Abstract: A computer includes a processor; and a memory. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to determine, based on a measurement performed in a vehicle, that a parameter of a power device is outside of a predetermined range; and actuate components in the vehicle to heat the power device.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an inverter having first and second half bridges configured to provide multiphase voltage to an electric machine. The vehicle further includes a controller configured to activate a switch of the first half bridge and pulse width modulate a switch of the second half bridge to conduct resonant output on a rail of the inverter to the electric machine such that the multiphase voltage is created for at least a sixth of a cycle of the electric machine. Thee activation is responsive to a torque command.

Abstract: A controller of a vehicle power system closes a pre-charge contactor and one of a pair of main contactors to electrically connect a battery and inverter such that current flows through a pre-charge resistor. The controller also opens the pair to electrically disconnect the battery and inverter, and closes a switch configured to complete a circuit such that charge acquired by a capacitor of the inverter is dissipated via the pre-charge resistor.

Abstract: A variable voltage converter transfers charge between a battery and a DC link. A first inductor couples a positive battery node and a first node. A first transistor selectably couples the first node to a negative battery node. A first capacitor has a negative terminal coupled to the negative battery node. A second inductor couples a positive terminal of the first capacitor to a second node. A second capacitor has a positive terminal coupled to the first node. A second transistor selectably couples the second node to a negative terminal of the second capacitor. When the transistors are non-conducting, the second inductor charges the DC link and the first inductor charges the first and second capacitors. When the transistors are conducting, the inductors are energized in parallel by the battery and the first and second capacitors. High voltage gain is obtained at relatively low values for the PWM duty cycle.

Abstract: A traction inverter system includes a capacitor module, a power module, a cold plate between and in contact with the modules, and an end plate defining an inlet and outlet. The modules and plates define a bore spanning the modules and plates, and a passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet. The traction inverter system also includes a mechanical fastener occupying the bore, spanning the modules and plates, and clamping the modules and plates together.

Abstract: Power electronics circuitry includes a pair of parallel switching elements. Each of the switching elements includes two power terminals, two control terminals, and an additional terminal. Corresponding ones of the two power terminals from each of the pair are connected via respective first and second power paths. Corresponding ones of the two control terminals from each of the pair are connected via respective first and second control paths. The additional terminals are connected via an additional path. The circuitry also includes a gate driver tapping the first and second control paths, and a magnet surrounding the additional terminals to couple inductance of the additional path.

Abstract: A shared resistor performs precharging and discharging functions of capacitors in an electric vehicle drive system. In a precharge state, the shared resistor is connected between the capacitors and a DC source via a precharge relay. In a discharge state, the resistor is connected across the capacitors via a discharge transistor. Otherwise, the resistor is disconnected. A bypass switch is connected between the resistor and an input capacitor. The bypass switch is rendered conductive during the precharge state and during the discharge state. The discharge transistor is activated only during the discharge state. As a result, the invention uses less components by virtue of eliminating separate resistance elements for pre-charging and discharging and by eliminating discharge switches dedicated to separate resistances. The circuit integration and the placement of components outside the inverter module improves overall system cost and packaging size.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes a Y-wound generator, a Y-wound motor, a generator inverter, a motor inverter, and a traction battery. The Y-wound generator and Y-wound motor are coupled via each respective neutral terminal. The generator inverter is coupled between the Y-wound generator and a generator bus and the motor inverter is coupled between the Y-wound motor and a motor bus. The traction battery has a first terminal coupled to each neutral terminal and a second terminal coupled to bus terminals of the generator and motor bus.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an inverter connected to an energy store having a variable output voltage and including a first pair of battery partitions. The vehicle includes a controller configured to operate a first set of switches to arrange electrical connections between the first pair such that the variable output voltage is greater than battery voltage of a one of the battery partitions. The operation of switches is responsive to a parameter indicative of speed of an electric machine electrically coupled to the inverter exceeding a first predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes a monolithically integrated load switch, mirror switch, and temperature array, and a gate driver. The gate driver includes a first comparator configured to filter a current level of the mirror switch, and a second comparator configured to provide a reference to the first comparator based on temperature array output such that a gate discharge rate of the switch, enabled by the first comparator, varies proportionally with a temperature adjusted filtered current level.

Abstract: A vehicle electric drive includes a controller programmed to operate a power converter to boost voltage from a battery for a DC bus and to limit voltage output from the power converter to a predefined maximum voltage value that varies with temperature of coolant used to cool the power converter.

Abstract: A vehicle may include an electric machine including windings having a nonzero phase offset. The vehicle may further include first and second inverters configured to drive the electric machine as a result of toggling of switches. The switches may be toggled according to respective pulse width modulation (PWM) signals. One or more gate drivers may be configured to generate the PWM signals. The PWM signals may be based on fundamental waveforms having a phase shift that is based on the nonzero phase offset of the electric machine.

Abstract: A variable voltage converter for an electric drive system has upper and lower switching devices in series between positive and negative buses. An inductance couples a junction between the switching devices to a DC battery. A controller is configured to drive the switches according to PWM gate signals based on an expected boost ratio of the converter. The PWM gate signals have a nominal dead-time insertion for both the upper and lower switching devices when the expected boost ratio is greater than a predetermined boost ratio. In order to extend a range of achievable boost ratios during regeneration operation, the PWM gate signals are without dead-time insertion for the upper switching device and the lower switching device remains continuously off when the expected boost ratio is less than the predetermined boost ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes a Y-wound generator and Y-wound motor coupled via respective neutral terminals, a generator inverter coupled between the Y-wound generator and a generator bus, and a motor inverter coupled between the Y-wound motor and a motor bus. The powertrain further includes a traction battery having first and second terminals each selectively coupled to the neutral terminals. The second terminal is further coupled to bus terminals of the generator and motor bus.

Abstract: Power electronics circuitry has a pair of parallel power semiconductors each including a gate and a current sensor, a first differential mode choke defining a portion of a gate path connecting the gates, a second differential mode choke defining a portion of a sensor path connecting the current sensors, and a gate driver tapping the gate and current sensor paths.

Abstract: A variable voltage converter transfers charge between a battery and a DC link. A first inductor couples a positive battery node and a first node. A first transistor selectably couples the first node to a negative battery node. A first capacitor has a negative terminal coupled to the negative battery node. A second inductor couples a positive terminal of the first capacitor to a second node. A second capacitor has a positive terminal coupled to the first node. A second transistor selectably couples the second node to a negative terminal of the second capacitor. When the transistors are non-conducting, the second inductor charges the DC link and the first inductor charges the first and second capacitors. When the transistors are conducting, the inductors are energized in parallel by the battery and the first and second capacitors. High voltage gain is obtained at relatively low values for the PWM duty cycle.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine configured to provide propulsive force to the vehicle, and a power inverter configured to supply power from a traction battery to the electric machine using a first and second switch configured as a half-bridge, wherein the first switch is controlled by a gate driver. The gate driver is configured to operate in a soft turn-off mode when a load current exceeds a threshold for a time period defined by a mask timer, operate in a fast turn-off mode when the load current is below the threshold, and in response to a turn-off request received prior to expiration of the mask timer after the load current exceeds the threshold, enable the soft turn-off mode.

Abstract: A vehicle electric drive includes a battery, an electric machine, and a variable voltage converter. The variable voltage converter includes switches, a transformer having a pair of windings sharing a common terminal with a series connected input capacitor, and an inductor electrically between the switches and transformer. The transformer and input capacitor are in parallel with the battery. The variable voltage converter is configured to boost voltage of the battery via operation of the switches.

Abstract: A powertrain for a vehicle includes a Y-wound generator and Y-wound motor coupled via respective neutral terminals, a generator inverter coupled between the Y-wound generator and a generator bus, and a motor inverter coupled between the Y-wound motor and a motor bus. The powertrain further includes a traction battery having first and second terminals each selectively coupled to the neutral terminals. The second terminal is further coupled to bus terminals of the generator and motor bus.

Abstract: A system includes a bus, and a variable voltage converter (VVC) having a switch in series with a capacitor, and an inductor in parallel with the capacitor and switch, and configured such that operation of the switch in boost mode over a duty cycle range from 0 to less than 0.5 results in a corresponding voltage output to the bus from 0 to a maximum of the VVC.