Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the charging of an onboard energy storage system of a plug-in vehicle using a remote command center, such as a vehicle telematics service. An embodiment of such a method involves the transmission of a charge request for the onboard energy storage system to a remote command center associated with the plug-in vehicle. In response to the charge request, a charge command is received from the remote command center. The charging of the onboard energy storage system is regulated in accordance with the received charge command, which may be a charge enable command or a charge disable command.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for an inverter module for use in a vehicle. The inverter module comprises a first electrical base and a second electrical base each having an electrically conductive mounting surface, wherein the electrical bases are physically distinct and electrically coupled. A first semiconductor switch has a surface terminal that is coupled to the electrically conductive mounting surface of the first electrical base. A second semiconductor switch has a surface terminal that is coupled to the electrically conductive mounting surface of the first electrical base. A first semiconductor diode and a second semiconductor diode each have a surface terminal, the surface terminals are coupled to the electrically conductive mounting surface of the second electrical base. The first semiconductor switch and first semiconductor diode are antiparallel, and the second semiconductor switch and second semiconductor diode are antiparallel.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling the charging of an onboard energy storage system of a plug-in vehicle using a remote command center, such as a vehicle telematics service. An embodiment of such a method involves the transmission of a charge request for the onboard energy storage system to a remote command center associated with the plug-in vehicle. In response to the charge request, a charge command is received from the remote command center. The charging of the onboard energy storage system is regulated in accordance with the received charge command, which may be a charge enable command or a charge disable command.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring current in an electric motor. An electrical system comprises a direct current (DC) interface, an electric motor, and an inverter module between the DC interface and the electric motor. A first current sensor is configured to measure a DC current flowing between the DC interface and the inverter module. A second current sensor is configured to measure a first phase current flowing through the first phase of the electric motor. A control module is coupled to the current sensors, and the control module is configured to determine an expected value for the first phase current based at least in part on the DC current measured by the first current sensor and take remedial action based on a difference between the expected value and the measured first phase current.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electrical system of a vehicle. Sensors are used to obtain first data for a first path of calculations and second data for a second path of calculations. The first path comprises a first plurality of calculations of generating a value of a parameter pertaining to the electrical system, and the second path comprises a second plurality of calculations of monitoring the electrical system with respect to the first path. A processor is coupled to the plurality of sensors, and is configured to determine whether a data frozen flag is active, perform the first plurality of calculations of the first path using the first data if the first data flag is inactive, and perform the second plurality of calculations of the second path if the first data flag is active.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring an electrical system of a vehicle. Data pertaining to the electrical system is obtained. Calculation modules are performed using the data to generate intermediate determinations. An aggregate calculation module is performed using each of the intermediate determinations to generate an aggregate determination pertaining to the electrical system. Redundant intermediate calculations are performed using the data to generate redundant intermediate determinations. Each of the redundant intermediate determinations is used for comparison with a respective intermediate determination.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. The electric motor includes at least one winding. A winding current flowing through the at least one winding is monitored. The winding current has an oscillating component and an offset component. The offset component of the winding current is isolated from the oscillating component of the winding current. The electric motor is controlled based on the offset component of the winding current.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.