Patents by Inventor Michael H. Kinoshita

Michael H. Kinoshita has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9595902
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a motor drive system. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting modulation index of voltage commands to improve linearity of the voltage commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Milun Perisic, Michael H. Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8990277
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in which a computed vector index (CVI) can be generated/computed based on an input value being searched for within an index vector of a lookup table. When the CVI is greater than a length of an index vector, the CVI can be re-computed to generate a re-computed vector index (RVI). When the value of the CVI is determined to be correct, or when the RVI is generated, an interpolation routine for a linearly indexed index vector can be executed using a presently computed vector index (e.g., either the CVI or the RVI) to determine an interpolated output value that corresponds to the input value. By contrast, when the value of the CVI is determined to be incorrect, an interpolation routine for a piecewise indexed index vector can be executed to determine the interpolated output value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Michael H. Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8829827
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of an electric machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the electric machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Kinoshita, Milun Perisic, Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Ray M. Ransom
  • Patent number: 8742712
    Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for controlling third harmonic voltages when operating a multi-phase machine in an overmodulation region. The multi-phase machine can be, for example, a five-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system that includes a five-phase PWM controlled inverter module that drives the five-phase machine. Techniques for overmodulating a reference voltage vector are provided. For example, when the reference voltage vector is determined to be within the overmodulation region, an angle of the reference voltage vector can be modified to generate a reference voltage overmodulation control angle, and a magnitude of the reference voltage vector can be modified, based on the reference voltage overmodulation control angle, to generate a modified magnitude of the reference voltage vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Milun Perisic, Michael H Kinoshita, Ray M. Ransom, Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez
  • Patent number: 8729847
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for mapping torque to current to generate current commands used to control operation of an electric machine. Based on a DC input voltage, lookup tables (LUTs) are selected. Each of the selected LUTs includes a plurality (B) of first entries that correspond a particular input value of an angular rotation speed of the electric machine, and a set of coefficients are output from each of the selected LUTs that can be applied within a first polynomial function to generate a plurality of first polynomial functions each having a different sets of coefficients. A plurality of particular output values for a first current command are generated via the plurality of first polynomial functions. The particular output values for the first current command can be interpolated to generate a final output value for the first current command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Michael H. Kinoshita, Milun Perisic
  • Publication number: 20130304782
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided in which a computed vector index (CVI) can be generated/computed based on an input value being searched for within an index vector of a lookup table. When the CVI is greater than a length of an index vector, the CVI can be re-computed to generate a re-computed vector index (RVI). When the value of the CVI is determined to be correct, or when the RVI is generated, an interpolation routine for a linearly indexed index vector can be executed using a presently computed vector index (e.g., either the CVI or the RVI) to determine an interpolated output value that corresponds to the input value. By contrast, when the value of the CVI is determined to be incorrect, an interpolation routine for a piecewise indexed index vector can be executed to determine the interpolated output value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel GALLEGOS-LOPEZ, Michael H. KINOSHITA
  • Publication number: 20130175960
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for mapping torque to current to generate current commands used to control operation of an electric machine. Based on a DC input voltage, lookup tables (LUTs) are selected. Each of the selected LUTs includes a plurality (B) of first entries that correspond a particular input value of an angular rotation speed of the electric machine, and a set of coefficients are output from each of the selected LUTs that can be applied within a first polynomial function to generate a plurality of first polynomial functions each having a different sets of coefficients. A plurality of particular output values for a first current command are generated via the plurality of first polynomial functions. The particular output values for the first current command can be interpolated to generate a final output value for the first current command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GABRIEL GALLEGOS-LOPEZ, MICHAEL H. KINOSHITA, MILUN PERISIC
  • Publication number: 20130169201
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of an electric machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the electric machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Michael H. Kinoshita, Milun Perisic, Gabriel Gallegos-Lopes, Ray M. Ransom
  • Patent number: 8446117
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the multi-phase machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting a duty cycle of PWM waveforms so that the correct phase voltage command signals are applied at the angle transitions. This can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Michael H. Kinoshita, Ray M. Ransom, Milun Perisic
  • Publication number: 20130033206
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a motor drive system. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting modulation index of voltage commands to improve linearity of the voltage commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GABRIEL GALLEGOS-LOPEZ, MILUN PERISIC, MICHAEL H. KINOSHITA
  • Patent number: 8233295
    Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for quickly approximating a peak summed magnitude (A) of a phase voltage (Vph) waveform in a multi-phase system that implements third harmonic injection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Ray M. Ransom, Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Michael H. Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20120187876
    Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for controlling third harmonic voltages when operating a multi-phase machine in an overmodulation region. The multi-phase machine can be, for example, a five-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system that includes a five-phase PWM controlled inverter module that drives the five-phase machine. Techniques for overmodulating a reference voltage vector are provided. For example, when the reference voltage vector is determined to be within the overmodulation region, an angle of the reference voltage vector can be modified to generate a reference voltage overmodulation control angle, and a magnitude of the reference voltage vector can be modified, based on the reference voltage overmodulation control angle, to generate a modified magnitude of the reference voltage vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Milun PERISIC, Michael H. KINOSHITA, Ray M. RANSOM, Gabriel GALLEGOS-LOPEZ
  • Publication number: 20120169263
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the multi-phase machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting a duty cycle of PWM waveforms so that the correct phase voltage command signals are applied at the angle transitions. This can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: GABRIEL GALLEGOS-LOPEZ, MICHAEL H. KINOSHITA, RAY M. RANSOM, MILUN PERISIC
  • Publication number: 20110224957
    Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for quickly approximating a peak summed magnitude (A) of a phase voltage (Vph) waveform in a multi-phase system that implements third harmonic injection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: RAY M. RANSOM, GABRIEL GALLEGOS-LOPEZ, MICHAEL H. KINOSHITA