Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine driven by an inverter is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of a fault condition. The method further allows for generating during the fault condition a respective signal configured to maintain a field weakening current even though electrical power from an energy source is absent during said fault condition. The level of the maintained field-weakening current enables the machine to operate in a safe mode so that the inverter is protected from excess voltage.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method provides a sensor assembly for sensing rotor sector position relative to a plurality of angular sectors. The method further provides a sensor for sensing angular increments in rotor position. The method allows starting the machine in a brushless direct current mode of operation using a calculated initial rotor position based on an initial angular sector position information from the sensor assembly. Upon determining a transition from the initial angular sector to the next angular sector, the method allows switching to a sinusoidal mode of operation using rotor position based on rotor position information from the incremental sensor.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling an induction machine are provided. The method allows to sense rotor position of the induction machine using a relatively low-resolution rotor position sensor configured to supply a stream of pulses indicative of angular increments as the rotor position changes. A memory device is used for storing a synchronous angle boost function. The method further allows to retrieve from the memory device at least one function parameter for providing a synchronous angle boost during a start up mode of operation of the induction machine. Upon sensing a predetermined number of pulses from the rotor position sensor, the method allows to switch from the start up mode of operation to a normal mode of operation, wherein the boost provided to the synchronous angle is discontinued upon switching to the normal mode of operation.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method provides a sensor assembly for sensing rotor sector position relative to a plurality of angular sectors. The method allows starting the machine in a brushless direct current mode of operation using a calculated initial rotor position based on angular sector position information from the sensor assembly. Upon reaching a predefined mode-crossover criterion, the method allows switching to a sinusoidal mode of operation using rotor angle position based on extrapolating angular sector position information from the sensor assembly.

Abstract: A method for and apparatus for preventing oscillations of a vehicle. The engine speed is monitored and filtered, the filtered engine speed being compared to a natural frequency of the vehicle. The natural frequency corresponds to a gear ratio of the vehicle. A torque command is provided to an electric machine coupled to a driveline of the vehicle, the electric machine provides a counteracting torque to the driveline in order to eliminate oscillations in the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling the start of a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method allows to assign a parameter value indicative of an estimated initial rotor position of the machine. The method further allows to energize the machine with a level of current being sufficiently high to start rotor motion in a desired direction in the event the initial rotor position estimate is sufficiently close to the actual rotor position of the machine. A sensing action allows to sense whether any incremental changes in rotor position occur in response to the energizing action. In the event no changes in rotor position are sensed, the method allows to incrementally adjust the estimated rotor position by a first set of angular values until changes in rotor position are sensed. In the event changes in rotor position are sensed, the method allows to provide a rotor alignment signal as rotor motion continues. The alignment signal allows to align the estimated rotor position relative to the actual rotor position.

Abstract: Method and system for assembling a multisensor device that includes at least two sensors operable to provide a respective stream of pulses indicative of angular information of a rotating object are provided. The sensors are assembled so that the streams of pulses have an accurate phasing relationship relative to one another. The method allows to provide a sensor carrier. The method further allows to locate the sensor carrier to have a predefined spatial relationship relative to a target wheel. The sensor carrier includes a passageway for receiving each of the sensors. The passageway allows slidable movement to selected ones of the sensors along a phasing axis. As relative movement between the target wheel and the sensor carrier occurs, each of the sensors is energized to provide a respective stream of pulses. A determining action allows to determine the phasing relationship of each stream of pulses relative to one another.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling the start of a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method allows to assign a parameter value indicative of an estimated initial rotor position of the machine. The method further allows to energize the machine with a level of current being sufficiently high to start rotor motion in a desired direction in the event the initial rotor position estimate is sufficiently close to the actual rotor position of the machine. A sensing action allows to sense whether any incremental changes in rotor position occur in response to the energizing action. In the event no changes in rotor position are sensed, the method allows to incrementally adjust the estimated rotor position by a first set of angular values until changes in rotor position are sensed. In the event changes in rotor position are sensed, the method allows to provide a rotor alignment signal as rotor motion continues. The alignment signal allows to align the estimated rotor position relative to the actual rotor position.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine are provided. The method provides a sensor assembly for sensing rotor sector position relative to a plurality of angular sectors. The method further provides a sensor for sensing angular increments in rotor position. The method allows starting the machine in a brushless direct current mode of operation using a calculated initial rotor position based on an initial angular sector position information from the sensor assembly. Upon determining a transition from the initial angular sector to the next angular sector, the method allows switching to a sinusoidal mode of operation using rotor position based on rotor position information from the incremental sensor.

Abstract: A method for and apparatus for preventing oscillations of a vehicle. The engine speed is monitored and filtered, the filtered engine speed being compared to a natural frequency of the vehicle. The natural frequency corresponds to a gear ratio of the vehicle. A torque command is provided to an electric machine coupled to a driveline of the vehicle, the electric machine provides a counteracting torque to the driveline in order to eliminate oscillations in the vehicle.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling an induction machine are provided. The method allows to sense rotor position of the induction machine using a relatively low-resolution rotor position sensor configured to supply a stream of pulses indicative of angular increments as the rotor position changes. A memory device is used for storing a synchronous angle boost function. The method further allows to retrieve from the memory device at least one function parameter for providing a synchronous angle boost during a start up mode of operation of the induction machine. Upon sensing a predetermined number of pulses from the rotor position sensor, the method allows to switch from the start up mode of operation to a normal mode of operation, wherein the boost provided to the synchronous angle is discontinued upon switching to the normal mode of operation.

Abstract: Method and system for controlling a permanent magnet machine driven by an inverter is provided. The method allows for monitoring a signal indicative of a fault condition. The method further allows for generating during the fault condition a respective signal configured to maintain a field weakening current even though electrical power from an energy source is absent during said fault condition. The level of the maintained field-weakening current enables the machine to operate in a safe mode so that the inverter is protected from excess voltage.

Abstract: Method and system for estimating rotor position of a switched reluctance machine is provided. The method allows for estimating flux linkage across a respective phase of the machine. The method allows for measuring of magnetization curves at aligned and unaligned positions of the machine. The method further allows for computing magnetization reference data between the aligned and unaligned positions. A storing step allows for storing rotor position data based on the magnetization reference data. The stored rotor position data is indicative of rotor position variation as a function of phase current. A relating step allows to relate the estimated flux linkage to the magnetization reference data to determine, for a respective phase current, correspondence of the estimated flux linkage relative to the magnetization reference data. A retrieving step allows for retrieving stored rotor position data when said correspondence is determined.

Abstract: Method and system for estimating rotor position of a switched reluctance machine is provided. The method allows for estimating flux linkage across a respective phase of the machine. The method allows for measuring of magnetization curves at aligned and unaligned positions of the machine. The method further allows for computing magnetization reference data between the aligned and unaligned positions. A storing step allows for storing rotor position data based on the magnetization reference data. The stored rotor position data is indicative of rotor position variation as a function of phase current. A relating step allows to relate the estimated flux linkage to the magnetization reference data to determine, for a respective phase current, correspondence of the estimated flux linkage relative to the magnetization reference data. A retrieving step allows for retrieving stored rotor position data when said correspondence is determined.

Abstract: System and method for controlling a synchronous machine are provided. The method allows for calculating a stator voltage index. The method further allows for relating the magnitude of the stator voltage index against a threshold voltage value. An offset signal is generated based on the results of the relating step. A respective state of operation of the machine is determined. The offset signal is processed based on the respective state of the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an incremental angular position of a rotating member of an induction motor. A sensor assembly is positioned adjacent a target wheel attached to the rotating member, the target wheel having a plurality of teeth, separated by slots, angularly spaced around the periphery of the target wheel. The sensor assembly is located proximate the periphery of the target wheel, and includes a plurality of sensors each configured to generate a respective output signal that transitions between first and second states at the passage thereby of each leading and trailing edge of the teeth. The apparatus also includes a processing circuit configured to generate an incremental position signal in response to the output signals. Each sensor is spaced from an adjacent sensor by a predetermined distance equal to 180 degrees divided by n, where n is the number of sensors, and 360 degrees is a tooth-to-tooth distance.