Abstract: A condition monitoring method for an electrical machine is provided. The method includes providing at least one first sensor element embedded in or disposed on at least one substrate element located in a stator core for obtaining a first set of data. The method also includes providing at least one second sensor element for obtaining a second set of data from the electrical machine. Further, the method includes generating signals indicative of changes in characteristics of the first sensor element based on the second set of data. Finally, the method includes refining the first set of data by combining the first set of data with the generated signals.

Abstract: A system to monitor the temperature of power electronic devices in a motor drive includes a base plate defining a planar surface on which the electronic devices and/or circuit boards within the motor drive may be mounted. The power electronic devices are mounted to the base plate through the direct bond copper (DBC). A circuit board is mounted to the base plate which includes a temperature sensor mounted on the circuit board proximate to the power electronic devices. The temperature sensor generates a digital signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the sensor. A copper pad is included between each layer of the circuit board and between the first layer of the circuit board and the sensor. The circuit board also includes vias extending through each layer of the board. The copper pads and vias establish a thermally conductive path between the temperature sensor and the base plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a power converter which, while ensuring safety, implements control for the flow of a constant current in a specified switching element, more accurately determines the lifetime of a switching element, and reduces the number of temperature detectors. The power converter is provided with a mechanism which causes a brake device to operate or which confirms that a brake mechanism is operating. The power converter supplies current to the d-axis and the q-axis of a rotational coordinate system, within the range of the braking torque of the brake mechanism, and passes the desired current to the desired element. Furthermore, temperature detectors are attached only in chips in sections where a crack readily develops in the upper solder layer or peeling is readily generated in the wire bonding, and in chips where a crack readily develops in the lower solder layer.

Abstract: A method for starting an electric motor, the motor having a main machine, exciter, and permanent magnet generator (PMG), each having a stator and a rotor, with each rotor mounted to a common shaft, the method comprising starting the main machine in an asynchronous mode by applying a starting current to the stator of the main machine to induce a damper current in a damper winding of the main rotor to generate a starting torque that initiates the rotation of the common shaft, and then running the main machine in synchronous mode by supplying running current from the exciter rotor to the main machine rotor.

Abstract: A fan speed control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a control chip. The control chip stores a relationship table recording a number of duty cycle intervals and a number of rotational speeds of a fan. Each duty cycle interval corresponds to one rotational speed of the fan. The control chip obtains a preset number of PWM signals outputted by a processing chip; determines the average value according to the duty cycle of the obtained preset number of PWM signals; determines which duty cycle interval the average value is in, according to the relationship table; determines the rotational speed of the fan corresponding to the determined duty cycle interval according to the relationship table; and controls the fan to rotate according to the determined rotational speed.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a microprocessor, and a built-in temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the microprocessor as a reference temperature. The apparatus further includes external temperature sensors, where at least one of the external temperature sensors is configured to measure the temperature of the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to make an external temperature calibration using the reference temperature measured by the built-in temperature monitor. Each of the external temperature sensors is configured to monitor temperature information of a component and provide the temperature information to the microprocessor.

Abstract: An HVAC system includes a blower motor and a variable speed motor drive. The variable speed motor drive is configured to receive line power and provide modulated power to the motor. The blower motor is configured to produce airflow in response to the modulated power. A unit controller is configured to bypass the variable speed motor drive to provide the line power directly to the blower motor in the event that a measured airflow is less than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Improved protection for a rechargeable battery from damage by being discharged below a cut-off voltage is provided. The measured voltage of a battery under load is lower than the measured voltage of the battery under no load. As the cut-off voltage for the battery is specified as a no load voltage, comparing the measured voltage of the battery under load to the cut-off voltage would result in stopping use of the battery with useable charge remaining. Through testing, a set of relationships for estimating the no load voltage of a battery under load has been determined. Using this set of relationships with battery measurements, an estimated no load voltage for the battery is determined. This estimated no load voltage is compared to the cut-off voltage. This allows for full use of the battery while stopping use of the battery when its voltage reaches the cut-off, thereby preventing damage.

Abstract: An electric drive system may include a plurality of heat sensitive components, at least one temperature sensor positioned in or on each of the components and a system controller. The temperature sensors may be interconnected with the system controller to transmit temperature data from their respective heat sensitive components to the system controller. The system controller may be configured to transmit a reduced performance command in the event that a reached-temperature-threshold-limit signal is received from any one or more of the temperature sensors. System shutdown due to over temperature faults may be avoided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling a driving motor of a hybrid vehicle and a method for controlling the same which supplies suitable cooling flow according to temperature and temperature change rate of the driving motor. An exemplary embodiment may include: an electric oil pump to generate hydraulic pressure for cooling the driving motor; a switching valve to selectively transmit the hydraulic pressure to the driving motor; a solenoid valve to selectively supply control pressure to the switching valve so as to switch hydraulic lines in the switching valve; and a control portion controlling operations of the electric oil pump and the switching valve, wherein the control portion operates the electric oil pump by various operation amounts or stops the electric oil pump according to temperature of the driving motor and temperature change rate of the driving motor, and turns on or off the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.

Abstract: A predefined mathematical relationship that is stored in the memory of a computing system is accessed, wherein the relationship refers to temperatures of a number of points in the system, wherein the points together define a zone. The mathematical relationship yields a representative temperature for the zone. Temperature data from sensors in the system is obtained and applied to thermal models, to estimate the temperatures of at least some of the points that define the zone. The representative temperature for the zone is computed using the estimated temperatures as input to the mathematical relationship. A decision is then made on whether or not to change a power consuming activity limit in the system, based on the computed representative temperature. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A first calculation unit subtracts third digital data which indicates the minimum value of the duty ratio from first digital data which indicates the duty ratio of the PWM driving operation. A slope calculation unit generates slope data which is dependent on the temperature based upon second digital data which indicates the temperature. A second calculation unit multiplies the slope data by the output data of the first calculation unit. A third calculation unit sums the output data of the second calculation unit and the third digital data. A selector receives the output data of the third calculation unit and the third digital data, selects one data that corresponds to the sign of the output data of the first calculation unit, and outputs the data thus selected as a duty ratio control signal.

Abstract: An electrical actuator limits the speed of the electric motor which controls the hydraulic pump of the actuator, during the opening of a pressure relief valve. To this end, the electrical actuator applies an auxiliary set-point speed value to the electric motor to avoid damage that may be caused by overheat at the actuator.

Abstract: A rotation number deciding unit decides a rotation number of a cooling fan based on the result of detection by an intake air temperature sensor. A determining unit determines whether the degree of increase of intake air temperature is equal to or more than a threshold based on the result of detection by the intake air temperature sensor. When the determining unit determines the degree of increase of intake air temperature is equal to or more than the threshold, the controlling unit determines whether there is a possibility of occurrence of condensation based on the result of detection by the intake air temperature sensor and the result of detection by an intake air humidity sensor. When determining there is a possibility of occurrence of condensation, the controlling means causes the cooling fan to rotate at a rotation number lower than the rotation number decided by the rotation number deciding unit.

Abstract: An actuator system having an actuator with an auxiliary switch. Make and break connection positions of the auxiliary switch relative to a rotative position of an output shaft coupling may be adjusted electronically according to an adjustment signal. The adjustment signal may be conveyed to the actuator from a computer or controller via a two-wire polarity insensitive bus. The adjustment signal may instead be provided an auxiliary potentiometer.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus that is capable of properly controlling a cooling fan according to characteristics of a semiconductor device included in the electronic apparatus. Temperature characteristics indicative of a degree of increase in temperature of the semiconductor device are measured. A system controller controls the fan to operate at a predetermined air flow rate when a result of the temperature characteristics measurement indicates a degree of increase in temperature not smaller than a predetermined reference value, and controls the fan to operate at an air flow rate lower than the predetermined air flow rate when the measurement result indicates a degree of increase in temperature smaller than the predetermined reference value.

Abstract: A motor-drive circuit includes: an output transistor configured to supply a drive current to a motor for a cooling fan; a switching-control circuit configured to control switching of the output transistor so that the motor rotates in a first direction, or rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a switching circuit configured to, when a first time has elapsed since start of rotation of the motor in the first direction, cause the switching-control circuit to start switching control so that the motor stops rotating in the first direction and thereafter rotates in the second direction, and configured to, when a second time has elapsed since start of rotation of the motor in the second direction, cause the switching-control circuit to start switching control so that the motor stops rotating in the second direction and thereafter rotates in the first direction.

Abstract: A fan control system, a computer system, and a fan controlling method thereof are disclosed. The fan control system is used in the computer system for controlling a fan device. The fan controlling method includes the following steps: obtaining a temperature value of the computer system; determining whether the temperature value of the computer system is larger than or equal to a predetermined temperature value; if yes, controlling a rotation speed of the fan device according to the temperature value; if no, further obtaining a current value via a heat generating electronic component of the computer system; determining whether the current value of the computer system is larger than or equal to a predetermined current value; and if yes, changing the rotation speed of the fan device according to a variation of the current value.

Abstract: Automated shade systems may comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, information regarding one or more variable characteristics of glass, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis.

Abstract: A winding overheat prevention apparatus comprises: a stator winding temperature calculation unit which calculates winding temperature based on the ambient temperature of the motor and on the amount of change in the estimated temperature of a stator winding; a position sensor temperature detection unit which detects the temperature indicated by a temperature sensing element in a position sensor a rotor; and an alarm signal output unit which outputs an alarm signal when the winding temperature exceeds an alarm level, wherein when the ambient temperature is not higher than a prescribed temperature, the alarm level is set equal to a temperature preset based on the ambient temperature and the maximum value of the amount of the temperature change, while when the ambient temperature is higher than the prescribed temperature, the alarm level is set equal to a temperature preset in order to protect the position sensor from overheating.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor comprises steps of: first, determining whether a switch of a motor control circuit in an electronic system is in a first state; then, operating the motor at a fanless operation mode when a temperature inside an enclosure of the electronic system is higher than zero and lower than a first threshold temperature, wherein the rotation speed of the motor is zero rpm; operating the motor at a silent operation mode when the temperature is higher than the first threshold temperature and lower than a second threshold temperature, wherein the rotation speed of the motor is a constant rotation speed; and operating the motor at a cooling operation mode when the temperature is higher than the second threshold temperature, wherein the rotation speed of the motor is a function of the temperature and varies between the constant rotation speed and a maximum rotation speed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented fan control method includes measuring a temperature within a computer system and dynamically selecting a fan speed step in response to the temperature received, wherein the fan speed step is selected from a fan speed table defining a finite number of fan speed steps each having an associated fan speed. A fan is operated at the dynamically selected fan speed step, wherein the fan is positioned to drive air through the computer system where the temperature is being measured. The fan output variation is measured over a prescribed time interval and the fan speed table is automatically modified to change the fan speeds associated with each fan speed step, wherein the fan speeds are changed as a function of the measured fan output variation while continuing to drive the fan.

Abstract: A computer program product including computer usable program code embodied on a computer usable medium for controlling a temperature within a computer system using a fan. The computer program product includes computer usable program code for monitoring the temperature within the computer system; dynamically selecting a fan speed step in response to the temperature, wherein the fan speed step is selected from a fan speed table defining a finite number of fan speed steps each having an associated fan speed; operating a fan at the dynamically selected fan speed step; measuring a fan output variation is measured over a prescribed time interval; and automatically modifying the fan speed table to change the fan speeds associated with each fan speed step, wherein the fan speeds are changed as a function of the measured fan output variation while continuing to drive the fan.

Abstract: There are provided a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generating circuit and a motor driving circuit. The PWM signal generating circuit includes: a proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) voltage generating unit generating a PTAT voltage in proportion to an absolute temperature; a reference wave signal generating unit generating a preset reference wave signal; and a PWM signal generating unit comparing the PTAT voltage and the reference wave signal with each other to generate a PWM signal, wherein the PTAT voltage generating unit adjusts the PTAT voltage according to a control signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling a fan in a vehicle comprising: measuring a control input signal; measuring a continuous applied voltage to the fan; comparing the continuous applied voltage to a look up table; and activating the fan when the control input signal is open and the continuous applied voltage is greater than a system voltage by about 0.5 volts.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a fan that cools a coolant by operating at least at a first drive voltage and a second drive voltage higher than the first drive voltage; and a control unit that drives the fan at the first drive voltage when a vehicle is driven at a low vehicle speed that is a vehicle speed lower than a vehicle speed threshold and a coolant temperature is higher than a fan low-voltage activation threshold.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a motor control apparatus includes a timer to measure a period in which a job is not executed, a sensor to detect a temperature of a physical object, an acquisition part to acquire time information measured by the timer and temperature information detected by the sensor, and a drive control part that determines a current value of a motor provided in the physical object based on the time information and the temperature information acquired by the acquisition part, and controls the motor current value by applying a voltage level corresponding to the determined current value to a drive element of the motor.

Abstract: A control circuit includes a temperature measuring module and a control module. The temperature measuring module includes a thermistor. The thermistor is arranged adjacent to an electronic element. The control module includes a monitoring chip and a register. The register stores a number of temperature values and duty cycle of a number of pulse width modulation (PWM) signals corresponding to the temperature values. The monitoring chip obtains temperature of the electronic element measured by the thermistor and outputs a PWM signal according to the measured temperature, to control a rotation speed of the fan.

Abstract: There is provided an electronic device that includes a heatsink and a set of IGBTs coupled to the heatsink and configured to deliver power to a field exciter and a battery. The electronic device also includes a temperature sensor disposed in the heatsink and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a temperature reading from the temperature sensor and, based on the temperature reading, determine a junction temperature for at least one of the IGBTs of the set of IGBTs. The controller is also configured to de-rate an output power provided by each of the IGBTs based, at least in part, on the junction temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method controlling motor rotation speed and provides a cooling system and method configured to control a temperature associated with an integrated circuit. The cooling system includes a brushless motor, a temperature monitoring input, a clock input, and a motor controller.

Abstract: A fan speed control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a sensor, a control chip, a first integrated circuit, an integrated operational amplifier, a second integrated circuit, and a feedback comparator. The sensor senses a temperature of an electronic component. The control chip outputs a PWM signal corresponding to the temperature to a fan. The first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit respectively generate a first equivalent voltage and a second equivalent voltage. The integrated operational amplifier amplifies the first equivalent voltage to generate an upper limit voltage and reduces the first equivalent voltage to generate a lower limit voltage. The feedback comparator compares the second equivalent voltage with the upper limit voltage and the lower limit voltage to generate a comparison value. The control chip adjusts the duty cycle of the PWM signal according to the comparison value, and outputs the adjusted PWM signal to the fan.

Abstract: A fan speed control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a control chip. The control chip stores a relationship table recording a number of duty cycle intervals and a number of rotational speeds of a fan. Each duty cycle interval corresponds to one rotational speed of the fan. The control chip obtains a preset number of PWM signals outputted by a processing chip; determines the average value according to the duty cycle of the obtained preset number of PWM signals; determines which duty cycle interval the average value is in, according to the relationship table; determines the rotational speed of the fan corresponding to the determined duty cycle interval according to the relationship table; and controls the fan to rotate according to the determined rotational speed.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for regulating fraction motor temperature via control of a traction motor blower. In one embodiment, a method comprises adjusting a speed of a traction motor blower based on ambient temperature, traction motor loss, and one or more traction motor temperatures.

Abstract: A method of controlling a controllable device related to a building aperture, whereby a climate related characteristic for the aperture is adjusted by the device, and whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a climate and comfort program which is dependent on a control parameter, whereby the device is controlled in accordance with a time schedule provided by the climate and comfort program.

Abstract: A fan system includes: two circuit breakers, a control module for controlling two circuit breakers, two electric motors to which their operating voltage UB is supplied via the circuit breakers, and at least one temperature sensor on a board on which the circuit breakers are located. The control module evaluates a signal TNTC from the temperature sensor, and sets the pulse duty factors TV1, TV2 of pulsed control voltages at the circuit breakers, while taking into account this signal as well as a requested fan power, in such a way that no power loss PV exceeding a specified value occurs at any circuit breaker.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus is provided that performs AC/DC conversion by suppressing harmonics of the input at the time of normal operation, while on the other hand, allowing system operation to continue in the event of an overload by avoiding system stoppage.

Abstract: A controlling circuit for a fan includes three comparators, a capacitor, and a thermistor. When the temperature around the thermistor changes, the resistance of the thermistor changes. The comparators control the charging and discharging time of the capacitor, thereby generating a corresponding pulse width modulation signal to the fan according to the temperature, to adjust the speed of the fan.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling a speed of a fan includes a south bridge chip and an oscillation circuit. The south bridge chip is configured to output a control signal corresponding to a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor. The oscillation circuit is configured to control charge time and discharge time of a capacitor, to output a pulse signal, corresponding to the control signal, to the fan, thereby controlling the speed of the fan.

Abstract: A three-phase electric motor of a compressor receives first, second, and third phases from a three-phase power supply. A method for protecting the motor includes, using a line break protector, disconnecting the motor from only the first phase in response to a temperature being greater than a predetermined temperature threshold. The method also includes measuring a first current flowing through the line break protector, and determining a current value based on the first current independent of current in the second and third phases. The method further includes disconnecting the motor from the first, second, and third phases in response to the current value being less than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling a heat-dissipating fan of a computer device, which is provided with a heat-dissipating fan, a controller, a first sensor unit, and a second sensor unit. The method of the present invention includes the following steps. First, the controller accepts a first signal and a second signal and controls the rotating speed of the heat-dissipating fan according to the first signal. Subsequently, the controller determines the first signal and the second signal. Next, the controller reduces the rotating speed of the heat-dissipating fan corresponding to the first signal to temporarily maintain the rotating speed at a constant to thereby reduce a noise value produced by the heat-dissipating fan.

Abstract: Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis.

Abstract: A power tool includes a motor, a gear mechanism that changes the speed of an output of the motor, a drive circuit including a switching element that controls power supplied to the motor, a housing that accommodates the motor, a fixture that fixes the motor to the housing, and a temperature sensor that measures a temperature of the switching element. The drive circuit stops supplying power to the motor when the temperature measured by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature. The fixture functions to radiate heat from the switching element.

Abstract: A controller controls switching of IGBT devices of an inverter according to the desired output of the permanent magnet motor. The controller includes: a magnet temperature detection device that detects the magnet temperature of the permanent magnet motor based on the output of a temperature sensor; a setting device that sets a threshold value of the magnet temperature corresponding to the desired output of the permanent magnet motor, based on a predetermined relation between the output from the permanent magnet motor and a critical temperature, up to which demagnetization in the permanent magnet motor is not caused; and a carrier frequency control device that, when the magnet temperature detected by the magnet temperature detection device exceeds the threshold value, changes the carrier frequency, at which the IGBT devices are switched, such that a ripple current superimposed on a motor current that flows through the permanent magnet motor is reduced.

Abstract: A technique for providing a user with effective information in performing an operation is provided in a power tool having a speed change mechanism. A power tool has a speed change mechanism that switches a tool bit 113 from first drive mode in which the tool bit is driven at high speed and low torque to second drive mode in which the tool bit is driven at low speed and high torque, according to load on the tool bit 113. The power tool includes detecting and indicating device 161, 163, 167 that detect a predetermined status condition of the first drive mode and indicate switching from the first drive mode to the second drive mode before switching to the second drive mode.

Abstract: A calibrated airflow sensor and monitoring method are provided. The monitoring method which includes: providing an airflow sensor positioned within an electronic system to be at least partially air-cooled, the airflow sensor including at least one temperature sensor and a heater associated with one temperature sensor of the at least one temperature sensor; calibrating, with the airflow sensor positioned within the electronic system, a duty cycle for use in powering the heater associated with the one temperature sensor; and providing a controller configured to use the calibrated duty cycle in powering the heater of the temperature sensor during airflow monitoring of the electronic system, and to obtain a hot temperature (Thot) reading from the one temperature sensor having the associated heater, and to determine, based at least in part on the hot temperature (Thot) reading, whether to issue an airflow warning.

Abstract: Provided is a rotating electrical machine capable of downsizing. The rotating electrical machine includes: a stator (2) including an armature winding (9); a rotor (3) provided inside the stator (2) in a rotatable manner; a power circuit unit (18) including a power circuit semiconductor switching element, for supplying a current to the armature winding (9); and a control board (6) in which an energization-allowed time corresponding to revolution speed of the rotor (3) is set, for controlling supply of the current by the power circuit unit (18), in which the control board (6) stops the supply of the current by the power circuit unit (18) when an integrated time of energization times to the armature winding (9) is longer than the energization-allowed time.

Abstract: A fan speed control circuit includes a first fan, a second fan, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a PWM regulator, and a driving module. The first temperature sensor senses a temperature of the first component to generate a first temperature signal. The second temperature sensor senses a temperature of a second component to generate a second temperature signal. The PWM regulator is connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The PWM regulator generates a first PWM signal according to the first temperature signal and generates a second PWM signal according to the second temperature signal. The driving module is connected to the PWM regulator. The driving module generates a first driving voltage provided to the first fan according to the first PWM signal. The driving module also generates a second driving voltage provided to the second fan according to the second PWM signal.

Abstract: Linear actuator device, comprising a housing (102,202), a piston rod (109,209), an electrical motor (116,216) and a transmission means (105,106,305,307) adapted to transfer the rotation of the electrical motor to a linear movement of the piston rod, where the linear actuator device comprises an integrated electrical interface having two signal inputs adapted to extend and retract the piston rod and two signal outputs adapted to indicate a retracted end position (122) and an extended end position (121) of the piston rod.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit device includes a semiconductor circuit including a switching element, a temperature monitoring unit, and a control unit. The temperature monitoring unit detects or estimates a temperature of a component connected to an inside or an outside of the semiconductor circuit. Here, the temperature of the component changes in accordance with a frequency of a current flowing through the component, and the frequency of the current flowing through the component changes in accordance with a switching frequency of the switching element. The control unit adjusts the switching frequency of the switching element such that the temperature of the component is equal to a target temperature.