Plural, Diverse Motor Controls For Different Motors Patents (Class 318/51)
  • Patent number: 11214153
    Abstract: A driving system includes a first alternating-current rotary electrical machine and a second alternating-current rotary electrical machine. The driving system includes: a first inverter electrically connected to the first alternating-current rotary electrical machine; a second inverter electrically connected to a first end of each of phase windings constituting the second alternating-current rotary electrical machine; a step-up converter; and a third inverter that is electrically connected to a second end of each of the phase windings and transfers power to a second direct-current power source different from the first direct-current power source to drive the second alternating-current rotary electrical machine. The step-up converter raises an output voltage of the first direct-current power source and outputs the output voltage to the first inverter and the second inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hisaaki Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11022959
    Abstract: A motor controller includes a package configured to interface with a power inverter for motor control; a wireless communication integrated circuit (IC) integrated within the package and configured to receive uplink wireless communication data and to process the uplink wireless communication data, and configured to transmit downlink wireless communication data; a motor controller IC integrated within the package and configured to perform a motor control function, including generating pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals for multi-phase motor control; and an intercommunication interface coupled to the wireless communication IC and the motor controller IC, the intercommunication interface including a plurality of inter-communication wires for information exchange of uplink information and downlink information between the wireless communication IC and the motor controller IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Toshio Takahashi, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 10848036
    Abstract: The invention relates to a communication interface between a control unit and an electric load unit, particularly a load unit having a pump motor in a motor vehicle, wherein the control unit is designed as a transmitter and/or receiver, wherein the load unit is designed as a receiver and/or transmitter and wherein the communication between the transmitter and the receiver takes place via a signal line by means of a pulse-width-modulated signal. In this case, there is provision for the signal line to be connected to a constant current source and for the transmitter to be designed to modulate the flow of current through the signal line by means of pulse-width modulation. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Sieland, Horst Kleinknecht, Sobin Chalakkal Francis, Vignesh Ramani
  • Patent number: 9944197
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an inverter, a motor, a transmission, and a modulator. The inverter performs pulse width modulation processing at a predetermined carrier frequency. The motor is supplied with electric power from the inverter. The transmission changes the number of revolutions of the motor, and transmits rotary power of the motor to one or more driving wheels. The modulator controls the pulse width modulation processing performed by the inverter, and changes the carrier frequency of the pulse width modulation processing, to offset a change in a frequency of a sideband component out of frequencies of a carrier sound. The carrier sound is generated in the motor or the inverter, or both, accompanying a stepwise change in the number of revolutions of the motor on a condition that the stepwise change is made by the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Yukihiro Osaku, Yukihito Inaba
  • Patent number: 9684300
    Abstract: In a motor control device, a matrix circuit and logic circuits are arranged between PWM signal generation circuits and output terminals. It is possible to output PWM signals to the output terminals as they are and to synchronize the PWM signals and output a synchronized signal to a desired output terminal/terminals in the output terminals by changing a coupled state of the matrix circuit. Therefore, it is possible to change the kind of the motor to be controlled, the number of motors to be controlled and so forth without changing the motor control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeyuki Endo
  • Patent number: 9419534
    Abstract: A power inverter is provided comprising: a control board comprising: a processor that generates an AC waveform from a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to instructions or data stored in a memory associated with the processor; and an output at which a signal having the AC waveform is provided; a power supply module that is connected to the control board, comprising: an input connected to the output of the control board at which the AC waveform signal is provided; and an output at which an AC power signal is provided on a channel of the power inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: B/E AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Johannessen, David P. Eckel
  • Patent number: 9331628
    Abstract: In some preferred embodiments, a motor control circuit 1 for controlling driving of a plurality of motors 3 and 4 includes a serial communication circuit configured to perform serial communication with an outside, a received data storage 15 configured to store data from the serial communication circuit, a motor mode setting holding circuit 16 configured to store motor mode settings which decide operations of the motors, and a detection circuit 24 configured to detect changes in driving pulse of the motor. Depending on the detected result of the detection circuit 24, the data stored in the received data storage 15 is transferred to the motor mode setting holding circuit 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ryoichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Inoue, Masatoshi Komada
  • Patent number: 9180867
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus of a hybrid vehicle, in which a motor torque instruction value operator of controller calculates a torque instruction value of each of a plurality of motor generators by using a torque balance equation including a target engine torque which is obtained from a target engine operation point and an electric power balance equation including a target charge/discharge power. Thus, control of the plurality of motor generators in the case where there is a charge/discharge to/from a battery can be performed, and both of assurance of a target drive force and assurance of a target charge/discharge can be satisfied in consideration of an operation point of an internal combustion engine (engine operation point).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ito, Masaaki Tagawa, Masakazu Saito, Hitoshi Ohkuma
  • Publication number: 20150108922
    Abstract: A motor driving device for a vehicle relates to a technology for preventing motor deterioration by controlling a stall current when a motor is controlled for vehicle air-conditioning. The motor driving device includes: a stall current detector that outputs a current detection signal by detecting a stall current of a motor, a controller that pre-stores a control specification of the motor, and outputs a control signal in response to the control specification when the current detection signal is activated; and an output driver that outputs a drive signal for controlling driving of the motor in response to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jin Kim, Young Su Kim, Yong Wook Kwon, Ji Soo Park
  • Publication number: 20150021916
    Abstract: A vehicle (100) includes a motor generator (130) generating driving power for running the vehicle (100), and an ECU (300) for controlling the motor generator (130). The ECU (300) causes driving power variation operation to be performed on the motor generator (130) in which the motor generator is switched between a first state (low output state) in which the motor generator generates driving power of a prescribed level and a second state (high output state) in which the motor generator generates driving power larger than the driving power in the first state to run the vehicle (100). As a result, energy efficiency of the vehicle (100) is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi AMANO
  • Publication number: 20140368131
    Abstract: A motor drive device includes a bridge circuit 10 having a plurality of legs with switch elements 101 in upper and lower arms. High frequency AC voltage output from the bridge circuit 10, when it is connected to an AC power supply 1, is converted into a DC voltage via a transformer 21 and an AC/DC conversion circuit 11, thus charging the battery 2. Also, the DC voltage of the battery 2 is converted into an AC voltage by the bridge circuit 10 when the AC power supply 1 is cut off from the bridge circuit 10, and supplied to the alternating current motor 3. Because of this, the isolating transformer 21 can be driven at high frequency while the motor driving power conversion circuit is also used for battery charging, and a reduction in size and reduction in cost of the overall device are achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki KATSUMATA, Masakazu GEKINOZU
  • Publication number: 20140366921
    Abstract: Cleaning apparatus for kitchen equipment, in particular combination steaming, baking and cooking equipment, has a cooking space that is to be cleaned which is delimited by at least one wall and includes at least one outlet opening for a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Jochen Schneider, Julian Peter
  • Patent number: 8912736
    Abstract: Disclosed is a DC/DC converter system that, after calculating required voltages of the first and second motors based on the magnetic flux and speeds of the first and second motors, the voltage supplied to inverters is controlled by a final voltage command determined as a larger value of the battery voltage and the final required voltage. In particular, the final required voltage is determined as a larger value of the required voltages of the first and second motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Kim, Wonkyoung Choi, Mu Shin Kwak, Suhyun Bae
  • Publication number: 20140346979
    Abstract: When a command frequency to a rotating electric machine is included in an inverter lock frequency band, a frequency switching section switches the command frequency to a frequency outside the inverter lock frequency band by changing a slip frequency command value. In response to this, a torque command change section changes a torque command to a second rotating electric machine other than a first rotating electric machine of which the slip frequency is changed such that a torque fluctuation caused by the change of the slip frequency command value is canceled out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi OTA, Youhei YAMADA
  • Publication number: 20140333234
    Abstract: In some preferred embodiments, a motor control circuit 1 for controlling driving of a plurality of motors 3 and 4 includes a serial communication circuit configured to perform serial communication with an outside, a received data storage 15 configured to store data from the serial communication circuit, a motor mode setting holding circuit 16 configured to store motor mode settings which decide operations of the motors, and a detection circuit 24 configured to detect changes in driving pulse of the motor. Depending on the detected result of the detection circuit 24, the data stored in the received data storage 15 is transferred to the motor mode setting holding circuit 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Ryoichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Inoue, Masatoshi Komada
  • Patent number: 8878465
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a variable frequency drive system and a method of controlling a pump driven by a motor with the pump in fluid communication with a fluid system. The drive system and method can provide one or more of the following: a sleep mode, pipe break detection, a line fill mode, an automatic start mode, dry run protection, an electromagnetic interference filter compatible with a ground fault circuit interrupter, two-wire and three-wire and three-phase motor compatibility, a simple start-up process, automatic password protection, a pump out mode, digital input/output terminals, and removable input and output power terminal blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Pentair Flow Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Melissa Drechsel Kidd, William James Genaw, Micheal Robert Pasche, Gary Thomas Baase, II, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Rasmus Fink, Martin Skov Holm
  • Patent number: 8866425
    Abstract: Complete drive system, called motor-drive unit, for use in remote locations with limited radial space like downhole, narrow tunnels, pipelines and other applications with similar conditions. Given the spatial limitations the unit must have elongated shape. It includes a number of motors connected mechanically in series and a lower number of inverters, driving groups of the motors so that load is equally distributed along axis of the unit. Motors within each group can be electrically connected in series or in parallel. The motor-drive unit is supposed to be fed by DC voltage via a cable with length up to several km; therefore, it includes a buck converter for stabilization of voltage inside the unit and a power-line communication module to be controllable from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: SmartMotor AS
    Inventors: Richard Lund, Alexey Matveev, Roy Nilsen, Sigurd Övrebö
  • Publication number: 20140300295
    Abstract: Modular motor apparatuses, systems and methods are disclosed. Certain embodiments comprise a motor core and driver module a power supply module, and an external interface module. Families of these modules may utilize a standardized communication protocol to enhance flexibility, upgradeability, and serviceability in the configuration of the motor apparatus. Certain embodiments comprise a power sharing system in which a power supply module serves two or more motor core and driver modules. Certain embodiments comprise a motor performance configuration module including an integrated or remote user interface. The user interface is configured to allow a high reliability graphical performance configuration and scaling of motor performance without the use of a computer on the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Ramsingh
  • Patent number: 8847521
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, four VVVF main circuit inverters for supplying electric power to drive a permanent-magnet synchronous motor are packaged into one unit. The four VVVF main circuit inverters are configured as a 4-in-1 inverter unit which shares a cooling mechanism for radiating heat generated due to power supply operation for the permanent-magnet synchronous motors to outside. A 2-in-1 semiconductor device package in which two semiconductor elements to convert electric power are packaged into one unit to be able to drive a permanent-magnet synchronous motor is contained in the 4-in-1 inverter unit. Thereby, individual control of inverters and reducing the size of the entire apparatus can be achieved for the electric-vehicle control apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinichi Toda, Ikuo Yasuoka, Yosuke Nakazawa
  • Publication number: 20140285120
    Abstract: A distributed motor drive system includes a power management module and multiple inverter modules integrated with the motors and located on a machine or process remote from the power management module. The power management module distributes DC voltage and command signals to each of the inverters, where the DC voltage is distributed between modules via a DC link cable. The integrated inverters execute switching routines to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage suitable for controlling the motor. Each of the power management module and the inverters includes a portion of the DC bus. The current on the DC link cable is monitored and general bus utilization as well as overload conditions are reported.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Mark A. Gries, Mark R. Cooper, Rangarajan Tallam, Garrett B. Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20140265942
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one energy source and a drive system coupled to the at least one energy source. The drive system converts electrical power received from the at least one energy source and provides converted electrical power for driving at least one load. The drive system includes a first converter, a second converter, and a first switch module coupled to outputs of the first and second converters. When the apparatus is operating under a first mode, the first switch module is switched to assume a first state to allow a first output electrical power provided from the first converter and a second output electrical power provided from the second converter to be combined for driving a first load with the combined output electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Fei Li, Xi Lu, Jian ZHOU, Pengju KANG, Ronghui ZHOU, Xiangming SHEN, Fengcheng SUN, Hai QIU
  • Patent number: 8836270
    Abstract: In an inverter system, a phase adjusting unit configured to adjust, according to reception timing of first data, a phase of second PWM carrier to match a phase of first PWM carrier. A master inverter further includes an amplitude adjusting unit configured to adjust, when second data is received by a communication unit, according to the received second data, amplitude of a first command voltage to balance an actual output current output from a master inverter to the motor and an actual output current output from each of one or more slave inverters to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Goichi Kajiura, Masanori Kato
  • Patent number: 8829845
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a starter machine including an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit can be in communication with one or more sensors. The control system can include a starter machine that is in communication with the electronic control unit. The starter machine can comprise a solenoid assembly that includes a plurality of biasing members, a motor that is coupled to a pinion, and power module and controller that is coupled to the motor. In some embodiments, at least one of the power module and the controller are configured to control a speed of the pinion to substantially synchronize the pinion speed and the speed of an engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael D. Bradfield
  • Patent number: 8810163
    Abstract: In a motor control system, a controller generates a single control signal for a motor control unit in a first electric motor and another motor control unit in a second electric motor. The motor control units in the first and second electric motors operate the first and second electric motors at a first rate in response to the control signal being at a first level. The motor control unit in the first electric motor operates the first electric motor at a second rate and the motor control unit in the second electric motor operates the second electric motor at a third rate in response to the control signal being at a second level, the third rate being different than the second rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: James L. Skinner, Prakash B. Shahi
  • Publication number: 20140226057
    Abstract: A motor control device includes a DC motor, a power source configured to supply power to each of the DC motor and a load unit, and a controller configured to control power supply to the DC motor and the load unit. When reducing the power to be supplied to the DC motor, the controller increases the power to be supplied to the load unit during a predetermined period of time including a timing at which the power to be supplied to the DC motor is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihiro OHTANI
  • Publication number: 20140225536
    Abstract: A motor control system includes: a converter; two inverters; two alternating-current motors; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the system voltage by feedback of a current phase of a current vector of motor current of each of the motors on a d-q coordinate plane so that rectangular wave control of at least one of the first and second motors is performed in a state where the current phase is an optimal current phase, wherein the control unit selects, as a subject of the feedback, the current phase of one of the motors that is larger than the other motor in system voltage deviation obtained based on the current vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Yasuhiro Nakai
  • Patent number: 8766573
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger C. Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Publication number: 20140176023
    Abstract: A motor driving system includes a first driving controller, a second driving controller, a first motor, a second motor, a third motor, and a fourth motor. The first motor is electrically connected to the first output terminals of the first and the second driving controllers. The second motor is electrically connected to the third output terminal of the first driving controller and the second output terminal of the second driving controller. The third motor is electrically connected to the second output terminal of the first driving controller and the third output terminal of the second driving controller. The fourth motor is electrically connected to the fourth output terminals of the first and the second driving controllers. The first and the second driving controllers receive control signals, and drive the first, the second, the third, and the fourth motors to rotate according to the control signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (WuHan) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: JIAN ZHAO, CHONG HE, XIAO-HUI WANG, WEN-JUN HU
  • Publication number: 20140091737
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive system that includes a module that operates as a server, where at least sometimes the module is at least one of directly integrated with another module that operates as a drive and fully integrated to include the drive. The server allows for communications with one or more terminals via an internet-type communications medium, while the drive is for controlling, monitoring and/or otherwise interacting with at least one motor, electromechanical machine, or other appropriate type of machine/process. In at least some embodiments, the server is capable of providing web pages, executable programs and/or other information including, for example, information in accordance with an FTP protocol onto the internet for receipt by the terminals. The terminals communicate commands and other information via the internet back to the server, which in turn can influence the drive and the controlled machine/process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Wayne R. Davis
  • Patent number: 8686677
    Abstract: A synchronous fan system is provided which intermittently calibrates the fans by rotating periodically the fans each to a common stop position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Larry R. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20140015449
    Abstract: A system supplies power from an AC voltage source to an electrical device. The system includes a plurality of AC/DC voltage converters having inputs connected to the AC voltage source and outputs connected to an electrical conductor. The system also includes a plurality of DC voltage converters, each having an input side connected to the electrical conductor and an output side connected to the electrical device. A converted DC or AC voltage is supplied to the electrical device. The system also includes a data coupling device coupled to the electrical conductor. The data coupling device allows communication with the electrical device via the electrical conductor using signals associated with a first frequency range while power is supplied to the electrical device via the electrical conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Klaus BIESTER, Peter KUNOW, Norbert LENZ
  • Patent number: 8581528
    Abstract: An arrangement for controlling frequency converter modules of an electric drive. In the arrangement, the frequency converter modules are arranged to control alternatively a first motor or several motors having less power than the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Osmo Pasuri, Ilkka Tunkkari
  • Publication number: 20130293160
    Abstract: A system, in one embodiment, includes a drive having a housing, a stator disposed in the housing, a rotor disposed in the stator, and a programmable logic controller disposed inside, mounted on, or in general proximity to the housing. In another embodiment, a system includes a network, a first motor having a first integral programmable logic controller coupled to the network, and a second motor having a second integral programmable logic controller coupled to the network. In a further embodiment, a system includes a rotary machine having a rotor and a stator disposed concentric with one another, a microprocessor, memory coupled to the microprocessor, a power supply coupled to the microprocessor and the memory, and a machine sensor coupled to the microprocessor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Yehia M. El-Ibiary
  • Publication number: 20130257317
    Abstract: Electronic control systems and related control methods for controlling electric drive motors for propelling a vehicle and electric auxiliary motors for performing work, such as electric deck motors for mower blades. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that includes a mowing deck. Features of the control systems allow for safe and efficient use of the vehicle. Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are also disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Ivan E. Fox, Josh Butler, Michael Todd, Donald Rousser
  • Publication number: 20130241444
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi output inverter that is adapted to supply mains powered appliances 47-49 and/or poly-phase motors 50, 51. The inverter is also adapted to reduce ripple current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher William Fotherby
  • Patent number: 8487557
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an approach that uses a motor protection system to protect a process operation. In one aspect, a motor protection system in conjunction with a controller monitor the performance of redundant motor-driven prime movers having a lead motor-driven prime mover and a lag motor-driven prime mover. In one embodiment, the controller controls operation of the redundant motor-driven prime movers as a function of motor protection measurements generated from the motor protection system. In particular, the controller uses the motor protection measurements to determine if the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress. The controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover in response to determining that the lead motor-driven prime mover is in distress. In one embodiment, the controller activates operation of the lag motor-driven prime mover prior to tripping the distressed lead motor-driven prime mover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Andrew Runkle
  • Patent number: 8436559
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a variable frequency drive system and a method of controlling a pump driven by a motor with the pump in fluid communication with a fluid system. The drive system and method can provide one or more of the following: a sleep mode, pipe break detection, a line fill mode, an automatic start mode, dry run protection, an electromagnetic interference filter compatible with a ground fault circuit interrupter, two-wire and three-wire and three-phase motor compatibility, a simple start-up process, automatic password protection, a pump out mode, digital input/output terminals, and removable input and output power terminal blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignees: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC, Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Melissa Drechsel Kidd, William James Genaw, Micheal Robert Pasche, Gary Thomas Baase, II, Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Rasmus Fink, Martin Skov Holm
  • Publication number: 20130110333
    Abstract: Disclosed is system for a hybrid vehicle in which a rotor in a motor is continuously and directly connected to a transmission and is rotatable with the transmission. A first stator mounted around an exterior side of the rotor is directly connected to a shaft of the engine to be rotatable with the shaft of the engine, and a second stator is fixedly mounted to the exterior side of the motor housing around the rotor. The system may further include a lock-up clutch configured to selectively connect a rotation shaft of the rotor with the shaft of the engine, a first inverter configured to control an operation of the first stator, and a second inverter configured to control an operation of the second stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Seong Jae Song, Sung Tae Cho, Kyung Shin Lee, Sangjae Lee, Yeongil Choi
  • Patent number: 8384315
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an engine unit to perform an image forming job, an engine control unit to control operation of the engine unit, a plurality of brushless direct current (BLDC) motors to operate the engine unit, a communication interface unit to receive a digital control command for the plurality of brushless DC motors from the engine control unit, a sensor unit to sense operation information of the plurality of brushless DC motors, an operation signal unit to generate an operation signal to control the plurality of brushless DC motors, and a speed control unit to control operation of the operation signal unit according to the received digital control command and sensing result of the sensor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong-ho Shin, Young-jung Yun
  • Publication number: 20130026955
    Abstract: First and second inverters are each controlled based on pulse width modulation using a carrier signal. In order to decrease the noise caused by the first inverter and the second inverter, a frequency of a carrier signal of the first inverter and a frequency of a carrier signal of the second inverter are controlled. The frequency of the carrier signal of the first inverter is changed periodically or randomly within a first preset frequency range as time elapses. The frequency of the carrier signal of the second inverter is changed periodically or randomly within a second preset frequency range to avoid overlapping the first frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Kikunaga, Hiroyuki Hattori
  • Patent number: 8362725
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: RBC Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Roger C. Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Publication number: 20130002172
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, four VVVF main circuit inverters for supplying electric power to drive a permanent-magnet synchronous motor are packaged into one unit. The four VVVF main circuit inverters are configured as a 4-in-1 inverter unit which shares a cooling mechanism for radiating heat generated due to power supply operation for the permanent-magnet synchronous motors to outside. A 2-in-1 semiconductor device package in which two semiconductor elements to convert electric power are packaged into one unit to be able to drive a permanent-magnet synchronous motor is contained in the 4-in-1 inverter unit. Thereby, individual control of inverters and reducing the size of the entire apparatus can be achieved for the electric-vehicle control apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Shinichi TODA, Ikuo YASUOKA, Yosuke NAKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20120319625
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a motor control system includes a rectifier module enclosed in a first flame-proof enclosure, and having a first input and one or more rectifier circuits configured to convert a first AC voltage at the first input to a DC voltage to be output to a DC bus, and one or more variable-frequency drive (VFD) modules, each VFD module being enclosed in a respective second flame-proof enclosure and having a second input coupled to the DC bus, where each VFD module includes one or more inverter circuits configured to convert the DC voltage on the DC bus to a second AC voltage to be output to one or more motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: SANY HEAVY EQUIPMENT, USA R&D INSTITUTE
    Inventors: David G. Thomas, Hugh Boggs, JR., Michael Twigger
  • Patent number: 8334668
    Abstract: A machine motion control system includes a number of moving parts for securing test electronic devices, a machine and an axis control card mounted on the machine. The machine includes a number of servo modules and a number of sensing units. The servo modules drive and control the corresponding moving parts on the machine. Each sensing unit is electrically connected to a corresponding moving part; the sensing units are operable to sense and transmit location information of the moving parts and the machine. The axis control card is electrically connected to the moving parts, the machine, and the sensing units. The axis control card receives location information of each moving part and processes the location information to generate a corresponding command signal, and transmits the generated command signal to the servo modules to control and adjust the moving parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jia-Bin Wang, Hua-Yong Xu, Guo-Jun Yu, Teng-Tsung Huang
  • Publication number: 20120313558
    Abstract: An inverter communication system is provided. The system includes a plurality of inverters connected to each other through a communication line, and assigned with different original identifiers for mutual distinction, wherein each of the plurality of inverters: receives a data frame transmitted through a previous inverter; selectively transmits the received data frame to a subsequent inverter; generates a data frame to be transmitted when data to be transmitted to a specific inverter occur; and transmits the generated data frame to a subsequent inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Bong Ki Lee
  • Publication number: 20120297819
    Abstract: A control system is described that includes a first rotating machine, a second rotating machine, and a motor controller physically mounted to and communicatively coupled with the first rotating machine and communicatively coupled with the second rotating machine. The motor controller includes a first PWM generator operable to generate a first set of pulse width modulated signals for application to the first rotating machine, and a second PWM generator operable to generate a second set of pulse modulated signals for application to the second rotating machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, Ludovic Andre Chretien
  • Publication number: 20120299513
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine having plural rotary elements in a non-coaxial arrangement is disclosed. The rotary electric machine includes a housing assembly, at least one stator frame mounted in the housing assembly, at least one stator winding wound on the at least one stator frame, and at least two rotors mounted in the housing assembly having axes of rotation that are non-coaxial, wherein each of the at least two rotors is mechanically decoupled from the other rotors such that each of the at least two rotors rotates independent from one another. The rotary electric machine also includes a control unit, with the control unit including at least one electronic control electrically connected to the at least one stator winding. The control unit is configured to control an exchange of power to or from each of the at least one stator windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventor: John R. Casey
  • Publication number: 20120265390
    Abstract: Controller assemblies and packaging for electronic control systems of electric motors utilized in utility vehicles or other power equipment are disclosed. The controller assemblies are packaged for robust design and heat dissipation, while collectively housing the controllers, switches and sensors needed to operate multiple motors performing different functions, or the same function in serial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Christopher K. Wyatt, Michael Todd, Donald Rousser, Ivan E. Fox, Josh Butler
  • Publication number: 20120256567
    Abstract: A motor drive control system connected to an alternating current/direct current conversion circuit which converts alternating-current voltage or alternating current to direct-current voltage or direct current are provided. A control circuit controls supply or stop of the supply of the direct-current voltage or direct current from the alternating current/direct current conversion circuit to the first number of first direct current/alternating current conversion circuits and the second number of second direct current/alternating current conversion circuits while maintaining the total of the outputs of the first number of motors and the outputs of the second number of motors at a certain power not more than power which can be supplied from the alternating current/direct current conversion circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki MASUDA, Kiichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 8278848
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of motors, a controller which generates control signals to control the plurality of motors and output the control signals, and a plurality of motor drivers which control corresponding motors among the plurality of motors if the enable signal among the control signal is input, and does not control the motors although the common signal is input if the enable signal is not input. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus may control a plurality of motors which is not necessary to be driven at the same time using an enable signal and thus the motors may be effectively controlled with low expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SAMSUNG Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ho-bin Hwang