A generator control unit (GCU) includes a fault detection system configured to generate a direct current (DC) voltage signal based on a difference of a DC-equivalent voltage between the positive and negative exciter gate drive signals. The fault detection system further outputs a fault detection signal indicating the fault status of the gate drive integrated circuits based on a comparison between the DC average voltage signal and a threshold value.

A supercritical CO2 turbo-generator system includes multiple turbine generator units, a direct current bus, a plurality of active rectifiers, and a voltage controller. Each turbine generator unit includes a turbine with a supercritical CO2 input and a supercritical CO2 output, a generator with an electrical input and power output, a shaft connecting the turbine and generator, and a speed sensor for sensing shaft speed. The turbine generator units are connected in a cascading series with the input of a first turbine generator unit connected to a heated supercritical CO2 source and the input of each subsequent turbine generator unit is connected to the output of a prior turbine generator unit. The voltage controller monitors the speed sensor of the turbine generator units and varies the load on each generator to control shaft speed. Each active rectifier converts the power output of a generator to direct current, and the power from multiple active rectifiers is combined by the direct current bus.

The invention relates to a cascade activation method and mechatronic system for simultaneous generation and consumption. The system includes a non-return diode connected to an electric generator; a first voltage regulator connected to a microcontroller; a voltage converter; and an actuator, which has an activation voltage greater than the first activation voltage of the first voltage regulator. The actuator is configured to simultaneously consume a portion of the electrical energy generated by the electric generator. The method includes the steps of listing the elements of the mechatronic system that require power; calculating the activation sequence of the elements based on the minimum activation voltage and the activation time interval; selecting the electric generator based on the energy/power that needs to be provided to the mechatronic system; and programming the microcontroller with the activation sequence.

An output of a generator may vary according to the speed of the engine, physical characteristics of the engine, or other factors. A profile for a generator that describes a periodic fluctuation in an operating characteristic for the generator is identified. A field current of an alternator associated with the generator is modified based on the profile for the generator in order to counter variations in the output of the generator.

A capacitor is connected between the direct current voltage terminals. Switched terminals of a first switch and a second switch are coupled in series, between the direct current voltage terminals. An electric machine or generator has one or more windings and a first phase output terminal associated with the switched terminals. A first set of blocking diodes are cascaded in series and second set of blocking diodes are cascaded in series. A first voltage supply provides a first output voltage level and a second output level switchable to the first control terminal, where the first output level is distinct from the second output level. A second voltage supply provides the first output voltage level and the second output level switchable to the second control terminal.

A capacitor is connected between the direct current voltage terminals. Switched terminals of a first switch and a second switch are coupled in series, between the direct current voltage terminals. An electric machine or generator has one or more windings and a first phase output terminal associated with the switched terminals. A first set of blocking diodes are cascaded in series and second set of blocking diodes are cascaded in series. A first voltage supply provides a first output voltage level and a second output level switchable to the first control terminal, where the first output level is distinct from the second output level. A second voltage supply provides the first output voltage level and the second output level switchable to the second control terminal.

Multiphase generator-conversion systems are disclosed. The system includes a multiphase generator having one rotor and m+1 number of electromagnetically coupled stators, each stator having a plurality of phase legs. The system includes a converter having m+1 conversion lines, each conversion line connected to the plurality of phase legs of one of the m+1 stators. Each conversion line has a rectification module. At most m of the m+1 rectification modules has an active filtering converter. At least one of the m+1 rectification modules has a passive rectifier. At least one of the active filtering converters is configured to directly control its current to vary the magnetic flux of the stator to which it is connected and indirectly affect the magnetic flux of the rest of the stators through the electromagnetic coupling. Also disclosed are wind turbines that include generation conversion systems and methods of mitigating harmonics in multi-phase generator-conversion systems.

Multiphase generator-conversion systems are disclosed. The system includes a multiphase generator having one rotor and m+1 number of electromagnetically coupled stators, each stator having a plurality of phase legs. The system includes a converter having m+1 conversion lines, each conversion line connected to the plurality of phase legs of one of the m+1 stators. Each conversion line has a rectification module. At most m of the m+1 rectification modules has an active filtering converter. At least one of the m+1 rectification modules has a passive rectifier. At least one of the active filtering converters is configured to directly control its current to vary the magnetic flux of the stator to which it is connected and indirectly affect the magnetic flux of the rest of the stators through the electromagnetic coupling. Also disclosed are wind turbines that include generation conversion systems and methods of mitigating harmonics in multi-phase generator-conversion systems.

An engine generator detects a DC voltage in a path from a rectifier to an inverter in controlling charge/discharge, and makes a duty ratio in switching control of a charging conductor of a power storage device higher than a duty ratio in the switching control of a discharging conductor of the power storage device when the DC voltage is higher than a target voltage of the DC voltage, and makes the duty ratio in the switching control of the discharging conductor of the power storage device higher than the duty ratio in the switching control of the charging conductor of the power storage device when the DC voltage is lower than the target voltage.

An engine generator detects a DC voltage in a path from a rectifier to an inverter in controlling charge/discharge, and makes a duty ratio in switching control of a charging conductor of a power storage device higher than a duty ratio in the switching control of a discharging conductor of the power storage device when the DC voltage is higher than a target voltage of the DC voltage, and makes the duty ratio in the switching control of the discharging conductor of the power storage device higher than the duty ratio in the switching control of the charging conductor of the power storage device when the DC voltage is lower than the target voltage.