Abstract:
A method of reducing switching losses in a power supply includes the steps of advancing the output voltage of a first pole of a power cell by a first angle, retarding the output voltage of a second pole of the power cell by a second angle, and producing a combined output voltage of the power cell equal to a positive pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a first half of a switching cycle of the power cell, and equal to a negative pulse of a duration angle equal to the sum of the first angle and the second angle for a second half of the switching cycle of the power cell.
Abstract:
A method for designing a transformer using three secondary winding phase shift angles and a minimized core cross-sections. The method includes receiving an indication of an acceptable level of total harmonic distortion (THD) for the transformer, identifying a desired number of secondary windings per output phase of the transformer, simulating performance of various models for the transformer various potential phase shift angles, wherein each of the various models includes a set of phase shift angles for the secondary windings of the transformer. The method further includes identifying, based on the simulation, a transformer model that both has no more than three unique phase shift angles in the set and exhibits a primary side THD that is within the acceptable level, identifying an optimized core cross-sections, and reporting the identified transformer model having the three unique phase shift angle and the optimized core cross-sections.
Abstract:
A variable frequency drive including a plurality of power cells that are configured as three phases of series-connected cells to deliver power to a load. The drive is operated to increase the output voltage of each power cell using overmodulation.
Abstract:
A starting method and system for a motor where the motor may be started as an induction motor by applying a magnetizing current to build flux through the stator, with the field current set at the maximum permissible exciter stator current (i.e., the current that will cause rated no-load current in the main field at the transition speed). The motor stator currents will be maintained at a value that allows the motor to generate sufficient breakaway torque to overcome any stiction. At a specific transition speed or after a period of time, the drive will initiate a transition from induction motor control to synchronous motor control by removing the initial magnetizing current, and a field current is then applied to the motor through the DC exciter. Once this transition is completed, the drive may ramp up to the desired speed demand.
Abstract:
A method for controlling at least two variable frequency drives connected in parallel. The method comprises, for each variable frequency drive, communicating a magnetizing current component value to a master controller, and receiving a speed demand, a flux demand, and an average magnetizing current component value from the master controller. The method also comprises determining a motor speed and a motor flux based on measurements of a stator voltage and current of a motor coupled to the variable frequency drive, determining a speed reference based on a torque current component value, and determining a flux reference based on the magnetizing current component value and the average magnetizing current component value. The method further comprises adjusting a torque current component based on the speed reference and/or adjusting a magnetizing current component based on the flux reference.
Abstract:
A multi-phase active filter (234) includes a group of power cells (241-252) electrically connected in a three-phase configuration, a precharging circuit (260) , and a controller (350) that controls the voltage delivered to the plurality of power cells (241-252) . Each power cell includes an inverter (300) having a pair of direct current terminals, at least one capacitor (320) electrically connected in parallel with the inverter (300) , and an energy dissipating circuit (330) that is electrically connected in parallel with the inverter (300) . The energy dissipating circuit (330) of each power cell self -regulates DC voltage within the cell.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods in accordance with this invention provide a multi-cell power supply for receiving power from a source and delivering power at an output terminal to a load. The multi-cell power supply includes a first power cell coupled to the source, and a first current sensor circuit. The first power cell provides a first output current, and includes a first output terminal coupled to a reference node of the multi-cell power supply, and a second output terminal coupled to the output terminal. The first current sensor circuit includes a first current sensor and a power supply. The first current sensor is coupled to the first output terminal of the first power cell, and measures the first output current. The power supply is coupled to either the reference node or a floating ground node of the first power cell, and provides power to the first current sensor.