Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080197796 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEMS - Methods, apparatus, and systems are provided for regulating the operation of a drive system within a battery voltage and power range. The apparatus includes a PI regulator producing a signal for regulating a torque output of the drive system based on a DC voltage source limit and/or power limit, a converter normalizing the signal from the PI regulator to produce a new torque limit, and a switch selecting either the new torque limit or an available torque limit of the drive system. The PI regulator includes an integrator having an initial value based on the torque output of the drive system and a copper loss term. | 08-21-2008 |
20080197800 | REDUCTION OF SUBHARMONIC OSCILLATION AT HIGH FREQUENCY OPERATION OF A POWER INVERTER - A control architecture for an electrical inverter includes a synchronous frame current regulator and a stationary frame current regulator. The stationary frame current regulator receives input currents that represent filtered versions of stationary frame currents that correspond to the inverter output currents. The control architecture employs an adaptive filter module that filters the stationary frame currents to remove the fundamental motor frequency component (and its related harmonics), thus extracting any low frequency harmonic components. The stationary frame current regulator processes the low frequency components, while the synchronous frame current regulator processes the fundamental frequency component, resulting in suppression of low frequency oscillations in the inverter output. | 08-21-2008 |
20080197902 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REDUCE PWM VOLTAGE DISTORTION IN ELECTRIC DRIVES - Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing voltage distortion effects at low speed operation in electric drives. The method comprises receiving a first signal having a duty cycle with a range between minimum and maximum achievable duty cycles, producing a second duty cycle based on the minimum achievable duty cycle if the duty cycle is within a distortion range and less than a first clipping value, producing a second duty cycle based on the closer of minimum and maximum pulse widths if the duty cycle is within the distortion range and between the first and a second clipping value, producing a second duty cycle based on the maximum achievable duty cycle if the duty cycle is within the distortion range and greater than the second clipping value, and transmitting a second signal to the voltage source inverter having the second duty cycle. | 08-21-2008 |
20080224649 | ANTI-WINDUP CONTROL FOR A CURRENT REGULATOR OF A PULSE WIDTH MODULATION INVERTER - A control architecture for an electrical inverter includes a command limiter that is realized as a circular voltage limiter. The command limiter includes a Cartesian-to-polar converter coupled to a command source such as a synchronous frame current regulator. The Cartesian-to-polar converter provides magnitude and phase components for d-q command voltages. The command limiter further includes a magnitude limiter that limits the magnitude component to the maximum fundamental voltage component of the inverter, and a polar-to-Cartesian converter that converts the limited magnitude component and the phase component into modified d-q command voltages. | 09-18-2008 |
20080224651 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING PERMANENT MAGNET AC MACHINES - Methods and systems are provided for controlling permanent magnet machines under varying loads. The method comprises generating a d-axis voltage command and a q-axis voltage command, producing a modified d-axis current command based on the q-axis voltage command and a d-axis current command, converting the modified d-axis current command to a modified d-axis voltage command, and transmitting the modified d-axis voltage command and the q-axis voltage command to the PM machine. The d-axis voltage command is based on a d-axis current command. | 09-18-2008 |
20080258673 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PULSE POSITION SCHEDULING IN ELECTRIC DRIVES - Method and system are provided for controlling an alternating current (AC) motor via an inverter. The method includes selecting a pulse sequencing method based on a modulation index of the inverter, and providing a voltage to the AC motor based on the pulse sequencing method. The system includes an inverter having a modulation index (M | 10-23-2008 |
20080260362 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A MOTOR TO AVOID SELECTED PULSE RATIO VALUES - A method and system for operating a motor are provided. Power is provided to the motor through at least one switch operating at a first switching frequency. A pulse ratio of the motor is calculated based on the first switching frequency. The at least one switch is operated at a second switching frequency if the calculated pulse ratio is less than a first pulse ratio value and greater than a second pulse ratio value. | 10-23-2008 |
20080272717 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DETERMINE ROTATIONAL POSITION OF AN ELECTRICAL MACHINE - A control system and method to determine position of a rotor relative to a stator for a synchronous multipole electrical machine is presented, including one for application on a fuel/electric hybrid powertrain for a vehicle. The machine includes a stator, a rotor, and a rotor position sensing mechanism. The control system controls the electrical machine, in conjunction with an electrical storage device and an inverter, using algorithms and calibrations which derive a rotor position based upon a sensorless position sensing technique, and determine an offset from a sensed rotor position. Electrical output from the inverter to the machine is controlled based the offset, which is stored non-volatile memory. A rotor position is derived based upon a sensorless position sensing technique during initial machine operation after startup of the machine, and includes operation in a torque-generative mode and in an electrical energy-generative mode. | 11-06-2008 |
20080272731 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RESOLVER ALIGNMENT IN ELECTRIC MOTOR SYSTEM - Methods and systems are provided for aligning a resolver in an electric motor system. The method includes commanding a d-axis current command and a speed command, operating an electric motor without a load in response to the d-axis current command and the speed command, determining a rotor speed in response to the speed command, and determining an offset of the resolver based on the speed command and the rotor speed when the rotor speed has substantially stabilized. | 11-06-2008 |
20080272732 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MOTOR CONTROL WITH DELAY COMPENSATION - Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electric machine via an inverter while compensating for one or more hardware delays. The method includes receiving a control signal, producing a first sampling signal based on the control signal, and adjusting the sampling signal to compensate for a first delay of the one or more hardware delays. The inverter is operable to produce a voltage signal based on the control signal, and the electric machine is operable to produce a current based on the voltage signal. A sampling of the current is performed based on the first sampling signal. | 11-06-2008 |
20080278106 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING OUTPUTS OF A RESOLVER TO TEST MOTOR-RESOLVER SYSTEMS - An apparatus, system, and method are provided for simulating outputs of a resolver. One apparatus includes an adjustable sine waveform generator for simulating first and second sine wave signals, and an adjustable cosine waveform generator for simulating first and cosine wave signals. The apparatus also includes an adjustable waveform generator and an adjustable gain circuit coupled to the sine waveform generator and cosine waveform generator. The system includes a device simulating a resolver coupled to a motor controller. The device includes an adjustable sine waveform generator and an adjustable cosine waveform generator coupled to an adjustable waveform generator and an adjustable gain circuit. One method includes transmitting a signal simulating at least one resolver fault condition to a motor controller to determine if the motor controller detects the fault condition(s). If the motor controller fails to detect the fault condition(s) and/or transmit an error message, the motor controller is malfunctioning. | 11-13-2008 |
20080284387 | BIDIRECTIONAL NO LOAD CONTROL WITH OVERSHOOT PROTECTION - A method of operating an isolated bi-directional dc/dc converter to provide voltage regulation at a no-load condition over a wide voltage range and also provide overshoot protection for the boost mode main switching transistors uses new boost mode drive waveforms. The new waveforms drive switches S | 11-20-2008 |
20080297100 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR REDUCING VOLTAGE SOURCE INVERTER LOSSES - Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for reducing voltage source inverter losses. One apparatus includes a sensor couplable to the motor and configured to sense an operating frequency of the motor and an amount of torque produced by the motor. The apparatus also includes a controller coupled to the sensor, the controller configured to determine a zero vector modulation (ZVM) based on the sensed frequency and torque. A system includes means for sensing a threshold output frequency of the motor and means for sensing a threshold torque of the motor. The system also includes means for determining a ZVM for the inverter based on the sensed threshold frequency and threshold torque. One method includes sensing that a motor is operating below a threshold frequency and is producing torque above a threshold torque amount. The method also includes determining a ZVM for the inverter based on the sensed frequency and torque. | 12-04-2008 |
20080298785 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING A MOTOR TO REDUCE NOISE IN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Methods and systems for operating a motor coupled to an electrical bus in a vehicle are provided. Selected resonant frequencies of the electrical bus are determined. The selected resonant frequencies include a low resonant frequency and a high resonant frequency. Power is provided to the motor through at least one switch operating at a switching frequency. The switching frequency is controlled as a function of a rate of operation of the motor. The function is characterized by one of a first substantially linear portion having a first slope when the switching frequency is less than or equal to a selected switching frequency and a second substantially linear portion having a second slope if the switching frequency is greater than the selected frequency, the selected switching frequency being greater than the low resonant frequency and a substantially linear portion having a y-intercept being greater than the low resonant frequency. | 12-04-2008 |
20080303470 | SINGLE PROCESSOR DUAL MOTOR CONTROL - A motor control processor is provided for motor phase current sampling of multiple variable frequency controlled electric motors. The motor control processor comprises an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and a controller. The A/D converter has multiple analog inputs and generates a digital output signal in response to the multiple analog inputs. The controller is coupled to the A/D converter and determines a maximum desired switching frequency for a first one of the multiple variable frequency controlled electric motors. The controller further selects a base period in response to the maximum desired switching frequency and defines a phase shift time delay as a fraction of the base period so that the controller may control the multiple analog inputs of the A/D converter to sample motor phase currents of each of the multiple variable frequency controlled electric motors at sample times determined by the controller in response to the base period and the phase shift time delay. | 12-11-2008 |
20080303475 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TORQUE CONTROL IN PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINES - Methods and systems are provided for controlling permanent magnet machines. The method includes determining a maximum torque of the PM machine based on an error between a commanded d-axis flux and an estimated d-axis flux of the PM machine, and adjusting a torque command based on the maximum torque. The error associated with a variation between a current temperature and a nominal temperature of the PM machine. | 12-11-2008 |
20090069142 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING POWER INVERTERS IN ELECTRIC DRIVES OF VEHICLES WITH TWO-MODE TRANSMISSIONS - Methods and systems for driving an automobile are provided. The system includes a prime mover power source and a two-mode, compound-split, electromechanical transmission, including first and second motors, coupled to the prime mover power source, a power inverter coupled to the first and second motors, and a processor coupled to the first and second motors and the power inverter. The processor is configured to modify a signal controlling the power inverter utilizing a first voltage distortion compensation method if a modulation index of the signal is less than a first modulation index value and modify the signal utilizing a second voltage distortion compensation method if the modulation index is at least equal to the first modulation index value. | 03-12-2009 |
20090072778 | LOW SPEED SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR DRIVE OPERATION - Methods and apparatus are provided for providing a torque boost in an electric motor system at low speeds. The electric motor system comprises an alternating current (AC) synchronous electric motor, an inverter and a controller. The inverter is coupled to the AC synchronous electric motor and provides electric control therefore. The controller is coupled to the inverter and provides operational control signals thereto for operation of the electric motor. The controller includes a torque command gain block which modifies a torque command to generate a boosted torque signal in response to a detected speed of the electric motor, the torque command modified to define the boosted torque signal defined in accordance with a torque dependent scaling factor calculated in response to the torque command. | 03-19-2009 |
20090088294 | THERMAL PROTECTION OF AN ELECTRIC DRIVE SYSTEM - Temperature of an electric drive is regulated to prevent undesirable thermal effects. Temperature conditions of the electric drive system are monitored and torque of the electric drive system is limited based on the temperature conditions. | 04-02-2009 |
20090107742 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A POWER INVERTER IN ELECTRIC DRIVES OF VEHICLES WITH TWO-MODE TRANSMISSIONS - Methods and systems for controlling a power inverter in automobiles utilizing two-mode transmissions are provided. The various embodiments control the power inverter by, responsive to a commanded torque of the electric motor being below a first torque level, controlling the power inverter to set a switching frequency of the power inverter at a first set frequency; and, responsive to the commanded torque of the electric motor being between the first torque level and a second torque level, controlling the power inverter to determine the switching frequency of the power inverter as a function of the commanded torque of the electric motor while maintaining the switching frequency above a dynamic frequency limit. The method reduces switching frequencies in the inverter at high commanded torques, while maintaining the switching frequencies above dynamic frequency limit that provides effective control over the motor. | 04-30-2009 |
20090108780 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A POWER INVERTER IN ELECTRIC DRIVES - Methods and systems for controlling a power inverter in an electric drive system of an automobile are provided. The various embodiments control the power inverter by, responsive to a commanded torque of the electric motor being below a first torque level, controlling the power inverter to set a switching frequency of the power inverter at a first set frequency; and, responsive to the commanded torque of the electric motor being between the first torque level and a second torque level, controlling the power inverter to determine the switching frequency of the power inverter as a function of the commanded torque of the electric motor while maintaining the switching frequency above a dynamic frequency limit. The method reduces switching frequencies in the inverter at high commanded torques, while maintaining the switching frequencies above dynamic frequency limit that provides effective control over the motor. | 04-30-2009 |
20090108798 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING PULSE WIDTH MODULATION IN A POWER INVERTER IN ELECTRIC DRIVES - Methods and systems for controlling a power inverter in an electric drive system of an automobile are provided. The various embodiments control the power inverter by, responsive to either a commanded torque of the electric motor being above a first torque level, or a commanded speed of the electric motor being above a first speed level, controlling the power inverter with a discontinuous pulse width modulated (DPWM) signal to generate a modulated voltage waveform for driving the electric motor. Additionally, the embodiments control the power inverter by, responsive to both a commanded torque of the electric motor being below the first torque level, and a commanded speed of the electric motor being below the first speed level, controlling the power inverter with a continuous pulse width modulated (CPWM) signal to generate the modulated voltage waveform for driving the electric motor. | 04-30-2009 |
20090134833 | PHASE CURRENT SAMPLING AND REGULATING APPARATUS AND METHODS, AND ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEMS - In various embodiments, a phase current sampling apparatus ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090134835 | ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEMS, MOTOR VEHICLES, AND METHODS OF PHASE CURRENT REGULATION - In various embodiments, an electric motor drive system ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090140676 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SENSORLESS CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. A signal comprising at least first and second cycles is provided to the electric motor. A first flux value for the electric motor associated with the first cycle of the signal is calculated. A second flux value for the electric motor associated with the second cycle of the signal is calculated based on the first flux value. | 06-04-2009 |
20090179608 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A POWER INVERTER IN ELECTRIC DRIVES - Methods and systems for controlling a power inverter in an electric drive system of an automobile are provided. A signal controlling the power inverter is modified utilizing a first voltage distortion compensation method if a modulation index of the signal is less than a first modulation index value. The signal is modified utilizing a second voltage distortion compensation method if the modulation index is at least equal to the first modulation index value. | 07-16-2009 |
20090189561 | ELECTRIC MOTOR STATOR WINDING TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION - A temperature estimation controller and methods are provided for controlling a torque command to prevent overheating of one or more of a plurality of phases of a permanent magnet motor. The temperature estimation controller includes a low speed temperature estimation module, a transition module and a temperature dependent torque command derater block. The low speed temperature estimation module determines a stator temperature of each of a plurality of phases of the permanent magnet motor in response to first thermal impedances measured for each of the plurality of phases with respect to a thermal neutral. The transition module is coupled to the low speed temperature estimation module and outputs the stator temperature of each of a plurality of phases of the permanent magnet motor as determined by the low speed temperature estimation module when a detected speed of the permanent magnet motor is less than a first predetermined speed. The temperature dependent torque command derater block is coupled to the transition module and derates the torque command in response to the stator temperature of one or more of the plurality of phases. | 07-30-2009 |
20090230900 | CURRENT REGULATOR AND CURRENT CONTROL METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AC MOTORS - Methods and systems are provided for controlling an AC motor via an inverter. The method includes determining a delay-compensated offset based on a synchronous frame current, producing a current error based on a synchronous frame current and a commanded current, producing a voltage error based on an anti-windup offset and the current error, producing a commanded voltage based on the delay-compensated offset and the voltage error, and providing the inverter with the commanded voltage. | 09-17-2009 |
20090251096 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TORQUE RIPPLE REDUCTION - Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing torque ripple in a permanent magnet motor system comprising a permanent magnet motor coupled to an inverter. The method comprises the steps of receiving a torque command, generating a torque ripple reduction signal in response to the torque command, modifying operational control signals in response to the torque ripple reduction signal to generate reduced ripple operational control signals, and providing the reduced ripple operational control signals to the inverter for control of the permanent magnet motor. | 10-08-2009 |
20090267555 | HARMONIC TORQUE RIPPLE REDUCTION AT LOW MOTOR SPEEDS - Methods and systems are provided for reducing torque ripple in an electric motor. A method comprises receiving a torque command and determining a cancellation current command based on the torque command. The method further comprises generating a harmonic cancellation command based on the cancellation current command, wherein the harmonic cancellation command compensates for a phase shift and an attenuation introduced by a current regulated control module coupled to an inverter coupled to the electric motor. The method further comprises providing the harmonic cancellation command to the current regulated control module, wherein the current regulated control module is configured to control the inverter in response to the harmonic cancellation command and the torque command. | 10-29-2009 |
20100134058 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CREATING A VIBRATION IN AN AUTOMOBILE - A method and system for operating an automotive electric motor having first and second components is provided. A desired frequency of vibration for the electric motor is selected. A current is caused to flow through at least one of the first and second components such that the second component moves relative to the first component. The current is modulated such that the motor vibrates at the desired frequency. | 06-03-2010 |
20100171455 | INITIAL POLARITY DETECTION FOR PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR DRIVES - Methods and apparatus are provided for aligning a control reference axis with a magnetic north of a permanent magnet motor. The method includes the steps of injecting a predetermined stator current on an estimated reference axis of the permanent magnet motor and introducing predetermined error on the estimated reference axis. The method further includes the steps of determining if a speed of the permanent magnet motor is greater than a predetermined threshold speed and setting the control reference axis to 180° added to the estimated reference axis if the speed of the permanent magnet motor is greater than the predetermined threshold speed or setting the control reference axis to the estimated reference axis if the speed of the permanent magnet motor is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold speed. | 07-08-2010 |
20100253252 | MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ACHIEVING PEAK TORQUE - In a motor controller, a modified interpolation technique uses an extrapolated torque command for the upper table to improve torque linearity under certain conditions. When the torque command input is greater than the max torque limit of a first look-up table, but less than the maximum torque limit of a second, adjacent look-up table, the desired current command is computed by interpolating between the maximum torque limit of the first table and a revised torque value for the second look-up table, wherein the revised torque value is determined by extrapolating from the maximum torque limit of the first look-up table through a torque value based on the torque command input. | 10-07-2010 |
20100295491 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DIAGNOSING STATOR WINDINGS IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - Systems and methods are provided for identifying a fault condition in stator windings in an electric motor. A method comprises applying a first signal at a first electrical angle to the stator windings and measuring a second signal from the stator windings in response to the first signal. The method further comprises determining a measured response for the electric motor at the first electrical angle based on the second signal and obtaining a nominal response for the electric motor at the first electrical angle. A fault condition is identified when a magnitude of the difference between the measured response and the nominal response is greater than a threshold value. | 11-25-2010 |
20100320953 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DIAGNOSING STATOR WINDINGS IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - Systems and methods are provided for diagnosing stator windings in an electric motor operating under control of a current-regulating control loop. The current-regulating control loop is configured to provide a command voltage to the electric motor. The command voltage comprises a current-regulated voltage based on a difference between a commanded current and a measured current through the stator windings. The method comprises determining a negative sequence component of the command voltage, and identifying a fault condition when a characteristic of the negative sequence component is greater than a threshold value. | 12-23-2010 |
20110012544 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR SENSORLESS ROTOR ANGULAR POSITION ESTIMATION IMPLEMENTING REDUCED SWITCHING LOSS PULSE WIDTH MODULATED (PWM) WAVEFORMS - Methods, system and apparatus are provided for low speed sensorless rotor angular position estimation that implements reduced switching loss PWM waveforms. | 01-20-2011 |
20110025247 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING ELECTRIC MOTORS - Method and systems for testing an electric motor are provided. A switching circuit coupled to the motor is operated in a first mode causing current to flow through the motor such that the motor is actuated with near zero torque. A magnitude of the current is repeatedly adjusted between first and second values. The current flow through the motor is monitored. | 02-03-2011 |
20110040519 | ESTIMATING ROTOR ANGULAR POSITION AND VELOCITY AND VERIFYING ACCURACY OF POSITION SENSOR OUTPUTS - Methods, system and apparatus are provided for estimating rotor angular position and angular velocity during a position sensor fault, and for verifying the accuracy or inaccuracy of a position sensor's outputs based on the estimated rotor angular position and angular velocity of the rotor following a position sensor fault. | 02-17-2011 |
20110050141 | ELECTRIC MOTOR STATOR WINDING TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION - A temperature estimation controller and methods are provided for estimating stator winding temperature over a full range of motor operating speeds. In one implementation, the angular velocity of a motor is determined along with a total power loss for each phase of said motor. The total power loss in each phase comprises stator winding power loss and a core power loss. Stator winding temperatures for each phase of motor can then estimated based on the total power loss in that phase, and a combined thermal impedance for that phase. The combined thermal impedance comprises a first thermal impedance between the stator winding and the stator core, and a second thermal impedance between the stator core and the motor coolant. | 03-03-2011 |
20110089883 | MOTOR PHASE WINDING FAULT DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of detecting a phase winding fault in a multi-phase electric machine is executable via a motor controller, and includes measuring feedback signals of the machine, including each phase current, and generating reference phase voltages for each phase. The method includes calculating a predetermined voltage value using the feedback signals and reference phase voltages, and comparing the voltage value to a corresponding threshold to determine the fault. A control action is executed when the voltage value exceeds the corresponding threshold. The voltage value is one or more of: a ratio of a normalized zero sequence voltage to a modulation index, an RMS voltage for each phase, and total harmonic distortion of each phase current. An apparatus detects the fault, and includes a motor controller and an algorithm as set forth above. The apparatus may include a voltage inverter for generating a multi-phase alternating current output for powering the machine. | 04-21-2011 |
20110095713 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INITIATING OPERATION OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. The motor includes a plurality of windings. Each winding is coupled to a respective set of first and second switches. The first switch of each set of switches is simultaneously activated. Current flow through the plurality of windings is measured while the first switch of each set of switches is activated. The electric motor is controlled according to a first motor control method if the measured current is below a predetermined threshold. The electric motor is controlled according to a second motor control method if the measured current is above the predetermined threshold. | 04-28-2011 |
20110109155 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AVOIDING ELECTRICAL RESONANCE IN A VEHICLE HAVING A SHARED HIGH-VOLTAGE BUS - A method for avoiding electrical resonance in a vehicle having a high-voltage (HV) direct current (DC) bus shared by a first and a second power electronic converter device, such as an air conditioning compressor module (ACCM) and a traction power inverter (TPIM), includes determining an impedance characteristic of the bus, defining resonance points for the bus, selecting lower and upper switching frequency boundaries for the TPIM, and preventing the TPIM from operating within a range defined by these boundaries. A vehicle includes the first and second power electronic converter device, e.g., the APPM and the TPIM, the shared HV DC, and a controller having the algorithm set forth above, wherein the controller is adapted for avoiding electrical resonance in the HV DC bus by executing the algorithm. | 05-12-2011 |
20110109256 | FIBER OPTICALLY COMMUNICATED MOTOR TEMPERATURE AND POSITION SIGNALS - Methods and apparatus are provided for a controlling an electric motor that is at least partially disposed within a motor housing. The rotational speed and position of the electric motor are sensed, and a temperature of the electric motor is sensed. The sensor signals are converted to optical signals and are propagated in a fiber optic cable. The electric motor is controlled based, at least in part, on the propagated optical signals. | 05-12-2011 |
20110187304 | MOTOR PHASE WINDING FAULT DETECTION METHOD AND APPARATUS - A method of detecting a phase winding fault in a multi-phase electric machine is executable via a motor controller, and includes measuring feedback signals of the machine, including each phase current, and generating reference phase voltages for each phase. The method includes calculating a predetermined voltage value using the feedback signals and reference phase voltages, and comparing the voltage value to a corresponding threshold to determine the fault. A control action is executed when the voltage value exceeds the corresponding threshold. The voltage value is one or more of: a ratio of a normalized negative sequence voltage to a modulation index, an RMS voltage for each phase, and total harmonic distortion of each phase current. An apparatus detects the fault, and includes a motor controller and an algorithm as set forth above. The apparatus may include a voltage inverter for generating a multi-phase alternating current output for powering the machine. | 08-04-2011 |
20110213518 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING TORQUE CAPABILITY IN ELECTRIC MOTOR SYSTEMS - A method for operating an electric motor is provided. The method includes receiving a torque request; determining long term torque capabilities and short term torque capabilities of the electric motor; generating a torque command based on the torque request and at least one of the long term torque capabilities or the short term torque capabilities; and controlling the electric motor in accordance with the torque command. | 09-01-2011 |
20110231040 | USE OF DISCONTINUOUS PULSE WIDTH MODULATION FOR AN INVERTER COUPLED TO AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FOR A VEHICLE - A method for controlling an inverter coupled to an electric motor for a vehicle includes generating a discontinuous PWM signal for the inverter when a torque of the electric motor and a speed of the electric motor are substantially zero, and when at least one predetermined vehicle condition is met. | 09-22-2011 |
20110279074 | ELECTRIC MOTOR STATOR WINDING TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An electric motor system includes an electric motor comprising a stator with windings and a rotor configured to operate at a motor speed; a cooling system comprising coolant configured to cool the rotor and the stator, the coolant having a coolant flow rate and a coolant temperature; an inverter module coupled to the electric motor and configured to provide current to the windings based on inverter control signals; a current regulated torque controller coupled to the inverter module and configured to generate the inverter control signals in response to a derated torque command; and a temperature estimation controller coupled to the current regulated torque controller and configured to generate the derated torque command based on an initial torque command and an estimated stator winding temperature. The temperature estimation controller is configured to estimate the estimated stator winding temperature based on the motor speed and the coolant flow rate. | 11-17-2011 |
20110309777 | VEHICULAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN INVERTER DURING MOTOR DECELERATION - Methods and systems for operating an inverter having a plurality of high switches and a plurality of low switches coupled to an electric motor are provided. An event indicative of deceleration of the electric motor is detected. The inverter is alternated between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation during the deceleration of the electric motor. In the first mode of operation, each of the plurality of high switches is activated and each of the plurality of low switches is deactivated or each of the plurality of low switches is activated and each of the plurality of high switches is deactivated. In the second mode of operation, each of the plurality of high switches is deactivated and each of the plurality of low switches is deactivated. | 12-22-2011 |
20110309779 | VEHICULAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AN INVERTER DURING MOTOR DECELERATION - Methods and systems for operating an inverter coupled to an electric motor are provided. The inverter has a plurality of high switches and a plurality of low switches coupled to the electric motor. An event indicative of deceleration of the electric motor is detected. The inverter is alternated between a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation during the deceleration of the electric motor. In the first mode of operation, each of the plurality of high switches is activated and each of the plurality of low switches is deactivated. In the second mode of operation, each of the plurality of low switches is activated and each of the plurality of high switches is deactivated. | 12-22-2011 |
20120084039 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MEASURING A SENSOR OFFSET - A method includes detecting a first event and executing a first procedure to identify a sensor offset in response to detecting the first event. The method further includes determining, via a computing device, whether the sensor offset was measured during the execution of the first procedure, scheduling a second procedure to execute in response to detecting a second event if the sensor offset was not measured during the first procedure, and scheduling the first procedure to execute in response to detecting a subsequent occurrence of the first event if the sensor offset was measured during the first procedure. | 04-05-2012 |
20120112674 | CONTROL OF A TRACTION POWER INVERTER MODULE IN A VEHICLE HAVING AN ELECTRIC TRACTION MOTOR - A method for controlling a traction power inverter module (TPIM) in a vehicle includes determining a commanded output torque of the motor using a controller. The method further includes controlling the TPIM and motor using a discontinuous pulse width modulated (DPWM) signal when the commanded output torque is less than a calibrated torque threshold. A continuous pulse width modulated (CPWM) signal is used when the commanded output torque is greater than the threshold. The method may include determining a direction of a change in the commanded output torque, and controlling the TPIM, via the controller, using the DPWM signal only when the commanded output torque drops below a predetermined hysteresis level. A vehicle includes a traction motor producing a motor torque for propelling the vehicle, an ESS, a TPIM, and a controller configured as noted above. | 05-10-2012 |
20120203405 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A RESOLVER IN A TORQUE MACHINE - A method for monitoring an electrically-powered torque machine configured to generate torque in a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring signal outputs of a resolver configured to monitor rotational position of the torque machine. Upon detecting a fault warning state associated with the signal outputs of the resolver, a motor torque capacity of the torque machine is derated. Upon a clearing of the fault warning state, a torque ramp-up state to increase the motor torque capacity of the torque machine is executed. Notice of an incidence of a fault associated with the signal outputs of the resolver is provided only when the motor torque capacity fails to achieve a threshold motor torque capacity within a threshold recovery time period while executing the torque ramp-up state. | 08-09-2012 |
20120226483 | MOTOR TEMPERATURE ESTIMATION BASED ON THERMAL MODEL - A vehicle includes a power source, a motor, and a computing device. The power source provides electrical energy to the motor, and the motor generates rotational motion from the electrical energy received. The computing device is configured to estimate a temperature of the motor in real time based at least in part on a thermal model of the motor. The thermal model includes a plurality of nodes and at least one thermal resistance. Each node represents a region of the motor and each thermal resistance represents a heat transfer path between at least two of the nodes. A method includes solving one or more energy balance equations to determine a temperature change at each node and estimating the temperature of the motor in real time based at least in part on the temperature change at each node and at least one of the thermal resistances in the thermal model. | 09-06-2012 |
20120271606 | VEHICLE MOTOR TEMPERATURE DETERMINATION - Methods and systems are provided for determining a temperature of a motor of a vehicle having an ignition when the ignition is turned on following a period of time in which the ignition had been turned off. An amount of time for which the vehicle had been turned off is determined. A motor temperature model is run using a time step to simulate the amount of time for which the vehicle had been turned off to determine an initial value of the temperature of the motor. | 10-25-2012 |
20130015803 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING POWER LOSS IN AN ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEMAANM ARNETT; MICHAELAACI WIXOMAAST MIAACO USAAGP ARNETT; MICHAEL WIXOM MI USAANM SCHULZ; STEVEN E.AACI TORRANCEAAST CAAACO USAAGP SCHULZ; STEVEN E. TORRANCE CA USAANM BAE; BON HOAACI TORRANCEAAST CAAACO USAAGP BAE; BON HO TORRANCE CA USAANM HITI; SILVAAACI REDONDO BEACHAAST CAAACO USAAGP HITI; SILVA REDONDO BEACH CA USAANM LI; RONGHUIAACI TORRANCEAAST CAAACO USAAGP LI; RONGHUI TORRANCE CA US - Methods, system and apparatus are provided for reducing power loss in an electric motor drive system that includes an electric machine and an inverter module. A controller determines whether a torque command (T | 01-17-2013 |
20130077194 | PROTECTION OF MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEMS FROM CURRENT SENSOR FAULTS - Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting a phase current sensor fault in a multi-phase electrical motor. The method comprises, receiving an input torque command T* and measuring a set of feedback signals of the motor including a phase current Ix for each of the phases of the motor, generating direct and quadrature command phase currents Id*, Iq* for the motor corresponding to a value of the input torque command T*, determining a total command current Is=[(Iq*)2+(Id*)2]½, generating a negative sequence current Ineg, where for three phases Ineg=(⅓)[Ia+(α2)Ib+(α)Ic], where α=ej2π/3, combining Ineg and Is to provide a normalized negative sequence current Inn=Ineg/Is, comparing the normalized negative sequence current Inn to a predetermined threshold value INN* to determine the presence of a phase current sensor fault, and executing a control action when Inn>INN*. | 03-28-2013 |
20130169202 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING VOLTAGE COMMANDS USED TO CONTROL OPERATION OF A PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE - Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for generating voltage commands used to control operation of a permanent magnet machine. For example, a control system is provided that generates voltage command signals for controlling a permanent magnet machine during a transition from an initial operating condition to a final operating condition. The control system includes a processor configured to execute software instructions, and a memory configured to store software instructions accessible by the processor. The software instructions comprise a voltage command generator module. Based on an electrical angular frequency of the permanent magnet machine, and synchronous reference frame current signals, the voltage command generator module is configured to generate ramped voltage command signals that each change linearly in accordance with a slope during a transition period that is set to a rise time. | 07-04-2013 |
20130314011 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR COMPUTING A VOLTAGE ADVANCE USED IN CONTROLLING OPERATION OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for computing a voltage advance used in controlling operation of an electric machine. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317630 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING DITHERING IN MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for implementing dithering in motor drive system for controlling operation of a multi-phase electric machine. | 11-28-2013 |
20140070742 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A REMEDIAL ELECTRICAL SHORT - A vehicle includes a polyphase, permanent magnet synchronous electric machine, DC and AC buses, a battery module, a traction power inverter module (TPIM), and a controller. The controller, which is in communication with the TPIM, executes a method to detect a fault condition, fixes the pulse width modulation (PWM) duty cycles of all phases of the electric machine to 50% such that all phases switch simultaneously, and applies a polyphase OPEN state to the AC bus in response to the detected fault condition. The controller then transitions to a polyphase SHORT state by automatically inserting an adjustable deadtime at each PWM switching transition of the TPIM over a calculated ramp duration, thereby transitioning from an initial deadtime to a minimum deadtime over the calculated ramp duration. The transition reduces peak overshoot of the negative d-axis current of the machine during the fault condition. | 03-13-2014 |
20140189709 | METHOD OF DISTRIBUTING PROCESSOR LOADING BETWEEN REAL-TIME PROCESSOR THREADS - A method of distributing processor loading in a real-time operating system between a high frequency processing task and a lower frequency processing task, the method including: making a processing request to the high frequency processing task from the lower frequency processing task, the processing request including a plurality of discrete processing commands; queuing the plurality of discrete processing commands; and executing a subset of the queued processing commands with the execution of each of a plurality of high frequency processing tasks such that the execution of the plurality of discrete processing commands is distributed across the plurality of high frequency processing tasks. | 07-03-2014 |
20140265975 | INVERTER CONTROL METHOD AND VEHICLE HAVING SAME - A method of controlling a power inverter coupled to an electric motor in a vehicle powertrain having an engine is provided. The method includes generating a voltage waveform signal and a switching frequency signal for the inverter via a controller. At least one of the voltage waveform signal and the switching frequency signal is at least partially based on at least one commanded engine operating parameter. For example, the engine on/off state, engine torque, and engine speed can be considered. A vehicle having a controller configured to implement the method is also provided. | 09-18-2014 |
20140354292 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A MULTI-PHASE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON A VEHICLE - An electric machine electrically connects to an inverter via a multi-phase power circuit. A method for monitoring the multi-phase power circuit includes non-intrusively adjusting a commanded AC electric current from the inverter after a prescribed time period and comparing a measured magnitude of AC electric current in the multi-phase power circuit with a minimum threshold. Presence of an open circuit fault in the multi-phase power circuit can be detected based upon the comparison. | 12-04-2014 |
20140361717 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING A REMEDIAL ELECTRICAL SHORT - A method of implementing a remedial short in a rotating polyphase electric machine (EM) includes detecting a fault condition; and initially commanding a power inverter module (PIM) into an electrically-open state. Once in an open state, a controller may determine a phase angle of a current generated by the rotating EM, and may control the PIM to apply a voltage to the EM that is out-of-phase from the determined phase angle of the generated current. The magnitude of the applied voltage signal may ramped from a first voltage to zero over a period of time; whereafter the PIM may be commanded to electrically couple all of the electrical windings of the EM to each other. | 12-11-2014 |
20150022126 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A PERMANENT MAGNET ELECTRIC MACHINE - A controller-implemented method for monitoring a permanent magnet electric machine includes determining a threshold direct-axis (d-axis) current corresponding to inception of irreversible demagnetization of the permanent magnet based upon material properties of a permanent magnet mounted in a rotor of the PM electric machine and a temperature of the permanent magnet. A d-axis current associated with controlling the PM electric machine is determined, and a state of health of the PM electric machine is determined based upon the threshold d-axis current and the monitored d-axis current. | 01-22-2015 |
20150061563 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING ROTATIONAL POSITION OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE - A method for monitoring an electric motor employing a pulse-type rotational position sensor includes monitoring a signal output from the pulse-type rotational position sensor and a reference signal associated with a control signal for the electric motor. A position of a rotor of the electric motor coincident with the reference signal is determined based upon a nominal rotor position, a nominal rotational speed of the rotor and a time between the reference signal and a falling edge of the signal output from the pulse-type rotational position sensor. The electric motor is controlled based upon the position of the rotor. | 03-05-2015 |