Plural, Diverse Motor Controls Patents (Class 318/53)
  • Patent number: 11912160
    Abstract: In an inverter generator controller, residual charge of a battery is detected and generated power output is detected. Then, low-load charging of the battery is implemented if the detected generated power output of the engine generator unit is equal to or greater than the detected load output demand and the detected generated power output of the engine generator unit is less than the predetermined low-load value a, when the detected residual charge of the battery is equal to or less than the first threshold value. When the detected residual charge of the battery becomes greater than the first threshold value, the low-load charging of the battery is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiko Kiyohiro, Taiyo Onodera, Minoru Maedako
  • Patent number: 11065979
    Abstract: This disclosure describes at least embodiments of an aircraft monitoring system for an electric or hybrid airplane. The aircraft monitoring system can be constructed to enable the electric or hybrid aircraft to pass certification requirements relating to a safety risk analysis. The aircraft monitoring system can have different subsystems for monitoring and alerting of failures of a component, such as a battery pack, a motor controller, and/or a motors. The failures that pose a greater safety risk may be monitored and indicated by one or more subsystems without use of programmable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: H55 SA
    Inventors: Sébastien Demont, Bastian Dani
  • Patent number: 11066865
    Abstract: An automated sliding window mechanism is disclosed. An automated sliding window mechanism includes a motor attached to a first component of a sliding window and configured to open and close the sliding window, a controller that controls the motor, and at least two air pressure sensors in communication with a processor. If the window is open, based on signals from the air pressure sensors, the processor determines whether a draft is flowing through the window. If the window is closed, based on signals from the air pressure sensor, the processor determines whether a draft would flow through the window if opened. The processor sends a signal to the controller to either open or close the window, depending on whether a user has elected to have a draft flow through the window. In a preferred embodiment, a system is provided with at least two automated windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Emily Brimhall, Austin Carlson, Jerome Miles
  • Patent number: 11021852
    Abstract: A method for controlling a current distribution between multiple electric motor devices in a current sharing system of an electrically driven construction machine is described. The method comprises estimating a first current demand for a first electric motor device powered by a battery system and estimating a second current demand for a second electric motor device powered by the battery system. The method comprises determining an available amount of current available in the current sharing system. The method comprises splitting the available amount of current into a first portion for driving the first electric motor device and a second portion for driving the second electric motor device. The splitting is based on the estimations of the first current demand and the second current demand. A control device configured to run the method and to run a current sharing system for an electrically driven construction machine is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Guangxi LiuGong Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrew Anschutz
  • Patent number: 10962105
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes a control device that performs synchronization control of a synchronization mechanism on a vehicle, the vehicle including an input shaft, an intermediate shaft to which rotational power is transmitted, a shift gear that is synchronized with the intermediate shaft, and a synchronization mechanism that synchronizes the input side synchronization element with the output side synchronization element, and the control device includes a first synchronization mode in which the differential rotation is calculated on the basis of the rotational speed of the intermediate shaft, and a second synchronization mode in which the differential rotation is calculated on the basis of the rotational speed of the input shaft, and performs synchronization control in the first synchronization mode when performing the synchronization control, and performs the synchronization control in the second synchronization mode in a case in which the synchronization control does not proceed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsuhiro Saeki, Takayuki Kishi, Mitsuhiro Araki
  • Patent number: 10907291
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry washing (or washing and drying) machine, and a machine so operated, for determining whether an undetached laundry ring is present within the drum at the end of a washing cycle. The method includes rotating the drum at first and second rotational speeds, respectively below and above the threshold speed at which the load is centrifugally held against the drum's surface, measuring motor current/torque at each speed and comparing the measured values. Optionally, a percentage change in current/torque can be calculated and the existence of the ring detected if the percentage change is above/below a predetermined threshold value. Optionally, speed variation of the drum at each threshold speed can be determined and this information also used in the determination of whether the ring exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Shan Chai
  • Patent number: 10399828
    Abstract: An electrically driven winch device includes a winch drum, a plurality of axial-gap electric motors, and a drive shaft. The winch drum rotates around a drum axis in order to wind or unwind a work rope. The plurality of electric motors are electric motors configured to drive the winch drum to rotate, and are each provided with a stator, and rotors which rotate around a rotation axis and are disposed at an axial distance from the stator. The drive shaft is disposed coaxially with the drum axis and serially connects the rotors of the plurality of electric motors on the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignees: Kobe Steel, Ltd., KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Hiekata, Koji Inoue, Hiroaki Kawai, Shintaroh Sasai, Tetsuya Ogawa, Toshiro Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10374525
    Abstract: A multiple drive for a heavy load application includes a plurality of drive trains which are activated such that individual ones of the plurality of drive trains are successively activated automatically during startup of the heavy load application as part of a predefined activation strategy according to a predefined activation scheme and an activation sequence defined therein. In the event of a repeated start of the heavy-load application, a different activation scheme can be used for the activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: FLENDER GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Kube
  • Patent number: 10317247
    Abstract: The fenestration unit monitoring apparatus with tethers are configured to retrofit an existing fenestration unit to incorporate components that are capable of monitoring the locked or unlocked status of the existing lock assembly and/or the panel position status of a movable panel of the fenestration unit. The fenestration unit monitoring apparatus include a lock status sensor located on a tether such that the lock status sensor can be positioned within an existing fenestration unit lock assembly when a monitor housing of the fenestration unit monitoring apparatus is located on the fenestration unit adjacent the fenestration unit lock assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: ANDERSEN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chad Wernlund, David Plummer
  • Patent number: 9896875
    Abstract: A window frame supports a central panel, with two adjacent pivoting side panels. The pivoting side panel includes two frames coupled by a hinge. Two side panel pivot actuators couple to the pivoting side panels. Movable awnings support photovoltaic modules to provide a power source. An awning open-close actuator couples to the movable awnings. Indoor and outdoor sensors send measurements to the controller that, based on the measurements, selectively operates the awning open-close actuator and the side panel pivot actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Inventors: Masoud Valinejadshoubi, Alireza Bozorgi, Saeideh Bagheri rad
  • Patent number: 9484852
    Abstract: An electrified powertrain includes an electric motor having four or more coils corresponding to four or more AC phases and configured to generate drive torque to propel an electrified vehicle. The electrified powertrain also includes a low voltage electrical system comprising independent battery modules each configured to output a separate low DC voltage, and a power inverter module (PIM) configured to receive each of the separate low DC voltages from the battery modules, generate a separate low AC voltage for each AC phase using all of or fewer than all of the separate low DC voltages, and output the separate low AC voltages to the coils of the electric motor to drive the electric motor to generate the drive torque to propel the electrified vehicle, wherein none of the separate low DC voltages are electrically isolated and none of the separate AC voltages are considered high voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Adam Timmons, Anand Sathyan, Marian Mirowski
  • Patent number: 9342144
    Abstract: A rate-of-change mouse (420, 720) positions a cursor (388, 724) of a display device or monitor (390, 726) in response to a user actuating transducers (16, 17, 422A, 422B, 722A, 722), and performs switching functions, such as left click, right click, or click and drag mouse-switching functions, when a rate-of-change of an electrical signal of one of the transducers (16, 17, 422A, 422B, 722A, or 722B) exceeds a predetermined limit. In addition, macro select, “hot key” actuation, and any other selected switching functions are actuated by moving a body member such as a head (18), hand (64), or finger (67) more rapidly. Optionally, more rapidly actuating one or both of the transducers (16, 17, 422A, 422B, 722A, 722B), in selected directions and/or in selected sequences, accesses and controls augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC) devices, environmental control units (ECUs) (14), and/or accesses and controls power wheelchairs (12), and/or accesses and controls other apparatus (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Intellipro LLC
    Inventor: John Lyle Lautzenhiser
  • Patent number: 8981698
    Abstract: An apparatus for opening and/or closing a door of a domestic appliance, such as, for example, an oven, a refrigerator and the like, has a drive apparatus for the automatic opening and/or closing of the door and an actuating device which is operable by a user for activating the drive apparatus in order to open or to close the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bruno Fuhge
  • Patent number: 8924017
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention discloses an apparatus for recyclable absorption of electric retardation energy from a multiple axis industrial robotics system, including a robot control unit and at least one drive unit, which generates the electrical retardation energy at retardation. By an apparatus according to the present invention, the electric retardation energy, which occurs when a drive unit is retarded and is transferred into generator mode, may be recycled by the brake unit of the apparatus, which accelerates a mechanical device connected to the brake unit. The electric retardation energy is thus transferred into kinetic energy that may be stored in mechanical devices. An embodiment of the present invention also refers to a corresponding method for recyclable absorption of electric retardation energy from a multiple axis industrial robotics system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Aros Electronics AB
    Inventors: Jerker Hellström, Magnus Wide
  • Patent number: 8907596
    Abstract: A first motor controller generates commanded speeds of a first rotor of a first electric motor for a first time interval and a second time interval. A first speed monitor detects observed speeds of the first rotor for the time intervals. A first ratio is determined based on a relationship between respective commanded speeds and corresponding observed speeds for the first time interval and the second time interval. A first data processor increments a persistence counter for the first motor if the first ratio increases or changes during the time intervals. A first motor deceleration is estimated if the persistence counter exceeds a stall limit count. A target rotor speed of a second motor is adjusted based on the estimated first motor rate of change to track the first motor rate of change (or first rotor speed) if the persistence counter exceeds the stall limit count.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Troy W. Harris, III, Jacob Kallara
  • 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: 8872447
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an operation of a power door of a vehicle are presented. An activation of a user interface device associated with the power door is detected. A cue is provided using a notification device after detecting the activation of the user interface device. In one implementation, the notification device includes an audible alarm. When the user interface device is activated for greater than a predetermined time period, the power door is caused to be in a power mode of operation, and the notification device is used to indicate a current operational mode of the power door. In one implementation, when the user interface device is deactivated within the predetermined time period, the power door is caused to be in a manual mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael D Oakley, Craig T Kline, Dean A. Scott, Jr., Hideaki Arai, Joseph P Whinnery, Saeed Namakydoost, Yoshitomo Ihashi, Trevor Scott Whitten, Makoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 8860335
    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. 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 capacitance. The distributed motor drive system also includes a link inductance between the power management module and the inverters to limit the amount of reactive current generated by the inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Gries, Mark R. Cooper, Rangarajan Tallam, Garrett B. Rodrigues
  • 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: 8810164
    Abstract: In a vehicle door, an opening/closing control device is provided. In the device, a controller is connected to an input current path connected to a vehicle battery. By a switching relay circuit, electricity is supplied from the vehicle battery to a closing motor or a release motor selectively. Between the switching relay circuit and the closing motor, a closing relay circuit is provided. If electricity is supplied to the closing motor, the closing relay circuit will be switched to ON where electricity is supplied to the closing motor or OFF where electricity is not supplied to the closing motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsui Kinzoku Act Corporation
    Inventor: Haruo Kamiya
  • 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: 20140009087
    Abstract: An actuator (1M, 1S) with a motor (12) and a motor controller (11) is configurable to operate as a master or a slave to another actuator which is coupled mechanically for driving a common load. For the case where the actuator (1M) is set as the master, the motor controller (11) receives on an input terminal (Y3) an external position control signal (pC), generates a motor control signal (sC) for controlling the motor (12) based on the position control signal (pC), and supplies the motor control signal (sC) to an output terminal (U5) for controlling a slave. For the case where the actuator (1S) is set as the slave, the motor controller (11) controls the motor (12) by supplying to the motor (12) the motor control signal (sC) received from the master. Controlling the actuators with a master improves workload balancing and reduces damages to transmission mechanics of the actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: BELIMO HOLDING AG
    Inventors: Paul F. Guyer, Atilla Beker, Beat Weber
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8228009
    Abstract: A twin motor actuator includes a pair of motor controllers for controlling respective motors according to commands received by each motor controller, and a communication link for communicating the commands received by each motor controller to the other motor controller. The motor controllers are configured to transmit the commands received by the motor controller to the other motor controller via the communication link, determine whether contradictory commands have been received by the motor controllers, and control the motors at a defined state if contradictory commands are received. The communication link is an electrically isolated communication link and the defined state may be the state of the motors immediately before detecting the contradictory commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Purcell, James G. French, John I. Shedd
  • Patent number: 8212502
    Abstract: A first motor generator-control unit (MG1-ECU) and a second motor generator-control unit (MG2-ECU) are provided independently for respective motor generators. The MG2-ECU performs electric power balance control by correcting an MG2 torque command value as required, so that the sum of the MG1 electric power and the MG2 electric power is within a range of allowable input/output electric power of a DC power supply. The electric power balance control is performed using an estimate of the MG1 electric power based on data obtained by the MG1-ECU. The estimate is determined so that a communication delay time between the MG1-ECU and the MG2-ECU is corrected. In this way, the electric power balance control can be performed appropriately for restricting, within a predetermined range, the total input/output electric power of the electric motors as a whole of a hybrid vehicle mounted with a plurality of motor generators (electric motors).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Yamada, Takeshi Itoh
  • Publication number: 20120161676
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling aircraft electrical power are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes an electric motor, an aircraft load coupled to the electric motor and powered by the electric motor, and a motor controller coupled to the electric motor to vary an output of the electric motor. The motor controller is changeable among a fixed number of preset controller modes, with individual controller modes corresponding to an operation mode of the aircraft and a non-zero output level of the electric motor. In further embodiments, motor controllers can be substituted for each other, e.g., in the event one motor controller becomes unoperational.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. White, David K. Toy, J. Everett Groat
  • Patent number: 8193747
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling two alternating current (AC) machines via a five-phase PWM inverter module. The system comprises a first control loop, a second control loop, and a current command adjustment module. The current command adjustment module operates in conjunction with the first control loop and the second control loop to continuously adjust current command signals that control the first AC machine and the second AC machine such that they share the input voltage available to them without compromising the target mechanical output power of either machine. This way, even when the phase voltage available to either one of the machines decreases, that machine outputs its target mechanical output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, James M. Nagashima, Milun Perisic, Silva Hiti
  • Patent number: 8183812
    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: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Larry R. Gordon
  • Patent number: 8130478
    Abstract: A power limiting system for multiple electric motors includes an electrical power generating component, such as an alternator, and a plurality of motor controllers connected to an electrical bus. Each motor controller compares the voltage on the bus to a specified minimum voltage and a specified maximum voltage, and reduces its electric power output if the voltage on the bus is less than the maximum voltage while continuing to operate the electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Clement Vanden Godbold, Patrick Wilson Cross
  • Patent number: 8093851
    Abstract: A fan module, especially a fan module which may reduce a rotating speed of a fan automatically when an object with static electricity gets into the fan is provided. The fan module includes a frame, a fan, an electrostatic induction unit and a controller. The fan is disposed in the frame, and the electrostatic induction unit is disposed on the frame and adjacent to the fan. The controller is electrically coupled to the electrostatic induction unit. When an object with static electricity gets into the electrostatic induction unit, the electrostatic induction unit outputs a sensing value to the controller. The controller determines whether to reduce the rotating speed of the fan according to the sensing value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Jia-Lin Yang, Fou-Ming Liou
  • Patent number: 8040081
    Abstract: If any short-circuit failure occurs in an inverter, then a motor generator is used to execute a safety driving. If the rotational speed of a motor generator calculated from a detection value of a position sensor exceeds a predetermined reference rotational speed during the safety driving, an MGECU turns on all of the switching elements connected in parallel to a switching element in which a short-circuit failure occurs with respect to a power supply line. If the rotational speed is equal to or less than the reference rotational speed, the MGECU turns on only the switching elements connected in series to the switching element in which the short-circuit failure occurs. In this way, any excessive currents can be prevented from occurring in the inverter without restricting the safety driving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomoko Shimana
  • Patent number: 7965051
    Abstract: A user selectable optional power tinting system. A typical OPTS includes a user selection interface operable to allow a user to select a tinting option from a plurality of tinting options, a panel selection assembly coupled to the user selection interface and operable to engage a window panel corresponding to an option selected by the user selection interface, an actuator motor operable to engage the panel selection assembly when an option is selected from the user selection interface, and a plurality of differently tinted panels operable to be engaged by the panel selection assembly when an option is selected from the user selection interface, each differently tinted panel corresponding to one of the plurality of tinting options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Inventors: Wayne Walker, Earnie Lee Walker
  • Patent number: 7965003
    Abstract: A motor drive system 10-1 for a railway vehicle is capable of reducing the weight of wiring, electromagnetic noise, and manufacturing cost. The motor drive system includes an inverter 11. The inverter is configured to control a motor 13-1 and is divided into at least two separate inverter units that are arranged integrally with the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Yosuke Nakazawa, Shinichi Noda, Kazuaki Yuuki, Kazuaki Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7948192
    Abstract: A dual redundant permanent magnet type dynamoelectric machine includes a dual flux throttle system to selectively disable one of a first motor and a second motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Himmelmann
  • Patent number: 7928673
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of different motors used in a corresponding plurality of power tool applications requiring different operational characteristics. In one implementation a method involves the use of a single universal control module to store a generic, non-application-specific control algorithm. The generic, non-application-specific control algorithm has at least one programmable constant. The programmable constant is selected to transform the generic, non-application-specific control algorithm into an application-specific control algorithm. The programmable constant represents a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application to implement a phase control over the specific, selected motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel G. Woods, Michael K. Forster, John C. Vanko, Daniele C. Brotto, Brian R. Crowell, Jason K. Leh
  • Patent number: 7923944
    Abstract: A motor control processor is provided for motor phase current sampling of multiple variable frequency controlled electric motors, and includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and a controller. The A/D converter has multiple analog inputs and generates a digital output signal in response to the multiple analog inputs. The controller is coupled to the A/D converter and determines a maximum desired switching frequency for a first one of the multiple variable frequency controlled electric motors. The controller further selects a base period in response to the maximum desired switching frequency and defines a phase shift time delay as a fraction of the base period so the controller may control the multiple analog inputs of the A/D converter to sample motor phase currents of each of the multiple variable frequency controlled electric motors at sample times determined by the controller in response to the base period and the phase shift time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Schulz, Terry Murrell
  • Patent number: 7895701
    Abstract: An opposite type wiper apparatus which can prevent interference of each wiper blade even if reference position data is lost. When at least one of reference position data memory sections is in abnormal condition, angle range calculation sections correct operation angle ranges of a DR-side and an AS-side wiper motor so as to shift an upper and a lower reversal positions of a DR-side and an AS-side wiper blade toward storage positions, and so as to make a correction value from the AS-side angle range calculation section larger than a correction value from the DR-side angle range calculation section. Therefore, even when reference position data individually memorized in reference position data memory sections are lost, the DR-side and the AS-side wiper blades can be prevented from interfering with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: MITSUBA Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Amagasa, Takashi Kondo, Toru Namiki
  • Patent number: 7854142
    Abstract: An air conditioner having two compressors enables, when one compressor is started, the phase advance capacitor for the other compressor to be temporarily separated and used in parallel with the phase advance capacitor for the one compressor. These compressors can have an increased starting torque without using a starting capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Hatano, Hideyuki Kanzaki, Yoshihito Yamada
  • Patent number: 7855477
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for preventing displacement of a retainer in a rolling guide by making use of the property of the retainer of moving half the distance of a moving object, such as a table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Toshiba Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takanobu Akiyama
  • Patent number: 7847495
    Abstract: A hybrid automobile, wherein a second power source operated with less frequency can be forcibly operated. The hybrid automobile comprises a storage battery as a first power source. The hybrid automobile further comprises an engine and a motor generator or a fuel cell as the second power source. When the hybrid automobile is run by the first power source, a driver can change over an operation mode to a running by the second power source by operating an input device. The hybrid automobile further comprises a notification means for prompting the driver to operate the input device when the non-operating time of the second power source exceeds a predetermined time or longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7847494
    Abstract: In particular in articles of furniture having at least an element which may be adjusted with a DC motor, preferably via a mechanical transmission, it is desirable to have a level of acoustic noise as low as possible. The power supply to the DC motor is based on a transformer with rectification and smoothing. With the invention it has surprisingly been found that the level of acoustic noise may be reduced significantly in that the secondary side of the transformer has a first control to compensate for the loss in the motor, thereby keeping the speed thereof constant for a long period of time, and a second control adapted to remove the ripple in the voltage, thereby keeping the speed of the motor constant for a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Jeppe Bastholm
  • Publication number: 20100188028
    Abstract: In the case of speed-regulated high-power drives and with simultaneously high demands on accuracy or dynamics, the object of the invention is to reduce a very high level of complexity of the power electronics (high clock frequency), the motor (high precision) and mechanical transmission (low-play transmission elements). For this purpose, the invention proposes a drive device for rotational and/or t translational movements. The drive has a plurality of drives for the joint, mechanically coupled driving of a working machine or for moving a mass. It also has a control device. At least one drive is intended to provide the power (as a power drive). At least one further drive is provided and mechanically coupled as a servo-drive for controlling or regulating the accuracy and/or dynamics of the overall drive. The control device controls and regulates the at least two mechanically coupled drives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: LENZE AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventor: Carsten Fraeger
  • Patent number: 7714523
    Abstract: A load driving device controls two motors by PWM signals. When a standard duty ratio of the PWM signals is 50% and a level of a drive instruction is the standard duty ratio, the standard duty ratio are output to the respective motors to provide a reverse phase relationship that the PWM signal of the standard duty ratio does not overlap. A continuous off-period and the standard PWM signal output when the level of the drive instruction is lower than the standard, and the continuous on-period and the standard PWM signal output when the level of the drive instruction is higher than the standard are changed over at the ratios corresponding to the level of the drive instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kouji Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7646155
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a motor utilizing a generic motor control module. The method includes sampling at least one motor operating criterion during operation of the motor and executing a generic control algorithm at a predetermined periodic interval. Execution of the algorithm provides a firing angle, duty cycle, or other suitable control function solution for an electronic valve for each periodic interval, thereby controlling the behavior of the motor. Additionally, the method includes firing the electronic valve at the calculated timing during each periodic interval such that the motor functions in accordance with desired motor operational parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Balck & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel G Woods, Michael K Forster, John C Vanko, Daniele C Brotto, Brian R Crowell, Jason K Leh
  • Patent number: 7640084
    Abstract: A method and system for adaptively controlling a hybrid vehicle comprises a recorder for recording a historical load or duty cycle of vehicle during or after operation of the vehicle. A classifier classifies the historical load in accordance with a load category. A controller assigns at least one of a current control curve and a slew rate control curve associated with the load category for a defined time period after the recording of the historical load or if the vehicle is presently operating generally consistent with the load category. At least one of the current control curve and the slew rate control curve, or data representative thereof, are used to control an operation of an electric drive motor of the vehicle for the defined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James William Musser
  • Patent number: 7583037
    Abstract: The present invention is a mobile storage unit including an electric motor operably connected to wheels movably supporting the unit, and a motor brake operably connected to the electric motor. A shaft is rotatably mounted to the unit and supports the wheels on which the unit moves, and is engaged with an electric motor. The electric motor operates to rotate the shaft and the wheels to move the unit in the desired direction. Upon deactivation of the motor, the motor brake, which is also engaged with the shaft, operates to prevent any further rotation of the shaft to maintain the mobile storage unit in a specified location regardless of deflection of the surface on which the storage unit is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Spacesaver Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Bourke, Steven M. Lehmann, Brian R. Nemec
  • Patent number: 7560881
    Abstract: An electric drive fuel control system and method for controlling a total drive torque supplied to a fuel metering pump includes a first main drive motor, a second main drive motor, and a backup drive motor, all coupled to the fuel metering pump. The operability of a main motor control to control electric current supply to the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor is determined. If the main motor control is operable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from the backup motor and either the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor. If the main motor control is inoperable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from only the backup drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce Anson
  • Patent number: 7521880
    Abstract: A recording apparatus including: (a) a recording head unit for performing a dot recording operation by activation of the actuators; (b) a main circuit for outputting a plurality of sets of drive waveform signals; and (c) a head driver unit for receiving the sets of drive waveform signals outputted from the main circuit, generating a drive signal based on one of the drive waveform signals that is selected from among each of the received sets of drive waveform signals, and supplying the generated drive signal to each actuator of the recording head. The main circuit transmits a single set of waveform data signals containing data representative of the plurality of sets of drive waveform signals, to the head driver unit. The head driver unit includes a waveform signal retriever operable to retrieve the plurality of sets of drive waveform signals from the single set of waveform data signals, with reference to reference signals, so that the head driver unit receives the plurality of sets of drive waveform signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7519440
    Abstract: A position of a motion control axis is monitored and an output device responsive to the position of the motion control axis is controlled. The controlling further includes latching an electronic cam element that controls the output device, and unlatching the cam element that controls the output device. The manner in which the latching is performed and the manner in which the unlatching is performed are configurable in a programming interface. The programming interface is capable of receiving a latch position for the cam element and an unlatch position for the cam element. The programming interface is further capable of receiving additional configuration information to configure the manner in which the latching is performed and different additional configuration information to separately configure the manner in which the unlatching is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen K. Weinhofer, Jacob S. Baker, Kendal R. Harris
  • Publication number: 20090058326
    Abstract: A hybrid automobile, wherein a second power source operated with less frequency can be forcibly operated. The hybrid automobile comprises a storage battery as a first power source. The hybrid automobile further comprises an engine and a motor generator or a fuel cell as the second power source. When the hybrid automobile is run by the first power source, a driver can change over an operation mode to a running by the second power source by operating an input device. The hybrid automobile further comprises a notification means for prompting the driver to operate the input device when the non-operating time of the second power source exceeds a predetermined time or longer. Furthermore, the hybrid automobile comprise a control means which, when the remaining amount of energy of the second power source is less than a predetermined amount, stops the changeover of the operation mode from a running by the first power source to the running by the second power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hichirosai Oyobe, Makoto Nakamura