes a set of phase shift angles for the secondary windings of the transformer. The method further includes identifying, based on the simulation, a transformer model that both has no more than three unique phase shift angles in the set and exhibits a primary side THD that is within the acceptable level, identifying an optimized core cross-sections, and reporting the identified transformer model having the three unique phase shift angle and the optimized core cross-sections.

Abstract: A system for optically detecting an electrical arc in a power supply. The system includes a light pipe, a photodetector optically coupled to the light pipe, and a signal processor connected to the photodetector.

Abstract: A three-phase, multi-winding includes a core, the core including a hub and an outer shell around a perimeter of the hub. wherein the hub and the outer shell are in a fixed position with respect to each other. The core also includes multiple slots. In addition to the core, the multi-winding device includes a primary winding positioned in at least two of the slots; and multiple spatially distributed secondary windings, wherein at least one of the secondary windings is positioned proximate the primary winding in at least one of the two slots.

Abstract: A system for cooling a multi-cell power supply, the system including a water pump, a water-to-air heat exchanger in fluid communication with the water pump, and a supply water manifold in fluid connection with the water-to-air-heat exchanger. The system further includes a plurality of power cells in fluid communication with the supply water manifold via one or more water hoses, and a multi-winding device in fluid communication with the plurality of power cells via at least one water-cooled bus, wherein the at least one water cooled bus electrically connects the power cells to secondary windings of the multi-winding device. The water-cooled buses provide both electrical current as well as cooling fluid to each winding of the multi-winding device, thereby eliminating a need for separate cooling and power connections.

Abstract: A system for optically detecting an electrical arc in a power supply. The system includes a light pipe, a photodetector optically coupled to the light pipe, and a signal processor connected to the photodetector.

Abstract: A variable frequency drive including a plurality of power cells that are configured as three phases of series-connected cells to deliver power to a load. The drive is operated to increase the output voltage of each power cell using overmodulation.

Abstract: An improvement in a power drive is disclosed that allows four quadrant operation with reduced harmonics. The power drive has a multiphase, non phase shifted transformer with a single common input connected inductive reactance. Multiple series connected power cells are utilized, each configured for four quadrant operation and having a multiphase input and a single phase output, each controllable to reduce harmonics in both the input source line and the output line. Each power cell includes a three phase input converter, a smoothing filter, and a single phase output converter. A method for operating the power drive includes the steps of selectively controlling switching events at the input and output of each power cell such that switching events in respective power cells are spaced apart in time thereby reducing harmonic components. The method can be implemented using pulse width modulation control based upon interdigitated carrier signals which control the input and output of each power cell.

Abstract: An adjustable frequency multiphase power supply providing low harmonics to the line and load. The power supply having a plurality of power cells in each phase output thereof, each cell having an input side, and an output side. The input side is capable of converting single-phase AC into DC and for converting DC into AC to said source. The output side is capable of converting DC into a controlled AC output and for converting AC from said load to feed said DC bus. The respective outputs and respective inputs of the cells are series connected. Each cell can have a single-phase transformer connected either to the input side or the output side. The output side of each cell can be controlled to limit the harmonic content of the output AC to the load, and the input side of each cell can be controllable to limit harmonic content of the AC power feed to the source.

Abstract: A high output level is maintained in power supplies having multiple cells in each leg. Failed cells in any leg are bypassed to provide a current path through the respective leg. All of the unfailed cells are utilized while maintaining equal magnitude between phases and a balance phase relationship in the line-to-line output voltage. The invention may be utilized in conjunction with a peak voltage reduction circuit, and a by-pass switch.

Abstract: An electrical power converter for an incoming AC transformer connected to a multiphase power source and having multiple secondary windings. Each secondary winding is connected to multiple switching cells, each of which functions like a matrix converter. The secondary windings can be either single or multi-phase and more than one transformer can be provided such that the multiple secondary windings can be distributed among individual transformers. The output of at least two of the switching cells are connected in series. The switching cells can be either bi-directional or unidirectional and can also have a three-phase input. A combination of IGBTs and diodes can form the switching cells.