Motor assembly and method of operating same

Abstract

A method for operating an electric machine assembly is provided. The electric machine assembly includes an electric machine having a first set of windings and a second set of windings. The method includes: operating the electric machine in a partial phase mode, where operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode includes: powering the first set of windings to provide a net zero current in the first set of windings while maintaining one phase of the first set of windings in a non-conductive state; and powering the second set of windings to provide a net zero current in the second set of windings while maintaining one phase of the second set of windings in a non-conductive state.

Description

[0001] Priority information

[0002] This application claims priority to Indian provisional patent application serial number 202311064263 filed on September 25, 2023. Technical Field

[0003] The present subject matter generally relates to electric machine assemblies and methods of operating the same. Background Art

[0004] Conventional commercial aircraft typically include a fuselage, a pair of wings, and a propulsion system that provides thrust. The propulsion system typically includes at least two aircraft engines, such as turbofan jet engines. Each turbofan jet engine is typically mounted to a corresponding one of the wings of the aircraft, such as in a suspension position below the wing that is separate from the wing and the fuselage.

[0005] Hybrid electric propulsion systems are being developed to improve the efficiency of conventional commercial aircraft. Some hybrid electric propulsion systems include one or more electric machines, each of which is mechanically coupled to a rotating component of one of the aircraft engines. The electric machines may each have an associated power converter electrically connected thereto. The inventors of the present disclosure have developed various systems and methods to improve hybrid electric propulsion systems, and more generally, power systems. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art is set forth in the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 A schematic top view of an aircraft having a hybrid electric propulsion system according to various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is provided.

[0008] Figure 2 Provided Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of one of the hybrid electric propulsion systems of an aircraft.

[0009] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an electric machine assembly according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0010] Figure 4 Provided Figure 3 Schematic diagram of a first set of windings and a second set of windings of an electric machine of an exemplary electric machine assembly.

[0011] Figure 5 An exemplary graph is provided that plots normalized current in each of the first set of windings and the second set of windings on the Y-axis versus time on the X-axis during normal operating conditions.

[0012] Figure 6 An exemplary graph is provided that plots normalized current of each of a first set of windings and a second set of windings on a Y-axis versus time on an X-axis during a reduced power operating mode according to a first spatial sequence.

[0013] Figure 7 An exemplary graph is provided that plots normalized current of each of the first set of windings and the second set of windings on the Y-axis versus time on the X-axis during a reduced power operating mode according to a second spatial sequence.

[0014] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a motor assembly according to another example embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

[0015] Fig. 9 A flow chart of a processing module according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is provided.

[0016] Fig.10 A flow chart of a method of operating an electric machine assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is provided.

[0017] Fig.11 A flow chart of a method of operating an electric machine assembly according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is provided.

[0018] Fig.12 A graph of a control scheme according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure is provided, with torque on the Y-axis in Newton-meters (Nm) and time on the X-axis in seconds (s).

[0019] Fig.13 An example computing system is provided according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the present invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical and letter references to refer to features in the drawings. Like or similar reference numbers in the drawings and description have been used to refer to like or similar parts of the present invention.

[0021] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. In addition, unless expressly stated otherwise, all embodiments described herein should be considered exemplary.

[0022] As used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another, and are not intended to indicate the position or importance of each component.

[0023] The terms "front" and "rear" refer to relative positions within a gas turbine engine or vehicle and refer to the normal operating attitude of the gas turbine engine or vehicle. For example, for a gas turbine engine, front refers to a position closer to the engine inlet, while rear refers to a position closer to the engine nozzle or exhaust.

[0024] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the relative directions of flow in a path. For example, for fluid flow, "upstream" refers to the direction from which the fluid is flowing, and "downstream" refers to the direction toward which the fluid is flowing. However, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" as used herein may also refer to electric current.

[0025] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0026] Here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations are combined and interchanged, and unless context or language indicates otherwise, such ranges are identified and include all sub-ranges contained therein. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other.

[0027] Modern aviation gas turbine engines are constantly seeking advancements to improve efficiency, safety, and reliability. One of the main challenges faced when designing electric machine assemblies that can be incorporated into aviation gas turbine engines is their overall size and weight. Bulky designs not only affect the efficiency and fuel consumption of aviation systems, but also limit the space available for other critical components.

[0028] In addition to the above challenges, another problem is that if a motor of a motor assembly experiences a phase failure, the entire set of windings comprising such phase may need to be shut down. Therefore, when a phase fails in an existing motor, this may lead to undesirable results.

[0029] Therefore, there is a need for improved motor assemblies and / or methods of operating motor assemblies that provide built-in redundancy and / or allow for lighter and more compact systems.

[0030] The inventors of the present disclosure have discovered, in one aspect, an improved motor assembly and method of operating the same that allows the motor assembly to be operated in a partial phase mode (e.g., in the event of a phase failure in one set of windings of the motor). Specifically, the method includes powering a first set of windings to provide a net zero current in the first set of windings while maintaining one phase of the first set of windings in a non-conducting state; and powering a second set of windings to provide a net zero current in the second set of windings while maintaining one phase of the second set of windings in a non-conducting state. The current in the second set of windings can be offset by 60 degrees from the current in the first set of windings. In this way, the motor can generate torque without the need for a neutral or ground wire, even though two phases are in a non-conducting state.

[0031] In another aspect, the inventors of the present disclosure have discovered a method for determining the position of a rotor without using a dedicated resolver and / or encoder attached to the rotor of a drive motor. The method includes receiving data indicating a first back EMF signal from a phase of a first set of windings; receiving data indicating a second back EMF signal from a phase of a second set of windings; and determining data indicating the position of the rotor of the motor based on the data indicating the first back EMF signal and the data indicating the second back EMF signal. The determining step can be accomplished using a processing module. Notably, the phases of the first set of windings can be in a non-conducting state, and the phases of the second set of windings can also be in a non-conducting state. This method (optionally used in combination with the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure) can effectively determine the position of the rotor of the motor to allow more efficient operation of the motor.

[0032] By this method, each set of windings is powered in a manner that ensures net zero current even when maintaining one of its phases in a non-conducting state. This not only allows for a more compact design and reduced weight, but also builds in inherent redundancy. Furthermore, by utilizing the back EMF signals originating from these windings, the present disclosure provides a sophisticated mechanism to determine the position of the rotor. Thus, in an embodiment, the method described herein can not only simplify the operation of the machine, but also greatly improve its reliability in various operating scenarios.

[0033] Figure 1 A schematic top view of an exemplary aircraft 100 is provided that may incorporate one or more inventive aspects of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, for reference, the aircraft 100 defines a longitudinal direction L1 and a transverse direction L2. The transverse direction L2 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L1. The aircraft 100 also defines a longitudinal centerline 114 extending therethrough along the longitudinal direction L1. The aircraft 100 extends, for example, along the longitudinal direction L1 between a front end 116 and a rear end 118.

[0034] As shown, the aircraft 100 includes a fuselage 112 that extends longitudinally from a front end 116 of the aircraft 100 to a rear end 118 of the aircraft 100. The aircraft 100 also includes a tail 119 at the rear end 118 of the aircraft 100. In addition, the aircraft 100 includes a wing assembly that includes a first port wing 120 and a second starboard wing 122. The first and second wings 120, 122 each extend laterally outward relative to the longitudinal centerline 114. The first wing 120 and a portion of the fuselage 112 together define a first side 124 of the aircraft 100, and the second wing 122 and another portion of the fuselage 112 together define a second side 126 of the aircraft 100. For the depicted embodiment, the first side 124 of the aircraft 100 is configured as the port side of the aircraft 100, and the second side 126 of the aircraft 100 is configured as the starboard side of the aircraft 100.

[0035] Aircraft 100 includes various control surfaces. For this embodiment, each wing 120, 122 includes one or more leading edge flaps 128 and one or more trailing edge flaps 130. Aircraft 100 further includes, or more specifically, the tail 119 of aircraft 100 includes: a vertical stabilizer 132, which has a rudder flap (not shown) for yaw control; and a pair of horizontal stabilizers 134, each horizontal stabilizer has an elevator flap 136 for pitch control. Fuselage 112 additionally includes an outer surface or skin 138. It should be understood that in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, aircraft 100 may additionally or alternatively include any other suitable configuration. For example, in other embodiments, aircraft 100 may include any other control surface configuration.

[0036] Figure 1 The exemplary aircraft 100 also includes a hybrid electric propulsion system 150. For this embodiment, the hybrid electric propulsion system 150 has a first propeller 200A and a second propeller 200B, both of which are operable to generate thrust. The first propeller 200A is mounted to the first wing 120 and the second propeller 200B is mounted to the second wing 122. In addition, for the depicted embodiment, the first propeller 200A and the second propeller 200B are both configured as underwing mounting configurations. However, in other exemplary embodiments, one or both of the first and second propellers 200A, 200B can be mounted in any other suitable location in other exemplary embodiments.

[0037] The first thruster 200A includes a gas turbine engine 210A and one or more motors, such as a motor 300A mechanically coupled to the gas turbine engine 210A. The motor 300A can be a generator, an electric motor, or a combined generator / motor. For this example embodiment, the motor 300A is a combined generator / motor. In this way, when operating as a generator, the motor 300A can generate electricity when driven by the gas turbine engine 210A. When operating as a motor, the motor 300A can drive or start the gas turbine engine 210A.

[0038] Likewise, the second propeller 200B includes a gas turbine engine 210B and one or more motors, such as a motor 300B mechanically coupled to the gas turbine engine 210B. The motor 300B may be a generator, an electric motor, or a combined generator / motor. For this example embodiment, the motor 300B is a combined generator / motor. In this way, when operating as a generator, the motor 300B can generate electricity when driven by the gas turbine engine 210B. When operating as a motor, the motor 300B can drive or start the spool of the gas turbine engine 210B. The motor 300B may be constructed and operated in a manner similar to the motor 300A described herein.

[0039] The hybrid electric propulsion system 150 also includes an energy storage unit 180, which can be electrically connected to the motors 300A, 300B, and in some embodiments, can be electrically connected to other electrical loads. In some exemplary embodiments, the energy storage unit 180 may include one or more batteries. Additionally or alternatively, the energy storage unit 180 may include one or more supercapacitor arrays, one or more ultracapacitor arrays, or both. For the hybrid electric propulsion system 150 described herein, the energy storage unit 180 is configured to store a relatively large amount of electricity. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, the energy storage unit 180 can be configured to store at least about fifty kilowatt-hours of electricity, such as at least about sixty-five kilowatt-hours of electricity, such as at least about seventy-five kilowatt-hours of electricity, and up to about one thousand kilowatt-hours of electricity.

[0040] The hybrid electric propulsion system 150 also includes a power management system having a controller 182 and a power bus 184. The motors 300A, 300B, the energy storage unit 180, and the controller 182 can each be electrically connected to each other via one or more wires 186 of the power bus 184. For example, the power bus 184 can include various switches or other power electronic devices that can be moved to selectively electrically connect various components of the hybrid electric propulsion system 150. Specifically, as shown in FIG. Figure 1As shown, a first power converter 188A of the power bus 184 is electrically coupled or connectable to the motor 300A via one or more wires 186, and a second power converter 188B of the power bus 184 is electrically coupled or connectable to the motor 300B via one or more wires 186. The power bus 184 may include other power electronics (e.g., inverters, converters, rectifiers, etc.) for conditioning or converting power within the hybrid electric propulsion system 150.

[0041] The controller 182 is configured to control the power electronics to distribute power between the various components of the hybrid electric propulsion system 150. For example, the controller 182 can control the power electronics of the power bus 184 to provide power to or draw power from the various components (e.g., the motors 300A, 300B) to operate the hybrid electric propulsion system 150 between various operating modes and to perform various functions. This is schematically depicted as wires 186 of the power bus 184 extending through the controller 182.

[0042] The controller 182 may form part of a computing system 190 of the aircraft 100. The computing system 190 of the aircraft 100 may include one or more processors and one or more memory devices embodied in one or more computing devices. Figure 1 As shown, computing system 190 includes controller 182 and other computing devices, such as computing device 192. Computing system 190 may also include other computing devices, such as an engine controller (not shown). The computing devices of computing system 190 may be communicatively coupled to each other via a communication network. For example, computing device 192 is located in the cockpit of aircraft 100 and is communicatively coupled to controller 182 of hybrid electric propulsion system 150 via a communication link 194 of the communication network. Communication link 194 may include one or more wired or wireless communication links.

[0043] For this embodiment, the computing device 192 is configured to receive and process input and / or other information, such as from a pilot or other crew member. In this manner, as an example, one or more processors of the computing device 192 may receive input indicating a command to change the thrust output of the first and / or second thrusters 200A, 200B, and may cause the controller 182 to control the power drawn from or delivered to one or both of the motors 300A, 300B in response to the input to ultimately change the thrust output of one or both of the thrusters 200A, 200B.

[0044] The controller 182 and other computing devices of the computing system 190 of the aircraft 100 may be configured to communicate with the following references: Fig.13 The exemplary computing devices of the described computing system 700 are constructed in substantially the same manner.

[0045] Figure 2 Provided Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a first propeller 200A of a hybrid electric propulsion system 150 of an aircraft 100. Although a first propeller 200A is shown, it should be understood that a second propeller 200B may be used in conjunction with a Figure 2 The first thruster 200A depicted in FIG. 1 is constructed in the same or similar manner. Figure 2 The exemplary gas turbine engine of is configured as a single non-ducted rotor engine 210A defining an axial direction A, a radial direction R, and a circumferential direction C. The engine 210A also defines a central longitudinal axis 214 .

[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, the engine 210A takes the form of an open rotor propulsion system and has a rotor assembly 212 that includes an array of airfoils arranged about a central longitudinal axis 214 of the engine 210A. More specifically, the rotor assembly 212 includes an array of rotor blades 216 arranged about the central longitudinal axis 214 of the engine 210A. In addition, as will be explained in more detail below, the engine 210A also includes a non-rotating blade assembly 218 (i.e., does not rotate relative to the central axis 214) positioned behind the rotor assembly 212. The non-rotating blade assembly 218 includes an array of airfoils also arranged about the central axis 214. More specifically, the blade assembly 218 includes an array of blades 220 arranged about the central longitudinal axis 214.

[0047] The rotor blades 216 are arranged in a generally equally spaced relationship about the central longitudinal axis 214, and each blade has a root 222 and a tip 224 and a span defined therebetween. Similarly, the buckets 220 are also arranged in a generally equally spaced relationship about the central longitudinal axis 214, and each bucket has a root 226 and a tip 228 and a span defined therebetween. The rotor assembly 212 also includes a hub 245 located forward of the plurality of rotor blades 216.

[0048] In addition, the engine 210A includes a turbine 230 having a core 232 (or a high pressure / high speed system) and a low pressure / low speed system. It should be understood that as used herein, the terms "speed" and "pressure" may be used interchangeably with respect to the high pressure / high speed system and the low pressure / low speed system. In addition, it should be understood that the terms "high" and "low" are used in the same context to distinguish between the two systems and are not meant to imply any absolute speed and / or pressure values.

[0049] The core 232 generally includes a high-speed compressor 234, a high-speed turbine 236, and a high-speed shaft 238 extending between and connecting the high-speed compressor 234 and the high-speed turbine 236. The high-speed compressor 234, the high-speed turbine 236, and the high-speed shaft 238 may be collectively referred to as a high-speed spool 253 of the engine. In addition, a combustion section 240 is located between the high-speed compressor 234 and the high-speed turbine 236. The combustion section 240 may include one or more configurations for receiving a mixture of fuel and air and providing a flow of combustion gases through the high-speed turbine 236 to drive the high-speed spool 253.

[0050] The low-speed system includes a low-speed turbine 242, a low-speed compressor 244 or a supercharger, and a low-speed shaft 246 extending between and connecting the low-speed compressor 244 and the low-speed turbine 242. The low-speed compressor 244, the low-speed turbine 242, and the low-speed shaft 246 may be collectively referred to as a low-speed spool 255 of the engine.

[0051] Although engine 210A is depicted as having a low-speed compressor 244 positioned in front of high-speed compressor 234, in certain embodiments, compressors 234, 244 may be in an interdigitated arrangement. Additionally or alternatively, although engine 210A is depicted as having a high-speed turbine 236 positioned in front of low-speed turbine 242, in certain embodiments, turbines 236, 242 may similarly be in an interdigitated arrangement.

[0052] In order to support the rotating components of the engine 210A, the engine 210A includes a plurality of bearings that couple the rotating components to various structural components. Figure 2 As shown, bearing 290 supports and facilitates rotation of low speed shaft 246. In addition, bearing 292 supports and facilitates rotation of high speed shaft 238. Although bearings 290, 292 are shown as being generally located at the front and rear ends of their associated shafts 246, 238, bearings 290, 292 may be located at any desired location along their associated shafts. In addition, in some embodiments, in addition to Figure 2 One or more additional bearings other than the bearing 290 shown in FIG. 2 may be used to support the low speed shaft 246. For example, in some embodiments, an additional bearing may be positioned in the center or mid-span region of the low speed shaft 246 to provide support therefor. Figure 2 One or more additional bearings other than the bearing 290 shown in FIG. 2 may be used to support the high speed shaft 238. The bearings 290, 290 may be any suitable type of bearing, such as an air bearing, an oil-lubricated bearing, or the like.

[0053] Still reference Figure 2, the turbine 230 is generally enclosed in a shroud 248. In addition, it should be understood that the shroud 248 at least partially defines an inlet 250 and an exhaust port 252, and includes a turbomachinery flow path 254 extending between the inlet 250 and the exhaust port 252. For the illustrated embodiment, the inlet 250 is an annular or axisymmetric 360-degree inlet 250 located between the rotor assembly 212 and the fixed or stationary bucket assembly 218 in the axial direction A, and provides a path for the incoming atmospheric air to enter the turbomachinery flow path 254 (and the compressor 244, 234, the combustion section 240, and the turbine 236, 242) in the radial direction R inside the guide vanes 220. Such a location may be advantageous for various reasons, including management of icing performance and protecting the inlet 250 from various objects and materials that may be encountered during operation. However, in other embodiments, the inlet 250 may be located in any other suitable location, for example, arranged behind the bucket assembly 218 in a non-axisymmetric manner, etc.

[0054] As shown, the rotor assembly 212 is driven by the turbine 230, and more specifically, by the low speed spool 255 of the turbine 230. More specifically, for this embodiment, the engine 210A includes a power gearbox 256. The rotor assembly 212 is driven by the low speed spool 255 of the turbine 230 across the power gearbox 256. In this manner, the rotating rotor blades 216 of the rotor assembly 212 can rotate about the central longitudinal axis 214 and generate thrust to propel the engine 210A, and thus propel the aircraft 100 associated therewith, in a forward direction F ( Figure 1 ). The power gearbox 256 may include a gear set for reducing the rotational speed of the low-speed spool 255 relative to the low-speed turbine 242 , so that the rotor assembly 212 can rotate at a slower rotational speed than the low-speed spool 255 .

[0055] As briefly described above, engine 210A includes a bucket assembly 218. Bucket assembly 218 extends from shroud 248 and is positioned rearward of rotor assembly 212. Buckets 220 of bucket assembly 218 may be mounted to a stationary frame or other mounting structure and do not rotate relative to central longitudinal axis 214. For reference purposes, Figure 2 The forward direction is depicted by arrow F, which in turn defines the front and rear of the engine 210A. Figure 2As shown, the rotor assembly 212 is located in front of the turbine 230 in a "puller" configuration, and the exhaust port 252 is located behind the guide vanes 220. The vanes 220 of the vane assembly 218 are aerodynamically shaped to smooth the airflow from the rotor assembly 212 (e.g., reduce swirl in the airflow) to improve the efficiency of the engine 210A. For example, the size, shape and configuration of the vanes 220 can be designed to impart a counteracting swirl to the airflow from the rotor blades 216, so that in the downstream direction behind the two rows of airfoils (e.g., blades 216, vanes 220), the degree of airflow swirl is greatly reduced, which may translate into an improved level of induced efficiency.

[0056] In some embodiments, it may be desirable to incorporate a pitch change mechanism in rotor blades 216, vanes 220, or both so that airfoils (e.g., blades 216, vanes 220, etc.) may be rotated independently or in conjunction with one another relative to a pitch axis of rotation. Such pitch changes may be used to change thrust and / or swirl effects under various operating conditions, including adjusting the magnitude or direction of thrust generated at rotor blades 216, or providing a thrust reversal feature that may be useful under certain operating conditions (e.g., when an aircraft is landing), or to desirably adjust acoustic noise generated at least in part by rotor blades 216, vanes 220, or aerodynamic interactions from rotor blades 216 relative to vanes 220. More specifically, for Figure 2 In the embodiment of the present invention, rotor assembly 212 is depicted as having a pitch change mechanism 258 for rotating rotor blades 216 about their respective pitch axes 260 , and blade assembly 218 is depicted as having a pitch change mechanism 262 for rotating blades 220 about their respective pitch axes 264 .

[0057] Figure 2 The exemplary single-rotor non-ducted engine 210A depicted in is provided as an example only. Therefore, it should be understood that the engine 210A can have other suitable configurations. For example, in other example embodiments, the engine 210A can have other suitable numbers of shafts or spools, turbines, compressors, etc.; fixed pitch blades or vanes 216, 220 or both; direct drive configuration (i.e., the gearbox 256 may not be included); etc. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the engine 210A can be a three-spool engine with a medium-speed compressor and / or turbine. In such a configuration, it should be understood that the terms "high" and "low" used herein with respect to the speed and / or pressure of the turbine, compressor, or spool are convenient terms for distinguishing components, but do not require any specific relative speeds and / or pressures, and do not exclude additional compressors, turbines, and / or spools or shafts.

[0058] Additionally or alternatively, in other exemplary embodiments, any other suitable gas turbine engine may be provided. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the gas turbine engine may be a turboshaft engine, a turboprop engine, a turbojet engine, etc. Further, for example, while the engine is depicted as a single non-ducted rotor engine, in other embodiments, the engine may include a multi-stage open rotor configuration, and aspects of the present disclosure described below may be incorporated therein.

[0059] In addition, in other exemplary embodiments, engine 210A can be configured as a ducted turbofan engine. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, the engine can include a nacelle that at least partially circumferentially surrounds rotor assembly 212 and turbine 230, defining a bypass passage therebetween. With this configuration, blades 220 of blade assembly 218 can extend between and connect the nacelle and shroud 248.

[0060] Still reference Figure 2 As noted, the first propeller 200A includes an electric motor 300A operably coupled to a rotating component thereof. In this regard, the first propeller 200A is an aviation hybrid electric propulsion machine. In particular, as Figure 2 As shown, the motor 300A is mechanically coupled to the low-speed spool 255 of the gas turbine engine 210A, and more specifically, to the low-speed shaft 246 of the low-speed spool 255. As shown, the motor 300A is embedded in the core of the gas turbine engine 210A. Specifically, the motor 300A is positioned in the radial direction R on the inner side of the turbomachinery flow path 254. In addition, for this embodiment, the motor 300A is positioned approximately at the rear end of the gas turbine engine 210A, and at least partially overlaps with or is behind the low-pressure turbine 242 in the axial direction A. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the motor 300A may be positioned at other suitable locations within the gas turbine engine 210A. For example, in some embodiments, the motor 300A may be coupled to the low-speed spool 255 at other suitable locations. For example, in some embodiments, the motor 300A may be positioned in front of the low-pressure compressor 244 in the axial direction A, and positioned in the inner side of the turbomachinery flow path 254 in the radial direction R. In addition, as Figure 2 As shown, electric machine 300A, which is mechanically coupled to low-speed shaft 246 , is electrically coupled to power bus 184 and is electrically connected to its associated power converter power supply 188A.

[0061] In addition to or in lieu of the gas turbine engine 210A having the electric machine 300A coupled to the low-speed spool 255, in some embodiments, the gas turbine engine 210A may include an electric machine 302A mechanically coupled to the high-speed spool 253 of the gas turbine engine 210A, and more specifically, to the high-speed shaft 238 of the high-speed spool 253. Figure 2 As shown, the electric machine 302A is embedded in the core of the gas turbine engine 210A and is mechanically coupled to the high-speed shaft 238. The electric machine 302A is positioned inboard of the turbomachinery flow path 254 in the radial direction R and in front of the combustion section 140 in the axial direction A. However, in other exemplary embodiments, the electric machine 302A may be positioned at other suitable locations within the gas turbine engine 210A. Although not shown, the electric machine 302A mechanically coupled to the high-speed shaft 238 may be electrically coupled to the power bus 184 and may be electrically connected to its own power converter power supply.

[0062] Like the motor 300A mechanically coupled to the low-speed spool 255, the motor 302A mechanically coupled to the high-speed spool 253 can be an electric motor operable to drive or propel the high-speed shaft 238, for example, during engine burst. In other embodiments, the motor 302A can be a generator operable to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. In this way, the electricity generated by the motor 302A can be directed to various engine and / or aircraft systems. In some embodiments, the motor 302A can be a dual-function motor / generator.

[0063] Reference now Figure 3 , Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a motor assembly 400 including a motor 402 is provided according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Generally, the motor assembly 400 includes a power converter system 404, the motor 402, and a plurality of cables 406, 408 electrically coupling the power converter system 404 and the motor 402. For example, the cables 406, 408 may be shielded cables.

[0064] For this embodiment, the power converter system 404 is an AC / DC power converter system. For the depicted embodiment, the power converter system 404 has a first power converter unit 410 and a second power converter unit 412. The power converter units 410, 412 may be separate or independent units, or alternatively, may be units of a single power converter. The first power converter unit 410 is associated with a first channel 414, and the second power converter unit 412 is associated with a second channel 416. Figure 3 , the first channel 414 is a DC output channel, and similarly, the second channel 416 is a DC output channel.

[0065] The first power converter unit 410 includes a first switching element 418 (see Figure 3 , wherein the first switching element 418 is schematically depicted), and the second power converter unit 412 includes a second switching element 420 (not shown, pointed to by a dashed line, but can be arranged in a substantially similar manner to the first switching element 418). The first switching element 418 corresponds to all switching elements of the first power converter unit 410, and the second switching element 420 corresponds to all switching elements of the second power converter unit 412. The first and second switching elements 418, 420 can be any suitable type of switching element, such as an insulated gate bipolar transistor, a power MOSFET, etc. In addition, although not depicted, the first and second switching elements 418, 420 can each include a switching element for each power phase of the motor assembly 400.

[0066] By turning on or off the switching device or element of the first switching element 418, the AC phase terminal can be connected to one of the multiple DC bus rails. Similarly, turning on or off the switching device or element of the second switching element 420 can similarly connect the AC phase terminal of the power converter unit 428 to one of the multiple DC bus rails in a similar manner as described above with respect to the switching action of the first switching element 418. In certain exemplary aspects, the motor assembly 400 can be grounded (not shown) by connecting one of the DC bus rails to a ground reference, which is typically a conductive frame of the motor assembly 400. However, as will be understood from the description herein, in at least certain exemplary aspects, the motor assembly 400 may not include a ground or neutral line.

[0067] The power converter system 404 may also include one or more processors and one or more memory devices. The one or more processors and one or more memory devices may be embodied in one or more controllers or computing devices. For example, for this embodiment, the one or more processors and one or more memory devices are embodied in the controller 422. The controller 422 may communicate with various devices such as the first and second switching elements 418, 420 (e.g., via one or more integrated gate drivers (not shown)), one or more sensors (see, e.g., discussed below), and the like. Figure 8 422 may be communicatively coupled to these devices via suitable wired and / or wireless connections. Typically, the controller 422 may be configured to communicate with the device in a manner similar to that of the embodiment of the present invention. Fig.13 The method shown is constructed and described in the accompanying text.

[0068] In alternative embodiments, one or more processors and one or more memory devices may be embodied in multiple controllers. For example, in some embodiments, each of the first and second power converter units 410, 412 may have an associated controller for controlling the switching action of their respective switching elements 418, 420. In still other embodiments, the first and second power converter units 410, 412 may have dedicated controllers for controlling the switching action of the first and second switching elements 418, 420.

[0069] In addition, the power converter system 404 may include one or more electromagnetic interference filters or EMI filters. For this embodiment, the power converter system 404 may include a first DC side EMI filter 424 (shown in dashed lines) and a first AC side EMI filter 426 associated with the first channel 414. The power converter system 404 may also include a second DC side EMI filter 428 (shown in dashed lines) and a second AC side EMI filter 430 associated with the second channel 416. In general, the EMI filters 424, 426, 428, 430 can suppress electromagnetic noise transmitted along their respective channels 401, 402.

[0070] In alternative embodiments, the first channel 414 of the power converter system 404 may include an EMI filter only on the AC side, only on the DC side, or not need to include an EMI filter on the AC or DC side. Additionally or alternatively, the second channel 416 of the power converter system 404 may include an EMI filter only on the AC side, only on the DC side, or not need to include an EMI filter on the AC or DC side.

[0071] The motor 402 defines an axial direction ( Figure 3 The motor 402 also defines a rotation axis AX extending in an axial direction. In addition, as shown, the motor 402 has a rotor 432 and a stator 434. The rotor 432 can be mechanically coupled to a rotating component (e.g., a rotating component of a gas turbine engine). The rotor 432 can rotate around the rotation axis AX. The rotor 432 is depicted as being outside the stator 434 in a radial direction R, and therefore, the motor 402 is configured as an outer rotor configuration. However, the inventive aspects of the present disclosure are also applicable to motors having an inner rotor configuration.

[0072] The rotor 432 includes a plurality of magnets 436. In this manner, it should be understood that the motor 402 is configured as a permanent magnet motor. However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, the motor 402 may be any suitable type of synchronous motor.

[0073] The stator 434 includes a plurality of multi-phase windings or coils wound therein (e.g., within slots defined between teeth of the stator 434). For the depicted embodiment, the stator 434 includes a first multi-phase winding (referred to herein as a first set of windings 438) and a second multi-phase winding (referred to herein as a second set of windings 440) (shown with dashed lines to distinguish it from the first set of windings 438). The first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 are each configured as a set of three-phase windings.

[0074] The first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 can each include windings or coils for various power phases. For example, the first set of windings 438 includes windings for the first phase A1, the second phase B1, and the third phase C1 associated with the first set of windings 438. The second set of windings 440 similarly includes windings for the first phase A2, the second phase B2, and the third phase C3 associated with the second set of windings 440. In this way, it should be understood that the first set of windings 438 includes phases A1, B1, and C1, and the second set of windings 440 includes phases A2, B2, and C2.

[0075] like Figure 3 As depicted in FIG, a first set of windings 438 is electrically coupled to a first switching element 418 of a first power converter unit 410 and is associated with a first channel 414, and a second set of windings 440 is electrically coupled to a second switching element 420 of a second power converter unit 412 and is associated with a second channel 416.

[0076] During normal operating conditions of the motor 402 (e.g., operating conditions without any faults in the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440), the motor 402 can employ an excitation strategy that causes the second set of windings 440 to be 180 degrees out of phase with the first set of windings 438. In particular, during normal operating conditions, the spatial sequence of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 can be defined by a winding function of each of the two sets of three-phase windings, as described below.

[0077] For the first set of windings 438 during normal operating conditions, the basic components of the winding function may be:

[0078] Na1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e );

[0079] Nb1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -2π / 3);

[0080] Nc1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0081] Wherein N1 is the peak winding function [turns] of the first set of windings 438; and

[0082] Among them, θ e is the spatial electrical angle [in radians] of the first set of windings 438 having a number of poles p1 around the periphery of the motor 402 .

[0083] Furthermore, when operating according to the above-described spatial sequence, the current flowing in these first set of windings 438 can be defined as:

[0084] ia1(t)=Ipk1 cos(ω e t);

[0085] ib1(t)=Ipk1 cos(ω e t-2π / 3);

[0086] ic1(t)=Ipk1 cos(ω e t-4π / 3);

[0087] Where Ipk1 is the peak value (amplitude) of the current flowing in the first set of windings 438 [in amperes];

[0088] Among them, ω e is the angular frequency of the first current group [in radians per second]; and

[0089] Where, t: time [in seconds].

[0090] Furthermore, for the second set of windings 440, during normal operating conditions, the spatial sequence of windings may be 180 degrees out of phase with the first set of windings 438, such that the fundamental components of the winding function may be:

[0091] Na2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e );

[0092] Nb2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -2π / 3);

[0093] Nc2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0094] Wherein, N2 is the peak winding function [turns] of the second set of windings 440; and

[0095] Among them, θ eis the spatial electrical angle [radians] of the second set of windings 440, which has a number of poles p2 around the periphery of the motor 402. It is worth noting that the number of poles p2 is equal to the number of poles p1, so that for the winding function of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440, θ e is constant.

[0096] According to the trigonometric definition, it is noted that the spatial sequence of Na2, Nb2 and Nc2 is the opposite (180 degrees out of phase) of Na1, Nb1 and Nc1. In addition, the current flowing in the second set of windings 440 may have a relative spatial sequence, so these basic components of the current can be defined as:

[0097] ia2(t)=-Ipk2 cos(ω e t);

[0098] ib2(t)=-Ipk2 cos(ω e t-2π / 3);

[0099] ic2(t)=-Ipk2 cos(ω e t-4π / 3);

[0100] Wherein, Ipk2 is the peak value (amplitude) of the current flowing in the second balanced three-phase winding set [in amperes];

[0101] Among them, ω e is the angular frequency of the second current group [in radians per second], which is equal to the angular frequency of the first current group; and

[0102] Where t is the time in seconds.

[0103] According to the definition of trigonometric functions, note that the spatial sequence of ia2, ib2 and ic2 is the reverse of ia1, ib1 and ic1.

[0104] The combination of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 and the current flowing therein can generate a rotating magnetic field in the outer core (radial flux) or the side core (axial flux) of the stator 434. This rotating magnetic field can be synchronized with the rotating parts of the engine, for example, and can achieve power conversion: whether in motor mode or generator mode.

[0105] Reference now Figure 4 , schematically depicting the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440, and the spatial electrical angle θ of the rotor 432 e In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor 432 of the motor 402 rotates in a counterclockwise circumferential direction, and the position of the rotor 432 is related to the spatial electrical angle θ e Associated.

[0106] In addition, now refer to Figure 5 , an exemplary graph 450 is provided that plots normalized current (i.e., actual current divided by peak current) of each of the phases of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 on the Y-axis versus time on the X-axis. When the motor 402 is operated according to the spatial sequence described above (e.g., during normal operating conditions), the second set of windings 440 is 180 degrees out of phase with the first set of windings 438. In addition, when the motor 402 is operated according to the spatial sequence described above during normal operating conditions, the current flowing to and from each of the phases of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 does not exceed the peak magnitude ( Figure 5 1 and -1 of the normalized curve graph 450 depicted in FIG.

[0107] However, in the event of, for example, a fault condition of motor 402 , whereby one or more of the phases of first set of windings 438 , second set of windings 440 , or both operate in a non-conducting mode (eg, due to a fault), the spatial sequence described above may cause the current to exceed the peak amplitude.

[0108] For example, now refer to Figure 6 , an exemplary graph 452 is provided, depicting normalized current in each of the phases of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 over time on the X-axis during an operating condition in which one or more of the phases is in a non-conducting state on the Y-axis. Figure 6 In the depicted embodiment, phase C1 of the first set of windings 438 and phase C2 of the second set of windings 440 are in a non-conductive state (e.g., due to a fault). With this configuration, the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 may each need to be grounded via one or more neutral or ground wires so that the neutral or ground wires can "bring back" the current provided by the remaining phases that are operating.

[0109] As will be understood from graph 452, the peak current experienced by these neutral or ground wires is higher than the peak current of the remaining phases being operated. In particular, the peak current experienced by these neutral or ground wires may be about 1.73 times the peak current of the remaining phases being operated. This configuration may require additional, heavier load wiring to allow the motor 402 to operate during this configuration.

[0110] However, now turn to Figure 7 , shows an alternative excitation strategy according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, which can produce a net neutral current in each of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440, thereby eliminating the need for the above-mentioned neutral wire or ground wire. Specifically, Figure 7An exemplary graph 454 is provided that plots normalized current in each of the phases of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 over time on the X-axis during operating conditions where one or more of the phases are in a non-conducting state on the Y-axis. Figure 7 In an embodiment, the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 are operated according to an excitation strategy according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

[0111] It is worth noting that for Figure 7 In an associated exemplary aspect, phase C1 of the first set of windings 438 and phase B2 of the second set of windings 440 are in a non-conductive state such that no current is supplied to or received from these phases. According to one or more other exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, one or both of these phases may be experiencing a fault condition, or alternatively, one or both of these phases may be intentionally shut down to facilitate operation (see, e.g., reference below). Figure 8 and Fig. 9 One or both of these phases may be turned off by opening one or more switches associated with an AC / DC converter electrically connected to the corresponding phase (e.g., switch 418 of first power converter unit 410 or switch 420 of second power converter unit 412, respectively).

[0112] In particular, if Figure 7 As will be appreciated from the graph 454 of FIG. 4 and the discussion herein, the first set of windings 438 is powered to provide a net zero current in the first set of windings 438 while maintaining one phase (C1 in the illustrated embodiment) of the first set of windings 438 in a non-conducting state. Similarly, the second set of windings 440 is powered to provide a net zero current in the second set of windings 440 while maintaining one phase (B2 in the illustrated embodiment) of the second set of windings 440 in a non-conducting state. In order to generate torque having such a spatial sequence, the second set of windings 440 is powered 60 degrees out of phase with the first set of windings 438.

[0113] More specifically, for the illustrated embodiment, as briefly described above, phase C1 of the first group of windings 438 and phase B2 of the second group of windings 440 are maintained in a non-conducting state, phase A2 of the second group of windings 440 is powered in a manner that is 60 degrees out of phase with phase A1 of the first group of windings 438, and phase C2 of the second group of windings 440 is powered in a manner that is 60 degrees out of phase with phase B1 of the first group of windings 438.

[0114] However, it should be understood that in other exemplary embodiments, other phases of the first set of windings 438, the second set of windings 440, or both may be maintained in a non-conductive state. With such a configuration, the remaining phases in operation may be operated in the manner described herein.

[0115] More specifically, for the first set of windings 438 during operating conditions where one or more of the phases are in a non-conducting state, the basic components of the winding function may be:

[0116] Na1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e );

[0117] Nb1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -2π / 3);

[0118] Nc1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0119] Furthermore, it should be appreciated that when the first set of windings 438 is powered to provide a net zero current in the first set of windings 438 while maintaining one phase of the first set of windings 438 in a non-conducting state, the substantial component of the current flowing in the first set of windings 438 may be defined as:

[0120] ia1(t)=Ipk1 cos(ω e t);

[0121] ib1(t)=-Ipk1 cos(ω e t); and

[0122] ic1(t)=0;

[0123] Similarly, for the second set of windings 440 during operating conditions where one or more of the phases are in a non-conducting state, the basic components of the winding function may be:

[0124] Na2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e );

[0125] Nb2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -2π / 3);

[0126] Nc2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0127] Furthermore, it should be understood that when the second set of windings 440 is powered to provide a net zero current in the second set of windings 440 while maintaining one phase of the second set of windings 440 in a non-conducting state, the substantial component of the current flowing in the second set of windings 440 can be defined as:

[0128] ia2(t)=Ipk2 cos(ωe t+π / 3);

[0129] ib2(t)=0;

[0130] ic2(t)=-Ipk2 cos(ω e t+π / 3);

[0131] The motor 402 is operated according to the above-mentioned spatial sequence (see Figure 3 ) can allow the motor 402 to operate in a partial phase mode without a neutral or ground line connected in the first set of windings 438 or the second set of windings 440. In this way, neither the first set of windings 438 nor the second set of windings 440 of the motor 402 can be connected to a neutral line or a ground line.

[0132] It is worth noting that the term "partial phase mode" refers to an operating condition where one or more phases are operated in a non-conducting state. This may be the result of a fault in a phase, or may be the result of intentionally operating a phase in a non-conducting state, such as to determine rotor position, as described below. The term "full phase mode" refers to an operating condition where no phase of the motor is operated in a non-conducting state.

[0133] Additionally, this configuration may allow the motor 402 to be used to generate power or torque while operating in a partial phase mode using the combined effect of the active four phases of the first set of windings 438 and the second set of windings 440 to generate half the amplitude of the normal operating mode.

[0134] It is worth noting that although the above spatial sequence is described with respect to a motor having two sets of windings, in other exemplary embodiments, the spatial sequence can be applied to a motor having any other suitable number of windings (e.g., four or more sets of windings). For example, the above spatial sequence can be applied to a motor having N channels (or more precisely, N sets of three-phase windings), where N is any multiple of 2. In this configuration, (3x N)-N phase operation will be provided, with (2xπ) / (3x N) phase separation between them, a rotating magnetic field can be generated, and one phase of each channel can be used for back EMF sensing and "sensorless" control (i.e., control without a position sensor on a component coupled to the rotor of the motor).

[0135] Reference now Figure 8 , a motor assembly 400 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is provided. Figure 8 The motor assembly 400 can be similar to the above reference Figures 3 to 7 The exemplary motor assembly 400 described above is constructed in substantially the same manner.

[0136] For example, Figure 8An exemplary aspect of the motor assembly 400 provides a method for determining the position (e.g., the spatial electrical angle of the rotor 432) of the motor 402 of the motor assembly 400 when at least one phase of the first set of windings 438 and at least one phase of the second set of windings 440 are in a non-conducting state, such as to provide zero current. Specifically, Figure 8 The exemplary embodiment depicted in the motor assembly 400 includes a controller 422 and one or more sensors, the one or more sensors being electrically connected to the phases of the first set of windings 438 operating in the non-conductive state and the phases of the second set of windings 440 operating in the non-conductive state. The one or more sensors are configured to provide data indicating a voltage signal in the phase of the first set of windings 438 operating in the non-conductive state and data indicating a voltage signal in the phase of the second set of windings 440 operating in the non-conductive state to the controller 422. Specifically, for the depicted embodiment, the motor assembly 400 includes a first voltage sensor 456 and a second voltage sensor 458, the first voltage sensor 456 being configured to provide data indicating a voltage signal in the phase of the first set of windings 438 operating in the non-conductive state to the controller 422, and the second voltage sensor 458 being configured to provide data indicating a voltage signal in the phase of the second set of windings 440 operating in the non-conductive state to the controller 422.

[0137] As described above, the power supply is switched on by opening one or more switches associated with the respective AC / DC converters electrically connected to the respective phases (e.g., switch 418 of first power converter unit 410 or switch 420 of second power converter unit 412, respectively; see Figure 3 ), the phase can be operated in a non-conducting state (e.g., to provide zero current).

[0138] The depicted exemplary controller 422 also includes a processing module 460 configured to receive data indicating a voltage signal of a phase of a first set of windings 438 operating in a non-conductive state and a voltage signal of a phase of a second set of windings 440 operating in a non-conductive state from one or more sensors (sensors 456, 458 of the illustrated embodiment). The processing module 460 is configured to apply one or more processing steps discussed below to the received data to determine the spatial electrical angle of the rotor 432 of the motor 402. The determined spatial electrical angle may be provided to a separate controller, or another module of the controller 422 depicted as being able to control the decision making of the motor 402.

[0139] Reference now Fig. 9, the operation of the processing module 460 is described in more detail. As described above, the processing module 460 receives data indicating a voltage signal of a phase of the first set of windings 438 operating in a non-conductive state and a voltage signal of a phase of the second set of windings 440 operating in a non-conductive state. More specifically, in the exemplary aspect depicted, the data indicating the voltage signal of the phase of the first set of windings 438 is a first back EMF signal in the phase, and the data indicating the voltage signal of the phase of the second set of windings 440 is a second back EMF signal in the phase.

[0140] The processing module 460 receives data indicating the first back EMF signal and data indicating the second back EMF signal (shown as E b2 The processing module 460 may determine the position of the rotor 432 of the motor 402 based on the received data indicating the first back EMF signal and the received data indicating the second back EMF signal.

[0141] More specifically, the processing module 460 is configured to receive a first back EMF signal (shown as E c1 ) and indicates the vector data of the second back EMF signal (shown as E b2 j, where "j" is an imaginary unit). In this way, it should be understood that the second back EMF signal is an imaginary unit, as given by Fig. 9 A graph 462 of the first back EMF signal and the second back EMF signal is provided at label A.

[0142] The processing module 460 is configured to shift the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by 90 degrees at block 464 by multiplying the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by a shift factor, such as Fig. 9 As shown, the offset factor is described in box 464 using Euler's formula, where "j" is the imaginary unit. At label B, a graph 466 of the offset vector data is provided.

[0143] The vector data indicative of the first back EMF signal and the vector data indicative of the second back EMF signal (offset by 90 degrees) are joined together at box 468, and then the data is divided so that the vector data indicative of the second back EMF signal can be scaled by a scaling factor equal to the square root of three at 470. A graph 472 of the resulting data is indicated at label C.

[0144] As will be appreciated, the processing described above with respect to processing module 460 may produce balanced rotation vector data, as shown in diagram 472. At 474, the balanced rotation vector data is provided to a phase-locked loop. Phase-locked loop 474 may determine data indicative of rotor position (e.g., the spatial electrical angle of rotor 432 of motor 402) based on the processed data, and then provide the data indicative of rotor position to motor control module 476. Motor control module 476 may be integrated into controller 422 (see Figure 8 ), or may be a stand-alone controller, or may be integrated into any other suitable controller. The motor control module 476 may be configured to make control decisions regarding the motor 402 based at least in part on the received data indicating the rotor position (e.g., the spatial electrical angle of the rotor 432 of the motor 402). Using this data to control the motor 402 may result in more efficient operation of the motor 402.

[0145] Notably, using the above-described method for determining the position of the rotor 432 of the motor 402 may allow for the omission of one or more components that may otherwise be used to determine the position of the rotor 432. For example, employing the above-described method may allow for the omission of a resolver or encoder located on the shaft or spool of the motor driving the rotor 432 of the motor 402. This may result in a shorter and / or lighter motor.

[0146] In addition, utilizing the above method may allow for more efficient estimation of the rotor position (e.g., the spatial electrical angle of the rotor 432 of the motor 402) during low speed operation of the motor 402 (e.g., when the rotor 432 of the motor 402 is operated at a speed less than 1200 rpm (such as less than 1000 rpm)). For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, when the rotor 432 of the motor 402 is operated at a speed less than or equal to 15% of the maximum rated speed of the motor (such as less than or equal to 10% of the maximum rated speed of the motor), the above method may allow for more efficient estimation of the rotor position. Other rotor position estimation algorithms may be less accurate at these low speeds.

[0147] In certain exemplary embodiments, when the phases of the first set of windings 438 are in a non-conducting state and the phases of the second set of windings 440 are in a non-conducting state, the motor 402 may be operated as described above with reference to, for example, Figures 3 to 7 This allows the use of Figure 8 and Fig. 9 method without the need for a solid (or any) neutral or ground wire.

[0148] However, in other exemplary embodiments, when using the above reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9While the method described herein is for determining the position of the rotor 432 of the motor 402 , the motor 402 may be operated according to any other suitable method / spatial sequence.

[0149] Now briefly refer to Fig.10 , a method 500 of operating a motor assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure is provided. The motor assembly can be constructed in a manner similar to one or more of the exemplary motor assemblies described above. For example, the motor assembly can include a motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings.

[0150] Method 500 includes operating an electric machine in a partial phase mode at (502), wherein operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode includes powering a first group of windings at (504) to provide a net zero current in the first group of windings while maintaining one phase of the first group of windings in a non-conducting state; and powering a second group of windings at (506) to provide a net zero current in the second group of windings while maintaining one phase of the second group of windings in a non-conducting state.

[0151] Now briefly refer to Fig.11 , a method 600 of operating a motor assembly according to another aspect of the present disclosure is provided. The motor assembly can be constructed in a manner similar to one or more of the exemplary motor assemblies described above. For example, the motor assembly can include a motor having a first set of windings and a second set of windings.

[0152] The method 600 includes receiving data indicating a first back EMF signal from a phase of a first set of windings at (602); and receiving data indicating a second back EMF signal from a phase of a second set of windings at (604). The method 600 also includes determining a position of a rotor of the motor based on the received data indicating the first back EMF signal at (606). More specifically, determining the position of the rotor of the motor at (606) also includes determining the position of the rotor of the motor based on the received data indicating the first back EMF signal and the received data indicating the second back EMF signal at (608).

[0153] In particular, for the exemplary aspects depicted, determining the position of the rotor of the motor at (606) also includes receiving vector data indicating a first back EMP signal and a second back EMF signal at (610), wherein the second back EMF signal is an imaginary unit; offsetting the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by 90 degrees at (612); and scaling the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by a scaling factor at (614).

[0154] In short, it will be further appreciated that in certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, the motor can be switched between a full-phase operating mode and a partial-phase operating mode, thereby allowing the rotor position of the motor to be periodically determined with minimal reduction in torque output. Fig.12 , graphically depicts one such control scheme. Specifically, Fig.12 A graph 650 is shown with torque on the Y-axis 652 in Newton meters (Nm) and time on the X-axis 654 in seconds (s). The motor torque output is depicted using line 656. As will be appreciated, the motor operates in a full-phase operating mode for a first duration 658 and in a partial-phase operating mode for a second duration 660. The full-phase operating mode may refer to the above reference, for example, Figure 5 The partial phase operation mode may refer to the above reference, for example Figure 7 It is worth noting that operating in the partial phase operation mode can allow, for example, the operation according to method 600 and / or the above with Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The associated description is used to determine the rotor position.

[0155] exist Fig.12 In the exemplary operating scheme depicted, operation in the partial-phase operating mode can account for 5% to 75% of the total operating time (the motor operates in the full-phase operating mode for the rest of the time), such as at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20% or at least 25%, such as up to 65% of the total operating time, up to 50% of the total operating time, up to 40% of the total operating time or up to 30% of the total operating time (the motor operates in the full-phase operating mode for the rest of the time).

[0156] In particular, for Fig.12 In an exemplary aspect, the operation in the partial phase operation mode accounts for 25% of the total operation time, and the operation in the full phase operation mode accounts for 75% of the total operation time. With this configuration, the net power output is approximately 87.5% of the power output when operating in the full phase operation mode, resulting in relatively small torque losses.

[0157] However, it should be understood that the above reference Fig.12 The percentages discussed are by way of example only, and the actual percentages will depend on various factors, including the inertia of the rotating components, damping requirements, etc.

[0158] Operating the electric machine according to such exemplary aspects can allow the electric machine to generate a desired amount of torque while also allowing the position of the rotor to be determined. Notably, in at least some embodiments, the electric machine can be coupled to a rotating component having a relatively high moment of inertia (e.g., a spool of a gas turbine engine). With this configuration, when operating the electric machine in a full-phase operating mode, the rotor position of the electric machine can be inferred with a relatively high degree of confidence based on information collected when operating the electric machine during a partial-phase operating mode.

[0159] Reference now Fig.13 , Fig.13An example computing system 700 is provided according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, computing devices or elements described herein, such as controller 422 and module 476, may include various components and perform various functions of computing system 700 described below.

[0160] like Fig.13 As shown, computing system 700 may include one or more computing devices 702. Computing device 702 may include one or more processors 702A and one or more memory devices 702B. One or more processors 702A may include any suitable processing device, such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, a logic device, and / or other suitable processing device. One or more memory devices 702B may include one or more computer executable or computer readable media, including but not limited to non-transitory computer readable media, RAM, ROM, hard disk drive, flash drive, and / or other memory devices.

[0161] One or more memory devices 702B may store information accessible by one or more processors 702A, including computer-readable instructions 702C executable by one or more processors 702A. Instructions 702C may be any instruction set that causes one or more processors 702A to operate when executed by one or more processors 702A. In some embodiments, instructions 702C may be executed by one or more processors 702A to cause one or more processors 702A to operate, such as any operation and function that the computing system 700 and / or computing device 702 are constructed for, such as controlling the operation of the power system. Instructions 702C may be software written in any suitable programming language or may be implemented in hardware. Additionally and / or alternatively, instructions 702C may be executed in logically and / or virtually separated threads on processor 702A. Memory device 702B may further store data 702D accessible by processor 702A. For example, data 702D may include models, lookup tables, databases, etc.

[0162] The computing device 702 may also include a network interface 702E for communicating with other components of the system 700 (e.g., via a communication network), for example. The network interface 702E may include any suitable components for interfacing with one or more networks, including, for example, a transmitter, a receiver, a port, a controller, an antenna, and / or other suitable components. One or more devices may be configured to receive one or more commands from the computing device 702, or to provide one or more commands to the computing device 702.

[0163] The technology discussed herein refers to computer-based systems, actions taken by computer-based systems, information sent to computer-based systems, and information from computer-based systems. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the inherent flexibility of computer-based systems allows for a variety of possible configurations, combinations, and divisions of tasks and functions between and within components. For example, the processing discussed herein can be implemented using a single computing device or multiple computing devices working in combination. Databases, memories, instructions, and applications can be implemented on a single system or distributed on multiple systems. Distributed components can operate sequentially or in parallel.

[0164] Further aspects are provided by the subject matter of the following clauses:

[0165] A method for operating a motor component, the motor component having a motor including a first set of windings and a second set of windings, the method comprising: operating the motor in a partial phase mode, wherein operating the motor in the partial phase mode comprises: powering the first set of windings to provide a net zero current in the first set of windings while maintaining one phase of the first set of windings in a non-conducting state; and powering the second set of windings to provide a net zero current in the second set of windings while maintaining one phase of the second set of windings in a non-conducting state.

[0166] A method according to any preceding clause, wherein the first group of windings includes phases A1, B1 and C1, wherein the second group of windings includes phases A2, B2 and C2, wherein powering the first group of windings includes powering phases A1 and B1 at 180 degrees out of phase, and wherein powering the second group of windings includes powering A2 and C2 at 180 degrees out of phase, wherein A2 is 60 degrees out of phase with A1.

[0167] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein energizing the first set of windings comprises energizing the first set of windings according to the following spatial sequence:

[0168] Na1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e );

[0169] Nb1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -2π / 3); and

[0170] Nc1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0171] Wherein supplying power to the second set of windings comprises supplying power to the second set of windings according to the following spatial sequence:

[0172] Na2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e );

[0173] Nb2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -2π / 3); and

[0174] Nc2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0175] wherein Na1, Nb1, Nc1, Na2, Nb2 and Nc2 are winding functions of phases A1, B1 and C1 of the first set of windings and phases A2, B2 and C2 of the second set of windings; wherein N1 and N2 are peak winding functions of the first set of windings and the second set of windings, respectively; and wherein, θ e is the spatial electrical angle between the first group of windings and the second group of windings.

[0176] A method according to any preceding clause, wherein the essential components of the current through the phases A1, B1 and C1 of the first set of windings and the phases A2, B2 and C2 of the second set of windings are as follows:

[0177] ia1(t)=Ipk1 cos(ω e t);

[0178] ib1(t)=-Ipk1 cos(ω e t);

[0179] ic1(t)=0;

[0180] ia2(t)=Ipk2 cos(ω e t+π / 3);

[0181] ib2(t)=0; and

[0182] ic2(t)=-Ipk2 cos(ω e t+π / 3);

[0183] Where ia1(t), ib1(t), ic1(t), ia2(t), ib2(t) and ic2(t) are the currents through the phases A1, B1 and C1 of the first set of windings and the phases A2, B2 and C2 of the second set of windings at a given time t; Where Ipk1 and Ipk2 are the peak currents flowing in the first set of windings and the second set of windings, respectively, in amperes; Where ω eis the angular frequency of the first current group and the second current group, in radians per second; and wherein t is the time, in seconds.

[0184] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein the electric machine is a synchronous machine, wherein the first set of windings is a set of three-phase windings, and wherein the second set of windings is a set of three-phase windings.

[0185] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein neither the first set of windings nor the second set of windings of the electric machine are coupled to a neutral line.

[0186] A method according to any preceding clause, wherein operating the motor in the partial phase mode further comprises: receiving data indicating a first back EMF signal from the one phase of the first group of windings; receiving data indicating a second back EMF signal from the one phase of the second group of windings; and determining data indicating the position of the rotor of the motor based on the data indicating the first back EMF signal and the data indicating the second back EMF signal.

[0187] A method according to any preceding clause, wherein determining data indicating the position of the rotor further comprises: receiving vector data indicating the first back EMF signal and the second back EMF signal, wherein the second back EMF signal is an imaginary unit; offsetting the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by 90 degrees; and scaling the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by a scaling factor.

[0188] A method as described in any preceding clause, wherein receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal comprises receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal from a first voltage sensor, and wherein receiving data indicative of the second back EMF signal comprises receiving data indicative of the second back EMF signal from a second voltage sensor.

[0189] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal comprises receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal while operating the motor at a rotational speed of less than 1200 revolutions per minute.

[0190] A motor assembly comprises: a motor comprising a first set of windings and a second set of windings, wherein the first set of windings comprises phases A1, B1 and C1, and wherein the second set of windings comprises phases A2, B2 and C2; and a controller operatively communicating with the motor, the controller comprising one or more processors and a memory, the memory storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the motor assembly to power the first set of windings and the second set of windings to provide a net zero current in the first set of windings and to provide a net zero current in the second set of windings in response to receiving data indicating a fault in at least one phase of the first set of windings or the second set of windings.

[0191] An electric motor assembly as described in any preceding clause, wherein, in response to receiving data indicating the fault of at least one phase in the first set of windings or the second set of windings, the controller is constructed to power phases A1 and B1 at 180 degrees out of phase and power phases A2 and C2 at 180 degrees out of phase, wherein A2 is 60 degrees out of phase with A1.

[0192] An electric machine assembly according to any preceding clause, wherein, in response to receiving data indicative of the fault of the at least one phase in the first or second set of windings, the controller is configured to energize the first and second sets of windings according to the following spatial sequence:

[0193] Na1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e );

[0194] Nb1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -2π / 3);

[0195] Nc1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0196] Na2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e );

[0197] Nb2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -2π / 3); and

[0198] Nc2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -4π / 3);

[0199] wherein Na1, Nb1, Nc1, Na2, Nb2 and Nc2 are winding functions of phases A1, B1 and C1 of the first set of windings and phases A2, B2 and C2 of the second set of windings; wherein N1 and N2 are peak winding functions of the first set of windings and the second set of windings, respectively; and wherein θ e is the spatial electrical angle between the first group of windings and the second group of windings.

[0200] An electric machine assembly as claimed in any preceding clause, wherein the electric machine is a synchronous machine, wherein the first set of windings is a set of three-phase windings, and wherein the second set of windings is a set of three-phase windings.

[0201] An electric machine assembly as claimed in any preceding clause, wherein neither the first set of windings nor the second set of windings are coupled to neutral or ground.

[0202] A method for operating a motor component having a motor including a first set of windings and a second set of windings, the method comprising: receiving data indicating a first back EMF signal from a phase of the first set of windings; and determining data indicating a position of a rotor of the motor based on the received data indicating the first back EMF signal.

[0203] The method according to any preceding clause, further comprising: receiving data indicating a second back EMF signal from a phase of the second group of windings, wherein determining data indicating the position of the rotor of the motor further comprises determining data indicating the position of the rotor of the motor based on the received data indicating the first back EMF signal and the second back EMF signal.

[0204] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein the phase of the first set of windings is in a non-conducting state, and wherein the phase of the second set of windings is also in a non-conducting state.

[0205] A method according to any preceding clause, wherein determining data indicating the position of the rotor further comprises: receiving vector data indicating the first back EMP signal and the second back EMF signal, wherein the second back EMF signal is an imaginary unit; offsetting the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by 90 degrees; and scaling the vector data indicating the second back EMF signal by a scaling factor.

[0206] A method as described in any preceding clause, wherein receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal comprises receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal from a first voltage sensor, and wherein receiving data indicative of the second back EMF signal comprises receiving data indicative of the second back EMF signal from a second voltage sensor.

[0207] The method according to any of the preceding clauses comprises: operating the motor in partial phase mode, wherein operating the motor in the partial phase mode comprises the following steps: receiving data indicating the first back EMF signal from the phase of the first group of windings, and determining data indicating the position of the rotor of the motor based on the received data indicating the first back EMF signal; and after operating the motor in the partial phase mode, operating the motor in full phase mode.

[0208] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein operating the electric machine in the full-phase mode after operating the electric machine in the partial-phase mode comprises determining a position of a rotor of the electric machine based on data received while operating the electric machine in the partial-phase mode.

[0209] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein determining the position of the rotor of the electric machine based on data received when operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode comprises extrapolating data indicative of the position of the rotor when operating the electric machine in the full phase mode.

[0210] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode comprises operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode between 5% and 75% of the total operating time.

[0211] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode between 5% and 75% of the total operating time comprises operating the electric machine in the full phase operating mode for the remainder of the total operating time.

[0212] A method as in any preceding clause, wherein operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode between 5% and 75% of the total operating time comprises operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode between 15% and 50% of the total operating time.

[0213] This written description uses examples to disclose the present disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the present disclosure, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The patentable scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. These other examples are intended to fall within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for operating an electric motor assembly having an electric motor including a first set of windings and a second set of windings, characterized in that: The method comprises: Operating the electric machine in a partial phase mode, wherein operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode comprises: energizing a first set of windings to provide a net zero current in the first set of windings while maintaining one phase of the first set of windings in a non-conducting state; and The second set of windings is energized to provide a net zero current in the second set of windings while maintaining one phase of the second set of windings in a non-conducting state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in, The first set of windings includes phases A1, B1 and C1, wherein the second set of windings includes phases A2, B2 and C2, wherein powering the first set of windings includes powering phases A1 and B1 at 180 degrees out of phase, and wherein powering the second set of windings includes powering A2 and C2 at 180 degrees out of phase, wherein A2 is 60 degrees out of phase with A1.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that in, Powering the first set of windings includes powering the first set of windings according to the following spatial sequence: Na1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e ); Nb1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -2p / 3); Nc1(θ e )=N1 cos(θ e -4π / 3); Wherein supplying power to the second set of windings comprises supplying power to the second set of windings according to the following spatial sequence: Na2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e ); Nb2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -2p / 3); Nc2(θ e )=-N2 cos(θ e -4π / 3); wherein Na1, Nb1, Nc1, Na2, Nb2 and Nc2 are winding functions of phases A1, B1 and C1 of the first set of windings and phases A2, B2 and C2 of the second set of windings; wherein N1 and N2 are peak winding functions of the first set of windings and the second set of windings, respectively; and where θ e is the spatial electrical angle between the first group of windings and the second group of windings.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that: in, The basic components of the current through the phases A1, B1 and C1 of the first set of windings and the phases A2, B2 and C2 of the second set of windings are as follows: ia1(t)=Ipk1 cos(ω e t); ib1(t)=-Ipk1 cos(ω e t); ic1(t)=0; ia2(t)=Ipk2 cos(ω e t+ π / 3); ib2(t)=0; and ic2(t)=-Ipk2 cos(ω e t+π / 3); wherein ia1(t), ib1(t), ic1(t), ia2(t), ib2(t) and ic2(t) are the currents through the phases A1, B1 and C1 of the first set of windings and the phases A2, B2 and C2 of the second set of windings at a given time t; Wherein, Ipk1 and Ipk2 are the peak currents flowing in the first group of windings and the second group of windings, respectively, in amperes; Among them, ω e is the angular frequency of the first current group and the second current group, in radians per second; and Here, t is the time in seconds.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in, The electric machine is a synchronous machine, wherein the first set of windings is a set of three-phase windings, and wherein the second set of windings is a set of three-phase windings.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in, Neither the first set of windings nor the second set of windings of the electric machine are coupled to a neutral line.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that in, Operating the electric machine in the partial phase mode further comprises: receiving data indicative of a first back EMF signal from the one phase of the first set of windings; receiving data indicative of a second back EMF signal from the one phase of the second set of windings; and Data indicative of a position of a rotor of the motor is determined based on data indicative of the first back EMF signal and data indicative of a second back EMF signal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that in, Determining data indicative of the position of the rotor further comprises: receiving vector data indicative of the first back EMF signal and the second back EMF signal, wherein the second back EMF signal is an imaginary unit; shifting the vector data indicative of the second back EMF signal by 90 degrees; and The vector data indicative of the second back EMF signal is scaled by a scaling factor.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that: in, Receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal includes receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal from a first voltage sensor, and wherein receiving data indicative of the second back EMF signal includes receiving data indicative of the second back EMF signal from a second voltage sensor.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that in, Receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal includes receiving data indicative of the first back EMF signal while operating the motor at a rotational speed of less than 1200 rpm.

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