Abstract: An inverter circuit couples a DC voltage source having a primary side and a reference side to an electric motor or other AC machine having multiple electrical phases. An inverter circuit includes switches, diodes and a controller. For each of the electrical phases, a first switch couples the electrical phase to the primary side of the DC voltage source and a second switch couples the electrical phase with the reference side of the DC voltage source. For each of the first and second switches, an associated anti-parallel diode is configured to provide an electrical path when the switch associated with the diode is inactive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for discharging a direct current (DC) bus providing power to a motor control circuit in an electric motor system. The method includes the steps of detecting a predetermined discharge signal and generating operational control signals comprising phase currents for dissipating energy from the DC bus through a passive load in response to detecting the predetermined discharge signal, wherein the passive load includes motor windings of an electric motor of the electric motor system. The method also includes the step of providing the operational control signals to the motor control circuit for discharging the DC bus through the motor control circuit and the motor windings of the electric motor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for improved discharge of a DC bus which provides power to an inverter. An electric motor system provided with the improved discharge method for discharge of the DC bus includes an electric motor, the inverter which provides electric control for the permanent magnet electric motor, the direct current (DC) bus which provides power to the inverter, and a processor. The processor generates operational control signals and provides such operational control signals to the inverter. In response to detecting a predetermined discharge signal, the processor generates operational control signals for generating a ripple current in motor windings of the electric motor to dissipate energy from the DC bus through a passive load, the passive load including the motor windings of the electric motor.

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: An inverter circuit couples a DC voltage source having a primary side and a reference side to an electric motor or other AC machine having multiple electrical phases. An inverter circuit includes switches, diodes and a controller. For each of the electrical phases, a first switch couples the electrical phase to the primary side of the DC voltage source and a second switch couples the electrical phase with the reference side of the DC voltage source. For each of the first and second switches, an associated anti-parallel diode is configured to provide an electrical path when the switch associated with the diode is inactive.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a double-ended inverter drive system for a fuel cell vehicle. An electric drive system for a vehicle comprises an electric motor configured to provide traction power to the vehicle. A first inverter is coupled to the electric motor, and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. A fuel cell is coupled to the first inverter to provide power flow from the fuel cell to the electric motor. A second inverter is coupled to the electric motor, and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. An energy source is coupled to the second inverter to provide power flow between the energy source and the electric motor. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter, and is configured to provide a constant power from the fuel cell during operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a double-ended inverter system coupled to a first energy source and a second energy source. The method comprises determining a constant power line associated with operation of the double-ended inverter system, the constant power line representing a desired power flow to the second energy source. The method further comprises determining an operating point on the constant power line, the operating point producing a minimum power loss in the double-ended inverter system for a required output current, and modulating the double-ended inverter system using a first voltage command and a second voltage command corresponding to the operating point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for charging energy sources with a rectifier using a double-ended inverter system. An apparatus is provided for an electric drive system for a vehicle. The electric drive system comprises an electric motor configured to provide traction power to the vehicle. A first inverter is coupled to the electric motor and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. A first energy source is coupled to the first inverter, wherein the first inverter is configured to provide power flow between the first energy source and the electric motor. A second inverter is coupled to the electric motor and is configured to provide alternating current to the electric motor. A rectifier is coupled to the second inverter and configured to produce a direct current output. The second inverter is configured to provide power from the rectifier to the electric motor.

Abstract: An electric traction system for a vehicle having a high voltage battery and a low voltage battery is provided. The system includes an AC electric motor and a double ended inverter system coupled to the AC electric motor. The AC electric motor has a first set of windings and a second set of windings that occupy common stator slots, where the first set of windings and the second set of windings are electrically isolated from each other. The double ended inverter system drives the AC electric motor using energy obtained from the high voltage battery and energy obtained from the low voltage battery. The double ended inverter system utilizes a first inverter subsystem coupled between the first set of windings and the high voltage battery, and a second inverter subsystem coupled between the second set of windings and the low voltage battery.

Abstract: A double ended inverter system suitable for use with an AC electric traction motor of a vehicle is provided. The double ended inverter system cooperates with a first DC energy source and a second DC energy source, which may have different nominal voltages. The double ended inverter system includes an impedance source inverter subsystem configured to drive the AC electric traction motor using the first energy source, and an inverter subsystem configured to drive the AC electric traction motor using the second energy source. The double ended inverter system also utilizes a controller coupled to the impedance source inverter subsystem and to the inverter subsystem. The controller is configured to control the impedance source inverter subsystem and the inverter subsystem in accordance with a boost operating mode, a traditional inverter operating mode, and a recharge operating mode of the double ended inverter system.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for an inverter system for use in a vehicle. The inverter system comprises a six-phase motor having a first set of three-phase windings and a second set of three-phase windings and a three-phase motor having a third set of three-phase windings, wherein the third set of three-phase windings is coupled to the first set of three-phase windings and the second set of three-phase windings. The system further comprises a first energy source coupled to a first inverter adapted to drive the six-phase motor and the three-phase motor, wherein the first set of three-phase windings is coupled to the first inverter, and a second energy source coupled to a second inverter adapted to drive the six-phase motor and the three-phase motor, wherein the second set of three-phase windings is coupled to the second inverter. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling a double-ended inverter system having a first inverter and a second inverter. The method comprises determining a required output current and determining a desired second inverter current. The method further comprises determining a second inverter switching function, wherein only a selected leg in the second inverter is modulated at a duty cycle, determining a first inverter switching function based on the second inverter switching function, and modulating the first inverter and the second inverter using the first inverter switching function and the second inverter switching function.

Abstract: A double ended inverter system for an AC electric traction motor of a vehicle is disclosed. The inverter system serves as an interface between two different energy sources having different operating characteristics. The inverter system includes a first energy source having first operating characteristics associated therewith, and a first inverter subsystem coupled to the first energy source and configured to drive the AC electric traction motor. The inverter system also includes a second energy source having second operating characteristics associated therewith, wherein the first operating characteristics and the second operating characteristics are different, and a second inverter subsystem coupled to the second energy source and configured to drive the AC electric traction motor. In addition, the inverter system has a controller coupled to the first inverter subsystem and to the second inverter subsystem.

Abstract: A double ended inverter system for an AC traction motor of a vehicle includes a fuel cell configured to provide a DC voltage, an impedance source inverter subsystem coupled to the fuel cell, a DC voltage source, and an inverter subsystem coupled to the DC voltage source. The impedance source inverter subsystem, which includes an ultracapacitor, is configured to drive the AC traction motor. The inverter subsystem is configured to drive the AC electric traction motor. The ultracapacitor is implemented in a crossed LC network coupled to the fuel cell.

Abstract: Systems and apparatus are provided for an inverter system for use in a vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source. The inverter system comprises an electric motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings. The inverter system further comprises a first inverter coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the electric motor, wherein the first set of windings are coupled to the first inverter. The inverter system also comprises a second inverter coupled to the second energy source and adapted to drive the electric motor, wherein the second set of windings are coupled to the second inverter. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter to achieve desired power flow between the first energy source, the second energy source, and the electric motor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an inverter system for use in a vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source. The system comprises a motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings. The first set of windings is electrically isolated from the second set of windings. The system further comprises a first inverter coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein the first set of windings are coupled to the first inverter. The system also comprises a second inverter coupled to the second energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein the second set of windings are coupled to the second inverter. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter.

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.