Abstract: A self-contained electro-mechanical device incorporating a hand crank wound main spring mechanism coupled with gears to a rotating magnet inside an iron core with wound copper wire for the purpose of generating electricity. An external AC adaptor can use the generator as a motor to wind the main spring without the need to use the hand crank. An internal electronic circuit is connected to the motor/generator and mechanically coupled using a unique solenoid and clutch mechanism to prevent the main spring from turning until an external load is detected. When packaged in the form of two standard C or D size batteries this invention can be installed into devices currently using electro-chemical batteries. An internal LED light enables the device to be used as a self-contained flashlight. A mini USB connector is incorporated for charging cell phones and powering numerous devices compatible with USB power.

Abstract: Provided is an electric motor system for vehicles, which adjusts a coil winding number of a vehicle electric motor.

Abstract: A container is provided. A rack is provided in the container, and a server is mounted to the rack. A fan unit is provided in the container, and a large-sized fan and first and second small-sized fans of which diameters are smaller than that of the large-sized fan are alternately arranged on an opposing surface of the fan unit opposed to the rack. A CPU temperature sensor measures a temperature of a heat generation component incorporated in the server. A fan operation management unit controls rotation of the large-sized fan and rotation of the first small-sized fan and the second small-sized fan according to the CPU temperature sensor.

Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system has a high-voltage electric circuit including a high-voltage battery and a DC link coupled to first and second inverters electrically connected to first and second torque machines. A method for operating the hybrid powertrain system includes receiving a motor torque command for the second torque machine, determining a preferred DC link voltage for achieving the motor torque commanded from the second torque machine, selectively interrupting electric power flow between the high-voltage battery and the DC link to achieve the preferred DC link voltage.

Abstract: A traction motor drive system includes a plurality of armatures arranged in parallel with each other and a plurality of field circuits arranged in series with one another. The plurality of field circuits is arranged in parallel with the armatures. The traction motor drive system also includes a field isolation system including a shunt circuit associated with at least one field circuit. The field isolation system includes a first field switch arranged in series with the plurality of field circuits and configured to switch between a first terminal of the shunt circuit and a first field terminal of at least one field circuit. The field isolation system includes a second field switch, arranged in series with the plurality of field circuits and configured to switch between a second terminal of the shunt circuit and a second field terminal of at least one field circuit.

Abstract: A motor drive is provided that includes a control circuit or board and a one or more functional circuits or option boards coupled to the control board, and a profile that includes a configuration for the option board. A method of operating a motor drive that includes loading a profile for a option board coupled to a control board of the controller, wherein the profile comprises a configuration for the option board. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: In a method for controlling three single-phase motors and moving a platform in a direction of the normal, the motors are controlled by one three-phase converter, so that a first motor is operated between a first phase and a second phase of the converter, and a series connection or parallel connection of a second and third motor is operated between a second phase and a third phase of the converter. A platform is adapted to perform this method.

Abstract: A stepper motor controller includes control circuitry with control outputs and individual driver pulse width modulation (PWM) circuitry with individual driver PWM outputs and modulation control inputs coupled to the control outputs. There is a group of individual drivers, each one having an input coupled to one of the PWM outputs, and an output coupled to an individual driver terminal of the controller. There is common driver PWM circuitry having a common driver PWM output. A common driver having a common driver input is coupled to the common driver PWM output and a common driver output is coupled to a common driver terminal of the controller. When a coil is connected between respective driver terminals and the common driver terminal, individual PWM driver currents are supplied to the coils from the individual driver terminals and a common PWM driver current is supplied to the coils from the common driver terminal.

Abstract: A hand-held, battery powered tool (e.g., nutrunner, drill) includes an output head operatively connected to a motor, a plurality of battery cells, an ON/OFF start switch, a resistance sensor that measures a resistance of the output head to movement, and a controller. When the start switch is ON and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor does not exceed a predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other and the motor in series. When the start switch is ON and the resistance sensed by the resistance sensor exceeds the predetermined shift resistance, the controller automatically connects the plurality of battery cells to each other in parallel and to the motor.

Abstract: A motor drive is provided that includes a control circuit or board and a one or more functional circuits or option boards coupled to the control board, and a profile that includes a configuration for the option board. A method of operating a motor drive that includes loading a profile for a option board coupled to a control board of the controller, wherein the profile comprises a configuration for the option board. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A fan device with improved speed control module includes a stator, a rotor, and a speed control module. The stator has a driving unit outputting currents for the stator to generate alternative magnetic fields and thus turn the rotor. The speed control module includes a control unit and a speed adjusting circuit, with the control unit generating a control command for the driving unit and further outputting a state signal for the speed adjusting circuit to control whether a PWM signal enters the control circuit or not.

Abstract: A stepping motor controlling device includes first and second clock signal generators, plural drivers, and a controller. The first clock signal generator generates a reference clock signal for rotationally driving of plural stepping motors. The second clock signal generator generates, on the basis of the reference clock signal, for each of the stepping motors, speed control clock signals. The plural drivers are provided respectively for the stepping motors and, on the basis of the speed control clock signals for the respective stepping motors, generate pulse excitation signals and input the pulse excitation signals to the stepping motors to rotationally drive the stepping motors. The controller controls the second clock signal generator to generate the speed control clock signals such that phases of the respective speed control clock signals for the stepping motors differ from one another.

Abstract: A motor control architecture is provided that simultaneously controls multiple motors. The motor control system includes memory, a plurality of motor control processors, and a communication controller. The motor control processors are each responsive to control signals supplied from the communication controller to selectively retrieve system commands and motor positions from the memory, to generate motor commands, and to supply the generated motor commands to the memory. The communication controller selectively receives system commands and transmits the received system commands to the memory, selectively supplies the command signals to selected ones of the motor control processors, selectively receives motor positions from a plurality of motors, selectively transmits motor positions to the memory, selectively retrieves generated motor commands supplied to the memory, and selectively transmits the retrieved motor commands.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a motor drive is provided that includes a control board and a plurality of option boards configured to communicate with the control board via one or more serial interfaces, wherein the one or more serial interfaces are configured to transfer one or more synchronized signals from each option board. A method of operating a motor drive that includes transferring data between a control board and a plurality of option boards over one or more serial interfaces, wherein the transfer of data from each option board is synchronized with the plurality of option boards. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A control method for motor driver includes: outputting a first signal from the controller to the first motor driver; making the first timer start to count for a first time; returning a first feedback signal from the first motor driver to the controller; dividing a value of a first count time of the first timer by two to get a value of a first delay time, wherein the first delay time is defined as the time of transmitting signals from the controller to the first motor driver; adding the value of the first delay time to the value of the first count time of the first timer to get a first sum; and transferring the first sum to the second timer to replace a value of a count time of the second timer.

Abstract: For mutually cross-interlocked multiple asynchronous AC induction electrical machines of the present invention, wherein the applicable operating characteristic curves of the asynchronous AC induction electrical machines include the asynchronous AC induction electrical machine of various operating characteristics, wherein when they are provided for the individual operation in different loading conditions, it is characterized that the cross interlocked electrical machine can be used to increase or decrease the rotational speed of the individual operation.

Abstract: A motor controller for controlling an electric motor including a soft starter and a human-machine interface for control and configuration of the soft starter. The soft starter includes a visual display and a selector associated with the visual display. A method to configure a motor controller for controlling an electric motor, including a soft starter and a human-machine interface for control and configuration of the soft starter. A computer program and graphic user interface for carrying out the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of electric-motor-driven vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, scooters, electric-motor trains, etc. Embodiments of the invention seek to provide an economic all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle possessing high dynamic characteristics and a relatively simple scheme of control over the operation of electric motors. An AWD vehicle according to the disclosed invention contains at least two gearless (direct-drive) electric motors, an electric power supply source, and an electric motor power supply control unit. At least one of said motors is a start-up (barring) motor and at least one is a cruise (propulsion) motor.

Abstract: A system and method in accordance with the present technique for protecting motor drives from damage due to misconfiguration while coupled to a common DC bus, comprises sensing electrical operating parameters of the motor drives, automatically determining whether each of the drives is actually installed as a common bus leader or a common bus follower, and comparing the actual installation of the motor drives to a respective stored configuration of each of the motor drives as either a common bus leader or a common bus follower.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring and control of one or more electric motors, including a motor controller, equipped with a soft starter. The soft starter includes memory for storing operations and event data, as well as a human-machine interface for making the event information available for display and/or analysis. A method to monitor and diagnose a condition of an electric motor controlled by a motor controller equipped with a soft starter including a human-machine interface. A computer program for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A fan control system. The system includes a plurality of fans, each having a control device. One of the fans is designated as a master fan and others are served as slave fans according to a specific designation method, wherein the control device of the master fan actively monitors and controls the operating state of the slave fans according to the control device of the slave fans to amend the operating state of all fans.

Abstract: A fan control system. The system includes a plurality of fans, each having a control device. One of the fans is designated as a master fan and others are served as slave fans according to a specific designation method, wherein the control device of the master fan actively monitors and controls the operating state of the slave fans according to the control device of the slave fans to amend the operating state of all fans.

Abstract: A system for control of a plurality of motors comprising: an inverter including at least three legs, with each leg including two series switching devices configured to receive a command from a controller. The system also includes a first motor operably connected to an inverter at a common terminal of the switching devices for a first leg and at a common terminal of the switching devices for a second leg; a second motor is operably connected to the inverter at the common terminal of the switching devices for the second leg and at a common terminal of the switching devices for a third leg. The outer terminals of the switching devices for each of the first leg, second leg and third leg are operably connected to the voltage source. The controller executes a process for controlling the first motor and the second motor with an error arbiter function.

Abstract: A method for changing the speed of a motor group, in particular for starting or stopping it, the motor group comprising a plurality of squirrel-cage induction motors or synchronous motors and network converters arranged for their control, when the nominal supply power (Pns), the acceleration power (Pacct) at the final speed (Vmax) of the motors and the losses (Ploss) of the used power are known.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of driving a servo motor with a built-in drive circuit in which a common rectifying circuit is provided on a distribution board to which a plurality of the servo motors with built-in drive circuits are connected, to thereby achieve a reduction in size of each servo motor. In this method, there is used a common distribution board for distributing power to be supplied to a plurality of servo motors with built-in drive circuits and for distributing a communication line, an external communication signal and external input power are supplied through the distribution board.

Abstract: A circuit for selectively driving n motor coils associated with a plurality of stepping motors, wherein only (n+1) motor coil drivers are needed. A timepiece that utilizes such a circuit is also provided.

Abstract: An electronic triggering device for a two-motor wiper system with two electric motors is proposed, in which the triggering device includes a parallel circuit of three half bridges; one of the three half bridges intended for triggering both electric motors in common. A method for triggering such a triggering device is also proposed.

Abstract: An apparatus has a first H-bridge having a first motor contact on a shared first side and a second motor contact on a second side. The apparatus also has a half H-bridge having a third motor contact on a third side, wherein the shared first side of the first H-bridge and the third side of the half H-bridge may be operated as a second H-bridge. Another apparatus has a first H-bridge having a first motor contact on a shared first side and a second motor contact on a second side. The other apparatus also has a switch coupled to a third motor contact, wherein the shared first side of the first H-bridge and the switch may be operated as a partial H-bridge. A method of operating an alternate H-bridge and a method of flexibly using an H-bridge circuit on an ASIC are also provided.

Abstract: A multifan-equipped apparatus in which a plurality of objects mounted are controllably cooled by blowing air using a fan-unit assembly composed of a plurality of fan units. The plural fan units are divided into a plurality of groups; the fan units in the same group are arranged in a queue. And one of the fan units of each group is a master fan unit that is autonomically adjustable in revolutions per minute (rpm) in accordance with a current apparatus-environment temperature and serves to make a tuning control on the rpm of at least one of the remaining fan units in the same group so as to adjust the rpm to a first estimated value corresponding to the autonomic-adjusted rpm of the master fan unit.

Abstract: A load in an electrical apparatus is driven by two motors M1, M2. Switching means (R1, R2) switches the motors M1, M2 between: a series configuration, in which the motors M1, M2 are connected in series across a power supply and driven with a dc supply; and a parallel configuration in which the motors M1, M2 are connected in parallel across the power supply and driven with an ac supply. In the series configuration, a bridge rectifier BR is switched across the ac supply to provide the dc supply for the motors M1, M2 and in the parallel configuration, the rectifier BR is removed from the circuit. The arrangement can be used to drive a drum of a washing machine or a load in some other kind of appliance.

Abstract: A motor controller circuit for controlling an electric motor in response to motor commands from a host controller. The controller circuit includes a motor driver circuit for providing motor driver signals to the motor in response to motor driver commands. A control logic circuit is responsive to command words from the host controller for generating motor drive control signals, the controller has an associated motor identification, each command word having associated therewith a motor identification portion and a motor command portion. The control logic compares the motor identification portion of the command word to the motor identification, and converting the motor command portion into motor driver control signals if the motor identification portion corresponds to the motor identification. Multiple motors can be interfaced to a host controller, either in parallel or in a cascaded manner. Each motor has an unique address, and can interpret a command word and execute a command addressed to the motor.

Abstract: Two motor fans are driven by two 4-pole direct current motors, respectively. Rotational speed of the two motors is controlled in three stages, namely low speed, intermediate speed and high speed. Specifically, at the time of low speed operation the two motors are connected in series with four poles, at the time of intermediate speed operation the two motors are connected in parallel with three poles, and at the time of high speed operation the two motors are connected in parallel with four poles.

Abstract: A mechanism controller for controlling power to motors of a mechanism having several motors, such as a robot. Each motor has a resolver for indicating the motor position. A driver unit is associated with each motor to supply power to the motor. Each driver unit includes a monitoring unit to monitor indications from the resolver of the associated motor. In one embodiment a control unit is connected to the driver units in a series circuit to control power to the motors and to receive the monitored indications from the monitoring units. In a second embodiment, the control unit is connected to the driver units in a ring circuit, rather than in a series circuit. Preferably, each driver unit also includes a memory device, and the control unit can send commands to the driver units and receive data from the driver units in sets equal in number to the number of driver units so that the commands and data do not need to include the addresses of the specific driver units.

Abstract: An electric vehicle accessory motor drive power supply system (40) that utilizes a single power supply design to provide efficient variable speed motor control to both brushless and brush-type DC motors (42,44). The power supply system includes at least one of each type of motor along with a first DC-DC converter (46) that provides operating power to the brushless motor (42) and a second DC-DC converter (48) that provides operating power to the brush-type motor (44). Both converters (46,48) have a power input (52) connected to the electric vehicle's high voltage bus (50) and each includes a data input (54) for receiving a speed control signal (SC) indicative of desired motor speed, as well as an output (56) for providing a motor drive signal to its associated DC motor (42,44).

Abstract: An electric vehicle drive has an electric machine which can be alternatively driven as a motor or as a generator and has a d.c. connection to which a supply voltage can be applied, from a first energy source and/or a second energy source. The first energy source is designed for base load supply of the electric machine, while the second energy source comprises an energy accumulator designed for a short-term peak load supply of the electric machine. Also, vehicle braking energy can be stored by way of the electric machine in its generator operating mode. According to the invention, the second energy source in the form of an energy accumulator is coupled via a bidirectional DC/DC converter to a supply connection of the first energy source connected with the direct-voltage connection of the electric machine.

Abstract: A motor control system includes a processor having a clock output terminal for outputting clock pulses in desired cycles, a plurality of motors, and a plurality of motor drivers which are provided one for each motor and drive the corresponding motors on the basis of the clock pulses input into the motor drivers through their respective clock input terminals. The clock input terminals of the motor drivers are connected to the clock output terminal of the processor in common with each other.

Abstract: At least two components that use DC power to drive at least two motors, such as DC armatures, field windings, etc., collectively referred to as DC driving devices, are connected together by switching components which can be operated to selectively connect the driving devices either in parallel or series or, in the case of more than two DC driving components, in mixed parallel and series configurations. The switching components can be solid state or electromagnetic switching components, including components that have variable resistances so as to allow continuously variable control of the series/parallel connections between the elements, and can be switched by modulation of control or trigger pulses. When the DC power driving devices are in the form of DC armatures, the series and/or parallel connection effects can also be further modulated by shunt field control of the armature currents.

Abstract: A controller for an automated apparatus includes a plurality of operating units which operate independently while cooperating with one another, each operating unit driving a plurality of input/output elements. The controller includes a program control device for programmatically controlling the plurality of operating units, a direct designating device which, when the program control device controls the plurality of operating units independent from an external unit, is for directly designating individual input/output elements by an exclusive first set of numbers within the automated apparatus, an external interface device for interfacing an external unit, and an indirect designating device which, when the program control device communicates with the external unit via the interface device, is for indirectly designating individual input/output elements by a mutually exclusive second set of numbers within each of the operating units.

Abstract: An electrically compensated constant speed drive which is speed limited so that power flow through the speed compensation link is unidirectional includes a permanent magnet generator which is interconnected with a permanent magnet motor by a power converter. The permanent magnet generator and the permanent magnet motor are controlled by first and second independent control loops. The power converter includes an AC/DC converter coupled to electrical power windings of the permanent magnet generator, a filter coupled to the output of the AC/DC converter and an inverter coupled between the filter and electrical power windings of the permanent magnet motor. The permanent magnet generator, AC/DC converter, filter and the first control loop together develop a voltage on a DC bus.

Abstract: An integral series parallel changeover and power dynamic brake controller apparatus for a transit vehicle disclosed. The controller utilizes a single cam shaft to operate switches for the series parallel function and the power brake function. The apparatus includes a cam shaft return spring which is latched out during normal operation. Upon a power failure the spring is released. An escapement mechanism is provided to slow the rotation of the cam shaft upon the spring being released to provide for desirable sequential operation of the power circuit.

Abstract: An electrically-compensated constant speed drive according to the present invention includes a speed summer having first and second input shafts and an output shaft at which constant speed motive power is developed wherein the first input shaft is coupled to a prime mover output shaft. A speed-compensating permanent magnet machine includes a motive power shaft coupled to the second input shaft of the speed summer and electrical power windings. A control permanent magnet machine includes a motive power shaft coupled to either of the first or output shafts of the speed summer and also includes electrical power windings.

Abstract: In a DC motor driving device, upon detection of a change in the content of an input digital signal, supply of signals to switch elements from the output terminals of the decoder is suspended for a predetermined period of time following the detection of the change, and, during this predetermined period of time, the decoder's logical conversion operation is accomplished. With this arrangement, the difficulty of two series-connected switch elements being simultaneously applied with a voltage and turned on simultaneously is eliminated.

Abstract: An arrangement to provide variation of the speed or other operating parameters of an electrical machine without connection to the rotor. The machine is of the induction type having a winding in separate parts to create a flux movable in the air-gap different speeds by the alteration of current in a part of the winding. In one example the current is altered by a variable impedance connected to one winding part, the other part being connected to an electrical supply.Another example, FIG. 6, shows two machines (NM.sub.1, NM.sub.2) arranged to drive a rail vehicle through smooth rail wheels attached to the machine rotor axles. A single, variable-frequency, inverter (NI) drives both machines and is connected to part (MP) of each machine winding. Other parts (AP) of each machine winding are connected together by a link (NC). In operation power (real or reactive) is transferred between the machines along the link to equalize the torque of the machines.

Abstract: A flight control system increases the automatic control authority over, preferably, a helicopter yaw axis. A limited authority series servo is complemented with a full authority parallel servo. The parallel servo is driven by a combination of a trim command signal and a signal representing the excess of the yaw command signal over the amplitude limited drive signal to the series servo.

Abstract: A direct current electric motor marine propulsion system is provided with a pair of shunt wound direct current electric motors which are alternatively connected in a series/parallel circuit configuration. A forward biased diode between the motors in the series circuit, provides for smooth switching characteristics. Fine control of low speed operation is accomplished through the use of a chopper in series with the power source. A contactor connected across the diode provides for reverse current flow during regenerative braking.

Abstract: Device for feeding a consumable wire electrode. Two feeding units are mounted in tandem. Each of the feeding units is provided with a pair of rolls and coupled to a direct current motor driving one of the rolls in the pair. The two motors are connected in series.

Abstract: An arrangement of electric motors which are coupled together both mechanically and electrically comprises series pass elements and current sensing devices in the power circuits of the respective motors, each current sensing device having an output voltage which is proportional to its motor current, and which is applied to a respective linear operational amplifier having an output which controls the equivalent resistance of the series pass element (and thereby the magnitude of motor current). A single reference voltage is applied to all the linear operational amplifiers, so that, for example, if the motors are similar, each will transmit the same torque regardless of any difference in its internal impedance.

Abstract: Power control system comprising an intermittent device for applying intermittent voltage between intermittent voltage terminals; the intermittent device having a DC input terminal and at least one pair of intermittent terminals; a plurality of pairs of reverse series connected devices comprising control electrical valves and other electrical valves; said connected devices being connected in parallel between the intermittent voltage terminals; and a plurality of loads which are respectively connected to the series junctions of the plurality of pairs of reverse series connected devices.

Abstract: A twin electric motor drive for a grinding mill has substantially identical synchronous motors mechanically connected to the drive of the mill, and the stator winding which generates a revolving magnetic field in each motor comprises a plurality of phase windings each of which is energized from a separate phase of a polyphase power source and has first and second winding sections which are interconnected with the second and first winding sections respectively of the corresponding phase winding of the other motor to equalize the load between the motors.

Abstract: A power match system for a train of individually powered traction vehicles in which two distinct types of power control systems are employed. The system includes a programmed power matched circuit which has programmed therein the volt-ampere characteristics of a motor operating under the control of one of the types of power control systems, such as a cam controlled resistor system. The power match circuit is serially inserted in the current command system for the other type of power control, such as a chopper controlled power system. A signal representative of the motor CEMF in the chopper system is supplied to the power match circuit which then regulates the current supplied by the chopper control power system in accordance with the programmed characteristics of the cam controlled resistor system. In this manner the motive power developed by the two distinct types of power control systems is matched whereby each type of system provides substantially the same pulling power to the train.