Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080304302 | Systems and Methods for Controlling a Converter for Powering a Load - Systems and methods for controlling a converter for powering a load are provided. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for powering a load is provided. A power converter may be provided. At least one gating control signal having a switching pattern may be supplied to the power converter, wherein the switching pattern has a waveform with an effective switching frequency greater than 1 times the fundamental frequency of the switching pattern and less than 2 times the fundamental frequency of the switching pattern. At least one output power signal may be output to the load responsive at least in part to the at least one gating control signal supplied. | 12-11-2008 |
20090121818 | AIR CORE INDUCTOR INCLUDING A FLUX INHIBITING MEMBER - An air core inductor includes an inductor member formed in a plurality of coils. The inductor member includes a first end portion, a second end portion and a hollow core portion. The air core inductor also includes at least one stray flux inhibiting member provided on one of the first and second end portions of the inductor member. The stray flux inhibiting member blocks stray magnetic flux emanating from the air core inductor. | 05-14-2009 |
20090268490 | Systems and Methods For Controlling A Converter For Powering A Load - Embodiments of systems and methods for powering a load are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include providing a power converter comprising electrical circuitry comprising at least a first leg and a second leg, supplying an input power signal to the power converter, supplying at least a first gating control signal to the first leg, supplying at least a second gating control signal to the second leg, and outputting at least one output power signal to the load responsive at least in part to the first and the second gating control signals supplied. According to this example embodiment, the first gating signal and the second gating signal may each comprise a waveform comprising a notch, and the second gating control signal may be phase shifted relative to the first gating control signal. | 10-29-2009 |
20100133904 | DC BUS VOLTAGE CONTROL FOR TWO STAGE SOLAR CONVERTER - Systems, methods, and apparatus for supplying AC power to an AC power grid from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic (PV) array are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a converter coupled to the DC power source that provides DC power to a DC bus at a DC bus voltage. The systems and methods can further include an inverter coupled to the DC bus for converting the DC power of the DC bus to an output AC power. The systems and methods can further include a control system configured to regulate the DC bus voltage of the DC bus to operate at a variable DC bus voltage setpoint. The control system can adjust the DC bus voltage setpoint based at least in part on the DC bus voltage and the output AC current of the inverter. | 06-03-2010 |
20100148578 | Systems And Methods Providing A Power Converter - Embodiments of systems and methods for providing power to one or more loads are provided. According to one embodiment, there is disclosed a power supply system for providing power to one or more loads. The power supply system may include at least one inverter having inverter input terminals and inverter output terminals, wherein the inverter input terminals may be electrically connectable to a source power supply. The power supply system may also include at least one isolation transformer having isolation transformer input terminals and isolation transformer output terminals, wherein the isolation transformer input terminals may be in electrical communication with the inverter output terminals of one or more inverters. The power supply system may additionally include at least one load having load input terminals, wherein the load input terminals may be in electrical communication with the isolation transformer output terminals of the one or more isolation transformers. | 06-17-2010 |
20100194518 | CAST-COIL INDUCTOR - An inductor device is described. The inductor device includes a core comprising two core sections, at least one gap defined between the two core sections, and at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly includes a conductor winding and a fringe shield sealed within an insulator. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly is configured to at least partially surround portions of the two core sections. | 08-05-2010 |
20100277001 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Converting DC Power to AC Power - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and an apparatus for converting direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power. According to one embodiment, a system for converting DC power to AC power can be provided. The system can include a DC power source electrically coupled to a DC-to-DC converter. The DC power source can be associated with a first ground, and the DC-to-DC converter can be operable to isolate the power provided by the DC power source from the first ground. The DC-to-DC converter can be further operable to condition the DC power and to provide the conditioned DC power to an inverter. The inverter can receive the conditioned DC power and can convert the conditioned DC power to AC power. The AC power can be associated with a second ground and can be provided to at least one load electrically coupled to the inverter. | 11-04-2010 |
20100277869 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Cooling a Power Conversion System - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for cooling a power conversion system. According to one embodiment, a system comprising a power conversion system having an electrical component with a magnetic core can be provided. The system can include a heat transfer path adjacent to a portion of the electrical component and electrically isolated from the electrical component. The system can also include a cooling medium. The cooling medium can be used in conjunction with the heat transfer path for transferring heat from the electrical component. At least in this way, a system for cooling a power conversion system can be provided that can reduce thermal effects associated with power conversion. | 11-04-2010 |
20100314872 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A WIND TURBINE POWER CONVERTER - A method for providing an output power to a load is described. The method includes coupling a multi-thread power converter system to an alternating current (AC) generator and to a load and monitoring at least one operating characteristic of the AC generator. The method also includes providing the multi-thread power converter system with one of a first switching pattern and a second switching pattern based at least partially on the at least one monitored operating characteristic. The method also includes configuring the multi-thread power converter system to operate in accordance with the first switching pattern and the second switching pattern and to convert an AC input power provided by the generator to an output power for delivery to the load. | 12-16-2010 |
20110013432 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Operating a Power Converter - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for operating a power converter. According to one embodiment, a system for operating a power converter can be provided. The system can include a direct current (DC) power source with an output electrically coupled to an input of the power converter. The system can also include a controller operable to modify the performance of the DC power source through the power converter. As part of this modification, the controller can determine whether a low voltage ride (LVRT) event exists in a load and can adjust the DC power source when a LVRT event occurs. | 01-20-2011 |
20110013433 | Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Converting Direct Current (DC) Power to Alternating Current (AC) Power - Embodiments of the invention can provide systems, methods, and apparatus for converting direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power. According to one embodiment, a system for converting DC power to AC power can be provided. The system can include a DC power source that provides a first DC power signal to a converter. Coupled to the converter can be a controller for transforming the first DC power signal into a plurality of AC power signals. The controller can also phase shift at least one of the plurality of AC power signals and combine the phase shifted AC power signal with at least one of the other of the plurality of AC power signals to provide a second DC power signal. The controller can also convert the second DC power signal to an AC power signal. | 01-20-2011 |
20110096579 | DC BUS VOLTAGE CONTROL FOR TWO STAGE SOLAR CONVERTER - Systems, methods, and apparatus for supplying AC power to an AC power grid from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic (PV) array are disclosed. The systems and methods can include a converter coupled to the DC power source that provides DC power to a DC bus at a DC bus voltage. The systems and methods can further include an inverter coupled to the DC bus for converting the DC power of the DC bus to an output AC power. The systems and methods can further include a control system configured to regulate the DC bus voltage of the DC bus to operate at a variable DC bus voltage setpoint. The control system can adjust the DC bus voltage setpoint based at least in part on the DC bus voltage and the output AC current of the inverter. | 04-28-2011 |
20110204637 | Apparatus For Coupling An Energy Storage System To A Variable Energy Supply System - A method for coupling an energy storage system to a variable energy supply system includes providing an energy storage system including at least one Vanadium redox battery and at least one battery charge controller. The method also includes electrically coupling the at least one battery charge controller to the variable energy supply system such that the at least one battery is configured to supply a substantially consistent energy output during fluctuating energy loads of the energy supply system. | 08-25-2011 |
20110205773 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ALLOW FOR HIGH DC SOURCE VOLTAGE WITH LOWER DC LINK VOLTAGE IN A TWO STAGE POWER CONVERTER - A system for supplying AC power from a DC power source, such as a photovoltaic array is disclosed. The system includes a converter and an inverter coupled by a DC link. Control methods and systems are provided to maintain the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source. During steady state conditions, the DC source voltage and the DC link voltage are maintained below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source by controlling the output of the inverter. The DC link voltage is temporarily adjusted to allow for higher DC link transients when the DC power source is first coupled or re-coupled to the system. During conditions when the inverter is decoupled from the system, the converter is controlled to maintain the DC link voltage below the open-circuit voltage of the DC power source. | 08-25-2011 |
20120025539 | COOLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF COOLING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE - A cooling device for an electrical apparatus having an air gap. The cooling device includes a heat transfer element coupled to the core. The heat transfer element includes a first material to facilitate transferring heat out of the core. The cooling device further includes an electrical insulator coupled to the heat transfer element. The insulator includes a second material to facilitate flow of magnetic flux across the air gap. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029839 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING REMAINING LIFE FOR A DEVICE - A system and method for estimating a remaining life period for a device. The system includes a sensor coupled to the device, wherein the sensor is configured to facilitate measuring an operating parameter of the device and generate a measurement signal that is representative of the operating parameter. The system includes a database comprising an upper limit value, a lower limit value and a reference parameter. A processor of system includes circuitry coupled to the sensor and coupled to the database The processor is configured to correlate measurements of the operating parameter with the reference parameter to facilitate estimating a remaining life period of the device. | 02-02-2012 |
20120062044 | Methods and Systems for Operating a Two-Stage Power Converter - A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The system includes a boost converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The system also includes an inverter coupled to the boost converter by at least one conductor and configured to regulate a voltage drop across the at least one conductor. The system also includes a system controller configured to control operation of the boost converter and the inverter. | 03-15-2012 |
20120133152 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR COOLING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF WIND TURBINES - A cooling system for use in cooling an electrical component of a wind turbine is described herein. The cooling system includes a first heat exchange assembly that is coupled to the electrical component. The first heat exchange assembly is configured to transfer heat from the electrical component to a cooling fluid. A fluid distribution assembly is coupled to the first heat exchange assembly for selectively channeling the cooling fluid to the first heat exchange assembly. The fluid distribution assembly is configured to adjust a flowrate of the cooling fluid being channeled to the first heat exchange assembly to adjust a temperature of the component. | 05-31-2012 |
20130061908 | ANGLE ADJUSTMENT CONTROLLER AND METHOD FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS - A photovoltaic power system includes one or more photovoltaic cells that supplies an output power, a controller that controls an angle of the one or more photovoltaic cells with respect to an incident light, and a power converter that converts the output power of the photovoltaic cells to converted output power, wherein the power converter has a threshold input power. The controller is configured to control the angle of the one or more photovoltaic cells with respect to the incident light such that a total output power of the photovoltaic cells is at or below the threshold input power of the power converter. | 03-14-2013 |
20130069632 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED CURRENT SHUNT SENSING - An apparatus and method for improved current shunt sensing in an electrical system, such as a renewable energy electrical system, is disclosed. A current shunt according to aspects of the present disclosure includes a conductive portion that is placed in series with an electrical system The current shunt includes a sensing element that is used to measure the voltage across the conductive portion of the current shunt. The sensing element has an increased width relative to the width of the conductive portion of the shunt. The increased width of the sensing element provides for improved current shunt sensing that results in more accurate voltage (and thus current) measurements across a wide range of frequencies. | 03-21-2013 |
20130076150 | Acoustic Noise Modification in Power Converters - A boost converter including two or more inductors coupled to an input DC power source and to switches that can each be modulated with a modulation signal to control the output power of the boost converter. Two or more of the modulation signals have a relative phase other than 360° divided by the number of switches. | 03-28-2013 |
20130076327 | POWER SYSTEM JUNCTION TEMPERATURE CONTROL - An electrical power generating system including a power generating device, a power converter connected to the power generating device, and an electrical controller connected to the power converter. The electrical controller is configured to limit a peak junction temperature of the power converter by applying at least one junction temperature derating function. | 03-28-2013 |
20130077372 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER - A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The power conversion system includes a power converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The power conversion system also includes a system controller communicatively coupled to the power converter and configured to select from a first reduced power operating point and a second reduced power operating point when a power available from the PV array is greater than a rated output power of the power conversion system. | 03-28-2013 |
20130088080 | Dynamic Break and Distortion Filter - Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing a dynamic break and distortion filter. In one embodiment, an apparatus can include an inverter providing alternating current (AC) power at one of a first and second chopping frequency and a filter. The filter can include an input port receiving the AC power and an output port providing output power by selectively passing the AC power from the input port to the output port. The filter may further include an inductor electrically connected to one of the input port and output port and a capacitor electrically connected to the inductor and to a resistor, wherein current does not substantially flow through the inductor and capacitor at the first chopping frequency and does substantially flow through the inductor and capacitor at the second chopping frequency, and wherein the AC power with the second chopping frequency is dissipated in the resistor. | 04-11-2013 |
20130100720 | POWER CONVERTER SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM - A power converter system includes a converter, a DC link, an inverter, a damping circuit, and a control system. The converter includes an input to couple to a power generation unit and an output to provide a direct current (DC) DC power output. The DC link includes a capacitor coupled to the converter output. A voltage across the capacitor defines a DC link voltage. The inverter includes an input coupled to the DC link. The damping circuit is coupled between the converter and the inverter in parallel with the DC link capacitor. The damping circuit includes a normally closed switching device, and a resistor coupled in series with the normally closed switching device. The control system is coupled to the damping circuit and configured to control the normally closed switching device as a function of at least one operating parameter of the power converter system. | 04-25-2013 |
20130107594 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130107601 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRIC POWER CONVERTER | 05-02-2013 |
20130128632 | NEUTRAL POINT CLAMPED CONVERTER CONTROL SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD AND COMPENSATION UNIT - A control system includes a fundamental control unit, first and second compensation control units, a switch control unit, and a switch implementation unit. The fundamental control unit generates fundamental commands to implement fundamental power conversion operation for a converter. The first compensation control unit generates a first compensation signal for injection into the fundamental command to balance neutral point voltage when the converter is in operation in a first state. The second compensation control unit generates a second compensation signal for injection into the fundamental command to balance neutral point voltage when the converter is in operation in a second state. The switch control unit detects first and second states of the converter and provides first and second switch signals respectively. The switch implementation unit switches the fundamental control unit to communicate with the first and second compensation control units according to the first and second switch signals respectively. | 05-23-2013 |
20130155732 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER - A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The power conversion system includes a power converter coupled to a power source and the electrical grid. The power conversion system also includes a converter controller coupled to the power converter and configured to control operation of the power converter to actively cancel harmonic current received at the power converter from the electrical grid. | 06-20-2013 |
20130169068 | DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR REDUCING OVERVOLTAGE DAMANGE - A device includes a first thyristor element configured to be coupled to a first voltage line and a second voltage line, wherein the first voltage line is configured to transmit power in a first phase and the second voltage line is configured to transmit power in a second phase. The device includes a second thyristor element configured to be coupled to the second voltage line and a third voltage line, wherein the third voltage line is configured to transmit power in a third phase. The device includes a third thyristor element configured to be coupled to the first voltage line and the third voltage line. | 07-04-2013 |
20130207763 | COOLING DEVICE FOR ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF COOLING AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE - A cooling device for an electrical apparatus having an air gap. The cooling device includes a heat transfer element coupled to the core. The heat transfer element includes a first material to facilitate transferring heat out of the core. The cooling device further includes an electrical insulator coupled to the heat transfer element. The insulator includes a second material to facilitate flow of magnetic flux across the air gap. | 08-15-2013 |
20130234435 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A WIND TURBINE - A method and system for reducing a disturbance of an electric grid signal in a wind turbine is provided. The method includes providing a generator for the wind turbine system, and, coupling a power converter to the generator, the power converter. The power converter is configured to monitor at least one of a negative sequence component and a positive sequence component of a signal transmitted from an electric grid, determine if a disturbance exists based on the monitored signal, determine at least a portion of a magnitude of the negative sequence component of the signal, and, orient a voltage of the signal based on the determined magnitude negative sequence component to modify the instantaneous power flow through the power converter. | 09-12-2013 |
20130279228 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING LOW-LOAD EFFICIENCY OF HIGH POWER CONVERTERS - Systems and methods for improving low-load efficiency of power converters are provided. The power converter can include one or more bridge circuits having multiple switching modules, such as insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules, connected in parallel within the same bridge circuit. The power converter is configured to convert power from an input power source, such as a photovoltaic array or a wind turbine, into output power at a grid frequency. To avoid excessive switching losses at low load conditions, the power converter can be controlled to selectively operate a subset of the switching modules within the same bridge circuit based on a load condition for the power converter. The remaining switching modules in the bridge circuit can be disabled. | 10-24-2013 |
20130301170 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR VOLTAGE CLAMP CIRCUITS - Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods and apparatus for voltage clamp circuits. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a voltage clamp circuit may include a first circuit portion electrically coupled to the output of at least one power source. The first circuit portion comprises a power semiconductor device having a first, second and third node and one or more zener diodes electrically coupled to the first or the second node of the power semiconductor device. The voltage clamp circuit may further include a second circuit portion in electrical communication with the first circuit portion, where the second circuit portion comprises a resistor, a capacitor and a directional device, and where the second circuit portion connects to the one or more zener diodes to reduce peak voltage output between the second and the third node of the power semiconductor device. | 11-14-2013 |
20130301177 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OVERVOLTAGE PROTECTION - In one aspect, the present subject matter discloses a method for overvoltage protection of an electrical system. The method may generally include detecting an overvoltage condition on an electrical system; and switching on, in response to the detected overvoltage condition, an impedance connected to the electrical system, wherein the impedance clamps voltage on the electrical system. | 11-14-2013 |
20130301327 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PARALLEL CONVERTER CURRENT SHARING - In one aspect, a method of converting power is described. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving direct current (DC) power; channeling the DC power through an inverter including a first bridge and a second bridge, wherein each of the first bridge and the second bridge includes at least one switch; controlling the at least one switch of the first bridge and the at least one switch of the second bridge to convert the DC power to alternating current (AC) power; and, channeling the AC power through an inductor that includes a first winding and a second winding, wherein the first winding is coupled to an output of the first bridge and the second winding is coupled to an output of the second bridge and wherein the inductor is configured to have a first magnetic path for common mode inductance and a second magnetic path for differential mode inductance. | 11-14-2013 |
20130342019 | POWER CONVERTER AND METHOD OF ASSEMBLING THE SAME - A power converter includes a plurality of power conversion modules. At least one power conversion module includes a plurality of power conversion devices defining a three-level bridge. A first power conversion module includes four terminals including one of a positive terminal and a negative terminal, an output terminal, a first neutral terminal, and a second neutral terminal The first neutral terminal is coupled to a direct current (DC) link and the second neutral terminal is coupled to a second power conversion module. | 12-26-2013 |
20140015571 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REGULATING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES - A system for regulating semiconductor devices may include a current regulator configured to regulate one or more currents provided to an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The current regulator may regulate the currents by generating a current profile based at least in part on a collector voltage value associated with the IGBT, a rate of collector voltage change value associated with the IGBT, or any combination thereof The current profile may include one or more current values to be provided to a gate of the IGBT such that the current values are configured to limit the rate of collector voltage change to a first value. The current regulator may then send the one or more current values to a current source configured to supply the gate of the IGBT with one or more currents that correspond to the one or more current values. | 01-16-2014 |
20140029322 | ELECTRIC POWER CONVERTER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A power converter includes a plurality of semiconductor switching devices coupled in a parallel configuration and positioned proximate each other in an interlaced configuration with respect to a plurality of electrical phases. The interlaced configuration facilitates inducing an electric current flow through each semiconductor switching device of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices that cancels at least a portion of current imbalances between at least a portion of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices. | 01-30-2014 |
20140030984 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR GALVANIC ISOLATION OF GATE-CONTROLLED DEVICES - In one aspect, a method of galvanic isolation for a gate-controlled device is described. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving, by a gate-controlled device, wireless receive signals, wherein said wireless receive signals are received by a wireless receiver associated with the gate-controlled device. | 01-30-2014 |
20140056041 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM, POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM, AND METHODS OF OPERATING A POWER CONVERTER SYSTEM - A power converter system includes a converter configured to be coupled to a power generation unit for receiving power from the power generation unit, and a bus coupled to the converter, wherein a voltage is generated across the bus when electricity is conducted through the power converter system. The power converter system also includes an inverter coupled to the bus, wherein the inverter is configured to supply power to an electrical distribution network. A control system is coupled to at least one of the converter and the inverter, wherein the control system is configured to adjust an operation of the at least one of the converter and the inverter to reduce the voltage across the bus during at least one of a low voltage event and a high voltage event. | 02-27-2014 |
20140062210 | MECHANICAL LAYOUT FOR HALF-BRIDGE POWER MODULE THAT IS OPTIMIZED FOR LOW INDUCTANCE - Disclosed is a mechanical layout for a half-bride power module that is optimized for low inductance. In one embodiment, a first power module and a second power module are mounted on each side of a heat sink. An inductance cancelling bus bar is wrapped around the heat sink, the first power module and the second power module in a loop. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062425 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INTERFACING VARIABLE SPEED GENERATORS TO A POWER GRID - The present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for interfacing variable speed generators to a power distribution grid. A plurality of doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG) are provided and coupled to a common shaft of a prime mover. Each of the plurality of DFIGs provides an electrical power output having an output frequency based on a rotational speed of the common shaft. A converter coupled to each DFIG provides variable excitation signals to its respective DFIG sufficient to adjust its output frequency to conform to a power grid frequency requirement. | 03-06-2014 |
20140070535 | METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR OPERATING A WIND TURBINE USING DYNAMIC BRAKING IN RESPONSE TO A GRID EVENT - A method and system for dissipating energy in a direct current (dc) bus of a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) converter during a grid event is described. In one aspect, the method comprises monitoring operating conditions of an electrical system, the electrical system comprising at least a DFIG generator and a line side converter and a rotor side converter connected by a dc bus having a dynamic brake connected thereto; detecting an overvoltage on the dc bus or a condition indicative of an overvoltage on the dc link is detected, the overvoltage on the dc bus or condition indicative of the overvoltage caused by a grid event; and causing energy in the dc link to be dissipated using the dynamic brake. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070536 | VOLTAGE CONTROL IN A DOUBLY-FED INDUCTION GENERATOR WIND TURBINE SYSTEM - Systems and methods for regulating voltage in a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system are provided. More particularly, the voltage of the auxiliary power feed in a DFIG wind turbine system can be regulated by outputting reactive power from a power converter to a reactive element coupled between the auxiliary power feed and a stator bus. The reactive element can include a winding of the transformer used to couple the wind turbine system to the electrical grid and/or an inductive element coupled between the output of the power converter and the stator bus. The voltage of the auxiliary power feed can be maintained within a reduced operating range while an increased operating range can be provided for wind turbine system | 03-13-2014 |
20140078800 | CURRENT BALANCE CONTROL IN CONVERTER FOR DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATOR WIND TURBINE SYSTEM - Systems and methods for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits used in a power converter of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system are provided. A control system can monitor the bridge current of each of the bridge circuits coupled in parallel and generate a feedback signal indicative of the difference in bridge current between the parallel bridge circuits. Command signals for controlling the bridge circuits can then be developed based on the feedback signal to reduce current imbalance between the bridge circuits. For instance, the pulse width modulation of switching devices (e.g. IGBTs) used in the bridge circuits can be modified to reduce current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits. | 03-20-2014 |
20140103724 | BIDIRECTIONAL POWER SYSTEM, OPERATION METHOD, AND CONTROLLER FOR OPERATING - A power source of a bidirectional power system includes an energy storage device. Power can be transferred between the power source at a DC voltage and an electrical distribution network and/or a load at an AC voltage. A control system monitors for an islanding condition and, during normal operation, maintains an amount of power stored in the energy storage device and provides power to the load and/or network. Responsive to an islanding condition, power to the load can be maintained using the energy storage device, and the power system can be shut down and/or decoupled from the distribution network. | 04-17-2014 |
20140152331 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A GRID EVENT - A method for detecting a grid event is provided. The method includes sampling grid voltage and grid current over a fixed period of time; determining grid impedance at one or more frequencies using the sampled grid voltage and the sampled grid current; comparing the grid impedance at the one or more frequencies to a known expected grid impedance at the one or more frequencies; and detecting a grid event based on the comparison. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156583 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A DESIRED MISSION - A control system for determining a desired mission is provided. The control system includes an interface for receiving a mission input and a control module. The control module is in communication with the interface, and determines the desired mission. The desired mission represents a specific conclusion based on analyzing data located in at least one database. The control module includes a transform avatar for determining a proposed transform based on the mission input. The proposed transform is a defined set of rules to determine the desired mission based on the data located in at the least one database. The control module includes a calculation avatar receiving the proposed transform. The calculation avatar analyzes the data located in the at least one database based on the proposed transform to determine the desired mission. | 06-05-2014 |
20140159677 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZATION OF DUAL BRIDGE DOUBLY FED INDUCTION GENERATOR (DFIG) - The present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for improving reliability of dual bridge doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) by reducing the number of required components in the converters associated with such DFIGs. A converter is constructed using a pair of current conducting bridges wherein one of the current conducting bridges is controlled and the second is not controlled. The uncontrolled bridge may correspond to a pair of diodes while the controlled bridge may correspond to a pair of transistors, in particular, a pair of IGBT transistors. | 06-12-2014 |
20140203559 | CONNECTION FOR IMPROVED CURRENT BALANCING BETWEEN PARALLEL BRIDGE CIRCUITS - A connection for parallel bridge circuits in a power converter is provided. In particular, a power converter can be used to provide a desired power to a load, such as a generator, motor, electrical grid, or other suitable load. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel. A bridge output of each of the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at the load instead of at the power converter. In particular, the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at a location that is physically proximate the physical location of the load, such as at a plurality of terminals associated with the load. By doing so, stray inductance associated with conductors used to couple the bridge outputs of the parallel bridge circuits to the load can be effectively coupled between the parallel bridge circuits. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204630 | CURRENT BALANCE CONTROL FOR NON-INTERLEAVED PARALLEL BRIDGE CIRCUITS IN POWER CONVERTER - Systems and methods for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits used in a power converter of a power generation system, such as a wind driven doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) system, are provided. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel to increase the output power capability of the system. Each of the bridge circuits can include a pair of switching elements, such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs), coupled in series with one another. The switching elements of the parallel bridge circuits can be controlled, for instance, using control commands (e.g. pulse width modulation commands) according to a substantially non-interleaved switching pattern. The timing of the control commands according to the substantially non-interleaved switching pattern can be adjusted to reduce current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits. | 07-24-2014 |
20140204643 | CONTROL SCHEME FOR CURRENT BALANCING BETWEEN PARALLEL BRIDGE CIRCUITS - A control scheme for reducing current imbalance between parallel bridge circuits in a power converter system is provided. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel to increase the output power capability of the power system. The parallel bridge circuits can be controlled pursuant to a control scheme for reducing current imbalance between the parallel bridge circuits. In particular, a pulse test can be performed in which a pulse is applied to each of the plurality of bridge circuits. The switch timing of the switching elements responsive to the pulse can be measured and analyzed to determine a timing difference adjustment for one or more of the switching elements of the plurality of bridge circuits. The timing difference adjustment can be stored and used to adjust all subsequent switching events in the parallel bridge circuits. | 07-24-2014 |
20140247021 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING SWITCHING FREQUENCY OF A DOUBLY-FED INDUCTION GENERATOR (DFIG) - The present subject matter is directed to systems and methods for controlling variable speed generators, particularly converters associated with doubly-fed induction generators (DFIG) to permit use of harmonic attenuating filters that are generally smaller and less costly than previous similar filters. The subject matter provides for controlling line-side and rotor-side converters in such a manner that the frequencies generated by the converters are interleaved in a manner that the filters see a higher switching frequency and thus may be designed based on those higher frequencies, thereby requiring smaller and less expensive components. | 09-04-2014 |
20140319838 | SWITCHING-BASED CONTROL FOR A POWER CONVERTER - A method for operating a power generation system that supplies power for application to a load is disclosed. The method may generally include receiving, at a power converter, an alternating current power generated by a generator operating at a speed that is substantially equal to its synchronous speed and converting, with the power converter, the alternating current power to an output power, wherein the power converter includes at least one switching element. In addition, the method may include receiving a control command to control a switching frequency of the at least one switching element and adjusting the switching frequency to an adjusted switching frequency that is substantially equal to a fundamental frequency of the load. | 10-30-2014 |
20140354244 | CONNECTION FOR IMPROVED CURRENT BALANCING IN A PARALLEL BRIDGE POWER CONVERTER - A power generation system may include a generator and a power converter coupled to the generator. The power converter may include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel. Each bridge circuit may be coupled to an inductor. In addition, the power converter may include a plurality of parallel shorting devices. The shorting devices may be coupled to the bridge circuits such that an impedance of the inductors is effectively coupled between the shorting devices and the generator. | 12-04-2014 |
20140361538 | Methods for Operating Wind Turbine System Having Dynamic Brake - Wind turbine systems and methods for operating wind turbine systems are provided. In one embodiment, a method includes gating on a dynamic brake switch of a dynamic brake in a wind turbine power converter when an experienced direct current (DC) bus voltage is equal to or greater than a threshold DC bus voltage. The method further includes disabling a threshold temperature rating for the dynamic brake switch when the dynamic brake switch is gated on, and gating off the dynamic brake switch when the experienced DC bus voltage is less than the threshold DC bus voltage. | 12-11-2014 |
20150049524 | POWER CONVERTER WITH A MULTI-LEVEL BRIDGE TOPOLOGY AND CONTROL METHOD - The present subject matter is directed to apparatus and methods for producing a variable frequency output waveform from a power converter for use in a power generation system, such as a wind turbine power generation system. A voltage divider is employed to provide plural voltage levels to which a multi-level bridge circuit employing selectively activated switches in pairs of switches is coupled. The switches are operated in such a fashion as to produce a generally sinusoidal waveform that may be easily filtered by low cost filters due to the plural voltage levels to produce a generally smooth sine wave from the converter. Such converters may be used in various environments including in pairs in multi-phase power converters. | 02-19-2015 |
20150084337 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SWITCHING ELEMENTS WITHIN A SINGLE-PHASE BRIDGE CIRCUIT - In one aspect, a method for controlling the operation of switching elements contained within a single-phase bridge circuit of a power convertor may include monitoring gate voltages of a first switching element and a second switching element of the single-phase bridge circuit and controlling the first and second switching elements so that each switching element is alternated between an activated state and a deactivated state. In addition, the method may include transmitting a gating command signal to adjust the first switching element from the deactivated state to the activated state when: a first gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the first switching element to the activated state; a second gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the second switching element to the deactivated state; and the gate voltage of the second switching element is less than a predetermined voltage threshold. | 03-26-2015 |