Virtual Temperature Sensor for Electric Machine Thermal Monitoring

The patent creates a virtual copy of the temperature sensor by implementing a thermal model that replicates sensor functionality through mathematical calculations based on operating parameters. This virtual sensor can be positioned anywhere in the electrical machine without physical installation constraints, achieving precise temperature monitoring at critical locations while avoiding the complexity of actual sensor deployment in hard-to-reach areas

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical temperature sensor system with a computational thermal model. Instead of using physical sensors that require installation and maintenance, the system uses mathematical models that calculate temperature based on electrical operating parameters, thereby eliminating the mechanical installation complexity while maintaining temperature measurement capability

The thermal model creates virtual temperature sensors at any desired location within the electrical machine through mathematical computation. This allows the system to achieve both goals: the computational model can access any position (including critical hard-to-reach areas) while the physical implementation remains software-based and easily modifiable without physical reinstallation

The patent transitions from physical space to computational space for temperature sensing. By moving the sensing function from the physical domain (where sensors must be physically installed) to the computational domain (where virtual sensors can be placed anywhere through algorithms), the system achieves precise temperature monitoring at critical points without the constraints of physical accessibility

The thermal model serves multiple functions simultaneously: it monitors temperature at multiple critical points, predicts future temperature developments, validates sensor readings, and provides diagnostic information. This single computational system replaces what would otherwise require multiple physical sensors and associated processing systems, achieving comprehensive monitoring while reducing overall system complexity

The patent merges the functions of multiple temperature sensors into a single thermal model that consolidates temperature monitoring capabilities. Instead of deploying and coordinating multiple independent sensors, the system uses one unified computational model that calculates temperatures at all critical locations simultaneously, thereby improving reliability through comprehensive coverage while reducing device complexity

The virtual temperature sensor created by the thermal model can be positioned exactly at critical heating elements through mathematical computation without requiring physical access. The model continuously calculates temperature at these locations based on operating parameters, achieving precise monitoring while the software-based solution can be updated or repaired remotely without physical intervention in hard-to-reach areas

The thermal model performs self-updating and self-adjustment based on changing operating conditions. It automatically adapts to different operational states and can recalculate temperature distributions in real-time without requiring physical repositioning or replacement of sensors, thereby maintaining precision while eliminating the need for difficult physical repairs