Patents by Inventor Leah Dunbar
Leah Dunbar has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9759737Abstract: A first counter is incremented when a first rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth of a single multi-tooth target wheel, a second counter is incremented when a second rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth, and a third counter is incremented when either of the first and second rotational speed sensing devices detects either of a rising edge and a falling edge of one of the teeth. A direction of rotation is determined based upon the third counter and a rotational speed of the rotatable member is determined based upon one of the first and second counters. The rotatable member is indicated to be at zero speed when the rotational speed is less than a threshold speed and the direction of rotation changes between a positive direction and a negative direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Leah Dunbar, Yo Chan Son, Martin E. Rosalik, Jr., Justin O. Nielsen
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Patent number: 9566985Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2011Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Wei D. Wang, Bon Ho Bae, Leah Dunbar, Kevin P. Houle, William R. Cawthorne, Andrew M. Zettel, Hanne Buur, Steven E. Schulz
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Publication number: 20160054351Abstract: A first counter is incremented when a first rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth of a single multi-tooth target wheel, a second counter is incremented when a second rotational speed sensing device detects a falling edge of one of the teeth, and a third counter is incremented when either of the first and second rotational speed sensing devices detects either of a rising edge and a falling edge of one of the teeth. A direction of rotation is determined based upon the third counter and a rotational speed of the rotatable member is determined based upon one of the first and second counters. The rotatable member is indicated to be at zero speed when the rotational speed is less than a threshold speed and the direction of rotation changes between a positive direction and a negative direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: February 25, 2016Inventors: Leah Dunbar, Yo Chan Son, Martin E. Rosalik, JR., Justin O. Nielsen
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Patent number: 9106177Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Yo Chan Son, Leah Dunbar, Silva Hiti
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Patent number: 9093933Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Jihoon Jang, Yo Chan Son, Steven E. Schulz, Leah Dunbar, Terry Murrell, Daniel L. Kowalewski, Silva Hiti
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Publication number: 20150207444Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor having a rotor shaft, a transmission having a gear set directly or selectively connected to the motor, a resolver circuit, and a controller. The resolver circuit includes a resolver that measures an absolute position of the shaft, and a resolver-to-digital converter (RDC) which receives the absolute position and generates, via a tracking loop, a raw position signal. The controller includes recorded predetermined frequency characteristics of the RDC and method instructions which cause the controller to receive the raw position signal from the RDC and create a lookup table describing position wobble. The controller compensates for the position wobble at all rotational speeds of the rotor shaft by applying the predetermined frequency characteristics to the position wobble to derive a compensated position signal. The controller also uses the compensated position signal to control an operation of the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Yo Chan Son, Bon Ho Bae, Steven E. Schulz, Leah Dunbar
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Publication number: 20150061563Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: JIHOON JANG, YO CHAN SON, STEVEN E. SCHULZ, LEAH DUNBAR, TERRY MURRELL, DANIEL L. KOWALEWSKI, SILVA HITI
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Patent number: 8634976Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brian A. Welchko, Nitinkumar R. Patel, Leah Dunbar, William R. Cawthorne, Steven E. Schulz
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Publication number: 20130175955Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2012Publication date: July 11, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: YO CHAN SON, LEAH DUNBAR, SILVA HITI
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Patent number: 8294413Abstract: A control system is provided for an inverter assembly associated with an induction motor. The system includes a current determination module configured to generate q- and d-axis current commands based on a torque command. The current determination module is further configured to generate the q-axis current command based on an observed flux linkage and a flux linkage command. The system further includes a motor current control module coupled to the current determination module and configured to generate q- and d-axis voltage commands based on the q- and d-axis current commands generated by the current determination module and a PWM modulator coupled to the motor current control module configured to generate duty cycle signals for operating the inverter assembly based on the q- and d-axis voltage commands generated by the motor current control module.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2010Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Min Dai, Bon Ho Bae, Leah Dunbar
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Patent number: 8261864Abstract: A control system for a hybrid powertrain includes an engine start detector that detects when an engine of the hybrid powertrain is activated via an electric motor during an auto start. An electric motor speed monitor determines a first speed of the electric motor for a first time and a second speed of the electric motor for a second time after detection of the engine in an active state. A control module determines a rate of change in speed of the electric motor based on the first speed and the second speed. The control module adjusts torque output of the electric motor during startup of the engine and based on the rate of change in speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventors: Birendra P. Bhattarai, Bon Ho Bae, Leah Dunbar
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Publication number: 20120203405Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2011Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Wei D. Wang, Bon Ho Bae, Leah Dunbar, Kevin P. Houle, William R. Cawthorne, Andrew M. Zettel, Hanne Buur, Steven E. Schulz
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Publication number: 20110213518Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: BRIAN A. WELCHKO, NITINKUMAR R. PATEL, LEAH DUNBAR, WILLIAM R. CAWTHORNE, STEVEN E. SCHULZ
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Patent number: 7977963Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining whether one or more inverter sub-modules of an inverter module is operating properly. Amplitude of each stator current signal is regularly measured. For each current signal, a positive counter counts a number of consecutive times the amplitude of that current signal is less than a positive current threshold, while a negative counter counts a number of consecutive times the amplitude of that current signal is greater than a negative current threshold. If the positive counter or the negative counter exceeds a maximum count, it is determined that an inverter sub-module is operating abnormally.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Bon Ho Bae, Leah Dunbar
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Publication number: 20110163709Abstract: A control system is provided for an inverter assembly associated with an induction motor. The system includes a current determination module configured to generate q- and d-axis current commands based on a torque command. The current determination module is further configured to generate the q-axis current command based on an observed flux linkage and a flux linkage command. The system further includes a motor current control module coupled to the current determination module and configured to generate q- and d-axis voltage commands based on the q- and d-axis current commands generated by the current determination module and a PWM modulator coupled to the motor current control module configured to generate duty cycle signals for operating the inverter assembly based on the q- and d-axis voltage commands generated by the motor current control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2010Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MIN DAI, BON HO BAE, LEAH DUNBAR
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Publication number: 20110018578Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for determining whether one or more inverter sub-modules of an inverter module is operating properly. Amplitude of each stator current signal is regularly measured. For each current signal, a positive counter counts a number of consecutive times the amplitude of that current signal is less than a positive current threshold, while a negative counter counts a number of consecutive times the amplitude of that current signal is greater than a negative current threshold. If the positive counter or the negative counter exceeds a maximum count, it is determined that an inverter sub-module is operating abnormally.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: BON HO BAE, LEAH DUNBAR
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Publication number: 20090308674Abstract: A control system for a hybrid powertrain includes an engine start detector that detects when an engine of the hybrid powertrain is activated via an electric motor during an auto start. An electric motor speed monitor determines a first speed of the electric motor for a first time and a second speed of the electric motor for a second time after detection of the engine in an active state. A control module determines a rate of change in speed of the electric motor based on the first speed and the second speed. The control module adjusts torque output of the electric motor during startup of the engine and based on the rate of change in speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2009Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Birendra P. Bhattarai, Bon Ho Bae, Leah Dunbar