U.S. patent application number 16/245402 was filed with the patent office on 2020-07-16 for method for motor and inverter temperature control.
This patent application is currently assigned to GM Global Technology Operations LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is GM Global Technology Operations LLC. Invention is credited to Dwarakanath V. Simili, Yo Chan Son, Anno Yoo.
Application Number | 20200228049 16/245402 |
Document ID | 20200228049 / US20200228049 |
Family ID | 71125123 |
Filed Date | 2020-07-16 |
Patent Application | download [pdf] |
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-D00008.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-M00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200228049/US20200228049A1-20200716-M00002.png)
View All Diagrams
United States Patent
Application |
20200228049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoo; Anno ; et al. |
July 16, 2020 |
METHOD FOR MOTOR AND INVERTER TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Abstract
An electric motor control system of a vehicle includes a
temperature module configured to, based on a motor torque request,
(i) determine a plurality of stator current values based on a
plurality of temperatures and (ii) generate a maximum stator
current based on a lowest value of the plurality of stator current
values. A torque module configured to, based on the maximum stator
current, the motor torque request, and a maximum allowable flux,
generate a maximum torque output. A current command module
configured to, based on a speed of a rotor of the electric motor
and the maximum torque output, generate a d-axis current adjustment
and a q-axis current adjustment. A switching control module
configured to, based on the d- and q-axis current adjustments,
control switching of an inverter module and apply power to stator
windings of the electric motor from an energy storage device.
Inventors: |
Yoo; Anno; (Rochester,
MI) ; Son; Yo Chan; (Rochester Hills, MI) ;
Simili; Dwarakanath V.; (Oakland Township, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
GM Global Technology Operations LLC |
Detroit |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GM Global Technology Operations
LLC
Detroit
MI
|
Family ID: |
71125123 |
Appl. No.: |
16/245402 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60L 2240/425 20130101;
B60L 3/06 20130101; B60L 2240/423 20130101; H02P 29/68 20160201;
B60L 2240/421 20130101; H02P 29/67 20161101; H02P 21/14
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02P 29/68 20060101
H02P029/68; H02P 21/14 20060101 H02P021/14; B60L 3/06 20060101
B60L003/06 |
Claims
1. An electric motor control system of a vehicle, comprising: a
temperature module configured to, based on a motor torque request
for an electric motor of the vehicle, (i) determine a plurality of
stator current values based on a plurality of temperatures and (ii)
generate a maximum stator current based on a lowest value of the
plurality of stator current values; a torque module configured to,
based on the maximum stator current, the motor torque request, and
a maximum allowable flux, generate a maximum torque output; a
current command module configured to, based on a speed of a rotor
of the electric motor and the maximum torque output, generate a
d-axis current adjustment and a q-axis current adjustment; and a
switching control module configured to, based on the d-axis current
adjustment and the q-axis current adjustment, control switching of
an inverter module and apply power to stator windings of the
electric motor from an energy storage device, wherein the plurality
of temperatures correspond to at least one temperature associated
with the electric motor and at least one temperature associated
with the inverter module.
2. The electric motor control system of claim 1 wherein: the
temperature module includes a plurality of controllers; and each of
the plurality of controllers includes: a temperature error module
configured to output an error signal corresponding to a difference
between a temperature reference and a measured temperature; and a
proportional integral module, connected to the temperature error
module, configured to output a first signal and a second signal,
wherein the first signal is a first multiplication product of the
error signal and the second signal is based on at least one of an
integral of the error signal and a second multiplication product of
the error signal.
3. The electric motor control system of claim 2 wherein each of the
plurality of controllers further includes a feed-forward module,
connected to the proportional integral module, that outputs the
maximum stator current based on the first signal, the second
signal, and a feed-forward current value.
4. The electric motor control system of claim 3 wherein each of the
plurality of controllers includes a limiting module, to which an
output of the feed-forward module is input, configured to: in
response to the maximum stator current being greater than a first
predetermined current, output the first predetermined current; and
in response to the maximum stator current being less than the first
predetermined current, output the maximum stator current, wherein
the first predetermined current is less than the maximum stator
current.
5. The electric motor control system of claim 4 wherein: the
proportional integral module includes a proportional portion and an
integral portion; each of the plurality of controllers includes a
comparison module configured to determine a difference between an
output of the limiting module and an input of the limiting module;
in response to the difference not being equal to a first
predetermined value, setting an input to the integral portion to a
second predetermined value; and in response to the difference being
equal to the first predetermined value, setting the input to the
integral portion to the difference between the temperature
reference and the measured temperature.
6. The electric motor control system of claim 5 wherein: the at
least one temperature associated with the electric motor is at
least one of a temperature of the rotor and a temperature of the
stator windings of the electric motor; and the plurality of
controllers includes a stator controller, a rotor controller, a
diode controller, and an IGBT controller.
7. The electric motor control system of claim 6 wherein the
feed-forward current value is set by a power margin module that
determines the feed-forward current value based on a thermal model
of the electric motor.
8. The electric motor control system of claim 6 wherein: the
inverter module includes at least one diode and at least one
insulated gate bipolar transistor; and the at least one temperature
associated with the inverter module is associated with the at least
one diode.
9. The electric motor control system of claim 8 the feed-forward
current value is based on a switching loss of the at least one
diode and a conduction loss of the at least one diode.
10. The electric motor control system of claim 8 wherein: the at
least one temperature associated with the inverter module is
associated with the at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor;
and the feed-forward current value is based on a switching loss of
the at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor and a conduction
loss of the at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor.
11. An electric motor control method for a vehicle, the method
comprising: in response to receiving a motor torque request for an
electric motor of the vehicle: determining, with a temperature
module, a plurality of stator current values based on a plurality
of temperatures; and generating, with the temperature module, a
maximum stator current based on a lowest value of the plurality of
stator current values; generating, with a torque module, a maximum
torque output based on the maximum stator current, the motor torque
request, and a maximum allowable flux; generating, with a current
command module, a d-axis current adjustment and a q-axis current
adjustment based on a speed of a rotor of the electric motor and
the maximum torque output; and controlling, with a switching
control module, switching of an inverter module and applying power
to stator windings of the electric motor from an energy storage
device, wherein the plurality of temperatures correspond to at
least one temperature associated with the electric motor and at
least one temperature associated with the inverter module.
12. The electric motor control method of claim 11 wherein the
temperature module includes a plurality of controllers and
determining the plurality of stator current values includes:
generating, for each of the plurality of controllers, an error
signal corresponding to a difference between a temperature
reference and a measured temperature; and generating, for each of
the plurality of controllers, a first signal and a second signal,
wherein the first signal is a first multiplication product of the
error signal and the second signal is based on at least one of an
integral of the error signal and a second multiplication product of
the error signal.
13. The electric motor control method of claim 12 wherein
determining the plurality of stator current values includes:
generating, for each of the plurality of controllers, a
feed-forward current value; and generating, for each of the
plurality of controllers, the maximum stator current based on the
first signal, the second signal, and the feed-forward current
value.
14. The electric motor control method of claim 13 wherein each of
the plurality of controllers includes a limiting module and
determining the plurality of stator current values includes:
outputting, for each of the plurality of controllers, a first
predetermined current in response to the maximum stator current
being greater than the first predetermined current; and outputting,
for each of the plurality of controllers, the maximum stator
current in response to the maximum stator current being less than
the first predetermined current, wherein the first predetermined
current is less than the maximum stator current.
15. The electric motor control method of claim 14 wherein
determining the plurality of stator current values includes:
determining, for each of the plurality of controllers, a difference
between an output of the controller and the maximum stator current;
in response to the difference not being equal to a first
predetermined value, setting an input to an integral portion of
each of the plurality of controllers to a second predetermined
value; and in response to the difference being equal to the first
predetermined value, setting the input to the integral portion of
each of the plurality of controllers to the difference between the
temperature reference and the measured temperature.
16. The electric motor control method of claim 15 wherein the at
least one temperature associated with the electric motor is at
least one of a temperature of the rotor and a temperature of the
stator windings of the electric motor.
17. The electric motor control method of claim 16 wherein the
feed-forward current value is based on a thermal model of the
electric motor.
18. The electric motor control method of claim 16 wherein: the
inverter module includes at least one diode and at least one
insulated gate bipolar transistor; and the at least one temperature
associated with the inverter module is associated with the at least
one diode.
19. The electric motor control method of claim 18 the feed-forward
current value is based on a switching loss of the at least one
diode and a conduction loss of the at least one diode.
20. The electric motor control method of claim 18 wherein: the at
least one temperature associated with the inverter module is
associated with the at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor;
and the feed-forward current value is based on a switching loss of
the at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor and a conduction
loss of the at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor.
Description
INTRODUCTION
[0001] The information provided in this section is for the purpose
of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the
presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this
section, as well as aspects of the description that may not
otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither
expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present
disclosure.
[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for
controlling an electric motor of a vehicle based on temperatures of
one or more components of the electric motor.
[0003] Some types of vehicles include only an internal combustion
engine that generates propulsion torque. Non-hybrid electric
vehicles may include one or more electric motors. Hybrid vehicles
include both an internal combustion engine and one or more electric
motors. Some types of hybrid vehicles utilize the electric motor
and the internal combustion engine in an effort to achieve greater
fuel efficiency than if only the internal combustion engine was
used. Some types of hybrid vehicles utilize the electric motor and
the internal combustion engine to achieve greater torque output
than the internal combustion could achieve by itself.
[0004] Some example types of hybrid vehicles include parallel
hybrid vehicles, series hybrid vehicles, and other types of hybrid
vehicles. In a parallel hybrid vehicle, the electric motor works in
parallel with the engine to combine power and range advantages of
the engine with efficiency and regenerative braking advantages of
electric motors. In a series hybrid vehicle, the engine drives a
generator to produce electricity for the electric motor, and the
electric motor drives a transmission. This allows the electric
motor to assume some of the power responsibilities of the engine,
which may permit the use of a smaller and possibly more efficient
engine.
SUMMARY
[0005] In an electric motor control system of a vehicle is
described. A temperature module is configured to, based on a motor
torque request for an electric motor of the vehicle, (i) determine
a plurality of stator current values based on a plurality of
temperatures and (ii) generate a maximum stator current based on a
lowest value of the plurality of stator current values. A torque
module is configured to, based on the maximum stator current, the
motor torque request, and a maximum allowable flux, generate a
maximum torque output. A current command module is configured to,
based on a speed of a rotor of the electric motor and the maximum
torque output, generate a d-axis current adjustment and a q-axis
current adjustment. A switching control module is configured to,
based on the d-axis current adjustment and the q-axis current
adjustment, control switching of an inverter module and apply power
to stator windings of the electric motor from an energy storage
device. The plurality of temperatures correspond to at least one
temperature associated with the electric motor and at least one
temperature associated with the inverter module.
[0006] In further features, the temperature module includes a
plurality of controllers; and each of the plurality of controllers
includes: a temperature error module that is configured to output
an error signal corresponding to a difference between a temperature
reference and a measured temperature; and a proportional integral
module, is connected to the temperature error module, that is
configured to output a first signal and a second signal, where the
first signal is a first multiplication product of the error signal
and the second signal is based on at least one of an integral of
the error signal and a second multiplication product of the error
signal.
[0007] In further features, each of the plurality of controllers
further includes a feed-forward module, is connected to the
proportional integral module, and outputs the maximum stator
current based on the first signal, the second signal, and a
feed-forward current value.
[0008] In further features, each of the plurality of controllers
includes a limiting module, to which an output of the feed-forward
module is input, configured to: in response to the maximum stator
current being greater than a first predetermined current, output
the first predetermined current; and in response to the maximum
stator current being less than the first predetermined current,
output the maximum stator current, where the first predetermined
current is less than the maximum stator current.
[0009] In further features, the proportional integral module
includes a proportional portion and an integral portion; each of
the plurality of controllers includes a comparison module that is
configured to determine a difference between an output of the
limiting module and an input of the limiting module; in response to
the difference not being equal to a first predetermined value,
setting an input to the integral portion to a second predetermined
value; and in response to the difference being equal to the first
predetermined value, setting the input to the integral portion to
the difference between the temperature reference and the measured
temperature.
[0010] In further features, the at least one temperature associated
with the electric motor is at least one of a temperature of the
rotor and a temperature of the stator windings of the electric
motor; and the plurality of controllers includes a stator
controller, a rotor controller, a diode controller, and an IGBT
controller.
[0011] In further features, the feed-forward current value is set
by a power margin module that determines the feed-forward current
value based on a thermal model of the electric motor.
[0012] In further features, the inverter module includes at least
one diode and at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor; and
the at least one temperature associated with the inverter module is
associated with the at least one diode.
[0013] In further features, the feed-forward current term is based
on a switching loss of the at least one diode and a conduction loss
of the at least one diode.
[0014] In further features, the at least one temperature associated
with the inverter module is associated with the at least one
insulated gate bipolar transistor; and the feed-forward current
value is based on a switching loss of the at least one insulated
gate bipolar transistor and a conduction loss of the at least one
insulated gate bipolar transistor.
[0015] In a feature, an electric motor control method for a vehicle
includes: in response to receiving a motor torque request for an
electric motor of the vehicle: determining, with a temperature
module, a plurality of stator current values based on a plurality
of temperatures; and generating, with the temperature module, a
maximum stator current based on a lowest value of the plurality of
stator current values. The method further includes generating, with
a torque module, a maximum torque output based on the maximum
stator current, the motor torque request, and a maximum allowable
flux. The method further includes generating, with a current
command module, a d-axis current adjustment and a q-axis current
adjustment based on a speed of a rotor of the electric motor and
the maximum torque output. The method further includes controlling,
with a switching control module, switching of an inverter module
and applying power to stator windings of the electric motor from an
energy storage device, where the plurality of temperatures
correspond to at least one temperature associated with the electric
motor and at least one temperature associated with the inverter
module.
[0016] In further features, the temperature module includes a
plurality of controllers and determining the plurality of stator
current values includes: generating, for each of the plurality of
controllers, an error signal corresponding to a difference between
a temperature reference and a measured temperature; and generating,
for each of the plurality of controllers, a first signal and a
second signal, where the first signal is a first multiplication
product of the error signal and the second signal is based on at
least one of an integral of the error signal and a second
multiplication product of the error signal.
[0017] In further features, determining the plurality of stator
current values includes: generating, for each of the plurality of
controllers, a feed-forward current value; and generating, for each
of the plurality of controllers, the maximum stator current based
on the first signal, the second signal, and the feed-forward
current value.
[0018] In further features, each of the plurality of controllers
includes a limiting module and determining the plurality of stator
current values includes: outputting, for each of the plurality of
controllers, a first predetermined current in response to the
maximum stator current being greater than the first predetermined
current; and outputting, for each of the plurality of controllers,
the maximum stator current in response to the maximum stator
current being less than the first predetermined current, where the
first predetermined current is less than the maximum stator
current.
[0019] In further features, determining the plurality of stator
current values includes: determining, for each of the plurality of
controllers, a difference between an output of the controller and
the maximum stator current; in response to the difference not being
equal to a first predetermined value, setting an input to an
integral portion of each of the plurality of controllers to a
second predetermined value; and in response to the difference being
equal to the first predetermined value, setting the input to the
integral portion of each of the plurality of controllers to the
difference between the temperature reference and the measured
temperature.
[0020] In further features, the at least one temperature associated
with the electric motor is at least one of a temperature of the
rotor and a temperature of the stator windings of the electric
motor.
[0021] In further features, the feed-forward current value is based
on a thermal model of the electric motor.
[0022] In further features, the inverter module includes at least
one diode and at least one insulated gate bipolar transistor; and
the at least one temperature associated with the inverter module is
associated with the at least one diode.
[0023] In further features, the feed-forward current value is based
on a switching loss of the at least one diode and a conduction loss
of the at least one diode.
[0024] In further features, the at least one temperature associated
with the inverter module is associated with the at least one
insulated gate bipolar transistor; and the feed-forward current
value is based on a switching loss of the at least one insulated
gate bipolar transistor and a conduction loss of the at least one
insulated gate bipolar transistor.
[0025] Further areas of applicability of the present disclosure
will become apparent from the detailed description, the claims and
the drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are
intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to
limit the scope of the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The present disclosure will become more fully understood
from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example engine
control system;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example engine
and motor control system;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic including an example implementation of
an inverter module;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram including an example
implementation of a motor control module;
[0031] FIG. 5 is an example implementation of a temperature
module;
[0032] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram including an example
implementation of a stator controller;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example thermal model of
a motor; and
[0034] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method of determining a
maximum allowable torque.
[0035] In the drawings, reference numbers may be reused to identify
similar and/or identical elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] An internal combustion engine of a vehicle combusts air and
fuel within cylinders to generate propulsion torque. The engine
outputs torque to wheels of the vehicle via a transmission. Some
types of vehicles may not include an internal combustion engine or
the internal combustion engine may not be mechanically coupled to a
driveline of the vehicle.
[0037] In a hybrid or non-hybrid electric vehicle, an electric
motor is mechanically coupled to a shaft of the transmission. A
motor control module may apply power to the electric motor from a
battery to cause the electric motor to output torque for vehicle
propulsion. In a hybrid vehicle, under some circumstances, the
motor control module may disable power flow to the electric motor
and allow the transmission to drive rotation of the electric motor.
The electric motor generates power when driven by the transmission.
Power generated by the electric motor can be used to recharge the
battery when a voltage generated via the electric motor is greater
than a voltage of the battery.
[0038] The motor control module determines a d-axis current command
and a q-axis current command for the electric motor based on a
requested torque output of the electric motor. Torque output of the
electric motor, however, may vary with temperatures of components
of the electric motor (e.g., a rotor and stator) and an inverter
(e.g., an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) and an inverter
diode). For example, torque output of the electric motor may
decrease as respective temperatures of the rotor, the stator, the
IGBT, and the inverter diode increase and vice versa.
[0039] According to the present disclosure, the motor control
module selectively adjusts at least one of the d-axis current
command and the q-axis current command based on electric motor and
inverter temperatures. For example, a maximum allowable torque may
vary due to temperature derating to prevent motor or inverter
overheating, and the motor control module adjusts the current
commands in accordance with the maximum allowable torque. The motor
control module maximizes torque output by calculating and adjusting
the maximum allowable torque based on the temperatures of the
rotor, stator, IGBT, and inverter diode and a flux magnitude (e.g.,
corresponding to a voltage limit).
[0040] Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of an
example powertrain system 100 is presented. The powertrain system
100 of a vehicle includes an engine 102 that combusts an air/fuel
mixture to produce torque. The vehicle may be non-autonomous or
autonomous.
[0041] Air is drawn into the engine 102 through an intake system
108. The intake system 108 may include an intake manifold 110 and a
throttle valve 112. For example only, the throttle valve 112 may
include a butterfly valve having a rotatable blade. An engine
control module (ECM) 114 controls a throttle actuator module 116,
and the throttle actuator module 116 regulates opening of the
throttle valve 112 to control airflow into the intake manifold
110.
[0042] Air from the intake manifold 110 is drawn into cylinders of
the engine 102. While the engine 102 includes multiple cylinders,
for illustration purposes a single representative cylinder 118 is
shown. For example only, the engine 102 may include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
8, 10, and/or 12 cylinders. The ECM 114 may instruct a cylinder
actuator module 120 to selectively deactivate some of the cylinders
under some circumstances, as discussed further below, which may
improve fuel efficiency.
[0043] The engine 102 may operate using a four-stroke cycle or
another suitable engine cycle. The four strokes of a four-stroke
cycle, described below, will be referred to as the intake stroke,
the compression stroke, the combustion stroke, and the exhaust
stroke. During each revolution of a crankshaft (not shown), two of
the four strokes occur within the cylinder 118. Therefore, two
crankshaft revolutions are necessary for the cylinder 118 to
experience all four of the strokes. For four-stroke engines, one
engine cycle may correspond to two crankshaft revolutions.
[0044] When the cylinder 118 is activated, air from the intake
manifold 110 is drawn into the cylinder 118 through an intake valve
122 curing the intake stroke. The ECM 114 controls a fuel actuator
module 124, which regulates fuel injection to achieve a desired
air/fuel ratio. Fuel may be injected into the intake manifold 110
at a central location or at multiple locations, such as near the
intake valve 122 of each of the cylinders. In various
implementations (not shown), fuel may be injected directly into the
cylinders or into mixing chambers/ports associated with the
cylinders. The fuel actuator module 124 may halt injection of fuel
to cylinders that are deactivated.
[0045] The injected fuel mixes with air and creates an air/fuel
mixture in the cylinder 118. During the compression stroke, a
piston (not shown) within the cylinder 118 compresses the air/fuel
mixture. The engine 102 may be a compression-ignition engine, in
which case compression causes ignition of the air/fuel mixture.
Alternatively, the engine 102 may be a spark-ignition engine, in
which case a spark actuator module 126 energizes a spark plug 128
in the cylinder 118 based on a signal from the ECM 114, which
ignites the air/fuel mixture. Some types of engines, such as
homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines may perform
both compression ignition and spark ignition. The timing of the
spark may be specified relative to the time when the piston is at
its topmost position, which will be referred to as top dead center
(TDC).
[0046] The spark actuator module 126 may be controlled by a timing
signal specifying how far before or after TDC to generate the
spark. Because piston position is directly related to crankshaft
rotation, operation of the spark actuator module 126 may be
synchronized with the position of the crankshaft. The spark
actuator module 126 may disable provision of spark to deactivated
cylinders or provide spark to deactivated cylinders.
[0047] During the combustion stroke, the combustion of the air/fuel
mixture drives the piston down, thereby driving the crankshaft. The
combustion stroke may be defined as the time between the piston
reaching TDC and the time when the piston returns to a bottommost
position, which will be referred to as bottom dead center
(BDC).
[0048] During the exhaust stroke, the piston begins moving up from
BDC and expels the byproducts of combustion through an exhaust
valve 130. The byproducts of combustion are exhausted from the
vehicle via an exhaust system 134.
[0049] The intake valve 122 may be controlled by an intake camshaft
140, while the exhaust valve 130 may be controlled by an exhaust
camshaft 142. In various implementations, multiple intake camshafts
(including the intake camshaft 140) may control multiple intake
valves (including the intake valve 122) for the cylinder 118 and/or
may control the intake valves (including the intake valve 122) of
multiple banks of cylinders (including the cylinder 118).
Similarly, multiple exhaust camshafts (including the exhaust
camshaft 142) may control multiple exhaust valves for the cylinder
118 and/or may control exhaust valves (including the exhaust valve
130) for multiple banks of cylinders (including the cylinder 118).
While camshaft based valve actuation is shown and has been
discussed, camless valve actuators may be implemented. While
separate intake and exhaust camshafts are shown, one camshaft
having lobes for both the intake and exhaust valves may be
used.
[0050] The cylinder actuator module 120 may deactivate the cylinder
118 by disabling opening of the intake valve 122 and/or the exhaust
valve 130. The time when the intake valve 122 is opened may be
varied with respect to piston TDC by an intake cam phaser 148. The
time when the exhaust valve 130 is opened may be varied with
respect to piston TDC by an exhaust cam phaser 150. A phaser
actuator module 158 may control the intake cam phaser 148 and the
exhaust cam phaser 150 based on signals from the ECM 114. In
various implementations, cam phasing may be omitted. Variable valve
lift (not shown) may also be controlled by the phaser actuator
module 158. In various other implementations, the intake valve 122
and/or the exhaust valve 130 may be controlled by actuators other
than a camshaft, such as electromechanical actuators,
electrohydraulic actuators, electromagnetic actuators, etc.
[0051] The engine 102 may include zero, one, or more than one boost
device that provides pressurized air to the intake manifold 110.
For example, FIG. 1 shows a turbocharger including a turbocharger
turbine 160-1 that is driven by exhaust gases flowing through the
exhaust system 134. A supercharger is another type of boost
device.
[0052] The turbocharger also includes a turbocharger compressor
160-2 that is driven by the turbocharger turbine 160-1 and that
compresses air leading into the throttle valve 112. A wastegate 162
controls exhaust flow through and bypassing the turbocharger
turbine 160-1. Wastegates can also be referred to as (turbocharger)
turbine bypass valves. The wastegate 162 may allow exhaust to
bypass the turbocharger turbine 160-1 to reduce intake air
compression provided by the turbocharger. The ECM 114 may control
the turbocharger via a wastegate actuator module 164. The wastegate
actuator module 164 may modulate the boost of the turbocharger by
controlling an opening of the wastegate 162.
[0053] A cooler (e.g., a charge air cooler or an intercooler) may
dissipate some of the heat contained in the compressed air charge,
which may be generated as the air is compressed. Although shown
separated for purposes of illustration, the turbocharger turbine
160-1 and the turbocharger compressor 160-2 may be mechanically
linked to each other, placing intake air in close proximity to hot
exhaust. The compressed air charge may absorb heat from components
of the exhaust system 134.
[0054] The engine 102 may include an exhaust gas recirculation
(EGR) valve 170, which selectively redirects exhaust gas back to
the intake manifold 110. The EGR valve 170 may receive exhaust gas
from upstream of the turbocharger turbine 160-1 in the exhaust
system 134. The EGR valve 170 may be controlled by an EGR actuator
module 172.
[0055] Crankshaft position may be measured using a crankshaft
position sensor 180. Engine speed may be determined based on the
crankshaft position measured using the crankshaft position sensor
180. A temperature of engine coolant may be measured using an
engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor 182. The ECT sensor 182 may
be located within the engine 102 or at other locations where the
coolant is circulated, such as a radiator (not shown).
[0056] A pressure within the intake manifold 110 may be measured
using a manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor 184. In various
implementations, engine vacuum, which is the difference between
ambient air pressure and the pressure within the intake manifold
110, may be measured. A mass flow rate of air flowing into the
intake manifold 110 may be measured using a mass air flow (MAF)
sensor 186. In various implementations, the MAF sensor 186 may be
located in a housing that also includes the throttle valve 112.
[0057] Position of the throttle valve 112 may be measured using one
or more throttle position sensors (TPS) 190. Temperature of air
being drawn into the engine 102 may be measured using an intake air
temperature (IAT) sensor 192. One or more other sensors 193 may
also be implemented. The other sensors 193 include an accelerator
pedal position (APP) sensor, a brake pedal position (BPP) sensor,
may include a clutch pedal position (CPP) sensor (e.g., in the case
of a manual transmission), and may include one or more other types
of sensors. An APP sensor measures a position of an accelerator
pedal within a passenger cabin of the vehicle. A BPP sensor
measures a position of a brake pedal within a passenger cabin of
the vehicle. A CPP sensor measures a position of a clutch pedal
within the passenger cabin of the vehicle. The other sensors 193
may also include one or more acceleration sensors that measure
longitudinal (e.g., fore/aft) acceleration of the vehicle and
latitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. An accelerometer is an
example type of acceleration sensor, although other types of
acceleration sensors may be used. The ECM 114 may use signals from
the sensors to make control decisions for the engine 102.
[0058] The ECM 114 may communicate with a transmission control
module 194, for example, to coordinate engine operation with gear
shifts in a transmission 195. The ECM 114 may communicate with a
motor control module 196, for example, to coordinate operation of
the engine 102 and an electric motor 198. While the example of one
electric motor is provided, multiple electric motors may be
implemented. The electric motor 198 may be a permanent magnet
electric motor or another suitable type of electric motor that
outputs voltage based on back electromagnetic force (EMF) when free
spinning, such as a direct current (DC) electric motor or a
synchronous electric motor. In various implementations, various
functions of the ECM 114, the transmission control module 194, and
the motor control module 196 may be integrated into one or more
modules.
[0059] Each system that varies an engine parameter may be referred
to as an engine actuator. Each engine actuator has an associated
actuator value. For example, the throttle actuator module 116 may
be referred to as an engine actuator, and the throttle opening area
may be referred to as the actuator value. In the example of FIG. 1,
the throttle actuator module 116 achieves the throttle opening area
by adjusting an angle of the blade of the throttle valve 112.
[0060] The spark actuator module 126 may also be referred to as an
engine actuator, while the corresponding actuator value may be the
amount of spark advance relative to cylinder TDC. Other engine
actuators may include the cylinder actuator module 120, the fuel
actuator module 124, the phaser actuator module 158, the wastegate
actuator module 164, and the EGR actuator module 172. For these
engine actuators, the actuator values may correspond to a cylinder
activation/deactivation sequence, fueling rate, intake and exhaust
cam phaser angles, target wastegate opening, and EGR valve opening,
respectively.
[0061] The ECM 114 may control the actuator values in order to
cause the engine 102 to output torque based on a torque request.
The ECM 114 may determine the torque request, for example, based on
one or more driver inputs, such as an APP, a BPP, a CPP, and/or one
or more other suitable driver inputs. The ECM 114 may determine the
torque request, for example, using one or more functions or lookup
tables that relate the driver input(s) to torque requests.
[0062] Under some circumstances, the motor control module 196
controls the electric motor 198 to output torque, for example, to
supplement engine torque output. The motor control module 196 may
also control the electric motor 198 to output torque for vehicle
propulsion at times when the engine 102 is shut down.
[0063] The motor control module 196 applies electrical power from
an energy storage device (ESD) 199 to the electric motor 198 to
cause the electric motor 198 to output positive torque. The ESD 199
may include, for example, one or more batteries. The ESD 199 may be
dedicated for power flow to and from the electric motor 198, and
one or more other batteries or energy storage devices may supply
power for other vehicle functions.
[0064] The electric motor 198 may output torque, for example, to an
input shaft of the transmission 195 or to an output shaft of the
transmission 195. A clutch 200 is engaged to couple the electric
motor 198 to the transmission 195 and disengaged to decouple the
electric motor 198 from the transmission 195. One or more gearing
devices may be implemented between an output of the clutch 200 and
an input of the transmission 195 to provide a predetermined ratio
between rotation of the electric motor 198 and rotation of the
input of the transmission 195.
[0065] The motor control module 196 may also selectively convert
mechanical energy of the vehicle into electrical energy. More
specifically, the electric motor 198 generates and outputs power
via back EMF when the electric motor 198 is being driven by the
transmission 195 and the motor control module 196 is not applying
power to the electric motor 198 from the ESD 199. The motor control
module 196 may charge the ESD 199 via the power output by the
electric motor 198. This may be referred to as regeneration.
[0066] Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram of an
example engine control system is presented. The ECM 114 includes a
driver torque module 204 that determines a driver torque request
208 based on driver input 212. The driver input 212 may include,
for example, an accelerator pedal position (APP), a brake pedal
position (BPP), and/or cruise control input. In various
implementations, the cruise control input may be provided by an
adaptive cruise control system that attempts to maintain at least a
predetermined distance between the vehicle and objects in a path of
the vehicle. The driver torque module 204 determines the driver
torque request 208 based on one or more lookup tables that relate
the driver inputs to driver torque requests. The APP and BPP may be
measured using one or more APP sensors and BPP sensors,
respectively.
[0067] The driver torque request 208 is an axle torque request.
Axle torques (including axle torque requests) refer to torque at
the wheels. As discussed further below, propulsion torques
(including propulsion torque requests) are different than axle
torques in that propulsion torques may refer to torque at a
transmission input shaft.
[0068] An axle torque arbitration module 216 arbitrates between the
driver torque request 208 and other axle torque requests 220. Axle
torque (torque at the wheels) may be produced by various sources
including the engine 102 and/or one or more electric motors, such
as the electric motor 198. Examples of the other axle torque
requests 220 include, but are not limited to, a torque reduction
requested by a traction control system when positive wheel slip is
detected, a torque increase request to counteract negative wheel
slip, brake management requests to reduce axle torque to ensure
that the axle torque does not exceed the ability of the brakes to
hold the vehicle when the vehicle is stopped, and vehicle
over-speed torque requests to reduce the axle torque to prevent the
vehicle from exceeding a predetermined speed. The axle torque
arbitration module 216 outputs one or more axle torque requests 224
based on the results of arbitrating between the received axle
torque requests 220 and 224.
[0069] In examples where the vehicle is a hybrid vehicle, a hybrid
module 228 may determine how much of the one or more axle torque
requests 224 should be produced by the engine 102 and how much of
the one or more axle torque requests 224 should be produced by the
electric motor 198. The example of the electric motor 198 will be
continued for simplicity, but multiple electric motors may be used.
The hybrid module 228 outputs one or more engine torque requests
232 to a propulsion torque arbitration module 236. The engine
torque requests 232 indicate a requested torque output of the
engine 102. The hybrid module 228 also outputs a motor torque
request 234 to the motor control module 196. The motor torque
request 234 indicates a requested torque output (positive or
negative) of the electric motor 198. In vehicles where the engine
102 is omitted or is not connected to output propulsion torque for
the vehicle, the axle torque arbitration module 216 may output one
axle torque request and the motor torque request 234 may be equal
to that axle torque request.
[0070] The propulsion torque arbitration module 236 converts the
engine torque requests 232 from an axle torque domain (torque at
the wheels) into a propulsion torque domain (e.g., torque at an
input shaft of the transmission). The propulsion torque arbitration
module 236 arbitrates the converted torque requests with other
propulsion torque requests 240. Examples of the other propulsion
torque requests 240 include, but are not limited to, torque
reductions requested for engine over-speed protection and torque
increases requested for stall prevention. The propulsion torque
arbitration module 236 may output one or more propulsion torque
requests 244 as a result of the arbitration.
[0071] An actuator control module 248 controls actuators 252 of the
engine 102 based on the propulsion torque requests 244. Based on
the propulsion torque requests 244, the actuator control module 248
may control opening of the throttle valve 112, timing of spark
provided by spark plugs, timing and amount of fuel injected by fuel
injectors, cylinder actuation/deactivation, intake and exhaust
valve phasing, output of one or more boost devices (e.g.,
turbochargers, superchargers, etc.), opening of the EGR valve 170,
and/or one or more other engine actuators. In various
implementations, the propulsion torque requests 244 may be adjusted
or modified before use by the actuator control module 248, such as
to create a torque reserve.
[0072] The motor control module 196 controls switching of an
inverter module 256 based on the motor torque request 234.
Switching of the inverter module 256 controls power flow from the
ESD 199 to the electric motor 198. As such, switching of the
inverter module 256 controls torque of the electric motor 198. The
inverter module 256 also converts power generated by the electric
motor 198 and outputs power to the ESD 199, for example, to charge
the ESD 199.
[0073] The inverter module 256 includes a plurality of switches.
The switches are switched to convert DC power from the ESD 199 into
alternating current (AC) power and apply the AC power to the
electric motor 198 to drive the electric motor 198. For example,
the inverter module 256 may convert the DC power from the ESD 199
into 3-phase AC power and apply the 3-phase AC power to (e.g., a,
b, and c or u, v, and w) stator windings of the electric motor 198.
Magnetic flux produced via current flow through the stator windings
drives a rotor of the electric motor 198. The rotor is connected to
and drives rotation of an output shaft of the electric motor
198.
[0074] In various implementations, one or more filters may be
electrically connected between the inverter module 256 and the ESD
199. The one or more filters may be implemented, for example, to
filter power flow to and from the ESD 199. As an example, a filter
including one or more capacitors and resistors may be electrically
connected in parallel with the inverter module 256 and the ESD
199.
[0075] FIG. 3 shows a schematic including an example implementation
of the inverter module 256. High (positive) and low (negative)
sides 304 and 308 are connected to positive and negative terminals,
respectively, of the ESD 199. The inverter module 256 is also
connected between the high and low sides 304 and 308.
[0076] The inverter module 256 includes three legs (one leg
connected to each phase of the electric motor 198). A first leg 312
includes first and second switches 316 and 320. The switches 316
and 320 each include a first terminal, a second terminal, and a
control terminal. Each of the switches 316 and 320 may be an
insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), a field effect transistor
(FET), such as a metal oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET), or another
suitable type of switch. In the example of IGBTs and FETs, the
control terminal is referred to as a gate.
[0077] The first terminal of the first switch 316 is connected to
the high side 304. The second terminal of the first switch 316 is
connected to the first terminal of the second switch 320. The
second terminal of the second switch 320 may be connected to the
low side 308. A node connected to the second terminal of the first
switch 316 and the first terminal of the second switch 320 is
connected to a first phase (e.g., a) of the electric motor 198.
[0078] The first leg 312 also includes first and second diodes 324
and 328 connected anti-parallel to the switches 316 and 320,
respectively. In other words, an anode of the first diode 324 is
connected to the second terminal of the first switch 316, and a
cathode of the first diode 324 is connected to the first terminal
of the first switch 316. An anode of the second diode 328 is
connected to the second terminal of the second switch 320, and a
cathode of the second diode 328 is connected to the first terminal
of the second switch 320. When the switches 316 and 320 are off
(and open), power generated by the electric motor 198 is
transferred through the diodes 324 and 328 when the output voltage
of the electric motor 198 is greater than the voltage of the ESD
199. This charges the ESD 199. The diodes 324 and 328 form one
phase of a three-phase rectifier.
[0079] The inverter module 256 also includes second and third legs
332 and 336. The second and third legs 332 and 336 may be
(circuitry wise) similar or identical to the first leg 312. In
other words, the second and third legs 332 and 336 may each include
respective switches and diodes like the switches 316 and 320 and
the diodes 324 and 328, connected in the same manner as the first
leg 312. For example, the second leg 332 includes switches 340 and
344 and anti-parallel diodes 348 and 352. A node connected to the
second terminal of the switch 340 and the first terminal of the
switch 344 is connected to a second stator winding (e.g., b) of the
electric motor 198. The third leg 336 includes switches 356 and 360
and anti-parallel diodes 364 and 368. A node connected to the
second terminal of the switch 356 and the first terminal of the
switch 360 is connected to a third stator winding (e.g., c) of the
electric motor 198.
[0080] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram including an example
implementation of the motor control module 196. A switching control
module 404 controls switching of the switches 316 and 320 using
pulse width modulation (PWM) signals. For example, the switching
control module 404 may apply PWM signals to the control terminals
of the switches 316, 320, 340, 344, 356, and 360. When on, power
flows from the ESD 199 to the electric motor 198 to drive the
electric motor 198.
[0081] For example, the switching control module 404 may apply
generally complementary PWM signals to the control terminals of the
switches 316 and 320 when applying power from the ESD 199 to the
electric motor 198. In other words, the PWM signal applied to the
control terminal of the first switch 316 is opposite in polarity to
the PWM signal applied to the control terminal of the second switch
320. Short circuit current may flow, however, when the turning on
of one of the switches 316 and 320 overlaps with the turning off of
the other of the switches 316 and 320. As such, the switching
control module 404 may generate the PWM signals to turn both of the
switches 316 and 320 off during a dead time period before turning
either one of the switches 316 and 320 on. With this in mind,
generally complementary may mean that two signals have opposite
polarities for a majority of their periods when power is being
output to the electric motor 198. Around transitions, however, both
PWM signals may have the same polarity (off) for some overlap dead
time period.
[0082] The PWM signals provided to the switches of the second and
third legs 332 and 336 may also be generally complementary per leg.
The PWM signals provided to the second and third legs 332 and 336
may be phase shifted from each other and from the PWM signals
provided to the switches 316 and 320 of the first leg 312. For
example, the PWM signals for each leg may be phase shifted from
each other leg by 120.degree. (360.degree./3 legs=120.degree. shift
per leg). In this way, the currents through the stator windings
(phases) of the electric motor 198 are phase shifted by 120.degree.
from each other.
[0083] A temperature module 408 determines a maximum stator current
I.sub.MAX_STATOR) 412 based on one or more components of the
electric motor 198 or the inverter module 256. For example, a
stator temperature 415, a rotor temperature 414, an IGBT
temperature 417, and a diode temperature 419 are provided to the
temperature module 408. The stator temperature 415 and the rotor
temperature 414 may be estimated based on a motor temperature
estimation model such as described in greater detail in FIG. 7.
Alternately, the stator temperature 415, the rotor temperature 414,
the IGBT temperature 417, and the diode temperature 419 may be
measured by one or more sensors such as a rotor temperature sensor
416.
[0084] A current limiting module 410 limits the maximum stator
current (I.sub.MAX_STATOR) 412 to a limited maximum stator current
(I.sub.sLIM) 416. The limited maximum stator current (I.sub.sLIM)
416 may be limited to within a predetermined maximum current range
bounded by a predetermined minimum current (e.g., 0). A torque
module 420 determines a maximum allowable torque (T.sub.eMAX). For
example, the torque module 420 may determine a maximum torque
(T.sub.eMAX) 425 from a look-up table based on the limited maximum
stator current (I.sub.sLIM) 416 and a flux reference 424. The flux
reference 424 may be a predetermined flux reference or calibrated
flux value that is based on a ratio between the DC bus voltage
(V.sub.DC) and the operating speed of the motor.
[0085] A torque limiting module 428 compares the maximum torque
(T.sub.eMAX) 425 to a motor torque request 234. If the motor torque
request 234 is greater than the maximum torque (T.sub.eMAX) 425,
the torque limiting module 428 outputs the maximum torque
(T.sub.eMAX) 425 as a limited maximum torque (T.sub.eLIM) 432. If
the motor torque request 234 is less than the maximum torque
(T.sub.eMAX) 425, the torque limiting module 428 outputs the motor
torque request 234 as the limited maximum torque (T.sub.eLIM)
432.
[0086] A current command module 436 determines a d-axis current
command (I.sub.D_REF) and a q-axis current command (I.sub.Q_REF)
for the electric motor 198. The d-axis current command
(I.sub.D_REF) and the q-axis current command (I.sub.Q_REF) are
collectively illustrated by 440. The current command module 436
determines the d-axis current command (I.sub.D_REF) and the q-axis
current command (I.sub.Q_REF) using one or more equations and/or
lookup tables that relate torques (e.g., torque requests or
commands), the rotor speed 444, to the d-axis current command
(I.sub.D_REF) and the q-axis current command (I.sub.Q_REF).
[0087] The rotor speed 444 is a rotational speed of the rotor of
the electric motor 198. The rotor speed 444 may be measured, for
example, using a rotor speed sensor 448. In various
implementations, the rotor speed 444 may be determined by a rotor
speed module based on one or more other parameters, such change in
position of the rotor over time where position is determined based
on currents (e.g., I.sub.A, I.sub.C, I.sub.C) 456 flow through the
stator windings of the electric motor 198. Current sensors 452 may
measure the currents 456.
[0088] A frame of reference (FOR) module 460 receives the currents
(e.g., I.sub.A, I.sub.C, I.sub.C) 456 from the current sensors 452.
The FOR module 460 may transform the currents (e.g., I.sub.A,
I.sub.C, I.sub.C) 456 into the d and q-axis currents by applying a
Clarke transform and a Park transform. A voltage command module 464
determines voltage commands 468 for voltages to apply to the stator
windings based on the d-axis and q-axis current commands
(I.sub.D_REF and I.sub.Q_REF) 440 and the d and q-axis currents
(I.sub.D and I.sub.Q) 462. The voltage command module 464 may
determine the voltage commands 468 using one or more equations
and/or lookup tables that relate d and q axis current commands
(I.sub.D_REF and I.sub.Q_REF) 440 and d and q-axis currents
(I.sub.D and I.sub.Q) 462 to the voltage commands 468. In various
implementations, the voltage command module 464 may generate the
voltage commands 468 using closed-loop control to adjust the d and
q-axis currents (I.sub.D and I.sub.Q) 462 toward the d and q-axis
current commands (I.sub.D_REF and I.sub.Q_REF) 440.
[0089] The switching control module 404 determines duty cycles of
the PWM signals to apply to the stator windings based on the
respective voltage commands 468 for the stator windings. For
example, the switching control module 404 may determine the duty
cycles using one or more equations or lookup tables that relate
voltage commands to PWM duty cycles.
[0090] Torque output of the electric motor 198, however, varies as
a temperature of one or more components of the electric motor 198
or one or more components of the inverter module 256 varies. For
example, under the same conditions, torque output of the electric
motor 198 may decrease as the temperature of the rotor increases
and vice versa. The relationship between the rotor temperature 414
and torque output may be linear or non-linear.
[0091] FIG. 5 is an example implementation of the temperature
module 408. The temperature module 408 includes a plurality of
controllers, a plurality of multiplexors, and a minimum value
selector 504. The plurality of controllers includes a stator
controller 508, a rotor controller 512, an IGBT controller 516, and
a diode controller 520. The plurality of multiplexors includes a
first multiplexor 524, a second multiplexor 528, a third
multiplexor 532, and a fourth multiplexor 536.
[0092] The first multiplexor 524 determines whether to input the
first limited maximum stator current (I.sub.SL1) 572 or a
predetermined maximum stator current (I.sub.S_MAX) 548 to the
minimum value selector 504 based on the stator temperature 415. The
predetermined maximum stator current (I.sub.S_MAX) 548 may be a
predetermined value or a calibrated value. For example, when the
stator temperature 415 is not available, the first multiplexor 524
may select the predetermined maximum stator current (I.sub.S_MAX)
548 as an input to the minimum value selector 504. When the stator
temperature 415 is available, the first multiplexor 524 may select
the first limited maximum stator current (I.sub.SL1) 572 as an
input to the minimum value selector 504 (I.sub.S_MAX is only used
when the stator temperature is not available).
[0093] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram including an example
implementation of the stator controller 508. The stator controller
508 outputs the first limited maximum stator current (I.sub.SL1)
572 to the first multiplexor 524 based on the stator temperature
415. The stator controller 508 includes a temperature error module
608, a proportional integral (PI) module 612, a feed-forward module
616, a limiting module 620, a comparison module 624, and a power
margin module 626. The temperature error module 608 includes a
summation junction 628 that outputs an error signal 630
corresponding to the difference between the stator temperature 415
and the stator temperature reference signal 544.
[0094] The PI module 612 includes a proportional portion 634 and an
integral portion 638. The proportional portion 634 includes a gain
module 642 that outputs a multiplication product (MP) 640 of the
error signal 630. The integral portion 638 outputs an integral
signal (INT) 644 based on an integral module 646, a gain module
650, and the error signal 630. The feed-forward module 616 includes
a summation junction 654 that outputs a first maximum stator
current (I.sub.SM1) 658 based on the outputs of the PI module 612
and a first feed-forward stator current (I.sub.SFF1) 662. The first
feed-forward stator current (I.sub.SFF1) 662 is set by the power
margin module 626 (described in greater detail with respect to FIG.
7).
[0095] The limiting module 620 limits the first maximum stator
current (I.sub.SM1) 658 to the first limited maximum stator current
(I.sub.SL1) 572. The first limited maximum stator current
(I.sub.SL1) 572 may be limited between an upper predetermined
current limit and a lower predetermined current limit. The
comparison module 624 includes a multiplexor 668 and a summation
junction 672 that outputs an integral control signal (int_cont) 676
based on the absolute value of the difference between the limited
maximum stator current (I.sub.SL1) 572 and the first maximum stator
current (I.sub.SM1) 658.
[0096] Based on the integral control signal (int_cont) 676, the
multiplexor 668 will either set the input to the integral portion
638 to a zero reference signal (zero_ref) 678 or to the error
signal 630. In this manner, integral windup and temperature
overshoot can be prevented. For example, when the integral control
signal (int_cont) 676 is greater than zero, the multiplexor 668 may
set the input to the integral portion 638 to zero (i.e., the first
maximum stator current (I.sub.SM1) 658 is not equal to the first
limited maximum stator current (I.sub.SL1) 572) with a multiplexor
output signal (m_out) 669. If the error signal 630 is equal to zero
(i.e., the first maximum stator current (I.sub.SM1) 658 is equal
the first limited maximum stator current (I.sub.SL1) 572), the
multiplexor may set, with the mux output signal (m_out) 669, the
error signal 630 as an input to the integral portion 638.
[0097] With reference back to FIG. 5, the rotor controller 512
outputs a second limited maximum stator current (I.sub.SL2) 576
based on the rotor temperature 414 and a rotor temperature
reference signal 556. The IGBT controller 516 outputs a third
limited maximum stator current (I.sub.SL3) 580 based on the IGBT
temperature 417 and an IGBT temperature reference signal 564. The
diode controller 520 outputs a fourth limited maximum stator
current (I.sub.SL4) 584 based on the diode temperature 419 and a
diode temperature reference signal 570. The rotor controller 512,
the IGBT controller 516, and the diode controller 520 function
substantially similar to the stator controller 508. The IGBT
temperature 417 and the IGBT temperature reference signal 564 may
be associated with one or more IGBTs of the inverter module 256
such as the IGBTs of the first leg, the second leg, or the third
leg. Likewise, the diode temperature 419 and the diode temperature
reference signal 570 may be associated with one or more diodes of
the inverter module 256 such as the diodes of the first leg, the
second leg, or the third leg.
[0098] The second multiplexor 528 determines, based on the rotor
temperature 414, whether to input the second limited maximum stator
current (I.sub.SL2) 576 or the predetermined maximum stator current
(I.sub.S_MAX) 548 to the minimum value selector 504. The third
multiplexor 532 determines, based on the IGBT temperature 417,
whether to input the third limited maximum stator current
(I.sub.SL3) 580 or the predetermined maximum stator current
(I.sub.S_MAX) 548 to the minimum value selector 504. The fourth
multiplexor 536 determines, based on the diode temperature 419,
whether to input the fourth limited maximum stator current
(I.sub.SL4) 584 or the predetermined maximum stator current
(I.sub.S_MAX) 548 to the minimum value selector 504.
[0099] The minimum value selector 504 outputs a maximum stator
current (I.sub.MAX_STATOR) 412 corresponding to the minimum value
of the first multiplexor 524, the second multiplexor 528, the third
multiplexor 532, and the fourth multiplexor 536. In this manner,
the minimum value selector 504 is able to minimize the effects of
temperate derating.
[0100] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example thermal model of
the motor 198. An example of such thermal model may be found in
commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 8,482,237, which is incorporated
herein in its entirety. The power margin module 626 calculates the
first feed-forward stator current (I.sub.SFF1) 662 and a second
feed-forward stator current based on a thermal model. As
illustrated, a thermal model 700 includes eight nodes representing
the temperature of various regions of the motor 198 given certain
operating conditions and boundary conditions of one or more
components of the vehicle. However, more or fewer regions of the
motor 198 and/or boundary conditions may be considered to estimate
the temperature of the motor 198.
[0101] Some of the nodes in the thermal model 700 may represent
regions of the stator and other nodes may represent regions of the
rotor, and a temperature may be assigned to each node. That is, a
first stator node 704 may represent the temperature at a non-flux
producing region of the stator (e.g., a stator iron). A second
stator node 708 may represent the temperature at a flux producing
region of the stator.
[0102] A third stator node 712 may represent the temperature of the
copper used in the windings of the stator, such as the copper
disposed between slots defined by the stator. A fourth stator node
716 may represent the temperature of the end turns of the copper
used in the windings of the stator. A first rotor node 720 may
represent the temperature from the permanent magnets used by the
rotor. A second rotor node 724 may represent the temperature from a
non-flux producing region of the rotor (e.g., a rotor iron).
[0103] The thermal model 700 may further include additional nodes
that represent various other regions of interest of the motor 198
independent of the stator 1 and the rotor. For instance, some nodes
may represent the temperature of the oil used in the motor 198. In
one example implementation, a first oil node 728 may represent the
temperature of the oil in one region of the motor 198 and a second
oil node 732 may represent the temperature of the oil in another
region of the motor 198.
[0104] Each of the nodes in the thermal model 700 may be connected
to at least one other node by one or more heat transfer paths. The
thermal model 700 may, therefore, include thermal resistances
representing the heat transfer paths between the nodes. For
instance, a first thermal resistance (R.sub.oil-1) 736 may
represent convective external heat transfer between the regions
represented by the first oil node 728 and the first stator node
704.
[0105] A second thermal resistance (R.sub.2-1) 740 may represent
conduction between the regions represented by the first stator node
704 and the second stator node 708 via, e.g., the stator stack. A
third thermal resistance (R.sub.3-2) 744 may represent conduction
between the regions represented by the second stator node 708 and
the third stator node 712 via, e.g., the stator stack, copper
windings, and an insulation system. A fourth thermal resistance
(R.sub.air gap) 748 may represent heat transfer through, e.g., an
air gap between the regions represented by the second stator node
708 and the first rotor node 720.
[0106] A fifth thermal resistance (R.sub.4-3) 752 may represent
conduction through copper windings between the regions represented
by the third stator node 712 and the fourth stator node 716. A
sixth thermal resistance (R.sub.oil-4) 756 may represent convection
between the regions represented by the fourth stator node 716 and
the second oil node 732, e.g., from the oil to the end turns of the
stator. A seventh thermal resistance (R.sub.6-5) 760 may represent
conduction through the rotor core between the regions represented
by the first rotor node 720 and the second rotor node 724. An
eighth thermal resistance 764 may represent the heat transfer path
between the second rotor node 724 and the second oil node 732
caused by convection from the oil to the hub of the rotor
(R.sub.oil-6).
[0107] Based on the thermal model described above, the thermal
resistances for R.sub.1,R.sub.2,R.sub.3,R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 can be
determined as follows:
R.sub.1=R.sub.oil-1+R.sub.2-1
R.sub.2=R.sub.oil-4+R.sub.4-3
R.sub.3=R.sub.3-2
R.sub.4=R.sub.air gap+R.sub.6-5
R.sub.5=R.sub.oil-6
[0108] The power margin module 626 uses
R.sub.1,R.sub.2,R.sub.3,R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 to determine the first
feed-forward stator current (I.sub.SFF1) 662 and the second
feed-forward stator current. For example, the first feed-forward
stator current (I.sub.SFF1) 662 may be determined based on or equal
to:
P d , stator 1.5 R s ##EQU00001##
where P.sub.d,stator 629 is equal to:
T ref _ stator - T Oil R .theta._ Stator ##EQU00002##
where T.sub.Oil represents the temperature of the oil in one region
of the motor 198 such as at the first oil node or the second oil
node, and T.sub.ref_stator is a predetermined temperature reference
of the stator and R.sub..theta..sub.Stator is equal to:
R.sub.2.parallel.{[(R.sub.4+R.sub.5).parallel.R.sub.1]+R.sub.3}
[0109] A power module of the rotor controller 512 determines the
second feed-forward current based on one or more equations and
look-up tables that relate power dissipated by the rotor
(P.sub.d,rotor) and a speed of the rotor (.omega..sub.r) to the
second feed-forward current. The power module may determine the
power dissipated by the rotor (P.sub.d,rotor) based on or equal
to:
T ref _ ro tor - T Oil R .theta._ rotor ##EQU00003##
where T.sub.Oil represents the temperature of the oil in one region
of the motor 198 such as at the first oil node or the second oil
node 732, and T.sub.ref_rotor predetermined temperature reference
of the rotor and R.sub..theta._rotor is equal to:
R.sub.5.parallel.{R.sub.4+[R.sub.1).parallel.(R.sub.2+R.sub.3)}
[0110] Referring to back to FIG. 5, a power margin module of the
IGBT controller 516 and a power margin module of the diode
controller 520 calculate a third feed-forward current and a fourth
feed-forward current based on an IGBT conduction and switching loss
and a diode conduction and switching loss, respectively. An example
of such model of determining an IGBT/diode conduction and switching
loss may be found in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,755,313,
which is incorporated herein in its entirety. For example, the
third feed-forward current may be based on the following
second-degree polynomial equation:
.alpha..sub.igbtI.sup.2+.beta..sub.igbtI+.gamma..sub.igbt=0
where I is solved for using a quadratic equation, .gamma..sub.igbt
is equal to the power dissipated by the IGBT, .alpha..sub.igbt is
based on or set equal to:
R Ton I 2 8 ( 1 + 8 3 .pi. M 1 cos .PHI. ) ##EQU00004##
.beta. is based on or set equal to:
V ce I 2 .pi. ( 1 + .pi. 4 M 1 cos .PHI. ) + E SW f sw .pi. SLF
##EQU00005##
where R.sub.Ton is the turn-on resistance of the IGBT, I is the
peak amplitude of the current flowing through the inverter, M.sub.1
represents the modulation index normalized by half of the DC
voltage supply, V.sub.ce represents the common to emitter voltage,
E.sub.swf.sub.sw is the switching energy and SLF is the switching
load function.
[0111] The power margin module 626 of the diode controller 520
calculates the fourth feed-forward current based on diode
conduction and switching loss. For example, the fourth feed-forward
current may be based on the following second-degree polynomial
equation:
.alpha..sub.diodeI.sup.2+.beta..sub.diodeI+.gamma..sub.diode=0
where I is solved for using a quadratic equation, .gamma..sub.diode
is equal to the power dissipated by the diode, .alpha..sub.diode is
based on or set equal to:
R Don I 2 8 ( 1 - 8 3 .pi. M 1 cos .PHI. ) ##EQU00006##
.beta. is based on or set equal to:
V D O 2 .pi. ( 1 - .pi. 4 M 1 cos .PHI. ) + E rr f sw .pi. SLF
##EQU00007##
where R.sub.Don is the turn-on voltage of the diode, I is the peak
amplitude of the current flowing through the inverter, M.sub.1
represents the modulation index normalized by half of the DC
voltage supply, E.sub.rrf.sub.sw is the reverse recovery energy of
the diode, and SLF is the switching load function.
[0112] FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting an example method of
determining the maximum allowable torque based on the stator
temperature 415, the rotor temperature 414, the IGBT temperature
417, and the diode temperature 419. At 804, control receives the
motor torque request 234 and control continues at 808. At 808,
control determines a power margin for each of the stator controller
508, the rotor controller 512, the IGBT controller 516, and the
diode controller 520. At 812, control determines a feed-forward
current for each controller and control continues at 816.
[0113] At 816, control determines the limited maximum stator
currents (I.sub.SL1, I.sub.SL2, I.sub.SL3, I.sub.SL4) 572, 576,
580, and 584 based on the feed-forward currents. At 824, control
selects a lowest value of the limited maximum stator currents
(I.sub.SL1, I.sub.SL2, I.sub.SL3, and I.sub.SL4) 572, 576, 580, and
584 as the maximum stator current (I.sub.MAX_STATOR) 412 and
control continues at 828. At 828, control determines the maximum
torque based on the maximum stator current (I.sub.MAX_STATOR) 412
and control ends at 832.
[0114] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature
and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application,
or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented
in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes
particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be
so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a
study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims.
It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may
be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering
the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of
the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any
one or more of those features described with respect to any
embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and/or combined
with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that
combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the
described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations
of one or more embodiments with one another remain within the scope
of this disclosure.
[0115] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for
example, between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers,
etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected,"
"engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above,"
"below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly described as being
"direct," when a relationship between first and second elements is
described in the above disclosure, that relationship can be a
direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present
between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect
relationship where one or more intervening elements are present
(either spatially or functionally) between the first and second
elements. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C
should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a
non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean "at
least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."
[0116] In the figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by
the arrowhead, generally demonstrates the flow of information (such
as data or instructions) that is of interest to the illustration.
For example, when element A and element B exchange a variety of
information but information transmitted from element A to element B
is relevant to the illustration, the arrow may point from element A
to element B. This unidirectional arrow does not imply that no
other information is transmitted from element B to element A.
Further, for information sent from element A to element B, element
B may send requests for, or receipt acknowledgements of, the
information to element A.
[0117] In this application, including the definitions below, the
term "module" or the term "controller" may be replaced with the
term "circuit." The term "module" may refer to, be part of, or
include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a
digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a
combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array
(FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that
stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable
hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a
combination of some or all of the above, such as in a
system-on-chip.
[0118] The module may include one or more interface circuits. In
some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless
interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the
Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The
functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be
distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface
circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing.
In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud)
module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client
module.
[0119] The term code, as used above, may include software,
firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines,
functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The term
shared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit
that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term
group processor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in
combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or
all code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor
circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on discrete dies,
multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a
single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor
circuit, or a combination of the above. The term shared memory
circuit encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all
code from multiple modules. The term group memory circuit
encompasses a memory circuit that, in combination with additional
memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules.
[0120] The term memory circuit is a subset of the term
computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as
used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or
electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a
carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium may therefore be
considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a
non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium are nonvolatile
memory circuits (such as a flash memory circuit, an erasable
programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory
circuit), volatile memory circuits (such as a static random access
memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic
storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard
disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a
Blu-ray Disc).
[0121] The apparatuses and methods described in this application
may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer
created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or
more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The
functional circuits, flowchart components, and other elements
described above serve as software specifications, which can be
translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a
skilled technician or programmer.
[0122] The computer programs include processor-executable
instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory,
tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also
include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass
a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of
the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with
particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more
operating systems, user applications, background services,
background applications, etc.
[0123] The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to
be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language), XML
(extensible markup language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation)
(ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by
a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v)
source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time
compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using
syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift,
Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java.RTM., Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl,
OCaml, Javascript.RTM., HTML5 (Hypertext Markup Language 5th
revision), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext
Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash.RTM.,
Visual Basic.RTM., Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK, and Python.RTM..
* * * * *