US 11,705,835 B2
Sensorless position determination of an electric machine
Naison E. Mastrocola, West Cornwall, CT (US); and Scott R. Durkee, New Haven, VT (US)
Assigned to HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation, Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Oct. 19, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/504,729.
Prior Publication US 2023/0119985 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. H02P 6/185 (2016.01); H02P 6/08 (2016.01); H02P 6/17 (2016.01)
CPC H02P 6/185 (2013.01) [H02P 6/08 (2013.01); H02P 6/17 (2016.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a direct current (DC) power source connected to an inverter circuit;
an electric motor comprising a rotor and a stator, wherein an output of the inverter circuit is connected to a plurality of phase windings attached to the stator; and
a controller configured to operate the electric motor and the inverter circuit, wherein the controller is further configured to:
determine one or more inactive phase windings from the plurality of phase windings;
supply a voltage to the one or more inactive phase windings;
receive, from a current sensor connected to the electric motor, a current for each inactive phase winding of the one or more inactive phase windings;
determine an inductance for each inactive phase winding of one or more the inactive phase winding based on the current; and
determine a position of the rotor in the electric motor based on the inductance for each inactive phase winding.