Active temperature estimation for electric machines

A method for estimating temperatures associated with an electric machine, the electric machine having electrical coils and a magnet, the electrical coils being electrically coupled to a switching device, the method comprising:

• generating a first temperature signal using a first temperature sensor disposed proximate a controller;
• calculating an estimated temperature of said switching device by filtering said first temperature signal utilizing a first temperature estimating filter;
• calculating an estimated temperature of said electrical coils of said electric machine by filtering said first temperature signal utilizing a second temperature estimating filter;
• and
• calculating an estimated temperature of said magnet of said electric machine by filtering said first temperature signal utilizing a third temperature estimating filter.

A storage medium encoded with computer program code,

• said code including instructions for causing controller to implement a method for estimating temperatures associated with an electric machine, the electric machine having electrical coils and a magnet, the electrical coils being electrically coupled to a switching device, the method comprising:
• generating a first temperature signal using a first temperature sensor disposed proximate a controller;
• calculating an estimated temperature of said switching device by filtering said first temperature signal utilizing a first temperature estimating filter;
• calculating an estimated temperature of said electrical coils of said electric machine by filtering said first temperature signal utilizing a second temperature estimating filter;
• and
• calculating an estimated temperature of said magnet of said electric machine by filtering said first temperature signal utilizing a third temperature estimating filter.