Power distribution system and method thereof

A method for power distribution in a power distribution system comprising a plurality of alternating current generators, the method, comprising:

• coupling a particular one of the alternating current generators to a prime mover, wherein said particular alternating current generator produces an alternating current output upon operation of said prime mover and has a variable generator speed,
• directly connecting a rectifier to said particular alternating current generator, said rectifier configured to convert said alternating current output of said particular alternating current generator into a direct current output,
• coupling the direct current output from the rectifier to a direct current distribution bus, and
• connecting a plurality of inverters to the direct current distribution bus, wherein the output of each inverter is configured to drive an alternating current motor,
• wherein the rectifier is configured to isolate the particular alternating current generator from said direct current distribution bus in response to a failure of the particular alternating current generator.

A method for distributing power comprising:

• providing a plurality of generator systems, including for each generator system:
• coupling an alternating current generator rotationally to a prime mover, wherein said alternating current generator produces an alternating current output upon operation of said prime mover and has a variable generator speed, and
• connecting a rectifier directly to said alternating current generator and configured to convert said alternating current output of said alternating current generator into a direct current output,
• coupling a direct current distribution bus to the direct current outputs from each of the rectifiers, and
• receiving power from said direct current distribution bus by a plurality of inverters, and driving an alternating current motor by the output of each inverter,
• wherein the rectifier of at least one of the generator systems is configured to isolate the alternating current generator of that generator system from said direct current distribution bus in response to a failure of that alternating current generator.

A power distribution system comprising:

• a direct current distribution bus, and
• a plurality of generator systems, each comprising:
• an alternating current generator rotationally coupled to a prime mover, wherein said alternating current generator produces an alternating current output upon operation of said prime mover and has a variable generator speed, and
• a rectifier directly connected to said alternating current generator and configured to convert said alternating current output of said alternating current generator into a direct current output, which direct current output is coupled to said direct current distribution bus, and
• a plurality of inverters configured to receive power from said direct current distribution bus, wherein the output of each inverter is configured to drive an alternating current motor,
• wherein for at least one of said plurality of generator systems:
• the respective rectifier is a controlled rectifier configured to sense direct current output, and
• wherein the respective rectifier is configured to be blocked to disconnect the respective generator system from said direct current distribution bus in the event of an overload or a short circuit of said distribution bus.

A method for power distribution in a power distribution system comprising a plurality of alternating current generators, the method, comprising:

• coupling a particular one of the alternating current generators to a prime mover, wherein said particular alternating current generator produces an alternating current output upon operation of said prime mover-and has a variable generator speed,
• directly connecting a rectifier to said particular alternating current generator, said rectifier configured to convert said alternating current output of said particular alternating current generator into a direct current output,
• coupling the direct current output from the rectifier to a direct current distribution bus, and
• connecting a plurality of inverters to the direct current distribution bus, wherein the output of each inverter is configured to drive an alternating current motor,
• sensing direct current output by said rectifier, and
• blocking said rectifier to disconnect the particular alternating current generator from said direct current distribution bus in the event of an overload or a short circuit of said distribution bus.