Motor Load, Armature Current Or Force Control During Starting And/or Stopping Patents (Class 318/430)
  • Patent number: 11942890
    Abstract: The magnetic pole position of the rotor is estimated with high accuracy at the initial start of a three-phase motor of the sensorless system. Semiconductor device for driving and controlling the three-phase motor of the sensorless system have a detector connected to the three-phase output nodes of the inverter circuit and the virtual neutral point (or neutral point), and detecting a voltage generated in the output node of the non-energized phase of the three-phase. Controller applies the initial drive voltage by the inverter circuit to any two phases of the three-phase motor based on the estimated position of the magnetic pole of the rotor in the stop state. Controller estimates the position of the rotor based on a difference voltage detected by the detector in a driving voltage applying period and a regeneration period immediately after or immediately before the driving voltage applying period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Narumi, Minoru Kurosawa, Takeshi Ohtsuki
  • Patent number: 11466466
    Abstract: An electric power tool disclosed herein may include an actuator; a control unit; and a main switch. When the main power is on, the control unit may be capable of executing at least one sequence operation in which the actuator is operated according to a predetermined sequence. When the operation to switch the main power from on to off is performed on the main switch during execution of the at least one sequence operation: the main power may be kept on and electric power supply to the actuator may be continued until the at least one sequence operation under execution is completed; and the electric power supply to the actuator may be cut off and the main power may be switched from on to off after the at least one sequence operation under execution has been completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Kawai, Kunihisa Shima
  • Patent number: 11430616
    Abstract: Trigger activated tools are provided that have one or more activation lockouts. The activation lockouts include electrical resets, variable position lockouts, mechanical lockouts, shield lockouts, and any combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Chiasson, Thomas Romeo Faucher, John Lefavour, Robert Poirier, Peter Matthew Wason
  • Patent number: 11405032
    Abstract: An integrated circuit that may be employed as a smart switch is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment the integrated circuit includes a power transistor coupled between a supply pin and an output pin and a current sensing circuit coupled to the power transistor and configured to generate a current sense signal indicative of a load current passing through the power transistor. The integrated circuit further comprises a monitor circuit configured to receive the current sense signal and to provide a protection signal based on the current sense signal and a threshold value, wherein the monitor circuit includes a filter that is configured to receive a filter input signal that depends on the current sense signal. The filter has a transfer characteristic with two or more time constants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Mirko Bernardoni, Robert Illing
  • Patent number: 11396110
    Abstract: Simulated bog-down system and method for power tools. One power tool according to an example embodiment includes a power source and a motor selectively coupled to the power source. The motor includes a rotor and stator windings. The power tool includes an actuator configured to generate a drive request signal and a power switching network configured to selectively couple the power source to the stator windings of the motor. The power tool includes an electronic processor coupled to the power source, the actuator, and the power switching network. The electronic processor is configured to detect a load on the power tool and compare the load to a threshold. The electronic processor is configured to determine that the load is greater than the threshold, and to control the power switching network to simulate bog-down in response to determining that the load is greater than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alex Huber, Murat Avci, Timothy R. Obermann
  • Patent number: 11384600
    Abstract: A system and method are provided herein for adjusting a set of roller shade motor motion parameters of a shade motor for use in a roller shade, the systems and method comprising: engaging the shade motor to move the roller shade a first distance; measuring a first torque level indicator in regard to a power supply voltage being supplied to the shade motor; determining a first torque level based on the measured first torque lever indicator; obtaining a first set of roller shade motor motion parameters from a table based on the first torque level; and applying the first set of roller shade motor motion parameters to the shade motor whenever the roller shade is directed to lift or lower the roller shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Crestron Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Luis Rivera
  • Patent number: 11332029
    Abstract: A method for producing an active short circuit condition in an electric motor of a hybrid electric vehicle including a traction battery, an inverter having switches in communication with the electric motor and the traction battery, and an inverter controller in communication with the inverter and configured to generate driver signals to operate the switches to produce three-phase alternating current for the electric motor to drive a vehicle propulsion system or to produce direct current for charging the traction battery. The method includes determining an electric motor speed threshold, wherein the electric motor speed threshold is continuously variable, comparing a monitored speed to the speed threshold, and generating, in response to the monitored speed exceeding the speed threshold, driver signals to operate the switches to produce an active short circuit condition in the electric motor to prevent overcharging of the traction battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Xiaoyan Wang
  • Patent number: 11282213
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to evaluate moving objects undergoing periodic motion through the screening of a video recording of such objects in motion for frequency peaks in the spectral data, and to determine spatially where these frequencies occur in the scene depicted in the video recording, wherein a frequency spectrum is created for a subset of pixels or virtual pixels and a composite frequency spectrum table or graph is constructed of frequencies that are selected from among the larger group of frequencies represented by the frequency peaks of the spectral data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: RDI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Hay, Mark William Slemp, Kenneth Ralph Piety
  • Patent number: 11215372
    Abstract: A damper system is configured for installation in ductwork including a duct supplying conditioned air through a register boot to a register vent. A damper is movable between a closed position and an open position. A control module includes a control module housing, a controller, a power supply and a transceiver. The controller monitors a remaining energy level of the power supply and transmits a first low battery message via the transceiver when the remaining energy level drops to a first energy threshold. The controller instructs the damper assembly to move to a predetermined position and to transmit a second low battery message via the transceiver when the remaining energy level drops to a second energy threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Ademco Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Gonia, David J. Emmons, Nathan Carlson, Madhu T. Chandrashekar
  • Patent number: 11168669
    Abstract: A method for wind converter management, first and second data associated with a group of first measurements and a second measurement of the wind converter may be collected respectively. An association between the group of first measurements and the second measurement of the wind converter may be obtained. A condition of the wind converter may be determined based on a comparison of the collected first and second data and the obtained association. Also, the apparatuses, systems, computer readable media and IoT systems for wind converter management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Rongrong Yu, Niya Chen, Hailian Xie, Jiayang Ruan, Antti Vinko
  • Patent number: 11146205
    Abstract: A multi-phase electric motor includes a stator winding. The multi-phase electric motor is controlled by regulating a current flowing in the multi-phase electric motor in response to an applied voltage. An overload condition of the multi-phase electric motor is detected by monitoring a thermal increase of the value of a stator resistance of the stator winding of the multi-phase electric motor during a steady state condition of said multi-phase electric motor in which the current flowing in the motor has constant phase, and the motor is operating at constant load with constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrea Spampinato, Gianluigi Forte
  • Patent number: 11042171
    Abstract: A building management system is configured to modify an environmental condition of a building. The building management system includes a valve assembly, an actuator device, and a network sensor device. The actuator device includes a motor, a drive device driven by the motor and coupled to the valve assembly, and a controller coupled to the motor. The controller includes a microprocessor and a control application configured to enable closed loop control of the valve assembly. The network sensor device is communicably coupled to the actuator device and configured to measure an environmental property. The control application is configured to perform the closed loop control of the valve assembly based on an input control signal from a mobile device and the measured environmental property from the network sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kirk H. Drees, Herbert J. Doll, Gerald A. Duenkel, Marcello Passoni, Russell T. Jenks, Duane S. Freimuth, Kyle M. Bero, Kevin A. Weiss, Abu Bakr Khan
  • Patent number: 11038453
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine drive system includes: a rotating electric machine equipped with: a rotor having one magnetic pole configured by permanent magnets, and a salient pole portion that is magnetically convex in a radial direction; and a stator wound with a multiphase stator winding; an inverter for supplying electric power to the stator winding; and a control unit for controlling energization current of the inverters. The control unit performs energization control of the stator winding such that a fundamental wave current at a fundamental frequency synchronized with a rotational speed of the rotor, and a harmonic current that is triple the fundamental frequency flow in the stator winding, and such that energization of the harmonic current generates a stator magnetic field having a specified lead phase or delay phase with respect to a third-order magnetic field of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Taniguchi, Takumi Inoue, Kazushige Okumoto, Akira Fukushima
  • Patent number: 10959566
    Abstract: A beverage or foodstuff preparation machine is disclosed that includes a component processing unit and a control system, wherein the component processing unit includes a pump arranged to deliver fluid. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the beverage or foodstuff preparation machine. Also disclosed are methods of controlling the pump of the beverage or foodstuff preparation machine. Further disclosed is a computer program for a processor of the control system of the beverage or foodstuff preparation machine, as well as a non-transitory computer readable medium that includes the computer program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Societe des Produits Nestle S.A.
    Inventors: Martino Ruggiero, Sergio Chioda
  • Patent number: 10951152
    Abstract: In order to suppress vibration with a motor a load torque of which periodically fluctuates, an output torque of the motor is controlled to be periodically changed. In this case, in order to increase a vibration suppressing component by a direct power conversion apparatus, at least one of first control and second control is performed. In the first control, an output torque having a waveform including a fundamental frequency component of the load torque a fundamental frequency of which is a frequency in accordance with a fluctuation period of the load torque and at least one of a fourth harmonic and a sixth harmonic of a power source frequency of an AC power source is generated. In the second control, the output torque having a waveform including at least one of a second harmonic and a third harmonic of the fundamental frequency of the load torque and a second harmonic of the power source frequency of the AC power source is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Nobuo Hayashi, Takurou Ogawa, Daisuke Ueki, Morimitsu Sekimoto
  • Patent number: 10933905
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for facilitating an electric power steering (EPS) system for providing a motor torque assist command. An example EPS system includes a first module configured to generate a regulation signal or a tuning signal based on a mode of operation of the EPS system. The EPS system further includes a second module configured to generate a stability signal irrespective of the mode of operation of the EPS system. The EPS system further includes a blending module configured to combine the stability signal with either the regulation signal or the tuning signal to generate an assist motor torque signal for the EPS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Shrenik P. Shah, Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 10800448
    Abstract: Provided is a steering control apparatus configured to suppress the occurrence of abnormalities in components in respective systems at the same timing. A first assist torque calculation circuit calculates a first command value and a second command value based on a steering torque. A first current feedback control circuit calculates a control signal by using the first command value. A second current feedback control circuit calculates a control signal by using the second command value. When the steering torque is equal to or smaller than a steering torque threshold, the first assist torque calculation circuit executes calculation so that the first command value is larger than the second command value. After the steering torque exceeds the steering torque threshold, the first assist torque calculation circuit executes calculation so that the first command value is equal to the second command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuji Fujita, Hiroshi Kawamura, Xavier Joseph Palandre
  • Patent number: 10727663
    Abstract: An electronic device that is configured to be coupled to an alternating current (AC) power unit that includes an AC input power signal is described. The electronic device includes a reference signal generator circuit that is configured to generate a reference signal based on a direct current (DC) power source, a voltage divider circuit that is configured to scale the reference signal for application to the AC input power signal to generate a divided AC input power signal, an amplifier circuit that is configured to output a fault indication signal responsive to the divided AC input power signal, and an amplifier control circuit that is coupled to the amplifier circuit and is configured to control a fault indication signal level of the fault indication signal that is output by the amplifier circuit. Related methods and computer program products are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Andrew Yang, Tom Xiong, Harry Zhang, Alex Zhuang, Jerry Zhang, George Zhang
  • Patent number: 10656620
    Abstract: A motor control device is a motor control device which controls a spindle motor in a machine tool, and includes: a moving average filter which moving averages a torque command value or drive current value of the spindle motor for averaging time and generates averaged load information of the spindle motor; and an averaging time calculation unit which calculates, as the averaging time of the moving average filter, a first time of an integral multiple of a period of one rotation of the spindle driven by the spindle motor, or a second time of an integral multiple of a value arrived at by dividing the period of one rotation of the spindle by the number of cutting tooth of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuuki Morita, Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 10486250
    Abstract: An electric power saw/cutter includes a rotatable saw structure, a rear handle with a switch/speed control, a front handle, and a drive unit for rotating the saw structure. The drive unit includes a saw structure drive arrangement to which the saw structure is attachable, a transmission for driving the saw drive arrangement, an electric motor for driving an input shaft of the transmission, and a support structure for holding/carrying the saw structure drive arrangement. The transmission and the electric motor may be characterized in that the front handle and the rear handle are directly connected to each other to form a handle unit, which unit is resiliently connected to the drive unit, so that vibrations from the saw blade and drive unit will be reduced in the handle unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: HUSQVARNA AB
    Inventors: Ulf Petersson, Bengt Allan Bergvall, Håkan Pinzani, Pär Carlsson, Adam Vidlund, Johan Berg, Anders Bennehag
  • Patent number: 10467363
    Abstract: A fault simulation system that has a simulation unit comprising an ECU model including an element fault model made to have a fault by a time setting or external command and all or a portion of a sensor model, actuator model, vehicle model, and driver model and can evaluate vehicle behavior at the time of an element fault according to driving operation based on a set travel scenario, wherein the passage time, vehicle behavior, driving operation, and the like, at each point on a course are determined through non-fault simulation and on the basis of that information, an element fault is inserted according to a fault time setting or fault command for the element fault model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Akihiko Hyodo, Yasuo Sugure, Shogo Nakao, Yoshinobu Fukano
  • Patent number: 10413370
    Abstract: Various exemplary methods, systems, and devices for causing end effector motion with a robotic surgical system are provided. In general, a surgical tool can be configured to releasably and removably couple to a robotic surgical system. The robotic surgical system can include two motors configured to provide torque to the surgical tool to drive one single function of the surgical tool. In at least some embodiments, at least one of the two motors configured to cooperate with another motor to drive the single function of the surgical tool can be configured to drive a second function of the surgical tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: David C. Yates, Frederick E. Shelton, IV, Jason L. Harris
  • Patent number: 10353004
    Abstract: In aspects, the present invention discloses a method of detecting a rotor fault in an electric machine using a data analysis unit. The method comprises measuring magnetic field strength along a first axis and a second axis, determining operating slip frequency of the electric machine using the measured magnetic field strength along the first axis and the second axis, determining an amplitude of the determined operating slip frequency in a first frequency spectrum and an amplitude of operating slip frequency in a second frequency spectrum, and detecting the rotor fault by comparing the amplitude of the determined operating slip frequency in the first frequency spectrum and the amplitude of operating slip frequency in the second frequency spectrum against a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Prasad Mulay, Maciej Orman, Karthik Krishnamoorthi, Cajetan Pinto, Pawel Rzeszucinski
  • Patent number: 10324449
    Abstract: A method for controlling the motor of a tool magazine that rotates around a horizontal rotation axis is configured so that: at least two indexing positions for the tool magazine are determined; the load torque acting on the tool magazine when stopped at said indexing positions is measured; an unbalance torque, which is the load torque when stopped at the indexing position at which the load torque when stopped is maximal, is calculated from multiple load torques when stopped; and the servo motor for the tool magazine is controlled on the basis of the unbalance torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MAKINO MILLING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazunari Ishii, Masashi Nagaya
  • Patent number: 10215145
    Abstract: According to one or more aspects, a dual controller area network (CAN) is used to start a vehicle. A dual CAN bus network includes a first CAN (CAN1) bus and a second CAN (CAN2) bus. A transmission control unit (TCU) is in communication with an engine control unit (ECU) via the dual CAN bus network. The ECU controls actuation of a starter motor based on signals from the CAN1 bus and signals from the CAN2 bus sent by the TCU. Actuation of the starter motor places an engine of the vehicle in a starting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jose A. Perez, Satoshi Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 10062220
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive device of a motor vehicle which has at least one electric machine with a phase angle detector and an output shaft operatively connectable with the electric machine, includes: when a return value of the phase angle detector of the electric machine is constant, performing a first diagnostic operating mode of the drive device, in which the operative connection between the electric machine and the output shaft is interrupted, subsequent, the electric machine is controlled by open lop control to a defined rotational speed, and when the return value continues to be constant after controlling the electric machine to the defined rotational speed, a first operating state of the phase angle detector is recognized and otherwise a correct function of the phase angle detector is recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Uwe Feldmann
  • Patent number: 10024325
    Abstract: A pump has a signal processor, including one forming part of a printed circuit board assembly, that receives signaling containing information about a voltage supplied to a motor to run a particular pump model, and also containing information about whether a current draw of the pump is lower than a predetermined low current level or is higher than a predetermined high current level; and determines whether to shut off the pump after a predetermined time, based on the signaling received. The signal processor provides control signalling to shut off the pump after the predetermined time if the current draw of the pump is lower than the predetermined low current level or is higher than the predetermined high current level, where the predetermined low current level and the predetermined high current level depend on the voltage being supplied to the motor to run the particular pump model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Flow Control LLC.
    Inventors: David L. Phillips, Humberto V. Meza, Derrick T. Tran
  • Patent number: 9912260
    Abstract: A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil. A driver unit generates the drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to the coil. After the drive termination of a linear vibration motor, the drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal whose phase is opposite to the phase of the drive signal generated during the motor running. The driver unit quickens the stop of the linear vibration motor by supplying to the coil the drive current of opposite phase according to the drive signal of opposite phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 9887660
    Abstract: A motor control device of the present invention is a control device for a motor for driving a feed shaft of a machine tool, and includes: a power outage detector for detecting a power outage of a power source for supplying power to drive the motor; a forcible decelerator for forcibly decelerating the motor in response to a torque command when a power outage is detected; a DC link voltage monitor for monitoring a DC link voltage applied to an amplifier for driving the motor; a determination unit for determining whether the value of the DC link voltage is greater than a first threshold, or whether the change ratio of the DC link voltage is greater than a second threshold; and, a torque command limiter for limiting the torque command to a predetermined torque command limiting value, in accordance with the result of determination at the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoutarou Hashimoto, Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 9853589
    Abstract: An electric power system including a front-end converter that is supplied electric power from a high-voltage DC power source, and an associated motor control system is described. A control method includes monitoring the electric machine and determining a reference current based upon the electric power supplied from the high-voltage DC power source. A motor current is determined based upon the monitoring of the electric machine, and a feed-forward current is determined based upon the motor current and the monitoring of the electric machine. A first duty cycle is determined based upon the reference current, the motor current and the feed-forward current, and a feed-forward duty cycle is determined based upon the monitoring of the electric machine. A second duty cycle is determined based upon the feed-forward duty cycle and the first duty cycle, and the front-end converter is controlled based upon the second duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xin Jing, Constantin C. Stancu, Brian A. Welchko
  • Patent number: 9755554
    Abstract: A method for controlling a switch that controls a power supply line of an electric motor from an alternating voltage source, including determination of a switch closing instant (tf) starting from a measurement of the derivative of the current carried on the power supply line. A starter system and a computer program product are capable of using this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES SAS
    Inventors: Delcho Penkov, Alain Dentella, Yann Herriot
  • Patent number: 9742317
    Abstract: The regenerative braking controlling system includes an armature current sampling module, a calculating module, and an adjusting module. The calculating module includes a power calculating unit, an optimum phase angle calculating unit, an optimum regenerative current calculating unit, and a sub-optimum regenerative current calculating unit. The armature current sampling module samples current of the three phase armature windings. The power calculating unit determines a relationship between a regenerative power and a phase angle of the armature currents. The optimum phase angle calculating unit calculates an optimum phase angle, and obtain a phase regenerative path based on the optimum phase angle. The optimum regenerative current calculating unit calculates an optimum regenerative current limit point. The sub-optimum regenerative current calculating unit calculates a sub-optimum regenerative current limit point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ying-Che Shih, Hsien-Hsi Juan
  • Patent number: 9726729
    Abstract: An example method for controlling an electric motor in an electric tool includes detecting travel of the trigger, selecting a smoothing coefficient N according to travel of the trigger in a predetermined time, driving the electric motor with an output duty ratio which is figured out by a formula in which the smoothing coefficient N is a denominator so as to cause the output duty ratio to be lesser than a preset duty ratio. The methods described will decrease the current impact on electric motors when users pull the trigger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Chevron (HK) Limited
    Inventor: Wu Chen
  • Patent number: 9667175
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method for driving a motor includes decreasing a duty of an input signal to a motor and decreasing a duty of a duty control signal in response to decreasing the duty of the input signal The duty of the duty control signal is maintained at a first level in response to a reverse current signal and decreased from the first level in the absence of the reverse current signal. In accordance with another embodiment a driver circuit includes a state controller having an input coupled to a pulse width modulation detection circuit and an output connected to a reverse current detection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9650068
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic control unit and a method for compensating for a torque steer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Sang Jin Ko
  • Patent number: 9634580
    Abstract: A difference command generator generates a difference command equivalent to a time integral of three-phase voltage applied to an inductive load in a predetermined cycle in a complex plane. A vector command generator generates vector commands that are respectively time integrals of voltage vectors and compose the difference command. A switching signal generator generates switching signals for controlling three pairs of switches in an inverter on the basis of the vector commands. A phase-current computing unit obtains an estimated value for the three-phase current on the basis of a current flowing DC buses and the vector commands. At least two of the vector commands that are time integrals of different ones of the non-zero voltage vectors have magnitudes greater than or equal to a predetermined value corresponding to a minimum required amount of time to maintain switching patterns in order for the phase-current computing unit to detect the current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Michihiro Nakagawa, Nobuki Kitano, Naoto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9577551
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus that controls a current flowing through a coil of a motor, including a comparing section that compares the current flowing through the coil to a control current input thereto; an operation selecting section that selects an operational state according to a comparison result of the comparing section; a driving section that receives a designation signal designating a current mode and a stop mode, drives the coil in the operational state selected by the operation selecting section when the designation signal designating the conductive mode is received, and drives the coil in the braking state when the designation signal designating the stop mode is received; and a setting section that controls a start of the designation signal designating the stop mode or a start of a period during which the control current is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation
    Inventor: Masami Aiura
  • Patent number: 9575474
    Abstract: In an actuating drive (1) having an electric motor (2) which is driven by a drive unit (4), it is provided to determine a state of charge of an intermediate circuit capacitor (5) of an intermediate circuit (3) which supplies the drive unit (4) and, depending on the determined state of charge, to adjust electrical power consumption by the electric motor (2) such that a critical state of charge of the intermediate circuit capacitor (5) can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: AUMA Riester GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Henrik Newerla, Thomas Weber, Wilfried Platzer, Benjamin Hofmann
  • Patent number: 9563180
    Abstract: A safety-rated industrial device, such as a motor drive, is provided with a safety subsystem that is initially bypassed as a factory default mode. While the safety subsystem is disabled, the device operates as a standard non-safety device, allowing users to perform operations with the device (e.g., turning a motor in the case of motor drives) without requiring safety input devices or a safety controller to be connected to the device. The device continues to operate as a standard non-safety device until a proper safety configuration is applied to the device, whereby the device's safety subsystem is retentatively enabled and the device begins operating as a safety-rated device. While the safety subsystem is enabled, certain device operations that were permitted during standard mode independently of an attached safety controller or safety input devices are made contingent on the monitored status of an associated safety system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Colloton, Jeremy S. Vechinski
  • Patent number: 9488148
    Abstract: An engine starting device is basically provided with a resistor, a bypass circuit and a switch. The resistor is configured to be disposed in series between a starter motor and a battery. The bypass circuit is disposed in parallel with respect to the resistor. The switch is configured to selectively open and close the bypass circuit, the switch opening the bypass circuit in response to commencement of engine startup, and closing the bypass circuit in response to the battery voltage approaches a maximum value during engine startup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuuichi Hosaka, Motoyuki Hattori, Masaya Furushou, Toshihiko Ootsuka, Hiromoto Shimizu, Ryo Sano
  • Patent number: 9473050
    Abstract: A motor starter system and a method for operating same are disclosed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, reliability of a motor protection function during an overcurrent is improved by automatically controlling the on/off state of an electromagnetic contactor using an analog sensor value outputted from an external sensor. In addition, the present invention can receive an external sensor value through a connected upper monitoring device, monitor, in real time, the motor starter state, and transmit a control command for directly controlling the on/off state of the electromagnetic contactor, and thus enables excellent operation, integrated lifetime prediction, and motor load management. Furthermore, the present invention can reduce wiring work and a cost thereof and maximizing the use of space more than when controlling the electromagnetic contactor by using the I/O of a PLC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ki Hun Park
  • Patent number: 9454232
    Abstract: An operating device includes a push operation mechanism including an operating portion to be push-operated, a tactile presenting means that drives the operating portion, a detecting portion for detecting movement of the operating portion, and a drive control unit that drives the driving portion by a drive control signal and a main vibration pulse signal output after outputting the drive control signal, the drive control signal being generated based on a start pulse signal and a pre-vibration pulse signal. The drive control unit sets a mask time to invalidate a detection signal of the detecting portion in a certain period when the drive control signal is output and switches from the output of the drive control signal to the output of the main vibration pulse signal based on a detection signal of the detecting portion after an elapse of the mask time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO
    Inventors: Kenji Murata, Masaki Yoshino
  • Patent number: 9441689
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting a parking brake, which includes an electromechanical braking device having an electric brake motor, the brake motor is braked upon reaching an end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Baehrle-Miller, Tobias Putzer
  • Patent number: 9425012
    Abstract: There is provided an electromagnetic operation device for a vacuum circuit breaker, which controls by its electromagnetic operation, a speed of contact switching operation of a vacuum switch tube used in the vacuum circuit breaker, the electromagnetic operation device including a closing drive coil for the vacuum switch tube; and a first temperature sensor that measures a temperature surrounding the closing drive coil, wherein a current caused to flow through the closing drive coil is controlled based on the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yasushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 9350275
    Abstract: An apparatus for a quasi variable frequency motor controller is includes a DFC module that applies a first frequency to a motor as part of a discrete frequency control (“DFC”) method for motor starting. The first frequency includes a discrete frequency in a plurality of discrete frequencies of the DFC method and each discrete frequency includes a frequency lower than a fundamental frequency of an alternating current (“AC”) voltage source providing power to the motor. The apparatus includes a torque module that determines when motor torque generated by the motor reaches a negative torque threshold and a next frequency module that applies a second frequency to the motor in response to the torque module determining that the motor torque has reached the negative torque threshold. The second frequency is a next frequency in the DFC method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kun Wei, HaiHui Lu, Andrew Jaap, David Messersmith, Randall Langer, Ping Lee
  • Patent number: 9300234
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine controller according to the present application includes: a superimposer for superimposing a high-frequency signal on one of a voltage and a current of a motor having saliency; an estimator for calculating an estimate value of a magnetic-pole position of a rotor included in the rotary electric machine based on a high-frequency component appearing in the other one of the voltage and the current of the rotary electric machine; a retainer for retaining information relating to a correction amount corresponding to the estimate value of the magnetic-pole position of the rotor; and a corrector for correcting the estimate value of the magnetic-pole position of the rotor based on the information relating to the correction amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Masanobu Kakihara, Shinya Morimoto
  • Patent number: 9035583
    Abstract: The system has a driving circuit for the motor of the electric fan, coupled to the electrical system of a motor vehicle and having a plurality of controlled electronic switches, and an electronic control unit arranged to control the driving circuit in such a way as to cause the flow in the motor of a variable average current capable of producing a required speed of rotation, in accordance with a predetermined relationship or function. The control unit is designed to store a predetermined threshold of rotation speed, and to control the motor through the associated driving circuit in such a way that when the rotational speed of the motor exceeds the threshold the driving circuit causes electrical braking of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: GATE S.R.L.
    Inventors: Davide Cerrato, Pierfranco Pangella
  • Patent number: 9024557
    Abstract: A drive system for an electrical load such as an electric motor or generator comprises a PWM converter and a controller therefore. A signal indicative of a condition of the converter outpost is used in a controller to drive an optimal value of PWM switching frequency based on a load characteristic that is used to control the pulse switching frequency. The system takes account of the overall system in deriving an efficient PWM switching frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Control Techniques Ltd
    Inventor: Colin Hargis
  • Publication number: 20150108932
    Abstract: An apparatus for restarting a medium voltage inverter is disclosed, wherein the inverter changes a voltage or a frequency outputted to a motor in response to an input voltage of the motor and a rotor speed of the motor and a predetermined voltage-frequency ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Anno YOO
  • Patent number: 9013133
    Abstract: A method of detecting a stall condition in a stepper motor with very little movement of an instrument pointer coupled to the stepper motor. The stepper motor rotates the instrument pointer in a first direction towards a pointer stop by a plurality of micro-steps. The stepper motor then rotates the pointer in the first direction at least one additional micro-step while monitoring a back electro-motive force (EMF) produced by the stepper motor. If the instrument pointer is abutting the pointer stop, then the stepper motor will be compressed slightly. If the back EMF is below a predetermined threshold, then the stepper motor is in a stall condition. The instrument pointer can then be micro-stepped in a second direction opposite the first direction to a micro-rotor offset value (?ROV) position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald Paul Russ