A regenerative braking controller for an AC motor. To determine an electromagnetic torque for slowing or stopping the motor, the regenerative braking controller accesses a lookup table to retrieve a braking torque value corresponding to a current estimate of rotor velocity. The retrieved braking torque may correspond to a maximum or minimum torque level at which regenerative braking will occur at the current rotor velocity, or to a torque level at which charging current during regenerative braking will be maximized. If an external mechanical brake is present, the regenerative braking controller can forward an external braking torque signal to a controller so that the mechanical brake can apply the remainder of the braking force beyond that indicated by the regenerative braking torque. A method for establishing the braking torques to be stored in the lookup table is also disclosed.

A regenerative braking controller for an AC motor. To determine an electromagnetic torque for slowing or stopping the motor, the regenerative braking controller accesses a lookup table to retrieve an braking torque value corresponding to a current estimate of rotor velocity. The retrieved braking torque may correspond to a maximum or minimum torque level at which regenerative braking will occur at the current rotor velocity, or to a torque level at which charging current during regenerative braking will be maximized. If an external mechanical brake is present, the regenerative braking controller can forward an external braking torque signal to a controller so that the mechanical brake can apply the remainder of the braking force beyond that indicated by the regenerative braking torque. A method for establishing the braking torques to be stored in the lookup table is also disclosed.

A control apparatus is provided to control a rotating electric machine whose number of poles is switched from a pre-switching number of poles to a post-switching number of poles. The control apparatus includes a pre-switching control unit, a post-switching control unit and a transition control unit. The pre-switching control unit controls the torque generated by the machine before the switching of the number of poles. The post-switching control unit controls the torque generated by the machine after the switching. During a pole-number switching period, the transition control unit controls electric currents flowing in stator coils of the machine or voltages applied to the stator coils to make each magnetic pole formed with control by the pre-switching control unit not coincident with any magnetic pole formed with control by the post-switching control unit and having the same polarity as the magnetic pole formed with the control by the pre-switching control unit.

A powered balancing mobility device that can provide the user the ability to safely navigate expected environments of daily living including the ability to maneuver in confined spaces and to climb curbs, stairs, and other obstacles, and to travel safely and comfortably in vehicles. The mobility device can provide elevated, balanced travel.

An electrical machine comprising: at least one stator, at least one module, the at least one module comprising at least one electromagnetic coil and at least one switch, the at least one module being attached to the at least one stator; at least one rotor with a plurality of magnets attached to the at least one rotor, an integrated electrical differential coupled to at least one of the rotors, the at least one integrated electrical differential permitting the at least one rotor to output at least two rotational outputs to corresponding shafts, wherein the at least two rotational outputs are able to move the shafts at different rotational velocities to one another. The electrical machine is configured to fit into a housing, and that can be retrofitted into a conventional vehicle by replacing the mechanical differential.

The invention provides a device (10) and a method for controlling an electric machine (1). The method comprises the steps of: providing (S01) a desired torque value (54) for a torque to be exerted by the electric machine (1); determining (S02) a fault signal (51) which indicates a fault state of the electric machine (1); determining (S03) a current rotor angle value (56) of the electric machine (1); determining (S04) a fault state operating point (62; 62′) on the basis of the desired torque value (54) provided, the determined fault signal (51) and the determined current rotor angle value (56); and shifting or moving (S05) an operating point, at which the electric machine (1) is operated, from a normal state operating point (61) to the determined fault state operating point (62; 62′).

An electric machine includes a rotor including a channel defined between a pair of magnets and a bridge assembly within the channel. The bridge assembly includes a bridge element and a spring arranged to bias the bridge element toward a center of the rotor such that responsive to spinning of the rotor, the bridge element moves radially away from the center against a force of the spring to alter a magnetic flux pattern associated with the magnets.

Selective efficiency multi-phase traction inverters and chargers as heat sources for thermal conditioning of electric vehicles is provided. The traction inverter comprises a plurality of phases, each of the plurality of phases having at least one semiconductor switching device, the at least one semiconductor switching device configured to switch between at least three differing states, for thermal management of the electric vehicle components and compartments. The traction inverter includes a controller coupled to the plurality of phases, to operate the plurality of phases in a first mode of the traction inverter to drive the electric motor as a traction motor. The controller operates the plurality of phases in a second mode of the traction inverter as a first type of converter. The controller to operate the plurality of phases in a third mode of the traction inverter as a second type of converter.

Selective efficiency multi-phase traction inverters and chargers as heat sources for thermal conditioning of electric vehicles is provided. The traction inverter comprises a plurality of phases, each of the plurality of phases having at least one semiconductor switching device, the at least one semiconductor switching device configured to switch between at least three differing states, for thermal management of the electric vehicle components and compartments. The traction inverter includes a controller coupled to the plurality of phases, to operate the plurality of phases in a first mode of the traction inverter to drive the electric motor as a traction motor. The controller operates the plurality of phases in a second mode of the traction inverter as a first type of converter. The controller to operate the plurality of phases in a third mode of the traction inverter as a second type of converter.

A vehicle includes an electric machine and a controller configured to inject a voltage into the electric machine. The controller measures the currents caused by the voltage and processes the currents using a discrete Fourier transform to determine positive and negative sequence currents. A phase rotation sequence is identified by comparing the sequence currents to expected positive and negative sequence currents that are associated with possible phase rotation sequences. The electric machine may be controlled according to the identified phase rotation sequence. A cable swapped diagnostic may be output when the phase rotation sequence is different than an expected phase rotation sequence.