Abstract: In order to detect deterioration of a DC link capacitor between a DC source and an inverter load in an electric propulsion vehicle, capacitance of the link capacitor must be accurately measured during in-service use. A charge is established on the link capacitor. The capacitor is isolated from the source and the inverter load. A constant current circuit is activated to discharge the capacitor. A first voltage is measured across the capacitor at a first time during the discharging. A second voltage is measured across the capacitor at a second time during the discharging. A discharge current flowing from the capacitor is measured during the discharging. The capacitance is calculated in response to the discharge current multiplied by a ratio of a difference between the second and first times to a difference between the first and second voltages. The calculated capacitance is monitored for a decline indicative of a failure.

Abstract: An energy conversion system transfers energy between an energy source, or storage unit, and an electric device via a first port and a second port and at least one of receives and provides energy via a third port.

Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, controlling a vehicle using switching loss information of a semiconductor switching device, the switching loss information derived from a conduction loss and a combined conduction and switching loss.

Abstract: An improved capacitor packaging solution is presented that incorporates both thermal and electrical considerations. A package can include capacitor elements electrically coupled to a bus bar, and a thermally enhanced isolation layer between the bus bar and a case. The isolation layer can be provided adjacent a case base and sidewall portions. The bus bar can be disposed adjacent the isolation layer and be configured to extend along the package side and along the package length below the capacitor elements to provide an extended path for heat dissipation from the bus bar prior to its contact with capacitor elements. The enhanced isolation layer is configured to conduct heat away from the bus bar to the case to avoid the hotspot temperature of the capacitor. Reduced capacitor temperature allows use of smaller, cheaper capacitors, reducing inverter costs without compromising performance.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining at least one operating characteristic associated with an inductor in a power converter system. The operating characteristic may be current through the inductor. The power converter system may be of the type used in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to convert electric power from a high-voltage traction battery to drive an electric motor and/or a generator in the HEV.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a power converter system with a direct current (DC)-bus capacitor connected to at least a first converter and a second converter. The first converter is with associated first current and the second converter is with associated second current. Switching states of the first and second converters are determined. The switching states of the second converter are sequenced relative to the first converter to reduce a difference of sums of the associated first and second currents between adjacent time intervals.

Abstract: A PWM strategy can be implemented to reduce device power losses and hotspot temperature in an inverter circuit that drives a synchronous motor. A method includes migrating a phase current from a power device with higher losses to a power device with lower losses. A PWM modulation signal can be modified to alter the inverter duty cycle and migrate phase current in the direction of lower losses. As an example, a PWM reference signal can be shifted to a lower value. A PWM loss reduction strategy can be performed while a motor is in a rotor-lock state to reduce device hotspot temperature. The PWM loss reduction strategy can also be performed when a motor is operating in a normal state, pushing PWM to DPWM, reducing switching and overall losses. The strategy can be practiced while a PMSM is operating as a motor, and can also be practiced during regenerative braking.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the state of health of a power electronic system. Data representing an initial expected temperature of the circuit element and an initial value of an electrical parameter of the circuit element is obtained. An electrical pulse is applied to the circuit element to heat the circuit element. After the electrical pulse decays to a predetermined value, the electrical parameter of the circuit element is sensed and a subsequent value of the electrical parameter is obtained. A subsequent temperature of the circuit element is estimated based on the initial expected temperature of the circuit element, the initial and subsequent values of the electrical parameter, and the predetermined value of the electrical pulse. Based on the subsequent temperature, the signal that indicates whether the circuit element is operating as expected is generated.

Abstract: An energy conversion system transfers energy between an energy source, or storage unit, and an electric device via a first port and a second port and at least one of receives and provides energy via a third port.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a power converter system with a direct current (DC)-bus capacitor connected to at least a first converter and a second converter. The first converter is with associated first current and the second converter is with associated second current. Switching states of the first and second converters are determined. The switching states of the second converter are sequenced relative to the first converter to reduce a difference of sums of the associated first and second currents between adjacent time intervals.

Abstract: An energy conversion system transfers energy between an energy source, or storage unit, and an electric device via a first port and a second port and at least one of receives and provides energy via a third port.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a power converter system with first, second, and third phase legs with respective first, second, and third associated phase currents determine direction of current flow in at least two phase legs and switch states of the power converter system in response to the current flow directions to reduce ripple current in a connected direct current (DC)-bus capacitor.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for determining at least one operating characteristic associated with an inductor in a power converter system. The operating characteristic may be current through the inductor. The power converter system may be of the type used in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to convert electric power from a high-voltage traction battery to drive an electric motor and/or a generator in the HEV.

Abstract: An inductor includes a core that has a window (164). The core includes a first core member and a second core member. A first winding is coupled to the first core member and a second winding is coupled to the second core member. A shell surrounds the core. Pairs of gaps between the core and the shell provide flux paths.

Abstract: A DC/DC power converter includes an electrically configurable transformer/inductor. The electrically configurable transformer/inductor receives a power plug. The power plug, depending on its configuration, configures the operation of the transformer/inductor and therefore the DC/DC power converter. The power plug may permit access to power received from the power converter. The power plug may also pass power to the power converter from a remote electrical source.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a power converter system with first, second, and third phase legs with respective first, second, and third associated phase currents determine direction of current flow in at least two phase legs and switch states of the power converter system in response to the current flow directions to reduce ripple current in a connected direct current (DC)-bus capacitor.

Abstract: An inductor includes a core that has a window. The core includes a first core member and a second core member. A first winding is coupled to the first core member and a second winding is coupled to the second core member. A floating center leg is coupled between, but not attached to, the first and second core members. The floating center leg is conductively enabling flux flow between the first core member and the second core member.

Abstract: An inductor includes a core that has a window (164). The core includes a first core member and a second core member. A first winding is coupled to the first core member and a second winding is coupled to the second core member. A shell surrounds the core. Pairs of gaps between the core and the shell provide flux paths.

Abstract: A power module package including a fully enclosed package comprising sidewalls; wherein at least one of said sidewalls includes a conductive substrate; wherein circuit elements are mounted on said conductive substrate on a first side comprising an inner side of said enclosed package; and, wherein a majority area of a second side of said conductive substrate is exposed, the power package has an improved interconnection configuration and compact power I/O terminals, offering low electrical parasitics, a plurality of individual power module packages can be attached seamlessly and positioned in a liquid coolant with multiple top portion open channels, as well as attached to a laminar power connector (busbar) to form various electrical power conversion topologies, the module offers low thermal resistance and low electrical parasitics, in addition to small volume, light weight and high reliability.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the state of health of a power electronic system. Data representing an initial expected temperature of the circuit element and an initial value of an electrical parameter of the circuit element is obtained. An electrical pulse is applied to the circuit element to heat the circuit element. After the electrical pulse decays to a predetermined value, the electrical parameter of the circuit element is sensed and a subsequent value of the electrical parameter is obtained. A subsequent temperature of the circuit element is estimated based on the initial expected temperature of the circuit element, the initial and subsequent values of the electrical parameter, and the predetermined value of the electrical pulse. Based on the subsequent temperature, the signal that indicates whether the circuit element is operating as expected is generated.