Abstract: An electric machine electrically connects to an inverter via a multi-phase power circuit. A method for monitoring the multi-phase power circuit includes non-intrusively adjusting a commanded AC electric current from the inverter after a prescribed time period and comparing a measured magnitude of AC electric current in the multi-phase power circuit with a minimum threshold. Presence of an open circuit fault in the multi-phase power circuit can be detected based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A controller for an electric vehicle having an electric motor is provided. The controller includes a motor control processor (MCP) module configured to control torque output of the electric motor. The controller also includes a first main processor monitor (MPM) module and a second MPM module. The first MPM module and the second MPM module are configured to separately determine a state of health of the MCP module, and to generate a first fault signal and a second fault signal, respectively, after determining the MCP module is not functional. The controller further includes a voting control module configured to receive at least one of the first fault signal from the first MPM module, and the second fault signal from the second MPM module, and to generate an override command when it receives both the first fault signal and the second fault signal. The override command overrides the MCP module.

Abstract: A powertrain system is configured to transfer propulsion torque to a driveline of a vehicle. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a magnitude of unintended vehicle motion based upon a difference between a change in actual vehicle acceleration and a change in an operator-intended vehicle acceleration. Propulsion torque to the driveline is limited when a fault associated with unintended vehicle motion is detected and the magnitude of unintended vehicle motion is less than a predetermined first threshold.

Abstract: First, second, and third processor modules selectively execute a test having N test states while an ignition system of the vehicle is off. N is an integer greater than one. The N test states each include: the first processor module setting a first output to a first predetermined value for one of the N test states; the second processor module setting a second output to a second predetermined value for the one of the N test states; the third processor module setting a third output to a third predetermined value for the one of the N test states; a predetermined expectation for the one of the N test states; and at least one of the first, second, and third processor modules indicating a fault when a fourth output is different than the predetermined expectation. A control module sets the fourth output based on the first, second, and third outputs.

Abstract: A powertrain system is configured to transfer propulsion torque to a driveline of a vehicle. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a magnitude of unintended vehicle motion based upon a difference between a change in actual vehicle acceleration and a change in an operator-intended vehicle acceleration. Propulsion torque to the driveline is limited when a fault associated with unintended vehicle motion is detected and the magnitude of unintended vehicle motion is less than a predetermined first threshold.

Abstract: A controller for an electric vehicle having an electric motor is provided. The controller includes a motor control processor (MCP) module configured to control torque output of the electric motor. The controller also includes a first main processor monitor (MPM) module and a second MPM module. The first MPM module and the second MPM module are configured to separately determine a state of health of the MCP module, and to generate a first fault signal and a second fault signal, respectively, after determining the MCP module is not functional. The controller further includes a voting control module configured to receive at least one of the first fault signal from the first MPM module, and the second fault signal from the second MPM module, and to generate an override command when it receives both the first fault signal and the second fault signal. The override command overrides the MCP module.

Abstract: An electric machine electrically connects to an inverter via a multi-phase power circuit. A method for monitoring the multi-phase power circuit includes non-intrusively adjusting a commanded AC electric current from the inverter after a prescribed time period and comparing a measured magnitude of AC electric current in the multi-phase power circuit with a minimum threshold. Presence of an open circuit fault in the multi-phase power circuit can be detected based upon the comparison.

Abstract: An inhibit path diagnostic system includes a first control module. The first control module includes a message output and transmits a first message from the message output to a controller area network (CAN) via a message transmission path. An inhibit path circuit includes the message transmission path. A second control module transmits a disable control signal to the inhibit path circuit to disable the message transmission path. The first control module transmits a second message from the message output subsequent to and based on the transmitting of the disable control signal. At least one of the first control module and the second control module detects a fault of the inhibit path circuit subsequent to the transmitting of the second message and based on a feedback signal from the CAN.

Abstract: First, second, and third processor modules selectively execute a test having N test states while an ignition system of the vehicle is off. N is an integer greater than one. The N test states each include: the first processor module setting a first output to a first predetermined value for one of the N test states; the second processor module setting a second output to a second predetermined value for the one of the N test states; the third processor module setting a third output to a third predetermined value for the one of the N test states; a predetermined expectation for the one of the N test states; and at least one of the first, second, and third processor modules indicating a fault when a fourth output is different than the predetermined expectation. A control module sets the fourth output based on the first, second, and third outputs.

Abstract: An inhibit path diagnostic system includes a first control module. The first control module includes a message output and transmits a first message from the message output to a controller area network (CAN) via a message transmission path. An inhibit path circuit includes the message transmission path. A second control module transmits a disable control signal to the inhibit path circuit to disable the message transmission path. The first control module transmits a second message from the message output subsequent to and based on the transmitting of the disable control signal. At least one of the first control module and the second control module detects a fault of the inhibit path circuit subsequent to the transmitting of the second message and based on a feedback signal from the CAN.