With Signals, Meters, Recorders Or Testing Devices Patents (Class 318/490)
  • Patent number: 9813005
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor (motor) includes providing a processor having an associated memory storing a stator resistance (Rs) estimation (RSE) algorithm that is programmed to implement the RSE algorithm to execute steps including injecting a current waveform at an arbitrary frame of reference into the stator using a field-oriented-control (FOC) motor controller including an Id controller and an Iq controller, and measuring current and voltage values from the motor responsive to the injecting. The measured current and voltage values are then transformed into transformed current and voltage values in a d/q coordinate system. The transformed current and voltage values are low pass filtered to generate filtered d/q current and voltage values, and a value for Rs is estimated from the filtered d/q current and voltage values. The arbitrary frame of reference can be a time-varying frame of reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: David Patrick Magee, Andre Veltman, Jorge Zambada
  • Patent number: 9811057
    Abstract: A machine learning apparatus that learns a condition associated with a predicted life of a motor includes: a state observation unit that observes a state variable composed from at least one of output data of a sensor that detects an operation state of the motor and data relating to presence or absence of a failure in the motor; an actual life data acquisition unit that acquires data relating to an actual life of the motor; and a learning unit that learns the condition associated with the predicted life of the motor in accordance with a training data set created based on a combination of the state variable and the actual life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chao Zhi
  • Patent number: 9805460
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system may include a multi-purpose sensor coupled to a machine operating in an industrial environment. The multi-purpose sensor may include a camera that obtains a first and second set of image data including images of the machine and an environment surrounding the machine. The first set of image data is associated with a baseline of the machine and the environment, and the second set of image data is acquired subsequent to when the first set is acquired. The system may include a computing device that may include a processor to receive the first and second set of image data, determine baseline positions of objects in the first set, determine subsequent positions of the objects in the second set, determine whether the subsequent positions vary from the baseline positions, and perform an action when the subsequent positions vary from the baseline positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jimi R. Michalscheck, Kelly A. Michalscheck, Jessica L. Korpela, Kyle K. Reissner, David A. Vasko, Matthew W. Fordenwalt, John J. Jauquet, Matthew R. Ericsson, Andrew Wilber
  • Patent number: 9800196
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an AC rotary machine includes voltage application units 3, 4 for applying voltages respectively to two sets of three-phase windings of AC rotary machine 1, control unit 5 that controls the voltage application units 3, 4, and fault detection units 6, 7 that output fault detection signals to control unit 5 varying in accordance with the ground short fault and the power short fault. When detecting, control unit 5 outputs a voltage command to faulty voltage application unit 3, 4 to set voltages of respective phases of the three-phase windings at a negative electrode side potential V? of DC power supply 2, and when detecting a power short fault, control unit 5 outputs a voltage command to set the voltages of the respective phases of the three-phase windings at a positive electrode side potential V+ of DC power supply 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuya Mori, Isao Kezobo, Yoshihiko Kimpara, Masaya Sakai, Akira Furukawa, Yu Kawano, Rei Araki
  • Patent number: 9780706
    Abstract: A driver circuit is provided for driving a load, such as a multi-phase motor. The driver circuit includes a gate driver for providing a control signal to switching elements coupled to the driver circuit. A first switching element is coupled between a high supply voltage and a switching node of the load, and a second switching element is coupled between the switching node and a low supply voltage. To detect zero crossings of a current through the load, a zero crossing detector includes a first counter coupled to the switching node and a second counter coupled to the control signal. The first counter and second counter count in a predetermined direction based on a detected voltage of the switching node and based on a detected voltage of the control signal, respectively. The zero crossing detector generates an output signal based upon the difference between the first and the second counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Allegro MicroSystems, LLC
    Inventors: Gianluca Allegrini, Thomas Ross, James McIntosh, Robert Douglas Christie
  • Patent number: 9762050
    Abstract: A motor drive device for driving a motor, which has a plurality of winding pairs, includes a plurality of inverter units for the plurality of winding pairs. The inverter units are coupled in parallel to a power source. A plurality of capacitors provided for the plurality of inverter units, and a plurality of power relays are disposed between the power supply and the inverter units. In particular, a power relay is provided for each of the inverter units. A control unit detects a short failure of the power relay, and simultaneously turns ON the power relays that do not have a short failure. In such manner, damage to the power relays as well as damage to other electronic components of the motor driver device due to a large electric current is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Uryu, Naoki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9712102
    Abstract: A programming control method for a servo fan and a programming control device thereof are provided in the embodiment of the invention. The programming control device is coupled to a motor. The programming control device includes an input/output interface, a micro processing unit and a function circuit. The function circuit is coupled to the input/output interface and the micro processing unit. The function circuit updates the firmware according to a magnitude of an operation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Nuvoton Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Pang-Neng Lee, Yuan-Chuan Yu
  • Patent number: 9703754
    Abstract: An automatic remote monitoring and diagnosis system includes an environmental sensor and a physical sensor which measure environmental data and physical data, respectively, on electronic control devices and send the data by wireless communication, a wireless server which collects the measurement data of the sensors, a diagnostic client connected to the wireless server by a first communication network and that collects the measurement data from the wireless server, a diagnostic server connected to the diagnostic client by a second communication network and that carries out a diagnosis based on the measurement data from the diagnostic client, a data retaining device which retains the measurement data, and a knowledge database which stores information necessary for the diagnosis. The diagnostic server sends results of the diagnosis and a remedy to the diagnostic client via the second communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriyuki Maehata, Shigehiko Matsuda
  • Patent number: 9647602
    Abstract: An electric machine assembly includes an electric machine having a stator and a rotor. The stator has stator windings at a stator winding temperature (tS) and the rotor is configured to rotate at a rotor speed (?). A controller is operatively connected to the electric machine and has a processor and tangible, non-transitory memory on which is recorded instructions for executing a method for determining stator winding resistance. The controller is configured to determine a high-speed resistance factor (rH) which is based at least partially on the torque command (T*), the stator winding temperature (tS), the rotor speed (?), a characterized torque error and the number of pole pairs (P). The controller may determine a total resistance value (R) based on a weighting factor (k), the high-speed resistance factor (rH) and the low-speed resistance factor (rL).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Dwarakanath V Simili, Jihoon Jang, Sinisa Jurkovic
  • Patent number: 9647595
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor may include determining a desired torque at the electric motor. A current at a first phase of the electric motor may be calculated at a controller. The calculated current may be a current that results in supplying the desired torque at the electric motor. The controller may compare the calculated current to a predetermined threshold current, and when the calculated current is greater than the predetermined threshold current, the controller may reduce the calculated current to the predetermined threshold current and adjust a current in a second phase adjacent to the first phase of the electric motor to continue to supply the desired torque at the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson Wai, Carlos Nino Baron, Jesse Gerdes, Ernesto Inoa, Ahmed Khalil
  • Patent number: 9618558
    Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes: a voltage detecting unit for detecting a voltage of each direct-current capacitor; a current detecting unit for detecting each current inputted to or outputted from each inverter; an commanding unit for outputting a power-converting command to each inverter after each direct-current capacitor is charged and supply of direct-current power to a converter is shut off; a current integrating unit for integrating each current detected while the power-converting command is outputted; a capacity estimating unit for calculating the estimated capacity of each direct-current capacitor based on the current integration value and the voltage of the direct-current capacitor after supply of direct-current power to the converter is shut off and before the power-converting command is outputted; and a life determining unit for determining a life of each direct-current capacitor based on the initial capacity value and the estimated capacity of the direct-current capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventor: Tomokazu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9571026
    Abstract: An inverter apparatus that includes an inverter that is interposed between an AC rotary electric machine and both a DC power supply and a smoothing capacitor and that includes a plurality of switching elements; a controller that controls driving of the plurality of switching elements; and a current sensor that detects a current flowing through a wire connecting the DC power supply and the inverter together, wherein the controller determines whether or not to stop driving of all of the plurality of switching elements based on the current detected by the current sensor while the AC rotary electric machine is caused to perform a regenerative operation of generating power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiromichi Agata, Kazuo Aoki, Yasushi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 9543755
    Abstract: An automotive electronic control unit configured to control an automotive electrically-actuated device which is required to move from/to one or more end-of-travel positions, wherein the electronic control unit is configured to detect reaching an end-of-travel or stall position by the automotive electrically-actuated device based on: amplitude of the electric current absorbed by the automotive electrically-actuated device, gradient of amplitude of the electric current absorbed by the automotive electrically-actuated device, and ripple frequency of amplitude of the electric current absorbed by the automotive electrically-actuated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventor: Daniele Pasinato
  • Patent number: 9506445
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the starter motor includes determining starter motor resistance associated with an engine starting event and determining a back-emf for the starter motor based upon the starter motor resistance. A state of health of the starter motor corresponding to the back-emf of the starter motor and engine cranking time is determined. Engine stop/start functionality is controlled based upon the state of health of the starter motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Youssef A. Ghoneim, Mark N. Howell
  • Patent number: 9500621
    Abstract: Aspects of the present innovations relate to improved systems that may perform capillary electrophoresis (CE) and CE in conjunction with electrospray ionization (ESI) as an input to a mass spectrometry system (MS). Embodiments may use a current sense circuit at a high voltage output from an MS-ESI power supply in conjunction with additional elements to identify fault conditions associated with leakage current, to confirm the continuity of CE connections, and to provide improved system protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter S. Kotowski, Sunil S. Deliwala, Stephen A. Frye
  • Patent number: 9476944
    Abstract: A continuity tester that has particular application for inspecting the insulation on the stator windings in an electric machine. The continuity tester includes a power supply, a brush having conductive bristles, and an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. One terminal of the power supply is electrically coupled to the brush and another terminal of the power supply is electrically coupled to the A/D converter and the stator being tested. The conductive brush is selectively positioned against the exposed windings of the stator, and if an electrical circuit is formed as a result of loss of insulation, the potential at the input of the A/D converter drops, which can be detected. In one embodiment, the conductive brush is a manual brush that is moved across the stator windings, and in alternate embodiments the conductive brush is specially configured to be positioned against the conductive windings in an automated process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thomas A. Perry, John D. Campbell
  • Patent number: 9457462
    Abstract: A power tool includes a tool housing defining a cavity and a pocket formed in a wall of the tool housing. A motor is positioned within the cavity, and a trigger mechanism is moveably coupled to the tool housing. A speed selector switch is positioned within the pocket, the speed selector switch including a push-button operable to receive a speed selection and a plurality of speed indicators. The speed selector switch is operable to output a speed signal based on the speed selection, and the speed indicators indicate the speed selection. The power tool further includes a controller operable to receive the speed signal from the speed selector switch, the speed signal indicative of a selected speed, receive an activation signal from the trigger switch, and operate the motor at the selected speed upon receiving the activation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MILWAUKEE ELECTRIC TOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew J. Mergener, Steven W. Hyma, Toby Lichtensteiger, William E. Check
  • Patent number: 9436194
    Abstract: Improved techniques for sensing and reporting consumed power are disclosed. The disclosed techniques comprise an integrated circuit solution for sensing power. In some embodiments, such an integrated circuit comprises a resistor on which a sense voltage sensed across an external resistor in response to a load current is mirrored and an analog-to-digital converter configured to regulate the voltage across the resistor and output a binary value representing power. The binary value representing power may integrate one or more electrical or environmental parameters such as current, voltage, temperature, battery voltage, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Silego Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Truong, Albert Chen
  • Patent number: 9407128
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus for alarming an inverter status and an apparatus for analyzing a motor status in a mobile terminal. The apparatus for analyzing a motor status in a mobile terminal includes: a first recognition unit configured to recognize vibrations of a motor contacting thereto, and providing the vibrations to a controller; a second recognition unit configured to recognize sound of the motor, and providing the sound to the controller; and the controller configured to analyze a frequency from the vibrations and sound of the motor, to check a change of the vibrations, and thus to obtain an analysis result on a status of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jubeom Son
  • Patent number: 9376983
    Abstract: An operations support system is provided for an engine. The system includes a diagnostics module configured to receive engine data from the engine and to generate diagnostics data based on the engine data using a thermodynamic model, the thermodynamic model being based on component maps associated with the engine; an acoustics module coupled to the diagnostics module and comprising an acoustics calculation unit, the acoustics calculation unit configured to receive the diagnostics data and to determine an acoustics level for the engine based on the diagnostics data; and a graphical user interface coupled to the acoustics module and configured to display the acoustics level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Moeckly, Richard Ling, Chuck Royalty
  • Patent number: 9368912
    Abstract: The jumper cables with keyed connectors includes a set of jumper cables that include keyed connectors in-line in order to prevent a short across a vehicular electrical circuit or an explosion of a vehicular battery. The jumper cables with keyed connectors include a positive line and a negative line. Both the positive line and the negative line include male plugs that are keyed to connect with receptacles built onto the vehicular batteries. The plurality of connection units insures that only the appropriate components plug together thereby preventing inadvertent shorting across the jumper cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Keric Sullivan
  • Patent number: 9352744
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a powertrain having an electric machine configured to selectively apply regenerative torque to cause deceleration in response to braking demand; the powertrain further including a torque converter configured to decouple the electric machine from wheels of the vehicle. The vehicle is also provided with a controller programmed to, during a regenerative braking event, receive a signal defining a regenerative torque limit, and in response to a fault condition associated with the regenerative torque limit, generate a replacement regenerative torque limit based upon a torque converter open speed to decrease roughness during transitions into and out of regenerative braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yanan Zhao, Francis Thomas Connolly, Zhengyu Dai, Ming Lang Kuang, Bernard D. Nefcy
  • Patent number: 9344019
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for an AC rotating machine, for controlling the AC rotating machine including a plurality of sets of windings. The control device includes: a plurality of inverters each including, in respective phases, switching elements for controlling voltages to be applied to respective phases of the windings; current control portion for issuing voltage commands corresponding to the voltages to the respective inverters to control currents flowing through the windings; and failure detection portion for detecting at least one of a short-circuit failure or an open-circuit failure in each of the switching elements. The current control portion sets, in accordance with the failure detected by the failure detection portion, the same potential side of the respective phases of a faulty-side inverter in the same state as in the detected failure, and continues control on a normal-side inverter except for the faulty-side inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Furukawa, Yoshihiko Kimpara, Jiro Okada
  • Patent number: 9331610
    Abstract: An electromotive furniture drive includes an electric motor, the rotational direction of which can be reversed, a motor controller, a manual control, a battery unit, and a mains power supply device. A speed-reducing transmission is connected downstream of the electric motor and a further transmission is connected downstream of each speed-reducing transmission and the battery unit has at least one battery. To enable simple, economical and easy installation, in particular in tight installation spaces, the furniture drive has a coupling device which includes a charging device for charging the at least one battery of the battery unit. The coupling device also has a reference device, which is connected to a charging device The furniture drive is especially suited for slatted bed frames and armchairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: DEWERTOKIN GMBH
    Inventor: Armin Hille
  • Patent number: 9274158
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for detection of a ground fault on a DC side as well as on an AC side of an inverter are presented. A detection means can receive forward and reverse current and provide an induced current based on the difference between them. A parameter associated with the induced current, or a parameter associated with a voltage generated by conduction of the induced current through a device, can be used to detect a ground fault. In addition, a detection means can be configured to receive transient current, and a resulting voltage at the detection means can be used for fault detection. A detection means can be disposed at the DC side of an inverter or at the AC side of the inverter. Apparatus and methods can be configured to detect AC leakage current caused by a ground fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yuqing Tang, Hongjie Wu
  • Patent number: 9252590
    Abstract: An electric vehicle is proposed which can achieve early detection of abnormal short-circuit of motor coils, thus avoiding various driving problems. The electric vehicle includes a motor unit configured to drive a wheel. The motor unit includes a synchronous motor with three-phase motor coils. The three-phase motor coils include a first motor coil, a second motor coil and a third motor coil of different phases. One end of the first motor coil, one end of the second motor coil and one end of the third motor coil are connected with each other at a neutral point in a star connection. The electric vehicle also includes an abnormal short-circuit monitor configured to detect an abnormal short-circuit of the motor coils, and also includes an abnormalities-responsive disconnection unit configured to electrically disconnect the motor coils from the neutral point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayoshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9236827
    Abstract: A motor drive circuit comprises: a DC power supply; power supply lines; an inverter which has upper arm switch elements and lower arm switch elements; and a detection unit for detecting, based on a power state on the previous stage side of the inverter, the insulation resistances of the motor drive circuit and the motor. The detection unit performs a first detection operation for detecting the insulation resistances by using the output of the DC power supply while the upper arm switch elements and the lower arm switch elements are all turned off and a second detection operation for detecting the insulation resistances by using the output of the DC power supply while the elements of one of the upper arm switch elements and the lower arm switch elements are all turned off and at least one of the elements of the other one is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichi Enomoto, Hiroshi Takao, Yoshihiko Maeda, Hoshihito Okada
  • Patent number: 9166503
    Abstract: An actuator control system includes a controlling controller and one or more driving controllers connected to the controlling controller via a power line, wherein the controlling controller generates a serial signal that composites a power-supply voltage to be supplied to an actuator and a command signal generated in order to control driving of the actuator and transmits the generated serial signal to the driving controllers via the power line, and the driving controllers separate and retrieve the power-supply voltage and the control signal. Due to the configuration described above, the driving controllers supply a drive voltage and a drive control signal to actuators connected thereto. Accordingly, an actuator control system can be provided whose amount of installed wiring has been significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Tamagawa Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuharu Hama
  • Patent number: 9160441
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining signals received from a direct broadcast satellite system with signals received from a wireless network, includes a satellite antenna for receiving the signals from the direct broadcast satellite system; and a wireless network antenna, co-located with the satellite antenna, for receiving the signals from the wireless network. The wireless network antenna includes an antenna assembly that is rotated by a controller based on characteristics of the signals received from the wireless network. The controller energizes and de-energizes a motor to mechanically rotate the antenna assembly to properly align the wireless network antenna to communicate with the wireless network. The wireless network antenna comprises a closed cylinder, wherein the antenna assembly is rotatably mounted within the closed cylinder, such that, upon command from the controller, the motor engages the antenna assembly to mechanically rotate the antenna about a central axis of the closed cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Norin, Robert F. Popoli, Dipak M. Shah
  • Patent number: 9160215
    Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus are disclosed for monitoring the operating conditions of electric generators and motors by merely taking measurements from a few locations on the rotor's outer region/surface or stator's inner surface. In this disclosure an exemplary method of detecting adverse conditions within alternating current electromotive devices, which can lead to failure, is presented. This example method uses non-contact sensing devices mounted only on a section of the rotor's or stator's surface of the electromotive device to scan the stator's or rotor's surface, respectively. The disclosed method and apparatus will reduce cost by reducing complexity of the design, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and replacement of the monitoring system, and by utilizing generic mounting techniques that will reduce risk of damage to the generators as the lighter weight sensor housings are secured by simpler mounting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher David Brown
  • Patent number: 9127678
    Abstract: A proposed implementation of this present subject matter utilizes a data collection and processing unit and sensors to monitor one or more conditions which can cause damage to a pump. These conditions include differential pressure across the pump, pump flow rate, and the pump rotational speed (RPM). Pump operating curves are analyzed to develop equations indicative of minimum and maximum allowable head for efficient operation within mechanical operation limits of the pump. The equations are used to set a processor for analyzing data inputs. The processor utilizes sensor inputs from the pump, including input and output pressure differential, flow, and pump speed. These values are compared to stored data or may be inserted into an equation to provide a calculated parameter indicative of operation in or out of pump operating limits. Responsive circuits inform users of alarm conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Field Intelligence, Inc.
    Inventors: Arturo Camacho Gomez, Mark J. Jones
  • Publication number: 20150145459
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling an electric motor using a motor drive controller are provided. The motor drive controller includes a rectifier configured to convert an AC input voltage to a DC voltage, a DC bus electrically coupled to the rectifier, an inverter electrically coupled to the DC bus and configured to generate an AC voltage to drive the electric motor, and a control unit. The control unit includes a sign calculation module configured to determine a polarity of each phase of a reference current command and a compensation module configured to generate a voltage compensation command signal using one of the determined polarities of the reference current command and a measured current, and one of a measurement of DC bus voltage and a constant DC bus voltage value, the voltage compensation signal compensating the drive controller to neutralize a deadtime effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventor: YILCAN GUZELGUNLER
  • Publication number: 20150145460
    Abstract: A motor controller includes: a motor rotation angle acquisition unit acquiring the rotation angle of the motor; a main shaft rotation angle acquisition unit acquiring the rotation angle of the main shaft; a one-rotation signal acquisition unit acquiring a one-rotation signal output every time the main shaft rotates once; a motor rotation speed calculation unit calculating the rotation speed of the motor from the rotation angle of the motor; a main shaft speed calculation unit calculating the rotation speed of the main shaft from the rotation angle of the main shaft; and an abnormality determination unit in which, when a change amount of the rotation angle of the motor or when the difference between the rotation speed of the motor and the rotation speed of the main shaft deviates from a second range, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the power transmission unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisuke Tajima, Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 9041402
    Abstract: There is provided a method for determining an abnormality during operation of a high voltage disconnect switch, the method comprising: determining a current position of an arm of the high voltage disconnect switch operatively connected to a motor, the motor being operated for driving the arm of the high voltage disconnect switch; determining a torque of the motor corresponding to the current position of the arm; comparing the torque of the motor to a torque threshold for the current position of the arm; and outputting an abnormality signal based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: EHT INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Lalonge, Robert Jeanjean
  • Patent number: 9041326
    Abstract: A method for operating a brushless electric motor, the windings being energized by an inverter with the aid of six switches. A detection unit for detecting defective switches, a unit for measuring voltage at the outputs of the inverter, and a microcontroller for controlling the switch and for generating a pulse width modulated voltage supply for the windings are provided. A short-circuited switch causes a torque in the electric motor opposite the actuating direction of the electric motor. The method proposes that after detecting a short-circuited switch, the windings (U. V. W) are energized to generate a motor torque that is, on the whole, positive. An actuating period of the electric motor is divided into a plurality of sectors, wherein, in accordance with the defective switch, individual sectors are deactivated for the actuation of the windings (U, V, W), while other sectors are used to actuate the windings (V, W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Gunselmann, Mathias Fernengel, Nicolas Bruyant, Lionel Guichard, Michel Parette
  • Patent number: 9041332
    Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a motor of a rod pumping system using previous RPMs of the motor and predicting an RPM of the motor; correcting a power factor of a motor of a rod pumping system; allocating energy consumption and allocating energy generation for a set of wells connected to an electricity meter using an amount of energy generated by each well; and generating an alert if a set of data is beyond a threshold for the set of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Long Meadow Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. DaCunha, Richard M. Myers
  • Publication number: 20150137798
    Abstract: A permanent magnet includes magnetic poles that are arranged so as to alternate in polarity in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation. The magnet is attached to one of a pair of rotatable members. The rotatable members are relatively rotatable about an axis of rotation. A magnetic flux guiding ring, including an annular ring body and a plurality of protruding portions protruding from the ring body, is attached to the other rotatable member. A plurality of magnetic sensors is arranged adjacent to the ring body. A first facing portion and a second facing portion, each for guide part of magnetic fluxes of the ring body, are provided and do not rotate with the permanent magnet and the magnetic flux guiding ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi TANAKA, Kazuto NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20150137724
    Abstract: Multipliers 21a and 21b output values, which are obtained by multiplying a total drive command value Es by first and second gains G1 and G2, respectively, as first and second drive command values E1 and E2. Controllers 23a and 23b control first and second actuators (motors) 5 and 7, respectively, on the basis of the first and second drive command values. The detection values of the drive amounts of the actuators are denoted by Ef1 and Ef2, respectively, and the detection value of the drive amount of a driven body is denoted by Ef. A gain calculator 27 calculates the gains G1 and G2 on the basis of Ef1, Ef and Ef2. An upper limit value of Ef, which denotes the drive amount of the driven body, is denoted by Lmax. When Ef1, Ef2 or Ef approaches zero, the first gain G1 is brought close to (Ef1?Lmax/2)/(Ef?Lmax).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Hitoshi OYORI, Yoshito OHTA, Keisuke ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20150130386
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a motor generally comprise a motor shell, a drive unit, a motor electronics assembly configured to operate the drive unit, and a shaft coupled to the drive unit. The drive unit may comprise an axial design configured to increase the efficiency of the system. The motor may be totally enclosed, the shaft may be sealed using a labyrinth seal, and the motor electronics assembly may be contained within the motor shell. The motor may comprise shapes and materials to promote cooling by air flow and thermal conduction. The motor may further comprise a touch-sensitive interface, may operate at high speed in response to a signal, and may provide a single location for the connection of all inputs. A motor according to the present invention may have improved operating characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jared D. Zumstein, Stephen A. Zavodny, Luis D. Morales, Barry M. Benson, Rachele B. Cocks, Mark Klopp
  • Patent number: 9024547
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing unwanted conducted noise generated by a DC load 17. Load 17 is powered by a voltage source 11. A current sense 13 senses pulse current Ifan flowing through the load 17. First converting means 14, 15, 16 converts the sensed pulse current Ifan to a correction voltage Vp. The correction voltage Vp is then converted to a correction current Ip, which offsets the deleterious effects of Ifan. The current Is flowing through the voltage source 11 equals Ifan plus the correction current Ip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Allied Telesis, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Vogt
  • Patent number: 9024562
    Abstract: A motor constant calculating method for a PM motor according to the present invention includes a voltage applying step of applying an applied voltage including a DC component and a plurality of frequency components to a PM motor, a motor current detecting step of detecting a motor current flowing depending on the applied voltage applied in the voltage applying step, and a motor constant calculating step of calculating a motor constant of the PM motor based on the applied voltage and the motor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Tazawa, Masaru Nishizono
  • Publication number: 20150115855
    Abstract: A motor controller includes a single-rotation signal detector detecting a single-rotation signal that indicates a single rotation of a main spindle, a rotation angle detector detecting a rotation angle of a motor every predetermined time, and a counter adding up the rotation angle. A value of the counter is reset when the single-rotation signal detector detects the single-rotation signal of the main spindle. The motor controller further includes a judgment unit judging that a power transmission unit has abnormality when a value of the rotation angle of the motor added up in the counter deviates from a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Genzou Naitou
  • Patent number: 9018880
    Abstract: A first inverter circuit and a second inverter circuit are provided for a first winding set and a second winding set of a motor, respectively, and switch over power supply to the winding sets. A control unit controls operations of the inverter circuits. The control unit detects abnormality in the inverter circuits. The control unit calculates a first value with respect to each drive system based on phase currents of the inverter circuit in each system, calculates a second value based on two values selected from a plurality of first values calculated for each drive system, and detects abnormality of the inverter circuits, which corresponds to the selected first value, when the second value deviates from a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Jiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9018881
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for diagnosing stator windings in an electric motor. An exemplary method for diagnosing stator windings in an electric motor involves determining an input energy imbalance across phases of the stator windings for an electrical period of the electric motor and identifying a fault condition when the input energy imbalance is greater than a first threshold value. In some embodiments, an input energy ratio across phases of the stator windings is also determined for the electrical period, wherein the fault condition is identified as a phase-to-phase short circuit fault condition when the input energy ratio is greater than a second threshold value and the input energy imbalance is greater than the first threshold value, or alternatively, as an in-phase short circuit fault condition when the input energy ratio is less than the second threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Mao, Lei Hao
  • Publication number: 20150103682
    Abstract: The invention relates to a periodic communication method between at least one first system (2) and at least one second system (3) by means of a full-duplex synchronous serial link (4), wherein, during a communication period, data are exchanged between the first system (2) and the second system (3), including: at least one message from the first system (2) to the second system (3), at least one message from the second system (3) to the first system (2) and a clock signal, the clock signal being routed by the link (4) over a time interval, the amplitude of which is less than the communication period, the message from the first system (2) to the second system (3) and the message from the second system (3) to the first system (2) both being routed by the link (4) over said time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Valéry Becquet, Olivier Garot
  • Publication number: 20150102757
    Abstract: In various implementations, a condition of a motor may be monitored based at least partially on time required to achieve a change in speed. A notification may be transmitted based on the condition of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Joe Powell, Randall L. Lisbona
  • Publication number: 20150101890
    Abstract: An encoder assembly is disclosed. The encoder assembly comprises a motor having a rotor, and an encoder. The encoder comprises an encoder wheel axially coupled to the rotor, a first sensor configured to detect a first velocity at which a portion of the encoder wheel moves relative to the first sensor, and a second sensor configured to detect a second velocity at which a portion of the encoder wheel moves relative to the second sensor, the first sensor and the second sensor positioned approximately 180 degrees apart from each other about an axis of rotation of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Slade R. Culp, Keunmo Kang, Sameh Dardona, William A. Veronesi
  • Patent number: 9007068
    Abstract: A method is provided for current-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle, the network having at least: one battery, one pulse-controlled inverter, one d.c. voltage converter, and an intermediate circuit associated with the pulse-controlled inverter. The method includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery current, a d.c. voltage converter current, and an intermediate circuit current; comparing current magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded. An alternative method for voltage-based detection of an electrical fault in an electrical network of a motor vehicle includes: detecting magnitudes of each a battery voltage, a d.c. voltage converter voltage, and an intermediate circuit voltage; comparing voltage magnitudes according to provided equations; and checking based on the comparison of whether a specifiable deviation has been exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Beqir Pushkolli, Ulrich Klein
  • Publication number: 20150097504
    Abstract: In a system that receives power from an electric power grid, a variable frequency AC drive has an output connected to an AC electric motor, and an input connected to the power grid. The motor is in 1 connection with a load, and the AC drive includes an active converter having a predetermined maximum apparent power capacity. The converter is coupled to a controller programmed to regulate reactive power generation and consumption of the variable frequency AC drive so that the drive produces reactive power when the converter is utilizing less than its maximum apparent power capacity. This reactive power is fed to the power grid. A device monitors current and voltage in the power grid and calculates power factor, which is then used as a feedback to an external controller that generates a reactive power reference signal intended to control the system's power factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Harold Wells Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Lamascus, Lloyd Wentworth
  • Patent number: 9000710
    Abstract: A system for determining motor speed of a brush DC motor in an apparatus, including a first filter for receiving a substantially DC component of the motor current and parameters corresponding to the brush DC motor, for calculating a speed estimate thereof; an adaptive bandpass filter having a center frequency corresponding to the speed estimate of the first filter, for receiving the motor current and substantially isolating a periodic current fluctuation thereof; a block for determining a frequency of the periodic current fluctuation, the current fluctuation corresponding to motor speed of the brush DC motor. The adaptive bandpass filter uses debounce filtering to reduce rapid filter passband switching, and a run-in period prior to passband switching to obviate transient effects of filter switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Mark Atay