Abstract: A power module includes first and second electrode terminals adapted to electrically connect to a power source, a first switch element, a second switch element, a first Kelvin source pin, and a second Kelvin source pin. The first switch element is electrically connected to the first electrode terminal The second switch element is electrically connected between the first switch element and the second electrode terminal and includes a drain and a source electrically connected to the first switch element and the second electrode terminal respectively. The first Kelvin source pin is electrically connected to the source of the second switch element and is adapted to receive a gate drive signal for driving the second switch element. The second Kelvin source pin is electrically connected to the source of the second switch element and is configured to be electrically connected to a snubber circuit.

Abstract: A gate driver circuit receiving an input control signal and providing a voltage at a gate terminal of a semiconductor switching device (e.g., an IGBT) may include: (i) a first voltage source providing a first voltage; (ii) a second voltage source providing a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; and (iii) a selector circuit selecting, based on the input control signal's logic state, either the first voltage or the second voltage to be placed on the gate terminal of the semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: A gate driver circuit receiving an input control signal and providing a voltage at a gate terminal of a semiconductor switching device (e.g., an IGBT) may include: (i) a first voltage source providing a first voltage; (ii) a second voltage source providing a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage; and (iii) a selector circuit selecting, based on the input control signal's logic state, either the first voltage or the second voltage to be placed on the gate terminal of the semiconductor switching device.

Abstract: A multi-stage power supply uses a boost stage and an inverter stage to boost the voltage value of a DC power supply to a desired level, and then convert the power into an AC form. The multi-stage power supply additionally has a controller which can simultaneously control the boost stage and the inverter stage using counter-synchronous signals.

Abstract: A multi-stage power supply uses a boost stage and an inverter stage to boost the voltage value of a DC power supply to a desired level, and then convert the power into an AC form. The multi-stage power supply additionally has a controller which can simultaneously control the boost stage and the inverter stage using counter-synchronous signals.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing the torque output of a field oriented induction motor including a controller having a plurality of predetermined control parameters operable for processing input signals to generate output signals. The plurality of predetermined control parameters are dependent upon the nature of the input signals and the operational state of the motor. A sensor system is operable for communicating feedback signals related to the output signals and the operational state of the motor from the motor to the controller.

Abstract: Field oriented induction motor system including a field oriented induction motor having an associated torque current and an associated flux current and a predetermined current ratio, wherein the predetermined current ratio is defined as the ratio of the torque current to the flux current, and wherein the predetermined current ratio is dependent upon the saturation state of the motor. A method for selecting the ratio of torque current to flux current for a field oriented induction motor including applying an allocation factor to the torque current and flux current, wherein the allocation factor is dependent upon the saturation state of the motor. The saturation state of the motor is determined based upon motor parameters.

Abstract: Field oriented induction motor system including a field oriented induction motor having an associated torque current and an associated flux current and a predetermined current ratio, wherein the predetermined current ratio is defined as the ratio of the torque current to the flux current, and wherein the predetermined current ratio is dependent upon the saturation state of the motor. A method for selecting the ratio of torque current to flux current for a field oriented induction motor including applying an allocation factor to the torque current and flux current, wherein the allocation factor is dependent upon the saturation state of the motor. The saturation state of the motor is determined based upon motor parameters.

Abstract: System and method for enhancing the torque output of a field oriented induction motor including a controller having a plurality of predetermined control parameters operable for processing input signals to generate output signals. The plurality of predetermined control parameters are dependent upon the nature of the input signals and the operational state of the motor. A sensor system is operable for communicating feedback signals related to the output signals and the operational state of the motor from the motor to the controller.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle contains a powerplant for propelling the vehicle. The powerplant comprises a combustion engine (6) and a dynamoelectric machine (8). A control system (10) issues a wheel torque command corresponding to torque desired at road-engaging wheels, and includes an engine controller (16) for issuing an engine torque command and a dynamoelectric machine controller (18) for issuing a dynamoelectric machine torque command. Controller (18) contains one or more maps and/or profiles defining functional relationship of torque to engine crankshaft speed and/or position over a range of crankshaft speeds and/or positions. The maps and/or profiles are used to develop make-up torque that is delivered by the dynamoelectric machine to accomplish certain smoothing functions. Transmission gear shifts can be smoothed by using the dynamoelectric machine controller to slew the engine to a new target speed appropriate to the new gear.

Abstract: A motor control system 16 for use within an electric vehicle 10 having an induction motor 12. Control system 16 utilizes a torque control module 18, a vector control module 20 and a space vector PWM module 22 to efficiently and accurately control the torque provided by motor 12.

Abstract: A speed controller circuit for a motor including a ramp function generator having a first input connected to a source of a speed demand signal and a second input connected to a ramp step signal. The ramp function generator develops a frequency ramp that has a slope is initiated by the speed demand signal which is adjusted in response to the ramp step signal. The ramp function generator also provides a frequency signal wherein the ramp function increases or decreases the frequency according to the speed demand. A V/F circuit to the ramp function generator and a space vector modulation circuit are connected to the V/F circuit. The output of the space vector modulation circuit is applied through power switching devices to the motor for speed control. A PI controller circuit is connected to a motor current feedback signal and to a maximum current signal, which provides the current limit of the control system.

Abstract: A sensing method continuously scans an array of sensing elements and determines positions by converting array peak amplitude information to a time based function. An array of magneto resistive elements responds to a relatively moving magnetic field. The process of scanning the magneto resistive elements is independent of the relatively moving magnetic field. Instead of using only one voltage source to power both the driving logic circuitry and the sensing element array, a separate voltage source for powering the sensing element array is used in conjunction with the solid switch array, thus excluding unwanted noise that originates in the driving logic circuitry.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling an induction motor. The method comprises determining an input impedance of the motor at an operating point; determining an input electrical power to the motor at the operating point; and estimating a slip or shaft speed of the motor at the operating point from the input impedance and input electrical power.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for measuring fluid level use a sensor comprising a first plate having continuous electrically conductive material and a second plate having electrically conductive material disposed in segments, the electrically conductive material of the first plate in opposition to the electrically conductive material of the second plate. The method comprises immersing the sensor in the fluid with at least one segment completely immersed in the fluid and at least one said segment completely out of the fluid. The method also includes sequentially energizing the segments. Further, the method includes detecting times of voltage transitions of a first signal at the first plate, relative to the sequential energizing of the segments, as an indication of fluid level.

Abstract: A capacitive throttle position sensor includes an electrode board having at least three electrodes, a driver for selectively driving the electrodes, and a rotary member including a dielectric that provides capacitive path to an output electrode. Preferably, a logical driver provides incrementally sequenced charges to the driver electrodes. The output electrode is coupled to a signal processor that prepares the signal for comparison in a logical decoder with respect to an initiating driver electrode signal. Preferably, the phase difference between the output and input of the capacitive sensor provides an output signal which is not dependent upon the absolute capacitance of the element, and thus provides an output signal which can be adapted to a number of formats for motor vehicle control. Both two piece and three piece versions of the stationary and rotary parts are disclosed, and the capacitive gap may be axially or radially aligned between the stationary and rotary components.