Abstract: A boost circuit is arranged to reduce rise and fall times of pulsed power used for pulsed control operation of electric machines. Magnetic energy present in the electric machine at the end of a pulse is extracted by the boost circuit to reduce the pulse fall time. The energy is stored by the boost circuit and then applied at the beginning of a subsequent pulse to reduce the rise time. By reducing rise and fall times compared to not using such a boost circuit, machine efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A boost circuit is arranged to reduce rise and fall times of pulsed power used for pulsed control operation of electric machines. Magnetic energy present in the electric machine at the end of a pulse is extracted by the boost circuit to reduce the pulse fall time. The energy is stored by the boost circuit and then applied at the beginning of a subsequent pulse to reduce the rise time. By reducing rise and fall times compared to not using such a boost circuit, machine efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described that facilitate pulsed control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators) to improve the machine's energy conversion efficiency. Under selected operating conditions, the electric machine is intermittently driven (pulsed). The pulsed operation causes the output of the electric machine to alternate between a first output level and a second output level that is lower than the first output level. The output levels are selected such that at least one of the electric machine and a system that includes the electric machine has a higher energy conversion efficiency during the pulsed operation than the electric machine would have when operated at a third output level that would be required to drive the electric machine in a continuous manner to deliver the desired output. In some embodiments, the second output level is zero torque.

Abstract: Modulated pulse control of electric machines to deliver a desired output in a more energy efficient manner by either (a) operating the electric machine in a continuous mode when a requested torque demand is greater than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine or (b) in a pulsed modulation mode when the requested torque demand is less than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine. When operating in the pulsed modulation mode, the inverter may be deactivated to further improve the system efficiency when field weakening is not required to mitigate or eliminate generation of a retarding torque in situations when Back Electromagnetic Force (BEMF) exceeds a supply voltage for the inverter of the machine.

Abstract: Modulated pulse control of electric machines to deliver a desired output in a more energy efficient manner by either (a) operating the electric machine in a continuous mode when a requested torque demand is greater than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine or (b) in a pulsed modulation mode when the requested torque demand is less than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine. When operating in the pulsed modulation mode, the inverter may be deactivated to further improve the system efficiency when field weakening is not required to mitigate or eliminate generation of a retarding torque in situations when Back Electromagnetic Force (BEMF) exceeds a supply voltage for the inverter of the machine.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described that facilitate pulsed control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators) to improve the machine's energy conversion efficiency. Under selected operating conditions, the electric machine is intermittently driven (pulsed). The pulsed operation causes the output of the electric machine to alternate between a first output level and a second output level that is lower than the first output level. The output levels are selected such that at least one of the electric machine and a system that includes the electric machine has a higher energy conversion efficiency during the pulsed operation than the electric machine would have when operated at a third output level that would be required to drive the electric machine in a continuous manner to deliver the desired output. In some embodiments, the second output level is zero torque.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described that facilitate pulsed control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators) to improve the machine's energy conversion efficiency. Under selected operating conditions, the electric machine is intermittently driven (pulsed). The pulsed operation causes the output of the electric machine to alternate between a first output level and a second output level that is lower than the first output level. The output levels are selected such that at least one of the electric machine and a system that includes the electric machine has a higher energy conversion efficiency during the pulsed operation than the electric machine would have when operated at a third output level that would be required to drive the electric machine in a continuous manner to deliver the desired output. In some embodiments, the second output level is zero torque.

Abstract: Engine controllers and methods are described that facilitate skip fire control of an internal combustion engine. An engine controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. The engine controller selects an operational firing fraction from a set of available firing fractions. A firing controller then directs cylinder firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. The firing controller includes an accumulator that helps smooth transitions between different firing fractions.

Abstract: Modulated pulse control of electric machines to deliver a desired output in a more energy efficient manner by either (a) operating the electric machine in a continuous mode when a requested torque demand is greater than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine or (b) in a pulsed modulation mode when the requested torque demand is less than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine. When operating in the pulsed modulation mode, the inverter may be deactivated to further improve the system efficiency when field weakening is not required to mitigate or eliminate generation of a retarding torque in situations when Back Electromagnetic Force (BEMF) exceeds a supply voltage for the inverter of the machine.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described that facilitate pulsed control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators) to improve the machine's energy conversion efficiency. Under selected operating conditions, the electric machine is intermittently driven (pulsed). The pulsed operation causes the output of the electric machine to alternate between a first output level and a second output level that is lower than the first output level. The output levels are selected such that at least one of the electric machine and a system that includes the electric machine has a higher energy conversion efficiency during the pulsed operation than the electric machine would have when operated at a third output level that would be required to drive the electric machine in a continuous manner to deliver the desired output. In some embodiments, the second output level is zero torque.

Abstract: Modulated pulse control of electric machines to deliver a desired output in a more energy efficient manner by either (a) operating the electric machine in a continuous mode when a requested torque demand is greater than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine or (b) in a pulsed modulation mode when the requested torque demand is less than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine. When operating in the pulsed modulation mode, the inverter may be deactivated to further improve the system efficiency when field weakening is not required to mitigate or eliminate generation of a retarding torque in situations when Back Electromagnetic Force (BEMF) exceeds a supply voltage for the inverter of the machine.

Abstract: Modulated pulse control of electric machines to deliver a desired output in a more energy efficient manner by either (a) operating the electric machine in a continuous mode when a requested torque demand is greater than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine or (b) in a pulsed modulation mode when the requested torque demand is less than the peak efficiency torque of the electric machine. When operating in the pulsed modulation mode, the inverter may be deactivated to further improve the system efficiency when field weakening is not required to mitigate or eliminate generation of a retarding torque in situations when Back Electromagnetic Force (BEMF) exceeds a supply voltage for the inverter of the machine.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described for pulse control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators). To improve the energy conversion efficiency of the machine, pulse control involves determining if the machine should operate in a continuous mode or pulse mode, and if the latter, defining a magnitude, duty cycle, and frequency for the pulses. One or more tables, indexing by a wide range of speeds and torque requests, is/are used to define the pulsing frequency or a pulsing frequency pattern.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described for pulse control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators). To improve the energy conversion efficiency of the machine, pulse control involves determining if the machine should operate in a continuous mode or pulse mode, and if the latter, defining a magnitude, duty cycle, and frequency for the pulses. One or more tables, indexing by a wide range of speeds and torque requests, is/are used to define the pulsing frequency or a pulsing frequency pattern.

Abstract: Engine controllers and methods are described that facilitate skip fire control of an internal combustion engine. An engine controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. The engine controller selects an operational firing fraction from a set of available firing fractions. A firing controller then directs cylinder firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected operational firing fraction. The firing controller includes an accumulator that helps smooth transitions between different firing fractions.

Abstract: A boost circuit is arranged to reduce rise and fall times of pulsed power used for pulsed control operation of electric machines. Magnetic energy present in the electric machine at the end of a pulse is extracted by the boost circuit to reduce the pulse fall time. The energy is stored by the boost circuit and then applied at the beginning of a subsequent pulse to reduce the rise time. By reducing rise and fall times compared to not using such a boost circuit, machine efficiency is improved.

Abstract: Skip fire engine control using a first order sigma delta based firing controller is described. An engine controller determines a skip fire firing fraction and (as appropriate) associated engine settings that are suitable for delivering a requested output. The operational firing fraction is selected from a set of available firing fractions. The engine controller uses a first order sigma delta based converter to direct working cycle firings in a skip fire manner that delivers the selected firing fraction. The converter includes or functions substantially equivalent to a first order sigma delta converter and may be implemented any of: algorithmically using a processor; using digital, analog or hybrid components; using a lookup table; or using other appropriate techniques. In some embodiments firing decisions are made on a working cycle by working cycle basis. The described approach may be used in gasoline engines, diesel engines, turbocharged or supercharged engines, or others.

Abstract: A boost circuit is arranged to reduce rise and fall times of pulsed power used for pulsed control operation of electric machines. Magnetic energy present in the electric machine at the end of a pulse is extracted by the boost circuit to reduce the pulse fall time. The energy is stored by the boost circuit and then applied at the beginning of a subsequent pulse to reduce the rise time. By reducing rise and fall times compared to not using such a boost circuit, machine efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described that facilitate pulsed control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators) to improve the machine's energy conversion efficiency. Under selected operating conditions, the electric machine is intermittently driven (pulsed). The pulsed operation causes the output of the electric machine to alternate between a first output level and a second output level that is lower than the first output level. The output levels are selected such that at least one of the electric machine and a system that includes the electric machine has a higher energy conversion efficiency during the pulsed operation than the electric machine would have when operated at a third output level that would be required to drive the electric machine in a continuous manner to deliver the desired output. In some embodiments, the second output level is zero torque.

Abstract: A variety of methods, controllers and electric machine systems are described that facilitate pulsed control of electric machines (e.g., electric motors and generators) to improve the machine's energy conversion efficiency. Under selected operating conditions, the electric machine is intermittently driven (pulsed). The pulsed operation causes the output of the electric machine to alternate between a first output level and a second output level that is lower than the first output level. The output levels are selected such that at least one of the electric machine and a system that includes the electric machine has a higher energy conversion efficiency during the pulsed operation than the electric machine would have when operated at a third output level that would be required to drive the electric machine in a continuous manner to deliver the desired output. In some embodiments, the second output level is zero torque.