Abstract: An electric propulsion system is described that includes an AC drive circuit, a synchronization circuit, and a control unit. The AC drive circuit includes a plurality of propulsor motors, an AC power bus, and an AC generator that delivers AC electrical power to the AC power bus for simultaneously driving the plurality of propulsor motors. The synchronization circuit is configured to synchronize, with the AC generator, single propulsor motor from the plurality of propulsor motors, at a time. The control unit is configured to maintain synchronicity between the single propulsor motor and the AC generator by engaging the synchronization circuit with the single propulsor motor in response to determining that the single propulsor motor is not synchronized with the AC generator.

Abstract: An electric device is disclosed capable of generating heat during operation. The electric device can be in thermal communication to dissipate the heat through the use of carbon nanotubes and/or a phase change material. In one form the electric device includes a housing that has the carbon nanotubes. The housing, furthermore, can be a composite that in some embodiments does not provide as effective heat transfer as the carbon nanotubes. The electric device can take the form of a power electronic device in some embodiments and a device having a rotor and stator in others. Such embodiments include motors and/or generators.

Abstract: Methods and devices for achieving a desired output in a resonant charge transfer device are given. In an exemplary embodiment a controlled resonant charge transfer device comprises first and second filter sections, first and second switch sections, a charge storage device, and a feedback control system. A method for controlling this device is given, the method comprising specifying a desired output and a desired charge storage voltage ratio; turning on first switches at first switch times and second switches at second switch times; measuring an actual output of the device and one or more parameters of the resonant circuit; determining an actual charge storage voltage ratio; computing corrected first switch times and corrected second switch times; on a subsequent operation cycle of the resonant charge transfer device, turning on the first switches at the corrected first switch times and the second switches at the corrected second switch times.