Abstract: A rotary electric machine control device includes: a plurality of mutually-independent motor system lines, each having a motor with a servomechanism and a drive controller for driving and controlling the motor (3); and a cooperative controller which, when occurrence of a failure of the drive controller is detected in one motor system line in the plurality of the motor system lines, establishes a connection path for causing the motor of the one motor system line where the occurrence of the failure has been detected, to be driven using at least one part of the drive controller in another motor system line in that motor system lines.

Abstract: Driving an electromotor and a brushed electromotor in particular results in ripples in the supply current. The amount of pulses is proportional to the amount of revolutions of the rotor of the electromotor. With a flawless motor, the amount of pulses is the same with each revolution. Flaws of the electromotor, in brushes, rotor, windings and/or other components, results in fluctuations of pulses in the supply current per revolution of the rotor. By comparing an expected amount of pulses to counted pulses and using various physical parameters of the electromotor, various methods may be employed to correct a counted amount of pulses or otherwise provide an appropriate value representing displacement of the rotor of the electromotor. The time between counted pulses may also be used for determining slip of a slip coupling comprised by a drive train to which the electromotor may be coupled.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a smooth transition between overmodulation and six-step operation of a SVPWM-controlled 3-phase electric machine. In one aspect, the method predicts the PWM sample for which the control voltage vector will cross the middle of each SVPWM hexagon sector. Then, based on the current voltage angle and duty cycle, as well as on an estimated future voltage angle and duty cycle, an average duty cycle is calculated and inserted. In addition, a PWM carrier waveform is selected to ensure the PWM pulses applied to each period result in continuous switching states.

Abstract: A method for starting a sensorless single-phase electric motor. The electric motor includes a permanent magnetic motor rotor, an electromagnetic motor stator having a stator coil, a power electronics which energizes the stator coil, a current sensor which measures a current flowing in the stator coil, and a control electronics which controls the power electronics. The control electronics is connected with the current sensor. The method includes energizing the stator coil with an alternating drive voltage, monitoring a drive current which is generated in the stator coil by the alternating drive voltage, and commutating the alternating drive voltage whenever the drive current reaches a predefined positive current threshold value or a predefined negative current threshold value.

Abstract: A motor comprises: a shaft; a rotor coupled to the shaft and including a magnet; a stator disposed outside the rotor and including a coil and a stator core; a cover disposed on an upper side of the rotor; and a magnetic sensor disposed between the cover and the rotor, wherein the magnetic sensor is disposed on an upper side of the magnet, a surface of the magnetic sensor facing the rotor is disposed below the uppermost end of the coil, and the length of the rotor in the shaft direction is longer than the length of the stator core in the shaft direction.

Abstract: An open circuit diagnosis apparatus, and method for open circuit diagnosis, for a motor drive circuit with a Miller plateau detection unit that detects whether there is a Miller plateau region in a gate voltage applied to a switching element of a motor drive circuit when the switching element is turned on; a body diode activation detection unit which detects whether the body diode of the switching element has been activated which depends on the on/off state of the switching element; and a control unit which determines whether the motor drive circuit is in the open circuit state on the basis of whether the body diode activation unit has been activated and whether there is a Miller plateau region in a gate voltage.

Abstract: A gated truncated readout system for position sensitive or imaging detectors that improves resolution over traditional readout systems. The readout system includes two or more amplifiers that receive a multichannel output analog data from the detector. Analog gates control circuitry, included in the readout circuit, receives the signals from the amplifiers, determines a fractional value of the sum-integral of the signals, and enables analog gates operation around an area of interest, disabling all other channels where noise dominates the signal value and thereby improving interpolation accuracy of the signals centroid position and the detector resolution. Filtered signals are transmitted to a centroid interpolation signal processing device for computation of the centroid position. As a result disabling all channels where noise dominates the signal value, the gated truncated readout system provides better accuracy improved detector resolution.

Abstract: A motor drive device of an embodiment includes a first drive circuit, a second drive circuit, a first detection circuit, a second detection circuit, a third detection circuit, a fourth detection circuit, and an output circuit. The first drive circuit drives a first phase of a motor. The second drive circuit drives a second phase of the motor. The first detection circuit detects a first anomaly of the first phase. The second detection circuit detects the first anomaly of the second phase. The third detection circuit detects a second anomaly of the first phase. The fourth detection circuit detects the second anomaly of the second phase. The output circuit outputs an occurred anomaly as a flag signal based on results of detection by the first to fourth detection circuits.

Abstract: The subject matter described herein includes a paving system having a backing matrix, a plurality of untreated black locust wood pavers arranged in a defined pattern relative to one another on the backing matrix, the defined pattern creating regular void spaces therebetween, a permeable medium disposed between the wood pavers and filling the void spaces, at least one solar cell embedded within at least one wood paver, one or more layers of underlayment beneath the matrix, the one or more layers of underlayment having graduated sizes or porosities, and a flexible coating displaced around the perimeter of the backing matrix.

Abstract: Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method for thermal lockout for a motor of a gate crossing mechanism. The method includes monitoring a motor current across a sense resistor of the motor. The method further includes determining a present thermal capacity unit (TCU) at a time interval based on the motor current across the sense resistor. The method further includes determining whether the motor is at a thermal limit by comparing the present TCU to an expected TCU. The method further includes responsive to determining that the motor is at the thermal limit, causing initiating a hard fault.

Abstract: Data exchange using fan unit signal lines is disclosed, including receiving a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal on a PWM signal line of a fan unit; detecting that a frequency of the PWM signal is outside a frequency range used to control a fan speed of a fan in the fan unit; selecting a data output based on the frequency of the PWM signal; and sending the data output on a tachometric signal line of the fan unit.

Abstract: Circuitry for efficiently operating a three-phase AC motor having three coils, each of which implementing a corresponding phase, comprising four half-bridge inverters having a common bus voltage, for controlling the level and the phase of input voltages supplied to the coils and a control circuitry for operating the four half bridges.

Abstract: A protection device provided between a synchronous motor having a plurality of windings and a motor driving device for driving the synchronous motor includes: a switching unit for making and breaking the connection between the motor driving device and the synchronous motor; a dynamic brake circuit including resistors and switches, to short-circuit the plurality of windings between the switching unit and the synchronous motor via the resistors; and a control device for controlling the switching unit and the dynamic brake circuit. The control device controls the switches in the dynamic brake circuit to short-circuit the plurality of windings, and then controls the switching unit to cut off the connection between the motor driving device and the synchronous motor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a load state detection circuit and method. A microcontroller is connected to a switch unit which is connected between a detecting power supply and a load to be tested. A voltage sampling point is formed at either terminal of the load to be tested, and the voltage sampling circuit is connected between the voltage sampling point and the microcontroller. The voltage sampling circuit is configured to sample a voltage at the voltage sampling point. The microcontroller is configured to connect the load to be tested and the detecting power supply by controlling the switch unit, and determine whether a fault exists in the load to be tested according to a received voltage at the voltage sampling point sampled by the voltage sampling circuit, before connecting the load to be tested with the drive power supply.

Abstract: To improve control characteristics of an inverter while suppressing manufacturing cost. An inverter control device 10 is a device for controlling an inverter device 1 having a plurality of switching elements.

Abstract: A control device for an electric motor includes: a controller configured to apply switching control to an inverter configured to execute power conversion in accordance with a torque command, to thereby control AC power to be supplied to the electric motor; and a current sensor configured to detect a phase current, which flows through an AC cable configured to connect the electric motor and the inverter to each other, wherein the controller includes a disconnection detection unit configured to acquire the phase current detected by the current sensor as a phase current detection value, calculate based on the torque command a phase current command value directed to the electric motor, and determine presence or absence of a disconnection of the AC cable in each phase from a transition result of a difference value between the phase current command value and the phase current detection value in each phase.

Abstract: A power converting apparatus includes: a boost circuit including a reactor supplied with first voltage output from an alternating-current power supply, a first leg including first upper-arm and lower-arm switching elements connected in series, and a second leg connected in parallel with the first leg and including second upper-arm and lower-arm switching elements connected in series, and boosting the first voltage; a first voltage detecting unit detecting the first voltage; a smoothing capacitor smoothing voltage output from the boost circuit; and a second voltage detecting unit detecting second voltage smoothed by the smoothing capacitor. When the second voltage is larger than the first voltage and is lower than or equal to twice the first voltage, a width of a second drive pulse to turn on the first upper-arm switching element is larger than a width of a first drive pulse to turn on the first lower-arm switching element.

Abstract: An electrical device includes a brushless one-phase driving motor which drives a mechanical unit. The brushless one-phase driving motor includes a motor rotor which is radially permanently magnetized and which rotates around a rotational rotor axis, a non-symmetric stator back-iron structure which includes a rotor opening for the motor rotor and a lateral bridge portion which magnetically connect two stator poles, a single stator coil which surrounds the lateral bridge portion, a pole separation gap arranged radially opposite to the lateral bridge portion, the pole separation gap magnetically separating the two stator poles, an electronic control device which drives the single stator coil, and a single hall sensor which is electrically connected to the electronic control device. The single hall sensor is arranged approximately radially opposite to the single stator coil with respect to the rotational rotor axis.

Abstract: A motor driver device for driving a motor with a full-bridge circuit includes: a switching driver configured to perform switching driving in which a switching voltage is supplied from the full-bridge circuit to the motor; a linear driver configured to perform linear driving in which a continuous linear voltage is supplied from the full-bridge circuit to the motor; and a control circuit configured to set a driving mode of the motor to a switching driving mode in which the switching driving is performed or a linear driving mode in which the linear driving is performed.

Abstract: In a control device for a switched reluctance motor, a voltage drop control is executed in which a voltage dropped to be lower than a voltage applied in a case where the switched reluctance motor is driven in a high-load region is applied to the switched reluctance motor, in a case where the switched reluctance motor is driven in a low-load region. The low-load region is a lower load region than the high-load region.

Abstract: A commutation circuit includes a coil connected to an H bridge, the H bridge including four main switches for reversing polarity and a resulting coil current in the coil. The commutation circuit further includes a voltage source configured to generate a bypass current, and at least one auxiliary switch for controlling the bypass current to thereby decrease a switch current through at least one of the main switches. By generating an appropriate bypass current with help of a voltage source, a switch current through a desired main switch in a leading state can be decreased and eventually brought to zero. Zero current in its turn enables the use of thyristors as main switches as it results in the thyristors to be turned off automatically. Furthermore, decreased switch current at the switching moment reduces switching losses even in different types of switches such as GTOs and IGBTs.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to articulate an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument can comprise at least one electromagnet which can be selectively activated, or polarized, to generate a magnetic field sufficient to motivate a second magnetic element, such as a permanent magnet and/or an iron core, for example, mounted to the end effector. In certain embodiments, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to open and/or close an end effector of the surgical instrument. In at least one embodiment, a surgical stapling instrument can comprise a plurality of magnetic elements configured to advance and/or retract a firing bar, cutting member, and/or staple sled within the surgical instrument in order to incise and/or staple tissue positioned within an end effector of the surgical instrument.

Abstract: One or more Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) are connected to a packet network and the power transistor drive signals normally generated by the VFD to produce a desired Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) motor drive signal are generated by a software controller located in the packet network and transmitted to the VFD. The control of the VFDs can be (1) centralized using some centralized software controller communicating to the VFDs over the packet network, and/or (2) distributed, in which case VFDs can peer with each other over the packet network, to communicate control state.

Abstract: A motor control device for controlling a servomotor, includes an inverter having multiple switching elements, a motor control unit configured to control switching operation of the multiple switching elements to thereby drive the servomotor, a brake configured to apply a braking force to the servomotor, a brake control unit configured to control the brake and a state acquisition unit configured to acquire a rotational state of the servomotor. The brake control unit actuates the brake when the rotation amount per unit time of the servomotor reaches a predetermined amount or greater in a state where the servomotor is not driven by the motor control unit and the brake is not operated.

Abstract: An electric motor with a motor shaft, a motor pinion and a sensor element for an optical rotary encoder which has at least one recess for the transmission of a light beam from the optical rotary encoder. The motor shaft, the motor pinion and the sensing element being integrally formed with one another and being coupled with the motor shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. Further, the sensor element has a drum-shaped design and is aligned coaxially with the motor pinion. The recess is formed in the sensor element in such a way that the light beam of the rotary encoder can pass radially relative to a rotational axis of the sensor element. The invention also relates to a medical device with such an electric motor.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a plurality of H-bridge circuits and a logic circuit which is commonly used for the plurality of H-bridge circuits. The logic circuit controls driving of each of the plurality of H-bridge circuits on the basis of signals which are input thereinto in such a manner that a combination of respective driving states of the plurality of H-bridge circuits meets a predetermined condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for a network matching switch is provided. The apparatus includes a primary winding, a first secondary winding, a second secondary winding and a plurality of matching network paths. The primary winding is configured to generate a magnetic field based on an analog input signal. The first secondary winding is configured is inductively coupled to the primary winding. The second secondary winding is inductively coupled to the primary winding. The plurality of matching network paths are coupled to the first secondary winding and the second secondary winding. An active path is selected from the plurality of matching network paths and provides power to an active load.

Abstract: A direct-drive brushless DC motorization apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes an outer rotor having poles constructed with segments of forty or forty-four permanent magnets alternatively magnetized north and south. The outer rotor is adapted to be part of a wheel and is rotatable with respect to an axis of the wheel. The outer rotor is mounted about a stator core of ferromagnetic material and is separated from the stator core by a clearance gap. The stator core has forty-two slots, and adjacent slots are separated by teeth. A three-phase winding with coils of insulated wire is wound around the teeth of the stator core. The three-phase winding is divided in two sets of consecutive teeth for each of the three phases, with each of the two sets of a same phase being diametrically opposed in the stator core.

Abstract: A subsea power distribution system is provided. The subsea power distribution system includes a power input for receiving electrical power at a first voltage level and an input transformer coupled to the power input and adapted to transform received electrical power to a second voltage level which is lower than the first voltage level. A distribution circuit distributes received electrical power to two or more power distribution paths. At least one rectifier unit receives transformed electrical power from the input transformer and outputs rectified electrical power. The two or more power distribution paths each have an inverter configured to receive rectified electrical power from the rectifier unit and to output AC electrical power at a third voltage level, and a distribution path transformer coupled to the respective inverter and configured to transform the output AC electric power to a fourth voltage level which is higher than the third voltage level.

Abstract: A compressor includes: a motor that includes a rotor including opposed magnets; a compression unit that compresses a refrigerant; and a crankshaft that is connected to the motor and the compression unit and is configured to transmit rotational driving of the motor to the compression unit, wherein the magnets are arranged such that the difference in magnetic force between the opposed magnets eliminates a force that deflects the crankshaft when the motor is rotationally driven.

Abstract: A power converting device includes: a rectifying circuit connected to an alternating-current power supply for converting alternating-current power from the alternating-current power supply into direct-current power; a short-circuit unit constituted by a diode bridge and a short-circuit element connected to opposite output ends of the diode bridge for short-circuiting the alternating-current power supply via a reactor; and a control unit that generates plural drive signals to control the short-circuit unit during a half cycle of the alternating-current power supply. The control unit generates a sine-wave-shaped current control range that is a target control range of power supply current of the alternating-current power supply, and maintains values of the power supply current of the alternating-current power supply within the current control range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for pre-aligning rotors of synchronous motors on a synchronous AC grid prior to startup of the motors are provided. A partial power converter may provide an alignment current through an n-phase supply line to a synchronous AC motor. The synchronous AC motor may be configured to receive polyphase AC power through the n-phase supply line from the synchronous AC grid, whereas the partial power converter is powered by a power source isolated from the synchronous AC grid. The alignment current may cause a rotor of the synchronous AC motor to move to and stop at a target angular position.

Abstract: A motor current controller operates to: set a reference current value and a decay mode switching time for each PWM cycle based on a positional relationship between a rotor and a stator; switch an H-bridge circuit to the charge mode at the time of start of each PWM cycle; switch the H-bridge circuit to the fast decay mode and store a charge mode time when determined that the motor current is greater than the reference current value; switch the H-bridge circuit to the slow decay mode when the decay mode switching time elapses; compare the charge mode time of the corresponding PWM cycle in a present falling side with the charge mode time of the PWM cycle in a previous falling side; update the decay mode switching time of the PWM cycle previous to the corresponding PWM cycle in a subsequent falling side.

Abstract: An power management unit receives AC power and, via an AC-DC-AC converter, provides an AC motor signal to a three-phase induction motor. Sensors in the power management unit provide data to a digital signal processor (“DSP”). The data includes a current of the AC motor signal. The DSP generates a PWM carrier signal to modulate a voltage amplitude of the AC motor signal, thereby improving the operating efficiency of the motor. The motor terminal voltage is reduced until limit conditions are reached, such as reaching a motor rated efficiency or when the motor current fluctuates.

Abstract: An apparatus with a circuit arrangement having four actuatable switching elements and three output connections for actuating two magnetic actuator coils. A first switching element is connected between a first supply voltage connection for a high potential of a supply voltage source and a first output connection. A second switching element is connected between the first supply voltage connection and a second output connection. A third switching element is connected between a third output connection and a second supply voltage connection for low potential of the supply voltage source. A fourth switching element is connected between the second output connection and the second supply voltage connection. A magnetic actuator arrangement is electrically connected to the circuit arrangement via lines and includes two magnetic actuator coils and three actuator connections.

Abstract: There are disclosed herein various implementations of a method and a system enabling operation of a motor in reverse. Such a method includes applying a first drive signal to begin rotating the motor in a reverse direction, the first drive signal being applied for a predetermined period of time. The method also includes using a position sensor signal for the motor to control motor drive in the reverse direction when the motor reaches a predetermined reverse speed, and operating the motor in the reverse direction.

Abstract: An image capture module includes a liquid lens having a first and a second electrode, and a first and a second conductor element in electrical contact with the first and second electrode, respectively, the first and second conductor elements being each intended for connection with a voltage generator for driving the liquid lens. The first conductor element includes an electrically conductive body having a peripheral region for contact with the first electrode of the liquid lens with a light diaphragm aperture in a central region thereof.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, single phase motor drive circuit includes a counter unit, an energization pattern generation unit, and a drive unit. The unit counts a time of phase switching of a Hall signal based on a clock signal. The energization pattern generation unit generates an energization pattern based on the count result of the counter unit. The drive unit generates a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal based on a duty setting signal and the energization pattern signal to output an output signal to drive a single phase motor based on the PWM signal.

Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a failure detection circuit that detects an abnormality of the gate potential of a transistor of a bridge circuit. The failure detection circuit monitors an output voltage of a drive circuit that is to be the gate potential of the transistor of the bridge circuit and, when detecting an abnormality, stops the drive circuit.

Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk and a spindle motor configured to rotate the disk, wherein the spindle motor comprises a plurality of windings. The spindle motor is powered with a power voltage generated in response to a supply voltage. A clamping circuit is enabled when sensing a current flowing from the power voltage through at least one of the windings, wherein the clamping circuit is configured to clamp the power voltage to less than a peak voltage of the supply voltage in order to attenuate noise in the power voltage. The clamping circuit is disabled when not sensing the current.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an AC motor that is driven by an AC voltage. The AC motor includes a motor coil, a switch circuit, a position detector and a controller. The motor coil receives the AC voltage to drive an axis of the motor. The switch circuit is coupled to the motor coil and controls a current passing through the motor coil. The position detector detects the position of a motor rotor to output a polarity signal. The controller controls the switch circuit according to the polarity signal and the AC voltage to make the current to be a first current with a first direction or a second current with a second direction.

Abstract: A method for positioning a temperature sensor in association with a heat conductive surface in a lead frame located at an end of a dynamoelectric machine. The sensor is supported to the lead frame by lead wires to position the sensor at a first position spaced from an outwardly facing surface defined on the outer side of the lead frame. A cover member is moved to an attachment location in engagement with an outer side of the lead frame, wherein at least a final portion of the movement of the cover member includes positioning an engagement surface of the cover member into engagement with the sensor and causing the sensor to move closer to the outwardly facing surface to a location defining a second position for the sensor.

Abstract: A bridge output circuit includes an output terminal, a high side transistor, a low side transistor, a high side driver for controlling a gate voltage of the high side transistor, a low side driver for controlling a gate voltage of the low side transistor, and a controller for controlling the high side and low side drivers. The low side driver includes a first current source, a second current source, and a first assist circuit. The controller is configured to control the turning-on and turning-off states of the first current source, the second current source and the first assist circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor controller having one or more multi-functional pins. The motor controller includes a plurality of pins but does not include a dedicated pin for transmitting a clock signal and a dedicated pin for transmitting a motor specification database setting signal, wherein the clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal are for setting motor specification data. The clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal are transmitted through two of the plural pins which are multi-functional function pins shared by other functions in a normal operation mode. In a motor specification database setting mode, these multi-functional function pins are used for transmitting the clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal. In the normal operation mode, these multi-functional function pins are used for other functions.

Abstract: A modular power conversion system. The modular power conversion system includes at least one first electric resource, a modular power stage, at least one second electric resource, and wherein the modular power stage comprising at last one module including power electronics for converting power between the at least one first electronic resource and the at least one second electric resource.

Abstract: A motor circuit with power-off braking function includes a driving unit, a coil unit, and a braking unit. The driving unit includes a plurality of switch arms connected in parallel, with each switch arm having a series contact. The coil unit includes a plurality of coils and a central contact. Each coil includes an end connected to the series contact of one of the switch arms. The other end of each coil is connected to the central contact. The braking unit includes a brake loop switch coupled between the central contact of the coil unit and an end of the switch arms. When power is cut off, a plurality of brake loops is formed to share the transient current during braking.

Abstract: A regenerative variable frequency drive includes an active converter connected to an inverter. The converter has a filter capacitor, an inductor, two half bridges, bus bars that connect to the inverter and bus capacitors. The converter converts single phase AC power to DC power and DC power to single phase AC power, boosts the AC power, reduces input line harmonics, maintains input current in phase with utility voltage in order to achieve near unity power factor, and maintains constant DC voltage between the bus bars.

Abstract: A control system (128) for controlling a switched reluctance (SR) machine (110) having a rotor (116) and a stator (118) is provided. The control system (128) may include a converter circuit (122) operatively coupled to the stator (118) and including a plurality of switches (132) in selective communication with each phase of the stator (118) and a controller (130) in communication with each of the stator (118) and the converter circuit (122). The controller (130) may be configured to determine a position of the rotor (116) relative to the stator (118), and generate a modulated switching frequency (152) based on the rotor position.

Abstract: A circuit structure applied to a motor and enabling upgraded MOS transistor heat dissipation ability is disclosed. The circuit structure includes a motor driving unit and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is connected to the motor driving unit for maintaining a first and a third switch of the motor driving unit at a constant turn-on voltage and boosting turn-on voltages of a second and a fourth switch of the motor driving unit, so as to effectively upgrade the heat dissipation ability of the first, second, third and fourth switches.

Abstract: A compact field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based digital motor controller (102), a method, and a design structure are provided. The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) includes a sensor interface (206) configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors (104) and generate conditioned sensor data. The one or more sensors (104) provide position information for a DC brushless motor (108). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a commutation control (210) configured to create switching commands to control commutation for the DC brushless motor (108). The commutation control (210) generates commutation pulses from the conditioned sensor data of the sensor interface (206). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a time inverter (208) configured to receive the commutation pulses.