Abstract: A method of assembling an electrical machine includes programming at least one processor with a stator flux vector estimation scheme. The electrical machine has a stator at least partially extending around a rotor. The electrical machine is electrically coupled to an electric power system. The electric power system transmits at least one phase of electric power to and from the electrical machine with at least partial power conversion. The stator flux vector estimation scheme is programmed to generate at least one stator back-electromagnetic force (back-EMF) signal and to generate at least one stator flux vector signal using the at least one stator back-EMF signal. The at least one stator flux vector signal at least partially represents an estimated rotor position. The method also includes coupling at least one output device in data communication with the at least one processor.

Abstract: A protective circuit for a multi-level converter including a DC link capacitor bank includes: an energy absorbing element; switches, wherein at least two of the switches each couple the energy absorbing element to the capacitor bank; and a controller configured to provide control signals to the switches to selectively actuate the switches to enable control of energy dissipation and to enable control of voltage balance on the capacitor bank of the multi-level converter.

Abstract: A method for braking a wind turbine including at least one rotor blade coupled to a rotor. The method includes selectively controlling an angle of pitch of the at least one rotor blade with respect to a wind direction based on a design parameter of a component of the wind turbine to facilitate reducing a force induced into the wind turbine component as a result of braking.

Abstract: An integrated thermal management system is provided. The system includes a first device configured to release a first heat loss and coupled to an integrated cooling system. The system also includes at least a second device configured to release a second heat loss and coupled to the integrated cooling system. The system also includes at least one heat exchanger configured to release the first heat loss and the second heat loss to ambient.

Abstract: A protective circuit for a multi-level converter including a DC link capacitor bank includes: an energy absorbing element; switches, wherein at least two of the switches each couple the energy absorbing element to the capacitor bank; and a controller configured to provide control signals to the switches to selectively actuate the switches to enable control of energy dissipation and to enable control of voltage balance on the capacitor bank of the multi-level converter.

Abstract: A wind turbine having features for black-starting includes an electric generation system for producing electricity by operation of the wind and comprising an interface for providing the electricity to an electric grid; a control system for controlling components of the wind turbine during start-up of the electric generation system, wherein start-up occurs during a deficient electric signal of the grid; and at least one energy providing element and at least one energy dissipative element for providing a balance between an output of the wind turbine and the electric signal of the grid. Methods and computer program products for operation of the wind turbine call for, among other things, synchronization of electric signals and control of components within the wind turbine.

Abstract: A wind turbine having features for black-starting includes an electric generation system for producing electricity by operation of the wind and comprising an interface for providing the electricity to an electric grid; a control system for controlling components of the wind turbine during start-up of the electric generation system, wherein start-up occurs during a deficient electric signal of the grid; and at least one energy providing element and at least one energy dissipative element for providing a balance between an output of the wind turbine and the electric signal of the grid. Methods and computer program products for operation of the wind turbine call for, among other things, synchronization of electric signals and control of components within the wind turbine.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a wind turbine blade pitch system for moving the blades to control their pitch in the event of a power failure. The system includes at least one backup that has a non-electrical component that can pitch the blades in the event that the power failure adversely affects the electrical blade pitch actuator system. Embodiments include pitch systems that have a plurality of pitch driving systems including, but not limited to electrical systems, hybrid electrical/mechanical systems and non-electrical systems. The non-electrical systems include mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for electric braking and system protection for an electric generator includes a dynamic brake and a crowbar circuit designed for cooperation with power converters to dump power upon command. The dynamic brake includes at least one resistor and the crowbar circuit includes another at least one resistor for dissipating power from the electric generator. Methods for use of the electric braking and system protection calls for shunting the power to at least one of the dynamic brake, the crowbar circuit and the generator side power converter.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a wind turbine blade pitch system for moving the blades to control their pitch in the event of a power failure. The system includes at least one backup that has a non-electrical component that can pitch the blades in the event that the power failure adversely affects the electrical blade pitch actuator system. Embodiments include pitch systems that have a plurality of pitch driving systems including, but not limited to electrical systems, hybrid electrical/mechanical systems and non-electrical systems. The non-electrical systems include mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic systems.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a grid converter configured to convert AC power from a grid into grid-originated DC power. The power generation system also includes a source converter configured to convert power from a source into source-originated DC power. An intermediate bus is configured to receive the grid-originated DC power and the source-originated DC power; and an output converter is coupled to the intermediate bus and configured to provide output power. In the power generation system a number of phases of the grid-originated DC power is different from a number of phases of the output power.

Abstract: A method for braking a wind turbine including at least one rotor blade coupled to a rotor. The method includes selectively controlling an angle of pitch of the at least one rotor blade with respect to a wind direction based on a design parameter of a component of the wind turbine to facilitate reducing a force induced into the wind turbine component as a result of braking.

Abstract: A method for controlling power flow of an electric power generation system includes generating or dissipating electric power to maintain a predetermined grid voltage and frequency. The electric power is transmitted to a grid; and the current and voltage of the electric power thus transmitted are sensed. The frequency of the grid and the power transmitted to the grid is determined based on the sensed current or voltage. A grid-side converter is then controlled to regulate the voltage and frequency of an electric grid via a compensating circuit when the sensed voltage is outside a predetermined voltage range or the determined frequency is outside a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: A technique is provided for operating a wind farm at increased rated power output. The technique includes sensing a plurality of operating parameters of the wind turbine generator, assessing the plurality of operating parameters with respect to respective design ratings for the operating parameters, and intermittently increasing a rated power output of the wind turbine generator based upon the assessment.

Abstract: A power conversion system comprises a converter coupled to a power source and configured to convert a DC power to a variable AC power signal. The power conversion system may further comprise a process control unit coupled to the converter and configured to control the variable AC power signal. The power conversion system may also further comprise a transformer having a primary side and a secondary side, the primary side receiving the variable AC power signal from the converter and a passive rectifier coupled to the secondary side of the transformer. The transformer may be adapted to provide galvanic isolation between the power source and an electro-chemical process. The passive rectifier is adapted to convert the variable AC power to the variable DC power and to deliver the variable DC power to the electro-chemical processing unit.

Abstract: An ARCP converter having a series circuit formed of at least four main switches per converter phase, which are connected electrically in parallel between DC voltage rails is described. A capacitance is connected in parallel with each individual main switch. Two intermediate-circuit capacitances are disposed between the DC voltage rails. A voltage neutral point of the capacitances is available for tapping. Junction points of adjacent main switches which do not form the output are connected to one another via variable-potential intermediate-circuit capacitances for forming commutation cells in a balanced manner with regard to the DC voltage rails. Each intermediate-circuit capacitance is formed of two capacitance elements, whose junction points are available as voltage neutral points, with the output of the converter phase connected to a resonant inductance, whose further connection is connected to all the voltage neutral points via a controllable bi-directional auxiliary switch.

Abstract: A three-point or multipoint converter is described. The converter has a series circuit formed of at least four main switches per converter phase, which are connected electrically in parallel between a positive and a negative DC voltage rail. An individual snubber capacitance is disposed in parallel with each individual main switch. At least two converter levels are formed between the DC voltage rails, a junction point or junction points and voltage neutral points of the converter levels are accessible. An output of the converter phase is connected to the voltage neutral points of the converter levels, via a series circuit formed of at least one resonant inductance and independently controllable bidirectional auxiliary switches. Junction points of the snubber capacitances that do not at the same time form the output of the converter phase are connected via charge control switches to the junction point or the junction points of the converter levels.