Abstract: A topology for electric power distribution in a vehicle includes a high-voltage bus connected to a DC-DC electric power converter that is connected to a low-voltage DC load. The DC-DC electric power converter includes a high-voltage switching circuit, a transformer, and a low-voltage rectifier. The high-voltage switching circuit includes first and second switches arranged in series between positive and negative legs of the high-voltage electric power bus at a first node that connects to a leg of an inductor of the transformer. A controller receives a command to discharge the high-voltage electric power bus, and in response, controls a first gate circuit to operate a first switch in a linear mode, and controls a second gate circuit to operate a second switch in a pulsewidth-modulated mode. A duty cycle for the pulsewidth-modulated operation of the second switch is determined based upon the magnitude of electric current.

Abstract: A topology for electric power distribution in a vehicle includes a high-voltage bus connected to a DC-DC electric power converter that is connected to a low-voltage DC load. The DC-DC electric power converter includes a high-voltage switching circuit, a transformer, and a low-voltage rectifier. The high-voltage switching circuit includes first and second switches arranged in series between positive and negative legs of the high-voltage electric power bus at a first node that connects to a leg of an inductor of the transformer. A controller receives a command to discharge the high-voltage electric power bus, and in response, controls a first gate circuit to operate a first switch in a linear mode, and controls a second gate circuit to operate a second switch in a pulsewidth-modulated mode. A duty cycle for the pulsewidth-modulated operation of the second switch is determined based upon the magnitude of electric current.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of lamps disposed on a rear portion of the vehicle, a user-actuatable hazard light control component (e.g. a turn-signal stalk) having a plurality of states, and a hazard lamp controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of lamps, the user-actuable hazard light control component, and the user-actuatable hazard light controller. The hazard lamp controller is configured to illuminate the plurality of lamps in accordance with a lighting pattern responsive to the state of the user-actuatable hazard light control component.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of lamps disposed on a rear portion of the vehicle, a user-actuatable hazard light control component (e.g. a turn-signal stalk) having a plurality of states, and a hazard lamp controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of lamps, the user-actuable hazard light control component, and the user-actuatable hazard light controller. The hazard lamp controller is configured to illuminate the plurality of lamps in accordance with a lighting pattern responsive to the state of the user-actuatable hazard light control component.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a fault protection are provided that can be implemented in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to limit the magnitude of a current that flows when an AC-to-chassis fault (ACF) occurs between an AC connection and the chassis of the HEV. An electric machine having a winding, an inverter sub-module (ISM) having a first switch and a second switch, and fault protection elements (FPEs), coupled to the ISM, are provided. The winding is coupled to the ISM coupled via the AC connection. The FPEs can include, for example, first and second inductances. To limit the magnitude of the current, the current can be passed along a first current path that includes the second inductance when the first switch is closed, and can be passed along a second current path that includes the first inductance when the second switch is closed.

Abstract: A method of providing an electrical charge to a vehicle traction battery using a power inverter module includes sensing a temperature of the power inverter module and sensing a temperature of the traction battery. From the sensed temperatures, an engine control unit may determine an expected voltage oscillation amplitude of the electrical charge. This amplitude may be used to calculate a maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge by subtracting the expected voltage oscillation amplitude from a maximum allowable voltage of the traction battery. The maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge may then be used to limit the available power provided to the traction battery by the power inverter module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a fault protection are provided that can be implemented in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) to limit the magnitude of a current that flows when an AC-to-chassis fault (ACF) occurs between an AC connection and the chassis of the HEV. An electric machine having a winding, an inverter sub-module (ISM) having a first switch and a second switch, and fault protection elements (FPEs), coupled to the ISM, are provided. The winding is coupled to the ISM coupled via the AC connection. The FPEs can include, for example, first and second inductances. To limit the magnitude of the current, the current can be passed along a first current path that includes the second inductance when the first switch is closed, and can be passed along a second current path that includes the first inductance when the second switch is closed.

Abstract: A method of providing an electrical charge to a vehicle traction battery using a power inverter module includes sensing a temperature of the power inverter module and sensing a temperature of the traction battery. From the sensed temperatures, an engine control unit may determine an expected voltage oscillation amplitude of the electrical charge. This amplitude may be used to calculate a maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge by subtracting the expected voltage oscillation amplitude from a maximum allowable voltage of the traction battery. The maximum allowable nominal voltage of the electrical charge may then be used to limit the available power provided to the traction battery by the power inverter module.