Abstract: ADC-to-DC converter which is configured to provide a main DC supply and an auxiliary DC supply from a single energy source such as a fuel cell. The main supply voltage may be greater than the voltage provided by the energy source, and the auxiliary supply voltage may be less than the voltage provided by the energy source. In some embodiments boost and buck conversion are provided by a single switching bridge, such as an inverter. Such an inverter may comprise three-legs connected between a main output voltage and a reference or ground voltage. Each leg of such an inverter may comprise two switches connected in series. These legs may share a common DC voltage link, for example a common ground and positive rail.

Abstract: ADC-to-DC converter which is configured to provide a main DC supply and an auxiliary DC supply from a single energy source such as a fuel cell. The main supply voltage may be greater than the voltage provided by the energy source, and the auxiliary supply voltage may be less than the voltage provided by the energy source. In some embodiments boost and buck conversion are provided by a single switching bridge, such as an inverter. Such an inverter may comprise three-legs connected between a main output voltage and a reference or ground voltage. Each leg of such an inverter may comprise two switches connected in series. These legs may share a common DC voltage link, for example a common ground and positive rail.

Abstract: A stator assembly comprising stator windings and power electronics coupled to the windings for powering the windings, wherein the stator assembly is arranged so that when it is disposed in an enclosure, a flow of coolant is channelled over both the windings and elements of the power electronics.

Abstract: A unit for installation in a complex product comprising an electric machine requiring an AC power supply. The unit comprises: a housing carrying an AC output; a battery in the housing comprising at least one battery cell; an inverter in the housing, the inverter comprising a plurality of voltage controlled impedances, VCIs, for providing a power supply to the AC output based on energy from the battery; wherein the housing carries a timing signal input configured to receive a timing signal from outside the housing; and wherein the timing signal input is coupled to control the VCIs so that changes in the impedances of the VCIs are synchronised with the timing signal.

Abstract: A power electronics assembly for an electric motor controller is disclosed having a first circuit board, a second circuit board spaced from the first circuit board by a stand-off distance, an electrically insulating housing held between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, multiple conductors, and a restraint adapted to hold the electrically insulating housing to the first circuit. The electrically insulating housing includes multiple channels. Each of the multiple conductors are arranged to provide a conduction path through a corresponding channel and are each trapped between the electrically insulating housing and the first circuit board and biased into electrical contact with an electrical conductor of the first circuit board.

Abstract: A power electronics assembly for an electric motor controller. The power electronics assembly comprises an insulated metal substrate, a composite material substrate, and a bolt having a bolt head and a bolt shaft for mechanically coupling the composite material substrate to the insulated metal substrate. The power electronics assembly also includes an electrically conductive sleeve configured to be held between a first electrical contact carried by the insulated metal substrate and a second electrical contact carried by the composite material substrate and the bolt is configured to clamp the composite material substrate to the insulated metal substrate to force the electrically conductive sleeve against the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Abstract: ADC-to-DC converter which is configured to provide a main DC supply and an auxiliary DC supply from a single energy source such as a fuel cell. The main supply voltage may be greater than the voltage provided by the energy source, and the auxiliary supply voltage may be less than the voltage provided by the energy source. In some embodiments boost and buck conversion are provided by a single switching bridge, such as an inverter. Such an inverter may comprise three-legs connected between a main output voltage and a reference or ground voltage. Each leg of such an inverter may comprise two switches connected in series. These legs may share a common DC voltage link, for example a common ground and positive rail.

Abstract: A stator assembly comprising stator windings and power electronics coupled to the windings for powering the windings, wherein the stator assembly is arranged so that when it is disposed in an enclosure, a flow of coolant is channelled over both the windings and elements of the power electronics.

Abstract: A unit for installation in a complex product comprising an electric machine requiring an AC power supply. The unit comprises: a housing carrying an AC output; a battery in the housing comprising at least one battery cell; an inverter in the housing, the inverter comprising a plurality of voltage controlled impedances, VCIs, for providing a power supply to the AC output based on energy from the battery; wherein the housing carries a timing signal input configured to receive a timing signal from outside the housing; and wherein the timing signal input is coupled to control the VCIs so that changes in the impedances of the VCIs are synchronised with the timing signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an AC power supply for an electric motor, said AC power supply being derived from a DC voltage. The apparatus including a comparer configured to provide a comparison of a modulation index of a motor control signal with a reference value. This current data provider is configured to provide current data based on a torque demand signal; a speed signal indicating the speed of rotation of the AC motor; and an indication of the DC voltage modified on the comparison for control of the motor control signal which is based on the motor current data.

Abstract: A short pitched switched reluctance motor control apparatus comprising a voltage provider comprising a first coupling and a second coupling configured to be coupled to a phase winding of the switched reluctance motor for applying a voltage to drive current in the winding between the first and second coupling is disclosed. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to apply a first voltage pulse to the first coupling, and to apply a second voltage pulse to the second coupling, wherein the start of the second pulse is delayed with respect to the start of the first pulse, and the end of the first pulse is delayed with respect to the end of the second pulse.

Abstract: A power electronics assembly for an electric motor controller. The power electronics assembly comprises an insulated metal substrate, a composite material substrate, and a bolt having a bolt head and a bolt shaft for mechanically coupling the composite material substrate to the insulated metal substrate. The power electronics assembly also includes an electrically conductive sleeve configured to be held between a first electrical contact carried by the insulated metal substrate and a second electrical contact carried by the composite material substrate and the bolt is configured to clamp the composite material substrate to the insulated metal substrate to force the electrically conductive sleeve against the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A power electronics assembly for an electric motor controller is disclosed having a first circuit board, a second circuit board spaced from the first circuit board by a stand-off distance, an electrically insulating housing held between the first circuit board and the second circuit board, multiple conductors, and a restraint adapted to hold the electrically insulating housing to the first circuit. The electrically insulating housing includes multiple channels. Each of the multiple conductors are arranged to provide a conduction path through a corresponding channel and are each trapped between the electrically insulating housing and the first circuit board and biased into electrical contact with an electrical conductor of the first circuit board.

Abstract: A short pitched switched reluctance motor control apparatus comprising a voltage provider comprising a first coupling and a second coupling configured to be coupled to a phase winding of the switched reluctance motor for applying a voltage to drive current in the winding between the first and second coupling is disclosed. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to apply a first voltage pulse to the first coupling, and to apply a second voltage pulse to the second coupling, wherein the start of the second pulse is delayed with respect to the start of the first pulse, and the end of the first pulse is delayed with respect to the end of the second pulse.

Abstract: An electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of an electric motor. The unit comprises: an electric motor controller comprising a processor having at least one input and at least one output, wherein an output of the processor is coupled to a power provider for controlling power to an electric motor; a tilt accelerometer system comprising a tilt accelerometer for determining a measure of the tilt of the electric motor unit relative to a reference orientation, wherein the tilt accelerometer system comprises an output for providing a signal based on the determined measure of the tilt; wherein the output of the tilt accelerometer system is coupled to an input of the processor of the electric motor controller; wherein the power provider comprises a power output for controlling the operation of an electric motor based on the output of the tilt accelerometer system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an AC power supply for an electric motor, said AC power supply being derived from a DC voltage. The apparatus including a comparer configured to provide a comparison of a modulation index of a motor control signal with a reference value. This current data provider is configured to provide current data based on a torque demand signal; a speed signal indicating the speed of rotation of the AC motor; and an indication of the DC voltage modified on the comparison for control of the motor control signal which is based on the motor current data.

Abstract: A short pitched switched reluctance motor control apparatus comprising a voltage provider comprising a first coupling and a second coupling configured to be coupled to a phase winding of the switched reluctance motor for applying a voltage to drive current in the winding between the first and second coupling is disclosed. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to apply a first voltage pulse to the first coupling, and to apply a second voltage pulse to the second coupling, wherein the start of the second pulse is delayed with respect to the start of the first pulse, and the end of the first pulse is delayed with respect to the end of the second pulse.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an AC power supply for an electric motor, said AC power supply being derived from a DC voltage. The apparatus comprises a comparer configured to provide a comparison of a modulation index of a motor control signal with a reference value. This current data provider is configured to provide current data based on a torque demand signal; a speed signal indicating the speed of rotation of the AC motor; and an indication of the DC voltage modified on the comparison for control of the motor control signal which is based on the motor current data.

Abstract: An electric motor controller having a front face and a rear face, the front face carrying a plurality of AC output couplings and the controller carrying a converter configured to convert a received DC supply into an output AC supply for controlling an electric motor, the AC output couplings being disposed symmetrically about an axis of symmetry of the controller on the front face of the controller. Also described is an apparatus comprising: a DC series motor; and a first current supply configured to supply a first current to an armature of the DC series motor; a second current supply configured to supply a second current to a field winding of the DC series motor; and a controller configured to control the first current supply to supply the first current based on a required torque output for the motor, and to control the second current supply to supply the second current based on the first current.

Abstract: A power electronics assembly for an electric motor controller. The power electronics assembly comprises an insulated metal substrate, a composite material substrate, and a bolt having a bolt head and a bolt shaft for mechanically coupling the composite material substrate to the insulated metal substrate. The power electronics assembly also includes an electrically conductive sleeve configured to be held between a first electrical contact carried by the insulated metal substrate and a second electrical contact carried by the composite material substrate and the bolt is configured to clamp the composite material substrate to the insulated metal substrate to force the electrically conductive sleeve against the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact.