Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ronghui Li

Steven E Schulz

Silva Hiti

Milun Perisic

Bon Ho Bae

Michael Arnett

A method of increasing a current sensing range for a vehicle or other polyphase motor system includes measuring phase currents delivered to a motor of the system. A controller calculates an absolute value of each phase current, compares each calculated absolute value to a saturation limit to determine whether only one sensor is saturated, and extrapolates a phase current value of the saturated sensor. The calculated temporary phase current is used as the extrapolated phase current value for the saturated sensor, and a control action is executed using the extrapolated phase current value only when the calculated temporary phase current value exceeds the measured value for the saturated sensor and a sign of the calculated temporary phase current value matches that of the measured value for the saturated sensor. A system includes the motor, a power inverter module, phase current sensors, and a controller which executes the method.

Method and apparatus for increasing a current sensing range in a polyphase motor system

Methods, system and apparatus are provided for reducing power loss in an electric motor drive system that includes an electric machine and an inverter module. A controller determines whether a torque command (T) is less than a minimum torque threshold (T) that is required to disable the inverter module, and if so, increments a counter and determines whether the torque command (T) remains less than the minimum torque threshold (T). When the torque command (T) remains less than the minimum torque threshold (T), the controller checks to determine whether a current count value (n) maintained at the counter is greater than a count threshold (n), and if so, the controller can generate a disable signal to disable switching within the inverter module.

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Torrance, CA, United States of America

Ronghui Li