Abstract: A method for controlling an alternating current (AC) motor includes choosing a pulse sequence based on a ripple current in the AC motor at a sampling instant; and providing a voltage to the AC motor based on the pulse sequence.

Abstract: Temperature of an electric drive is regulated to prevent undesirable thermal effects. Temperature conditions of the electric drive system are monitored and torque of the electric drive system is limited based on the temperature conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring an achieved motor torque produced by an electric motor. The method includes determining the achieved motor torque based on a rotor position of the electric motor and a phase current of the electric motor when the motor speed is not greater than a first pre-determined threshold, determining the achieved motor torque based on a loss-compensated power supplied to the electric motor when the motor speed is greater than the first pre-determined threshold, comparing the achieved motor torque with the torque command, and indicating a fault when the achieved motor torque is not within a pre-determined margin of the torque command.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electric machine via an inverter while compensating for one or more hardware delays. The method includes receiving a control signal, producing a first sampling signal based on the control signal, and adjusting the sampling signal to compensate for a first delay of the one or more hardware delays. The inverter is operable to produce a voltage signal based on the control signal, and the electric machine is operable to produce a current based on the voltage signal. A sampling of the current is performed based on the first sampling signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter uses sequences of predetermined states where each state uniquely corresponding to a set of control signals provided to the inverter that is coupled to a motor. The method includes repeatedly applying a first center null timing sequence of the states while monitoring a zero crossing condition and then changing the repeated application of the first center null timing sequence of the states into a repeated application of a second center null timing sequence of states when the monitoring detects a zero crossing condition. The repeated application of the first center null timing sequence sequentially provides the inverter with a first predetermined sequence of sets of control signals. The monitoring of a zero crossing condition monitors for a zero crossing condition in an electrical current flowing between the inverter and a terminal of the motor. The second center null timing sequence defines a second predetermined sequence of sets of control signals.

Abstract: A method and an article of manufacture are provided to monitor a temperature sensing circuit and detect a fault therein. The method comprises monitoring sensor readings output from a plurality of temperature sensing circuits. An average sensor reading is determined, calculated from the sensor readings output from a subset of the temperature sensing circuits. Each of the sensor readings is compared to the average sensor reading. A fault is identified when one of the sensor readings deviates from the average sensor reading by an amount greater than a threshold, more particularly when one of the sensor readings deviates from the average sensor reading by an amount greater than the threshold at least a quantity of X times out of Y sensor readings.

Abstract: A method for controlling an inverter uses sequences of predetermined states where each state uniquely corresponding to a set of control signals provided to the inverter that is coupled to a motor. The method includes repeatedly applying a first center null timing sequence of the states while monitoring a zero crossing condition and then changing the repeated application of the first center null timing sequence of the states into a repeated application of a second center null timing sequence of states when the monitoring detects a zero crossing condition. The repeated application of the first center null timing sequence sequentially provides the inverter with a first predetermined sequence of sets of control signals. The monitoring of a zero crossing condition monitors for a zero crossing condition in an electrical current flowing between the inverter and a terminal of the motor. The second center null timing sequence defines a second predetermined sequence of sets of control signals.

Abstract: A method for controlling an alternating current (AC) motor includes choosing a pulse sequence based on a ripple current in the AC motor at a sampling instant; and providing a voltage to the AC motor based on the pulse sequence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing communication between a first machine and a second machine comprises the steps of, and apparatus for, coupling a first video display output of the first machine to a first input port of the second machine, converting first video display signals generated by the first machine at the first video display output into first instructions and data and using the first instructions and data to operate the second machine.

Abstract: A system and method provide for distinguishing among characters of a character set. The characters are represented by a data stream of pixel information to a display port. A subset of the pixel information in the data stream contains sufficient information for unique identification of each character within the character set. Examination of the data within the subset of pixels permits identification of respective characters within the set.