Abstract: A position sensor assembly including a circular-shaped or rhombus-shaped magnet and at least one magnetic flux density sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, wherein rotation of the magnet is detected by the at least one sensor. The magnet may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a rotor shaft of a motor and provided within a support. A position extraction algorithm may be employed using the output from the sensors to detect the position of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A system and a method for adjusting a dead-time interval between de-activating a first transistor and activating a second transistor in a motor control circuit are provided. The method includes determining a plurality of commanded torque values associated with a motor based on a received signal over time. The method further includes setting the dead-time interval value equal to a first value when one commanded torque value of the plurality of commanded torque values is within a first torque range. The method further includes decreasing the dead-time interval value as other commanded torque values of the plurality of commanded torque values increase over time within a second torque range. The second torque range is greater than the first torque range. The dead-time interval value is indicative of a desired dead-time interval.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in an exemplary embodiment, is a position sensor assembly including a circular-shaped or rhombus-shaped magnet and at least one magnetic flux density sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, wherein rotation of the magnet is detected by the at least one sensor. The magnet may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a rotor shaft of a motor and provided within a support. A position extraction algorithm may be employed using the output from the sensors to detect the position of the rotor shalt.

Abstract: An electric motor for reducing torque ripple includes a rotor, a plurality of magnets positioned about the rotor, and a stator including a plurality of stator teeth configured to form at least two slot openings each having a slot opening width wo and a slot opening height ho. One or more of the stator teeth include a dummy channel having a channel height wn and a channel width wb. At least one of the slot opening width wo, the slot opening height ho, the channel height wn, and the channel width wb, are selected so as to minimize or reduce cogging torque.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in an exemplary embodiment, is a position sensor assembly including a circular-shaped or rhombus-shaped magnet and at least one magnetic flux density sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, wherein rotation of the magnet is detected by the at least one sensor. The magnet may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a rotor shaft of a motor and provided within a support. A position extraction algorithm may be employed using the output from the sensors to detect the position of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: A method of interfacing an electromagnetic sensor with a controller in a motor control system, the method including: applying an excitation signal to the electromagnetic sensor; receiving a first electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the first electromagnetic sensor signal comprising an amplitude modulated signal corresponding to a position of a rotor of the electromagnetic sensor; and receiving a second electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the second electromagnetic sensor signal comprising another amplitude modulated signal corresponding to the position of the rotor of the electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring relative displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft includes first and second rotor assemblies. The first rotor assembly is coupled to the first shaft and is centered on an axis. The second rotor assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The second rotor assembly has first and second stator plates. Each of the first and second stator plates includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are parallel. The first and second stator plates include a plurality of teeth extending in a direction radial of the axis. The first and second stator plates form a gap between the lower surface of the first stator plate and the upper surface of the second stator plate. The apparatus further includes at least one magnet having a magnetic field and disposed on the first rotor assembly and a sensing device disposed within the gap for sensing a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: An integrated torque and position sensor is set forth for measuring the relative rotational movement between an input and an output shaft and for measuring the final angle position of the output shaft. The integrated sensor includes a wheel that rotates with the shaft. An incremental sensing mechanism detects the incremental rotation of the shaft. In response to the shaft rotating to a predetermined angle, an actuation mechanism engages the wheel with a change gear for every new revolution in which the shaft passes. A segment sensing mechanism detects the segment in which the shaft is disposed. A method is set forth to calibrate and compensate the electrical outputs generated by the integrated torque and position sensor. The method produces common amplitudes and establishes a common angle with an expected phase angle shift for the electrical outputs.

Abstract: A method of interfacing an electromagnetic sensor with a controller in a motor control system, the method including: applying an excitation signal to the electromagnetic sensor; receiving a first electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the first electromagnetic sensor signal comprising an amplitude modulated signal corresponding to a position of a rotor of the electromagnetic sensor; and receiving a second electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the second electromagnetic sensor signal comprising another amplitude modulated signal corresponding to the position of the rotor of the electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, in an exemplary embodiment, is a position sensor assembly including a circular-shaped or rhombus-shaped magnet and at least one magnetic flux density sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor, wherein rotation of the magnet is detected by the at least one sensor. The magnet may be positioned coaxially with the longitudinal axis of a rotor shaft of a motor and provided within a support. A position extraction algorithm may be employed using the output from the sensors to detect the position of the rotor shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring relative displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft includes first and second rotor assemblies. The first rotor assembly is coupled to the first shaft and is centered on an axis. The second rotor assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The second rotor assembly has first and second stator plates. Each of the first and second stator plates includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are parallel. The first and second stator plates include a plurality of teeth extending in a direction radial of the axis. The first and second stator plates form a gap between the lower surface of the first stator plate and the upper surface of the second stator plate. The apparatus further includes at least one magnet having a magnetic field and disposed on the first rotor assembly and a sensing device disposed within the gap for sensing a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for parameter identification in a switched reluctance electric machine comprising: operating the switched reluctance electric machine in response to a desired command; and measuring an actual operating characteristic of the switched reluctance electric machine. The method also includes: modeling the switched reluctance electric machine to formulate an estimated operating characteristic based on the desired command; comparing the actual operating characteristic and the estimated operating characteristic to formulate an error there between; and determining a parameter estimate for the switched reluctance machine based on the error and a previous parameter estimate.

Abstract: An electric power steering system, comprising: a steering wheel in operable communication with a mechanical linkage; a steering shaft in operable communication with the mechanical linkage, and in operable communication with at least one road wheel; a first transmission in operable communication with the steering shaft; a unidirectional electric motor in operable communication with the first transmission; wherein the electric power steering system is configured such that when the steering wheel is turned in a first direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the first direction to the steering shaft, and when the steering wheel is turned in a second direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the second direction to the steering shaft.

Abstract: An electric power steering system, comprising: a steering wheel in operable communication with a mechanical linkage; a steering shaft in operable communication with the mechanical linkage, and in operable communication with at least one road wheel; a first transmission in operable communication with the steering shaft; a unidirectional electric motor in operable communication with the first transmission; wherein the electric power steering system is configured such that when the steering wheel is turned in a first direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the first direction to the steering shaft, and when the steering wheel is turned in a second direction, the motor's power is transmitted in the second direction to the steering shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring relative displacement between a first shaft and a second shaft includes first and second rotor assemblies. The first rotor assembly is coupled to the first shaft and is centered on an axis. The second rotor assembly is coupled to the second shaft. The second rotor assembly has first and second stator plates. Each of the first and second stator plates includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces are parallel. The first and second stator plates include a plurality of teeth extending in a direction radial of the axis. The first and second stator plates form a gap between the lower surface of the first stator plate and the upper surface of the second stator plate. The apparatus further includes at least one magnet having a magnetic field and disposed on the first rotor assembly and a sensing device disposed within the gap for sensing a magnetic flux of the magnetic field.

Abstract: An integrated torque and position sensor is set forth for measuring the relative rotational movement between an input and an output shaft and for measuring the final angle position of the output shaft. The integrated sensor includes a wheel that rotates with the shaft. An incremental sensing mechanism detects the incremental rotation of the shaft. In response to the shaft rotating to a predetermined angle, an actuation mechanism engages the wheel with a change gear for every new revolution in which the shaft passes. A segment sensing mechanism detects the segment in which the shaft is disposed. A method is set forth to calibrate and compensate the electrical outputs generated by the integrated torque and position sensor. The method produces common amplitudes and establishes a common angle with an expected phase angle shift for the electrical outputs.

Abstract: A method for determining phase current for each of a plurality of individual phase coils of a switched reluctance machine (SRM) is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes determining the current passing through a first resistive element and a second resistive element in an SRM drive circuit. A conduction mode of the SRM drive circuit is determined, the conduction mode being based upon an ON/OFF state of each of a pair of switching transistors controlling current through each of the plurality of individual phase coils. The phase current through each of the plurality of individual phase coils is then calculated, based upon the conduction mode and the determined current passing through said first and second resistive elements.

Abstract: A variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor with: an annular sleeve; a coil coaxially aligned within the sleeve; a first ring in magnetic communication with the sleeve, coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the sleeve. The first ring including a first plurality of axially directed teeth arranged about a circumference of the ring on a front portion thereof. The sensor also includes a second ring in magnetic communication with the first ring and the sleeve, the second ring coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the first ring and the sleeve and including a second plurality of axially directed teeth configured substantially the same as the first plurality of axially directed teeth and oriented adjacent to the first plurality of axially directed teeth on a rear portion of the second ring. The coil generates a signal responsive to a differential displacement between the first and second rings.

Abstract: A method of detecting a sensed parameter for a motor control system comprising: receiving a sensor signal, the sensor signal exhibiting a frequency responsive to an inductance of a non-contacting variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor, wherein the inductance is indicative of a displacement of the sensor and responsive to the sensed parameter; capturing a first transition of the sensor signal and a time associated therewith; capturing a second transition of the sensor signal and a time associated therewith; calculating a period for the sensor signal; and computing a value for the sensed parameter, the value responsive to the period.

Abstract: A variable reluctance rotational displacement sensor with: an annular sleeve; a coil coaxially aligned within the sleeve; a first ring in magnetic communication with the sleeve, coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the sleeve. The first ring including a first plurality of axially directed teeth arranged about a circumference of the ring on a front portion thereof. The sensor also includes a second ring in magnetic communication with the first ring and the sleeve, the second ring coaxially aligned and configured to rotate relative to the first ring and the sleeve and including a second plurality of axially directed teeth configured substantially the same as the first plurality of axially directed teeth and oriented adjacent to the first plurality of axially directed teeth on a rear portion of the second ring. The coil generates a signal responsive to a differential displacement between the first and second rings.