Patent application number | Description | Published |
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 |
20090066283 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LIMITING THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - A method and system for limiting the operating temperature of an electric motor is provided. A maximum operational temperature of the motor is determined. A current operational temperature within the motor is sensed. A maximum allowable power dissipation of the motor is calculated based at least in part on the maximum operational temperature and the current operational temperature of the motor. A torque command for the motor is generated based on the maximum allowable power dissipation. | 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 |
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 |
20090184678 | PERMANENT MAGNET AC MOTOR SYSTEMS AND CONTROL ALGORITHM RESTART METHODS - Permanent magnet alternating current (PMAC) motor systems and methods for starting or restarting PMAC motor system sensorless control algorithms are provided. One system includes a PMAC motor including a rotor, an inverter, and a controller. The controller includes control logic, start/restart logic, drive logic, current detect logic, and estimation logic configured to estimate a position of the rotor, a speed of the PMAC motor, or both based on current detected in each phase of the inverter. A start/restart method includes determining to start/restart the sensorless control algorithm and modifying the inverter voltage in response to the determined start/restart. The method also includes detecting current in each inverter phase after the inverter voltage is modified and estimating a rotor position, a PMAC motor speed, or both based on the current detected in each inverter phase after the inverter voltage is modified. Another controller includes means for performing the above start/restart method. | 07-23-2009 |
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 |
20090261775 | PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR START-UP - Methods and apparatus are provided for startup of a permanent magnet alternating current (AC) motor. The method comprises the steps of detecting startup of the permanent magnet AC motor; detecting a mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor when startup of the permanent magnet AC motor is detected; and, in response to detection of the mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor when startup is detected, suppressing the mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor. | 10-22-2009 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
20110062902 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOW SPEED PERMANENT MAGNET MOTOR OPERATION - Methods and apparatus are provided for startup of a permanent magnet alternating current (AC) motor. The method comprises the steps of detecting startup of the permanent magnet AC motor; detecting a mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor when startup of the permanent magnet AC motor is detected; and, in response to detection of the mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor when startup is detected, suppressing the mechanical oscillation of the permanent magnet AC motor. | 03-17-2011 |
20110062909 | POSITION SENSORLESS CONTROL OF PERMANENT MAGNET MOTORS - Methods and apparatus are provided for sensorless control of a permanent magnet motor. The method includes the step of determining a sensorless position signal and a sensorless speed signal in a torque-speed plane in response to phase currents corresponding to currents on one or more of the plurality of phases. | 03-17-2011 |
20110084638 | METHODS, SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMICALLY CONTROLLING AN ELECTRIC MOTOR THAT DRIVES AN OIL PUMP - Methods, system and apparatus are provided for sensorless control of a vector controlled motor drive system that includes an electric motor used to drive an auxiliary oil pump. | 04-14-2011 |
20110089875 | LIMP HOME OPERATIONAL MODE FOR AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE - Methods and apparatus are provided for a limp home operational mode for an electric motor system. The method includes determining whether a resolver has failed. When the resolver has not failed, operation of the electric motor system uses resolver signals. When the resolver fails, operation of the electric motor system uses sensorless rotor position and rotor speed signals. | 04-21-2011 |
20110089876 | FAIL-SAFE CONTROLS FOR ELECTRIC TRACTION DRIVE SYSTEMS - A method is provided for operation of an internal permanent magnet motor having a rotor. The method includes determining whether a neutral point access signal is received from the rotor and operating the internal permanent magnet motor using sensorless signals corresponding to a rotor position and a rotor speed of the rotor derived by a first sensorless signal estimation method when the neutral point access signal is received from the rotor, wherein the first sensorless signal estimation method utilizes the neutral point access signal to generate the rotor position and the rotor speed. The method further includes operating the internal permanent magnet motor using sensorless signals corresponding to a rotor position and a rotor speed of the rotor derived by a second sensorless signal estimation method when the neutral point access signal is not received from the rotor, wherein the second sensorless signal estimation method does not utilize the neutral point access signal to generate the rotor position and the rotor speed. | 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 |
20110106476 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR THERMISTOR TEMPERATURE PROCESSING - A method for interpreting a temperature reading of a thermistor includes the steps of calculating a power dissipation of the thermistor via a processor and calculating a temperature error for the temperature reading via the processor using the power dissipation. | 05-05-2011 |
20110163704 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING A SYSTEM INCLUDING A SENSORLESS ELECTRIC MOTOR - A multiphase alternating current permanent magnet synchronous electric motor is coupled to an actuator. A sensorless electric motor drive control system controls operation of the electric motor. An initial phase angle and a rotational speed of a rotor of the electric motor are estimated. Operation of the sensorless electric motor drive control system and the electric motor are monitored using the estimated initial phase angle and the estimated rotational speed of the rotor of the electric motor. A fault in one of the sensorless electric motor drive control system and the electric motor is detected based upon the monitored operation. | 07-07-2011 |
20110285342 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INDUCTION MOTOR CONTROL - A method is provided for controlling an induction motor having a rotor. The method includes receiving a torque command; comparing the torque command to a threshold torque value; generating, with a first estimation module, a first estimated rotor resistance when the torque command is less than or equal to the threshold torque value; generating, with a second estimation module, a second estimated rotor resistance when the torque command is greater than the threshold torque value; and generating control signals for the induction motor based on the first estimated rotor resistance or the second estimated rotor resistance. | 11-24-2011 |
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 |
20130175955 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SENSORLESS CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR - Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. An estimated rotor flux angular position error is generated based on estimated back electromotive force (EMF) values, and based on the estimated rotor flux angular position error, an estimated rotor flux angular position, an estimated electrical synchronous frequency and/or an estimated rotor frequency can be generated. | 07-11-2013 |
20130207579 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING ELECTRICAL ANGULAR SPEED OF A PERMANENT MAGNET MACHINE - Methods, systems and apparatus are provided for estimating electrical angular speed of a permanent magnet machine based on two-phase stationary reference frame feedback stator current samples, and a dimensionless gain (K) that is computed based on a sampling time (T) and machine parameters. | 08-15-2013 |
20150025720 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FAULT MITIGATION IN A TORQUE MACHINE OF A POWERTRAIN SYSTEM - A powertrain system includes a torque machine rotatably coupled to an internal combustion engine via a pulley mechanism. The torque machine and the internal combustion engine are configured to transfer torque to a driveline and include a first sensor configured to monitor rotation of the engine and a second sensor configured to monitor rotation of the torque machine. The first sensor signally connects to a controller configured to control operation of the torque machine. A method for operating the powertrain system includes employing a signal output from the first sensor to monitor rotation of the torque machine to control operation thereof, said signal output from the first sensor adjusted for a pulley ratio of the pulley mechanism upon detecting a fault associated with the second sensor. | 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 |