An AC-AC power converter, such as a motor soft starter, includes an input connectable to an AC source with a disconnect switch, an output connectable to an AC load, and phase lines connecting the input and output to transmit power. In-line solid-state switching blocks are connected between line terminals and load terminals of the AC source and AC load, respectively, such that each phase line includes a solid-state switching block connected thereto. Free-wheeling solid-state switching blocks are connected to the load terminals at one end and together at a common connection at another end, such that each phase line includes a free-wheeling solid-state switching block connected thereto. Each of the in-line and free-wheeling solid-state switching blocks comprises a bi-directional switching block that selectively controls current and withstands voltage in both directions. The switching blocks also provide soft-starter functions, variable speed control, and integrated circuit breaker protection capability.

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 alternating current power electronic converter includes an alternating current chopper circuit including two pairs of switches, each switch of a pair connected in series and the two pairs of switches connected in parallel. Each switch of a pair is a uni-directional switch. The uni-directional switches of each pair are arranged in opposing directions, and the uni-directional switches of one pair of switches are arranged in an opposing configuration to the uni-directional switches of the other pair of switches. The circuit comprises a bridge connection between switches of each pair of switches. A controller is configured to control a sequence of operation of the switches, providing an overlap period whenever one of the switches of a pair changes from open to closed and the other switch of the pair changes from closed to open. During the overlap period the switch that is moving from closed to open remains closed.

A wireless power transmission method of control where an electrical parameter of a resonant circuit, which is part of a transmitter antenna tuning and coupling unit, determines in some part the regulation current level target or power level target of the resonant circuit. By using an electrical parameter of a resonant circuit to establish a current or power regulation level of the resonant circuit, a maximum limitation is established for the electrical current and voltage of the antenna tuning and coupling unit in order to operate the electrical elements within safe design limits. Additionally, energy is managed entering the transmitter antenna tuning and coupling unit for variable load at the receiver.

A method of determining one or more direct voltage reduction (DVR) factors at a point of load (POL) in a power grid voltage environment. An energy processing unit (EPU) is installed at each individual POL; each EPU includes at least one AC-AC series voltage regulator. An EPU-regulated output voltage is increased under specific controlled conditions. One or more independent DVR factors for each individual POL are determined during the increased and decreased EPU-regulated output voltage.

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.

An apparatus and method, the apparatus including a channel; at least one pair of electrodes provided within sides of the channel; a conductor configured to move through the channel such that when the conductor is positioned between the at least one pair of electrodes a current path is provided through the at least one pair of electrodes and the conductor; and wherein the at least one pair of electrodes are configured such that the position of the conductor within the channel controls the length of the current path and enables a time varying voltage to be provided.

An arrangement for controlling a power flow in an AC voltage grid includes a converter arrangement having a first converter and a second converter. The converters are connectable to one another on the DC voltage side through a DC voltage link and are each connectable to the AC voltage grid on the AC voltage side. During the operation of the arrangement, the converters are correspondingly connected to the AC voltage grid. A switching branch is provided in the DC voltage link in parallel with the converters and at least one controllable switching element is provided in the switching branch. A method for protecting the arrangement in the case of an overload is also provided.

A power supply circuit includes at least two input terminals that receive an input voltage, a transformer including a primary side electrically connected to the input voltage, a rectifier electrically connected to a secondary side of the transformer, and a boost switch electrically connected in parallel with the rectifier and a pair of output voltage terminals that include a first output voltage terminal and a second output voltage terminal. The input voltage is electrically connected to an AC source, and each of the at least two input terminals receives a different phase of the AC source.

A phase converter that converts single phase AC electric power to balanced three phase AC power. Two input terminals are connectable to a single phase AC power source, and connect directly to two output terminals of the converter. The phase converter has a storage capacitor, three active half bridge modules connected to the storage capacitor and a controller. Two modules connect to the input terminals and charge the storage capacitor. The other module connects to a third output terminal. The controller switches the module connected to the third output terminal and one of the other modules to generate and shape a second phase and a resultant third phase.