Abstract: A method and apparatus for an all-electric vehicle using a primary drive system and a secondary drive system is provided. While the primary drive system utilizes a single electric motor, the secondary drive system utilizes a pair of electric motors. In one configuration, a single electrical energy storage system (ESS) is used to supply power to both drive systems. A DC/DC converter can be used so that the two drive systems can utilize different DC bus voltage ranges. In another configuration, each drive system is coupled to a different electrical ESS. A bi-directional DC/DC converter can be used to provide an electrical path between each motor's inverter and the electrical ESS of the other drive system. An energy transfer control module connected to the bi-directional DC/DC converter and one or more sensors can be used to control the use of the bi-directional DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an all-electric vehicle using a primary drive system and a secondary drive system is provided. The primary drive system and the secondary drive system each utilize a single electric motor. In one configuration, a single electrical energy storage system (ESS) is used to supply power to both drive systems. A DC/DC converter can be used so that the two drive systems can utilize different DC bus voltage ranges. In another configuration, each drive system is coupled to a different electrical ESS. A bi-directional DC/DC converter can be used to provide an electrical path between each motor's inverter and the electrical ESS of the other drive system. An energy transfer control module connected to the bi-directional DC/DC converter and one or more sensors can be used to control the use of the bi-directional DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque of the electric motor of an electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied to the primary and assist drive systems of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.

Abstract: An induction motor embodiment includes a stator defining a stator bore, the stator including a stator yoke having a stator yoke thickness and a plurality of stator teeth, the teeth having a common length, with each of the stator teeth including a stator tooth center portion that extends from a stator tooth bottom portion proximal the yoke to a stator tooth tip portion, with adjacent stator teeth defining a stator slot between them, each stator slot having a stator slot bottom that extends along a stator slot bottom length. In the embodiment, the center portion has a stator tooth width that is less than or equal to one half the stator slot bottom length. In the embodiment, the stator tooth width is smaller than a stator slot opening width distance. In the embodiment, a ratio of stator yoke thickness to stator tooth width is at least 5:1. A rotor is rotably mounted in the stator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing the torque applied to the primary and assist drive systems of an all-electric vehicle is provided, the torque adjustments taking into account wheel slip as well as other vehicular operating conditions.

Abstract: An induction motor embodiment includes a stator defining a stator bore, the stator including a stator yoke having a stator yoke thickness and a plurality of stator teeth, the teeth having a common length, with each of the stator teeth including a stator tooth center portion that extends from a stator tooth bottom portion proximal the yoke to a stator tooth tip portion, with adjacent stator teeth defining a stator slot between them, each stator slot having a stator slot bottom that extends along a stator slot bottom length. In the embodiment, the center portion has a stator tooth width that is less than or equal to one half the stator slot bottom length. In the embodiment, the stator tooth width is smaller than a stator slot opening width distance. In the embodiment, a ratio of stator yoke thickness to stator tooth width is at least 5:1. A rotor is rotably mounted in the stator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an all-electric vehicle using a primary drive system and a secondary drive system is provided. While the primary drive system utilizes a single electric motor, the secondary drive system utilizes a pair of electric motors. A single electrical energy storage system (ESS) is used to supply power to both drive systems. A DC/DC converter can be used so that the two drive systems can utilize different DC bus voltage ranges.

Abstract: A motor in an electric vehicle can be controlled by receiving at least one of a user input or vehicle information, selecting one of a plurality of available flux modes using at least one of the user input or the vehicle information, and calculating a control signal, using the selected flux mode, to control the motor of the electric vehicle.

Abstract: Non-linearity in a position error signal (PES) for a data storage device is precisely characterized during a calibration phase in the manufacturing process. From this characterization of the PES non-linearity, the data storage device can be programmed with the necessary data to perform accurate, real-time linearization calculations of the PES in order to compensate for non-linearity in the PES during operation. The sequence of calibration steps includes a PES gain calibration, a first servo loop gain calibration, a PES linearization calibration, and an optional second servo loop gain calibration.

Abstract: Non-linearity in a position error signal (PES) for a data storage device is precisely characterized during a calibration phase in the manufacturing process. From this characterization of the PES non-linearity, the data storage device can be programmed with the necessary data to perform accurate, real-time linearization calculations of the PES in order to compensate for non-linearity in the PES during operation. The sequence of calibration steps includes a PES gain calibration, a first servo loop gain calibration, a PES linearization calibration, and an optional second servo loop gain calibration.

Abstract: A reluctance machine including a plurality of phase windings where each phase winding comprises a plurality of fractional-pitched coils. The reluctance machine may be coupled to a drive that can energize one, two or more of the phase windings to provide output torque that is derived from: (i) the self-inductances of the phase windings; (ii) a combination of the self-inductances of the phase windings and the mutual inductances between the phase windings; or (iii) the mutual inductances between the phase windings.

Abstract: A reluctance machine including one or more damping windings placed within the stator or within the rotor which are used to store and provide energy so as to reduce unwanted machine vibration and noise, improve current commutation, and improve the efficiency and torque output of the machine.

Abstract: A doubly-fed switched reluctance machine in which at least two sets of phase winding are energized to produce desired output torque is disclosed. Also disclosed are dual and single power converters for energizing the doubly-fed machine as well as exemplary excitation schemes position. Sensorless techniques and systems for controlling the doubly-fed machine, and other machines having fully-pitched or fractional-pitched windings, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reluctance machine including a plurality of phase windings where each phase winding comprises a plurality of fractional-pitched coils. The reluctance machine may be coupled to a drive that can energize one, two or more of the phase windings to provide output torque that is derived from: (i) the self-inductances of the phase windings; (ii) a combination of the self inductances of the phase windings and the mutual inductances between the phase windings; or (iii) the mutual inductances between the phase windings.

Abstract: A universal drive for a switched reluctance machine the drive obtaining a desired speed, the drive comprising means for automatically forming a magnetization table, said table containing information relating the magnetic flux, current, and rotor angle of said switched reluctance machine; means for automatically forming a rule table, the rule table containing information relating the torque of the SRM to turn-on and turn-off angles; sensors for sensing the dc bus voltage and currents of the phases of the machine; means for estimating a reference angle using information in the magnetization table and the sensed dc bus voltage and phase currents; means for obtaining the turn-on and turn-off angles from the self-tuned table based upon the desired speed; and means for turning the phase currents of the machine on at the turn-on angle in relation to the reference angle and turning the phase current off at the turn-off angle in relation to the reference angle.

Abstract: A reluctance machine including a stator defining a plurality of stator poles and a plurality of stator slots, a rotor positioned to rotate with respect to the stator, and a plurality of phase windings, where each phase winding comprises a plurality of coils, where each coil is wound about more than one stator pole, where each coil comprises two coils sides, and where only one coil side is positioned in each stator slot, wherein the self-inductance of each phase winding varies as a function of the angular position of the rotor with respect to the stator. Also a reluctance machine similar to that described above where each of the phase windings is magnetic uni-polar.

Abstract: A doubly-fed switched reluctance machine in which at least two sets of phase winding are energized to produce desired output torque is disclosed. Also disclosed are dual and single power converters for energizing the doubly-fed machine as well as exemplary excitation schemes position. Sensorless techniques and systems for controlling the doubly-fed machine, and other machines having fully-pitched or fractional-pitched windings, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved reluctance machine is provided wherein auxiliary flux paths are provided such that the leakage flux of the machine is directed through the auxiliary flux paths and not through the excited stator poles to reduce the impact of stator pole saturation on the machine's performance.