Abstract: A method of switching taps by an on-load tap changer includes providing at least two fingers each comprising an impedance and a mechanical switch. When first and second mechanical switches of the first and second fingers are closed, they provide a connection between the first and second impedances of the first and second fingers and a power terminal of the on-load tap changer. The on-load tap changer is triggered to shift at least one of the fingers from a first tap to a second tap of the on-load tap changer when a tap change signal is received. A solid state switch connected between the first and second impedances is switched on to commutate a current from the first finger to the second finger during the tap change operation.

Abstract: A power generation system (10) for generating electrical power, which may vary in response to one or more weather-varying factors (11). The system may include an array of power generators (12) subject to the weather-varying factor. A module (18) may be configured to predict over a time horizon at least one power-generating condition for the array of power generators. A controller (24) may be configured to anticipatorily adjust a control strategy regarding operation of a component and/or subsystem of the power generation system based on the predicted power-generating condition for the array of power generators over the time horizon.

Abstract: A system for damping audible noise from a drive train. One embodiment is a system with an audible noise signal from a drive train wherein a damping circuit produces a damping torque that is a phase shifted and amplified version of the noise signal that is applied to the air-gap torque of a generator or motor coupled to the drive train and effectively reduces the audible noise.

Abstract: A power generation system (10) for generating electrical power, which may vary in response to one or more weather-varying factors (11). The system may include an array of power generators (12) subject to the weather-varying factor. A module (18) may be configured to predict over a time horizon at least one power-generating condition for the array of power generators. A controller (24) may be configured to anticipatorily adjust a control strategy regarding operation of a component and/or subsystem of the power generation system based on the predicted power-generating condition for the array of power generators over the time horizon.

Abstract: A power generation system includes: a prime mover; an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover and configured for converting mechanical power to electrical power, the electrical machine having a power factor of less than or equal to 0.7; a reactive power supply assembly coupled to the electrical machine and configured to supply reactive power to the electrical machine; and a power electronic converter coupled to the reactive power supply assembly and configured for transferring power from the electrical machine to a grid.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive measurement system having one or more encoded polarized magnetic regions disposed circumferentially about a shaft, wherein adjacent magnetic regions along a section of the shaft have opposing polarities. In one embodiment the shaft is hollow and the encodings are interiorly disposed while in another embodiment the encodings are on the exterior surface of the shaft. There are one or more sensors, such as contact sensors, disposed about the shaft wherein the sensors enable measurements of at least one of bending moments or torque sensing. The sensors can also include non-contact sensors measuring the magnetic flux densities caused by the alternating magnetic fields from the rotating shaft. A processing section is used to process the sensor measurements, wherein the sensor measurements are used to compute at least one of shaft power, torque, speed, and bending moments.

Abstract: Direct shaft power measurements of rotating machinery, including a magnetic encoding system for the shaft, having at least one conducting member having a first end and a second end which is disposed proximate the shaft with a gap between the member and the shaft. There is a pair of electrodes proximate each end of said conducting member, wherein the electrodes are electrically coupled to the shaft. One of the electrodes is electrically coupled to the second end of the conductor member. An encoding source is electrically coupled to the first end of the conducting member and electrically coupled to the other electrode, wherein unipolar current pulses from said encoding source are applied to the electrodes and the conducting member, thereby creating sectional encoded polarized magnetic regions in the shaft.

Abstract: Direct shaft power measurements of rotating machinery, including a magnetic encoding system for the shaft, having at least one conducting member having a first end and a second end which is disposed proximate the shaft with a gap between the member and the shaft. There is a pair of electrodes proximate each end of said conducting member, wherein the electrodes are electrically coupled to the shaft. One of the electrodes is electrically coupled to the second end of the conductor member. An encoding source is electrically coupled to the first end of the conducting member and electrically coupled to the other electrode, wherein unipolar current pulses from said encoding source are applied to the electrodes and the conducting member, thereby creating sectional encoded polarized magnetic regions in the shaft.

Abstract: A magnetostrictive measurement system having one or more encoded polarized magnetic regions disposed circumferentially about a shaft, wherein adjacent magnetic regions along a section of the shaft have opposing polarities. In one embodiment the shaft is hollow and the encodings are interiorly disposed while in another embodiment the encodings are on the exterior surface of the shaft. There are one or more sensors, such as contact sensors, disposed about the shaft wherein the sensors enable measurements of at least one of bending moments or torque sensing. The sensors can also include non-contact sensors measuring the magnetic flux densities caused by the alternating magnetic fields from the rotating shaft. A processing section is used to process the sensor measurements, wherein the sensor measurements are used to compute at least one of shaft power, torque, speed, and bending moments.

Abstract: A system for damping audible noise from a drive train. One embodiment is a system with an audible noise signal from a drive train wherein a damping circuit produces a damping torque that is a phase shifted and amplified version of the noise signal that is applied to the air-gap torque of a generator or motor coupled to the drive train and effectively reduces the audible noise.

Abstract: A power generation system includes: a prime mover; an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover and configured for converting mechanical power to electrical power, the electrical machine having a power factor of less than or equal to 0.7; a reactive power supply assembly coupled to the electrical machine and configured to supply reactive power to the electrical machine; and a power electronic converter coupled to the reactive power supply assembly and configured for transferring power from the electrical machine to a grid.

Abstract: Torque measurements from a rotating shaft suffer from periodic disturbances known as “shaft run-out.” These are caused by inhomogeneities in the shaft such as frozen mechanical stresses or anisotropic magnetic properties and can make it difficult to identify the underlying torque signal. A method and system for removing or reducing the effect of shaft run-out is disclosed comprising measuring the torque of a rotatable shaft at a position around the circumference of the shaft and correlating the measured torque signal with data indicative of the material properties of the shaft at corresponding positions around the circumference of the shaft. A corrected torque signal is then generated in which the effect of the shaft inhomogeneities are reduced or removed providing a far clearer torque signal.