Tesla patents method to identify electric motor type via voltage response
Tesla describes a method where a controller sends a specific voltage to an electric motor to keep its rotor still. By measuring the resulting current, the system identifies the motor's type and loads the correct settings to operate it.
In the filing’s own words
Systems and methods for enhanced motor identification and control based on current characteristic response. An example method includes injecting voltage into a motor, the motor including a rotor and the voltage being associated with a frequency selected to maintain the rotor to be substantially stationary. A type of the motor is identified based on current characteristics measured in response to the injected voltage. Parameter values associated with the identified type of the motor are accessed, with the controller being configured to trigger operation of the motor in accordance with the parameter values.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method implemented by a controller, the method comprising: injecting voltage into a motor, the motor including a rotor and the voltage being associated with a frequency selected to maintain the rotor to be substantially stationary; identifying a type of the motor from a plurality of types of motors based on current characteristics measured in response to the injected voltage; and accessing parameter values associated with the identified type of the motor, wherein the controller is configured to trigger operation of the motor in accordance with the parameter values.
Facts
- Company
- Tesla (Tesla, Inc.)
- Official title
- ENHANCED MOTOR IDENTIFICATION AND CONTROL BASED ON CURRENT CHARACTERISTIC RESPONSE
- Publication number
- US20260309781A1
- Application number
- 19572714
- Filed
- Mar 19, 2026
- Published
- Oct 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G01R 31/34 Physics & computingG01R 19/0007 Physics & computingG01R 19/04 Physics & computingG01R 19/16547 Physics & computingG01R 19/1659 Physics & computingB60H 1/00428 Operations & transportMore from Tesla in Chips & hardware
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.