US 12,341,419 B2
Configurable fault and control safety architecture for inverter system
Lokesh Gona, Kokomo, IN (US); Clinton W. Erickson, Russiaville, IN (US); Mitchell S. Cohen, Carmel, IN (US); John Mark Dikeman, Burnside, KY (US); Peter A. Laubenstein, Sharpsville, IN (US); and Mark W. Gose, Kokomo, IN (US)
Assigned to BorgWarner US Technologies LLC, Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by BorgWarner US Technologies LLC, Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Dec. 17, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/644,898.
Prior Publication US 2023/0198377 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
Int. Cl. H02M 1/32 (2007.01); G05B 19/042 (2006.01); G06F 13/42 (2006.01); H02M 7/5387 (2007.01); H02P 27/08 (2006.01); H02P 29/024 (2016.01)
CPC H02M 1/32 (2013.01) [G05B 19/0428 (2013.01); G06F 13/4282 (2013.01); H02M 7/53871 (2013.01); H02P 27/08 (2013.01); H02P 29/024 (2013.01); G05B 2219/21109 (2013.01); G05B 2219/25257 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for a direct-current (DC) to alternating current (AC) inverter, the system comprising:
a memory configured to store instructions;
a main microcontroller configured to execute the stored instructions to control the inverter during non-timing-critical operation, the main microcontroller having a first sampling period;
a safety controller that is separate from the main microcontroller and configured to control the inverter during timing-critical operation, the safety controller having a second sampling period; and
a main microcontroller watchdog configured to monitor a health of the main microcontroller and output the health of the main microcontroller to the safety controller,
wherein the second sampling period is shorter than the first sampling period such that the safety controller is configured to capture a timing-critical fault that occurs in a period of time that is less than the first sampling period.