Method for parallel control of series-cell based drives

1. A method for controlling at least two cell based drives connected in parallel, the method comprising:

receiving a peak output voltage capability from each of the drives;

comparing the peak output voltage capabilities to determine which is lowest;

communicating the lowest peak output voltage capability to each of the drives;

receiving a flux reference from each of the drives;

identifying which flux reference is associated with the drive having the lowest peak output voltage capability; and

communicating the flux reference associated with the drive having the lowest peak output voltage capability to each of the drives.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the peak output voltage capabilities comprises receiving the peak voltage capabilities at a data rate that is substantially less than any computation rate within the drives.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating the lowest peak output capability comprises communicating the lowest peak output capability at a data rate that is substantially less than any computation rate within the drives.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the flux references comprises receiving the flux references at a data rate that is substantially less than any computation rate within the drives.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating the flux reference associated with the drive having the lowest peak output voltage capability comprises communicating the flux reference at a data rate that is substantially less than any computation rate within the drives.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein communicating the flux reference associated with the drive having the lowest peak output voltage capability comprises:

receiving a status bit from each of the drives;

determining whether the status bit associated with the drive having the lowest peak output voltage capability indicates whether an operation mode is enabled; and

communicating the flux reference associated with the drive having the lowest peak output voltage capability to each of the drives when the status bit associated with the drive having the lowest peak output voltage capability indicates that an operation mode is enabled.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a magnetizing current component value from each of the drives;

determining an average magnetizing current component value; and

communicating the average magnetizing current component value to each of the drives.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein receiving the magnetizing current component values comprises receiving the magnetizing current component values at a data rate that is substantially less than any computation rate within the drives.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein communicating the average magnetizing current component values comprises communicating the average magnetizing current component values at a data rate that is substantially less than any computation rate within the drives.

10. A method for controlling at least two cell based drives connected in parallel, the method comprising:

detecting a failed cell in one of the drives;

inhibiting operation of the drive with the failed cell;

determining a peak output voltage capability of the drive with the failed cell;

communicating the peak output voltage capability to a master controller at a data rate that is substantially less than any computation rate within the drives;

limiting a maximum voltage that each drive can apply to a motor, wherein limiting the maximum voltage comprises limiting an output of a current regulator in each drive other than the drive with the failed cell; and

after the motor voltage falls below the peak output voltage capability of the drive with the failed cell:

bypassing the failed cell; and

resuming operation of the drive with the failed cell.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein detecting the failed cell comprises comparing a cell output voltage to a command voltage.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein detecting the failed cell comprises comparing a cell internal voltage to a fixed value.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein detecting the failed cell comprises detecting the failed cell through a diagnostic check.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein inhibiting operation comprises inhibiting a gate signal to a switching device in the drive with the failed cell.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising replacing the failed cell.