Power inverter module thermal management

US7755313B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Yo Chan Son · Torrance, US
• Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez · Lomita, US
• Silva Hiti · Redondo Beach, US
• Michael Milani · Lomita, US
• Milun Perisic · Torrance, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 2007
• Grant date: Jul 13, 2010
• Expiry date: Aug 15, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T10/64
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

According to an example embodiment, a method is provided for limiting an operational temperature of a motor. The method includes generating a maximum allowable current I*S(max) for a motor based on a temperature difference between a temperature reference T* of a power inverter module and a semiconductor device temperature T of the power inverter module. The method further includes generating a maximum allowable torque T*e(max) based on the maximum allowable current I*S(max) and a maximum allowable flux Ψ*S(max), and using the maximum allowable torque T*e(max) to limit the torque command T*e in order to suppress the semiconductor device temperature T to below the temperature reference T*.