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 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: 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.

Abstract: A subcomponent is provided for a power inverter module. The apparatus comprises a capacitor having a terminal and integrated into a housing. A substrate is mounted on the housing. The substrate incorporates a power semiconductor switch and has at least one direct current (DC) tab. The direct current tab is directly connected to the terminal of the capacitor.

Abstract: A machine includes a stator and a rotor having a plurality of poles. Each pole is formed at least in part by a plurality of permanent magnets recessed within the rotor at a predetermined distance from an outer surface of the rotor. The distance is predetermined to minimize rotor flux variation near the outer surface during rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. Eddy current losses are thereby reduced.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A semiconductor module comprises a housing having a cavity therein, and at least one semiconductor device residing within the cavity. A cooling system is contained within the housing and comprises a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing and a flow passageway disposed through the housing. The flow passageway is fluidly coupled to the cavity, and the cooling system is configured to circulate the dielectric fluid through the flow passageway and onto the at least one semiconductor device.

Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle includes a power source providing electrical power to a first and a second electrical motor. Each motor has two or more windings, and each winding has a first end and a second end. A boost link such as a battery or capacitor is configured to store electrical energy for subsequent retrieval and use by either electrical motor. A first inverter circuit includes a first grouping of switches, wherein each of the first group of switches couples one of the first ends of the windings to the power source. A second inverter circuit includes a second group of switches, each coupling one of the second ends of the windings to the boost link. A controller is coupled to activate each of the first and second groups of switches to thereby allow the electrical energy to be placed on and retrieved from the boost link.

Abstract: An inverter is provided for controlling application of voltage from a power source to a motor having a plurality of windings. The inverter includes a first set of one or more switching elements and a second set of one or more switching elements. The first and second sets of one or more switching elements are connected between a high voltage side and a low voltage side of the power source. Each of the first set of one or more switching elements is connected to one of a first set of nodes, where each of the first set of nodes is connected to a first winding end of one of the plurality of windings of the motor. Each of the second set of one or more switching elements is connected to one of a second set of nodes and each of the second set of nodes is connected to a second winding end of one of the plurality of windings.

Abstract: A semiconductor module comprises a housing having a cavity therein, and at least one semiconductor device residing within the cavity. A cooling system is contained within the housing and comprises a dielectric fluid disposed within the housing and a flow passageway disposed through the housing. The flow passageway is fluidly coupled to the cavity, and the cooling system is configured to circulate the dielectric fluid through the flow passageway and onto the at least one semiconductor device.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for reducing a potentially damaging high voltage fault condition in an alternator system. The apparatus comprises a motor, a rectifier coupled to the motor, an output node coupled to the rectifier, and a switch coupled between the rectifier and the output node, wherein the switch is a normally “on” switch. The system includes the apparatus implemented into a vehicle comprising an engine to drive the apparatus and a battery coupled to the apparatus, wherein the apparatus provides current to the battery. The method includes the steps of providing current from a rectifier of the alternator to a battery coupled to the rectifier and ceasing to provide current to the battery if a damaging event occurs, wherein the ceasing step comprises the step of switching OFF a normally “on” switch coupled between the rectifier and the battery if a damaging event occurs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an axial electric motor. The apparatus comprises, a stator having coils thereon for producing a magnetic field, a rotor rotated by the magnetic field, an output shaft coupled to the rotor, and a ring incorporating a coolant channel circumferentially engaging the stator for absorbing heat and reaction torque from the stator. It is preferable that that the ring have inwardly extending teeth that mesh with the coils on the stator. The space between the teeth and the coils is preferably filled with a substantially solid thermally conductive material to transmit stator reaction torque to the teeth and cool the stator. The coils are preferably formed from a flat ribbon a portion of whose principal surface is perpendicular to the teeth. A supporting frame is desirably fixedly coupled to the ring and rotatably coupled to the output shaft.

Abstract: Methods and system are provided for controlling permanent magnet motor drive systems. The method comprises the steps of adjusting a first current command in response to a first voltage error to produce a first adjusted current, adjusting a second current command in response to a second voltage error to produce a second adjusted current, limiting each of the first and second adjusted current below a maximum current, converting the first adjusted current to a first potential, converting the second current command to a second potential, and supplying the first and second potentials to the permanent magnet motor. The first voltage error is derived from the second current command, and the second voltage error is derived from the first current command.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for an electric vehicle embodying an axial flux traction motor directly coupled to a wheel thereof. The fraction motor includes a stator having coils for producing a magnetic field, an annular rotor magnetically coupled to the stator and mechanically to an output shaft Permanent magnets of alternating polarity are mounted on the annular rotor. Magnetic shunts bridge a portion of the stator slots above the coils. The magnets are arranged in groups with group-to-group spacing exceeding magnet-to-magnet spacing. Adjacent edges of the magnets diverge. The method comprises, looking up d- and q-axis currents to provide the requested torque and motor speed for the available DC voltage, combining at least one of the d- and q-axis currents with a field weakening correction term, converting the result from synchronous to stationary frame and operating an inverter therewith to provide current to the coils of the motor.

Abstract: In order to provide a modular arrangement, an inverter for an electric traction motor used to drive an automotive vehicle is positioned in proximity with the traction motor. The inverter is located within a compartment adjacent to one end of the electric traction motor and is cooled in a closed system by spraying a liquid coolant directly onto the inverter. The liquid coolant absorbs heat from the inverter and is cooled by a heat exchange arrangement comprising a reservoir with pipes carrying a second coolant from the radiator of the automotive vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the coolant is collected from the inverter in an annular reservoir that is integral with the compartment containing the inverter. In accordance with one embodiment of the cooling arrangement, heat from the inverter vaporizes the liquid coolant by absorbing heat from the inverter during a phase change from a liquid to a vapor.

Abstract: A double-ended inverter system for a vehicle having a load, a first energy source, and a first inverter system coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the load. The double-ended inverter system further having a secondary energy source, a second capacitor coupled in parallel to the secondary energy source, and a second inverter system coupled to the secondary energy source and adapted to drive the load. A controller includes an output coupled to the first inverter system and the second inverter system for providing at least one pulse width modulated signal to the first inverter system and the second inverter system.

Abstract: A method of providing a unified power control of a motor including providing a first inverter system, a second inverter system, and a motor coupled therebetween; coupling the first inverter system coupled to a first energy source; coupling the second inverter system coupled to a secondary energy source; generating a first pulse width modulated signal; and generating a second pulse width modulated signal. The first inverter system and the second inverter system are driven with the first pulse width modulated signal and the second pulse width modulated signal respectively in order to control a fundamental component of an output voltage of the first inverter system and the second inverter system to control the motor.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention utilize the internal combustion engine of a hybrid vehicle, coupled with an energy storage device and series of inverters to provide electrical power generation capability for an electric power take-off (EPTO) system. Additional embodiments of the present invention utilize an existing on-board AC induction motor to provide filtering capability for the generated AC power.

Abstract: A power supply generates alternating current and direct current from a constant-voltage source. A multi-phase pulse width modulation voltage source inverter is connected across the source to output multi-phase alternating current. At least one waveform generator is bridged in parallel with the inverter, with each waveform generator outputting zero-sequence waveform current compensated to maintain the multi-phase current within a predetermined tolerance from a desired set point. A rectifier receives the waveform current and generates direct current.

Abstract: A method of controlling an IPM machine having a salient rotor. Stator terminal signals are measured and rotated to obtain synchronous reference frame current signals. A rotor position is estimated based on an impedance generated using the rotor and included in the current signals. The estimated rotor position is used to control the machine. An alternator-starter system in which this method is used can provide high cranking torque and generation power over a wide speed range while providing operational efficiency.