Electric machine comprising an alternating current electric motor and an inverter

A method for supplying an alternating current electric motor that comprises a first semi-winding and a second semi-winding using an inverter that comprises a first inverter branch electrically connected to the first semi-winding and a second inverter branch electrically connected to the second semi-winding, the first semi-winding including three first sub-windings, the three first sub windings electrically connected according to a “Y” configuration or a “Δ” configuration, the second semi-winding including three second sub-windings, the three second sub-windings electrically connected according to a “Y” configuration or a “Δ” configuration, the method comprising:

• providing a first control signal to the first inverter branch so as to induce a first alternating current in the first semi-winding;
• and
• providing a second control signal to the second inverter branch so as to induce a second alternating current in the second semi-winding;
• wherein the first alternating current and the second alternating current have a first frequency,
• wherein the first control signal and the second control signal have a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency, and
• wherein the first control signal and the second control signal are reciprocally phase-shifted by substantially 180° relative to the second frequency, such that the second control signal is identical to the first control signal but delayed in time corresponding to 1 divided by the second frequency multiplied by two, and such that an amplitude of higher harmonics of a sum of the first alternating current and the second alternating current is reduced.

An electric machine, comprising:

• an alternating current electric motor comprising a first semi-winding and a second semi-winding, the first semi-winding including three first sub-windings, the three first sub-windings electrically connected according to a “Y” configuration or a “Δ” configuration, the second semi-winding including three second sub-windings, the three second sub-windings electrically connected according to a “Y” configuration or a “Δ” configuration;
• an inverter comprising a first inverter branch electrically connected to the first semi-winding and a second inverter branch electrically connected to the second semi-winding;
• and
• a control unit configured to provide a first control signal to the first inverter branch, so as to induce a first alternating current in the first semi-winding, and a second control signal to the second inverter branch, so as to induce a second alternating current in the second semi-winding;
• wherein the first alternating current and the second alternating current have a first frequency,
• wherein the first control signal and the second control signal have a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency, and
• wherein the first control signal and the second control signal are reciprocally phase-shifted phase by 180° relative to the second frequency, such that the second control signal is identical to the first control signal but delayed in time corresponding to 1 divided by the second frequency multiplied by two, and such that an amplitude of higher harmonics of a sum of the first alternating current and the second alternating current is reduced.