Abstract: A utility power regulation system includes a power converter configured to regulate one or more of a voltage and a power factor at the primary side of a step-up transformer, or at a load electrically connected to a load feeder line, based on an estimated primary-side line voltage signal. The system includes a voltage estimation circuit configured to estimate the primary-side line voltage signal from one or more signals received from a secondary-side voltage sensor, regulator line current signal, and a primary-side load feeder-line current sensor.

Abstract: A power converter controller for virtual impedance realization is provided that comprises: a sampling circuit configured to sample a real grid interface voltage at terminals of the power converter; a first operation block, which may be a subtractor, for performing a first operation on a reference voltage signal and the sampled real grid interface voltage signal of the power converter to generate a first voltage signal; a second operation block that may consist of a divider for dividing the first voltage signal by an amplification factor to generate a second voltage signal; and third operation block, which may be an adder, for adding the sampled real grid interface voltage signal to the second voltage signal, and a third voltage signal to generate a command voltage signal for realization at the DC-to-AC voltage conversion output, wherein the amplification factor is a real number greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A utility power regulation system includes a power converter configured to regulate one or more of a voltage and a power factor at the primary side of a step-up transformer, or at a load electrically connected to a load feeder line, based on an estimated primary-side line voltage signal. The system includes a voltage estimation circuit configured to estimate the primary-side line voltage signal from one or more signals received from a secondary-side voltage sensor, regulator line current signal, and a primary-side load feeder-line current sensor.

Abstract: A power converter controller for virtual impedance realization is provided that comprises: a sampling circuit configured to sample a real grid interface voltage at terminals of the power converter; a first operation block, which may be a subtractor, for performing a first operation on a reference voltage signal and the sampled real grid interface voltage signal of the power converter to generate a first voltage signal; a second operation block that may consist of a divider for dividing the first voltage signal by an amplification factor to generate a second voltage signal; and third operation block, which may be an adder, for adding the sampled real grid interface voltage signal to the second voltage signal, and a third voltage signal to generate a command voltage signal for realization at the DC-to-AC voltage conversion output, wherein the amplification factor is a real number greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to control a multi-phase converter having at least one power channel with a plurality of power modules, and involves detecting the voltage and the current of the power modules, calculating a command voltage based on a product of a programmed virtual resistance and the detected current, and transmitting a command voltage signal to the power modules based on the calculated command voltage.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relates to a method for controlling operation of a parallel converter system. The parallel converter system includes multiple parallel power converters, and each of the parallel power converters is coupleable to a corresponding controller. The method includes: generating, via each of the controllers, a channel reference signal, transmitting each of the generated channel reference signals to a corresponding one of the parallel power converters, and adjusting an output current of each of the parallel converters responsive to the corresponding channel reference signals received, the adjusting controlling a combined output current of the parallel converter system. The channel reference signals of these parallel power converters are generated in response to the participation factors of each of the parallel power converters, and a net converter output reference current.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention relates to a method for controlling operation of a parallel converter system. The parallel converter system includes multiple parallel power converters, and each of the parallel power converters is coupleable to a corresponding controller. The method includes: generating, via each of the controllers, a channel reference signal, transmitting each of the generated channel reference signals to a corresponding one of the parallel power converters, and adjusting an output current of each of the parallel converters responsive to the corresponding channel reference signals received, the adjusting controlling a combined output current of the parallel converter system. The channel reference signals of these parallel power converters are generated in response to the participation factors of each of the parallel power converters, and a net converter output reference current.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to control a multi-phase converter having at least one power channel with a plurality of power modules, and involves detecting the voltage and the current of the power modules, calculating a command voltage based on a product of a programmed virtual resistance and the detected current, and transmitting a command voltage signal to the power modules based on the calculated command voltage.

Abstract: A method of braking a washing machine from an operational speed to a zero speed is provided (as well as a washing machine incorporating the method) for a washing machine driven by one of a synchronous or asynchronous motor. Upon receipt of a stop signal, collapsing the motor rotating magnetic fields are collapsed for a predefined time period. After the predefined time period, DC braking voltage is applied to the motor stator windings at a controlled ramp-up rate to a fixed amplitude to generate a controlled ramped braking torque on the motor. The braking torque is applied until the motor is stopped.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electric drive system includes providing a power conversion assembly and coupling an electric power source and a motor to the power conversion assembly. The method also includes coupling a computing device that includes a processor and a memory device operatively coupled to the processor to the power conversion assembly. The method further includes configuring the computing device to record at least one measurement related to a speed of the motor. The method also includes configuring the computing device to calculate a power output limit of the power conversion assembly and limit the power output of the power conversion assembly by limiting torque induced by the motor as a function of the speed of the motor.

Abstract: A method and device for protecting a power switching semiconductor inverter from thermal cycling is disclosed. The method compares the actual frequency of the inverter to a low fundamental frequency of the inverter and compares the actual current of the inverter to a continuous current rating of the inverter. A thermal cycling condition is detected if both (a) the actual frequency is lower than the low fundamental frequency and (b) the actual current is higher than the continuous current rating. A thermal cycling fault condition is detected when the inverter has been in the thermal cycling operating condition for a sufficient period of time to cause its present stress factor to exceed a predetermined rated stress factor.

Abstract: A motor control system for controlling two or more motor groups includes a power converter that receives power from a power source and converts the power to an intermediate power and an intermediate power link coupled to the power converter. The motor control system also includes at least one motor driver coupled to the intermediate power link configured to provide power to one or more motors and a controller coupled to the power converter and the at least one motor driver. The controller is configured to cause the at least one motor driver to limit the amount of power delivered to the one or more motors based on the amount of power that the power converter can produce.

Abstract: A method of assembling an electric drive system includes providing a power conversion assembly and coupling an electric power source and a motor to the power conversion assembly. The method also includes coupling a computing device that includes a processor and a memory device operatively coupled to the processor to the power conversion assembly. The method further includes configuring the computing device to record at least one measurement related to a speed of the motor. The method also includes configuring the computing device to calculate a power output limit of the power conversion assembly and limit the power output of the power conversion assembly by limiting torque induced by the motor as a function of the speed of the motor.

Abstract: A method of braking a washing machine from an operational speed to a zero speed is provided (as well as a washing machine incorporating the method) for a washing machine driven by one of a synchronous or asynchronous motor. Upon receipt of a stop signal, collapsing the motor rotating magnetic fields are collapsed for a predefined time period. After the predefined time period, DC braking voltage is applied to the motor stator windings at a controlled ramp-up rate to a fixed amplitude to generate a controlled ramped braking torque on the motor. The braking torque is applied until the motor is stopped.

Abstract: A motor control system for controlling two or more motor groups includes a power converter that receives power from a power source and converts the power to an intermediate power and an intermediate power link coupled to the power converter. The motor control system also includes at least one motor driver coupled to the intermediate power link configured to provide power to one or more motors and a controller coupled to the power converter and the at least one motor driver. The controller is configured to cause the at least one motor driver to limit the amount of power delivered to the one or more motors based on the amount of power that the power converter can produce.