System, apparatus, method, and computer program product for detecting unbalanced phase and phase loss faults for motor control

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to systems, apparatus, methods, and computer program products for detecting unbalanced phase and phase loss faults for motor control. Various examples in accordance with the present disclosure provide systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer program products associated with detecting phase faults, such as unbalanced phases and phase loss faults, in an electric machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Example embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to motor control and, more particularly, to apparatuses, methods, and systems associated with the detection of unbalanced phases and phase loss faults associated with an electric motor. Background Art

[0002] The applicant has identified a number of technical challenges and difficulties associated with motor control. Through effort, ingenuity, and innovation, the applicant has solved many of these identified problems by developing the embodiments of the present disclosure, which will be described in detail below. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Various embodiments described herein relate to detecting phase faults associated with an electric motor, such as, for example, unbalanced phases and phase loss faults. After examining the following drawings and detailed description, other implementations for detecting phase faults associated with an electric motor will be or will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is intended that all such additional implementations be included within the scope of this specification and be protected by the following claims.

[0004] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for detecting a phase fault in an electric motor including a stator and a rotor is provided. In one example, the computer-implemented method includes determining, by one or more processors, a peak phase channel associated with a first sector among a plurality of sectors in which the rotor is located based on a stator energization vector; determining, by one or more processors, a first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector, wherein the first peak phase channel current sum value includes a sum value of a consecutive number of peak current values associated with the peak phase channel; determining, by one or more processors, a degree of imbalance associated with the first sector based on a comparison of the first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector and a second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector among the plurality of sectors, wherein the first sector includes a current sector and the second sector includes a previous sector determined based on a rotation direction of the rotor; comparing, by one or more processors, the degree of imbalance with an imbalance degree threshold to determine whether the degree of imbalance meets the imbalance degree threshold; and updating, by one or more processors, a phase imbalance occurrence count of the electric motor based on a comparison of the degree of imbalance with the imbalance degree threshold.

[0005] In some embodiments, determining the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector includes: determining, by one or more processors, a difference metric for the first sector based on the first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector and the second peak phase channel current sum value associated with the second sector among the plurality of sectors; and performing a normalization operation on the difference metric to determine the degree of imbalance.

[0006] In some embodiments, the example method further includes determining whether a phase imbalance occurrence count meets a predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets the predetermined threshold, initiating execution of one or more protection actions.

[0007] In some embodiments, the example method further includes determining that the electric machine is associated with an unbalanced phase and / or a phase loss fault in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets the predetermined threshold.

[0008] In some embodiments, the electric machine includes a three-phase electric machine.

[0009] In some embodiments, the example method further includes determining a first sector based on a stator energization angle.

[0010] In some embodiments, the example method further includes storing a first peak phase channel current sum value in a storage location for comparison with a third peak phase channel current sum value associated with a subsequent sector.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an apparatus for detecting a phase fault in an electric machine including a stator and a rotor. In one example, the apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory including program code stored thereon, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine a peak phase channel associated with a first sector among a plurality of sectors in which the rotor is located based on a stator energization vector; determine a first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector, wherein the first peak phase channel current sum value includes a sum value of a consecutive number of peak current values associated with the peak phase channel; determine a degree of imbalance associated with the first sector based on comparing the first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector with a second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector among the plurality of sectors, wherein the first sector includes a current sector and the second sector includes a previous sector determined based on a rotation direction of the rotor; compare the degree of imbalance with an imbalance degree threshold to determine whether the degree of imbalance meets the imbalance degree threshold; and update a phase imbalance occurrence count of the electric machine based on the comparison of the degree of imbalance with the imbalance degree threshold.

[0012] In some embodiments, the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to determine the degree of imbalance associated with a first sector by: determining a difference metric for the first sector based on a sum value of first peak phase channel currents of the first sector and a sum value of second peak phase channel currents associated with a second sector among a plurality of sectors; and performing a normalization operation on the difference metric to determine the degree of imbalance.

[0013] In some embodiments, the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, further cause the device to at least: determine whether a phase imbalance occurrence count meets a predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets the predetermined threshold, initiate the execution of one or more protection actions.

[0014] In some embodiments, the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, further cause the device to at least: in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets the predetermined threshold, determine that the motor is associated with an unbalanced phase and / or a phase loss fault.

[0015] In some embodiments, the motor includes a three-phase motor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, further cause the device to at least: determine a first sector based on the stator energization angle.

[0017] In some embodiments, the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, further cause the device to store the sum value of the first peak phase channel currents in a storage location for comparison with a sum value of third peak phase channel currents associated with a subsequent sector.

[0018] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program product for detecting a phase fault in an electric machine including a stator and a rotor. In one example, the computer program product includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions including executable portions configured to: determine a peak phase channel associated with a first sector among a plurality of sectors where the rotor is located based on a stator energization vector; determine a first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector, where the first peak phase channel current sum value includes a sum value of a consecutive number of peak current values associated with the peak phase channel; determine a degree of imbalance associated with the first sector based on comparing the first peak phase channel current sum value of the first sector with a second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector among the plurality of sectors, where the first sector includes the current sector and the second sector includes a previous sector determined based on the rotation direction of the rotor; compare the degree of imbalance with an imbalance degree threshold to determine whether the degree of imbalance meets the imbalance degree threshold; and update a phase imbalance occurrence count of the electric machine based on the comparison of the degree of imbalance with the imbalance degree threshold.

[0019] In some embodiments, the executable portion is further configured to determine the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector by: determining a difference metric for the first sector based on the first peak phase channel current sum value of the first sector and the second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector among the plurality of sectors; and performing a normalization operation on the difference metric to determine the degree of imbalance.

[0020] In some embodiments, the executable portion is further configured to: determine whether the phase imbalance occurrence count meets a predetermined threshold; and in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets the predetermined threshold, initiate the execution of one or more protection actions.

[0021] In some embodiments, the executable portion is further configured to: in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets a predetermined threshold, determine that the electric machine is associated with an unbalanced phase and / or phase loss fault.

[0022] In some embodiments, the electric machine includes a three-phase electric machine.

[0023] In some embodiments, the executable portion is further configured to: determine the first sector based on a stator energization angle.

[0024] The above illustrative summary and other example objects and / or advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the manner of achieving those objects and advantages, are further explained in the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The description of the illustrative embodiments may be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that, for simplicity and clarity of illustration, the elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements unless otherwise noted. Embodiments incorporating the teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the drawings presented herein, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A block diagram of an example environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may operate is illustrated;

[0027] FIG. 2a illustrates an example motor control system in which a phase fault detection system according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure may be utilized;

[0028] FIG. 2b illustrates example SVPWM phase voltage waveforms according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 2c illustrates example phase current waveforms according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 A block diagram of an example apparatus that may be specifically configured according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated;

[0031] FIG. 4a illustrates a visualization of an example data environment for detecting a phase fault according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 4b illustrates an example operation of a portion of an example balanced phase current waveform associated with an example motor control system in which a phase fault detection system according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure is utilized;

[0033] FIGS. 4c - 4d illustrate example sampling windows for determining a peak phase channel current sum value according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 4e illustrates an example operation of an unbalanced phase current waveform that may be associated with a motor according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 4f illustrates an example operation of a graphical representation of the unbalance degree output of an example phase fault detection system according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIGS. 4g - 4n illustrate example operations of different degrees of phase current waveforms and corresponding unbalance degree outputs according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0037] Figure 5The figure shows a flowchart of example operations depicting an example process for detecting a phase fault in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0038] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. In fact, the disclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers always refer to like elements.

[0039] The terms (such as "front", "rear", "top", etc.) used herein are for explanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative positions of certain components or component parts. Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the terms "substantially" and "approximately" indicate that the referenced element or related description is accurate within the applicable engineering tolerances.

[0040] As used herein, the term "comprising" means including but not limited to the manner commonly used in the patent context and should be interpreted accordingly. The use of broader terms (such as "comprises", "includes", and "having") should be understood to support narrower terms such as "consisting of", "consisting essentially of", and "comprised substantially of".

[0041] Phrases such as "in one embodiment", "according to one embodiment", etc. generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present disclosure (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment).

[0042] The word "example" or "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration". Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as superior to other implementations.

[0043] If the specification states that a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other such language) is included or has a characteristic, then the particular component or feature is not necessarily included or has that characteristic. Such a component or feature may optionally be included in some embodiments or may be excluded.

[0044] Unless otherwise specified, the term “or” as used herein has both an alternative and a conjunctive meaning. The terms “exemplary” and “example” are used to denote examples without indication of a level of quality. Terms such as “calculate,” “determine,” “generate,” and / or similar words are used interchangeably herein to refer to the creation, modification, or identification of data. Further, unless otherwise specified, “based on,” “based on in part on,” “based at least on,” “based upon,” and / or similar words are used interchangeably herein in an open-ended manner such that they do not indicate being based solely or merely on the one or more recited elements. The same numerals always refer to the same elements.

[0045] In a motor having a three-phase winding (e.g., a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), an AC induction motor (ACIM), a brushless DC motor (BLDC), etc.), an imbalance in the phase currents (which is caused by, for example, phase loss, short circuit, loose wires, etc.) reduces the output torque of the motor; increases the current in the stator windings (e.g., relative to normal operation); and increases the copper loss and iron loss. This in turn causes the motor temperature to rise and ultimately burns out the stator windings.

[0046] Embodiments of the present disclosure address the above challenges and difficulties, as well as other challenges and difficulties associated with motor control. Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a phase fault detection system configured to efficiently and reliably detect at least unbalanced phases and phase loss associated with a motor. For example, example embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to detect and timely protect a motor when improper fuse selection or poor pressing occurs (e.g., such that the fuse disconnects a phase of the motor). As another example, example embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to detect and timely protect a motor when a wire connector is loose and / or a wire of a winding is broken. As another example, example embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to detect and timely protect a motor when a phase winding is disconnected. As another example, example embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to detect and timely protect a motor when there is a short circuit between phases, turns, and / or ground, including cases where the motor phase cable is not disconnected to the extent of disconnection, the fuse of the DC bus is not blown, and the three-phase current of the motor is unbalanced.

[0047] Some embodiments of the present disclosure determine a peak phase channel associated with a sector where a rotor of a motor is located based on a stator energization vector, determine a sum value of peak phase channel currents of the sector, and determine a difference metric of the sector by comparing with a previous sector where the rotor of the motor is located (e.g., the immediately preceding rotor sector). Some embodiments determine a degree of imbalance (e.g., an imbalance measurement) based on the difference metric and / or a normalization operation. In some embodiments, one or more protection actions (e.g., reducing the speed of the motor, stopping the motor by a microcontroller associated with the motor, etc.) are triggered or otherwise initiated in response to the degree of imbalance meeting one or more criteria to mitigate damage.

[0048] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide several technical advantages. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to determine a peak phase channel (also referred to herein as a peak phase current channel) for unbalance analysis regardless of the state of the motor, e.g., whether the motor is in a normal operating state or in a startup process in a sensorless open-loop mode. As another example, by performing a normalization operation to determine the degree of unbalance associated with a sector, embodiments of the present disclosure effectively perform both at a rated power state and at a no-load state, which eliminates the need to set different fault trigger thresholds in a drive system (e.g., a motor control system) based on different peak phase currents. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to operate both under load operating conditions (e.g., rated power operating conditions) and no-load operating conditions (e.g., 0.5A peak, etc.), where the same performance can be exhibited for both the rated power operating condition and the no-load operating condition regardless of the current level. As another example, in addition to being able to detect a phase loss fault associated with the motor, example embodiments of the present disclosure can also accurately detect the degree of unbalance present in the drive system / motor control system and facilitate the implementation of appropriate measures. As another example, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strong anti-interference ability for fault judgment, including ripples in the phase current sampling. For example, some embodiments initiate the execution of one or more protection actions based on the number of consecutive unbalance degree measurements that meet a predetermined threshold (e.g., an anti-jitter time threshold).

[0049] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating an example environment 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may operate. Specifically, Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating an example phase fault detection system 102 and one or more components 108 associated with a motor control system 104. The phase fault detection system 102 and the one or more components 108 may communicate with each other via one or more communication networks (e.g., communication network 106).

[0050] It should be understood that, in some embodiments, the communication network 106 is embodied in any one of numerous network configurations. In some embodiments, the communication network 106 embodies a public network (e.g., the Internet). In some embodiments, the communication network 106 embodies a private network (e.g., an internal localized or closed network between specific devices). In some other embodiments, the communication network 106 embodies a hybrid network (e.g., a network that enables internal communication between specific connected devices and external communication with other devices). In some embodiments, the communication network 106 includes one or more base stations, repeaters, routers, switches, cell towers, communication cables, and / or associated routing stations, etc. In some embodiments, the communication network 106 includes one or more user-controlled computing devices (e.g., a user-owned router and / or modem) and / or one or more external utility devices (e.g., an Internet service provider communication tower and / or other devices).

[0051] Each component of the environment 100 is communicatively coupled to transmit data to and / or receive data from each other via the same or different wireless and / or wired networks that embody the communication network 106. Such configurations include, but are not limited to, wired or wireless personal area networks (PANs), local area networks (LANs), metropolitan area networks (MANs), wide area networks (WANs), etc. Additionally, although Figure 1 certain system entities are illustrated as separate and independent entities communicating via the communication network 106, various embodiments are not limited to this architecture. In other embodiments, one or more computing entities share one or more components, hardware, etc., or are otherwise embodied by a single computing device, such that the connections between the computing entities on the communication network 106 are altered and / or become unnecessary. For example, in some embodiments, one or more components 108 include some or all of the phase fault detection system 102, thus eliminating the need for an external communication network 106.

[0052] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 102 and one or more components 108 are embodied in the motor control system 104. In some such embodiments, the phase fault detection system 102 and one or more components 108 may be communicatively coupled via at least one wired connection. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, one or more components 108 include the phase fault detection system 102, such as as a software component.

[0053] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 102 is configured to detect at least unbalanced phases and phase loss faults in three-phase motors such as, for example, PMSM, ACIM, BLDC, etc. For example, a PMSM may include three-phase windings in a stator and permanent magnets in a rotor. The PMSM may be controlled using one or more techniques. For example, the PMSM may be controlled using vector control techniques (e.g., field-oriented control (FOC) techniques, direct torque control (DTC), etc.). As another example, the PMSM may be controlled using scalar control techniques.

[0054] FIG. 2a illustrates a block diagram of an example motor control system 104 in which a phase fault detection system according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure may be utilized. Specifically, FIG. 2a illustrates a PMSM drive system having an example phase fault detection system according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2a, the PMSM drive system includes a speed control system 202, a current control system 204, and a phase fault detection system 102. The phase fault detection system 102 may include an unbalanced phase and phase loss fault diagnosis module 102a and a fault handling module 102b. The current control system 204 includes a space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) module 208 and a current sampling / reconstruction module 210.

[0055] As described above, a three-phase motor may include three phases, each of which includes a motor winding. In some examples, a three-phase motor may be powered, controlled, or otherwise driven based on an SVPWM scheme / technique. For example, the SVPWM module 208 may be configured to implement an SVPWM scheme / technique to drive the PMSM. In some examples, the SVPWM module is configured to perform SVPWM based on three-phase voltages such that the PMSM is controlled based on the switching of space voltage vectors defining six sectors. For example, an entire cycle of SVPWM (e.g., one electrical cycle) may be divided into six sectors (e.g., 60° each). In some examples, the SVPWM module is configured to apply three corresponding voltage signals to the three phases (e.g., in response to three corresponding drive control signals). For example, a controller associated with the motor control system (e.g., sensorless motor control, sensor motor control, etc.) may provide a sinusoidal voltage to the stator windings of the motor (e.g., based on an SVPWM scheme / technique). The controller may control the sinusoidal voltage provided to a given stator winding, where different voltage levels are provided to different phases according to the rotor position (e.g., corresponding to the sector in which the rotor is located). For example, a sensor and / or a sensorless observer may be configured to provide data / information about the rotor such that different voltage levels may be provided to a given stator winding according to different positions of the rotor. The current sampling / reconstruction module 210 may be configured to sense, measure, or otherwise determine the phase currents associated with the three phases of the motor.

[0056] In some examples, the SVPWM module 208 can be configured to provide data, signals, etc. to the phase fault detection system 102 (e.g., its unbalanced phase and phase loss fault diagnosis module 102a), where the data, signals, etc. include or otherwise describe the current sector among the six sectors where the rotor is located. In some examples, the current sampling / reconstruction module 210 can be configured to provide data, signals, etc. to the phase fault detection system 102 (e.g., its unbalanced phase and phase loss fault diagnosis module 102a), where the data, signals, etc. include or otherwise provide the phase currents associated with the three phases of the motor. For example, the phase fault detection system 102 can be configured to receive the current sector information and the matching phase current values for each of the three phases. The phase fault detection system 102 (e.g., its unbalanced phase and phase loss fault diagnosis module 102a) can utilize the current sector information and the phase current values to determine whether the motor is associated with a fault. As shown in FIG. 2a, the output of the unbalanced phase and phase loss fault diagnosis module 102a of the phase fault detection system 102 can be provided to the fault handling module 102b of the phase fault detection module 102.

[0057] FIG. 2b illustrates an example SVPWM phase voltage waveform 250 according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2c illustrates an example phase current waveform 260 according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2c illustrates an example phase current waveform corresponding to the SVPWM phase voltage shown in FIG. 2b. In some examples, for each space vector modulation sector, two phases can approximately maintain the same duty ratio, while the other phase has a larger duty ratio variation. The corresponding phase current 262 depicted in FIG. 2c can be the cumulative product of the phase voltages 252 in different sectors in each phase, where the phase current can have some phase lag relative to the voltage.

[0058] In some embodiments, as described herein, the phase fault detection system 102 determines the peak phase channels (e.g., the phase current channels in the peak state in different sectors) based on the current stator energization vectors. For example, the phase fault detection system 102 can be configured to select the corresponding current waveforms according to the different positions of the stator energization sectors to extract the peak phase currents. The phase fault detection system 102 can be configured to determine which phase current in a given sector is in the peak state and ignore the other phase currents, where the peak is proportional to the load of the motor.

[0059] Although the above description provides an example PMSM drive system for a three-phase motor, it should be noted that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. The example embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in other drive systems and / or other motor configurations. For example, although the description herein is made with reference to a three-phase motor, it can be understood that the techniques disclosed herein are more generally applicable to multi-phase motors.

[0060] The phase fault detection system 102 can be configured to detect at least unbalanced phases and phase loss faults associated with an electric machine. The phase fault detection system 102 includes one or more computing devices, systems, etc. embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof, which are configured to facilitate and / or perform various functions associated with the detection of phase faults (including unbalanced phases and phase loss faults) associated with an electric machine. The phase fault detection system 102 can include one or more computing devices, systems, etc. embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof, which are configured to initiate one or more protection actions in response to detecting a phase fault that meets a predefined threshold (e.g., an unbalance degree threshold).

[0061] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 102 can include one or more specially configured application servers, database servers, end-user devices, cloud computing systems, etc. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 102 can include one or more user devices that are capable of accessing the functions provided by the phase fault detection system 102, for example, via a web application, a local application, etc.

[0062] Figure 3 A block diagram of an example apparatus that can be specially configured in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Specifically, Figure 3 An example unbalanced phase and phase loss fault detection apparatus (“Apparatus 300”) that is specially configured in accordance with at least some example embodiments of the present disclosure is depicted. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 102 and / or a portion thereof is embodied by one or more systems, such as Figure 3 the Apparatus 300 shown and described. Apparatus 300 includes a processor 302, a memory 304, input / output circuitry 306, and / or communication circuitry 308. In some embodiments, Apparatus 300 is configured to implement and perform the operations described herein using one or more sets of circuitry embodied by the processor 302, the memory 304, the input / output circuitry 306, and / or the communication circuitry 308.

[0063] Generally, the terms computing entity (or "entity" other than a user), device, system, and / or like terms that may be used interchangeably herein can refer to, for example, one or more computers, computing entities, desktop computers, mobile phones, tablet computers, phablets, laptop computers, notebook computers, distributed systems, articles / devices, terminals, servers or server networks, blades, gateways, switches, processing devices, processing entities, set-top boxes, repeaters, routers, network access points, base stations, etc., and / or any combination of devices or entities suitable for performing the functions, operations, and / or processes described herein. Such functions, operations, and / or processes can include, for example, transmitting, receiving, operating, processing, displaying, storing, determining, creating / generating, monitoring, evaluating, comparing, and / or like terms that may be used interchangeably herein. In one embodiment, these functions, operations, and / or processes can be performed on data, content, information, and / or like terms that may be used interchangeably herein. In this regard, apparatus 300 embodies a particular specially configured computing entity that is transformed to implement the specific operations described herein and provide the specific advantages associated therewith, as described herein.

[0064] Although the components are described in terms of functional limitations, it should be understood that a particular implementation necessarily includes the use of particular computing hardware. It should also be understood that in some embodiments, certain components described herein include similar or common hardware. For example, in some embodiments, both sets of circuitry utilize the same processor(s), network interface, storage medium, etc. to perform their associated functions, such that there is no need for duplicate hardware for each set of circuitry. Accordingly, the use of the term "circuitry" herein with respect to the components of the apparatus described herein should be understood to include the particular hardware configured to perform the functions associated with the particular circuitry described herein.

[0065] In particular, the term "circuitry" should be understood broadly to include hardware and, in some embodiments, also includes software for configuring the hardware. For example, in some embodiments, "circuitry" includes processing circuitry, storage medium, network interface, input / output devices, etc. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, other elements of apparatus 300 provide or supplement the functions of another set of particular circuitry. For example, in some embodiments, processor 302 provides processing functionality to any set of circuitry, memory 304 provides storage functionality to any set of circuitry, communication circuitry 308 provides network interface functionality to any set of circuitry, and so on.

[0066] In some embodiments, the processor 302 (and / or a coprocessor or secondary processor or any other processing circuitry associated with the processor) communicates with the memory 304 via a bus to transfer information between components of the device 300. In some embodiments, for example, the memory 304 is non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, in some embodiments, the memory 304 comprises or embodies an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer-readable storage medium). In some embodiments, the memory 304 is configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, etc., such that the device 300 can perform various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0067] The processor 302 can be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, in some example embodiments, the processor 302 includes one or more processing devices configured to execute independently. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 302 includes one or more processors configured in series via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and / or multithreading. The use of the terms "processor" and "processing circuitry" should be understood to include a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, multiple processors within the device 300, and / or one or more remote or "cloud" processors external to the device 300.

[0068] In an example embodiment, the processor 302 is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 304 or otherwise accessible to the processor. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the processor 302 is configured to execute hard-coded functions. Thus, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processor 302 represents an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure when configured accordingly. Alternatively or additionally, as another example in some example embodiments, when the processor 302 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions specifically configure the processor 302 to perform the algorithms embodied in the specific operations described herein when such instructions are executed.

[0069] As a specific example embodiment, the processor 302 is configured to perform various operations associated with phase fault detection in the motor and / or initiate the execution of one or more protection actions. In some such embodiments, the processor 302 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof for receiving sector information (e.g., the current sector) and / or phase current information (e.g., phase current measurements associated with the three phases of the motor). Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 302 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof for performing one or more computational operations to determine the degree of imbalance of the phase currents. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor 302 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof for determining whether the degree of imbalance associated with a portion of a full cycle (e.g., an electrical cycle) meets a predetermined threshold (e.g., a debounce time threshold). Additionally or alternatively, the processor 302 includes hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof for initiating the execution of one or more protection actions based on the degree of imbalance associated with the electrical cycle associated with the motor.

[0070] In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 includes a communication circuitry 308. The communication circuitry 308 includes any component configured to receive and / or transmit data from / to a network and / or any other device, circuitry, or module that communicates with the apparatus 300, such as a device or circuitry embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software. In this regard, in some embodiments, the communication circuitry 308 includes, for example, a network interface for enabling communication with a wired or wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication circuitry 308 includes one or more network interface cards, antennas, buses, switches, routers, modems, and supporting hardware, firmware, and / or software, or any other device suitable for enabling communication via one or more communication networks. Additionally or alternatively, the communication circuitry 308 includes circuitry for interacting with one or more antennas and / or other hardware or software to cause signal transmission via the one or more antennas or process signals received via the one or more antennas. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry 308 is capable of transmitting data to and / or receiving data from a user device, one or more assets or attendant sensors, and / or other components that communicate with the apparatus 300.

[0071] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, two or more sets of circuitry embodying the processor 302, the memory 304, the input / output circuitry 306, and the communication and / or circuitry 308 are combinable. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, one or more sets of circuitry perform some or all of the functions described as being associated with another component. For example, in some embodiments, two or more sets of circuitry embodied by the processor 302, the memory 304, the input / output circuitry 306, and / or the communication circuitry 308 are combined into a single module embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof.

[0072] Example Data Environments and Architectures of the Present Disclosure

[0073] After describing example systems and apparatuses of the present disclosure, example data architectures, data environments, and data flows will now be described. In some embodiments, a data architecture represents the (multiple) data objects maintained and processed in a particular computing environment. In some embodiments, the (multiple) computing environments are maintained via hardware, software, firmware, and / or combinations thereof that execute one or more software applications that manage such data. For example, in some embodiments, the device 300 executes one or more software applications that maintain the (multiple) data architectures as shown and described herein to perform the functions as shown and described herein, either alone or in combination, with respect to: detecting unbalanced phases and phase loss faults associated with an electric motor, and / or initiating the execution of one or more actions in response to detecting an unbalanced phase or a phase loss fault.

[0074] FIG. 4a illustrates a visualization of an example data environment for detecting phase faults in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 4a illustrates a visualization of an example data environment for detecting un0 balanced phases and phase loss faults in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, the data environment for detecting phase loss and phase loss faults is executed by a phase fault detection system 402. The phase fault detection system 402 may embody a particular implementation of the phase fault detection system 102 as shown and described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 is embodied by the device 300 as shown and described herein. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 causes the rendering or otherwise provides access to one or more user interfaces that are specifically configured to enable the input of data.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 4a, a phase fault detection system 402 determines a peak phase channel 408 of a current sector. The peak phase channel may describe a phase current channel among a plurality of phase current channels that is in a peak state for a given sector among a plurality of sectors. For example, the plurality of sectors may include six sectors in which a rotor of a motor is located. In this regard, the current sector may describe the sector in which the rotor is located at a particular time (e.g., the current time). Each phase current channel may be associated with a particular phase of a three-phase motor. For example, a first phase current channel may be associated with a first phase of a three-phase motor, a second phase current channel may be associated with a second phase of a three-phase motor, and a third phase current channel may be associated with a third phase of a three-phase motor. As described above, phase current waveforms associated with a three-phase motor controlled using an SVPWM scheme may be divided into six sectors, where the phase current may correspond to a cumulative product of phase voltages in different sectors in each phase.

[0076] FIG. 4b illustrates a portion of an example balanced phase current waveform associated with an example motor control system that utilizes a phase fault detection system in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 4b illustrates a peak state of the balanced phase current waveform. As shown in FIG. 4b, each sector may include a particular phase current channel that is in a peak state. As shown in FIG. 4b, the peak phase channel 408 of the first sector (e.g., sector 1) corresponds to the first phase of the three-phase motor, the peak phase channel 408 of the second sector (e.g., sector 2) corresponds to the second phase of the three-phase motor, the peak phase channel 408 of the third sector (e.g., sector 3) corresponds to the third phase of the three-phase motor, the peak phase channel 408 of the fourth sector (e.g., sector 4) corresponds to the fourth phase of the three-phase motor, the peak phase channel 408 of the fifth sector (e.g., sector 5) corresponds to the fifth phase of the three-phase motor, and the peak phase channel 408 of the sixth sector (e.g., sector 6) corresponds to the sixth phase of the three-phase motor.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 4a, in some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 determines the peak phase channel 408 of the current sector based on sector information 404 (e.g., sector X shown in FIG. 4a) and phase currents 406 associated with each of the three phases of the motor (e.g., IA, IB, IC shown in FIG. 4a, where "IA" is the phase current associated with the first phase of the three-phase motor, "IB" is the phase current associated with the second phase of the three-phase motor, and "IC" is the phase current associated with the third phase of the three-phase motor).

[0078] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 receives data describing the current sector and phase current values associated with the three phases. The phase current values can include the matching phase current values for the current sector, as the phase current values substantially correspond to the phase currents when the rotor is in the current sector. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 receives the sector and phase current values from components associated with the motor control system (e.g., the current control system). In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 receives sector data (e.g., including the current sector) from the SVPWM module of the current control system. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 receives phase current data (e.g., data including the phase current values associated with each of the three phases in a given sector) from the current sampling / reconstruction module of the current control system. In this regard, in some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 can be configured to determine the peak phase channel 408 associated with the current sector based on the sector data and phase current data received from one or more components associated with the motor control system (e.g., the SVPWM module, the current sampling / reconstruction module). In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 can be configured to detect the corresponding peak phase channel 408 for each sector.

[0079] In some embodiments, the current sector is determined based on the stator energization angle 403. The stator energization angle can correspond to the rotor position or can be determined in other ways based on the rotor position. For example, the rotor position can have feedback from a sensor or a sensorless observer. In some embodiments, the phase current values associated with the three phases of the current sector are determined using current sensors (e.g., current shunts) configured to sense and / or measure the currents of the three phases. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, current reconstruction techniques can be utilized to determine the phase currents. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 can receive the stator energization angle from one or more components associated with the motor control system and determine the corresponding sector based on the stator energization angle.

[0080] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 determines the peak phase channel current sum value 410 for the current sector based on the peak current associated with the peak phase channel 408. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 4c - 4d, to determine the peak phase channel current sum value 410 for a given sector, the phase fault detection system 402 calculates the sum of a consecutive number of peaks. The phase fault detection system 402 can determine the phase channel current sum value 410 (e.g., Sum_si) for each sector, as shown in Table 1 below.

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] Table 1

[0084] For example, when the motor is operating at time t_x1, the phase fault detection system 402 determines the corresponding phase current of the peak phase channel (e.g., peak states S1 - S6) for each sector, calculates the absolute value of the phase current of the peak phase channel, and calculates the sum value of each of the last m consecutive samples in each sector based on the absolute peak phase channel current value (e.g., absolute peak current value), where m is the sampling window size used to calculate the sum value of the peak phase channel current and / or for recording / storing the sum value of the peak phase channel current. As another example, when the motor is operating at time t_x2, the system determines the corresponding phase current of the peak phase channel (e.g., peak states S1 - S6) for each sector, calculates the absolute value of the phase current of the peak phase current of the peak phase channel, and calculates the sum value of each of the last m consecutive samples in each sector based on the absolute peak phase channel current value (e.g., absolute peak current value). In this regard, the phase fault detection system 402 can be configured to move the last m consecutive sampling windows to keep the window starting from the origin of different sectors having the same relative phase position. In some embodiments, the sampling window size (m) can be configurable.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 4a, the phase fault detection system 402 stores the sum value of the peak phase channel current. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 stores the sum value of the peak phase channel current in a temporary storage location 412 (e.g., buffer, etc.). For example, a buffer can be utilized to store the last sector calculation / sum value (e.g., last peak phase channel current sum value), the current sector calculation / sum value (e.g., current peak phase channel current sum value), and / or the next cycle calculation / sum value. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 can persistently store the sum value of the peak phase channel current.

[0086] In some embodiments, for the current sector, the phase fault detection system 402 determines a difference metric (e.g., difference sum value) based on the sum value of the peak phase channel current of the current sector and the sum value of the peak phase channel current of the last sector (e.g., the previous sector relative to the current sector). In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 determines the last sector associated with the current sector based on the direction of rotation of the motor. For example, the phase fault detection system 402 can determine the current sector and the last sector based on the direction of rotation of the motor.

[0087] In some embodiments, when the motor rotates in the clockwise direction, the phase fault detection system 402 determines the difference metric (e.g., the sum of differences) for each sector as shown in Table 2 below, and when the motor rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the phase fault detection system 402 determines the sum of differences for each sector as shown in Table 3 below.

[0088]

[0089] Table 2

[0090]

[0091]

[0092] Table 3

[0093] In some embodiments, as shown in Tables 2 and 3 above, the phase fault detection system 402 normalizes the sum of differences to a dimensionless value (e.g., Q15 format) to determine the degree of imbalance 416 relative to the current sector (e.g., the degree of imbalance of the phase current).

[0094] Referring to FIG. 4a, in some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 determines whether the degree of imbalance satisfies an imbalance threshold. For example, the phase fault detection system 402 compares the degree of imbalance with an imbalance threshold 418 to determine whether the degree of imbalance exceeds the imbalance threshold. In some embodiments, the degree of imbalance is compared with the imbalance threshold in real time. In some embodiments, the imbalance threshold is determined based on the maximum tolerable conditions of the drive system (e.g., the motor control system). The imbalance threshold can be a constant value and / or configurable. The imbalance threshold can be configured to trigger or otherwise notify a microcontroller associated with the motor control system that the motor has experienced an unbalanced phase, a phase loss fault, and / or damage.

[0095] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 updates the phase imbalance occurrence count 420. In some embodiments, the phase imbalance occurrence count describes the number of consecutive degrees of imbalance that satisfy the imbalance threshold. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 increments the phase imbalance occurrence count in response to determining that the degree of imbalance satisfies the imbalance threshold. In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 resets the phase imbalance occurrence count in response to determining that the degree of imbalance fails to satisfy the imbalance threshold.

[0096] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 compares the phase imbalance occurrence count 420 with the anti-jitter time threshold 422. For example, the anti-jitter time threshold 422 can be a predetermined threshold. For example, the anti-jitter time threshold can be used to determine when to eliminate the jitter in the phase current (e.g., when the degree of imbalance (e.g., imbalance measurement) meets the imbalance degree threshold for at least a predetermined continuous time). For example, the anti-jitter time threshold can correspond to a continuous judgment time, where if the degree of imbalance meets the imbalance degree threshold at least within the anti-jitter time threshold, the jitter is eliminated. In some embodiments, comparing the phase imbalance occurrence count with the anti-jitter time threshold can provide strong anti-interference ability for fault judgment, including the ripple in the phase current sampling.

[0097] FIG. 4e illustrates an operational example of an unbalanced phase current waveform that can be associated with an electric machine in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4f illustrates an operational example of a graphical representation of the imbalance degree output of an example phase fault detection system in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 4f illustrates the imbalance degree output of an example phase fault detection system corresponding to the unbalanced phase current waveform shown in FIG. 4e. As shown in FIG. 4e, the unbalanced phase current waveform depicts phase current waveforms 440a, 440b, and 440c, each corresponding to a particular phase of a three-phase electric machine. As shown in FIG. 4f, the degree of imbalance 416 of the phase current with respect to the three-phase electric machine is compared with the imbalance degree threshold 418 to determine the phase imbalance occurrence count 420 (e.g., corresponding to the anti-jitter time), and then this phase imbalance occurrence count is compared with the anti-jitter time threshold.

[0098] FIGS. 4g-4j illustrate operational examples of different degrees of phase current waveforms and corresponding imbalance degree outputs in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIGS. 4g-4h illustrate operational examples of different degrees of phase current waveforms and corresponding imbalance degree outputs under rated power operating conditions (e.g., 4 amperes peak). FIGS. 4k-4n illustrate operational examples of different degrees of phase current waveforms and corresponding imbalance degree outputs in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, FIGS. 4k-4n illustrate operational examples of different degrees of phase current waveforms and corresponding imbalance degree outputs under no-load operating conditions (e.g., 0.5 amperes peak).

[0099] As shown in FIGS. 4g - 4n, embodiments of the present disclosure operate effectively in both the rated power state and the no - load state, which eliminates the need to set different fault trigger thresholds according to different peak phase currents in the drive system / motor control system. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure are configured to operate under both load operating conditions (e.g., rated power operating conditions) and no - load operating conditions, where the same performance can be exhibited for both the rated power operating condition and the no - load operating condition regardless of the current level.

[0100] In some embodiments, the phase fault detection system 402 initiates one or more protection actions 424 to mitigate damage in response to a count of phase imbalances that meets the anti - jitter time threshold. In some embodiments, non - limiting examples of protection actions include reducing the speed of the motor, stopping the motor by the microcontroller associated with the motor, and so on.

[0101] After describing example systems, devices, and data visualization according to the present disclosure, example processes of the present disclosure will now be discussed. It should be understood that each flowchart depicts an example computer - implemented process that can be executed by one or more of the devices, systems, apparatuses, and / or computer program products described herein, e.g., using one or more of its specially - configured components.

[0102] Although the example processes depict a particular sequence of operations, the sequence can be changed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, some of the depicted operations can be performed in parallel or in a different order without materially affecting the functionality of the process.

[0103] These boxes indicate the operations of each process. Such operations can be performed in any of a variety of ways, including but not limited to the order and manner shown and described herein. In some embodiments, one or more boxes of any process described herein occur between one or more boxes of another process, before one or more boxes of another process, in parallel with one or more boxes of another process, and / or as a subprocess of a second process. Additionally or alternatively, any process in various embodiments includes some or all of the described and / or depicted operation steps, and in some embodiments includes one or more optional boxes. Regarding the flowcharts shown herein, in some or all embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more boxes depicted in some embodiments are optional. Optional boxes are represented by dashed lines. Similarly, it should be understood that one or more operations of each flowchart can be combined, replaced, and / or otherwise changed as described herein.

[0104] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrates example operations depicting an example process for detecting a phase fault according to at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 5Depicts an example process 500 for detecting at least an unbalanced phase and / or phase loss fault associated with an electric machine. In some embodiments, process 500 is embodied by computer program code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of a computer program product, the computer program code being configured to execute to perform the illustrated and described process. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, process 500 is executed by one or more specially configured computing devices, such as device 300 alone or communicatively with one or more other components, devices, systems, etc. In this regard, in some such embodiments, device 300 is specially configured by computer-coded instructions (e.g., computer program instructions) stored thereon, such as stored in memory 304 and / or another component shown and / or described herein and / or other components accessible to device 300, the instructions for performing the illustrated and described operations. In some embodiments, device 300 communicates with one or more external devices, systems, devices, etc. to perform one or more of the illustrated and described operations. For example, in some embodiments, device 300 communicates with at least one external data repository, client system, etc. to perform one or more of the illustrated and described operations. For simplicity of description, process 500 is described as being executed by device 300 and from the perspective of device 300.

[0105] Although the example process 500 depicts a particular sequence of operations, the sequence can be changed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Some of the depicted operations can be performed in parallel or in a different order without materially affecting the functionality of process 500. In other examples, different components of an example device or system implementing process 500 can perform functions substantially simultaneously or in a particular order.

[0106] According to some examples, the method includes determining a peak phase channel associated with a first sector of a plurality of sectors in which a rotor is located at block 502. In some embodiments, device 300 embodying the phase fault detection system determines the peak phase channel associated with the first sector based on a stator energization vector associated with the electric machine. In some embodiments, the electric machine includes a three-phase electric machine. The first sector can correspond to the current sector in which the rotor is located. In some embodiments, device 300 detects the first sector based on a stator energization angle.

[0107] In some embodiments, device 300 receives current sector data (e.g., the first sector) and phase currents associated with each phase of a three-phase electric machine. Then, device 300 determines the peak phase channel based on the current sector data and the phase currents associated with each phase of the three-phase electric machine.

[0108] According to some examples, the method includes determining, at block 504, a first peak phase channel current sum value for a first sector. In some embodiments, device 300 determines the peak phase channel current sum value based on performing a computational operation that includes calculating a sum value of a consecutive number of peak current values associated with the peak phase channel. For example, device 300 may perform the computational operation according to Table 1 above.

[0109] According to some examples, the method includes storing, at block 506, the first peak phase channel current sum value in a storage location. In some embodiments, device 300 stores the first peak phase channel current sum value in a temporary storage location (e.g., a buffer, etc.) for comparison with peak phase channel current sum values associated with subsequent sectors in a plurality of sectors.

[0110] According to some examples, the method includes determining, at block 508, a degree of imbalance associated with the first sector. In some embodiments, device 300 determines the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector based on comparing the first peak phase channel current sum value of the first sector with a second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector in a plurality of sectors, where the second sector includes a previous sector relative to the first sector. As described above, the first sector may include the current sector in which the rotor is located. In some embodiments, device 300 determines the current sector and / or the second sector based on the direction of rotation of the rotor.

[0111] In some embodiments, to determine the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector, device 300 determines a difference metric for the first sector based on the first peak phase channel current sum value of the first sector and the second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector in a plurality of sectors. For example, device 300 performs a computational operation that includes calculating a difference between the peak phase current sum value of the first sector and the second peak phase channel current sum value associated with the second sector according to Table 2. Then, device 300 performs a computational operation that includes normalizing the sum of the differences. For example, device 300 may perform a normalization operation on the difference metric to determine the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector. In some embodiments, the normalization operation may enable the example embodiments of the present disclosure to operate under both load operating conditions (e.g., rated power operating conditions) and no-load operating conditions (e.g., 0.5A peak, etc.), where the same performance can be exhibited for both the rated power operating conditions and the no-load operating conditions regardless of the current level.

[0112] According to some examples, the method includes comparing the degree of imbalance with an imbalance degree threshold at block 510 to determine whether the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector meets the imbalance degree threshold. For example, the apparatus 300 can determine whether the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector meets the imbalance degree threshold by comparing the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector with the imbalance degree threshold.

[0113] According to some examples, the method includes updating a phase imbalance occurrence count of the motor at block 512. In some embodiments, the phase imbalance occurrence count describes the number of consecutive degrees of imbalance that meet the imbalance degree threshold. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 updates the phase imbalance occurrence count of the motor based on a comparison of the degree of imbalance with the imbalance degree threshold. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 updates the phase imbalance occurrence count by increasing the phase imbalance occurrence count by a predefined amount (e.g., 1, 2, and / or the like) in response to determining that the degree of imbalance meets the imbalance degree threshold. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 resets the phase imbalance occurrence count (e.g., resets to a predefined amount, such as zero) in response to determining that the degree of imbalance fails to meet the imbalance degree threshold.

[0114] According to some examples, the method includes determining at block 514 whether the phase imbalance occurrence count meets a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold can describe an anti-chattering time threshold. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus 300 can determine whether the phase imbalance occurrence count meets the anti-chattering time threshold, where the anti-chattering time threshold is configured to determine when the degree of imbalance associated with the electrical cycle of the motor meets the imbalance degree threshold for at least a predetermined continuous time. In some embodiments, in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets the predetermined threshold, the apparatus determines that the motor is associated with a phase imbalance (e.g., one or more phases) and / or a phase loss fault;

[0115] According to some examples, the method includes initiating the execution of one or more protection actions at block 516 in response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count meets a predetermined threshold (e.g., the anti-chattering time threshold).

[0116] Conclusion

[0117] Benefiting from the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the related drawings, those skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains will be able to conceive of many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure described herein. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. In addition, although the above description and related drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that alternative embodiments may provide different combinations of elements and / or functions without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, as some of the appended claims state, different combinations of elements and functions different from those explicitly described above may also be contemplated. Although specific terms are used herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0118] Although this specification includes many specific implementation details, these details should not be construed as limitations on any disclosure or the scope of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular embodiments of a particular disclosure. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments herein may also be implemented in combination within a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented separately or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments. In addition, although the above features may be described as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, in some cases, one or more features from a claimed combination may be deleted from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or a variant of a sub-combination.

[0119] Similarly, although operations are described in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all of the illustrated operations be performed to achieve a desirable result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. In addition, the separation of various system components in the foregoing embodiments should not be understood as requiring such separation in all embodiments, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems may generally be integrated in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.

[0120] Accordingly, particular embodiments of the subject matter have been described. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. In some cases, the acts recited in the claims may be performed in a different order and still achieve a desirable result. In addition, the processes described in the drawings do not necessarily require the particular order shown or sequential order to achieve a desirable result. In certain implementations, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous.

[0121] In addition, although this detailed description sets forth some embodiments of the present disclosure, the appended claims may cover other embodiments of the present disclosure that differ from the described embodiments in various modifications and improvements. For example, although the above description provides an example PMSM drive system for a three-phase motor, it should be noted that the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above description. The example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in other drive systems and / or other motor configurations. For example, although the description herein is made with reference to a three-phase motor, it will be understood that the techniques disclosed herein are more generally applicable to multi-phase motors.

[0122] Furthermore, in the appended claims, unless a specific term such as "means for" or "step for" is used in a given claim, the claim is not intended to be construed under paragraph (f) of section 112 of title 35 of the United States Code.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for detecting a phase failure in an electric machine, the electric machine comprising a stator and a rotor, the computer-implemented method comprising: determining, by one or more processors and based on a stator energization vector, a peak phase channel associated with a first sector of a plurality of sectors in which the rotor is located; determining, by the one or more processors, a first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector, wherein the first peak phase channel current sum value comprises a sum value of a consecutive number of peak current values ​​associated with the peak phase channel; determining, by the one or more processors, a degree of imbalance associated with the first sector based on comparing the first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector to a second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector of the plurality of sectors, wherein the first sector comprises a current sector and the second sector comprises a previous sector determined based on a rotational direction of the rotor; comparing, by the one or more processors, the imbalance level with an imbalance level threshold to determine whether the imbalance level satisfies the imbalance level threshold; as well as A phase imbalance occurrence count of the electric machine is updated by the one or more processors based on a comparison of the imbalance level with the imbalance level threshold.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector comprises: determining, by the one or more processors, a disparity metric for the first sector based on the first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector and the second peak phase channel current sum value associated with the second sector of the plurality of sectors; as well as A normalization operation is performed on the difference metric to determine the degree of imbalance.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining whether the phase imbalance occurrence count meets a predetermined threshold; as well as In response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies the predetermined threshold, execution of one or more protection actions is initiated.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, further comprising: In response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the electric machine is associated with an unbalanced phase and / or phase loss fault.

5. The computer implemented method of claim 1, wherein the motor comprises a three-phase motor.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: The first sector is determined based on a stator energization angle.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising: The first peak phase sum of channel current value is stored in a memory location for comparison with a third peak phase sum of channel current value, the third peak phase sum of channel current value being associated with a subsequent sector.

8. An apparatus for detecting a phase fault in an electric machine, the electric machine comprising a stator and a rotor, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory, the at least one non-transitory memory comprising program code stored thereon, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determining a peak phase channel associated with a first sector of a plurality of sectors in which the rotor is located based on a stator energization vector; determining a first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector, wherein the first peak phase channel current sum value comprises a sum value of a consecutive number of peak current values ​​associated with the peak phase channel; determining a degree of imbalance associated with the first sector based on comparing the first peak phase channel current sum value of the first sector to a second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector of the plurality of sectors, wherein the first sector comprises a current sector and the second sector comprises a previous sector determined based on a rotational direction of the rotor; comparing the imbalance degree with an imbalance degree threshold to determine whether the imbalance degree satisfies the imbalance degree threshold; as well as A phase imbalance occurrence count of the motor is updated based on a comparison of the imbalance degree with the imbalance degree threshold.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector by: determining a disparity metric for the first sector based on the first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector and the second peak phase channel current sum value associated with the second sector of the plurality of sectors; and A normalization operation is performed on the difference metric to determine the degree of imbalance.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: determining whether the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies a predetermined threshold; and In response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies the predetermined threshold, execution of one or more protection actions is initiated.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: In response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the electric machine is associated with an unbalanced phase and / or phase loss fault.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the motor comprises a three-phase motor.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: The first sector is determined based on a stator energization angle.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to at least: The first peak phase sum of channel current value is stored in a memory location for comparison with a third peak phase sum of channel current value, the third peak phase sum of channel current value being associated with a subsequent sector.

15. A computer program product for detecting a phase fault in an electric machine, the electric machine comprising a stator and a rotor, the computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having a computer readable program code portion stored therein, the computer readable program code portion comprising an executable portion, the executable portion being configured to: determining a peak phase channel associated with a first sector of a plurality of sectors in which the rotor is located based on a stator energization vector; determining a first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector, wherein the first peak phase channel current sum value comprises a sum value of a consecutive number of peak current values ​​associated with the peak phase channel; determining a degree of imbalance associated with the first sector based on comparing the first peak phase channel current sum value of the first sector to a second peak phase channel current sum value associated with a second sector of the plurality of sectors, wherein the first sector comprises a current sector and the second sector comprises a previous sector determined based on a rotational direction of the rotor; comparing the imbalance degree with an imbalance degree threshold to determine whether the imbalance degree satisfies the imbalance degree threshold; as well as A phase imbalance occurrence count of the motor is updated based on a comparison of the imbalance degree with the imbalance degree threshold.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the executable portion is further configured to determine the degree of imbalance associated with the first sector by: determining a disparity metric for the first sector based on the first peak phase channel current sum value for the first sector and the second peak phase channel current sum value associated with the second sector of the plurality of sectors; and A normalization operation is performed on the difference metric to determine the degree of imbalance.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the executable portion is further configured to: determining whether the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies a predetermined threshold; and In response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies the predetermined threshold, execution of one or more protection actions is initiated.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the executable portion is further configured to: In response to determining that the phase imbalance occurrence count satisfies the predetermined threshold, it is determined that the electric machine is associated with an unbalanced phase and / or phase loss fault.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the motor comprises a three-phase motor.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the executable portion is further configured to: The first sector is determined based on a stator energization angle.

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