Abstract: A power switch apparatus includes a substrate; a semiconductor die mounted on the substrate and including power electronics circuitry for a high power, alternating current motor application; and gate drive circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the power electronics circuitry on the semiconductor die.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a dual voltage-source inverter system. The systems and methods selectively couple a first voltage source and a second voltage source to an inverter via a controllable switch.

Abstract: Damping mechanisms and motor assemblies are provided. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a damping mechanism includes an end cap, a bearing retainer plate, a bearing damper ring, a bearing assembly, and first and second lateral dampers. The bearing damper ring is disposed in an annular cavity inwardly from an inner diameter surface of the end cap and has a radially inwardly-extending flange. The bearing assembly is disposed in the annular cavity radially inwardly relative to the bearing damper ring. The first lateral damper is disposed between a radially inwardly-extending wall of the end cap and the bearing damper ring. The second lateral damper is disposed between the bearing damper ring and the bearing retainer plate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide torque linearity in the field-weakening region for an electric (e.g., IPM) machine. The systems and methods implement a field weakening and a torque linearity control loop for linearizing torque generated by an electric machine. As a result, torque linearity is maintained when the electric machine operates in the field weakening region.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for operating inductors in a Z-source inverter in a continuous current mode are provided. One system includes an AC motor, a Z-source inverter, and a processor. The inverter is configured to provide current and reactive power to the AC motor. The processor is configured to monitor the current and instruct the inverter to provide a greater amount of reactive power to the AC motor if the current is below/equal to a threshold amount. An apparatus includes means for determining if current produced by the inverter is below/equal to a threshold amount, and means for altering voltage commands supplied to the inverter so that an AC motor is induced to draw additional reactive power. One method includes determining if a plurality of inductors are providing a threshold current amount, and inducing a motor to draw more reactive power if the current is below/equal to the threshold amount.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling two alternating current (AC) machines via a five-phase PWM inverter module. The system comprises a first control loop, a second control loop, and a current command adjustment module. The current command adjustment module operates in conjunction with the first control loop and the second control loop to continuously adjust current command signals that control the first AC machine and the second AC machine such that they share the input voltage available to them without compromising the target mechanical output power of either machine. This way, even when the phase voltage available to either one of the machines decreases, that machine outputs its target mechanical output power.

Abstract: A system is provided for controlling two AC machines. The system comprises a DC input voltage source that provides a DC input voltage, a voltage boost command control module (VBCCM), a five-phase PWM inverter module coupled to the two AC machines, and a boost converter coupled to the inverter module and the DC input voltage source. The boost converter is designed to supply a new DC input voltage to the inverter module having a value that is greater than or equal to a value of the DC input voltage. The VBCCM generates a boost command signal (BCS) based on modulation indexes from the two AC machines. The BCS controls the boost converter such that the boost converter generates the new DC input voltage in response to the BCS.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide torque linearity in the field-weakening region for an electric (e.g., IPM) machine. The systems and methods implement a field weakening and a torque linearity control loop for linearizing torque generated by an electric machine. First and second voltage commands are used at the field weakening loop to generate a first adjusting current command. The first adjusting current command is then provided to the torque linearity control loop, where it is multiplied by a gain to generate an output current command, which can then be limited to generate a second adjusting current command. The second adjusting current command can then be added to a current command to generate an adjusted current command. The first adjusting current command can also be added to another current command to generate another adjusted current command. The adjusted current commands and feedback currents are then used at a synchronous current regulator to generate new first and second voltage commands.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide torque linearity in the field-weakening region for an IPM machine. The systems and methods adjust the q-axis and the d-axis components of the stator current commands of the IPM machine using a flux weakening and a torque linearity control loop respectively. Thereby, torque linearity is maintained during the field weakening region of operation of the IPM machine.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for limiting an operational temperature of a motor. The method includes generating a maximum allowable current I*S(max) for a motor based on a temperature difference between a temperature reference T* of a power inverter module and a semiconductor device temperature T of the power inverter module. The method further includes generating a maximum allowable torque T*e(max) based on the maximum allowable current I*S(max) and a maximum allowable flux ?*S(max), and using the maximum allowable torque T*e(max) to limit the torque command T*e in order to suppress the semiconductor device temperature T to below the temperature reference T*.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a two-source series inverter. The systems and methods combine operation of a first voltage source and a second voltage source in series powering a novel voltage combining arrangement and a conventional inverter via a switch configuration to power a load. The switch configuration is controlled by a plurality of control signals generated by a controller based on a variety of control modes, and feedback signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to improve torque linearity of an electric machine when operating in a field-weakening region. The systems and methods adjust the q-axis and the d-axis components of the stator current commands of the electric machine using a flux weakening control loop and a torque linearity control loop such that torque linearity is maintained when the machine operates in a field weakening region of operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a two-source inverter. The systems and methods combines operation of a first voltage source powering a conventional single source inverter with second voltage source powering a novel switch configuration to power a load. The switch configuration is controlled by a plurality of control signals generated by controller based on a variety of control modes, and feedback signals.

Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for limiting an operational temperature of a motor. The method includes generating a maximum allowable current I*S(max) for a motor based on a temperature difference between a temperature reference T* of a power inverter module and a semiconductor device temperature T of the power inverter module. The method further includes generating a maximum allowable torque T*e(max) based on the maximum allowable current I*S(max) and a maximum allowable flux ?*S(max), and using the maximum allowable torque T*e(max) to limit the torque command T*e in order to suppress the semiconductor device temperature T to below the temperature reference T*.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a two-source series inverter. The systems and methods combine operation of a first voltage source and a second voltage source in series powering a novel voltage combining arrangement and a conventional inverter via a switch configuration to power a load. The switch configuration is controlled by a plurality of control signals generated by a controller based on a variety of control modes, and feedback signals.

Abstract: A power switch apparatus includes a substrate; a semiconductor die mounted on the substrate and including power electronics circuitry for a high power, alternating current motor application; gate drive circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the power electronics circuitry on the semiconductor die; and control circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the gate drive circuitry.

Abstract: A power switch apparatus includes a substrate; a semiconductor die mounted on the substrate and including power electronics circuitry for a high power, alternating current motor application; and gate drive circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the power electronics circuitry on the semiconductor die.

Abstract: A method for cooling an inverter of a vehicle system includes the steps of providing a flow of cooling fluid to the inverter, determining a value of a variable that is influenced at least in part by the flow of cooling fluid to the inverter, and regulating the flow of cooling fluid to the inverter based at least in part on the value of the variable.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide torque linearity in the field-weakening region for an IPM machine. The systems and methods adjust the q-axis and the d-axis components of the stator current commands of the IPM machine using a flux weakening and a torque linearity control loop respectively. Thereby, torque linearity is maintained during the field weakening region of operation of the IPM machine.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for operating inductors in a Z-source inverter in a continuous current mode are provided. One system includes an AC motor, a Z-source inverter, and a processor. The inverter is configured to provide current and reactive power to the AC motor. The processor is configured to monitor the current and instruct the inverter to provide a greater amount of reactive power to the AC motor if the current is below/equal to a threshold amount. An apparatus includes means for determining if current produced by the inverter is below/equal to a threshold amount, and means for altering voltage commands supplied to the inverter so that an AC motor is induced to draw additional reactive power. One method includes determining if a plurality of inductors are providing a threshold current amount, and inducing a motor to draw more reactive power if the current is below/equal to the threshold amount.