Abstract: A drive system (500) includes a power converter (510) with power modules (312) supplying power to one or more output phases (A, B, C), a central control system (512) in communication with the power converter (510) and controlling operation of the power modules (312), wherein the central control system (512) comprises an advanced protection module (APM 514) configured via executable instructions to receive input data from an electrical load (520) operably coupled to the one or more output phases (A, B, C) utilizing power converter feedback from the electrical load (520), determine one or more operating conditions of the electrical load (520) based on the input data; and output one or more protection parameters based on a determined operating condition of the electrical load (520) for protecting the electrical load (520).

Abstract: A drive system (500) includes a power converter (510) with power modules (312) supplying power to one or more output phases (A, B, C), a central control system (512) in communication with the power converter (510) and controlling operation of the power modules (312), wherein the central control system (512) comprises an advanced protection module (APM 514) configured via executable instructions to receive input data from an electrical load (520) operably coupled to the one or more output phases (A, B, C) utilizing power converter feedback from the electrical load (520), determine one or more operating conditions of the electrical load (520) based on the input data; and output one or more protection parameters based on a determined operating condition of the electrical load (520) for protecting the electrical load (520).

Abstract: An overload prevention system and method for an electric circuit having a plurality of components is disclosed, where each component has a set of pre-computed parameters. For each component, monitored parameters are observed; a limited value is computed using the pre-computed and monitored parameters; and it is determined if the limited value reached a limit. If the limited value reaches the limit; the system limits one of the monitored parameters. Pre-computed parameters can include time constant and rated current; monitored parameters can include current; and limited value can be component temperature. A time constant, rated current and rated temperature can be pre-computed such that the temperature stays at or below the rated temperature when the current is substantially equal to the rated current. Per unit values can also be used such that per unit temperature stays at or below unity when per unit current is substantially equal to unity.

Abstract: An overload prevention system and method for an electric circuit having a plurality of components is disclosed, where each component has a set of pre-computed parameters. For each component, monitored parameters are observed; a limited value is computed using the pre-computed and monitored parameters; and it is determined if the limited value reached a limit. If the limited value reaches the limit; the system limits one of the monitored parameters. Pre-computed parameters can include time constant and rated current; monitored parameters can include current; and limited value can be component temperature. A time constant, rated current and rated temperature can be pre-computed such that the temperature stays at or below the rated temperature when the current is substantially equal to the rated current. Per unit values can also be used such that per unit temperature stays at or below unity when per unit current is substantially equal to unity.

Abstract: An improved high intensity discharge ("HID") ignition circuit for a ballast uses a gapped transformer with a capacitor placed across the secondary thereof. The ballast includes a DC source, a down converter, a commutator, and the ignition circuit. The output of the commutator is supplied to the secondary winding of the gapped transformer and the lamp, which are connected in series. The lamp is an HID lamp such as, for example, a metal halide lamp, high pressure sodium lamp, high pressure mercury lamp, or a metal vapor lamp. Power is furnished to the lamp over a cable. Ignition of the lamp is handled by the ignition circuit, which in addition to the secondary winding and the capacitor includes an inductor, the primary winding of the gapped transformer, two SIDACs, and the parallel combination of a resistor and a capacitor, all connected in series between the output of the down converter.

Abstract: The invention is characterized in that it comprises a toolpath generating routine and system for generating a plurality of control points directly from image data representing an image to be engraved. The control points are used to generate a toolpath which, in turn, will be used to energize an engraving head such that a tool or stylus will engrave a pattern of engraved areas in response to the toolpath. An engraving system and method for engraving at least one engraved area is shown having an engraving head tuner for tuning an engraving head such that the frequency characteristic of the engraving head defines a substantially constant gain for frequencies less than a predetermined frequency.