Two-in-one gear and bearing current sensing and reduction via current choke

Abstract

A vehicle, system and method of operating the vehicle. The system includes a motor, a choke and a processor. The motor includes a rotor shaft and a bearing between the rotor shaft and the motor, wherein a bearing current flows through the bearing and along the rotor shaft between the motor and a gearbox of the vehicle and wherein the motor is run at a selected motor speed and selected motor torque. The choke is disposed at the rotor shaft between the motor and the gearbox. The choke includes a winding, wherein the bearing current passes through the choke to induce a sensing current through the winding. The processor is configured to determine the bearing current from the sensing current and transmit a signal to notify a user when the bearing current is greater than a selected damage threshold.