Plural Speed Patents (Class 318/772)
  • Patent number: 11165374
    Abstract: A sensor-less detection circuit includes a first voltage adjustment circuit providing a first output voltage at a first node using one of three input voltages. A second voltage adjustment circuit provides a second output voltage at a second node using all three, or only two, of the three input voltages. The second voltage adjustment circuit acts as an internal virtual neutral point for detecting a zero crossing event of the motor. A differential amplifier is coupled with the first and second nodes and outputs a third output voltage at a third node. A reference buffer has a reference voltage input and provides a fourth output voltage at a fourth node. A comparator is coupled with the third and fourth nodes and outputs a fifth output voltage at a fifth node, the fifth voltage indicating a zero cross event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Satoshi Yokoo
  • Patent number: 11079132
    Abstract: A system and method for managing power consumption of HVAC system includes a transfer switch, a detector interface and an HVAC controller of the HVAC system. The transfer switch is configured to switch a power line supplied to a load between a utility power source and a backup power source. The detector interface is in communication with the transfer switch or a controller of the backup power source and the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller is configured to receive data regarding the switching of power line supplied to the load between the utility power source and the backup power source and control an operation of components of the HVAC system based on the capacity of power source, thereby manages or lowers the power consumption of HVAC system. The detector interface is configured to provide switching information and capacity of the backup power source to the HVAC controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Trane International Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel John Blair
  • Patent number: 10756666
    Abstract: An electric-motor driving apparatus according to the present invention is the electric-motor driving apparatus that drives an electric motor having a winding structure in which a first multi-phase winding and a second multi-phase winding are wound and includes a first DC/AC converter connected to the first multi-phase winding and applying a multi-phase alternating-current voltage to the electric motor, a second DC/AC converter connected to the second multi-phase winding and applying a multi-phase alternating-current voltage to the electric motor, a first three-phase switching unit to perform connecting and disconnecting between phases of the first multi-phase winding, a second three-phase switching unit to perform connecting and disconnecting between phases of the second multi-phase winding, and a winding switching unit to perform connecting and disconnecting between the first multi-phase winding and the second multi-phase winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Arisawa, Shinya Toyodome, Shigeo Umehara
  • Patent number: 10630219
    Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric motor includes a first filter, a rectifier, an inverter, and a line contactor. The first filter is configured to be coupled to an AC source and produces a filtered line frequency AC signal. The rectifier is coupled to the filter and produces a DC signal from the filtered line frequency AC signal. The inverter is coupled to the rectifier and produces an AC signal on an output node of the inverter. The AC signal is supplied to the electric motor to energize its stator windings. The line contactor is coupled between an output node of the first filter and the output node of the inverter. The line contactor supplies the output node of the inverter directly with the filtered line frequency AC signal to energize the stator windings when the inverter is disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Joseph Stephen Carnes
  • Patent number: 10536062
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a main winding coupled to a first line terminal, and first and second boost windings coupled in series to the main winding. A high-speed lead wire is coupled to a first tap between the main winding and the first boost winding, a medium-speed lead wire is coupled to a second tap between the first boost winding and the second boost winding, and a low-speed lead wire is coupled to a third tap after the second boost winding. A start winding has a first end coupled to the first line terminal and a second end. A capacitor has a first end series-coupled to the second end of the start winding and a second end coupled to the second tap. A switch coupled to a second line terminal is configured to couple the second line terminal to one of the high, medium, and low-speed lead wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventor: William Eugene Blatterman
  • Patent number: 10523140
    Abstract: A power tool is provided including: an electric brushless direct current (BLDC) motor having rotor and a stator defining phases; a power unit including a first switch circuit connected electrically between a first power supply and the motor, and a second switch circuit connected electrically between a second power supply and the motor; and a controller configured to control a switching operation of the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit to regulate a supply of power from at least one of the first power supply and/or the second power supply to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Cox
  • Patent number: 10277157
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-held electrically driven domestic appliance and to a corresponding method for controlling the hand-held electrically driven domestic appliance. The domestic appliance includes an electric motor for driving the domestic appliance; a control unit for controlling the motor; a first actuation element for outputting a first control signal to the control unit in order to select a motor control mode; and a second actuation element for outputting a second control signal to the control unit. The control unit is designed to select a motor actuation mode from the specified motor actuation modes on the basis of the first control signal, and the control unit is designed to determine a motor actuation signal to be output to the motor on the basis of the selected motor actuation mode and the second control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: DE'LONGHI BRAUN HOUSEHOLD GMBH
    Inventors: Christian Schroeder, Christoph Eissengarthen, Sabine Buhl-Remmel, Christof Kleemann
  • Patent number: 10241152
    Abstract: A method of determining electromagnetic characteristics of an asynchronous motor system is described. A motor system model is presented including a stator resistance, a transient inductance, a magnetizing inductance and a rotor resistance. A DC sequence is used to determine the stator resistance, a voltage pulse is used to determine the transient inductance, a binary injection frequency search algorithm is used to determine the magnetizing inductance, and an AC sine wave at slip frequency with DC offset is used to determine the rotor resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventors: Mark A. Bertolasi, Michael Harke, Charles J. Romenesko, Shaohua Suo
  • Patent number: 10061276
    Abstract: A machine learning system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a state observer for observing the winding temperature, winding resistance, current value, and rotor magnetic flux density of a magnetization unit having a magnetizing yoke and windings; a reward calculator for calculating a reward from the rotor magnetic flux density obtained by the state observer; and a learning unit for updating an action value table based on a magnetization rate calculated from the rotor magnetic flux density and a target magnetic flux density, the winding temperature, and the winding resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Makoto Funakubo
  • Patent number: 10014811
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for correcting a current reference, and more particularly, to an apparatus for correcting a current reference including a calculation unit configured to set a first torque reference section and a second torque reference section using candidate values of a correction factor that corrects the current reference so as to enable the current reference to satisfy rated operating conditions of the induction machine, and calculate the correction factor according to a section, in which the torque reference is included, of the first torque reference section and the second torque reference section, and a correction unit configured to correct the current reference using the correction factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mi-Rim Jeon
  • Patent number: 9983515
    Abstract: A rotation-information detecting device including: a rotatable rotary member having plural detection target portions arranged at predetermined intervals over an entire circumference of the rotary member; two detectors that are fixedly arranged at two positions of the rotary member in a rotating direction, and can detect the detection target portions; and a computation unit that computes rotation information of the rotary member based on detection information, wherein the two detectors are arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotary member at an interval of an angle of ?/N, and wherein the computation unit includes an offset calculating section that offsets an eccentric error of the rotary member based on outputs of the two detectors at a current time point and n outputs at time points back from the current time point by phases of (n?)/N, to calculate a true rotational error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Matsuduki, Osamu Shimizu, Takashi Saeki, Teruki Kishimoto, Shinji Kawashima
  • Patent number: 9752615
    Abstract: A method of commutating a motor includes operatively interfacing a stator and actuated component of the motor, arranging at least two winding sets relative to the actuated component, and independently controlling the at least two winding sets so that with the at least two winding sets the actuated component is both driven and centered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Hosek, Jairo Terra Moura, Christopher Hofmeister
  • Patent number: 9548689
    Abstract: A control apparatus having high control performance is provided. A control apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is a control apparatus that controls a DC motor, including a first current detection system that detects a current value of the DC motor, a second current detection system that detects a current value of the DC motor, and a control unit that controls the DC motor based on a signal indicating a current value input from the first or second current detection system, in which the second current detection system includes an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yo Terashita, Tomohiro Usui
  • Patent number: 9397603
    Abstract: An electric motor including a first conductive winding, a second conductive winding, a rotor, and a controller is disclosed. When energized by an AC source, the first conductive winding generates a first magnetic field. The second conductive winding, which is configured to be selectively energized by the AC source via one or more switches, is arranged so as to generate a second magnetic field superimposed with the first magnetic field when so energized. The rotor magnetically interacts with the first magnetic field, or the superimposed first magnetic field and second magnetic field, such that a torque is applied on the rotor. The controller is configured to: (i) obtain a measurement of a voltage of the AC source; (ii) make a determination, based on the measurement, whether to energize the second conductive winding; and (iii) energize the second conductive winding in accordance with the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: V Square/R LLC
    Inventors: Leo F. Valenti, James C. Daly, Thomas J. Valenti
  • Patent number: 9301362
    Abstract: In order to supply power and control the power supplied to an LED (43), in particular an LED (43) comprising a ceramic support element (4, 32), an LED driver circuit (17) is designed to regulate the supply current for the LED (43) in accordance with the temperature of the support element (4, 32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: CeramTec GmbH
    Inventors: Alexander Dohn, Christian Schnagl, Alfred Thimm, Karl Degelmann, Ewald Sutor
  • Patent number: 9236756
    Abstract: An apparatus for wireless charging using radio frequency (RF) energy includes a first charger portion having first and second charging areas. The first and second charging areas are located in a common plane, each having at least one coil for wirelessly charging a charge-receiving device placed in proximity thereto. The coils include respective windings, which are wound in opposing directions, each coil being connected in series, each coil configured to charge at least one charge-receiving device. A second charger portion has a third charging area having at least one coil including a winding for wirelessly charging a charge-receiving device placed in proximity to the third charging area, the coil in the third charging area being connected in series with the coils in the first and second charging areas, the third charging area located in a plane that is orthogonal to the plane of the first and second charging areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jatupum Jenwatanavet, Ernest T. Ozaki, Zhen Ning Low
  • Patent number: 9088232
    Abstract: A controller includes a voltage determination module, a bus voltage command module, and a power factor correction (PFC) control module. The voltage determination module determines a desired direct current (DC) bus voltage for a DC bus electrically connected between a PFC module and an inverter power module that drives a motor. The voltage determination module determines the desired DC bus voltage based on at least one of torque of the motor and speed of the motor. The bus voltage command module determines a commanded bus voltage based on the desired DC bus voltage. The PFC control module controls the PFC module to create a voltage on the DC bus that is based on the commanded bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph G. Marcinkiewicz, James L. Skinner, Charles E. Green, John P. Powers
  • Patent number: 8963469
    Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting an electric motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Keith Bates, Nhan Xuan Bui, Reed Alan Hancock, Daniel James Winarski
  • Patent number: 8716968
    Abstract: A control circuit for a blender provides low-cost power conditioning through the use of a high resistance which provides temporary power for operation of low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches for a time sufficient to switch the motor on, and a lower resistance which provides sufficient power for maintaining the motor on state indefinitely as instructed by the low-voltage logic circuitry. Low average power dissipation is provided by powering the low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches using the high resistance in a standby mode and switching in the lower resistance only when the motor is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Eric K. Larson, Andy W. Tucker
  • Patent number: 8698445
    Abstract: The method for activating an asynchronous motor comprising at least two windings is provided, in order, for the purpose of a change in the rotational speed, to connect a first winding and at least one second winding by way of at least two electronic switches. On switching, both switches are opened for one or more time intervals in order to avoid current peaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventors: Jan Caroe Aarestrup, Jens Engen Soerensen, Klaus Sloth Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140084841
    Abstract: A motor drive comprises a power sub-assembly and a control sub-assembly removably secured to the power sub-assembly. The power sub-assembly contains all power electronic circuitry and driver circuitry for the power electronics. The control sub-assembly comprises control circuitry for implementing a motor control routine that generates control signals for the power sub-assembly. The control sub-assembly is configured to conform to a USB mass storage device class such that it will appear as an icon on a configuration station when coupled to the configuration station via a USB cable. Thereafter, the drive may be accessed by selecting the icon, and parameter file and data transfer may be performed, such as by drag-and-drop transfer steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS CENTER PTE. LTD.
    Inventor: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS CENTER PTE. LTD.
  • Patent number: 8598836
    Abstract: A star-delta multi-level starter is provided for controlling a starting and a slow stopping of an AC induction motor with desired quality, nevertheless changing conditions of a power supplying and a motor charge. An improving of a quality of the starting or the stopping is achieved as a result of an increasing number of power levels from two achieved in usual star-delta starter and producing effective changing of the power levels. The increasing number of the power levels is achieved by using electrical elements, such as resistors, transformers and others. The changing of the power levels is fulfilled at moments defined automatically. The changing, of the power levels may be fulfilled in any predetermined order, for example, in step-by-step increasing or decreasing order. The control system of the star-delta multi-level starter permits to use one parameter for changing desired quality of the starting, as in usual star-delta starters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventor: Ilya Yoilikovich Rabinovich
  • Patent number: 8487572
    Abstract: A control method for a brushless, three-phase DC motor. The motor may include a plurality of electromagnets and a rotor. A voltage induced by rotation of a rotor may be sampled at an expected zero crossing value to produce a first sampled voltage value. An average of a plurality of sampled voltage values, including voltage values sampled at a plurality of prior expected zero crossing values, may be calculated. A delta zero crossing error may be calculated. The delta zero crossing error may be calculated based on a difference between the first sampled voltage value and the calculated average. The plurality of electromagnets may be commutated. Commutation timing for the plurality of electromagnets may be determined based at least in part on the delta zero crossing error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation
    Inventors: Lynn R. Kern, James P. McFarland
  • Patent number: 8487580
    Abstract: A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur E. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8446119
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an electric motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the electric motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the electric motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Allen Keith Bates, Nhan Xuan Bui, Reed Alan Hancock, Wayne Isami Imaino, Daniel James Winarski
  • Patent number: 8436566
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-speed control apparatus for a fan motor. The apparatus includes a driving member, a motor speed sensing member, a resistor circuit, a voltage-division resistor, and a multi-segment switch. The driving member has a controlled end connected with the multi-segment switch. The driving member has an output end connected with the fan motor. The driving member has a detection end connected with the motor speed sensing member. The resistor circuit includes some resistors with various resistances. The multi-segment switch interconnects the resistor circuit, the voltage-division resistor, the controlled end of the driving member, and a voltage source. This switch is optionally connected to the resistor disposed in the voltage source or voltage-division resistor. An input voltage is created across the resistor by dividing the voltage. The driving member is therefore provided for driving the fan motor to a rotating speed according to the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Cooler Master Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fengquan Hu
  • Patent number: 8415910
    Abstract: An electric machine including a housing and a stator arranged within the housing. The stator includes a plurality of stator windings that define a number of phases. A switch module is mounted at the housing. The switch module includes a plurality of switch members that are operatively connected to the plurality of stator windings. The plurality of switch members are configured and disposed to selectively establish one of a first electrical connection configuration and a second electrical connection configuration of the plurality of stator windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventor: David A. Fulton
  • Patent number: 8390240
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an automotive drive system using an absolute position sensor for field-oriented control of an induction motor. An automotive drive system comprises an induction motor having a rotor, and a position sensor coupled to the induction motor. The position sensor is configured to sense an absolute angular position of the rotor. A processor may be coupled to the position sensor and configured to determine a relative angular position of the rotor based on a difference between the absolute angular position and an initial angular position obtained when the induction motor is started. A controller may be coupled to the induction motor and the processor and configured to provide field-oriented control of the induction motor based on the relative angular position of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Constantin C. Stancu, Silva Hiti, Robert T. Dawsey, Erik Hatch, Matthew D. Laba, Peter J. Savagian
  • Patent number: 8378618
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motor is described. The method includes configuring a current sensor to sense a current supplied to the motor from at least one of a plurality of power lines and to generate at least one current signal indicative of the sensed current. The method also includes coupling a processing device to the current sensor such that the processing device receives the current signal. The method also includes configuring the processing device to determine which of the plurality of power lines is active based at least partially on the current signal and generate a motor speed control signal that directs the motor to operate at the motor speed that corresponds to the active power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: SNTECH, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Zavodny, Luis D. Morales, Jared D. Zumstein
  • Patent number: 8373378
    Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides a speed control system for a motor that includes a fixed speed control portion and a variable speed control portion. The fixed speed control portion is operable to control a speed of a motor in a fixed speed mode wherein the motor is operated at a preselected fixed speed below a predetermined fixed speed mode threshold speed. The variable speed control portion is operable to control the motor in a variable speed mode wherein the motor is operated such that a speed of the motor can be selectively varied within a range between the fixed speed mode threshold speed and a maximum motor speed. The system additionally includes a switching device structured and operable to selectively switch the speed control system between the fixed speed mode and the variable speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Robert E. Steiner
  • Patent number: 8368330
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable speed drive comprising a direct-current power bus having a positive line (16) and a negative line (17), and an inverter module (14) supplied by the direct-current bus in order to supply a variable voltage to an electric load (M). The drive comprises an energy-recovery device (10) comprising a first direct-current/direct-current converter (20), the output stage of the first converter (20) being connected in series to the positive line of the direct-current bus, a second direct-current/direct-current converter (30), the input stage of the second converter (30) being connected between the positive line and the negative line of the direct-current bus, and an electric energy storage module (Cs) connected in parallel with the input stage of the first converter (20) and with the output stage of the second converter (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Baudesson, Petar Grbovic, Philippe Le Moigne
  • Patent number: 8362736
    Abstract: A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur E. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8362737
    Abstract: A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur E. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8269450
    Abstract: A winding switching apparatus includes a winding switching device and a drive circuit. The winding switching device is configured to switch a plurality of windings of an AC motor. The drive circuit is configured to control the winding switching device. The winding switching device includes a winding switch, a diode bridge, and a capacitor. The diode bridge includes a positive-side DC output terminal, a negative-side DC output terminal, and AC input terminals. The AC input terminals corresponds to respective phases of the AC motor. The positive-side and negative-side DC output terminals are respectively connected to positive-side and negative-side DC buses provided in an inverter. The AC input terminals are respectively connected to winding-switching terminals corresponding to the respective phases of the AC motor. The AC input terminals are respectively connected to phase terminals provided in the winding switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Koji Higashikawa, Kenji Yamada, Katsutoshi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 8248020
    Abstract: A starting circuit for a single-phase AC motor, consisting at least-of a rectifying and voltage-stabilizing circuit, a control circuit with a zero-cross detecting circuit and a counter, and a bidirectional thyristor. The bidirectional thyristor is serially connected to a starting winding and a starting capacitor, the bidirectional thyristor, the starting winding and the starting capacitor are connected a utility power AC input. The input end of the rectifying and voltage-stabilizing circuit is connected to the utility power AC input. The output end of the rectifying and voltage-stabilizing circuit supplies power to the control circuit. The input end of the zero-cross detecting circuit is connected to the utility power AC input. The output end of the zero-cross detecting circuit is connected to the input end of the counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Zhongshan Broad-Ocean Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong Zhao
  • Patent number: 8198853
    Abstract: A motor speed controller and a method of controller a speed of a motor are provided. The system and method include a motor and a motor controller that monitors operation of the motor based on electromotive force (EMF) conditions of the motor. The motor controller cuts a voltage to the motor, measures an electromotive force (EMF) of the motor at a predetermined time after the cutting of the voltage to the motor, and compares the measured electromotive force (EMF) to a table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventor: George Savitz
  • Patent number: 8193744
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of an AC motor by means of an AC motor speed control having a plurality of capacitors operable to be selectively coupled in parallel electrical connection, the parallel coupled capacitors operable to be coupled in series electrical connection with the AC motor, the method comprising charging the capacitors up to substantially the same predetermined voltage prior to combining the capacitors in parallel electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Aaron Dobbins, Chen Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 8049459
    Abstract: A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for direct, drop-in replacement in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system that employs a PSC motor. The blower motor assembly includes at least a neutral input and two hot AC line connections, one for connection to the heating power source and the other to the cooling power source. A sensing circuit senses which of the inputs is energized by sensing either voltage or current on the inputs. The sensing circuit delivers a corresponding signal to a motor controller to control the speed of the variable speed motor. The blower motor assembly may also be equipped with additional hot AC inputs, more than one neutral line, and several sensing circuits for sensing current or voltage in the hot inputs and/or the neutral lines for controlling various aspects of the variable speed motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur E. Woodward
  • Patent number: 8030870
    Abstract: A method for reducing the influence of a DC component in a load current of an asynchronous three-phase motor, in which the voltages of two of the three phases are controlled by adjusting firing angles of semiconductor devices of the type turning-off at zero-crossing of the current therethrough comprises the steps carried out for each said controlled phase: detecting turn-off times of the semiconductor devices, calculating a value of a change of firing angle of the semiconductor devices needed for changing the length of the time period between two subsequent turn-off times for compensating for the influence of a DC component, and determining the firing angle of said semiconductor devices in dependence of the result of this calculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Daniel Kling, Gunnar Johansson
  • Patent number: 8008882
    Abstract: A system for controlling the rotation speed of a shredder motor is disclosed. It consists of a bridge rectifier circuit, a forward/reverse controlling switch, a motor speed switch, and AC motor coils. By changing a switch, it is possible to activate the following four modes: forward fast, reverse fast, forward slow, and reverse slow. A user can thus operate a shredder at high torque and low rotation speed or high rotation speed and low torque depending on the number of sheets to be shredded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Michilin Prosperity Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Huang
  • Publication number: 20110205662
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an electric motor is provided. A plurality of switches is provided for controlling a direction of current through motor coils of the electric motor. A brushless motor control circuit is connected to each of the plurality of switches. Responsive to a request to adjust one of an angular velocity and an angular acceleration of the electric motor, the plurality of switches are activated to place the motor coils in a predetermined configuration to maximize torque or reduce a total back electromotive force (BEMF) from the motor coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Allen Keith BATES, Nhan Xuan BUI, Reed Alan HANCOCK, Wayne Isami IMAINO, Daniel James WINARSKI
  • Publication number: 20110187306
    Abstract: The method for activating an asynchronous motor comprising at least two windings is provided, in order, for the purpose of a change in the rotational speed, to connect a first winding and at least one second winding by way of at least two electronic switches. On switching, both switches are opened for one or more time intervals in order to avoid current peaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT A/S
    Inventors: Jan Caroe Aarestrup, Jens Engen Soerensen, Klaus Sloth Jensen
  • Patent number: 7911175
    Abstract: A six lead, two speed, consequent wound, single phase induction motor with a tapped auxiliary winding having a 2-pole high speed mode and 4-pole low speed mode. A portion of the auxiliary winding is connected in series with the four pole main winding. The 4-pole low speed mode has an efficiency of over 80%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Vincent Fargo, Dick Cao, Yang Xilai
  • Patent number: 7872440
    Abstract: A controller of an electric motor for improving operation efficiency in performing electric conducting control of the electric motor of an axial air-gap type is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Atarashi, Shoei Abe, Keiichi Yamamoto, Shigeru Tajima
  • Publication number: 20110006721
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling the speed and the rotation direction of an asynchronous motor (1), comprising a first circuit (7) with two bi-directional switches (T?4, T?5) individually controlled and having first conducting terminals connected to a common terminal (6) for applying a direct potential (Vcc) and having second conducting terminals that can be respectively connected to the first ends (12, 14) of windings (15, 16) of the motor stator, and a second circuit (3?) with at least two parallel bi-directional switches (T1, T2, T3) individually controlled and having first respective conducting terminals (Ki) connected to the common terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Gonthier, Raynald Achart
  • Patent number: 7848067
    Abstract: A method of controlling in-rush current to a DC motor is disclosed. The method may include operating the DC motor in a first mode including applying back-EMF across a relay coil to maintain the relay in an open configuration when the back-EMF is below a predetermined voltage. The method may also include operating the DC motor in a second mode including applying the back-EMF across the relay coil to maintain the relay in a closed configuration when the back-EMF is equal to or above the predetermined voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Robert Quincy Elliott, Michael Scott Britton, Mark Andrew Sporer
  • Patent number: 7746025
    Abstract: A variable speed motor includes a main winding including first and second main windings, and an auxiliary winding including first and second auxiliary windings, wherein the main winding and the auxiliary winding are wound on a stator to form a plurality of poles, and a plurality of relays for performing a switching operation between serial/parallel connections of the first and second main windings or the first and second auxiliary windings. The variable speed motor includes a stator on which a 4-pole winding and a 12-pole winding arc wound, a plurality of tap windings connected in series to a 4-pole main winding forming 4 poles, for extending a variable range of rotation speed of the motor during a 4-pole operation mode, and a phase control circuit for varying rotation speed of the motor by controlling a phase of an input power-supply signal during a 12-pole operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byung Keol Choi, Dong Soo Lee, Byoung Wook Min, Dong Won Kim
  • Publication number: 20100109597
    Abstract: A method for controlling the speed of an AC motor by means of an AC motor speed control having a plurality of capacitors operable to be selectively coupled in parallel electrical connection, the parallel coupled capacitors operable to be coupled in series electrical connection with the AC motor, the method comprising charging the capacitors up to substantially the same predetermined voltage prior to combining the capacitors in parallel electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Aaron Dobbins, Chen Ming Wu
  • Patent number: 7683561
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (10) for the incremental control of at least one first direct-current motor (12) for the cooling fan of a motor vehicle. Said device comprises a first (14) and a second current-limiting component (16), and a first (22), a second (24) and a third switching element (28). The inventive device is characterized in that the switching elements (22, 24, 28) connect the first (14) and the second current-limiting component (16) in such a manner that the cooling capacity of the cooling fan can be varied in at least four levels different from zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Vogt, Andreas Ewert, Michael Strupp
  • Patent number: 7671549
    Abstract: An AC motor speed controller includes a plurality of capacitors that may be selectively switched, by means of controllably conductive switches, into series electrical connection with an AC motor and an AC voltage source to control the speed of the motor. To change the speed of the motor, a control circuit renders a first switch conductive, in response to a first detected AC voltage zero crossing, to charge a first capacitor to a predetermined voltage. The control circuit then renders a second switch conductive, in response to a subsequent second detected AC voltage zero crossing, to charge a second capacitor to the predetermined voltage. The control circuit then renders both switches simultaneously conductive at a predetermined time after a subsequent third detected AC voltage zero crossing. The capacitors will thereby be charged to the same voltage prior to being switched into series with the motor, thereby resulting in reduced acoustic noise when changing motor speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Aaron Dobbins, Chen Ming Wu