Patents by Inventor Brent S. GAGAS
Brent S. GAGAS 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: 11611305Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a rotary electric machine includes receiving, via a bandwidth-partitioning harmonic compensation regulator (HCR) of a controller, a commanded torque and rotational speed of the electric machine, and calculating, via the HCR in response to enabling conditions, a dq harmonic compensation current and a dq harmonic compensation voltage for one or more predetermined harmonic orders using the commanded torque and the rotational speed. The harmonic compensation current and voltage cancel torque ripple and current ripple in the one or more predetermined harmonic orders. The method may include injecting an acoustic tone at a predetermined harmonic order. The method additionally includes adding the dq harmonic compensation current and voltage to a dq current and voltage command, respectively, to generate adjusted dq current and voltage commands. The electric machine is then controlled using the adjusted dq current and voltage commands.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Vinod Chowdary Peddi, Anno Yoo, Brent S. Gagas, Song He
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Patent number: 11548395Abstract: A method for increasing a default electric stall torque limits in a motor vehicle having an electrified powertrain inclusive of a traction power inverter module (TPIM) connected to an electric traction motor includes receiving vehicle level inputs via a controller. The controller is programmed with the default electric stall torque limits. The method includes selecting an inverter control strategy, via the controller, as a selected inverter control strategy in response to the vehicle level inputs, the strategy including temporarily increasing the default electric stall torque limits while applying a pulse width modulation (PWM) type at a corresponding PWM switching frequency. The method also includes controlling an output state of the TPIM and the electric traction motor over a calibrated duration, via the controller, using the selected inverter control strategy. A motor vehicle includes the controller, road wheels, TPIM, and traction motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko, Kerrie M. Spaven
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Patent number: 11509253Abstract: An electric drive system includes a rechargeable energy storage unit, a power inverter, an electric motor and a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. A transfer of electrical power between the rechargeable energy storage unit and the electric motor is governed by a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching frequency. The controller is configured to determine a current switching frequency based in part on a PWM type, a PWM switching frequency style and an inverter direct current voltage. A PWM scalar is determined based in part on the current switching frequency and a maximum value of a control reference frequency. The controller is configured to transmit a command signal to regulate the transfer of electrical power based in part on the PWM scalar, the PWM switching frequency being proportional to a product of the PWM scalar and the control reference frequency.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Kerrie M. Spaven, Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko
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Publication number: 20220363162Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle includes a vehicle system configured to operate the vehicle in a normal operating mode and a boosted mode. In the boosted mode, the vehicle system increases at least one of a maximum motor torque, a maximum engine torque, and a maximum battery power available to the vehicle. A wear estimation module is configured to collect wear data associated with a component of the vehicle while being operated in the boosted mode, estimate, based on the collected wear data, wear of the component caused by being operated in the boosted mode, and generate a prediction of a remaining lifetime of the component based on the estimated wear of the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2021Publication date: November 17, 2022Inventors: Shiming DUAN, Yiran HU, Shifang LI, Brent S. GAGAS
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Publication number: 20220289044Abstract: Presented are control systems for operating dual-independent drive unit (DIDU) powertrains, methods for making/operating such systems, and electric-drive vehicles with fault management and mitigation for DIDU axles. A method of operating a motor vehicle with a DIDU axle includes monitoring first and second drive units (DU) that are independently operable to drive respective road wheels via respective axle shafts of the DIDU axle. A vehicle controller receives an indication of a fault condition in the first DU from a fault sensing module and responsively determines a fault type for the fault condition. The controller ascertains the vehicle's current speed and determines a respective torque limit for each of the DIDU drive units based on the fault type and current vehicle speed. Torque output of the first DU is concomitantly constrained to a first torque limit while torque output of the second DU is constrained to a second torque limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Aubrey W. Downs, JR., Christopher L. Jones, James M. Faucett, Yiran Hu, Ruixing Long, Brent S. Gagas, Wei Wang
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Publication number: 20220271697Abstract: An electric drive system includes a rechargeable energy storage unit, a power inverter, an electric motor and a controller having a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which instructions are recorded. A transfer of electrical power between the rechargeable energy storage unit and the electric motor is governed by a pulse width modulation (PWM) switching frequency. The controller is configured to determine a current switching frequency based in part on a PWM type, a PWM switching frequency style and an inverter direct current voltage. A PWM scalar is determined based in part on the current switching frequency and a maximum value of a control reference frequency. The controller is configured to transmit a command signal to regulate the transfer of electrical power based in part on the PWM scalar, the PWM switching frequency being proportional to a product of the PWM scalar and the control reference frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2021Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kerrie M. Spaven, Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko
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Patent number: 11420523Abstract: Presented are high-voltage electrical systems with optimized pulse width modulation (PWM) control, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles with enhanced electric drive capabilities via PWM type and frequency control. A method of operating an electrical system includes an electronic controller determining a PWM region layout with multiple PWM regions arranged in a torque-speed curve calibrated to an electric motor and power inverter. The controller selects one of the PWM regions based on a speed and torque of the motor, and selects a PWM type based on this selected PWM region. The controller selects a PWM switching frequency style based on the selected PWM region, and selects a PWM switching frequency based on the selected PWM region, switching frequency style, and PWM type. The controller commands a power inverter to regulate transfer of electrical power between a rechargeable battery and the motor based on the PWM type and switching frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko, Kerrie M. Spaven
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Publication number: 20220227235Abstract: A method for increasing a default electric stall torque limits in a motor vehicle having an electrified powertrain inclusive of a traction power inverter module (TPIM) connected to an electric traction motor includes receiving vehicle level inputs via a controller. The controller is programmed with the default electric stall torque limits. The method includes selecting an inverter control strategy, via the controller, as a selected inverter control strategy in response to the vehicle level inputs, the strategy including temporarily increasing the default electric stall torque limits while applying a pulse width modulation (PWM) type at a corresponding PWM switching frequency. The method also includes controlling an output state of the TPIM and the electric traction motor over a calibrated duration, via the controller, using the selected inverter control strategy. A motor vehicle includes the controller, road wheels, TPIM, and traction motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko, Kerrie M. Spaven
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Publication number: 20220169237Abstract: A method controls an electrified powertrain having an electric traction motor and a traction power inverter module (TPIM). A controller determines a current component capability and use case of the electrified powertrain. In response to the current component capability being less than a capability threshold and the use case matching a predetermined approved use case, the controller determines whether a predetermined margin exists in the component capability for operating the electrified powertrain in a maximum performance mode (MPM) for a full duration of a boosted driving maneuver. When the predetermined margin exists, the controller temporarily applies an extended inverter limit (EIL) of the TPIM to enable the MPM. The EIL allows operation of the traction motor to occur above default torque and speed operating limits for the full duration of the boosted driving maneuver. MPM/EIL availability is communicated to the operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2020Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Yiran Hu, Brent S. Gagas, Kee Y. Kim, James S. Creehan, Brian A. Welchko, Patrick E. Frost
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Publication number: 20220126701Abstract: Presented are high-voltage electrical systems, control logic, and electric-drive vehicles with optimized motor torque output. A method of operating an electric-drive vehicle includes a controller identifying the vehicle's operating mode and determining calibration settings corresponding to this operating mode. These calibration settings include low and high coolant temperature (CoolTemp) thresholds, and motor-calibrated torque limits as a function of CoolTemp. The controller determines if the present CoolTemp of the power inverter's coolant is greater than the low CoolTemp threshold and less than the high CoolTemp threshold. If so, the controller sets a motor torque limit of the vehicle's electric motor to a torque limit value selected from a fixed torque limit region within the torque limits data between the low and high CoolTemp thresholds.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko, Kerrie M. Spaven
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Publication number: 20220131490Abstract: A method for controlling operation of a rotary electric machine includes receiving, via a bandwidth-partitioning harmonic compensation regulator (HCR) of a controller, a commanded torque and rotational speed of the electric machine, and calculating, via the HCR in response to enabling conditions, a dq harmonic compensation current and a dq harmonic compensation voltage for one or more predetermined harmonic orders using the commanded torque and the rotational speed. The harmonic compensation current and voltage cancel torque ripple and current ripple in the one or more predetermined harmonic orders. The method may include injecting an acoustic tone at a predetermined harmonic order. The method additionally includes adding the dq harmonic compensation current and voltage to a dq current and voltage command, respectively, to generate adjusted dq current and voltage commands. The electric machine is then controlled using the adjusted dq current and voltage commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Vinod Chowdary Peddi, Anno Yoo, Brent S. Gagas, Song He
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Patent number: 11316391Abstract: A method for controlling transient operation of a rotary electric machine in an electric powertrain or other electrical system includes, during a shunt angle transition occurring during a maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) control region, determining an estimated output torque of the electric machine via a torque estimation block using d-axis and q-axis current commands and an additional value, i.e., an actual shunt angle or a machine temperature. The method includes subtracting the estimated output torque from a commanded output torque to derive an adjusted commanded torque value or torque error, and calculating, from the torque error, a delta d-axis current command and a delta q-axis current command. The method includes adjusting d-axis and q-axis current commands using the delta commands to produce adjusted d-axis and q-axis current commands, which are then used as closed-loop feedback control terms by the torque estimation block.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2020Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Xin Jing, Bojian Cao, Brent S. Gagas
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Publication number: 20220105813Abstract: Control of an AC motor includes rotation over an operating speed range with the output from an inverter by operating the inverter at switching frequencies that vary in proportion to rotor speed. The operating speed range is parsed into a plurality of speed regions and the switching frequencies within each operating speed region may correspond to a respective pulse ratio that is different from the respective pulse ratio corresponding to an adjacent speed region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2020Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Song He, Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko, Kerrie M. Spaven
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Publication number: 20220097530Abstract: Presented are high-voltage electrical systems with optimized pulse width modulation (PWM) control, methods for making/using such systems, and vehicles with enhanced electric drive capabilities via PWM type and frequency control. A method of operating an electrical system includes an electronic controller determining a PWM region layout with multiple PWM regions arranged in a torque-speed curve calibrated to an electric motor and power inverter. The controller selects one of the PWM regions based on a speed and torque of the motor, and selects a PWM type based on this selected PWM region. The controller selects a PWM switching frequency style based on the selected PWM region, and selects a PWM switching frequency based on the selected PWM region, switching frequency style, and PWM type. The controller commands a power inverter to regulate transfer of electrical power between a rechargeable battery and the motor based on the PWM type and switching frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko, Kerrie M. Spaven
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Publication number: 20220089034Abstract: A method for controlling transient operation of a variable flux machine (VFM) includes, during a shunt angle transition, receiving a commanded and measured shunt angle when operating in a predetermined operating region, e.g., maximum torque per ampere or field weakening. The method includes calculating d-axis and q-axis delta current terms (?Id and ?Iq) required to maintain an output torque level of the VFM through a duration of the shunt angle transition, then applying the required ?Id and ?Id terms as feed-forward terms to adjust a d-axis current (Id) term and a q-axis current (Iq) term from a respective lookup table. In this manner the controller maintains the output torque level of the VFM during the shunt angle transition. An electric powertrain includes the VFM, a TPIM, and the controller. A PM machine may be controlled by substituting temperature for shunt angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2020Publication date: March 24, 2022Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xin Jing, Bojian Cao, Brent S. Gagas
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Publication number: 20210273505Abstract: A method for controlling transient operation of a rotary electric machine in an electric powertrain or other electrical system includes, during a shunt angle transition occurring during a maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) control region, determining an estimated output torque of the electric machine via a torque estimation block using d-axis and q-axis current commands and an additional value, i.e., an actual shunt angle or a machine temperature. The method includes subtracting the estimated output torque from a commanded output torque to derive an adjusted commanded torque value or torque error, and calculating, from the torque error, a delta d-axis current command and a delta q-axis current command. The method includes adjusting d-axis and q-axis current commands using the delta commands to produce adjusted d-axis and q-axis current commands, which are then used as closed-loop feedback control terms by the torque estimation block.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2020Publication date: September 2, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Xin Jing, Bojian Cao, Brent S. Gagas
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Patent number: 10978949Abstract: A DC-DC power converter including switched inductance circuits arranged in parallel is described. Operation includes determining a commanded current and activation commands for the switched inductance circuits based upon the commanded current. This includes executing the activation commands and monitoring current in the switched inductance circuits. An average measured current is determined for each of the switched inductance circuits, and a modified activation command is determined for each of the switched inductance circuits based upon the average measured current. A time portion of the modified activation command that exceeds an end time point of a subsequent time period is determined, and the modified activation commands for the switched inductance circuits are executed, including forward-shifting that time portion of the modified activation command for each of the switched inductance circuits that exceeds the end time point.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko
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Publication number: 20200358359Abstract: A DC-DC power converter including switched inductance circuits arranged in parallel is described. Operation includes determining a commanded current and activation commands for the switched inductance circuits based upon the commanded current. This includes executing the activation commands and monitoring current in the switched inductance circuits. An average measured current is determined for each of the switched inductance circuits, and a modified activation command is determined for each of the switched inductance circuits based upon the average measured current. A time portion of the modified activation command that exceeds an end time point of a subsequent time period is determined, and the modified activation commands for the switched inductance circuits are executed, including forward-shifting that time portion of the modified activation command for each of the switched inductance circuits that exceeds the end time point.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2019Publication date: November 12, 2020Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brent S. Gagas, Brian A. Welchko
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Patent number: 10826424Abstract: A cascaded inverter system is described and includes an electric machine that is electrically connected in series between first and second inverters. A controller is in communication with the first and second inverters, and includes an executable instruction set. A first dead-time compensation term and a first voltage compensation term are determined based upon an initial phase current and a switching frequency for the first inverter, and a final first duty cycle is determined based thereon. Simultaneously, a second dead-time compensation term and a second voltage compensation term are determined based upon the inverted initial phase current and a switching frequency for the second inverter, and a final second duty cycle is determined based thereon. Operation of the first and second inverters are dynamically controlled based upon the final first duty cycle and the final second duty cycle, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Brian A. Welchko, Brent S. Gagas
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Patent number: 10784804Abstract: A magnetization state control method for a variable magnetization machine, the method includes generating a flux linkage vector while changing a magnetization state of the variable magnetization machine such that a trajectory of the flux linkage vector has a curved clockwise trajectory on a dq-axis plane and a magnitude of the flux linkage vector temporally changes, with the dq-axis plane being a synchronous reference frame with a d-axis pointing in a direction of a permanent magnet flux and a q-axis being 90 degrees ahead of the d-axis in a rotational direction of a rotor.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationInventors: Kensuke Sasaki, Takashi Fukushige, Takashi Katou, Brent S. Gagas, Robert D. Lorenz