Method and system for controlling torque in permanent magnet brushless electric motors

• US 6,465,975 B1
• Filed: 09/18/2000
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust), Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation (Nexteer Automotive Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Naidu, Malakondaiah
• Primary Examiner(s): Nappi, Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, TYRONE W
• Application Number:
  US09/663,331
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 318/430-480, 318/138, 318/245, 318/254, 318/439, 318/139, 180/79.1, 180/142
• US Class Current: 318/430
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 5/046 Controlling the motor
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 21/22 Current control, e.g. using a current control loop
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/06 Arrangements for speed regulation of a single motor wherein the motor speed is measured and compared with a given physical value so as to adjust the motor speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/08 Arrangements for controlling the speed or torque of a single motor H02P6/10, H02P6/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/10 Arrangements for controlling torque ripple, e.g. providing reduced torque ripple
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/17 and for generating speed information

Abstract

A novel method is proposed for controlling the torque of a PM brushless motor with sinusoidal back-emfs without current sensors by computing the required input phase voltages with measured rotor position and speed and known machine parameters. These voltages are fed to the machine at an angle computed in terms of input parameters and the phase voltage with respect to their back-emfs so that phase currents are aligned with their back-emfs to exactly mimic the performance of the current mode controller.

Claims

1. A voltage mode control method for providing torque from a sinusoidally excited permanent magnet automotive motor, comprising:

measuring the angular position of the rotor of the motor;

determining the angular speed of the rotor of the motor;

establishing a torque command signal indicative of a desired motor torque;

in response to the angular position of the rotor, the angular speed of the rotor and the torque command signal, calculating the load angle of the motor and generating thereby motor voltage command signals for producing the smooth motor torque that corresponds to the torque command signal; and

in response to the motor voltage command signals, applying phase voltages across the motor to produce the torque.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein generating motor command signals includes controlling the phase current of the motor to be in phase with the back-emf.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein generating motor command signals includes controlling the voltages across the motor phases to be in phase with respective back-emfs of the motor phases.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein controlling the voltages across the motor includes generating pulse width modulation signals to control an inverter;

said inverter coupled between a power source and a controller for applying the phase voltages across the motor.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein generating motor voltage command signals includes calculating the amplitude of input phase voltages of the motor according to the equation

6. A system for providing a torque from a sinusoidally excited permanent magnet automotive motor comprising:

a sensor coupled to the motor for measuring the angular position of the rotor of the motor and for providing as output therefrom an angular position signal indicative of the angular position of the rotor of the motor;

a speed measuring circuit coupled to the sensor for determining the angular speed of the rotor of the motor and for providing as output therefrom an angular speed signal indicative of the angular speed of the rotor of the motor;

a controller for calculating, in response to the angular position of the rotor, the angular speed of the rotor and the torque command signal, the load angle of the motor generating thereby motor voltage command signals for producing the motor torque that corresponds to the torque command signal;

an inverter coupled between a power source and the controller for applying phase voltages across the motor in response to the motor voltage command signals to produce a smooth motor torque corresponding to the torque command signal.

7. A power steering assist system comprising:

a steering wheel and column;

an electric motor comprising a motor controller, said electric motor adapted to impart rotational force to said steering column;

a power steering controller adapted to control said electric motor in a manner effective in providing power steering assist to an operator of said steering wheel;

a sensor coupled to the motor for measuring the angular position of the rotor of the motor and for providing as output therefrom an angular position signal indicative of the angular position of the rotor of the motor;

a speed measuring circuit coupled to the sensor for determining the angular speed of the rotor of the motor and for providing as output therefrom an angular speed signal indicative of the angular speed of the rotor of the motor;

a controller for calculating, in response to the angular position of the rotor, the angular speed of the rotor and the torque command signal, the load angle of the motor generating thereby motor voltage command signals for producing the motor torque that corresponds to the torque command signal; and

an inverter coupled between a power source and the controller for applying phase voltages across the motor in response to the motor voltage command signals to produce a motor torque corresponding to the torque command signal.

8. A voltage mode control method for reducing torque ripple in a sinusoidally excited permanent magnet automotive motor, comprising:

measuring the angular position of the rotor of the motor;

determining the angular speed of the rotor of the motor;

establishing a torque command signal indicative of a desired motor torque;

in response to the angular position of the rotor, the angular speed of the rotor and the torque command signal, calculating the load angle of the motor and generating thereby motor voltage command signals for producing the motor torque that corresponds to the torque command signal; and

in response to the motor voltage command signals, applying phase voltages across the motor to produce the torque.