Protection for permanent magnet motor control circuits
First Claim
1. An inverter protection circuit for protecting an inverter in a permanent magnet electric motor system which includes a direct current (DC) bus for operational voltage to the inverter, the inverter protection circuit, comprising:
- a protection controller coupled to the DC bus and detecting predetermined inverter fault conditions from the voltage provided thereby;
a power supply coupled to the DC bus and the protection controller for utilizing the voltage provided from the DC bus to power the protection controller; and
a gate drive circuit coupled to the protection controller for receiving gate signals therefrom, the gate signals comprising a pulse width modulated (PWM) gate control signal and gate protection signals, wherein the gate protection signals are generated by the protection controller in response to detection of the predetermined inverter fault conditions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for protecting a motor control circuit in a permanent magnet electric motor system. The permanent magnet electric motor system includes a permanent magnet electric motor having a predetermined number of windings corresponding to the phases of the permanent magnet electric motor and a direct current (DC) bus coupled to a power source for providing operational power for the electric motor system. A motor control circuit is connected to the DC bus for receiving the operational power therefrom and is connected to the windings of the permanent magnet electric motor for controlling the permanent magnet electric motor. A protection circuit is connected to the DC bus for receiving the voltage therefrom for operation of the protection circuit and for detecting predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions from voltage sensed on the DC bus and in response thereto providing protection for the motor control circuit.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An inverter protection circuit for protecting an inverter in a permanent magnet electric motor system which includes a direct current (DC) bus for operational voltage to the inverter, the inverter protection circuit, comprising:
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a protection controller coupled to the DC bus and detecting predetermined inverter fault conditions from the voltage provided thereby; a power supply coupled to the DC bus and the protection controller for utilizing the voltage provided from the DC bus to power the protection controller; and a gate drive circuit coupled to the protection controller for receiving gate signals therefrom, the gate signals comprising a pulse width modulated (PWM) gate control signal and gate protection signals, wherein the gate protection signals are generated by the protection controller in response to detection of the predetermined inverter fault conditions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for protecting a motor control circuit in a permanent magnet electric motor system, the method comprising the steps of;
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sensing predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions on a direct current (DC) bus providing power to the motor control circuit, the predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions sensed by a protection circuit powered by the DC bus; and generating gate protection signals for provision to the motor control circuit, the gate protection signals generated in response to sensing the predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions on the DC bus. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for protecting a motor control circuit in a permanent magnet electric motor system, the method comprising the step of sensing predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions on a direct current (DC) bus providing power to the motor control circuit by detecting the predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions in response to sensing a voltage on the DC bus greater than a predetermined uncontrolled generation (UCG) of back electromotive force (back-EMF) voltage, the predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions sensed by a protection circuit powered by the DC bus.
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18. An electric motor system comprising:
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a permanent magnet electric motor having a predetermined number of windings corresponding to the phases of the permanent magnet electric motor; a direct current (DC) bus coupled to a power source and providing operational voltage for the electric motor system; a motor control circuit connected to the DC bus for receiving the operational power therefrom for operation of the motor control circuit, the motor control circuit also connected to the windings of the permanent magnet electric motor for controlling the permanent magnet electric motor; and a protection circuit connected to the DC bus for receiving the voltage therefrom for operation of the protection circuit, wherein the protection circuit is also connected to the DC bus for detecting predetermined motor control circuit fault conditions and, in response thereto, generating gate protection signals for protection for the motor control circuit, wherein the motor control circuit is coupled to the protection circuit and operates in response to either a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal from a motor control processor or fault drive signals provided from the protection circuit in response to the gate protection signals generated thereby. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification