A method of controlling an electric motor of a vehicle includes monitoring torque command signals from a vehicle system to the electric motor, each torque command signal configured to cause the electric motor to output a commanded torque, and monitoring a speed of the vehicle and an output torque of the electric motor, the output torque responsive to a drive signal generated based on the torque command signals. The method also includes, based on the output torque and the vehicle speed indicating a low motor efficiency condition, modulating the drive signal between a first torque value and a second torque value that is less than the first torque value, the first torque value greater than the commanded torque and selected to increase an efficiency of the electric motor.

A method of controlling an electric motor of a vehicle includes monitoring torque command signals from a vehicle system to the electric motor, each torque command signal configured to cause the electric motor to output a commanded torque, and monitoring a speed of the vehicle and an output torque of the electric motor, the output torque responsive to a drive signal generated based on the torque command signals. The method also includes, based on the output torque and the vehicle speed indicating a low motor efficiency condition, modulating the drive signal between a first torque value and a second torque value that is less than the first torque value, the first torque value greater than the commanded torque and selected to increase an efficiency of the electric motor.

A method of controlling an electric motor of a vehicle includes monitoring torque command signals from a vehicle system to the electric motor, each torque command signal configured to cause the electric motor to output a commanded torque, and monitoring a speed of the vehicle and an output torque of the electric motor, the output torque responsive to a drive signal generated based on the torque command signals. The method also includes, based on the output torque and the vehicle speed indicating a low motor efficiency condition, modulating the drive signal between a first torque value and a second torque value that is less than the first torque value, the first torque value greater than the commanded torque and selected to increase an efficiency of the electric motor.

A method of controlling an electric motor of a vehicle includes monitoring torque command signals from a vehicle system to the electric motor, each torque command signal configured to cause the electric motor to output a commanded torque, and monitoring a speed of the vehicle and an output torque of the electric motor, the output torque responsive to a drive signal generated based on the torque command signals. The method also includes, based on the output torque and the vehicle speed indicating a low motor efficiency condition, modulating the drive signal between a first torque value and a second torque value that is less than the first torque value, the first torque value greater than the commanded torque and selected to increase an efficiency of the electric motor.

A system and method for estimating a power output of an electric motor with at least one magnetic field sensor includes providing magnetic field signal data, providing magnetic field frequency data based on the magnetic field signal data, determining a fundamental harmonic frequency of the supply frequency and at least one further frequency, determining a ratio between an amplitude of the at least one further harmonic frequency and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency, providing reference ratio data describing a relation of a ratio between an amplitude of the at least one further harmonic frequency and an amplitude of the fundamental harmonic frequency and a power output of the electric motor, and estimating the power output of the electric motor based on the reference ratio data and the determined ratio.

A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The electric motor is configured to drive a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a memory and a processor coupled thereto. The memory is configured to store a speed-to-airflow ratio associated with an airflow restriction on the blower. The processor is configured to receive a command for a calibrating airflow and operate the electric motor in a constant airflow mode to generate the calibrating airflow at a calibrating speed. The processor is further configured to write the calibrating speed and the calibrating airflow to the memory as the speed-to-airflow ratio.

A motor controller for an electric motor is provided. The electric motor is configured to drive a blower to generate an airflow. The motor controller includes a memory and a processor coupled thereto. The memory is configured to store a speed-to-airflow ratio associated with an airflow restriction on the blower. The processor is configured to receive a command for a calibrating airflow and operate the electric motor in a constant airflow mode to generate the calibrating airflow at a calibrating speed. The processor is further configured to write the calibrating speed and the calibrating airflow to the memory as the speed-to-airflow ratio.

A new method and circuit arrangement for operating a stepper motor in a voltage-based operating mode with a control loop over the whole operating range of speeds of a stepper motor. The method/circuit arrangement includes calculating a load angle of the stepper motor. The load angle is then used to calculate a voltage-based control signal suitable for operating a known motor driver circuit, such as a chopper, to drive the stepper motor coils. This enables improved control over the stepper motor which can improve control stability.

Methods and systems of optimizing efficiency of a motor drive or generator are provided. The methods include measuring data corresponding to input power and output power of a motor drive or generator at a control parameter and different load values. The methods include generating a three-dimensional surface model based on the measured data. The three-dimensional surface model can estimate an efficiency of the motor drive or generator at the control parameter and at unmeasured load values. The methods can include determining optimal efficiency of the motor drive or generator at the different load values and the unmeasured load values based on the three-dimensional surface model.

Methods and systems of optimizing efficiency of a motor drive or generator are provided. The methods include measuring data corresponding to input power and output power of a motor drive or generator at a control parameter and different load values. The methods include generating a three-dimensional surface model based on the measured data. The three-dimensional surface model can estimate an efficiency of the motor drive or generator at the control parameter and at unmeasured load values. The methods can include determining optimal efficiency of the motor drive or generator at the different load values and the unmeasured load values based on the three-dimensional surface model.