A power converter for operating a three-phase AC electrical machine from a single phase AC power source includes an ASD having a rectifier and inverter, and an add-on power conversion module external to the ASD that is electrically connected to each of the power source and the ASD. The power conversion module includes one or more input inductors configured to store and filter single-phase AC power received from the power source and a pair of switching devices connected to each of the input inductors at an output end thereof. A controller operably connected to the power conversion module selectively controls switching of the pair of switching devices associated with each of the one or more input inductors so as to cause a sinusoidal single phase AC power to be output from the add-on power conversion module for rectification by the rectifier.

A power converter for operating a three-phase AC electrical machine from a single phase AC power source includes an ASD having a rectifier and inverter, and an add-on power conversion module external to the ASD that is electrically connected to each of the power source and the ASD. The power conversion module includes one or more input inductors configured to store and filter single-phase AC power received from the power source and a pair of switching devices connected to each of the input inductors at an output end thereof. A controller operably connected to the power conversion module selectively controls switching of the pair of switching devices associated with each of the one or more input inductors so as to cause a sinusoidal single phase AC power to be output from the add-on power conversion module for rectification by the rectifier.

An apparatus for determining start of electric machine is disclosed wherein a frequency of a 3-phase current inputted from a motor is estimated to determine whether the motor has started using a difference between the estimated frequency and a frequency of output voltage of inverter configured to drive the motor.

A system for speed regulation of an induction motor including an induction motor configured to be driven by a 3-phase alternating voltage (AC) signal. The system further includes an encoder configured to measure a shaft speed of the induction motor. Further, the system includes a variable frequency drive (VFD) device configured to generate the 3-phase AC signal to drive the induction motor. The system also includes a controller configured to generate a control voltage signal based on the measured shaft speed of the induction motor and a reference speed, the control voltage signal being input to the VFD device to control a frequency of the 3-phase AC signal.

A method and circuit for starting a three-phase motor in a manner that reduces inrush current normally associated with starting an AC motor. The method uses the circuit to start the three phase motor gradually with three phase alternating current having relatively low frequency and gradually increasing the frequency up to or above the motor operating frequency over a period of time and then switching in a steady state or static three phase alternating power supply to power the three phase motor.

A system for speed regulation of an induction motor including an induction motor configured to be driven by a 3-phase alternating voltage (AC) signal. The system further includes an encoder configured to measure a shaft speed of the induction motor. Further, the system includes a variable frequency drive (VFD) device configured to generate the 3-phase AC signal to drive the induction motor. The system also includes a controller configured to generate a control voltage signal based on the measured shaft speed of the induction motor and a reference speed, the control voltage signal being input to the VFD device to control a frequency of the 3-phase AC signal.

There is provided an induction machine (100) comprising a rotor (120); a stator (140); and a phase-shift oscillator (160). The stator comprises: a first winding (141); and a second winding (142), arranged at a first angle (101) relative to said first winding. The phase-shift oscillator comprises: a transistor (170), the transistor (170) being a high-electron mobility transistor, HEMT; and a phase-shift network (180). The first winding is connected to a first node (181) of the phase-shift network and wherein the second winding is connected to a second node (182) of the phase-shift network, wherein the phase-shift oscillator is configured to provide a first phase electric signal at the first node and a second phase electric signal at the second node, wherein a difference between the first and second phase corresponds to the first angle. There is also provided an electric aircraft propulsion system comprising the induction machine.