Abstract: A fault detection system for detecting an unwanted electrical path between a reference potential and at least one of: a) a floating power source, b) a first power conductor coupled to a first terminal of the power source, and c) a second power conductor coupled to a second terminal of the power source. The system comprises an impedance network electrically coupled to the first and second power conductors and having an output terminal for providing a first voltage signal with respect to the reference potential, and an amplifier circuit responsive to the first voltage signal and to a reference voltage for generating an amplified signal indicative of the existence of the unwanted electrical path when the difference between the first voltage signal and the reference voltage exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The increasing use of vehicles powered completely or in part by electric motors has created a need for measuring high currents in an inexpensive, reliable and convenient manner for digital motor control. Because the operating voltages of traction motors may be high, it is desirable that the motor current sensors be noncontacting. High-current sensors are commercially available, but tend to be large and costly. According to an aspect of the invention, a noncontacting current sensor having a rated capacity significantly less than the motor (or other) current to be measured is coupled to an electrical conductor for sensing the current in that conductor. The electrical conductor is paralleled by one or more additional similar conductors, so that only a fraction or portion of the current to be measured flows through the conductor associated with the sensor.

Abstract: A watchdog monitor coupled to a device bus includes in at least one executable software the ability to produce, during each frame interval, a strobe addressing a predetermined number to the monitor. The monitor responds to the interrupt and to lack of arrival of the correct predetermined number by generating a fault flag. The monitor also runs an internal counter which is reset at each interrupt signal; the count of the internal counter exceeds a threshold count if an interrupt fails to arrive. Such a timed failure results in setting of a frame fault flag. The monitor further runs an internal clock independent of the system clock. A further missing pulse detector initiates a counter at each monitor clock pulse, and raises a flag if the monitor clock counter counts a duration exceeding the monitor inter-clock-pulse interval.

Abstract: A rotating machine is provided which includes a stator having a number of field winding slots; a number of field windings disposed in each of the field winding slots, at least two of the field windings have: an outer jacket; and a number of conductive wires disposed within and enclosed by the outer jacket such that longitudinal passages are defined between the conductive wires; and circulation means for circulating a coolant into and from the rotating machine through the longitudinal passages. Preferably, the rotating machine further includes a housing which has a cavity for acceptance of the stator therein. The housing and stator define first and second plenums at first and second ends of the stator. The coolant enters the rotating machine into the first plenum and exits the rotating machine from the second plenum.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle (10) includes an internal combustion engine (12) which drives a generator (20) to produce electrical energy for a traction motor (44) of the vehicle. The generator (20) is provided with a cooling air intake port (20i). A air mover or compressor (30) is driven from the engine (12) or from an auxiliary motor (84), to produce air under positive pressure. The air from the air mover (30) is coupled by air paths (60, 62, 64) to the cooling air input port (20i) of the generator (20) and to the combustion air aspiration or input port (16) of the engine (12). If the air mover serves the purpose of cooling the generator (20) and, if a non-positive-displacement pump, also provides an effect similar to turbocharging, and if a positive-displacement type, supercharges the engine (12).

Abstract: A computing or processing system including a microprocessor and a memory coupled together by a local bus, and also includes a north bridge providing translation to a PCI or other standard bus. The system also includes a device bus, which may or may not be coupled to the PCI bus by a south bridge. A device bus interface bypasses the north and south bridges, to provide a single-step interface to the device bus. This reduces the latency.

Abstract: A power combining apparatus for a hybrid electric vehicle comprises a planetary gear set comprising a sun gear, a ring gear connected to an output shaft, a plurality of planet gears, and a carrier assembly rotatably supporting the plurality of planet gears journaled with the sun and ring gears. A torque transmitting arrangement is coupled to the sun gear and to the shaft of the variable power source for influencing rotation of the sun gear according to the rotation of the variable power supply shaft for causing rotation of the sun gear, thereby influencing rotation of the ring gear and the output shaft. The carrier assembly of the planetary gear arrangement is selectively connectable to the constant power source for selectively influencing rotation of the carrier assembly of the planetary gears and the ring gear, to thereby influence rotation of the output shaft.

Abstract: A method for regeneration of particulate filters or traps in the context of a hybrid electric vehicle includes the step of measuring the back pressure of the filter, and adjusting the engine parameters when the back pressure exceeds a particular value to increase the exhaust temperature, to aid in regeneration. In one mode, the engine speed and engine load are both reset toward particular target values. In another version in which the engine load includes an energy storage device such as a battery, increasing the load includes the step of increasing the battery charge level setpoint. Additionally, for those situations in which the battery cannot accept more charge, a power-dissipating resistor is coupled to an electric source to increase the load. In yet another version, the use of the electrical resistor is made dependent upon the temperature of the filter during regeneration.

Abstract: In an electric vehicle, the traction motor is driven from a battery by way of a controllable electric power switcher. In operation of the switcher, the power losses of the switches depends upon the power being handled; during acceleration the power is high, and at constant speed on level ground the power is small. Thus, the power “dissipated” by the switches varies with time. A cooler transfers heat from the switcher. During acceleration, the cooler may not be sufficient to limit the instantaneous switch temperature. A phase-change heat “sink” coupled to the switches absorbs heat from the switches during hard acceleration, and returns the heat to the cooler under more constant-speed conditions.

Abstract: A motor controller includes: a driver stage operable to provide voltage and current to a plurality of induction motors over a single power bus; and a control unit operable to monitor the current drawn from the driver stage and cause one or more of the induction motors to operate in a regenerative mode to supply current to at least one other of the induction motors when the current drawn from the driver stage exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: In an electric vehicle, the traction motor is driven from a battery by way of a controllable electric power switching arrangement. In normal operation of the switches of the switching arrangement, the power losses or heating of the switches depends upon the power being handled; during hard acceleration the power is high, and at constant speed on level ground the power is relatively small. Thus, the power “dissipated” by the switches varies with time. A cooling system transfers heat from the switching arrangement to ambient. During acceleration, the cooling system may not be able to limit the instantaneous temperature of the switches to the desired value. A phase-change heat “sink” coupled to the switches absorbs heat from the switches during hard acceleration, and returns the heat to the cooling system under more constant-speed conditions.

Abstract: A battery equalization circuit for equalizing charge between at least first and second series-connected batteries, where each battery has a positive end and a negative end, with the positive end of the second battery coupled to the negative end of the first battery at a common node, and using: a switching circuit connectable to the positive end of the first battery at a positive node and the negative end of the second battery at a negative node; a transformer having first and second magnetically coupled windings, each with a first end defining a polarity of the winding and a second opposing end; and a transformer reset circuit coupled from the windings of the transformer to the positive and negative nodes. The switching circuit acts to simultaneously couple the first and second windings in parallel with the first and second batteries, respectively, in the same polarity such that a charge is transferred between the first and second batteries as a function of a charge imbalance therebetween.

Abstract: An electric motor vehicle includes an electric motor driving a step-down differential, axles, and drive wheels. An operator control produces torque command signals, which are applied to a controller to command application of electric power to the motor in response to the torque commands, to achieve the desired torque. The low friction of the electric drive, in conjunction with the rotational compliance or imperfect stiffness of the axles, may result in low-frequency surges or jerky motion, especially at low speeds. A damping arrangement includes a differencing circuit coupled between the operator control and the controller, for taking the difference between the operator-commanded torque and a damping torque signal. The damping torque signal is produced by differentiating the electric motor speed to produce a motor-acceleration representative signal.

Abstract: A power converter comprises a power transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding flux coupled to the primary winding, input terminals for receiving an input voltage, and output terminals for providing an output voltage. A power switching arrangement comprising two pairs of switching devices arranged in a bridge configuration has a corresponding duty cycle which is selectable so as to cause the power converter to manifest different input output transfer characteristics corresponding to buck and boost modes of operation. An inductor having a single winding is coupled between the input terminals and the primary winding through the switching devices. Secondary winding rectification and filtering provides the power supply output.