Northern Power Systems, Inc.

Beta Air, LLC

Northern Power Systems Utility Scale, Inc.

Universities Research Association, Inc.

Weg Electric Corp

Jeffrey K Petter

Jonathan A Lynch

Stephen Paul Hoskins

Hector H Hurtado

Kiran Kumar Kulihithalu Channakeshava

Garrett Lee Bywaters

Christopher Samuel Badger

Shazreen Meor Danial

Belvin Sewell Freeman

Daniel P Costin

Trevor H Cole

Belvin S Freeman

Brendan F Taylor

Eric Benedict

Zach Pan

Nicholas Paul Borland

James L McNamara

E Michael Skroski

Austin Cate

Jan Tierson

Chris Woodalll

Magdelena Dale

Kim A Kite

Systems and methods relate to electric propulsor fault detection. An exemplary system includes at least a first inverter configured to accept a direct current and produce an alternating current, a first propulsor, a first motor operatively connected with the first propulsor and powered by the alternating current, and at least a noise monitoring circuit electrically connected with the direct current and configured to detect electromagnetic noise and disengage the at least an inverter as a function of the electromagnetic noise.

Methods and systems for electric propulsor fault detection

In an aspect, this disclosure is related to apparatus and method for optimizing motor performance in an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Apparatus includes a motor, an inverter, a sensor, and a flight controller. Flight controller is configured to receive an operational datum from a sensor, which detects a physical phenomenon and generates an operational datum. Flight controller is configured to generate an optimized switching frequency for the inverter based on the operational datum. Flight controller is configured to adjust the switching frequency of the inverter based on the optimized switching frequency.

Apparatus and method for optimizing motor performance in an electric aircraft

Provided in this disclosure is a dual-motor propulsion assembly, and corresponding methods of operation, that is configured for use in an electric aircraft. Dual-motor propulsion assembly provides redundant systems by including vertically stack motors, where one motor powers a propulsor of the assembly if the other motor malfunctions or becomes inoperative.

Dual-motor propulsion assembly

Systems and methods relate to electric propulsor fault detection. An exemplary system includes at least a first inverter configured to accept a direct current and produce an alternating current, a first propulsor, a first motor operatively connected with the first propulsor and powered by the alternating current, and at least a noise monitoring circuit electrically connected with the direct current and configured to detect electromagnetic noise and disconnect the at least an inverter from the direct current as a function of the electromagnetic noise.

Feedback-type control systems for power converters that assist the power converters in staying within operational limited during disturbances. In some embodiments, each control system includes an impedance current regulator controlled as a function of an error between a measured feedback voltage signal representing the output of the power converter and an active feedforward voltage signal. In some multiphase embodiments, the impedance current regulator includes a gain that is adjusted as a function of the level of phase imbalance among the multiple phases. In some multiphase embodiments, a total current limit is determined as a function of the level of phase imbalance among the multiple phases. Corresponding feedback control methods and software, as well as power converter systems and AC network systems incorporating such feedback control systems, are also disclosed.

Control systems, methods, and software for keeping power converters within operating limits during disturbances

A method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating the effects of torque ripple and cogging torque and otherwise improving performance in an electromechanical machine such as a motor or generator. The rotor and/or stator is conceptually sectionalized and the sections spaced apart by amount sufficient to alleviate deleterious aspects of cogging torque and torque ripple. Positioning of the stator teeth or rotor magnets is determined based on the calculated spacing. Conceptual sections may be formed as physically individual segments. Unwound teeth may be disposed in end spaces between sections occupying less than the entire area of the end space.

Sectionalized electromechanical machines having low torque ripple and low cogging torque characteristics

A power converter module for use alone or with other modules in a multiphase power converter. The power converter module has an enclosure that surrounds internal components to prevent radiation of electromagnetic energy, which internal components also limit conduction of electromagnetic energy. The internal components include an EMI filter, a ripple filter, a power converter, and a control interface that communicates with a control system of a power conversion system. The control interface includes a memory that stores information related to the power converter modules so as to improve interchangability of similar power modules with the multiphase power converter.

Modular power converters usable alone in a multiphase power converter

Electromagnetic rotary machines, such as electrical power generators and electric motors, that have one or more active portions modularized into a set of modules. Each of the modules is secured to a support frame via a sliding-interlock system that allows that module to be slidingly engaged with the support frame. In some embodiments, each module can include an integrated coolant conduit that carries a coolant to cool the active portion during operation. The modules can each be self-contained in the respect that essentially all that needs to be done to form the active portion and corresponding portion of the cooling system is to install the modules and make any remaining electrical and coolant conduit connections.

Electromagnetic rotary machines having modular active-coil portions and modules for such machines

Systems and methods for reducing dynamic loading in an idled wind power unit include sensing at least one parameter indicative of dynamic loading and executing a reduced torque brake mode, which may comprise a controlled brake and brake-release sequence, with the turbine braking system when the sensed parameter exceeds a selected value. The reduced torque brake mode absorbs energy and reduces dynamic loading thereby.

Systems for load reduction in a tower of an idled wind-power unit and methods thereof

Software embodied in a machine-readable storage medium and useful for controlling alternating-current (AC) output of a power converter connected to an AC power network. The software is designed and configured to estimate the phase of the voltage on the AC power network that will be on the network when the network recovers from a fault. Such software allows a power-network-connected power source to ride-through a fault event and continue supplying power thereto at the designed phase and frequency. In one embodiment, the software provides this estimate by tracking the phase with a response time changed in inverse proportion to the voltage on the power network.

Methods, systems, and software for controlling a power converter during low (zero)-voltage ride-through conditions

A speed setting system that generates a speed control command for controlling the rotational speed of a stall-controlled wind turbine of a wind-powered machine. The speed setting system generates the speed command as a function of performance variation of the wind turbine due to environmental and/or other factors. The speed setting system utilizes a performance-compensation term that is slowly adjusted to compensate for relatively long-term performance variation. In one example, the performance-compensation term is adjusted only when the current power output of the wind turbine is at least 80% of the rated output power to ensure the wind speed is sufficiently high.

Speed setting system and method for a stall-controlled wind turbine

A power converter module for use alone or with other modules in a multiphase power converter. The power converter module has an enclosure that surrounds internal components to prevent radiation of electromagnetic energy, which internal components also limit conduction of electromagnetic energy. The internal components include an EMI filter, a ripple filter, a power converter, and a control interface that communicates with a control system of a power conversion system. The control interface includes a memory that stores information related to the power converter modules so as to improve interchangeability of similar power modules with the multiphase power converter.

Modular power converters usable alone or in a multiphase power converter

A power converter control system having a phase tracker that is designed and configured to estimate the phase of the voltage on the power network that will be on the network when network recovers from a fault on the network. Such a power converter control system allows a power-network-connected power source to ride-through a fault event and continue supplying power thereto at the designed phase and frequency. In one embodiment, the phase tracker provides this estimate by having a response time slow enough that the voltage drop or sag caused by the fault substantially does not affect the control system. In another embodiment, the phase detector is designed and configured to freeze the frequency of its output upon detection of a fault event on the power network.

Growing community of inventors

Williston, VT, United States of America

Jeffrey K Petter