Abstract:
A vehicle includes a motor, an alternating current (AC) power bus, a power inverter module (PIM), and a controller. The PIM includes a semiconductor die assembly with semiconductor power switches arranged in electrical parallel for delivering AC power to the motor via the bus. The controller determines an operating mode of the vehicle, selects and activates a designated one of the switches during a threshold low-current state of the PIM, and selects and activates all of the switches during a high-current state of the PIM. A PIM assembly for the vehicle includes the die assembly and controller. A method for optimizing energy efficiency of the vehicle includes providing the die assembly noted above, automatically determining the operating mode, and selecting and activating one of the switches when the operating mode corresponds to the threshold low-current state, and all of the electrical switches during the threshold high-current state of the PIM.
Abstract:
The combination of an intake air supply system with an internal combustion engine having a charge air cooler, a cylinder charging air intake and an exhaust discharge is provided. The intake air supply system includes a Roots-type positive displacement blower having inlet and outlet means and an exhaust gas driven turbo-compressor connected in series with the blower. The intake air supply system further includes a bypass passage connecting the blower inlet and outlet and a valve in the bypass passage to control the flow of fluid through the bypass. The valve is operative to open and close the bypass passage in response to engine operating parameters and to modulate the flow area of the passage in response to the same engine operating parameters so as to infinitely vary the flow area between the open and closed positions of the valve. The valve is modulated to operatively maintain the bypass passage at least partially open at engine idle, whereby the valve means permits bypass flow to recirculate air flow from the blower outlet to the inlet to reduce or limit the engine power absorbed by the blower or to conduct additional air flow around the blower directly from the turbo-compressor to the engine intake to avoid the restriction of the blower to increased charging air flow. A single valve means thus provides a dual function capability.
Abstract:
A method and system are provided for controlling the energization of at least one glow plug in an internal combustion engine wherein a solid state drive circuit, including a semiconductor switch, is utilized for applying an energizing current to the at least one glow plug from a voltage source based on a control signal to electrically heat the at least one glow plug. The control signal is preferably a 50 Hz switched ground duty cycle signal from an electronic control module (ECM). Based on the duty cycle input, the drive circuit for each of the glow plugs supplies current from a main feed bus. A glow plug current monitoring circuit is provided for each of the glow plugs to detect whenever an open or short circuit condition appears in any of the glow plugs. The semiconductor device preferable is a current sensing type of MOSFET called a SENSEFET. Each SENSEFET internally monitors individual current draw of its respective glow plug to verify its proper operation. Upon detecting an out-of-limit condition of a glow plug, the drive circuit for the particular glow plug is disabled to protect the drive circuit and a diagnostic circuit in enabled to indicate this fault mode through an indicator lamp and starter inhibit relay driver circuit. Because the drive circuit for that particular glow plug is disabled, it does not sustain damage and resumes proper operation when a "good" glow plug is installed for the "bad" glow plug.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. The electric motor includes at least one winding. A winding current flowing through the at least one winding is monitored. The winding current has an oscillating component and an offset component. The offset component of the winding current is isolated from the oscillating component of the winding current. The electric motor is controlled based on the offset component of the winding current.
Abstract:
A high-voltage discharge circuit diagnostic system includes a high voltage DC link with a positive DC link and a negative DC link, a first resistor selectably connectable between the positive DC link and the negative DC link, and a second resistor connected between the positive DC link and the negative DC link. A control module connects the first resistor between the positive DC link and the negative DC link until the high voltage DC link discharges to a first voltage after which the control module disconnects the first resistor from between the positive DC link and the negative DC link to permit continued discharge of the high voltage DC link through the second resistor to a second voltage through an elapsed time period. The control module diagnoses a fault in the second resistor based upon the first voltage, the second voltage, and the elapsed time period.
Abstract:
A vehicle includes a motor, an alternating current (AC) power bus, a power inverter module (PIM), and a controller. The PIM includes a semiconductor die assembly with semiconductor power switches arranged in electrical parallel for delivering AC power to the motor via the bus. The controller determines an operating mode of the vehicle, selects and activates a designated one of the switches during a threshold low-current state of the PIM, and selects and activates all of the switches during a high-current state of the PIM. A PIM assembly for the vehicle includes the die assembly and controller. A method for optimizing energy efficiency of the vehicle includes providing the die assembly noted above, automatically determining the operating mode, and selecting and activating one of the switches when the operating mode corresponds to the threshold low-current state, and all of the electrical switches during the threshold high-current state of the PIM.
Abstract:
A method for monitoring electric isolation of a high voltage DC bus to detect ground isolation faults includes monitoring voltage differentials between a positive DC electric power bus and a negative DC electric power bus and a chassis ground. Electrical isolation between each of the positive and negative DC electric power buses and the chassis ground is monitored using a ratio of the voltage differentials.
Abstract:
A vehicle includes an energy storage system (ESS) rechargeable using electrical power from an off-board AC power supply, a traction power inverter module (TPIM), one or two motors, and a controller. The TPIM has two inverters. The controller energizes designated semiconductor switches of the TPIM and designated induction coils of the motor to boost electrical power from the AC power supply for charging the ESS when the vehicle is not running. With two motors, a contactor allows induction coils of a first motor to be connected to the switches of the first inverter as an input filter, and an additional semiconductor switch is positioned between the ESS and an output side of the switches of the second inverter. A controller charges the ESS by energizing designated semiconductor switches of the TPIM and induction coils of the motor to charge the ESS without using an onboard battery charger module.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting a phase current sensor fault in a multi-phase electrical motor. The method comprises, receiving an input torque command T* and measuring a set of feedback signals of the motor including a phase current Ix for each of the phases of the motor, generating direct and quadrature command phase currents Id*, Iq* for the motor corresponding to a value of the input torque command T*, determining a total command current Is=[(Iq*)2+(Id*)2]½, generating a negative sequence current Ineg, where for three phases Ineg=(⅓)[Ia+(α2)Ib+(α)Ic], where α=ej2π/3, combining Ineg and Is to provide a normalized negative sequence current Inn=Ineg/Is, comparing the normalized negative sequence current Inn to a predetermined threshold value INN* to determine the presence of a phase current sensor fault, and executing a control action when Inn>INN*.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. The electric motor includes at least one winding. A winding current flowing through the at least one winding is monitored. The winding current has an oscillating component and an offset component. The offset component of the winding current is isolated from the oscillating component of the winding current. The electric motor is controlled based on the offset component of the winding current.