Double-ended inverter system with isolated neutral topology
First Claim
1. An automotive drive system comprising:
- a four-phase motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings, the first set of windings and the second set of windings being electrically isolated, wherein the first set of windings includes a first phase and a second phase connected at a first neutral point and the second set of windings includes a third phase and a fourth phase connected at a second neutral point;
a first inverter coupled to the first set of windings, wherein the first inverter includes a first phase leg connected to the first phase, a second phase leg connected to the second phase, and a third phase leg connected to the first neutral point; and
a second inverter coupled to the second set of windings, wherein the second inverter includes a fourth phase leg connected to the third phase, a fifth phase leg connected to the fourth phase, and a sixth phase leg connected to the second neutral point.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for an inverter system for use in a vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source. The system comprises a motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings. The first set of windings is electrically isolated from the second set of windings. The system further comprises a first inverter coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein the first set of windings are coupled to the first inverter. The system also comprises a second inverter coupled to the second energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein the second set of windings are coupled to the second inverter. A controller is coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter.
28 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An automotive drive system comprising:
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a four-phase motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings, the first set of windings and the second set of windings being electrically isolated, wherein the first set of windings includes a first phase and a second phase connected at a first neutral point and the second set of windings includes a third phase and a fourth phase connected at a second neutral point; a first inverter coupled to the first set of windings, wherein the first inverter includes a first phase leg connected to the first phase, a second phase leg connected to the second phase, and a third phase leg connected to the first neutral point; and a second inverter coupled to the second set of windings, wherein the second inverter includes a fourth phase leg connected to the third phase, a fifth phase leg connected to the fourth phase, and a sixth phase leg connected to the second neutral point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An inverter system for use in a vehicle having a first energy source and a second energy source, the inverter system comprising:
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a motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings, the first set of windings being electrically isolated from the second set of windings, wherein the first set of windings comprises a first two-phase winding structure connected at a first neutral point and the second set of windings comprises a second two-phase winding structure connected at a second neutral point; a first inverter coupled to the first energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein each phase of the first two-phase winding structure and the first neutral point are connected to the first inverter; a second inverter coupled to the second energy source and adapted to drive the motor, wherein each phase of the second two-phase winding structure and the second neutral point are connected to the second inverter; and a controller coupled to the first inverter and the second inverter, the controller being configured to control the first inverter and the second inverter to achieve desired power flow between the first energy source, the second energy source, and the motor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for controlling a four-phase motor using a double-ended inverter system coupled to a first energy source and a second energy source, the four-phase motor including a first two-phase winding structure connected at a first neutral point and a second two-phase winding structure connected at a second neutral point, wherein a first inverter of the double-ended inverter system is coupled to the first energy source, each phase of the first two-phase winding structure and the first neutral point being connected to the first inverter, and a second inverter of the double-ended inverter system is coupled to the second energy source, each phase of the second two-phase winding structure and the second neutral point being connected to the second inverter, the method comprising:
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determining an operating mode; modulating the double-ended inverter system to provide power to the four-phase motor using both energy sources in response to a first operating mode; modulating the double-ended inverter system to provide electromagnetic charging of either energy source in response to a second operating mode; and modulating the double-ended inverter system to produce an effective neutral point of the four-phase motor and provide power to the four-phase motor from the second energy source when the first energy source is unavailable in response to a third operating mode. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification