Patent ID: 9371010
Filing Date: 2016-06-21
CPC Classification: B60L,Y02T

Claim Text:
1. A method of controlling a power inverter coupled to a controller, to a voltage source, and to an electric motor in a vehicle powertrain having an engine, wherein the power inverter has inverter switches movable between open and closed positions, the method comprising: receiving via the controller a commanded engine operating parameter; wherein the commanded engine operating parameter includes at least one of a commanded on/off state of the engine, a commanded engine speed, and a commanded engine torque; wherein the commanded on/off state of the engine is on if fuel is being supplied to the engine and off if fuel is not being supplied to the engine; generating via the controller a voltage waveform signal and a switching frequency signal; wherein the voltage waveform signal commands switching the switches between the open and the closed positions during segments of an electric period of the electric motor; wherein the switching frequency signal commands the frequency of switching the switches between the open and the closed positions during the segments, the commanded switching and the commanded switching frequency together causing voltage to be provided from the power inverter to the electric motor with a voltage waveform; and wherein at least one of the voltage waveform signal and the switching frequency signal is at least partially based on said at least one commanded engine operating parameter; wherein the voltage waveform signal is for a discontinuous pulse width modulated (DPWM) voltage waveform when the on/off state is on; and wherein the voltage waveform signal is for a continuous wave pulse width modulated (CPWM) voltage waveform when the on/off state is off and commanded motor torque for the electric motor is above a predetermined minimum threshold motor torque, and is for the DPWM voltage waveform when the on/off state is off and commanded motor torque for the electric motor is below the predetermined minimum threshold motor torque.