Patent ID: 7208911

Claim:
A method for controlling a cycle-skipping control system comprising at least one cycle skipper connected to a multi-phase AC (alternating current) power source to drive a variable frequency load, said method comprising: selecting a desired mode of operation for the cycle-skipping control system; generating a respective firing sequence comprising a stream of pulses to be applied over a firing cycle to a plurality of power switches in the at least one cycle skipper for implementing the desired mode of operation; and arranging the stream of pulses to form at least one grouping of two or more closely adjacent pulses over a time interval, wherein each pulse grouping contributes a desired spectral power over the time interval, and further wherein each pulse grouping enables to spread the power over the time interval as compared to a single pulse having the desired spectral power, thereby reducing harmonic components in at least one of the following: currents and/or voltages supplied by the power source, and currents and/or voltages that drive the load, in response to the firing sequence.