公开(公告)号：US10886817B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-05

申请号：US15961216

申请日：2018-04-24

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Lei Hao ,  Alexandru Rajala ,  Thomas W. Nehl

IPC: H02K5/15 ,  H02K5/22 ,  H02K7/08 ,  H02K7/116 ,  H02K11/21 ,  H02K11/33

Abstract: A starter assembly includes a partial planetary gear set connected to a pinion gear slidable along a first axis. The starter also includes a motor casing housing a brushless electric motor and having a first bearing. The motor includes multi-phase stator and rotor assemblies arranged inside the casing concentrically relative to the first axis. The rotor assembly has a rotor with a shaft supported by the first bearing and connected to a sun gear engaging the gear set, and a rotor position and speed sensor target. The starter additionally includes a motor end-cap for mating with and enclosing the motor casing and having a second bearing supporting the shaft. The starter also includes an electronics cover with a power connector for mating with the end-cap and housing an electronic commutator assembly. The commutator assembly includes power electronics, and control processor electronics arranged between the end-cap and the power electronics.

公开(公告)号：US10675991B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-09

申请号：US15987975

申请日：2018-05-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Yiran Hu ,  Shifang Li ,  Lei Hao ,  Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Thomas W. Nehl

IPC: B60L58/22 ,  H02J7/00 ,  B60L53/10

Abstract: Methods of charging a vehicle battery pack are disclosed. Example methods may include determining a voltage imbalance between at least two parallel strings of a battery pack exceeds a threshold magnitude. Methods may further include electrically reducing the voltage imbalance between the at least two parallel strings using a series circuit including a first group of one or more of the battery cells of a first one of the parallel strings, and reconnecting the parallel strings in an electrical circuit in parallel to each other, in which configuration the strings of the battery pack may supply power to the vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20200169129A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-28

申请号：US16199868

申请日：2018-11-26

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Alireza Fatemi ,  Thomas W. Nehl ,  David J. Brooks

IPC: H02K1/27 ,  H02K15/03 ,  H02K7/00

Abstract: Presented are slotted permanent magnets (PM) for electric machines, motor generator units using slotted PMs, methods for making/using slotted PMs, and motor vehicles equipped with an electric traction motor using slotted PMs. An electric machine includes an annular stator with a hollow core and one or more internal stator slots. One or more electrically conductive windings is/are disposed in the stator slot(s). A cylindrical rotor is rotatably disposed inside the hollow core of the stator. One or more permanent magnets is/are mounted to the rotor. Each permanent magnet includes a rigid, single-piece PM body with opposing first and second faces. A first set of elongated grooves is recessed into the first face. An optional second set of elongated grooves is recessed into the second face. Each of the grooves has a depth that is substantially parallel to a direction of a magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet.

公开(公告)号：US20200161938A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-21

申请号：US16196379

申请日：2018-11-20

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Alireza Fatemi ,  Xiaofeng Yang ,  Thomas W. Nehl ,  Farzad Samie ,  Srihari K. Gangaraj

IPC: H02K9/197 ,  H02K5/20

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling an electric machine includes a plurality of fluid channels disposed in a first surface that surrounds at least part of the electric machine. Each of the plurality of fluid channels defines a circumferential path in the first surface, including a first channel section extending at least substantially parallel to first and second circumferences defined by ends of the electric machine, and including a second channel section configured to direct a cooling fluid between a central region of the first surface and an end region of the first surface. The apparatus also includes an outer shell configured to surround the first surface and define a fluid tight chamber between the first surface and the outer shell, the outer shell having at least one inlet through which the cooling fluid is introduced into the chamber and at least one outlet from which the cooling fluid exits the volume.

公开(公告)号：US10574116B2

公开(公告)日：2020-02-25

申请号：US15961119

申请日：2018-04-24

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Avoki M. Omekanda ,  Lei Hao ,  Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Suresh Gopalakrishnan ,  Thomas W. Nehl

IPC: H02K7/20 ,  H02K1/08 ,  F02N11/08 ,  H02K19/10 ,  H02K11/215 ,  H02K11/30 ,  H02P25/092

Abstract: A starter includes a three-phase switched reluctance electric motor including a rotor and a stator, a pinion gear, a power inverter that is connected to the stator, and a rotational position sensor. The rotor includes a quantity of rotor poles that is between 6 and 16, and the stator includes a quantity of stator poles that is between 8 and 24. An outer diameter of the electric motor is less than 85 mm. An active length of the motor is less than 50 mm. An airgap distance between the rotor and the stator is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. A ratio between a rotor pole arc and a stator pole arc is at least 1.0:1. A ratio between a stator diameter and a rotor diameter is at least 2.0:1, and a ratio between a stator pole height and a rotor pole height is at least 2.5:1.

公开(公告)号：US10511213B2

公开(公告)日：2019-12-17

申请号：US15723476

申请日：2017-10-03

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Shifang Li ,  Thomas W. Nehl ,  Suresh Gopalakrishnan ,  Avoki Omekanda ,  Rashmi Prasad ,  Chandra S. Namuduri

IPC: H01H47/00 ,  H02K33/18 ,  H01F7/18 ,  F02M47/02 ,  F02M63/00 ,  H01F7/08 ,  F02M61/12 ,  H02K33/02 ,  H01F7/04 ,  H02K33/10 ,  F02M51/06 ,  H01F7/16

Abstract: A solenoid assembly includes a solenoid actuator having a core. A coil is configured to be wound at least partially around the core such that a magnetic flux (ϕ) is generated when an electric current flows through the coil. An armature is configured to be movable based on the magnetic flux (ϕ). A controller has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for controlling the solenoid assembly. The controller is configured to obtain a plurality of model matrices, a coil current (i1) and an eddy current (i2). The magnetic flux (ϕ) is obtained based at least partially on a third model matrix (C0), the coil current (i1) and the eddy current (i2). Operation of the solenoid actuator is controlled based at least partially on the magnetic flux (ϕ). In one example, the solenoid actuator is an injector.

公开(公告)号：US20190359067A1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-28

申请号：US15987975

申请日：2018-05-24

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Yiran Hu ,  Shifang Li ,  Lei Hao ,  Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Thomas W. Nehl

IPC: B60L11/18 ,  H02J7/00

Abstract: Methods of charging a vehicle battery pack are disclosed. Example methods may include determining a voltage imbalance between at least two parallel strings of a battery pack exceeds a threshold magnitude. Methods may further include electrically reducing the voltage imbalance between the at least two parallel strings using a series circuit including a first group of one or more of the battery cells of a first one of the parallel strings, and reconnecting the parallel strings in an electrical circuit in parallel to each other, in which configuration the strings of the battery pack may supply power to the vehicle.

公开(公告)号：US20190351778A1

公开(公告)日：2019-11-21

申请号：US16531648

申请日：2019-08-05

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Thomas W. Nehl ,  Lei Hao ,  Michael Harpster ,  Andrew K. Chandler

IPC: B60L53/10 ,  B60L53/65 ,  B60L50/60 ,  B60L53/16

Abstract: An apparatus for flexible DC fast charging of an electrified vehicle includes a charge receptacle and a vehicle charging controller programmed to establish a wireless communication with a charging station. The apparatus further includes a reconfigurable energy storage system selectively and electrically connected to the charge receptacle. The reconfigurable energy storage system includes a first rechargeable energy storage device selectively and electrically connected to the charge receptacle, a second rechargeable energy storage device selectively connected to the charge receptacle, and a plurality of low-loss switching devices selectively connected to the first rechargeable energy storage device and the second rechargeable energy storage device. The vehicle charging controller is programmed to selectively actuate the plurality of low-loss switching devices based on the charging voltage of the charging station such that a nominal voltage of the reconfigurable energy storage system matches the charging voltage of the charging station.

公开(公告)号：US20190326790A1

公开(公告)日：2019-10-24

申请号：US15961176

申请日：2018-04-24

Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Inventor： Lei Hao ,  Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Alexandru Rajala ,  Thomas W. Nehl ,  Suresh Gopalakrishnan ,  Avoki M. Omekanda

IPC: H02K1/30 ,  F02N11/08 ,  F16H1/28 ,  H02K5/15 ,  H02K7/08 ,  H02K7/116 ,  H02K11/21 ,  H02K15/16

Abstract: A brushless electric motor includes a motor casing having a first bearing, a motor end-cap including a second bearing, a multi-phase stator assembly, and a rotor assembly having a rotor shaft. The shaft has a first end, a second end, and a knurled section therebetween. The shaft also has a first bearing surface proximate the first end and supported by the first bearing, a second bearing surface proximate the second end and supported by the second bearing, and a rotor position and speed sensor target. The shaft additionally has a sun gear integrated with the shaft proximate the first bearing surface for engaging a partial planetary gear set. The rotor assembly also includes a rotor lamination fixed to the shaft at the knurled section and having opposing first and second sides, and first and second end plates arranged on the respective first and second sides of the rotor lamination.

公开(公告)号：US10432130B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-01

申请号：US15895392

申请日：2018-02-13

Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

Inventor： Chandra S. Namuduri ,  Thomas W. Nehl ,  Lei Hao

IPC: H02P27/06 ,  H02M7/537 ,  H02M1/08 ,  H02J7/00 ,  B60L50/51

Abstract: An electric powertrain includes an electric machine, an inverter connected to the electric machine, and an energy storage system for providing an electric current. The energy storage system includes a first energy storage device operable at a first device voltage, and a second energy storage device operable at a second device voltage. A plurality of low-loss switching devices interconnect the first energy storage device and the second energy storage device. The switching devices are selectively controllable between a first operating mode for providing the electric current at a first system voltage, and a second operating mode for providing the electric current at a second system voltage. The first system voltage is different from the second system voltage.