Abstract: Motor controllers and methods for controlling drive circuit bypass signals are provided. The motor controller includes a drive circuit configured to generate variable frequency power based on input power received from a power source, and a drive contactor coupled between an output of the drive circuit and the motor. The drive contactor is configured to couple the drive circuit to the motor when a drive enable signal is received from an external controller, and decouple a line power enable signal from a line contactor by the external controller based on a presence of the drive enable signal. The line contactor is configured to couple the motor directly to the power source when the line power enable signal is received by the line contactor.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure includes a fluid moving system. The fluid moving system includes a fluid moving apparatus configured to convey a fluid through a housing from an inlet to an outlet. The fluid moving system includes an active cleaning device configured to neutralize or remove at least a portion of an undesired matter from the fluid conveyed through the housing. The fluid moving system includes an electric motor including a rotor coupled to the fluid moving apparatus and configured to turn the fluid moving apparatus upon application of electric power to a stator of the electric motor. The fluid moving system includes a motor controller communicatively coupled to the electric motor and configured to control at least one of a speed output or a torque output thereof.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure includes a fluid moving system. The fluid moving system includes a fluid moving apparatus configured to convey a fluid through a housing from an inlet to an outlet. The fluid moving system includes an active cleaning device configured to neutralize or remove at least a portion of an undesired matter from the fluid conveyed through the housing. The fluid moving system includes an electric motor including a rotor coupled to the fluid moving apparatus and configured to turn the fluid moving apparatus upon application of electric power to a stator of the electric motor. The fluid moving system includes a motor controller communicatively coupled to the electric motor and configured to control at least one of a speed output or a torque output thereof.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric pump motor is provided. The drive circuit includes an inverter and a contactor. The inverter is configured to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor. The contactor is configured to supply the line frequency current to the electric motor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor using a motor controller including a processor are provided. The method includes transmitting, by the processor, a no-spin signal commanding the electric motor not to spin, receiving temperature information associated with a temperature of the electric motor, comparing the temperature information to a predetermined threshold temperature to determine whether the temperature is at a sufficient level to prevent icing, and adjusting current applied to the electric motor when the temperature measurement is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor using a motor controller including a processor are provided. The method includes transmitting, by the processor, a no-spin signal commanding the electric motor not to spin, receiving temperature information associated with a temperature of the electric motor, comparing the temperature information to a predetermined threshold temperature to determine whether the temperature is at a sufficient level to prevent icing, and adjusting current applied to the electric motor when the temperature measurement is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a printed circuit board of a motor controller with a potting material includes inserting the printed circuit board into a recess formed in a base portion of an encapsulation assembly such that a bottom surface of the printed circuit board is spaced from a surface of the recess. The method also includes coupling a cover portion of the encapsulation assembly to the base portion to define a cavity therebetween. The method further includes injecting the potting material into the cavity through at least one injection port defined in at least one of the base portion and the cover portion such that the printed circuit board is at least partially coated in the potting material.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric pump motor is provided. The drive circuit includes an inverter and a contactor. The inverter is configured to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor. The contactor is configured to supply the line frequency current to the electric motor.

Abstract: A motor control system for operating an electric motor is described. The motor control system includes a power supply module disposed external to the electric motor and configured to convert an alternating current (AC) voltage at a first level to a direct current (DC) voltage at a second level lower than a DC-equivalent voltage of the AC voltage at the first level, and a motor control assembly coupled to the electric motor. The motor control assembly includes an input power connector configured to receive the DC voltage at the second level from the power supply module. The motor control assembly also includes an inverter module coupled to the input power connector. The inverter module is configured to convert the DC voltage at the second level to an AC motor voltage to operate the electric motor.

Abstract: A motor control system for operating an electric motor is described. The motor control system includes a power supply module disposed external to the electric motor and configured to convert an alternating current (AC) voltage at a first level to a direct current (DC) voltage at a second level lower than a DC-equivalent voltage of the AC voltage at the first level, and a motor control assembly coupled to the electric motor. The motor control assembly includes an input power connector configured to receive the DC voltage at the second level from the power supply module. The motor control assembly also includes an inverter module coupled to the input power connector. The inverter module is configured to convert the DC voltage at the second level to an AC motor voltage to operate the electric motor.

Abstract: Motor controllers and methods for controlling drive circuit bypass signals are provided. The motor controller includes a drive circuit configured to generate variable frequency power based on input power received from a power source, and a drive contactor coupled between an output of the drive circuit and the motor. The drive contactor is configured to couple the drive circuit to the motor when a drive enable signal is received from an external controller, and decouple a line power enable signal from a line contactor by the external controller based on a presence of the drive enable signal. The line contactor is configured to couple the motor directly to the power source when the line power enable signal is received by the line contactor.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric motor includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), a drive contactor, and a controller. The VFD is configured to receive line frequency current from a power source and apply a fixed frequency voltage to convert the line frequency current to a fixed frequency current. The drive contactor is configured to selectively couple the drive circuit to windings of the motor. The controller is configured to monitor for presence of a control signal applied to the drive contactor, wherein presence of the control signal closes the drive contactor to couple the drive circuit to the windings of the electric motor. The controller applies the fixed frequency voltage from the VFD to the windings upon determining presence of the control signal, determines whether the motor is motoring or regenerating after applying the fixed frequency voltage, and gradually increases the fixed frequency voltage applied to the windings when the motor is motoring.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric motor includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), a drive contactor, and a controller. The VFD is configured to receive line frequency current from a power source and apply a fixed frequency voltage to convert the line frequency current to a fixed frequency current. The drive contactor is configured to selectively couple the drive circuit to windings of the motor. The controller is configured to monitor for presence of a control signal applied to the drive contactor, wherein presence of the control signal closes the drive contactor to couple the drive circuit to the windings of the electric motor. The controller applies the fixed frequency voltage from the VFD to the windings upon determining presence of the control signal, determines whether the motor is motoring or regenerating after applying the fixed frequency voltage, and gradually increases the fixed frequency voltage applied to the windings when the motor is motoring.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting loss of phase in three-phase power systems. The circuit includes a current sensor and a microprocessor. The current sensors are coupled to respective phases of a three-phase power source configured to supply power to a load. The microprocessor is coupled to the current sensors to process current measurements and detect loss of phase in the three-phase power source.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting loss of phase in three-phase power systems. The circuit includes a current sensor and a microprocessor. The current sensors are coupled to respective phases of a three-phase power source configured to supply power to a load. The microprocessor is coupled to the current sensors to process current measurements and detect loss of phase in the three-phase power source.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating a printed circuit board of a motor controller with a potting material includes inserting the printed circuit board into a recess formed in a base portion of an encapsulation assembly such that a bottom surface of the printed circuit board is spaced from a surface of the recess. The method also includes coupling a cover portion of the encapsulation assembly to the base portion to define a cavity therebetween. The method further includes injecting the potting material into the cavity through at least one injection port defined in at least one of the base portion and the cover portion such that the printed circuit board is at least partially coated in the potting material.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) motor system and control methods are provided herein. The AC motor system includes a motor having a first rated horsepower and configured to be coupled to a power source, and a drive circuit configured to be electrically coupled between the power source and the motor. The drive circuit has a second rated horsepower that is lower than the first rated horsepower.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) motor system and control methods are provided herein. The AC motor system includes a motor having a first rated horsepower and configured to be coupled to a power source, and a drive circuit configured to be electrically coupled between the power source and the motor. The drive circuit has a second rated horsepower that is lower than the first rated horsepower.

Abstract: A centrifugal fan is described. The fan uses a blade that is tapered across the span of the blade. The taper can be larger towards the end opposite of the inlet or larger at the inlet. The blade may be backwardly inclined and/or curved. The fan may also include a turning vane.

Abstract: An electric motor controller for controlling an electric motor and methods of determining a loss of phase condition for at least one phase of three-phase input power provided to an electric motor controller are provided. The controller is configured to obtain phase sample data representing an input power electrical characteristic for at least one phase of three-phase power received by the controller and receive direct current (DC) bus data representing a measured DC bus electrical characteristic. The controller is also configured to calculate a ratio between the phase sample data and the DC bus data, and determine that a loss of phase condition exists for a phase of the three-phase power when the ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold.