Method and system for operating an electric motor

An automotive electrical system comprising:

• an electric motor comprising at least five windings;
• an inverter comprising a plurality of switches coupled to the at least five windings;
• a voltage source coupled to the plurality of switches;
• a current sensor coupled to the voltage source and configured to detect a direct current (DC) current associated with the voltage source and generate a signal representative thereof;
• and
• a processor in operable communication with the plurality of switches and the current sensor, the processor being configured to:
• apply a first plurality of switching vectors to the plurality of switches, the first plurality of switching vectors comprising a first ratio of first magnitude switching vectors to second magnitude switching vectors;
• select a second ratio of the first magnitude switching vectors to the second magnitude switching vectors based on the DC current associated with the voltage source;
• and
• apply a second plurality of switching vectors to the plurality of switches, the second plurality of switching vectors comprising the second ratio of the first magnitude switching vectors to the second magnitude switching vectors.

An automotive propulsion system comprising:

• an electric motor comprising at least five windings;
• a direct current (DC) voltage supply;
• a direct current-to-alternating current (DC/AC) power inverter comprising at least five pairs of power switching devices coupled to the at least five windings and the DC voltage supply;
• and
• a processor in operable communication with the electric motor, the DC voltage supply, and the DC/AC power inverter, the processor being configured to:
• apply a first plurality of switching vectors to the at least five pairs of power switching devices, the first plurality of switching vectors comprising a first ratio of first magnitude switching vectors to second magnitude switching vectors;
• select a second ratio of the first magnitude switching vectors to the second magnitude switching vectors based on a DC current associated with the DC voltage supply;
• and
• apply a second plurality of switching vectors to the at least five pairs of power switching devices, the second plurality of switching vectors comprising the second ratio of the first magnitude switching vectors to the second magnitude switching vectors.