Braking Patents (Class 318/362)
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Patent number: 8736208Abstract: When one of six FETs has short-circuit faulted, a controllable region identification unit stops driving of an electric motor, and then performs processes for determining whether a short-circuit fault has occurred, and when a short-circuit fault has occurred, for identifying the position of the FET that has short-circuit faulted based on phase voltages (induced voltages) VU, VV, and VW of phases. When the position of the FET that has short-circuit faulted is identified, the controllable region identification unit performs a controllable region identification process. In detail, the controllable region identification unit identifies a “possible region,” an “indeterminate region,” and a “impossible region” based on phase voltages VU, VV, and VW of the phases.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Jtekt CorporationInventors: Shigekazu Okumura, Fumihiko Satou, Hiroshi Sumasu
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Patent number: 8736202Abstract: In a drive control circuit of a linear vibration motor, the drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal whose phase is opposite to that of the drive signal generated during the motor running, after the running of the linear vibration motor has terminated; this drive signal of opposite phase includes a high impedance period during which the driver unit is controlled to a high impedance state. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil. A comparator has a function as a hysteresis comparator in which the output level does not vary in a predetermined dead band, and the comparator outputs a high-level signal or a low-level signal during the high impedance period. When an in-phase signal is consecutively outputted from the comparator during the consecutive high-impedance periods, the drive signal generating unit determines that the linear vibration motor has come to a stop.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLCInventor: Tsutomu Murata
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Patent number: 8736205Abstract: A switching device and method are disclosed for terminating a braking process of a three-phase AC motor. The braking process of the AC motor is performed by way of a first and second thyristor. During the braking process of the AC motor, in a first step the first thyristor is actuated in such a way that a braking current is fed to the AC motor, and therefore a torque which brakes the AC motor is produced. In a second step the second thyristor is actuated in such a way that, when the first thyristor is quenched, the braking current is taken on by the second thyristor and the braking torque is maintained. The two steps are repeated during the braking process; wherein the second step is suppressed during the braking process after a last actuation of the first thyristor.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dirk Hertz, Johann Seitz, Stefan Zitzler
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Patent number: 8736204Abstract: Apparatus for transferring power between an electricity network (UP) operating on alternating-current electricity and a multiphase electric machine (M2, M3), which apparatus comprises low-voltage power cells (CS, C11 . . . CN6) operating on a cascade principle, which power cells comprise a single-phase output connector (OUT), and at least one transformer (TA, T1 . . . TN), comprising for each power cell connected to it a single-phase or multiphase winding dedicated to the specific power cell, which transformer comprises at least one additional winding (WA, WB1 . . . WBN) connected to the same magnetic circuit as the other windings for the purpose of at least one auxiliary circuit, which can be connected to the aforementioned additional winding.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Vacon OyjInventors: Nicklas Södö, Risto Komulainen
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Patent number: 8704466Abstract: The method is capable of equalizing time lengths of stopping a motor at load-holding stop positions of respective phases so as to average amounts of heat generation of phase coils. The method for drive-controlling electric machinery, in which a multiphase motor is used as a driving source of an assist mechanism, is performed by a control unit including a driving circuit for driving the multiphase motor. The method is characterized in that the control unit controls to stop a rotor at a load-holding stop position, at which rotation of the rotor is stopped in a state where a motor coil is energized and the rotor is in a load-holding state, and that the load-holding stop position is angularly shifted an electric angle of 180/n (n is number of phases and an integer two or more) degrees, in a prescribed rotational direction, with respect to a previous load-holding stop position of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Shinano Kenshi Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Nobuchika Maruyama
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Patent number: 8704468Abstract: An electrodynamic braking device for a universal motor is proposed, wherein during a braking operation a field winding is supplied from a network, and an armature is directly short-circuited, and a braking operation is carried out using a program of a controller of a control electronics system, whereby good braking is achieved with relatively low brush wear. Such an electrodynamic braking device is advantageously applied in a power tool equipped with a dangerous tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventor: Hans Hermann Rottmerhusen
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Patent number: 8692489Abstract: A control system for controlling an electrical device of a nacelle, the device having at least one element that is movable to a closed position and an open position. The control system includes at least one electromechanical member for actuating the movable element, a unit for electrically driving the electromechanical actuation member, and a controlling and monitoring unit for controlling the electrical drive unit so as to move the movable element to the closed and/or open position. The control system further includes a system for recovering braking power from the electrical drive unit during the movement of the movable element to the closed and/or open position.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: AircelleInventor: Hakim Maalioune
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Patent number: 8664897Abstract: A motor drive apparatus includes a rectifier which converts AC power to DC power and DC power to AC power, an inverter which converts the DC power output by the rectifier to AC power and supplies the AC power to a motor, and which converts regenerative power from the motor to DC power and returns the DC power to the rectifier, a DC voltage detection unit which detects a DC output voltage of the rectifier, an AC voltage detection unit which detects an AC output voltage of the rectifier, a frequency calculation unit which calculates the frequency of the AC voltage; a storage unit which stores as a reference value the DC voltage at the start of the regenerative operation, and a power failure detection unit which determines the presence or absence of a power failure by using the DC voltage, the reference value, and the AC voltage frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Fanuc CorporationInventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Tadashi Okita, Masakazu Niwa
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Patent number: 8604728Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling a locomotive such that the braking effort is maintained at its optimal maximum level throughout the extended range. The method comprises detecting a first reduction in speed of the locomotive; energizing at least one solid state device connected across one or more grid resistors for a first predetermined amount of time to divert current away from the one or more grid resistors for the first predetermined amount of time; and de-energizing the solid state device after the first predetermined amount of time. The solid state device may be an Isolated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and a plurality of solid state devices are energized, each solid state device being connected across a corresponding resistor grid.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Trac Rail Inc.Inventors: Aldo Liberatore, Viktor Gvelesiani
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Publication number: 20130307446Abstract: A braking apparatus for a three-phase brushless motor is provided in a motor-driven appliance, and includes a switching circuit having six switching elements and a brake control device. The brake control device executes two-phase short-circuit control in braking control in which a braking force is generated in the motor. In the two-phase short-circuit control, an on/off state of each of the switching elements is set in such a manner that two out of three conduction paths constituting one of a positive electrode side conduction path that connects three terminals of the motor and a positive electrode side of a direct current power source and a negative electrode side conduction path that connects the three terminals and a negative electrode side of the power source are in a conducting state and other of the three conduction paths is in a non-conducting state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventor: Yoshitaka ICHIKAWA
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Patent number: 8587231Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a brushless DC motor housed inside the housing, a power supply, a control unit, and an input unit such as a trigger switch actuated by a user. The control unit controls the commutation of the motor through a series of power switches coupled to the power supply. The control unit initiates electronic braking of the motor after occurrence of a condition in the input unit, such as trigger release or reduced speed, indicative of the power tool shut-down. A mechanism is provided to power the control unit for a predetermined amount of time after the detection of the condition from the input unit in order to complete the electronic braking of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventor: Pradeep M. Pant
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Patent number: 8587230Abstract: A power tool includes a brushless DC motor housed inside a tool housing, an input unit, and a control unit. The motor includes a rotor, a stator, and at least one sensor positioned to sense a state of the rotational position of the rotor inside the stator. A control unit controls commutation of the motor through a series of power switches coupled to the power supply. The control unit receives a current sensor state from the sensor and a user-selected speed from the input unit and determines whether the motor has reversed direction using the user-selected speed and the current sensor state. The control unit disables commutation of the motor if the motor has reversed direction until a proper current sensor state is received from the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.Inventors: Pradeep M. Pant, James Goble
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Patent number: 8531718Abstract: An image forming device includes a power source unit, motors supplied with and driven by electric power from the power source unit, and a control device for controlling the motors' operations. A CPU in the control device monitors presence/absence of power supply from the power source unit. When power is cut off during image forming, the CPU causes regenerative braking of the motors. The regenerated power is voltage-converted by a second DC-DC converter in the power source unit and supplied to the control device for continuously driving the CPU, which in turn backs up operating information. This eliminates inconsistency between the actual life status and the backed-up information when power is off, with no need of frequent backup during image forming. It is thus possible to provide the image forming device which can reliably manage operating information even if power supply to the motors is stopped during printing.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kunio Furukawa, Mikiyuki Aoki
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Patent number: 8508170Abstract: A driving device for a hatch in a vehicle, with a housing tube connected to a base part or to a movable structural component part, a protective tube connected to the movable structural component part or to the base part, a spindle drive having a threaded spindle and a spindle nut arranged on the threaded spindle by which the housing tube and the protective tube are movable axially relative to one another. A rotary drive drives the spindle drive in rotation includes at least one electric motor. The driving device has a safety circuit that causes a braking effect on the rotary drive when the rotary drive is deactivated and when extraneous forces are introduced into the driving device from the outside.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Stabilus GmbHInventor: Marian Bochen
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Patent number: 8487559Abstract: A diesel-electric drive system includes a generator having two multi-phase winding systems, a diesel engine, and a DC-link converter. Two self-commuted pulse power converters on the generator side are linked to the windings systems and to each other by a brake resistor on the alternating voltage side. The brake resistor is split into two series-connected resistors, each having half the resistance value of the brake resistor. An input of a bipolar switching device is connected to a connecting point of two series-connected resistors. The capacity of the diesel motor can then be checked in a self-load test with a controllable load torque of the diesel-electric drive system, while eliminating overloads of the power semiconductors of the self-commuted pulse power converters on the generator side.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Holweck, Olaf Körner
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Patent number: 8466641Abstract: The invention relates to a method for decelerating a drive movement of a power tool and to a power tool suitable for carrying out the method, having a drive driven by a motor, an energy supply device for the provision of electrical energy, a controller having a motor controller for activating the motor and an operating-state recognition module which is to detect at least one operating-state variable and, as a function of this, to output a brake signal, the controller being designed to initiate, as a function of the brake signal, a braking procedure in which brake cycles are provided which have a first time segment, in which the motor is short-circuited, and a second time segment in which current is fed to the motor opposite to its original direction of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: C. & E. Fein GmbHInventors: Michael Kaufmann, Ulf Rinckleb
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Patent number: 8466640Abstract: A method is disclosed for slowing-down control of an asynchronous machine, wherein the value of a start energy is determined and stored while the asynchronous machine is being run up from being stationary to the operating rotation speed. The asynchronous machine is braked, in the reversing mode, with braking energy which corresponds to the start energy multiplied by a correction factor wherein the correction factor assumes a value between 0 and 1. In at least one embodiment, the asynchronous machine is braked further by DC braking after braking has been carried out in the reversing mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: June 18, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Dirk Hertz, Diethard Runggaldier, Stefan Zitzler
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Patent number: 8456113Abstract: An electric switch for an electric tool with an electric motor. The switch has first electrical terminals for electrical connection to a voltage supply and second electrical terminals for electrical connection to the electric motor. The switch has an actuating mechanism which can be adjusted between an initial position and a final position, wherein the electric motor is switched off when the actuating mechanism is located in the initial position and is switched on when the actuating mechanism is not located in the initial position. The switch also has a braking circuit for braking the electric motor, the braking circuit operating when the actuating mechanism is reset to the initial position. The switch also has a reversal circuit for switching over the direction of rotation of the electric motor. The braking circuit is arranged between the second electrical terminals and the reversal circuit.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2011Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Marquardt GmbHInventors: Christof Lexer, Jens Müller, Andreas Seidel, Norbert Papok, Michael Tröndle
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Patent number: 8436558Abstract: An electrically driven mooring winch is provided. The mooring winch includes a winding drum, an AC motor configured to drive the winding drum, a frequency conversion unit connected to the AC motor, and a control unit configured to control the frequency conversion unit on the basis of an indicator for tension of the mooring rope. The control unit is configured to set a reference value of rotational speed of the AC motor to a predetermined value, drive the AC motor in one direction for a predetermined time interval, define a first value of a torque of the AC motor, drive the AC motor in an opposite direction for the predetermined interval, define a second value of the torque of the AC motor, and compute a torque estimate using the first and second values of the torque.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: ABB OyInventors: Mikael Holmberg, Vassili Jung
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Patent number: 8421384Abstract: A direct current motor controlling apparatus may include a direct current motor driving unit to apply a driving voltage to a direct current motor and detect a predetermined signal from the direct current motor, and a servo-micom to control the status of the direct current motor using the signal detected by the direct current motor driving unit. Accordingly, the rotational status of the direct current motor is checked to control the direct current motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ho-chul Lee
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Patent number: 8405328Abstract: There is provided a slewing control device that enables to detect breakdown of a driving system of a mechanical brake, and generate a torque for holding a slewing body in a stopped state to thereby prevent movement of the slewing body when an anomaly has occurred. In a working machine for driving a slewing body by an electric motor 1, judgment is made as to whether a mechanical brake 4 is in an inconsistent state, based on a command to be outputted to a brake circuit B, and a pressure detected by a brake pressure sensor 17. The inconsistent state is a state that the mechanical brake 4 is in a brake released state when an activation command for switching the mechanical brake 4 to a brake activated state is outputted. If it is judged that the mechanical brake 4 is in the inconsistent state, a command for obtaining a braking torque for holding the slewing body in a stopped state is outputted to the electric motor 1.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masayuki Komiyama, Natsuki Yumoto, Yoshiyasu Umezu, Masayuki Kogashima
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Publication number: 20130069567Abstract: A circuit arrangement, especially for supplying an electromagnetic holding brake with a clocked supply voltage, includes a module for controlled provision of a clocked supply voltage for free-wheeling operation of the holding brake. The module has a switching unit for switching off the supply voltage for braking operation. A free-wheeling diode and a suppressor diode are connected in parallel to an inductance of the holding brake, with the free-wheeling diode being effective in free-wheeling operation only and the suppressor diode being effective in braking operation only.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2012Publication date: March 21, 2013Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: BERNHARD HILD, CHRISTIAN MAUL, GÜNTER SCHWESIG, HANNO WALDERS
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Method and system for eliminating fuel consumption during dynamic braking of electric drive machines
Patent number: 8395335Abstract: A drive system for an electric drive machine having an engine, a generator, a motor, final drive wheels and auxiliary devices is provided. The drive system may include an inverter circuit and an auxiliary driver. The inverter circuit may be coupled to each of the generator and the motor. The auxiliary driver may be coupled to each of the generator and the auxiliary devices. The inverter circuit and the auxiliary driver may be configured to automatically communicate power from the engine and any power from the auxiliary devices to the motor in a propel mode, and automatically communicate power from the motor to the engine, and optionally to a hybrid system if applicable, in a dynamic braking mode so as to minimize fuel consumption during the dynamic braking mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2010Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David Marchand, Dustin Selvey -
Patent number: 8390220Abstract: The present invention provides a unique improvement (23) in an electronic motor drive (20) having an LC filter (21) to reduce conducted emissions from a motor (M) back to a voltage source (V1). The improvement broadly includes diode (24) in series with the inductor (L1) of said filter to prevent transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source; and a bypass switch (25) arranged in parallel with the diode and selectively operable to enable transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Moog Inc.Inventor: Mark J. Underhill
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Patent number: 8324846Abstract: A retarding system for an electric drive machine (100) includes a direct current (DC) link (312), at which a DC voltage is developed, disposed between a rectifier (206) and an inverter (208). A first contactor switch (216) electrically communicates with a first rail of the DC link (312), and a second contactor switch (216) electrically communicates with a second rail of the DC link (312). A first resistor grid (214) is connected in series between the first contactor switch (216) and the second contactor switch (216). The first resistor grid (214) dissipates electrical energy in the form of heat by conducting a current between the first rail and the second rail of the DC link (312) when the first contactor switch (216) and the second contactor switch (216) are closed.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David G. Marchand, Matthew E. Williams, Gerald Brown, John Gunzburger
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Patent number: 8305017Abstract: In a motor control circuit which controls energization of a coil on the basis of a detection result of a rotor position, control is performed so that continuous rotation of the rotor by inertia is suppressed, rotation is stopped quickly, and reverse rotation of the rotor is prevented. When an external control signal CTL is changed from L to H, the normal rotation control is switched to reverse rotation control, and a reverse brake state is effected. When motor rotation speed is monitored and reduced to a set rotation speed, a brake control signal SPSB is changed from L to H, and a short brake state is effected. However, the motor continues to be rotated by its own inertia, and a position detection signal HALL is changed. Thus, reverse brake control is temporarily performed (only during a time period corresponding to a pulse width TRB). The short pulse reverse brake control is intermittently performed until the motor is completely stopped.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Asahi Kasei EMD CorporationInventor: Takashi Fukushima
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Patent number: 8299735Abstract: A fan system including a motor with a coil, a storage unit, a driver, and a buffer circuit is provided. The coil module has a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal. The storage unit electrically couples with a voltage source, stores electrical energy when the voltage source is available, and releases the stored electrical energy to carry out a brake operation when the voltage source is unavailable. The driver electrically couples with the first and second connection terminals of the coil module to control a direction of an inductor current passing through the coil module. The buffer circuit electrically couples with the coil module. In the brake operation, the buffer circuit operates to form a transient potential between the first and second connection terminals of the coil module and to consume electrical energy of the inductor current, for gradually stopping the motor in a buffering time period.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Alex Horng, Tung-An Chen, Cheng-Nan Tsai, Kun-Tien Wu, Kuan-Yin Hou
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Patent number: 8283880Abstract: A motor drive device including a converter for a power running operation and a power regenerative operation. The converter has power switching elements, a first power regenerative control unit for controlling the power switching elements in the power regenerative operation by using pulse width modulation signal whose pulse width changes with a value indicated by a command signal; a second power regenerative control unit for controlling the power switching elements in the power regenerative operation to generate respective power regenerative currents in a phase representing the maximum potential among three phases of a three-phase AC power supply and a phase representing the minimum potential among the three phases, and a power regenerative operation switching unit for switching a control of the power switching elements in the power regenerative operation between a control by the first power regenerative control unit and a control by the second power regenerative control unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: FANUC CorporationInventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Shinichi Horikoshi, Takashi Harada, Shinichi Mizukami
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Patent number: 8248005Abstract: A braking circuit is adapted to supply generatively produced energy of the motor as load resistance to a bipolar transistor. The braking circuit has a voltage regulator, which controls a voltage, applied to the base terminal of the bipolar transistor to achieve an associated controlled voltage based on a reference voltage. A first power supply connector of the electrical motor, in the generator mode of operation of the electrical motor, is coupled to a collector terminal of the bipolar transistor and to the voltage input of a voltage regulator. A second power supply connector of the electrical motor is coupled to an emitter terminal of the bipolar transistor and is coupled to a reference input of the voltage regulator via a resistive branch including at least one electrical resistor.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KGInventor: Martin Römer
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Patent number: 8237384Abstract: Methods of dynamic braking include two embodiments with braking circuits for vehicles such as, for example, locomotives which are operable down to very low speeds. These circuits can provide a braking force even at zero locomotive speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Railpower, LLCInventors: Andrew C. Tarnow, Frank Wegner Donnelly, Ronald B. Bailey, Kris Redinger
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Publication number: 20120181955Abstract: Apparatus for transferring power between an electricity network (UP) operating on alternating-current electricity and a multiphase electric machine (M2, M3), which apparatus comprises low-voltage power cells (CS, C11 . . . CN6) operating on a cascade principle, which power cells comprise a single-phase output connector (OUT), and at least one transformer (TA, T1 . . . TN), comprising for each power cell connected to it a single-phase or multiphase winding dedicated to the specific power cell, which transformer comprises at least one additional winding (WA, WB1 . . . WBN) connected to the same magnetic circuit as the other windings for the purpose of at least one auxiliary circuit, which can be connected to the aforementioned additional winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventors: Nicklas Södö, Risto Komulainen
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Patent number: 8183802Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a composite electromechanical machine which can operate as a motor, a generator (including dynamo or alternator), or any combination thereof. In an aspect, the present composite electromechanical machine comprises at least a double-sided magnetic plane (e.g., rotor or stator) to form two rotor/stator pairs, together with a controller to configure the multiple rotor/stator pair. The controller can configure or convert the multiple rotor/stator pairs into motors, generators, or nonoperation, and also can change the windings characteristics of the magnetic planes. The controller can add new functionality and characteristics to the present composite electromechanical machine. Other embodiments can also be included.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Inventor: Eric Stephane Quere
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Patent number: 8159169Abstract: In a parking brake control device, the minimum value of a motor current is set as an idle current after a motor begins to be driven, specifically, in a period during which the idle current is being sampled. As a result, the idle current is set to a value which reflects the temperature of an electric parking brake and the dispersion of individual units of the motor. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a parking brake control device, which can set a target current value capable of coping with the dispersion of the individual units of the motor by calculating the target current value by adding a target effective current necessary to generate an actuation force to the idle current set as described above.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Advics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takashi Watanabe, Kazuma Kondo, Masaki Ninoyu
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Patent number: 8160743Abstract: An anthropomorphic medical robot arm includes a base end, a first arm element, a base joint coupling the base end to the first arm element, a second arm element, a middle joint coupling the second arm element to the first arm element, a distal functional end, a distal joint coupling the distal functional end to the second arm element, and at least one selectively operable movement inhibitor operable on the base joint, middle joint and/or distal joint so as to restrict the functionally possible range of movement of the robot arm to the range of movement of a human arm.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2006Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Brainlab AGInventors: Rainer Birkenbach, Andreas Hartlep, Richard Wohlgemuth, Michael Bertram, Alin Albu-Schäffer, Markus Grebenstein, Ulrich Hagn, Klaus Jöhl, Mathias Nickl, Tobias Ortmaier, Franz Hacker, Rainer Konietschke, Stefan Jörg
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Patent number: 8148925Abstract: This electric safety braking device for an electric traction vehicle may allow the force/speed characteristic of the vehicle to be improved and includes a rotating electromechanical machine with permanent magnets which has at least one coil with electric terminals, a rheostatic electric braking torque production device, and a commutation device which are capable of connecting the electric terminals of the electromechanical machine to the braking torque production device. The electric safety braking device includes at least one inductor is connected in series between the braking torque production device and the electromechanical machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Alstom Transport SAInventors: Thierry Jobard, Eric Bonin
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Patent number: 8134314Abstract: An electric powered vehicle according to the present invention comprises a battery, an electric power converting device, an electric motor, a drive wheel, a control part, an accelerator, a brake, and a rotation sensor. The control part detects the velocity using the rotation sensor. When a first velocity threshold is Vt1, and a second velocity threshold is Vt2, and when the thresholds are Vt1<Vt2, regenerative control is permitted in the case where a running velocity increases to or above the second velocity threshold, and the regenerative control is prohibited in the case where the running velocity falls below the first velocity threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tomonori Kunimitsu
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Patent number: 8102131Abstract: The invention relates to a yarn-tensioning device for producing a specific thread pull on a thread (5) that is unwound from a winding point (7) of a creel (2) and is guided to a warping machine arrangement (1). Said yarn-tensioning device comprises a rotating body (18) which is at least partially wound round by threads and an electric motor (19) which is connected to the rotation body. Said motor (19) is equipped with at least one brake transistor (20) for discharging excess energy produced when the generator of the motor is operated, said brake transistor being able to convert generator energy, arising when the generator is operated, into heat.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Benninger AGInventors: Alfred Jakob, Andreas Kleiner
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Patent number: 8093844Abstract: A motor control circuit that features a smart, two-phase braking operation is presented. The motor control circuit includes a motor drive circuit to apply a brake current to a coil of an external motor for active braking of the motor. The motor control circuit further includes a braking control circuit, coupled to the motor drive circuit and responsive to an externally generated control signal, to control the active braking by the motor drive circuit so that the active braking occurs in two phases. The two phases include a first phase that includes a first portion of the active braking and a second phase that includes back electromotive force (BEMF) voltage sensing and a second portion of the active braking.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2009Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.Inventors: Alejandro G. Milesi, Bruno L. Uberti
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Patent number: 8084970Abstract: An electrical machine having a stator and a rotor. The stator includes a core and a plurality of windings disposed on the core in a multiple-phase arrangement. The rotor is disposed adjacent to the stator to interact with the stator. A method of operating the motor includes applying a pulsed voltage differential to first and second terminals of the windings resulting in movement of the rotor; monitoring the back electromotive force (BEMF) of the windings to sense rotor movement; after the applying and monitoring steps, monitoring the BEMF of the windings to determine whether the rotor is rotating in a desired direction, and electrically commutating the motor when the rotor is rotating in the desired direction and zero or more other conditions exist.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2009Date of Patent: December 27, 2011Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.Inventors: Paul Steven Mullin, Brian Thomas Branecky
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Patent number: 8076876Abstract: A servomotor system is provided. The servomotor system includes an enclosure and a motor stator and rotor disposed in the enclosure. The servomotor system also includes a motor brake disposed in the enclosure and configured to selectively brake the rotor from rotation and a brake control switch disposed in the enclosure and coupled to the motor brake for selectively providing power to the motor brake for selectively engaging and/or disengaging the brake.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Thomas D. Lundell
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Patent number: 8026680Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reduce the stopping time of a spindle motor are disclosed. An example method includes detecting a dissipation current flowing in a spinning motor; determining when the dissipation current drops below a threshold value; and, in response to the dissipation current dropping below the threshold value, applying a voltage to the motor to increase the dissipation current for a duration. In some examples, the voltage is removed from the motor when the motor reaches a predetermined rotational velocity to avoid reverse rotation.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Texas Instruments IncorporatedInventor: Triet Tieu
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Patent number: 8026681Abstract: A method and device for electrically braking an electric drive in a machine for processing printing material, includes a power electronics connected between the electric drive and a DC voltage intermediate circuit. A further electric braking device is switchable between the electric drive and the power electronics. Upon a failure of a power system, a computer initiates a generator-type braking operation through the power electronics. The further electric braking device is switched on upon the failure of the power electronics.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2007Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AGInventors: Andreas Alexander, Jochen Bechtler, Wolfgang Dürr, Klaus Hartmann, Klaus-Dieter Kleibaumhüter, Helmut Meyer
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Patent number: 7911164Abstract: A circuit installation that executes full voltage activation, division voltage operation, and delayed breaking brake to electric load by increasing the power to the load activated to promote its activation performance or reducing operation power in the course of operation by the load to save power consumption or limit operation performance of the load.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
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Patent number: 7898196Abstract: A motor driving apparatus for driving and braking a motor equipped with a brake comprises a motor/brake driving DC power supply which is used both as a motor driving power supply and as a brake driving power supply, wherein when the motor/brake driving DC power supply is being used as the motor driving power supply, a voltage conversion circuit via which a voltage supplied from the motor/brake driving DC power supply is applied to the brake feedback-controls the voltage applied to the brake. This configuration serves to reduce the loss (due to temperature rise) in the brake coil of the motor being driven to move a robot arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Fanuc LtdInventors: Shinichi Horikoshi, Naoyuki Suzuki, Tsutomu Shikagawa
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Patent number: 7839105Abstract: A circuit installation that executes full voltage activation, division voltage operation, and delayed breaking brake to electric load by increasing the power to the load activated to promote its activation performance or reducing operation power in the course of operation by the load to save power consumption or limit operation performance of the load.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2006Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Inventor: Tai-Her Yang
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Patent number: 7825619Abstract: A method for controlling stopping of a vibration generating stepping motor is a method for controlling the stopping of an vibration generating stepping motor by a control unit, characterized in that the method includes: stopping a supply of a driving pulse to the vibration generating stepping motor while applying a driving voltage to the vibration generating stepping motor; applying the driving voltage to the stepping motor, which does not completely stop, for an optimum braking time according to a motor configuration of the stepping motor, so as to brake the stepping motor; and stopping the applying of the driving voltage to the stepping motor which is rotating under inertia after the elapse of the optimum braking time.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Minebea Motor Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Masaki Matsubara, Kazuaki Sato, Mikio Umehara, Toshiaki Tsuzaki
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Patent number: 7795825Abstract: A method of voltage supply management for an electric drive system includes receiving a voltage signal (1002) indicative of a voltage in a supply link, and one or more condition signals that are indicative of an operating condition of the electric drive system. A difference between a desired voltage value (1008), which is calculated based on the voltage signal (1002) and the one or more condition signals, and the voltage signal (1002) yields a voltage error signal (1014). The voltage error signal (1014) is evaluated to indicate an over-voltage condition or an under-voltage condition. Power is dissipated from the supply link when an over-voltage condition is present and a torque command limit with respect to the one or more electric drive motors (210) is imposed when an under-voltage condition is present.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Joshua Williams
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Patent number: 7777444Abstract: In a travel-driving mechanism for a self-propelled working machine such as a self-propelled lawn mower travels by using power of an electric motor 30, the torque of a driving shaft 50, which is driven by the power of the electric motor 30 through a power transmission unit 40, is transmitted to travel-driving wheels 7 through two-way or bi-directional clutches 55 provided at both ends of the driving shaft 50. Power transmission units 61, 62 are provided between the bi-directional clutch 55 and the driving wheels 7. A travel control unit 70 is provided to input an instruction signal produced by the operation of a travel operation member 66, which is operated by the operator, and to control the electric motor 30.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Toshiaki Kawakami
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Patent number: 7764029Abstract: An activation circuit and a method for operating an activation circuit for a DC motor having an electrically actuated stopping brake, in particular for adjusting a rotor blade of a wind or water power facility. The activation circuit includes an emergency operation supply unit and a three-phase bridge inverter. The emergency operation supply unit is connected so it is disconnectable via an emergency operation network switching element to the intermediate circuit of the three-phase bridge inverter, the DC motor is connected via an emergency operation motor changeover element either to the three-phase bridge inverter or to the emergency operation supply unit, and the stopping brake is connected via an emergency operation brake changeover element either to the three-phase bridge inverter or to the emergency operation supply unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Moog Unna GmbHInventors: Andreas Buente, Lars Kauke, Dirk Fedder
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Patent number: 7733048Abstract: Method and arrangement in connection with a motor fed with a frequency converter provided with an intermediate voltage circuit. The method comprises steps of feeding motor voltage to the motor along a motor cable with a frequency converter for controlling the motor, rectifying the voltage of the motor cable and restricting the magnitude of the voltage of the motor cable at the end of the motor cable on the side of the motor with a clipper circuit coupled in parallel with the motor, using the rectified voltage for rotating one or more cooling fans of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: ABB OyInventor: Erkki Miettinen