Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Garza

Stephen M. Garza 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: 11799354
    Abstract: An electric powertrain system includes an electric machine having a rotor and stator. The stator has multiple phase legs, each respective one of which includes a single phase lead connected to two or more parallel stator windings. The stator thus has multiple phase leads collectively conducting phase currents. A rotary output member is connected to the rotor and connectable to a load. A traction power inverter module (TPIM) is electrically connected to the phase legs. Current sensors collectively measure the phase currents. Each respective current sensor is connected to a different phase lead. A controller in communication with the current sensors and the TPIM, in response to a commanded current and the measured phase currents, detects a threshold variation in the measured phase currents indicative of a phase current imbalance fault, and selectively changes a thermodynamic state of the electrified powertrain in response to the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Gallert, Stephen M. Garza
  • Publication number: 20230087179
    Abstract: An electric powertrain system includes an electric machine having a rotor and stator. The stator has multiple phase legs, each respective one of which includes a single phase lead connected to two or more parallel stator windings. The stator thus has multiple phase leads collectively conducting phase currents. A rotary output member is connected to the rotor and connectable to a load. A traction power inverter module (TPIM) is electrically connected to the phase legs. Current sensors collectively measure the phase currents. Each respective current sensor is connected to a different phase lead. A controller in communication with the current sensors and the TPIM, in response to a commanded current and the measured phase currents, detects a threshold variation in the measured phase currents indicative of a phase current imbalance fault, and selectively changes a thermodynamic state of the electrified powertrain in response to the fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian J. Gallert, Stephen M. Garza