Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080303349 | TWO-SOURCE INVERTER - Systems and methods are disclosed for a two-source inverter. The systems and methods combines operation of a first voltage source powering a conventional single source inverter with second voltage source powering a novel switch configuration to power a load. The switch configuration is controlled by a plurality of control signals generated by controller based on a variety of control modes, and feedback signals. | 12-11-2008 |
20090001923 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING Z-SOURCE INVERTER INDUCTORS IN A CONTINUOUS CURRENT MODE - Systems, apparatus, and methods for operating inductors in a Z-source inverter in a continuous current mode are provided. One system includes an AC motor, a Z-source inverter, and a processor. The inverter is configured to provide current and reactive power to the AC motor. The processor is configured to monitor the current and instruct the inverter to provide a greater amount of reactive power to the AC motor if the current is below/equal to a threshold amount. An apparatus includes means for determining if current produced by the inverter is below/equal to a threshold amount, and means for altering voltage commands supplied to the inverter so that an AC motor is induced to draw additional reactive power. One method includes determining if a plurality of inductors are providing a threshold current amount, and inducing a motor to draw more reactive power if the current is below/equal to the threshold amount. | 01-01-2009 |
20090027000 | LINEARITY FOR FIELD WEAKENING IN AN INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE - Systems and methods are disclosed to provide torque linearity in the field-weakening region for an IPM machine. The systems and methods adjust the q-axis and the d-axis components of the stator current commands of the IPM machine using a flux weakening and a torque linearity control loop respectively. Thereby, torque linearity is maintained during the field weakening region of operation of the IPM machine. | 01-29-2009 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20090072770 | POWER INVERTER MODULE THERMAL MANAGEMENT - According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for limiting an operational temperature of a motor. The method includes generating a maximum allowable current I* | 03-19-2009 |
20090284195 | GAIN ADJUSTMENT TO IMPROVE TORQUE LINEARITY OF AN ELECTRIC MACHINE DURING OPERATION IN A FIELD WEAKENING REGION - Systems and methods are disclosed to improve torque linearity of an electric machine when operating in a field-weakening region. The systems and methods adjust the q-axis and the d-axis components of the stator current commands of the electric machine using a flux weakening control loop and a torque linearity control loop such that torque linearity is maintained when the machine operates in a field weakening region of operation. | 11-19-2009 |
20100231149 | LINEARITY FOR FIELD WEAKENING IN AN INTERIOR PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE - Systems and methods are disclosed to provide torque linearity in the field-weakening region for an electric (e.g., IPM) machine. The systems and methods implement a field weakening and a torque linearity control loop for linearizing torque generated by an electric machine. First and second voltage commands are used at the field weakening loop to generate a first adjusting current command. The first adjusting current command is then provided to the torque linearity control loop, where it is multiplied by a gain to generate an output current command, which can then be limited to generate a second adjusting current command. The second adjusting current command can then be added to a current command to generate an adjusted current command. The first adjusting current command can also be added to another current command to generate another adjusted current command. The adjusted current commands and feedback currents are then used at a synchronous current regulator to generate new first and second voltage commands. As a result, torque linearity is maintained when the electric machine operates in the field weakening region. | 09-16-2010 |
20100301786 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF TWO ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) MACHINES - A system is provided for controlling two AC machines. The system comprises a DC input voltage source that provides a DC input voltage, a voltage boost command control module (VBCCM), a five-phase PWM inverter module coupled to the two AC machines, and a boost converter coupled to the inverter module and the DC input voltage source. The boost converter is designed to supply a new DC input voltage to the inverter module having a value that is greater than or equal to a value of the DC input voltage. The VBCCM generates a boost command signal (BCS) based on modulation indexes from the two AC machines. The BCS controls the boost converter such that the boost converter generates the new DC input voltage in response to the BCS. When the two AC machines require additional voltage that exceeds the DC input voltage required to meet a combined target mechanical power required by the two AC machines, the BCS controls the boost converter to drive the new DC input voltage generated by the boost converter to a value greater than the DC input voltage. | 12-02-2010 |
20100301787 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING OPERATION OF TWO ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) MACHINES - A system is provided for controlling two alternating current (AC) machines via a five-phase PWM inverter module. The system comprises a first control loop, a second control loop, and a current command adjustment module. The current command adjustment module operates in conjunction with the first control loop and the second control loop to continuously adjust current command signals that control the first AC machine and the second AC machine such that they share the input voltage available to them without compromising the target mechanical output power of either machine. This way, even when the phase voltage available to either one of the machines decreases, that machine outputs its target mechanical output power. | 12-02-2010 |
20110095163 | DAMPING MECHANISMS AND MOTOR ASSEMBLIES - Damping mechanisms and motor assemblies are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a damping mechanism includes an end cap, a bearing retainer plate, a bearing damper ring, a bearing assembly, and first and second lateral dampers. The bearing damper ring is disposed in an annular cavity inwardly from an inner diameter surface of the end cap and has a radially inwardly-extending flange. The bearing assembly is disposed in the annular cavity radially inwardly relative to the bearing damper ring. The first lateral damper is disposed between a radially inwardly-extending wall of the end cap and the bearing damper ring. The second lateral damper is disposed between the bearing damper ring and the bearing retainer plate. | 04-28-2011 |
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 |
20110221365 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZATION OF THIRD HARMONIC CURRENT INJECTION IN A MULTI-PHASE MACHINE - Methods, system and apparatus are provided for increasing voltage utilization in a five-phase vector controlled machine drive system that employs third harmonic current injection to increase torque and power output by a five-phase machine. To do so, a fundamental current angle of a fundamental current vector is optimized for each particular torque-speed of operating point of the five-phase machine. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221366 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONOUS CURRENT REGULATION OF A FIVE-PHASE MACHINE - Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for controlling operation of and regulating current provided to a five-phase machine when one or more phases has experienced a fault or has failed. In one implementation, the disclosed embodiments can be used to synchronously regulate current in a vector controlled motor drive system that includes a five-phase AC machine, a five-phase inverter module coupled to the five-phase AC machine, and a synchronous current regulator. | 09-15-2011 |
20110221367 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR OVERMODULATION OF A FIVE-PHASE MACHINE - Methods, system and apparatus are provided for overmodulation of a five-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system that includes a five-phase PWM controlled inverter module that drives the five-phase machine. Techniques for overmodulating a reference voltage vector are provided to optimize voltage command signals that control a five-phase inverter module to increase output voltages generated by the five-phase inverter module. | 09-15-2011 |
20110224957 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR APPROXIMATION OF PEAK SUMMED FUNDAMENTAL AND THIRD HARMONIC VOLTAGES IN A MULTI-PHASE MACHINE - Methods, system and apparatus are provided for quickly approximating a peak summed magnitude (A) of a phase voltage (Vph) waveform in a multi-phase system that implements third harmonic injection. | 09-15-2011 |
20110238245 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - Methods and systems for operating an electric motor having a plurality of windings with an inverter having a plurality of switches coupled to a voltage source are provided. A first plurality of switching vectors is applied to the plurality of switches. The first plurality of switching vectors includes a first ratio of first magnitude switching vectors to second magnitude switching vectors. A direct current (DC) current associated with the voltage source is monitored during the applying of the first plurality of switching vectors to the plurality of switches. A second ratio of the first magnitude switching vectors to the second magnitude switching vectors is selected based on the monitoring of the DC current associated with the voltage source. A second plurality of switching vectors is applied to the plurality of switches. The second plurality of switching vectors includes the second ratio of the first magnitude switching vectors to the second magnitude switching vectors. | 09-29-2011 |