Abstract: A system to deliver auxiliary or startup current at a low voltage side from a higher voltage input side is provided which comprises a SIDAC or voltage-breakover switch and an inductor to transfer energy from the high voltage input side to the low voltage side. The system further comprises capacitors at the high voltage input and low voltage sides. The SIDAC or voltage-breakover switch turns on when the voltage across it exceeds a specific value and initiates a current pulse through the inductor for transferring energy from the high voltage input side capacitor to the low voltage side. The voltage breakover rating of the SIDAC or voltage-breakover switch is selected to be in between the voltage levels of the high voltage input side and the low voltage side.

Abstract: A modular power conversion system is provided which includes a plurality of modules (building blocks) comprised of transformers and power conversion bridges. The modules are connected in series on either the input or output side and in parallel on the other side. A substantial number of the modules are operated in a fixed input-to-output voltage ratio, with the remaining module(s) operated in a variable input-to-output ratio. The fixed ratio modules are either placed in an active mode or in a bypassed mode. A controller sets the proportion of active and bypassed modules and controls the variable ratio modules, thus allowing an adjustable input-to-output ratio for the overall converter system. Prior to the bypassing of a module, the energy stored in its internal bus or link is dissipated or stored in an auxiliary circuit or moved to a neighboring module.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to provide power to a load or electronic equipment which includes a multi-pole switch that connects the input of the load or electronic equipment to a first AC source or a DC source or an optional second AC source created from the DC source through a DC-AC converter. The connection to the DC source is either direct or through a DC-DC converter that provides voltage adjustment or isolation. A controller changes the position of the switch in response to the sensing of the presence and magnitude of the sources or in response to an external command to select a preferred source.

Abstract: A system for connecting and disconnecting rail vehicle system for storing, transporting, and delivering bulk electric energy using railroads is described. The system includes. The system includes at least one rail vehicle system. The rail vehicle system includes a locomotive and a group of rail cars. The group of rails cars includes several rail cars with energy storage, power electronics and communication system. The rail car further includes a pantograph. The system also includes a plurality of electrical feeders. The electrical feeders are substantially dedicated for providing power transfer to and from the respective groups of rail cars. The system further includes at least one position controls system.

Abstract: A modular power conversion system is provided which includes a plurality of modules (building blocks) comprised of transformers and power conversion bridges. The modules are connected in series on either the input or output side and in parallel on the other side. A substantial number of the modules are operated in a fixed input-to-output voltage ratio, with the remaining module(s) operated in a variable input-to-output ratio. The fixed ratio modules are either placed in an active mode or in a bypassed mode. A controller sets the proportion of active and bypassed modules and controls the variable ratio modules, thus allowing an adjustable input-to-output ratio for the overall converter system. Prior to the bypassing of a module, the energy stored in its internal bus or link is dissipated or stored in an auxiliary circuit or moved to a neighboring module.

Abstract: A system for connecting and disconnecting rail vehicle system for storing, transporting, and delivering bulk electric energy using railroads is described. The system includes. The system includes at least one rail vehicle system. The rail vehicle system includes a locomotive and a group of rail cars. The group of rails cars includes several rail cars with energy storage, power electronics and communication system. The rail car further includes a pantograph. The system also includes a plurality of electrical feeders. The electrical feeders are substantially dedicated for providing power transfer to and from the respective groups of rail cars. The system further includes at least one position controls system.

Abstract: An electrical component includes a magnetic core, an insulator, and a first winding. The insulator includes a first aperture disposed about a first portion of the core and a first insulator passage extending through the insulator, encircling the first aperture. The first winding extends through the first insulator passage and conducts an electrical current.

Abstract: A transformer is provided which includes an insulating sheet separating the primary-side windings and portion of split magnetic core from the secondary-side windings and portion of split magnetic core. Thin layers of conductive and semiconductive material are deposited on areas of the insulating sheet surfaces facing the primary and secondary sides. These layers are electrically referenced or tied to the potentials of the respective primary or secondary sides. This ensures that the high electric field due to primary-to-secondary potential gradient is substantially placed across the insulating sheet dielectric and avoided in the air gaps or voids in the transformer, thus reducing undesirable partial discharge effects. The two core sections on the primary and secondary side are also electrically referenced or tied to the potentials of their adjacent windings, thus reducing high electric fields and partial discharge in the space between the core sections and the windings.

Abstract: A system for connecting and disconnecting rail vehicle system for storing, transporting, and delivering bulk electric energy using railroads is described. The system includes. The system includes at least one rail vehicle system. The rail vehicle system includes a locomotive and a group of rail cars. The group of rails cars includes several rail cars with energy storage, power electronics and communication system. The rail car further includes a pantograph. The system also includes a plurality of electrical feeders. The electrical feeders are substantially dedicated for providing power transfer to and from the respective groups of rail cars. The system further includes at least one position controls system.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to provide power to a load or electronic equipment which includes a multi-pole switch that connects the input of the load or electronic equipment to a first AC source or a DC source or an optional second AC source created from the DC source through a DC-AC converter. The connection to the DC source is either direct or through a DC-DC converter that provides voltage adjustment or isolation. A controller changes the position of the switch in response to the sensing of the presence and magnitude of the sources or in response to an external command to select a preferred source.

Abstract: A modular power conversion system is provided which includes a plurality of building blocks comprised of transformers and power conversion bridges, and a high frequency AC link that transfers power and provides galvanic isolation between the building blocks. The high frequency link includes an insulating tube separating an AC link conductor and the building blocks. The insulating tube is further provided with conductive or semiconductive layers on its inner and outer surfaces for referencing them to the electric potentials of the adjacent conductors and windings, thereby placing the high electric fields substantially directly across the tube and reducing electric fields and partial discharge or corona in the adjoining space or media. The building blocks may be arranged in multiple stacks for DC or AC interface, preferably with neutral or lower voltage connections at the outer edges of the stacks and higher voltage terminals at the centers of the stack.

Abstract: A system and method to generate high voltage pulses for testing of electrical insulation is presented. The system is comprised of multiple bridges in series that are connected across the insulation through an output inductor. The switching of the bridges are timed to allow a resonant half-cycle of current through the output inductor and the effective capacitance of the insulation which results in a transition of the voltage across the insulation from one level to another. The sequence of switching of the bridges is swapped intermittently such that the dc links of the bridges are substantially kept balanced. In one embodiment, only the dc link of the first bridge is supplied from an external source, while the other bridges are fed via the chain of series bridges from the first bridge through the switching operation of the circuit.

Abstract: A power generation system includes a first power source, a second power source, an inverter, a DC-DC boost converter, and a control system. The control system includes a switching contactor coupled to the first power source, the second power source, the inverter, and the DC-DC boost converter. The control system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the switching contactor. The controller is configured to selectively connect one power source of the first power source and the second power source having a lower output voltage level among the first power source and the second power source to the inverter via the DC-DC boost converter. The controller is further configured to selectively connect other power source of the first power source and the second power source directly to the inverter.

Abstract: A transformer with improved insulation structure is provided which includes an insulating sheet separating the primary-side windings and portion of split magnetic core from the secondary-side windings and portion of split magnetic core. Thin layers of conductive and semiconductive material are deposited on areas of the insulating sheet surfaces facing the primary and secondary sides. These layers are electrically referenced or tied to the potentials of the respective primary or secondary sides. This ensures that the high electric field due to primary-to-secondary potential gradient is substantially placed across the insulating sheet dielectric and avoided in the air gaps or voids in the transformer, thus reducing undesirable partial discharge effects. The two core sections on the primary and secondary side are also electrically referenced or tied to the potentials of their adjacent windings, thus reducing high electric fields and partial discharge in the space between the core sections and the windings.

Abstract: A system and method to generate high voltage pulses for testing of electrical insulation is presented. The system is comprised of multiple bridges in series that are connected across the insulation through an output inductor. The switching of the bridges are timed to allow a resonant half-cycle of current through the output inductor and the effective capacitance of the insulation which results in a transition of the voltage across the insulation from one level to another. The sequence of switching of the bridges is swapped intermittently such that the dc links of the bridges are substantially kept balanced. In one embodiment, only the dc link of the first bridge is supplied from an external source, while the other bridges are fed via the chain of series bridges from the first bridge through the switching operation of the circuit.

Abstract: This present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) techniques for use in insulation systems at least partially encapsulating a semiconductor device, a conductive component and a substrate, such as insulation systems of semiconductor devices, busbars, or the like. Insulation systems formed using EPD processes may be designed to have a dielectric constant that decreases in a direction away from a substrate of the insulation system. This may improve insulation technologies since depositing coatings with sequentially arranged dielectric constants may improve resistance of the insulation system to high temperature, high electric fields, or the like.

Abstract: A modular power conversion system is provided which includes a plurality of building blocks comprised of transformers and power conversion bridges, and a high frequency AC link that transfers power and provides galvanic isolation between the building blocks. The high frequency link includes an insulating tube separating an AC link conductor and the building blocks. The insulating tube is further provided with conductive or semiconductive layers on its inner and outer surfaces for referencing them to the electric potentials of the adjacent conductors and windings, thereby placing the high electric fields substantially directly across the tube and reducing electric fields and partial discharge or corona in the adjoining space or media. The building blocks may be arranged in multiple stacks for DC or AC interface, preferably with neutral or lower voltage connections at the outer edges of the stacks and higher voltage terminals at the centers of the stack.

Abstract: This present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) techniques for use in insulation systems at least partially encapsulating a semiconductor device, a conductive component and a substrate, such as insulation systems of semiconductor devices, busbars, or the like. Insulation systems formed using EPD processes may be designed to have a dielectric constant that decreases in a direction away from a substrate of the insulation system. This may improve insulation technologies since depositing coatings with sequentially arranged dielectric constants may improve resistance of the insulation system to high temperature, high electric fields, or the like.

Abstract: An electrical system includes a power electronics system and a bus bar coupled to the power electronic system. The power electronics system includes a switching device configured to selectively connect and disconnect. The bus bar includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed directly adjacent a first insulation layer, wherein the first conductive layer is configured to conduct a first polarity of electrical power to, from, or both the power electronics system. The second conductive layer is disposed directly adjacent the first insulation layer, and is configured to conduct a second polarity of electrical power opposite the first polarity to, from, or both the power electronics system. The first conductive layer comprises a first thickness half a second thickness of the second conductive layer.

Abstract: An electrical system includes a power electronics system and a bus bar coupled to the power electronic system. The power electronics system includes a switching device configured to selectively connect and disconnect. The bus bar includes a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed directly adjacent a first insulation layer, wherein the first conductive layer is configured to conduct a first polarity of electrical power to, from, or both the power electronics system. The second conductive layer is disposed directly adjacent the first insulation layer, and is configured to conduct a second polarity of electrical power opposite the first polarity to, from, or both the power electronics system. The first conductive layer comprises a first thickness half a second thickness of the second conductive layer.