Abstract: A system includes an excitation system configured to regulate one or more outputs of a power generating system. The excitation system includes data processing circuitry configured to obtain an electrical voltage measurement and an electrical current measurement associated with the power generating system, a transformer failure detection system configured to detect an abnormality associated with the electrical voltage and electrical current measurements as an indication of a possible transformer failure, and a failure detection deactivation system configured to deactivate the transformer failure detection system based at least in part on whether the abnormality comprises one of a first condition or a second condition.

Abstract: A method for initializing a generator may include sending a field reference voltage to an exciter that may provide a direct current (DC) current and a DC voltage to a rotor of a generator based on a current set point that corresponds to the field reference voltage. The method may then include receiving a voltage feedback signal output by the generator, determining one or more locations of one or more poles of the generator based on the voltage feedback signal, and sending one or more firing signals to one or more switches of a starter after determining the locations of the poles, such that the switches couple the voltage to a stator of the generator.

Abstract: A method for initializing a generator may include sending a field reference voltage to an exciter that may provide a direct current (DC) current and a DC voltage to a rotor of a generator based on a current set point that corresponds to the field reference voltage. The method may then include receiving a voltage feedback signal output by the generator, determining one or more locations of one or more poles of the generator based on the voltage feedback signal, and sending one or more firing signals to one or more switches of a starter after determining the locations of the poles, such that the switches couple the voltage to a stator of the generator.

Abstract: An electrical system includes an electrical circuit having a plurality of current paths and a plurality of switches for directing current to the plurality of current paths. A sensor senses a current or voltage in the electrical circuit. A processor connected to the sensor receives sensor data corresponding to the current or voltage in the circuit. The processor is configured to determine a location of a loose connection in the electrical circuit based on the current or voltage data and a switching sequence of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A system includes an excitation system configured to regulate one or more outputs of a power generating system. The excitation system includes data processing circuitry configured to obtain an electrical voltage measurement and an electrical current measurement associated with the power generating system, a transformer failure detection system configured to detect an abnormality associated with the electrical voltage and electrical current measurements as an indication of a possible transformer failure, and a failure detection deactivation system configured to deactivate the transformer failure detection system based at least in part on whether the abnormality comprises one of a first condition or a second condition.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling electronic circuitry. A system can include at least a first controller and a second controller and at least one power electronic circuitry module. The first controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a first high-speed serial link (HSSL). The second controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a second HSSL.

Abstract: A regulating system can include a first controller configured to receive analog input and discrete input, a second controller communicatively coupled to the first controller, and configured to receive analog input and discrete input, a selector communicatively coupled to the first controller and second controller and configured to select either one of the first controller and the second controller as a master for the regulating system and state logic residing on each of the first controller and second controller to determine which of the first and second controller is the master.

Abstract: A web-based operator control interface system can include an operator interface section including a web browser application, a generator exciter section or a static starter section coupled to the operator interface section, a generator coupled to the generator exciter section and a web server application configured to receive processing requests from the web browser application, and further configured to internally process real-time generator functions.

Abstract: A system for collecting frequency response data from a generator system including: applying a perturbing signal to a signal input of an exciter system for a synchronous generator; collecting data regarding signal output from a multiplicity of signal points in the exciter system; transforming the collected data to predict a signal response at a signal output in the system different from the signal points used for collecting data, and analyzing the frequency response of the system.

Abstract: Embodiments provide systems and methods for controlling electronic circuitry. A system can include at least a first controller and a second controller and at least one power electronic circuitry module. The first controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a first high-speed serial link (HSSL). The second controller can be in electrical communication with the power electronic circuitry module via a second HSSL.

Abstract: A system for collecting frequency response data from a generator system including: applying a perturbing signal to a signal input of an exciter system for a synchronous generator; collecting data regarding signal output from a multiplicity of signal points in the exciter system; transforming the collected data to predict a signal response at a signal output in the system different from the signal points used for collecting data, and analyzing the frequency response of the system.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a system for measuring and controlling a thyristor comprising a thyristor, a Rogowski coil in operable communication therewith the thyristor, and a processor operative to receive signals from the Rogowski coil, determine a direct current value of the thyristor, and control the thyristor.

Abstract: A method for modeling an excitation system for a synchronous electrical power generator including: selecting a standard mathematical excitation system model from a plurality of standard excitation system models stored electronically; wherein the selected standard model is selected based on a similarity to the excitation system and can be an IEEE standard model; collecting data from the excitation system; determining parameter settings for the selected standard model using first pre-calculated and then collected (measured) data; verifying the selected standard model with tailored parameter settings by comparing an output of the model to a corresponding output of the excitation system; storing electronically the verified selected standard model with tailored settings; generating a report of the verified selected standard model with the tailored settings; performing rapidly and automatically model generation from a maintenance computer proximate to the excitation system; performing rapidly and automatically mode

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a method for balancing thyristor bridge circuits, the method comprising, determining currents of thyristors in a first leg of thyristors of a thyristor bridge circuit, determining a first set of gate firing times for the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors responsive to determining the current of the thyristors in the first gate of thyristors, wherein the first set of gate firing times are operative to balance a current load between the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors, and gating the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors according to the first set of gate firing times.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a system for measuring and controlling a thyristor comprising a thyristor, a Rowgoski coil in operable communication therewith the thyristor, and a processor operative to receive signals from the Rowgoski coil, determine a direct current value of the thyristor, and control the thyristor.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment includes a method for balancing thyristor bridge circuits, the method comprising, determining currents of thyristors in a first leg of thyristors of a thyristor bridge circuit, determining a first set of gate firing times for the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors responsive to determining the current of the thyristors in the first gate of thyristors, wherein the first set of gate firing times are operative to balance a current load between the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors, and gating the thyristors in the first leg of thyristors according to the first set of gate firing times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a poly phase signal set from a single signal output of a single phase instrument. The method comprising: generating a first signal output X representing the single signal output; processing the single signal output to generate a time delayed version Y_Raw of the single signal output by a time delay T; and processing the time delayed version Y_Raw to compensate for frequency changes in the single signal output and generating a second signal output Y of the poly phase signal set. The second signal output Y is displaced from the first signal output X by about 90 degrees.

Abstract: The field ground fault detector of the present invention detects a ground fault that occurs in the field circuit and in any associated circuits galvanically connected to the field. The field ground fault detector discerns the ground resistance so that it can be monitored to detect gradual degradation of the ground resistance. The detector estimates the resistance of the ground fault and the location of the ground fault. The detector is able to estimate the location of the ground fault during system operation and during periods of non-operation. The invention utilizes a low frequency square wave oscillator to permit measurement of the ground fault resistance when field voltage is not applied, to insure that there are no blind spots when the field is energized, and to provide a method for estimating the ground fault resistance. The field ground detector can differentiate between ground faults that occur on the AC side form those on the DC side of the Thyristor Bridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a poly phase signal set from a single signal output of a single phase instrument. The method comprising: generating a first signal output X representing the single signal output; processing the single signal output to generate a time delayed version Y_Raw of the single signal output by a time delay T; and processing the time delayed version Y_Raw to compensate for frequency changes in the single signal output and generating a second signal output Y of the poly phase signal set. The second signal output Y is displaced from the first signal output X by about 90 degrees.

Abstract: The field ground fault detector of the present invention detects a ground fault that occurs in the field circuit and in any associated circuits galvanically connected to the field. The field ground fault detector discerns the ground resistance so that it can be monitored to detect gradual degradation of the ground resistance. The detector estimates the resistance of the ground fault and the location of the ground fault. The detector is able to estimate the location of the ground fault during system operation and during periods of non-operation. The invention utilizes a low frequency square wave oscillator to permit measurement of the ground fault resistance when field voltage is not applied, to insure that there are no blind spots when the field is energized, and to provide a method for estimating the ground fault resistance. The field ground detector can differentiate between ground faults that occur on the AC side form those on the DC side of the Thyristor Bridge.