Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for control operation of a boost converter. The boost converter includes an input, an output, and a plurality of paths electrically connecting the input to the output. The boost converter also includes a plurality of switches disposed along the paths to control current flow between the input and the output. The system includes a controller. The controller receives a desired current to be supplied at the output. The controller determines which of the paths to utilize based at least in part on the desired current. The controller controls the switches based at least in part on the determination of which of the paths to utilize.

Abstract: An integrated rotary transformer and resolver and a motor including an integrated rotary transformer and resolver is provided. The integrated rotary transformer and resolver may include, but is not limited to, a stator having an outer surface and a plurality of slots disposed along the outer surface, a plurality of sensing coils, the plurality of sensing coils disposed in at least some of the plurality of slots, a rotor having a surface varying from a first predetermined thickness to a second predetermined thickness, and a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of sensing coils and configured to determine a position of the rotor based upon a voltage induced in each of the coils due to a relative thickness of the rotor opposed to the respective sensing coil.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a boost converter. In one embodiment, the method includes processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits to determine whether to limit the input current command and limiting the input current command to limit the boost converter when it is determined to limit the input current command. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an energy source coupled to a boost converter that provides an output voltage responsive to a current command signal. An inverter is coupled to the boost converter to provide multiple phased currents to a multi-phase motor for a vehicle. A controller coupled to the boost converter for providing the current command signal by processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits and determining whether to limit the input current command to provide the current command signal to the boost converter.

Abstract: A power module system for a vehicle includes a circuit board, a power transistor mounted to the circuit board, and a temperature sensor mounted to the circuit board in a sensing location remote from the power transistor. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a real-time temperature at the sensing location. The system also includes a processor coupled to the temperature sensor to generate a predicted real-time silicon temperature for the power transistor from the measured real-time temperature at the sensing location. The predicted real-time silicon temperature is generated using a selected calibration curve that corresponds to a current operating state of the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a boost converter. In one embodiment, the method processes a command signal in a slew rate limiting circuit. The output of the slew rate limiting circuit is then processed using one or more feedback parameters from the proportional integrator to provide a processed command signal. The processed command signal is processed with a controlled signal to provide an error signal which is provided to the proportional integrator to provide a current command signal. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an error generating circuit configured to provide a processed command signal using one or more feedback parameters from the proportional integrator, and to provide the error signal by subtracting a signal to be controlled from the processed command signal. A slew rate limiting circuit is used to receive a command signal and provide an output to the error generating circuit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a boost converter. In one embodiment, the method includes processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits to determine whether to limit the input current command and limiting the input current command to limit the boost converter when it is determined to limit the input current command. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes an energy source coupled to a boost converter that provides an output voltage responsive to a current command signal. An inverter is coupled to the boost converter to provide multiple phased currents to a multi-phase motor for a vehicle. A controller coupled to the boost converter for providing the current command signal by processing an input current command through a plurality of prioritized limiting circuits and determining whether to limit the input current command to provide the current command signal to the boost converter.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for control operation of a boost converter. The boost converter includes an input, an output, and a plurality of paths electrically connecting the input to the output. The boost converter also includes a plurality of switches disposed along the paths to control current flow between the input and the output. The system includes a controller. The controller receives a desired current to be supplied at the output. The controller determines which of the paths to utilize based at least in part on the desired current. The controller controls the switches based at least in part on the determination of which of the paths to utilize.

Abstract: An integrated rotary transformer and resolver and a motor including an integrated rotary transformer and resolver is provided. The integrated rotary transformer and resolver may include, but is not limited to, a stator having an outer surface and a plurality of slots disposed along the outer surface, a plurality of sensing coils, the plurality of sensing coils disposed in at least some of the plurality of slots, a rotor having a surface varying from a first predetermined thickness to a second predetermined thickness, and a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of sensing coils and configured to determine a position of the rotor based upon a voltage induced in each of the coils due to a relative thickness of the rotor opposed to the respective sensing coil.

Abstract: A power module system for a vehicle includes a circuit board, a power transistor mounted to the circuit board, and a temperature sensor mounted to the circuit board in a sensing location remote from the power transistor. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a real-time temperature at the sensing location. The system also includes a processor coupled to the temperature sensor to generate a predicted real-time silicon temperature for the power transistor from the measured real-time temperature at the sensing location. The predicted real-time silicon temperature is generated using a selected calibration curve that corresponds to a current operating state of the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for discharging a voltage bus. An electrical system comprises a first switch coupled to a first voltage rail, a second switch coupled between the first switch and a second voltage rail, and a control system coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The control system is configured to alternately activate the first switch and the second switch such that an energy potential between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail is dissipated through the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A method for controlling a boost converter having a duty cycle includes the steps of receiving an electric current command for the boost converter, measuring a source current for the boost converter, regulating the duty cycle as a function of the electric current command and the source current, subject to a first minimum limit if a rapid change in duty cycle is required above a predetermined threshold and a second minimum limit if the rapid change in duty cycle is not required.

Abstract: Permanent magnet alternating current (PMAC) motor systems and methods for starting or restarting PMAC motor system sensorless control algorithms are provided. One system includes a PMAC motor including a rotor, an inverter, and a controller. The controller includes control logic, start/restart logic, drive logic, current detect logic, and estimation logic configured to estimate a position of the rotor, a speed of the PMAC motor, or both based on current detected in each phase of the inverter. A start/restart method includes determining to start/restart the sensorless control algorithm and modifying the inverter voltage in response to the determined start/restart. The method also includes detecting current in each inverter phase after the inverter voltage is modified and estimating a rotor position, a PMAC motor speed, or both based on the current detected in each inverter phase after the inverter voltage is modified. Another controller includes means for performing the above start/restart method.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing currents on a plurality of phases and determining current information therefrom. The multi-phase boost converter includes a single sensor coupled to all of the plurality of phases and a controller coupled to the sensor for determining the current information in response to currents on each of the plurality of phases sensed by the sensor. The sensing method utilizes the gate drive signals and the DC current sensor output to calculate the currents on each of the plurality of phases sensed by the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for discharging a voltage bus. An electrical system comprises a first switch coupled to a first voltage rail, a second switch coupled between the first switch and a second voltage rail, and a control system coupled to the first switch and the second switch. The control system is configured to alternately activate the first switch and the second switch such that an energy potential between the first voltage rail and the second voltage rail is dissipated through the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: A method for controlling a boost converter having a duty cycle includes the steps of receiving an electric current command for the boost converter, measuring a source current for the boost converter, regulating the duty cycle as a function of the electric current command and the source current, subject to a first minimum limit if a rapid change in duty cycle is required above a predetermined threshold and a second minimum limit if the rapid change in duty cycle is not required.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for balancing current for each of a plurality of similar phases of a DC/DC boost converter. The method includes the step of measuring a voltage drop of each of the plurality of similar phases at predetermined times by measuring the voltage drop across each phase switching device when current is flowing through the switch. The method also includes the steps of calculating current information for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the voltage drop measured for each of the plurality of similar phases and balancing current for each of the plurality of similar phases in response to the current information of each of the plurality of similar phases.

Abstract: An automotive power electronics system is provided. The automotive power electronics system includes a support member and at least one electronic die mounted to the support member. The at least one electronic die has an integrated circuit formed thereon comprising at least one wide band gap transistor.

Abstract: A system is provided for detecting when an enclosure having a body and a removable cover is opened. The system comprises a light source for generating a light beam, a light detector for detecting the light beam, and at least one reflector all mounted inside the enclosure. The reflector reflects the light beam along a predetermined pathway toward the light detector when the removable cover is closed over the body.

Abstract: A power converter assembly is provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for sensing currents on a plurality of phases and determining current information therefrom. The multi-phase boost converter includes a single sensor coupled to all of the plurality of phases and a controller coupled to the sensor for determining the current information in response to currents on each of the plurality of phases sensed by the sensor. The sensing method utilizes the gate drive signals and the DC current sensor output to calculate the currents on each of the plurality of phases sensed by the sensor.