Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Tim M Grewe

Alan G Holmes

Goro Tamai

Nitinkumar R Patel

Frank C Valeri

Peter James Savagian

Yo Chan Son

Chih-Hung Yen

John J Janczak

Konstantinos Triantos

John P Miller

Ian R Singer

David R Clark

Scott P Lyons

A switch of an inverter module is disposed in a coolant channel, is configured to be immersed in coolant in the coolant channel, and includes: a first terminal disposed on a first plane and configured to connect to a direct current (DC) reference potential; a second terminal disposed on a second plane and configured to connect to an alternating current (AC) reference potential; a gate, an emitter, and a collector; first cooling features that extend away from the first and second planes, that directly contact the first terminal, and that are configured to allow coolant flow therethrough; and second cooling features that extend away from the first cooling features, the first plane, and the second plane, that directly contact the second terminal, and that are configured to allow coolant flow therethrough.

Direct cooling of inverter switches

A method for controlling a hybrid powertrain system includes determining an operator-selected mode and a charging mode for the energy storage device. A first speed/load region at which the internal combustion engine is in an OFF state is determined for the operator-selected mode and the charging mode for the energy storage device, wherein the first speed/load region is defined by output torque and vehicle speed. A second speed/load region includes a preferred speed that is selected for operating the internal combustion engine is determined for the operator-selected mode and the charging mode for the energy storage device. The preferred engine speed is substantially imperceptible in a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The internal combustion engine is operated at the preferred engine speed that is imperceptible in the passenger compartment when the output torque request and the present vehicle speed are within the second operating region.

Method and apparatus for controlling a hybrid powertrain system

A vehicle including a powertrain system that includes an electric machine electrically connected to a power inverter is described, wherein the powertrain system is operative in an electric vehicle mode to generate propulsion torque. A method for controlling the powertrain system includes determining a vehicle speed, and determining a preferred audible sound to be generated by the powertrain system when operating in the electric vehicle mode at the vehicle speed. A control signal for the power inverter is determined, and is associated with operating the powertrain system in the electric vehicle mode at the vehicle speed. The preferred audible sound is incorporated into the control signal for the power inverter, and the power inverter is controlled to operate the electric machine employing the control signal and the preferred audible sound.

Method and apparatus for operating a vehicle employing non-combustion torque machine

A method for operation of an internal permanent magnet motor having a rotor includes determining whether a neutral point access signal is received from the rotor and operating the internal permanent magnet motor using sensorless signals corresponding to a rotor position and a rotor speed derived by a first sensorless signal estimation method when the neutral point access signal is received, wherein the first sensorless signal estimation method utilizes the neutral point access signal to generate the rotor position and the rotor speed. The method further includes operating the internal permanent magnet motor using sensorless signals corresponding to a rotor position and a rotor speed derived by a second sensorless signal estimation method when the neutral point access signal is not received, wherein the second sensorless signal estimation method does not utilize the neutral point access signal to generate the rotor position and the rotor speed.

Fail-safe controls for electric traction drive systems

The present invention provides an accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle. The accessory drive system includes an inverter operatively connected to a direct current battery. The inverter is configured to convert the direct current from the battery into three-phase alternating current. The accessory drive system also includes a transmission having a first motor/generator operable to drive the hybrid vehicle. The first motor/generator is a Y-connected three phase motor/generator that defines a first neutral point. A second motor/generator is connected to an accessory and to the first neutral point. Output from the battery is transferable through the first neutral point to the second motor/generator such that the accessory is driven at a selectable rate.

Accessory drive system for a hybrid vehicle

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Northville, MI, United States of America

Tim M Grewe