REDUNDANT ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE
A system may be provided that may include an integrated motor drive configured to couple to a motor. The integrated motor drive may include a first converter that may be configured to electrically couple with a winding assembly of the motor. The first converter may include at least first conversion circuitry configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform and second conversion circuitry coupled in parallel to the second conversion circuitry and configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform. The first converter may also include a first transformer configured to form a first summation electrical excitation waveform from the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform that drives the motor.
The subject matter described herein relates to a redundant integrated motor drive.
BACKGROUNDElectric motor/generators for vehicles such as aircraft typically operate at high voltages that have a pulse width modulation (PWM) voltage waveforms that can generate significant ripple voltage. As a result of the high voltage overshoot, significant amounts of insulation are often utilized to provide protection and absorb heat generated from the electric motor/generator. When the vehicle operates as high altitudes, such as when the vehicle is an aircraft, these concerns are even more pronounced.
Additionally, low reliability of electric motor/generators may be problematic for some vehicles, such as aircraft, because a fault in one portion of the circuitry of a motor/generator drive can result in the failure of the entire motor/generator. While back-up motors can be provided, motors that can still operate, even with faults is more desirable for these types of applications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONIn one or more embodiments, a system may be provided that may include an integrated motor drive configured to couple to a motor. The integrated motor drive may include a first converter that may be configured to electrically couple with a winding assembly of the motor. The first converter may include at least first conversion circuitry configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform and second conversion circuitry coupled in parallel to the second conversion circuitry and configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform. The first converter may also include a first transformer configured to form a first summation electrical excitation waveform from the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform that drives the motor.
In one or more embodiments, a system may be provided that may include an integrated motor drive configured to couple to a motor. The motor drive may include a first converter that may be configured to electrically couple with a winding assembly of the motor. The first converter may include at least conversion circuitry that may be configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor, and may also include a second converter configured to electrically couple with the winding assembly of the motor. The second converter may include at least conversion circuitry of the second converter configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor independently of the first converter.
In one or more embodiments, method may be provided that may include inputting a direct electrical excitation input from a direct electrical excitation source into first conversion circuitry of a first converter. The first conversion circuitry may be electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source. The method may also include inputting the direct electrical excitation input from the direct electrical excitation source into second conversion circuitry of the first converter. The first conversion circuitry may be electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source. The method may also include outputting an electric current that may have a first electrical excitation waveform with a first phase with the first conversion circuitry. The method may also include outputting an electric current that may have a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase with the second conversion circuitry. The method may also include forming a first summation electrical excitation waveform that may include the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor.
The present inventive subject matter will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below:
Provided is an integrated motor drive for a hybrid electric propulsion motor/generator. The drive may be coupled to the electric propulsion motor/generator and include numerous converters for providing an input voltage to the motor. In particular, each converter is coupled to the winding assembly of the electrical motor to provide an electrical excitation input. When used herein, electrical excitation input, output, signals, etc. may include voltage based input, output, signals, etc., or current based input, output, signals, etc. that may allow the sensor to detect the applied current of the battery. Additionally, when a voltage input, output, signal, etc. is discussed, a current input, output, signal, etc. is contemplated and disclosed. Each converter comprises conversion circuits that receive an input electrical excitation signal such as current or voltage from a direct electrical excitation signal source and provide an output electrical excitation for the motor accordingly. Each converter outputs an electrical excitation independent of the other converters. In this manner, the drive has redundancy such that if one converter malfunctions, the other converters may provide input voltage to compensate the loss of the damaged converter and continue to drive the motor until the vehicle reaches a point where maintenance may occur. To this end, voltage from the functioning converters may be increased to prevent or reduce loss of voltage to drive the motor.
In some embodiments, each converter may include plural sets of conversion circuitry that each receive an electrical excitation signal from the direct electrical excitation source and output a portion of an output electrical excitation waveform. The sets of conversion circuitry are then electrically coupled in parallel and/or series to each other and provide output voltage waveforms that have phases that are offset from one another. As a result, the ripple voltage and total harmonic distortion (THD) of the output excitation is greatly reduced, while electromagnetic interference (EMI) is simultaneously reduced. This technique allows to greatly reduce the ripple on the input voltage and currents to the motor as well as to the converter itself. With the slew rate of motor input voltage (dv/dt) greatly reduced, the amount of insulation required similarly may be reduced, saving product costs while reducing manufacturing complexities. The reduced voltage slew rate on the converter input voltage and currents allows also a reduction of EMI hence reducing the amount of electrical shielding required. Additionally, while a trade-off exists by having fewer total converters per motor winding to achieve the reduced ripple, redundant converters may still be presented such that even if a first converter malfunctions, the other converters may be used to provide the input voltage to the motor. As a result, the fault does not result in complete failure of the drive.
In one example, a controller 220 may be coupled to each converter 210. The controller 220 may include a processor, memory, hardware, software, or the like, and at least one sensor that monitors each converter 210. By monitoring each converter 210, when one converter malfunctions, the controller may detect the malfunction to alert a vehicle operator that maintenance is required. As a result, at the next stop, the malfunctioning converter may be replaced. In addition, the controller 220 may operate the other converters to vary their electrical excitation input to the motor to compensate for the malfunctioning converter. The controller may determine to vary the electrical excitation input of one other converter, a set of converters, all of the additional converters, etc. to reduce the effect of the malfunctioning converter on the performance of the motor. In one example, the controller may include an algorithm that upon determining a fault in a converter, determines the operation of the other remaining converters. In determining the operation of the other converters, the algorithm may consider motor efficiency, converter age, converter usage, converter efficiency, travel time remaining, travel distance remaining, etc. in determining the operation of the remaining functioning converters.
The conversion circuitry 303A-D of each converter 302A-D may also include a transformer 306A-D that is electrically coupled to the respective input bridge 304A-D. The transformers 306A-D transfer electrical energy without changing frequency when a voltage and current change occurs. Electrically coupled to each transformer 306A-D is a respective output bridge 308A-D. Each output bridge 308A-D may include switches, capacitors, transistors, MOSFETs, etc. to condition the electrical input from each respective transformer 306A-D. In particular, each portion of the waveform formed by each conversion circuitry 303A-D may be combined, or summed, to form a summation waveform from the converter. When used herein, the summation waveform is a waveform formed by a converter from more than one conversion circuitries wherein more than one waveform of the more than one conversion circuitries is added. The summation waveform may then be input into a winding assembly (not shown) of a motor (not shown) to drive the motor accordingly.
Each converter 402 may include conversion circuitry 407 on a secondary substrate 408 with a first side 410 as illustrated in
Each secondary substrate 408 may also include a second side 416 as illustrated in
In the example embodiment of
The nine individual converters 710A-I may each provide a voltage output that may be used to drive a motor. Because nine separate converters 710A-I are provided, each may contribute an equal amount of the electrical excitation input received by the winding assembly 720. Because of the redundancy of the converters 710A-I, if one converter malfunctions, the others may continue providing the electrical excitation input for the motor. To this end, a controller may be provided that determines the malfunction in one converter, and increases the electrical excitation output of one or more of the other converters to compensate for the lose of the malfunctioning converter. Additionally, an additional redundancy may be provided in that the converts of
To this end, converters 910A, 910B, or 910C may receive a positive input 914 and the negative input 916 from a centrally located cable 918 disposed therethrough. The positive input 914 and negative input 916 provide a potential difference, or voltage on each converter 910. The input electrical excitation is then supplied to each of the first conversion circuitry, second conversion circuitry, and third conversion circuitry to provide an output electrical excitation waveform for each winding 911A-C respectfully. Each electrical excitation waveform output may include a phase that is off-set from the phase of an electrical excitation waveform formed by a different conversion circuitry. By offsetting the phases, when the electrical excitation waveforms are combined and summed to form a first summation waveform, ripple voltage is cancelled and THD is reduced. Therefore, each converter 910A, 910B, and 910C, may include first, second, and third conversion circuitry to provide a first summation waveform, second summation waveform, and third summation waveform respectfully. By reducing the voltage slew rate, excess insulation is unneeded. While only three converters 910A-C are provided as compared to the nine converters of
At 1002, a direct electrical excitation signal such as a current or voltage may be input from a direct electrical excitation signal source into plural conversion circuitry. In one example a direct electrical excitation signal source may be coupled in series to a first conversion circuitry, second conversion circuitry, and third conversion circuitry of the same converter. In other examples, only a first conversion circuitry and second conversion circuitry of a converter may be provided. In another example, more than three conversion circuitries in a converter may be provided. The conversion circuitry may be of a first converter, second converter, third converter, N converter, etc. In one example, the conversion circuitry is the conversion circuitry described in relation to
At 1004, an electric current having a first electrical excitation waveform with a first phase is outputted by first conversion circuitry. The first conversion circuitry may include a first decoupling capacitor set, an input bridge, a transformer, and/or an output bridge, and a second capacitor set to condition the direct electrical excitation input to provide an output for supplying to a winding of a winding assembly of a motor. The first electrical excitation waveform may include a DC waveform or an AC waveform. The first conversion circuitry may be the first conversion circuitry of a first converter, second converter, third converter, etc. To this end, electric current having a first electrical excitation waveform may be outputted from a first converter at the same time electric current having a first electrical excitation waveform is being outputted from a second converter. Optionally, as the electric current having the first electrical excitation waveform with the first phase is outputted by the first conversion circuitry of a first converter, an electric current having a first electrical excitation waveform with a first phase may be independently outputted by first conversion circuitry of a second converter.
Additional converters my operate in a similar manner as desired. In one example five converters may be provided, while in other examples nine converters, or N-converters may be provided as desired. By having additional, independent converters, redundancy is provided for an integrated drive. For example, redundancy may be provided in that if one converter of N-converters fails, N−1 converters are still provided and may be controlled to compensate for the faulty converter. Alternatively, an individual converter, or a set of converters may provide phase input for the motor such that if circuitry within the motor fails, adjustments may be made related to the sets of converters to address the failure of the motor circuitry. In all, depending on the amount of redundancy and control of the total input power into the motor, the number of converters and sets of converters may be selected as needed or desired.
At 1006, an electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase is outputted with the second conversion circuitry. The second conversion circuitry may include a first decoupling capacitor set, an input bridge, a transformer, and/or an output bridge, and a second capacitor set to condition the direct electrical excitation input to provide an output for supplying to a winding of a winding assembly of a motor. The second electrical excitation waveform may include a DC waveform or an AC waveform. The second conversion circuitry may be the second conversion circuitry of a first converter, second converter, third converter, etc. To this end, electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform may be outputted from a first converter at the same time electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform is being outputted from a second converter. Optionally, while the electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase is outputted with the second conversion circuitry of the first converter, an electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase may be independently outputted with second conversion circuitry of a second converter. By having additional independent converters, redundancy is provided for an integrated drive. Similarly, optionally, additional converters may be added with similar functionality.
At 1007, an electric current having a third voltage waveform with a different, third phase is outputted with the third conversion circuitry. The third conversion circuitry may include a first decoupling capacitor set, an input bridge, a transformer, and/or an output bridge, and a second capacitor set to condition the direct electrical excitation input to provide an output for supplying to a winding of a winding assembly of a motor. The third voltage waveform may include a DC waveform or an AC waveform. The third conversion circuitry may be the third conversion circuitry of a first converter, second converter, third converter, etc. To this end, electric current having a third voltage waveform may be outputted from a first converter at the same time electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform is being outputted from a second converter. Optionally, while the electric current having a third voltage waveform with a different, third phase is outputted with the third conversion circuitry of the first converter, an electric current having a third voltage waveform with a different, third phase may be independently outputted with second conversion circuitry of a second converter. By having additional independent converters, redundancy is provided for an integrated drive. While in this method only three converters are discussed, as described above, N converters, phases, redundancies, etc. may be used depending on the desired control over the total power input into the motor.
At 1008, a first summation electrical excitation waveform is formed that includes the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor. In one example, the first phase of the first electrical excitation waveform is offset from the second phase of the second electrical excitation waveform. In this manner ripple voltage cancels out reducing ripple current in the summation waveform and also reducing THD. In one example, a transformer combines the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform. Optionally, while the first summation electrical excitation waveform is being formed, a second summation electrical excitation waveform may be independently formed that includes a first electrical excitation waveform and second electrical excitation waveform of a second converter. By having additional independent converters, redundancy is provided for an integrated drive. Similarly, optionally, additional converters may be added with similar functionality.
At 1010, the first summation electrical excitation waveform is outputted to a winding assembly of an electric motor. In one example, the winding assembly independently receives plural summation electrical excitation waveforms from different converters. In this manner, redundancy is provided for the integrated drive.
Thus provided, is an integrated motor drive that provide for a smooth waveform with reduced ripple voltage. The reduced ripple voltage results in reduced insultation materials, size, cost, and the like. The reduced ripple also results in reduced EMI, low THD, and with continuously adjustable frequency and amplitude that allows for accurate and fast torque and speed control. This integrated motor drive solution absorbs also an input current with reduced ripple, thus drastically reducing EMI and THD on the input side as well. Additionally, the integrated motor drive provides fault redundancy such that as if a converter malfunctions during operation, at least one additional converter is available to drive an electric motor. This is especially useful for vehicles such as aircraft that need to be able to power a motor even when malfunction of a portion of the motor drive occurs. This allows the faulty portion to be easily identified, an facilitates maintenance accordingly. Additionally, because of the modularity of the integrated drive, including a series coupling allows the use of converters with lower voltage or current capability than provided by a transmission line or by the power required by the final load. Additionally, the converters are readily available, and may be coupled in parallel to provide additional power and fault redundancy.
In one or more embodiments, a system may be provided that may include an integrated motor drive configured to couple to a motor. The integrated motor drive may include a first converter that may be configured to electrically couple with a winding assembly of the motor. The first converter may include at least first conversion circuitry configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform and second conversion circuitry coupled in parallel to the second conversion circuitry and configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform. The first converter may also include a first transformer configured to form a first summation electrical excitation waveform from the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform that drives the motor.
Optionally, a second converter may be configured to electrically couple with the winding assembly of the motor. The second converter may include at least first conversion circuitry that may be configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform of the second converter and second conversion circuitry coupled in parallel to the second conversion circuitry and configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform of the second converter. The second converter may also include a second transformer that may be configured to form a second summation electrical excitation waveform from the first electrical excitation waveform of the second converter and the second electrical excitation waveform of the second converter.
Optionally, the second converter may be configured to form the second summation electrical excitation waveform independently from the first summation electrical excitation waveform.
Optionally, the first conversion circuitry may be configured to offset a phase of the first electrical excitation waveform compared to a phase of the second electrical excitation waveform.
Optionally, the first conversion circuitry may include a first input circuitry, and a first output circuitry electrically coupled to the first transformer.
Optionally, the integrated motor drive may be coupled to a non-drive end of the motor.
Optionally, the winding assembly may include a negative terminal, a positive terminal, and at least one pole coupled to the negative terminal and positive terminal.
Optionally, the at least one pole may include two poles coupled in series.
In one or more embodiments, a system may be provided that may include an integrated motor drive configured to couple to a motor. The motor drive may include a first converter that may be configured to electrically couple with a winding assembly of the motor. The first converter may include at least conversion circuitry that may be configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor, and may also include a second converter configured to electrically couple with the winding assembly of the motor. The second converter may include at least conversion circuitry of the second converter configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor independently of the first converter.
Optionally, the integrated motor drive may include a third converter that may be configured to electrically couple with the winding assembly of the motor. The third converter may include at least conversion circuitry of the third converter configured to form a third voltage waveform to drive the motor independently of the first converter and the second converter.
Optionally, the conversion circuitry of the first converter may include a first input circuitry, a first transformer coupled to the first input circuitry, and a first output circuitry coupled to the first transformer.
Optionally, the conversion circuitry of the first converter may include a second input circuitry, a second transformer coupled to the second input circuitry, and a second output circuitry coupled to the second transformer. The second input circuitry may be coupled in parallel with the first input circuitry.
Optionally, the integrated motor drive may be coupled to a non-drive end of the motor.
Optionally, the winding assembly may include a negative terminal, a positive terminal, and at least one pole coupled to the negative terminal and positive terminal.
Optionally, the at least one pole may include two poles coupled in series.
In one or more embodiments, method may be provided that may include inputting a direct electrical excitation input from a direct electrical excitation source into first conversion circuitry of a first converter. The first conversion circuitry may be electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source. The method may also include inputting the direct electrical excitation input from the direct electrical excitation source into second conversion circuitry of the first converter. The first conversion circuitry may be electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source. The method may also include outputting an electric current that may have a first electrical excitation waveform with a first phase with the first conversion circuitry. The method may also include outputting an electric current that may have a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase with the second conversion circuitry. The method may also include forming a first summation electrical excitation waveform that may include the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor.
Optionally, the method may also include off-setting the first phase of the first electrical excitation waveform from the second phase of the second electrical excitation waveform to reduce a ripple voltage in the summation electrical excitation waveform.
Optionally, the method may also include inputting the direct electrical excitation input from the direct electrical excitation source into first conversion circuitry of a second converter. The first conversion circuitry of the second converter may be electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source. The method may also include inputting the direct electrical excitation input from the direct electrical excitation source into second conversion circuitry of the second converter, the first conversion circuitry electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source, and outputting an electric current having a first electrical excitation waveform with a first phase with the first conversion circuitry of the second converter. The method may also include outputting an electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase with the second conversion circuitry of the second converter, and forming a second summation electrical excitation waveform that includes the first electrical excitation waveform of the second converter and the second electrical excitation waveform of the second converter to drive the motor.
Optionally, the method may also include independently outputting the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform.
Optionally, the method may also include outputting the first summation electrical excitation waveform to a winding assembly of an electric motor.
As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the presently described subject matter are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.
The above description is illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject matter set forth herein without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the disclosed subject matter, they are by no means limiting and are example embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the subject matter described herein should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, including the best mode, and also to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of disclosed subject matter, including making and using the devices or systems and performing the methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter described herein is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Claims
1. A system comprising:
- an integrated motor drive configured to couple to a motor comprising: a first converter configured to electrically couple with a winding assembly of the motor, the first converter comprising: at least first conversion circuitry configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform and second conversion circuitry coupled in parallel to the first conversion circuitry and configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform; and a first transformer configured to form a first summation electrical excitation waveform from the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform that drives the motor.
2. The system of claim 1, comprising:
- a second converter configured to electrically couple with the winding assembly of the motor, the second converter comprising: at least first conversion circuitry configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform of the second converter and second conversion circuitry coupled in parallel to the first conversion circuitry and configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform of the second converter; and a second transformer configured to form a second summation electrical excitation waveform from the first electrical excitation waveform of the second converter and the second electrical excitation waveform of the second converter.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second converter is configured to form the second summation electrical excitation waveform independently from the first summation electrical excitation waveform.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first conversion circuitry is configured to offset a phase of the first electrical excitation waveform compared to a phase of the second electrical excitation waveform.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first conversion circuitry includes a first input circuitry, and a first output circuitry electrically coupled to the first transformer.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the integrated motor drive is coupled to a non-drive end of the motor.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the winding assembly includes a negative terminal, a positive terminal, and at least one pole coupled to the negative terminal and positive terminal.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one pole includes two poles coupled in series.
9. A system comprising:
- an integrated motor drive configured to couple to a motor comprising: a first converter configured to electrically couple with a winding assembly of the motor, the first converter comprising: at least conversion circuitry configured to form a first electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor; and a second converter configured to electrically couple with the winding assembly of the motor, the second converter comprising: at least conversion circuitry of the second converter configured to form a second electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor independently of the first converter.
10. The system of claim 9, the integrated motor drive comprising a third converter configured to electrically couple with the winding assembly of the motor, the third converter comprising:
- at least conversion circuitry of the third converter configured to form a third voltage waveform to drive the motor independently of the first converter and the second converter.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the conversion circuitry of the first converter includes a first input circuitry, a first transformer coupled to the first input circuitry, and a first output circuitry coupled to the first transformer.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the conversion circuitry of the first converter includes a second input circuitry, a second transformer coupled to the second input circuitry, and a second output circuitry coupled to the second transformer, wherein the second input circuitry is coupled in parallel with the first input circuitry.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the integrated motor drive is coupled to a non-drive end of the motor.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein the winding assembly includes a negative terminal, a positive terminal, and at least one pole coupled to the negative terminal and positive terminal.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one pole includes two poles coupled in series.
16. A method comprising:
- inputting a direct electrical excitation input from a direct electrical excitation source into first conversion circuitry of a first converter, the first conversion circuitry electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source;
- inputting the direct electrical excitation input from the direct electrical excitation source into second conversion circuitry of the first converter, the first conversion circuitry electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source;
- outputting an electric current having a first electrical excitation waveform with a first phase with the first conversion circuitry;
- outputting an electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase with the second conversion circuitry; and
- forming a first summation electrical excitation waveform that includes the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform to drive the motor.
17. The method of claim 16, comprising, off-setting the first phase of the first electrical excitation waveform from the second phase of the second electrical excitation waveform to reduce a ripple voltage in the summation electrical excitation waveform.
18. The method of claim 16, comprising
- inputting the direct electrical excitation input from the direct electrical excitation source into first conversion circuitry of a second converter, the first conversion circuitry of the second converter electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source;
- inputting the direct electrical excitation input from the direct electrical excitation source into second conversion circuitry of the second converter, the second conversion circuitry of the second converter electrically coupled in series with the direct electrical excitation source;
- outputting an electric current having a first electrical excitation waveform with a first phase with the first conversion circuitry of the second converter;
- outputting an electric current having a second electrical excitation waveform with a different, second phase with the second conversion circuitry of the second converter; and
- forming a second summation electrical excitation waveform that includes the first electrical excitation waveform of the second converter and the second electrical excitation waveform of the second converter to drive the motor.
19. The method of claim 18, comprising independently outputting the first electrical excitation waveform and the second electrical excitation waveform.
20. The method of claim 16, comprising:
- outputting the first summation electrical excitation waveform to a winding assembly of an electric motor.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 13, 2020
Publication Date: Aug 19, 2021
Inventors: Antonio Caiafa (Schenectady, NY), Di Pan (Niskayuna, NY)
Application Number: 16/789,640