Patent ID: 8975837
Filing Date: 2015-03-10
Classification: F02D,F02N,H02P

Abstract:
1. A method for reducing a starting current of a multi-phase machine operated by block commutation, the multi-phase machine being powered by a battery, the multi-phase machine including a rotor and, for each phase, a high side switch, a low side switch, and a phase winding, the method comprising: one of: (i) holding the high side switch assigned to one current phase in the closed state, and alternately controlling the low side switches assigned to the remaining current phases; or (ii) holding the low side switch assigned to one current phase in the closed state, and alternately controlling the high side switches assigned to the remaining current phases; and setting at least one of a control duration and a pause between switching states for whichever of the high side switches and the low side switches is alternately controlled, such that the alternately controlled switches differ with respect to the at least one of a control duration and a pause between switching states.