Patents Examined by Thai T Dinh
  • Patent number: 11638940
    Abstract: A drain cleaning machine includes a brushless direct current (DC) motor configured to rotate a snake about the snake axis. An electronic processor is configured to control power switching elements to drive the brushless DC motor. In a first operating range when a load experienced by the brushless DC motor is less than or equal to a predetermined load, the electronic processor is configured to control the power switching elements to drive the brushless DC motor at an approximately constant speed regardless of the load experienced by the brushless DC motor. In a second operating range when the load experienced by the brushless DC motor is greater than the predetermined load, the electronic processor is configured to control the power switching elements to drive the brushless DC motor at a decreasing speed as the load experienced by the brushless DC motor increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Rose, Christopher J. Turner
  • Patent number: 11641035
    Abstract: A system for aircraft power management and distribution, including a sensor suite configured to measure battery pack data. The system includes a battery pack with a plurality of batteries and a battery monitoring component. This battery monitoring component is configured to measure battery pack data. The system also has electric power converters, each connected to a battery of the plurality of batteries. The system also includes a controller configured to control each electric power converter; receive an estimated charge from each battery; select and enable electric power converters based on the estimated charge; compare the total output of the enabled electric power converters against an optimal operating region; and adjust the number of the one or more enabled electric power converters accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11632068
    Abstract: A motor driving device includes: a connection switcher that has an electromagnetic contactor connected to a winding of a motor and switches connection condition of the winding by switching condition of the electromagnetic contactor; an inverter to apply an output voltage as an AC voltage to the winding via the connection switcher; a short-circuiting circuit having a rectification circuit and a switch; and a controller to control the electromagnetic contactor, the inverter and the switch, wherein a circulating circuit is formed by the short-circuiting circuit and the winding when the switch is set at ON, and the connection switcher switches the connection condition of the winding in a period in which the output voltage of the inverter is set at zero in a rotating operation of the motor and a current caused by the rotating operation circulates in the circulating circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Tsuchiya, Kazunori Hatakeyama, Shinya Toyodome
  • Patent number: 11626825
    Abstract: A rotary machine control device includes a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to a rotary machine with three phases, a current detection unit that outputs current information representing information on a current caused to flow to the rotary machine by application of the voltage, a control unit that outputs a voltage command to apply a voltage between each of pairs of the phases of the rotary machine, and an open phase determination unit that performs open phase determination to determine whether an open phase occurs in the rotary machine, by detecting the values of currents flowing between the respective pairs of the phases by monitoring the voltage command and the current information, and by comparing the sum of the values of the currents flowing between the respective pairs of the phases with a predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akane Hongyo, Akira Satake
  • Patent number: 11623335
    Abstract: A control assembly for use in controlling a speed of operation of an electric device, the control assembly including: a control assembly housing; a magnetic sensor; a magnetic element; an actuator that is configured for movement relative to the control assembly housing wherein responsive to said movement of the actuator relative to the control assembly housing, the magnetic sensor and magnetic element move relative to each other between at least one of a first position and a second position such that the magnetic sensor senses a first magnetic field reading when in the first position and senses a second magnetic field reading when in the second position; and, a control module operably connected to the magnetic sensor and configured for controlling the electric device to operate in at least one of a first speed and a second speed by reference to an output of the magnetic sensor indicative of the sensed first magnetic field reading and the second magnetic field reading respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignees: DEFOND COMPONENTS LIMITED, DEFOND ELECTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wai Man Wong, Chiu Keung Loong
  • Patent number: 11622500
    Abstract: A power tool includes a motor and a power supply for supplying power to the motor. A driving circuit is connected to the motor. A voltage detection unit is used for detecting the voltage of the motor. A controller is configured to perform the following operations: if the motor voltage is greater than or equal to a preset voltage, the driving circuit will apply a voltage to the motor with a second slope, wherein the value range of the second slope is from 0 to 0.3. The disclosure also discloses a control method for starting under load of a power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Nanjing Chervon Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao Xian, Jifeng Feng
  • Patent number: 11621657
    Abstract: A motor control system includes a gate driver motor controller and a microcontroller configured to generate a commutation command signal for coupling to the gate driver motor controller. The gate driver motor controller includes a current measurement circuit to measure current in each of three current paths corresponding to three motor windings, an interface to transmit a first subset of the measured currents corresponding to a first subset of the current paths, and a calibrator to calibrate a current path that is not part of the first subset of current paths when the first subset of the measured currents is transmitted. The microcontroller includes an interface to receive the first subset of measured currents and a processor to compute the current in the current path that is not part of the first subset of current paths based on the first subset of measured currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Foletto, Daniel Jacques
  • Patent number: 11604257
    Abstract: A LIDAR device for optically detecting a field of view. The LIDAR device includes: a control unit for emitting at least one control signal; an electric motor, which has a motor current and is controllably rotatable about a rotational axis with the aid of the at least one control signal, and on which a switchable light source emitting light radiation is situated. The LIDAR device also includes at least one switch for suppressing the emission of the light radiation depending on a behavior of a current variable representing the motor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Fabian Utermoehlen, Jan Sparbert, Remigius Has, Stefan Leidich
  • Patent number: 11581839
    Abstract: A rotary-machine control device includes: a connection switching device switching a connection state of stator windings of a rotary machine; a current detection unit detecting a rotary machine current flowing in the rotary machine; a voltage application unit applying voltage to the rotary machine; a control unit generating a voltage command provided to the voltage application unit and outputting a switching command to switch the connection state to the connection switching device; and an open-phase determination unit determining presence or absence of disconnection in the rotary machine or presence or absence of disconnection of a power distribution line to the rotary machine. During rotation of the rotary machine, the control unit outputs the switching command and the open-phase determination unit determines presence or absence of disconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akane Hongyo, Akira Satake, Kenji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11581831
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for braking a permanent magnet synchronous motor and a related device. The method is applied to an electronic speed controller and includes: receiving a signal for braking the permanent magnet synchronous motor sent by a flight controller; sending a first control signal to the permanent magnet synchronous motor, the first control signal being used to control the permanent magnet synchronous motor to decrease its rotational speed to a preset rotational speed range within a first preset time period; and after the first preset time period ends, sending a second control signal to the permanent magnet synchronous motor, the second control signal being used to control the permanent magnet synchronous motor to stop rotating within a second preset time period. According to the method, consistency of shutdown of multiple motors is ensured, and use experience of a drone is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: AUTEL ROBOTICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shizhi Yan, Yidong Chen
  • Patent number: 11581841
    Abstract: An electrical system can include a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a power inverter connected to the RESS. The power inverter can be configured to provide electrical power to a traction motor. The electrical system includes a plurality of machine windings connected between a plurality of first switches and the traction motor. Each switch of the plurality of first switches is configured to transition between a closed state to allow current flow between the power inverter and the traction motor. The electrical system includes a plurality of inductor windings connected between a plurality of second switches and an off-board power source. Each switch of the plurality of second switches is configured to transition between a closed state to allow current flow between the off-board power source and the power inverter to charge the RESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 11569763
    Abstract: A system and method for identifying and responding to a condition in which an electric motor fails to start. A rotor core includes slots in which magnets are received to produce an electrical reluctance. A motor controller determines a position of the rotor, uses the determined position to convert a torque demand to a demanded D-axis current value, and compares the demanded value to a supplied D-axis current value. If the demanded value differs from the supplied value by at least a pre-established threshold amount, then the motor is restarted. Otherwise, the difference between the torque demand and an actual current is used to drive a voltage applied to the motor. The controller may also implement a sensorless technology, and may restart the motor if the demanded value differs from the supplied value by at least the threshold amount even if the sensorless technology determines that the motor started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Bret S. Clark, Christopher D. Schock, Prakash B. Shahi
  • Patent number: 11557989
    Abstract: Braking a power tool motor based on a phase voltage of the motor. The power tool includes a motor and a power source providing operating power to the motor. A power switching network is between the power source and the motor to drive the motor. An actuator is operable to provide an input. An electronic controller is connected to the actuator and the power switching network. The electronic controller is configured to receive an indication related to initiating braking of the motor, control the power switching network to allow the motor to coast, monitor a phase voltage of the motor, determine whether the phase voltage of the motor is equal to or less than a phase voltage threshold, and control, in response to the phase voltage of the motor being equal to or less than the phase voltage threshold, the power switching network to brake the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bartlett, Zachary J. Evans, Jacob R. McDonald
  • Patent number: 11541846
    Abstract: An electromagnetic wiper system for a windshield of a vehicle includes a linear actuator, a wiper-arrangement, and control circuitry. The linear actuator includes at least one guide rail having permanent magnets and an electromagnetic moving block. The electromagnetic moving block includes at least one perforation that surrounds the at least one guide rail and at least one electromagnetic coil that surrounds the at least one perforation. The wiper-arrangement includes a wiper arm and a wiper blade, wherein at least the wiper arm is coupled to the electromagnetic moving block. The control circuitry controls a linear motion of the electromagnetic moving block along the at least one guide rail to steer the wiper arm that is coupled to the electromagnetic moving block back and forth across a length of the windshield to the windshield, wherein the electromagnetic moving block induces minimal friction during the linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Clift, Maithreya Kedambadi Prasanna, Gonzalo Espinoza Graham
  • Patent number: 11539320
    Abstract: A control device for an inverter has a DC voltage input and a power unit with three half-bridges each formed by two power switching elements, the control device being arranged to driving the power switching elements in a normal operating mode for converting a DC voltage applied to the DC voltage input into a polyphase AC current provided at an AC current output. The control device is adapted to evaluate a signal state of a signal indicating a disconnection of a DC voltage source from the DC voltage input and to control the power switching elements in dependence on a result of the evaluation for alternately adopting a first switching pattern causing DC braking and a second switching pattern causing freewheeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: VALEO SIEMENS EAUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Karsten Wiedmann, Markus Reymann
  • Patent number: 11539315
    Abstract: A driver circuit includes a first switch which has a first terminal coupled to a voltage supply terminal, a second terminal coupled to a high-side gate, and a third terminal coupled to receive a voltage supply enable signal. The first switch is operable to connect the voltage supply terminal to the high-side gate responsive to the voltage supply enable signal. The driver circuit includes a second switch which has a first terminal coupled to a charge pump terminal, a second terminal coupled to the high side gate, and a third terminal coupled to receive a charge pump enable signal. The second switch is operable to connect the charge pump terminal to the high-side gate responsive to the charge pump enable signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Venkatesh Guduri, Venkata Naresh Kotikelapudi, Ganapathi Shankar Krishnamurthy, Ashish Ojha
  • Patent number: 11539311
    Abstract: A method is provided for electrically driving a motor having a plurality of phase windings such that EMC (electromagnetic compatibility) is improved and the running performance of the motor is simultaneously kept constant. At least one of the phase windings is not supplied with a current pulse during a complete revolution of the rotor, or at least one switchable electrical resistor is switched on, for at least one subsequent commutation phase by means of an electrical switching element, if the detected rotor speed is greater than the specified target speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: ELEKTROSIL GMBH
    Inventors: Hendrik Niemann, Martin Oppermann
  • Patent number: 11527985
    Abstract: A closed loop control system for controlling a plant comprises a controller includes an input arranged to receive a feedback signal from the plant. The controller is arranged to compare a value of the feedback signal to a set point value x(s) and to produce an error signal ?(s) that is at least partially dependent on a difference between the value of the feedback signal and the set point value. The controller also includes an output arranged to supply the error signal ?(s) to the plant. A monitor is arranged to compare a value of the error signal ?(s) produced by the controller to a threshold value and to produce a warning signal when the value of the error signal ?(s) exceeds the threshold value for a period of time greater than a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jonathan Mark Roadley-Battin
  • Patent number: 11527971
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a driving apparatus of a DC brush motor includes: a drive circuit that supplies motor current to a coil of a DC brush motor; and a control circuit configured to: after a predetermined time interval has elapsed since starting-up of the DC brush motor, drop down step-by-step a limit value that sets an upper limit of the motor current; and detect turning into a state where the motor current is limited by the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideki Kimura
  • Patent number: 11527983
    Abstract: An electric power conversion device includes: a first electric power conversion circuit, a current detection circuit, an electric power conversion circuit of field coil excite use, a control circuit, and detector which detects an induced electromotive force generated in the motor generator. In a case where an over current, is detected by the first electric power conversion circuit, the control circuit turns off a switching of a phase of the first electric power conversion circuit from which an over current s detected and a switching of the electric power conversion circuit of field coil excite use. After the value of an induced electromotive force by the motor generator falls below a predetermined value, the control circuit controls to stop a supply of electric power of all phases by the first electric power conversion circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Ryo Ute, Hiroyuki Otsuka, Takamasa Asai