Abstract:
A method of controlling an electric motor may include determining a desired torque at the electric motor. A current at a first phase of the electric motor may be calculated at a controller. The calculated current may be a current that results in supplying the desired torque at the electric motor. The controller may compare the calculated current to a predetermined threshold current, and when the calculated current is greater than the predetermined threshold current, the controller may reduce the calculated current to the predetermined threshold current and adjust a current in a second phase adjacent to the first phase of the electric motor to continue to supply the desired torque at the electric motor.
Abstract:
A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit in electrical communication between the stator and a common bus, and a controller configured to monitor a bus voltage of the converter circuit and a phase current of the SR machine. The controller may be configured to determine a phase voltage based on one or more of main pulses and any diagnostic pulses, determine an estimated flux based on the phase voltage and an associated mutual voltage, determine a rotor position based at least partially on the estimated flux, and control the SR machine based on the rotor position and a desired torque.
Abstract:
A method for determining rotor position of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may include injecting a test pulse into one or more idle phases of the SR machine, determining a decoupled flux value based at least partially on a total flux value corresponding to the test pulse and a mutual flux value, and determining the rotor position based at least partially on the decoupled flux value.
Abstract:
A method for determining rotor position of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may include injecting a test pulse into one or more idle phases of the SR machine, determining a decoupled flux value based at least partially on a total flux value corresponding to the test pulse and a mutual flux value, and determining the rotor position based at least partially on the decoupled flux value.
Abstract:
A technique and system for detecting a location of a ground fault in an electrical system are provided. The technique and system include steps or components for determining a ground fault voltage, receiving a gate control signal associated with an electric load, comparing the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal, and determining whether the ground fault is located at the electric load based on the comparison of the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal.
Abstract:
A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit in electrical communication between the stator and a common bus, and a controller configured to monitor a bus voltage of the converter circuit and a phase current of the SR machine. The controller may be configured to determine a phase voltage based on one or more of main pulses and any diagnostic pulses, determine an estimated flux based on the phase voltage and an associated mutual voltage, determine a rotor position based at least partially on the estimated flux, and control the SR machine based on the rotor position and a desired torque.
Abstract:
A method of controlling an electric motor may include determining a desired torque at the electric motor. A current at a first phase of the electric motor may be calculated at a controller. The calculated current may be a current that results in supplying the desired torque at the electric motor. The controller may compare the calculated current to a predetermined threshold current, and when the calculated current is greater than the predetermined threshold current, the controller may reduce the calculated current to the predetermined threshold current and adjust a current in a second phase adjacent to the first phase of the electric motor to continue to supply the desired torque at the electric motor.
Abstract:
A method of regulating a phase current of an electric motor is provided. The method may include selectively enabling one or more switches of each phase of the electric motor according to one of at least a soft chopping motoring routine and a soft chopping generating routine, monitoring the phase current relative to a first hysteresis band, controlling the switches according to the soft chopping motoring routine when the phase current exceeds the first hysteresis band while operating according to the soft chopping generating routine, and controlling the switches according to the soft chopping generating routine when the phase current exceeds the first hysteresis band while operating according to the soft chopping motoring routine.
Abstract:
A technique and system for detecting a location of a ground fault in an electrical system are provided. The technique and system include steps or components for determining a ground fault voltage, receiving a gate control signal associated with an electric load, comparing the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal, and determining whether the ground fault is located at the electric load based on the comparison of the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal.
Abstract:
A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) motor includes a Direct Current (DC) power source, and an inverter. The control system includes a user interface configured to enable an operator to specify a desired torque output. The control system further includes a controller which converts a DC current from the Alternating Current (AC) supplied to the SR motor by the inverter. The controller estimates an actual power output generated by the SR motor based on a DC voltage supplied by the DC power source to the inverter, and the converted DC current. The controller estimates an actual torque output based on the actual power output and a rotational speed of the SR motor. The controller compares the actual torque output and a desired torque output to calculate a torque error. The controller adjusts a torque output limit and the rotational speed of the SR motor.