IP Library Granted Patent US 9,975,431
Granted Patent B2
US 9,975,431 · App. 13/388,009 · Granted May 22, 2018

Torque control system

Inventors: Timothy John Martin (Berkshire, GB); Steven Angell (Wiltshire, GB)
Assignee: PROTEAN ELECTRIC LIMITED
B60L3/0023B60L3/0076B60L3/06B60L7/18B60L15/20B60L2220/44B60L2240/36Y02T10/646Y02T10/648Y02T10/7258
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,975,431
App. No.
13/388,009
Granted
May 22, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A torque control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, wherein at least two of the wheels are arranged to be driven by separate electric motors, the system comprising a master controller arranged to monitor the torque generated by at least one of the electric motors and upon a determination that the torque produced by the at least one electric motor is reduced as a result of a predetermined condition the master controller is arranged to adjust the torque generated in the at least one electric motor and/or another electric motor so that the torque generated by the at least one electric motor and the another electric motor are substantially the same.

Claims (5)

1. A torque control system for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, wherein at least two of the wheels are arranged to be driven by separate electric motors, wherein each of the electric motors includes a plurality of motor drive controllers that are arranged to drive separate motor coils, the system comprising a controller arranged to monitor the torque generated by at least one of the electric motors and another electric motor and upon a determination that the torque produced by the at least one electric motor is reduced as a result of a failure of one of the motor drive controllers the controller is arranged to adjust the torque generated in the at least one electric motor by arranging at least one of the other motor drive controllers to increase torque generated by their respective motor coils so that the torque generated by the at least one electric motor and the another electric motor have a predetermined relationship.

2. A torque control system according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined torque relationship is the torque generated by the at least one electric motor and the another electric motor is substantially the same.

3. A torque control system according to claim 1 , wherein the electric motors are in-wheel electric motors.

4. A method of controlling torque for a vehicle having a plurality of wheels, wherein at least two of the wheels are arranged to be driven by separate electric motors, wherein each of the electric motors includes a plurality of motor drive controllers that are arranged to drive separate motor coils, the method comprising monitoring the torque generated by at least one of the electric motors and another electric motor and upon a determination that the torque produced by the at least one electric motor is reduced as a result of a failure of one of the motor drive controllers adjusting the torque generated in the at least one electric motor by arranging at least one of the other motor drive controllers to increase torque generated by their respective motor coils so that the torque generated by the at least one electric motor and the another electric motor have a predetermined relationship.

5. A method of controlling torque according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined torque relationship is the torque generated by the at least one electric motor and the another electric motor is substantially the same.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2013
From: ANGELL, STEVE
To: PROTEAN ELECTRIC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 031505/0027 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 30, 2013
From: PROTEAN HOLDINGS CORP.; PROTAEN ELECTRIC LIMITED
To: OAK INVESTMENT PARTNERS XII, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Reel/Frame 030920/0793 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2012
From: MARTIN, TIMOTHY JOHN
To: PROTEAN ELECTRIC LIMITED
Reel/Frame 028925/0428 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 0913169.9 · Jul 29, 2009 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20120330484A1 · Dec 27, 2012