US 12,088,176 B2
Dynamically reconfigurable power converter utilizing windings of electric machine
Tung Nguyen, Calgary (CA); Eric Hustedt, Calgary (CA); and Joshua Eric Sobil, Calgary (CA)
Assigned to EXRO TECHNOLOGIES INC., Calgary (CA)
Filed by EXRO TECHNOLOGIES INC., Calgary (CA)
Filed on Jul. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/860,798.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/219,730, filed on Jul. 8, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0011977 A1, Jan. 12, 2023
Int. Cl. H02K 5/22 (2006.01); H02K 7/00 (2006.01); H02K 11/33 (2016.01)
CPC H02K 5/225 (2013.01) [H02K 7/006 (2013.01); H02K 11/33 (2016.01)] 27 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dynamically-reconfigurable power converter, comprising:
a controller circuit;
switching circuitry comprising plurality of switches operatively coupled to the controller circuit, the switching circuitry further comprising:
a first set of nodes electrically connectable to terminals of an energy storage device;
a second set of nodes electrically connectable to at least one winding of a rotational electric machine;
a third set of nodes electrically connectable to an external power source; and
electrical measurement circuitry operatively coupled to the controller circuit and arranged to monitor electrical conditions at the first set of nodes and the third set of nodes;
wherein the plurality of switches, including a first subset of switches, are operative in a first mode, under control of the controller circuit, to regulate power delivery from the first set of nodes to the second set of nodes such that, in operation, power from the power storage device is delivered to the at least one winding of the rotational electric machine to run the rotational electric machine; and
wherein the plurality of switches, including the first subset of switches, are operative in a second mode, under control of the controller circuit based on the electrical conditions at the first set of nodes and the third set of nodes, to regulate power delivery between the third set of nodes and the first set of nodes via the second set of nodes such that, in operation, power is converted and delivered between the external power source and the energy storage device through the at least one winding that is employed as an inductor.