A multi-winding single-stage multi-input boost type high-frequency link's inverter with simultaneous/time-sharing power supplies, having the circuit structure formed by connecting a plurality of mutually isolated high-frequency inverter circuits having an input filter and an energy storage inductor, a common output cycloconverter and filter circuit by a multi-input single-output high-frequency transformer. Each input end of the multi-input single-output high-frequency transformer is connected in one-to-one correspondence to the output end of each high-frequency inverter circuit. The output end of the multi-input single-output high-frequency transformer is connected to the input end of the output cycloconverter and filter circuit. The inverter has the following characteristics: multiple input sources are connected to a common ground or a non-common ground. The multiple input sources supply power to load in a simultaneous/time-sharing manner. The output and input high-frequency isolation is performed. The output cycloconverter and filter circuit is shared.

Apparatus and methods for supplying DC power to control circuitry of a matrix converter is provided. In certain embodiments, a matrix converter includes an array of switches having AC inputs for receiving a multi-phase AC input voltage and AC outputs for providing a multi-phase AC output voltage to a load, such as an electric motor. The matrix converter further includes control circuitry for opening or closing individual switches of the array, and a clamp circuit connected between the AC inputs and AC outputs of the array and operable to dissipate energy of the load in response to an overvoltage condition, such as an overvoltage condition arising during shutdown. The clamp circuit includes a switched mode power supply operable to generate a DC supply voltage for the control circuitry.

Apparatus and methods for supplying DC power to control circuitry of a matrix converter is provided. In certain embodiments, a matrix converter includes an array of switches having AC inputs for receiving a multi-phase AC input voltage and AC outputs for providing a multi-phase AC output voltage to a load, such as an electric motor. The matrix converter further includes control circuitry for opening or closing individual switches of the array, and a clamp circuit connected between the AC inputs and AC outputs of the array and operable to dissipate energy of the load in response to an overvoltage condition, such as an overvoltage condition arising during shutdown. The clamp circuit includes a switched mode power supply operable to generate a DC supply voltage for the control circuitry.

A method of controlling a matrix converter system is provided. The method includes receiving an operating condition and consulting a trained Q-data structure for reward values associated with respective switching states of the switching matrix for an operating state that corresponds to the operating condition. The Q-data structure is trained using Q-learning to map a reward value predicted for respective switching states to respective discrete operating states. The method further includes sorting the reward values predicted for the respective switching states mapped to the operating state that corresponds to the operating condition, selecting a subset of the set of the mappings as a function of a result of sorting the reward values associated with the switching states of the operating state, evaluating each switching state included in the subset, and selecting an optimal switching state for the operating condition based on a result of evaluating the switching states of the subset.

An electrical power distribution network includes: a plurality of electrical power control apparatuses, each of which include one or more signal conversion components receiving electrical power in the form of a first signal and generating a corresponding second signal, a controller that controls operation of the signal conversion components, electrical power generation components acting as sources of electrical power to at least some of the electrical power control apparatuses, and electrical power consumption components acting as sinks of electrical power from at least some of the electrical power control apparatuses. The electrical power control apparatuses operate autonomously but are interconnected so that the electrical power control apparatuses collectively maintain the voltages and frequencies of electrical power signals flowing through the electrical power distribution network at target values to compensate for variations in the sinks and/or sources of electrical power.

An electrical power distribution network includes: a plurality of electrical power control apparatuses, each of which include one or more signal conversion components receiving electrical power in the form of a first signal and generating a corresponding second signal, a controller that controls operation of the signal conversion components, electrical power generation components acting as sources of electrical power to at least some of the electrical power control apparatuses, and electrical power consumption components acting as sinks of electrical power from at least some of the electrical power control apparatuses. The electrical power control apparatuses operate autonomously but are interconnected so that the electrical power control apparatuses collectively maintain the voltages and frequencies of electrical power signals flowing through the electrical power distribution network at target values to compensate for variations in the sinks and/or sources of electrical power.

An AC-AC matrix converter that converts an input multiphase periodic voltage includes N input voltages that are out of phase into an output multiphase periodic voltage comprising N output voltages that are out of phase, the converter comprising a square matrix array comprising N.sup.2 switches. The converter comprises command and control electronics that periodically perform the following two functions: storing N! voltage summations, each voltage summation corresponding to one switch configuration, each switch configuration relating one and only one out-of-phase input voltage and one and only one out-of-phase reference voltage, each voltage summation being the summation of the N differences in absolute value between one and only one out-of-phase input voltage and one and only one out-of-phase reference voltage; switching the matrix array of switches to apply the configuration corresponding to the lowest voltage summation.

An AC-AC matrix converter that converts an input multiphase periodic voltage includes N input voltages that are out of phase into an output multiphase periodic voltage comprising N output voltages that are out of phase, the converter comprising a square matrix array comprising N.sup.2 switches. The converter comprises command and control electronics that periodically perform the following two functions: storing N! voltage summations, each voltage summation corresponding to one switch configuration, each switch configuration relating one and only one out-of-phase input voltage and one and only one out-of-phase reference voltage, each voltage summation being the summation of the N differences in absolute value between one and only one out-of-phase input voltage and one and only one out-of-phase reference voltage; switching the matrix array of switches to apply the configuration corresponding to the lowest voltage summation.

A method for wirelessly or conductively (non-wireless) providing AC or DC power in AC or DC load applications and bidirectional applications.

A load control device may control the amount of power provided to an electrical load utilizing a phase control signal that operates in a reverse phase control mode, a center phase control mode, and a forward phase control mode. A load control device may be configured to determine that the electrical load should be operated via a phase control signal operating in a forward phase-control mode. After determining to operate the electrical load via the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode, the load control device may provide the phase control signal in a reverse phase-control mode for a predetermined period of time to the electrical load, for example, to charge a bus capacitor of the electrical load. Subsequently, the load control device may be configured to switch the phase control signal to the forward phase-control mode and provide the phase control signal in the forward phase-control mode to the electrical load.