In accordance with at least one aspect of this disclosure, a system includes a generator control relay configured to electrically connect a generator and an exciter switch drive to drive an exciter switch. A first processor is operatively connected to control a state of the generator control relay to control the electrical connection between a generator and the exciter switch drive. The system includes an exciter drive configured to generate excitation current for field windings of a generator system based on a state of the exciter switch. A second processor is operatively connected to control the exciter drive and to communicate with the first processor during a fault event to place the generator control relay in an open state, disconnecting the generator from the exciter switch drive to prevent generation of excitation current. In certain embodiments, the first processor can include a microcontroller and the second processor can include a voltage regulation processor.

A method of controlling an induction generator is provided connected to a utility grid, the method including: receiving an actual grid frequency; and controlling rotor windings of the generator by a rotor control signal having a rotor winding reference frequency being set in dependence of the actual grid frequency.

A direct-current (DC) power generation system for a vehicle, a boosting shunt regulator, and a method of regulating the output of an AC generator with the boosting shunt regulator are provided. The boosting shunt regulator includes gated power switches electrically coupled between AC generator contacts and output contacts. A shunt operates the power switches at duty cycles selected to boost the AC voltages output by the AC generator.

An electrical power system includes: an electrical machine to output AC; DC electrical network; power electronics converter connected between the AC output of the electrical machine and the DC electrical network and having a phase leg having first and second branches respectively having first and second bi-directional MOSFETs; and controller controlling switching of the first and second bi-directional MOSFETs of each phase leg of the converter so that current is commutated between the phase leg first and second branches rectifying the AC input to DC to supply the DC electrical network with DC electrical power. The controller is responsive to a determination to the effect that there is a fault in the DC electrical network, to control the switching of each phase leg first and second bi-directional MOSFETs to switch the converter into a crow-bar configuration in which electrical machine current does not flow to the DC network.

A main field connection to connect to a main field winding has a semi-cylindrical portion with an axially thicker outer surface, an axially thinner inner surface, with an aperture. An extending portion extends from the semi-cylindrical portion to a remote extending end. The remote extending end extends for a first axial distance. The axially thicker portion of the semi-cylindrical portion extends for a second axial distance. A ratio of the first axial distance to the second axial distance is between 0.65 and 1.4. A rotating assembly, a generator and a method are also disclosed.

There is provided a vehicle-power-generator control apparatus that can largely raise the gasoline mileage of an internal combustion engine. The vehicle-power-generator control apparatus includes a boost control unit having a function of making a magnetic-field current control unit perform boost-on control or boost-off control, based on a command provided by an ECU through communication and a function of making the magnetic-field current control unit perform boost-on control or boost-off control, based on at least one of a rotation speed of an internal combustion engine and a temperature of a vehicle power generator.

A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.

A method for generating an alternating electric current is provided. In the method, multiple partial currents are generated and superimposed into a total current. Each of the partial currents is generated using a modulation method. The modulation method uses a tolerance band method having tolerance limits that are changeable.

A system and method for protecting a genset from pole slip is disclosed. The system may comprise a generator, a prime mover and a controller. The generator includes a stator and a rotor. The prime mover is configured to drive rotation of the rotor. The controller may be configured to: determine mechanical status of the generator based on data associated with a translational displacement of the rotor; determine electrical status of the generator based on (a) a load angle or (b) the load angle and a rate of change of the load angle associated with rotation of the rotor in the stator; determine an operating condition of the generator based on fusion of the mechanical status and the electrical status; if the operating condition is a pole-slip-warning, activate an output member to display or emit a warning; and, if the operating condition is a pole-slip, activate a protective action.

A main field connection to connect to a main field winding has a semi-cylindrical portion with an axially thicker outer surface, an axially thinner inner surface, with an aperture. An extending portion extends from the semi-cylindrical portion to a remote extending end. The remote extending end extends for a first axial distance. The axially thicker portion of the semi-cylindrical portion extends for a second axial distance. A ratio of the first axial distance to the second axial distance is between 0.65 and 1.4. A rotating assembly, a generator and a method are also disclosed.