Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080225482 | SEMICONDUCTOR COOLING SYSTEM FOR USE IN ELECTRIC OR HYBRID VEHICLE - A cooling system is provided for use in conjunction with a semiconductor assembly including a first semiconductor device and a second semiconductor device electrically coupled to the first semiconductor device by an elongated electrical connection. The cooling system includes a flow passage, a pump fluidly coupled to the flow passage, and an outlet array fluidly coupled to the flow passage and configured to direct a coolant fluid over the second semiconductor device. The outlet array has an interconnect feature formed therein configured to receive the elongated electrical connection there through. | 09-18-2008 |
20090001909 | AUTOMOTIVE POWER INVERTER WITH REDUCED CAPACITIVE COUPLING - An automotive power inverter is provided. The power inverter includes a chassis, a microelectronic die coupled to the chassis and having an integrated circuit formed thereon, and an insulating region between the chassis and the microelectronic die. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009980 | CAPACITOR WITH DIRECT DC CONNECTION TO SUBSTRATE - A subcomponent is provided for a power inverter module. The apparatus comprises a capacitor having a terminal and integrated into a housing. A substrate is mounted on the housing. The substrate incorporates a power semiconductor switch and has at least one direct current (DC) tab. The direct current tab is directly connected to the terminal of the capacitor. | 01-08-2009 |
20090032229 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR COOLING INVERTERS FOR VEHICLES - A method for cooling an inverter of a vehicle system includes the steps of providing a flow of cooling fluid to the inverter, determining a value of a variable that is influenced at least in part by the flow of cooling fluid to the inverter, and regulating the flow of cooling fluid to the inverter based at least in part on the value of the variable. | 02-05-2009 |
20090032316 | DOUBLE-ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM WITH ISOLATED NEUTRAL TOPOLOGY - Systems and methods are provided for an inverter system for use in a vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source. The system comprises a motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings. The first set of windings is electrically isolated from the second set of windings. The system further comprises a first inverter coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein the first set of windings are coupled to the first inverter. The system also comprises a second inverter coupled to the second energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein the second set of windings are coupled to the second inverter. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter. | 02-05-2009 |
20090032319 | DOUBLE-ENDED INVERTER DRIVE SYSTEM FOR A FUEL CELL VEHICLE AND RELATED OPERATING METHOD - Systems and methods are provided for a double-ended inverter drive system for a fuel cell vehicle. An electric drive system for a vehicle comprises an electric motor configured to provide traction power to the vehicle. A first inverter is coupled to the electric motor, and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. A fuel cell is coupled to the first inverter to provide power flow from the fuel cell to the electric motor. A second inverter is coupled to the electric motor, and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. An energy source is coupled to the second inverter to provide power flow between the energy source and the electric motor. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter, and is configured to provide a constant power from the fuel cell during operation of the electric motor. | 02-05-2009 |
20090032320 | POWER CONVERTER ASSEMBLY WITH SYMMETRICAL LAYOUT OF POWER MODULES - A power converter assembly is provided. The power converter assembly includes first, second, and third power modules. The second power module is coupled to the first power module such that the second power module is separated from the first power module by a first distance. The third power module is coupled to the first and second power modules such that the third power module is separated from the second power module by a second distance and is separated from the first power module by a third distance. The first, second, and third distances are substantially the same. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033156 | EFFICIENT OPERATING POINT FOR DOUBLE-ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for controlling a double-ended inverter system coupled to a first energy source and a second energy source. The method comprises determining a constant power line associated with operation of the double-ended inverter system, the constant power line representing a desired power flow to the second energy source. The method further comprises determining an operating point on the constant power line, the operating point producing a minimum power loss in the double-ended inverter system for a required output current, and modulating the double-ended inverter system using a first voltage command and a second voltage command corresponding to the operating point. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033251 | SERIES-COUPLED TWO-MOTOR DRIVE USING DOUBLE-ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM - Systems and apparatus are provided for an inverter system for use in a vehicle. The inverter system comprises a six-phase motor having a first set of three-phase windings and a second set of three-phase windings and a three-phase motor having a third set of three-phase windings, wherein the third set of three-phase windings is coupled to the first set of three-phase windings and the second set of three-phase windings. The system further comprises a first energy source coupled to a first inverter adapted to drive the six-phase motor and the three-phase motor, wherein the first set of three-phase windings is coupled to the first inverter, and a second energy source coupled to a second inverter adapted to drive the six-phase motor and the three-phase motor, wherein the second set of three-phase windings is coupled to the second inverter. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033252 | DOUBLE ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE HAVING TWO ENERGY SOURCES THAT EXHIBIT DIFFERENT OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS - A double ended inverter system for an AC electric traction motor of a vehicle is disclosed. The inverter system serves as an interface between two different energy sources having different operating characteristics. The inverter system includes a first energy source having first operating characteristics associated therewith, and a first inverter subsystem coupled to the first energy source and configured to drive the AC electric traction motor. The inverter system also includes a second energy source having second operating characteristics associated therewith, wherein the first operating characteristics and the second operating characteristics are different, and a second inverter subsystem coupled to the second energy source and configured to drive the AC electric traction motor. In addition, the inverter system has a controller coupled to the first inverter subsystem and to the second inverter subsystem. The controller is configured to influence operation of the first inverter subsystem and the second inverter subsystem to manage power transfer among the first energy source, the second energy source, and the AC electric traction motor. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033253 | ELECTRIC TRACTION SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE HAVING A DUAL WINDING AC TRACTION MOTOR - An electric traction system for a vehicle having a high voltage battery and a low voltage battery is provided. The system includes an AC electric motor and a double ended inverter system coupled to the AC electric motor. The AC electric motor has a first set of windings and a second set of windings that occupy common stator slots, where the first set of windings and the second set of windings are electrically isolated from each other. The double ended inverter system drives the AC electric motor using energy obtained from the high voltage battery and energy obtained from the low voltage battery. The double ended inverter system utilizes a first inverter subsystem coupled between the first set of windings and the high voltage battery, and a second inverter subsystem coupled between the second set of windings and the low voltage battery. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033254 | DOUBLE ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM WITH A CROSS-LINKED ULTRACAPACITOR NETWORK - A double ended inverter system for an AC traction motor of a vehicle includes a fuel cell configured to provide a DC voltage, an impedance source inverter subsystem coupled to the fuel cell, a DC voltage source, and an inverter subsystem coupled to the DC voltage source. The impedance source inverter subsystem, which includes an ultracapacitor, is configured to drive the AC traction motor. The inverter subsystem is configured to drive the AC electric traction motor. The ultracapacitor is implemented in a crossed LC network coupled to the fuel cell. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033255 | CHARGING ENERGY SOURCES WITH A RECTIFIER USING DOUBLE-ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for charging energy sources with a rectifier using a double-ended inverter system. An apparatus is provided for an electric drive system for a vehicle. The electric drive system comprises an electric motor configured to provide traction power to the vehicle. A first inverter is coupled to the electric motor and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. A first energy source is coupled to the first inverter, wherein the first inverter is configured to provide power flow between the first energy source and the electric motor. A second inverter is coupled to the electric motor and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. A rectifier is coupled to the second inverter and configured to produce a direct current output. The second inverter is configured to provide power from the rectifier to the electric motor. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033274 | SYSTEM FOR USING A MULTI-PHASE MOTOR WITH A DOUBLE-ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM - Systems and apparatus are provided for an inverter system for use in a vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source. The inverter system comprises an electric motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings. The inverter system further comprises a first inverter coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the electric motor, wherein the first set of windings are coupled to the first inverter. The inverter system also comprises a second inverter coupled to the second energy source and adapted to drive the electric motor, wherein the second set of windings are coupled to the second inverter. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter to achieve desired power flow between the first energy source, the second energy source, and the electric motor. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033301 | POWER ELECTRONICS DEVICES WITH INTEGRATED GATE DRIVE CIRCUITRY - A power switch apparatus includes a substrate; a semiconductor die mounted on the substrate and including power electronics circuitry for a high power, alternating current motor application; and gate drive circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the power electronics circuitry on the semiconductor die. | 02-05-2009 |
20090033410 | POWER ELECTRONICS DEVICES WITH INTEGRATED CONTROL CIRCUITRY - A power switch apparatus includes a substrate; a semiconductor die mounted on the substrate and including power electronics circuitry for a high power, alternating current motor application; gate drive circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the power electronics circuitry on the semiconductor die; and control circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the gate drive circuitry. | 02-05-2009 |
20090034303 | DISCONTINUOUS PULSE WIDTH MODULATION FOR DOUBLE-ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM - Systems and methods are provided for controlling a double-ended inverter system having a first inverter and a second inverter. The method comprises determining a required output current and determining a desired second inverter current. The method further comprises determining a second inverter switching function, wherein only a selected leg in the second inverter is modulated at a duty cycle, determining a first inverter switching function based on the second inverter switching function, and modulating the first inverter and the second inverter using the first inverter switching function and the second inverter switching function. | 02-05-2009 |
20090034308 | DOUBLE ENDED INVERTER SYSTEM WITH AN IMPEDANCE SOURCE INVERTER SUBSYSTEM - A double ended inverter system suitable for use with an AC electric traction motor of a vehicle is provided. The double ended inverter system cooperates with a first DC energy source and a second DC energy source, which may have different nominal voltages. The double ended inverter system includes an impedance source inverter subsystem configured to drive the AC electric traction motor using the first energy source, and an inverter subsystem configured to drive the AC electric traction motor using the second energy source. The double ended inverter system also utilizes a controller coupled to the impedance source inverter subsystem and to the inverter subsystem. The controller is configured to control the impedance source inverter subsystem and the inverter subsystem in accordance with a boost operating mode, a traditional inverter operating mode, and a recharge operating mode of the double ended inverter system. | 02-05-2009 |
20090034310 | COMPACT TERMINAL ASSEMBLY FOR POWER CONVERTERS - A terminal assembly for a power converter is provided. The terminal assembly includes first and second conductive components and a current sensor. The first conductive component has first and second releasable attachment formations. The second conductive component has first and second portions with respective first and second widths. The first width is less than the second width. The first portion is releasably attached to the first conductive component with the second releasable attachment formation. The current sensor has an opening therethrough and is positioned between the first conductive component and the second portion of the second conductive component such that the first portion of the first conductive component extends through the opening. The current sensor is responsive to current flowing through the first portion of the second conductive component. | 02-05-2009 |
20090066163 | TWO-SOURCE SERIES INVERTER - Systems and methods are disclosed for a two-source series inverter. The systems and methods combine operation of a first voltage source and a second voltage source in series powering a novel voltage combining arrangement and a conventional inverter via a switch configuration to power a load. The switch configuration is controlled by a plurality of control signals generated by a controller based on a variety of control modes, and feedback signals. | 03-12-2009 |
20090067203 | THREE PHASE INVERTER WITH IMPROVED LOSS DISTRIBUTION - An inverter circuit couples a DC voltage source having a primary side and a reference side to an electric motor or other AC machine having multiple electrical phases. An inverter circuit includes switches, diodes and a controller. For each of the electrical phases, a first switch couples the electrical phase to the primary side of the DC voltage source and a second switch couples the electrical phase with the reference side of the DC voltage source. For each of the first and second switches, an associated anti-parallel diode is configured to provide an electrical path when the switch associated with the diode is inactive. The controller is coupled to the switching inputs of each of the first and second switches and is configured to provide a control signal thereto, wherein the control signal provided to each switch comprises, in a low frequency mode, a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises a first pulse width modulation scheme and the second portion comprises a second pulse width modulation scheme different from the first modulation scheme. | 03-12-2009 |
20090154101 | LIQUID-COOLED INVERTER ASSEMBLY - An inverter assembly includes a housing and a substrate disposed in the housing. The substrate includes at least a first conductive layer patterned to include an alternating current (AC) path and a direct current (DC) path. A plurality of inverter switches is mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the AC path and the DC path. | 06-18-2009 |
20110115294 | DUAL VOLTAGE-SOURCE INVERTER SYSTEM AND METHOD - Systems and methods are disclosed for a dual voltage-source inverter system. The systems and methods selectively couple a first voltage source and a second voltage source to an inverter via a controllable switch. | 05-19-2011 |