Abstract: A switching circuit includes a semiconductor switch having a Gate terminal, and includes first, second, third, and fourth Gate resistors. The Gate resistors have upstream and downstream ends relative to a location of the semiconductor switch or a driven load. The downstream ends connect to the Gate terminal. First, second, third, and fourth buffer switches have Gate terminals and Source terminals, with the Source terminals connected to the upstream ends of the first, second, third, and fourth Gate resistors, respectively. An optional Gate driver integrated circuit (IC) connects to the Gate terminals of the buffer switches. A microcontroller, responsive to circuit measurements, selects switching control values and Gate resistor identities based on the measurements, and transmits switching control signals and a Gate resistor selection signal to select on/off states of the buffer switches and an optimum switching speed for the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a propulsion system having first and second torque sources, and first and second drive axles respectively connected to and independently driven by the first and second torque sources. A permissible range of torque contribution from the torque sources to the respective first and second drive axles is defined by a component torque window. The powertrain includes sensors for detecting a dynamic driving maneuver of a vehicle having the powertrain. A controller executes a method to adjust a size and/or orientation of a chassis torque window during the detected dynamic driving maneuver, determine an optimally efficient axle torque operating point that falls on a torque line within the component torque window in proximity to the chassis torque window, and command the torque contribution via transmission of torque control signals to the first and second torque sources to achieve the optimally efficient axle torque operating point.

Abstract: A powertrain includes a propulsion system having first and second torque sources, and first and second drive axles respectively connected to and independently driven by the first and second torque sources. A permissible range of torque contribution from the torque sources to the respective first and second drive axles is defined by a component torque window. The powertrain includes sensors for detecting a dynamic driving maneuver of a vehicle having the powertrain. A controller executes a method to adjust a size and/or orientation of a chassis torque window during the detected dynamic driving maneuver, determine an optimally efficient axle torque operating point that falls on a torque line within the component torque window in proximity to the chassis torque window, and command the torque contribution via transmission of torque control signals to the first and second torque sources to achieve the optimally efficient axle torque operating point.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling an electrical system of a vehicle. Sensors are used to obtain first data for a first path of calculations and second data for a second path of calculations. The first path comprises a first plurality of calculations of generating a value of a parameter pertaining to the electrical system, and the second path comprises a second plurality of calculations of monitoring the electrical system with respect to the first path. A processor is coupled to the plurality of sensors, and is configured to determine whether a data frozen flag is active, perform the first plurality of calculations of the first path using the first data if the first data flag is inactive, and perform the second plurality of calculations of the second path if the first data flag is active.

Abstract: A method for monitoring an electrically-powered torque machine configured to generate torque in a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring signal outputs of a resolver configured to monitor rotational position of the torque machine. Upon detecting a fault warning state associated with the signal outputs of the resolver, a motor torque capacity of the torque machine is derated. Upon a clearing of the fault warning state, a torque ramp-up state to increase the motor torque capacity of the torque machine is executed. Notice of an incidence of a fault associated with the signal outputs of the resolver is provided only when the motor torque capacity fails to achieve a threshold motor torque capacity within a threshold recovery time period while executing the torque ramp-up state.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electrically-powered torque machine of a powertrain system includes determining a predicted torque command to control the torque machine. A flux command is determined responsive to the predicted torque command. The flux command is a flux level providing a fast torque reserve that is responsive to the predicted torque command. The fast torque reserve is a prescribed minimum rate of change in torque output from the torque machine responsive to the predicted torque command. An inverter controller controls flux of the torque machine responsive to the flux command.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power inverter coupled to an electric motor in a vehicle powertrain having an engine is provided. The method includes generating a voltage waveform signal and a switching frequency signal for the inverter via a controller. At least one of the voltage waveform signal and the switching frequency signal is at least partially based on at least one commanded engine operating parameter. For example, the engine on/off state, engine torque, and engine speed can be considered. A vehicle having a controller configured to implement the method is also provided.

Abstract: An electric machine electrically connects to an inverter via a multi-phase power circuit. A method for monitoring the multi-phase power circuit includes non-intrusively adjusting a commanded AC electric current from the inverter after a prescribed time period and comparing a measured magnitude of AC electric current in the multi-phase power circuit with a minimum threshold. Presence of an open circuit fault in the multi-phase power circuit can be detected based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A controller for an electric vehicle having an electric motor is provided. The controller includes a motor control processor (MCP) module configured to control torque output of the electric motor. The controller also includes a first main processor monitor (MPM) module and a second MPM module. The first MPM module and the second MPM module are configured to separately determine a state of health of the MCP module, and to generate a first fault signal and a second fault signal, respectively, after determining the MCP module is not functional. The controller further includes a voting control module configured to receive at least one of the first fault signal from the first MPM module, and the second fault signal from the second MPM module, and to generate an override command when it receives both the first fault signal and the second fault signal. The override command overrides the MCP module.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain with an engine, motor/generator, a belt drive train, a starting mechanism and one or more switching devices for one or more energy storage devices has at least one electronic controller that executes a stored algorithm and controls the hybrid powertrain in accordance with the stored algorithm to establish multiple operating modes including an operating mode in which a first switching device establishes an electrical connection between a first energy storage device and the motor/generator. The operating mode established can be dependent upon a parameter of the first energy storage device, a parameter of the control system, a parameter of the motor/generator, and/or a parameter of said at least one actuator. For example, the stored algorithm can control the hybrid powertrain based on a capacity to restart the engine.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electrically-powered torque machine of a powertrain system includes determining a predicted torque command to control the torque machine. A flux command is determined responsive to the predicted torque command. The flux command is a flux level providing a fast torque reserve that is responsive to the predicted torque command. The fast torque reserve is a prescribed minimum rate of change in torque output from the torque machine responsive to the predicted torque command. An inverter controller controls flux of the torque machine responsive to the flux command.

Abstract: A controller for an electric vehicle having an electric motor is provided. The controller includes a motor control processor (MCP) module configured to control torque output of the electric motor. The controller also includes a first main processor monitor (MPM) module and a second MPM module. The first MPM module and the second MPM module are configured to separately determine a state of health of the MCP module, and to generate a first fault signal and a second fault signal, respectively, after determining the MCP module is not functional. The controller further includes a voting control module configured to receive at least one of the first fault signal from the first MPM module, and the second fault signal from the second MPM module, and to generate an override command when it receives both the first fault signal and the second fault signal. The override command overrides the MCP module.

Abstract: An electric machine electrically connects to an inverter via a multi-phase power circuit. A method for monitoring the multi-phase power circuit includes non-intrusively adjusting a commanded AC electric current from the inverter after a prescribed time period and comparing a measured magnitude of AC electric current in the multi-phase power circuit with a minimum threshold. Presence of an open circuit fault in the multi-phase power circuit can be detected based upon the comparison.

Abstract: A powertrain system includes a transmission operative to transfer power between a plurality of power actuators and an output member, and an energy storage device. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes establishing a first set of electric power limits and a second set of electric power limits for the energy storage device, determining a preferred input power from a first power actuator based upon the first set of electric power limits, determining a first set of power constraints for constraining input power from the first power actuator and a second set of power constraints for constraining output power from the output member based upon a second set of electric power limits, and controlling operation of the powertrain system based upon the preferred input power, the first set of power constraints, and the second set of power constraints.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power inverter coupled to an electric motor in a vehicle powertrain having an engine is provided. The method includes generating a voltage waveform signal and a switching frequency signal for the inverter via a controller. At least one of the voltage waveform signal and the switching frequency signal is at least partially based on at least one commanded engine operating parameter. For example, the engine on/off state, engine torque, and engine speed can be considered. A vehicle having a controller configured to implement the method is also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid controller for controlling a hybrid vehicle is set forth. The hybrid vehicle has an engine, an electric motor and an engine controller determining a crankshaft torque. The hybrid controller includes an optimization module determining an electric motor torque, determining an engine torque and communicating the engine torque from the hybrid controller to the engine controller. The hybrid controller also includes a motor control module controlling the electric motor based on the electric motor torque.

Abstract: A method of controlling a powertrain system includes determining a torque request; selecting feasible input torque and input speed operating points; calculating aggregate system power losses; determining turbo efficiency as a function of a difference between a feasible input torque rate of change and a desired input torque rate of change required to reach the desired output torque; summing the turbo efficiency to the aggregate system power losses to determine total system losses corresponding to feasible input torques and input speed capable of producing the desired output torque; determining a feasible input torque and input speed corresponding to a substantially minimum total system power loss; and selecting as a desired input speed and input torque that corresponds to the substantially minimum total system power loss.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for torque control in an electric all wheel drive (e AWD) vehicle. The apparatus is a system having at least one propulsion system capable of determining a desired torque command and torque capability data for a primary and secondary axle. Also included are one or more active chassis systems capable of providing chassis system data and a processor coupled for processing the desired torque command, the torque capability data and the chassis system data to provide a maximum torque limit and a minimum torque limit for the secondary axle. In this way, at least one propulsion system processes the desired torque signal and the maximum torque limit and the minimum torque limit to provide an electric motor torque command and an engine torque command for the eAWD vehicle. A method for torque control in an eAWD vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for implementing dithering in motor drive system for controlling operation of a multi-phase electric machine.

Abstract: A method for operating an electric motor is provided. The method includes receiving a torque request; determining long term torque capabilities and short term torque capabilities of the electric motor; generating a torque command based on the torque request and at least one of the long term torque capabilities or the short term torque capabilities; and controlling the electric motor in accordance with the torque command.