Plural Speed Patents (Class 318/772)
  • Patent number: 7633254
    Abstract: A device for driving a single phase motor is provided. The device controls the rotation of the single phase motor according to at least a control signal. The single phase motor driving device includes a control apparatus and a detection apparatus. The control apparatus detects the rotation or stopped rotation of the single phase motor, and outputs a detection signal and at least the control signal. The detection apparatus coupled to the control apparatus generates a first comparison signal and a second comparison signal according to the detection signal, compares the first comparison signal with the second comparison signal to generate a comparison result, and then further outputs a rotation signal or a stopped rotation signal according the comparison result; wherein the control apparatus generates the at least the control signal according the rotation signal and the stopped rotation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Princeton Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Chi-Lin Hsu
  • Publication number: 20090256517
    Abstract: A system for transitioned field oriented motor control is described. The system may include a module using a current-based algorithm to estimate flux and a module using a voltage-based algorithm to estimate flux. A weighting module operates over a transition range to transition between the flux estimate using the current-based algorithm to the flux estimate using the voltage-based algorithm based on a weighted combination of the flux estimates. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew David Baglino, Troy Adam Nergaard, Heath Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7579804
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the electric angular speed of a rotor of an induction motor, wherein electric power supplied to phases of a stator of the induction motor affects the rotor, comprising the steps of: switching off the electric power supply to the phases of the stator during a particular period of time, picking-up signals corresponding to voltages at the stator phases within the particular period of time, and determining the electric angular speed of the rotor based on the picked-up signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: ZAPI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Maurizio Iotti
  • Patent number: 7521882
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a motor includes a sensing module, a modifying module and a driving module. The sensing module senses the motor to generate a sensing signal. The modifying module receives the sensing signal and generates a phase modifying signal according to the sensing signal. The driving module receives the phase modifying signal and generates a driving current to drive the motor according to the phase modifying signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Fa Chiu, Chun-Lung Chiu, Ming-Shi Tsai
  • Patent number: 7474074
    Abstract: A washing machine comprising a laundry receptacle, a variable speed induction motor driving the laundry receptacle at a wash speed and as spin speed, a drive for powering the motor, and a wye-delta switch for connecting the drive and the motor in a wye configuration during the wash cycle or a delta configuration during a spin cycle. A controller controls the speed of the motor and the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Keith I. Hoemann
  • Patent number: 7446500
    Abstract: In an anti-crease operation incorporated after the program sections wash and spin to loosen laundry in the drum, the user should be offered the possibility of being able to actively influence this operation. For selecting the adjustable parameters for the duration and sequence of the anti-crease program the user is supported by a display and can depart upward or downward from predetermined values dependent on type or textile and loading after checking for compatibility. The detachment of the laundry ring at the inner wall of the drum can be monitored by measuring valid variables of state as a criterion for loosened and disentangled laundry at the beginning of the anti-crease operation in the reversing phases and comparing these with desired data which were determined in a short analysis section installed before the beginning of the actual wash program. As a result, errors in identifying a laundry ring can be largely avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Schulze, Martina Wöbkemeier
  • Publication number: 20080246429
    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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirofumi ATARASHI, Shoei Abe, Keiichi Yamamoto, Shigeru Tajima
  • Patent number: 7420351
    Abstract: A variable speed drive for a three-phase electric motor, including a rectifier module supplying a rectified voltage from a single-phase alternating current network, a voltage step-up module supplying a regulated bus voltage, and an inverter module supplying a control voltage to the motor. The variable speed drive includes a hybrid power-factor correction device that drives the voltage step-up module and that includes a digital circuit including a voltage step-up module supplying a correction signal based on a measurement signal of the bus voltage and an analog circuit supplying a driver signal to the step-up module based on a measurement signal of the rectified voltage and based on the correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
    Inventor: Petar Grbovic
  • Patent number: 7408320
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for power control by phase gating of an AC voltage, which supplies an electrical load (14), and for reduction of harmonics which are created by the phase gating, in particular up to a region of 4 kHz, preferably in the region of the third harmonic, having a first circuit element (12) (TRIAC) which is connected in series with the load (14) and is driven by a control device (20) in order to carry out phase gating. The apparatus is distinguished in that a second circuit element (34) is provided in series with a resistance element (32), with the series circuit being arranged in parallel with the first circuit element (12) and with the control device (20) being designed such that it drives the second circuit element (34) shortly before the first circuit element (12) and switches it to the on state for a short time period. The invention also relates to a method for harmonic reduction in the range up to 4 kHz, preferably of the third harmonic, for power control by phase gating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Detlef Schulz
  • Patent number: 7382103
    Abstract: A permanent magnet brushless 3-phase motor comprises windings R, Y, B, each divided into a plurality of sections 1-5 and switch means S1-S12 for selectively connecting the section of the respective winding e.g. R in series and/or parallel with all other sections of that winding R. Control means are provided for actuating the switch means S1-S12 to connect the winding sections 1-5 in different configurations while the motor is running to alter the speed/torque characteristics of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Electronica Products Limited
    Inventors: Nabeel Ahmed Shirazee, Praveen Choudhary
  • Publication number: 20080116839
    Abstract: A washing machine comprising a laundry receptacle, a variable speed induction motor driving the laundry receptacle at a wash speed and as spin speed, a drive for powering the motor, and a wye-delta switch for connecting the drive and the motor in a wye configuration during the wash cycle or a delta configuration during a spin cycle. A controller controls the speed of the motor and the switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: EMERSON ELECTRIC CO.
    Inventor: Keith I. Hoemann
  • Publication number: 20080036416
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device and method for controlling the motor of treadmill, in which an operational frequency baseline value for the motor is pre-set in a frequency converter, according to the operational frequency of the motor being higher or lower than the pre-set baseline value, the six exiting coils of the motor would be controlled to be Y-wiring connected or ?-wiring connected, there of the motor is in Y-wiring in low speed operation and is in ?-wiring in high speed operation, with which high torque is maintained in whether the motor is running at high speed or low speed, and then speed stall is prevented to improve safety in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventor: Chiu-Hsiang Lo
  • Publication number: 20070296374
    Abstract: The invention relates to a filtering device connected between a rectifier module of a variable speed drive and an alternating current power supply network, the filtering device comprising an EMC filter comprising a common-mode inductor having a winding on each phase of the power supply network, the windings being magnetically coupled together. The filtering device comprises a shunt circuit connected in parallel with at least one of the windings of the common-mode inductor, the shunt circuit comprising passive components and making it possible to shunt a common-mode current flowing in the common-mode inductor in a frequency zone about a resonance frequency of the EMC filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
    Inventors: Philippe Baudesson, Jean Lafontaine, Alain Nourrisson
  • Patent number: 7279864
    Abstract: A control unit for driving a regulating transistor (2) of a fan arrangement, in which the regulating transistor (2) is connected in series with an electronically commutated fan (1), having control means (5, 6, R1, R2) for the analog driving of the regulating transistor (2) with a control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on a control input voltage (Uin). The control unit comprises compensation means (R3, R4) for influencing the control signal (Ucontrol) in a manner dependent on an AC voltage component (UAC) of an operating voltage (UB) of the fan arrangement, so that the AC voltage component (UAC) of the operating voltage (UB) is completely or partially compensated for in a voltage across the fan (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Busch
  • Patent number: 7271565
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a speed of a fan motor (HIM (Hybrid Induction Motor)) of an air-conditioner extends a speed control range of a fan motor of an air-conditioner by controlling revolutions per minute (RPM) of the fan motor. In order to extend the speed control range of the HIM, an RPM of the HIM is controlled based on a pre-set duty ratio of a switching device electrically connected with the HIM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Do Han, Hyoun-Jeong Shin, Seung-Suk Oh
  • Publication number: 20070170884
    Abstract: An switch array for use in a motor control circuit with a power source, controller and a motor includes a plurality of bidirectional switches positioned between the power source and the motor, wherein the bidirectional switches are PWM controlled by high speed control signals from the controller to provide power from the power source to the motor as desired, wherein the switch array is positioned substantially adjacent to the motor. The power source may be a three phase AC power source. The switches are preferably bidirectional gallium nitride (GaN) switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventor: Jay Goetz
  • Patent number: 7239109
    Abstract: A single-phase induction motor includes a main winding, an auxiliary winding, a run capacitor, and a subsidiary start device. The auxiliary winding is configured such that the number of turns of the auxiliary winding, through which a current flows, varies according to the operating mode of the motor. When the motor starts, the number of turns of the auxiliary winding, through which a current flows, is reduced, thereby increasing the start efficiency of the motor. When the motor runs in normal mode, the number of turns of the auxiliary winding, through which a current flows, is increased, thereby increasing the operational efficiency of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Soo Park, Byung Taek Kim, Sung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7202627
    Abstract: A circuit and method measures main motor winding voltage and detects points in the electromagnetic wave cycle where this voltage “crosses” zero. It also measures auxiliary motor winding voltage. Phase shifts measured in the auxiliary winding are compared as a means for starting and restarting the auxiliary winding. The points in the electromagnetic wave cycle where the current in the auxiliary winding “crosses” zero are detected and compared with a first window pulse that is generated when the main voltage crosses zero. When the zero current crossing points fall outside the first window pulse, the auxiliary winding is disconnected. The points where the voltage in the auxiliary winding “crosses” zero are also detected and compared with a second window pulse that is generated when the main voltage crosses zero. When the zero voltage crossing points fall within the second window pulse, the auxiliary winding is switched back into the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: YKM Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Young-Kee Min
  • Patent number: 7196490
    Abstract: A variable speed motor includes first and second main windings wound on a stator, and a relay for performing a switching operation between serial/parallel connections of the first and second main windings to control motor speed. The variable speed motor further includes a tap winding connected in series to the main windings, or an additional capacitor, such that it can greatly extend the range of a variable speed without using a drive unit capable of changing the motor speed at an external location, resulting in reduced production costs of the motor, reduced electromagnetic vibration noise, and reduced power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Won Kim, Byoung Wook Min, Byung Keol Choi, Tae Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7138772
    Abstract: The invention provides an electrically movable vehicle drivable by a simplified mode of control and a control program for driving the vehicle. A normalized value Y? representing translation motion and a normalized value X? representing turning motion are fed from a command value input unit 110 to a velocity command value calculating unit 120. The calculating unit 120 determines a translation velocity command value Vg—trg based on the normalized value Y?. The calculating unit 120 determines a turn angular velocity command value ?f—trg that will always satisfy Expression (2–4) for preventing the vehicle from falling down. The translation velocity command value Vg—trg and the turn angular velocity command value ?f—trg determined by the unit 120 are fed to a control command value calculating unit 130, which calculates control command values for left and right drive wheels. The control command values are fed to a motor control unit 140 to control motors Mr, Ml and control the drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Noro, Takayoshi Akagi
  • Patent number: 7095209
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for use with a controller for controlling a machine wherein a torque reference value is provided, the method for identifying an error representative of the difference between the torque reference value and the torque applied to the machine and using the error value to modify machine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Dee Thunes, Thomas J. Rehm, Takayoshi Matsuo, Masahiro Tsuyoshi, John Joseph Golownia, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7091691
    Abstract: An outer-rotor variable-speed motor, to which single-phase AC power is applied and on which a rotor is provided outside a stator, comprises first and second main windings provided on a stator of the motor to form a plurality of poles, a frequency detector for detecting the frequency of AC power applied to the motor, and a relay for connecting the first and second main windings in series if the detected frequency is 60 Hz and connecting the first and second main windings in parallel if the detected frequency is 50 Hz. The speed of the motor is kept constant even when power at different frequencies is applied, so that it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the motor and reduce the power consumption, and also to reduce electromagnetic noise from the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byoung Wook Min, Byung Keol Choi, Tae Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 7075255
    Abstract: A system for variable speed motor control provides continuous variable speed motor controller for each motor or motor application within a family of multi-tap motors while using a single controller. The single controller utilizes a wave chop technique providing variable speed motor control through the operating range for each motor tap and seamlessly passes the motor control to each succeeding tap to provide smoothly varying and continuous variable speed motor control throughout the operating range of the multi-tap motor. The system can use a small wave chop firing angle for each tap, thus maximizing the signal to the motor for each tap and minimizing heat build up in the motor. By selecting the controller to operate on a tap basis, an entire family of motors or motor applications can be accommodated with a single controller and apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Varidigm Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis S. Gambiana, Bradford L. Blankenship
  • Patent number: 7045979
    Abstract: An electric machine assembly having an electric machine. The electric machine can include a first speed circuit and a second speed circuit. In some constructions, both speed circuits can be of a permanent split capacitor design. At least one of the speed circuits can include a switch that is controlled by the controller to limit current through an auxiliary circuit of the unused speed circuit when certain conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: William Louis Mehlhorn, William James Watkins, Jevon Darvell Reynolds
  • Patent number: 7034500
    Abstract: An electric drive includes a rotatable shaft, a first drive member, and a second drive member, and is supplied with power from a controller. The controller is operable to supply a first power from a power electronics converter, and a second power that is line power. Supplying the first power individually to the first drive member results in a first shaft speed and first output torque, supplying the second power individually to the second drive member results in a second shaft speed and second output torque, and supplying the first and the second drive members with power at the same time results in a third shaft speed and a third output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: Dan M. Ionel
  • Patent number: 6997002
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an air conditioning unit and method of operating the same. The air conditioning unit has a power level control unit (6) for controlling the level of power supplied to a motor (2a) of a compressor. The power level control unit (6) is comprised of a first supplying unit (6a) for supplying first level power to the compressor motor (2a), and a second supplying unit (6b) for supplying second level power to the compressor motor (2a). If an operation cycle of the compressor corresponds to a loading operation, the power level control unit (6) supplies first level power for compressing a cooling agent through the first supplying unit (6a). Further, if an operation cycle of the compressor corresponds to an unloading operation, the power level control unit (6) supplies second level power less than the first level power through the second supplying unit (6b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong-Ki Moon, Je-Myoung Moon, Dong-Kue Lee, Jong-Hun Ha
  • Patent number: 6946815
    Abstract: A switch for a variable-speed induction motor includes conductive connecting pieces, a rotary member, and a driving unit. The connecting pieces are mounted in a housing, are adapted to be connected to the induction motor, and have distal contact parts that surround an axis of the housing. The distal contact parts of any two of the connecting pieces form either an angular or height difference therebetween with respect to the axis. The rotary member is rotatable about the axis inside the housing, and is formed with contacting regions that are arranged along the axis and that are in sliding contact with the distal contact parts. The driving unit is operable so as to drive rotation of the rotary member about the axis such that the connecting pieces are bridged selectively and electrically by the contacting regions of the rotary member for varying the speed of the induction motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventors: Chung-Hsin Hao, Jui-Li Lin
  • Patent number: 6900614
    Abstract: A rotation speed search apparatus for an induction motor includes: a voltage control unit for comparing a rated current of a motor and a current detected from the motor and generating an output voltage; and a frequency control unit for comparing a reference excitation current of the motor and an excitation current detected from the motor and generating an output frequency. In case of a big load, an output frequency is reduced. Thus, the slip of the motor is moved to a slip where a maximum torque is generated to enable the induction motor to start. If the speed of the motor in operation is greater than a target frequency, an output frequency is increased, so that the motor can be operated even in the regenerative region of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Na
  • Patent number: 6864659
    Abstract: An HVAC system has at least one variable speed controller for an AC induction motor, especially of the Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) type. The variable speed controller provides switched power via a modulating triac to the main coils of the motor and constant power via an on/off triac to the auxiliary coils during operation. A large value capacitor is placed in line with the auxiliary coils to reduce power consumption and current draw over that of known systems. Power to the motor can be turned off to provide for motor speed sensing through monitoring the frequency of a generated voltage when the power is turned off. Frequency-based motor speed sensing is accomplished by shutting off all current to the motor and measuring zero crossings on the generated voltage of the decaying magnetic field. The controller can be easily retrofitted onto existing motors. An optional controller bypass is provided to run the motor at rated speed in case of controller failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Varidigm Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Ratz, Paul E. Sigafus, Larry L. Lutton, Nickolas G. Vrionis
  • Patent number: 6815926
    Abstract: A single phase, three-speed induction motor having 4, 6, and 8-pole speed configurations. In one embodiment, the motor is constructed and arranged to be used in connection with a washing machine. The 8-pole speed winding shares a portion of the 4-pole speed winding, but not all of the 4-pole speed winding is used in the 8-pole configuration. In one embodiment, the 4-pole speed winding includes four winding portions and the 8-pole speed configuration uses two of the four winding portions without the need for additional switch contacts to reconfigure the motor for operating in the 4-pole mode or the 6-pole mode. In one embodiment, shared winding portions are wound on the stator core in a generally non-sinusoidal distribution and non-shared winding portions are wound on the stator core in a generally sinusoidal distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Renyan William Fei, Mark C. Dierkes
  • Patent number: 6815925
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling and/or calculating the torque for a field oriented induction motor operating at a given stator frequency. The systems and methods include calculating the torque using a first algorithm when the motor is at or below a first predetermined stator frequency, a second algorithm when the motor is at or above a second predetermined stator frequency, and a third algorithm when the motor is between the first predetermined stator frequency and the second predetermined stator frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Li Chen, Xingyi Xu, Vinod Reddy, Richard J. Hampo, Kerry E. Grand
  • Patent number: 6806677
    Abstract: A simple and economical mechanism providing automatic motor control. The mechanism includes a motor-rated relay directly connected to line voltage and the input terminal of a motor winding, and receiving a signal from a sensing device connected to line voltage and to a signal input on the relay. The relay and sensing device may be housed within a waterproof enclosure, or may be separately housed within a connection enclosure and a separate sensing device enclosure remote from the connection enclosure, the two enclosures being connected by a cable. The sensing device triggers the relay to control the supply of current to the motor winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Inventors: Gerard Kelly, Bernard Forrester
  • Patent number: 6801007
    Abstract: A motor stopping circuit is activated when a motor control circuit is stopped by a reset signal outputted from a reset circuit. This maintains an overrun angle small. As a result, a difference between a rotation angles measured when the motor control circuit is turned off and measured when the motor control circuit is turned on are small. Therefore, frequent origin setting operation is not required. This reduces sizes and manufacturing costs of a stopper and an actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Tokuhisa Takeuchi, Takashi Takata
  • Patent number: 6798160
    Abstract: An electric working machine has an electric motor and a speed adjustment member for undergoing movement within a range of positions including a low speed range position in which the electric working machine travels at a low speed, a high speed range position in which the electric working range position in which the electric working machine travels at a speed intermediate of the low speed and the high speed. A potentiometer receives a voltage which varies in dependence on the position of the speed adjustment member within the range of positions. A control unit controls the electric motor in accordance with the variation of the voltage received by the potentiometer to vary a travel speed of the electric working machine so that a rate of change of the travel speed of the electric working machine is smaller when the speed adjustment member is in the intermediate speed range position than when the speed adjustment member is in each of the low speed range position and the high speed range position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Wakitani, Tsutomu Inui
  • Patent number: 6788022
    Abstract: An electric motor controllable to operate at a number of distinct output speeds. The electric motor includes a single set of mechanical parts in combination with a multiple sets of electromagnetic parts having different configurations, where the number of electromagnetic parts corresponds to the number of distinct output speeds of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Raymond Sopko, Jackie Earl Woody
  • Publication number: 20040155621
    Abstract: A drive controller for brushless motors, comprising: a multiplicity of switching means each having a first switching element connected between a first power supply providing a first potential and an output terminal of the drive controller, and a second switching element connected between the output terminal and a second power supply providing a second potential; oscillator means for generating triangular signals; position signal generation means for generating sinusoidal position detection signals based on the signal detected by a position detector of the brushless motor; and comparator means for comparing the magnitudes of the triangular signals with the sinusoidal position detection signals to generate PWM signals. The first switching element and the second switching element of each switching means are turned ON/OFF alternately by the PWM signals. The mean potentials of the triangular signals and the sinusoidal position detection signals are set to the same potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiro Okubo
  • Patent number: 6741061
    Abstract: A stator in a synchronous fan includes first and second main windings, and an auxiliary winding. Illustratively, the first and second main windings are wound in a bifilar arrangement. In addition, the stator has a switch to switch the stator between a plurality of configurations. One of those configurations is an induction configuration that permits the first main winding to induce a voltage in the auxiliary winding when a current (e.g., a time-varying current) is transmitted through the first main winding. Moreover, the first main winding is electrically isolated from the auxiliary winding when in the induction configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Comair Rotron, Inc.
    Inventor: Fred A. Brown
  • Publication number: 20040090205
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling and/or calculating the torque for a field oriented induction motor operating at a given stator frequency. The systems and methods include calculating the torque using a first algorithm when the motor is at or below a first predetermined stator frequency, a second algorithm when the motor is at or above a second predetermined stator frequency, and a third algorithm when the motor is between the first predetermined stator frequency and the second predetermined stator frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Li Chen, Xingyi Xu, Vinod Reddy, Richard J. Hampo, Kerry E. Grand
  • Publication number: 20040075415
    Abstract: An electric motor controllable to operate at a number of distinct output speeds. The electric motor includes a single set of mechanical parts in combination with a multiple sets of electromagnetic parts having different configurations, where the number of electromagnetic parts corresponds to the number of distinct output speeds of the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Applicant: A.O. Smith Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Raymond Sopko, Jackie Earl Woody
  • Publication number: 20030173930
    Abstract: A rotation speed search apparatus for an induction motor includes: a voltage control unit for comparing a rated current of a motor and a current detected from the motor and generating an output voltage; and a frequency control unit for comparing a reference excitation current of the motor and an excitation current detected from the motor and generating an output frequency. In case of a big load, an output frequency is reduced. Thus, the slip of the motor is moved to a slip where a maximum torque is generated to enable the induction motor to start. If the speed of the motor in operation is greater than a target frequency, an output frequency is increased, so that the motor can be operated even in the regenerative region of the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Publication date: September 18, 2003
    Applicant: LG INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Seung-Ho Na
  • Publication number: 20030030408
    Abstract: An HVAC system has at least one variable speed controller for an AC induction motor, especially of the Permanent Split Capacitor (PSC) type. The variable speed controller provides switched power via a modulating triac to the main coils of the motor and constant power via an on/off triac to the auxiliary coils during operation. A large value capacitor is placed in line with the auxiliary coils to reduce power consumption and current draw over that of known systems. Power to the motor can be turned off to provide for motor speed sensing through monitoring the frequency of a generated voltage when the power is turned off. Frequency-based motor speed sensing is accomplished by shutting off all current to the motor and measuring zero crossings on the generated voltage of the decaying magnetic field. The controller can be easily retrofitted onto existing motors. An optional controller bypass is provided to run the motor at rated speed in case of controller failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: James W. Ratz, Paul E. Sigafus, Larry L. Lutton, Nickolas G. Vrionis
  • Patent number: 6456033
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pole change induction motor that can obtain an arbitrary ratio between the numbers of poles and that can select an arbitrary number of turns to thereby obtain a very wide operating range and stabilize an operation when the number of poles is changed. This pole change induction motor comprises a rotor having a squirrel-cage winding, a stator having at least a set of a 2n-pole first winding and a 2m-pole second winding wound around the same stator core, a first inverter connected to the first winding, and a second inverter connected to the second winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Nishimura
  • Patent number: 6369544
    Abstract: A supplemental circuit board is provided for a furnace and air conditioning system to power the blower motor so that there is normal heat speed during a heat cycle, and normal, full speed when there is a normal cooling cycle. When there is a call for economy, dehumidification, or partial speed cooling, an inverter provides pulsating power for efficient reduced blower speed operation. An actuator circuit provides a blower-motor in-use signal, and a low-speed logic circuit provides a low-speed signal when there is a call for reduced speed cooling. In case of circuit failure, the arrangement defaults to normal speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Andrew S. Kadah
  • Patent number: 6346790
    Abstract: An induction motor system operable in a wet environment comprises an induction motor and an apparatus for controlling the speed of the motor. The motor is adapted to be coupled to an AC source for supplying an AC signal. The motor includes a rotor having rotor laminations. The reflected rotor resistance over reflected rotor reactance ratio of the motor is adjusted to be greater than one. The controlling apparatus includes a switching device, user controls, controller means and isolation means. The switching device is connected in series with the motor and is operative in either a high impedance state wherein significant current flow through the motor is prevented or a low impedance state wherein current flow through the motor is substantially undisturbed. The user controls provide motor speed input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignees: Emerson Electric Co., Sequence Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: William Harry Kemp, Dale Andrew Van Spengen, Donald Morgan
  • Patent number: 6329783
    Abstract: An electric motor and its controller are specially adapted for variable speed applications. The stator of the motor has its main windings controlled by triacs. The triacs are placed to allow the main windings to operate in series at low speed and in parallel at high speeds. The firing delay of the operating triacs is controlled in both series and parallel winding operations to aid in smooth operation of the motor. The auxiliary winding is preferably left uncontrolled to contribute a regular sinusoidal component to the windings power at all times. The controller receives the speed command and figures firing delay and outputs triac control pulses at one of a plurality of settings to bring the motor to the selected speed. In this manner a simple, inexpensive, and continuously variable speed motor may be realized with good performance characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventors: Nickolas G. Vrionis, Ronald L. Eichorn
  • Patent number: 6304046
    Abstract: A driving control circuit of a hood motor, including: a hood motor section rotatably driven for ventilating the inner portion of a system; a rectifier circuit section for supplying direct current power to the hood motor by rectifying alternating current power, a controlling section for generating a control signal for controlling the operation of the hood motor; and a driving circuit section for controlling the operation of the hood motor according to the control signal from the controlling section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-ho Lee, Young-won Cho
  • Patent number: 6288516
    Abstract: A food processor with a motor control that disables speed regulation during motor start operation and high torque operation. Whenever motor speed is less than a set speed, both a motor starter winding and a main winding are energized without speed regulation. When the motor speed is equal to or greater than the set speed, the starter winding is disconnected and a voltage controller is enabled to control motor speed. During high torque conditions, the motor speed oscillates between set speed and a lower speed as the starter winding and the voltage controller are alternately switched in and out of the motor control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Conair Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Kubicko, Theodore B. Mulle, Asik Braginsky
  • Patent number: 6255755
    Abstract: A single phase, three-speed Pole-changing electric motor has a stator and a rotor rotatably mounted within the stator. The stator includes a core having a plurality of slots, and a plurality of windings in the slots for operating at least three speeds. The windings are configured and arranged so that a substantial portion of the windings used in operating at one speed are used in operating at another speed. The reconnection of windings for different speeds is simple and easy to implement, for example with an external timer, switch, or relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Inventor: Renyan W. Fei
  • Patent number: 6175208
    Abstract: A permanent split capacitor motor operable in a full mode and in a modulated mode for improving efficiency. The motor includes a stator and a rotor in rotational relationship with the stator. The motor also includes a single set of windings wound on the stator. The windings are in a magnetically coupled relationship with each other such that one of the windings is a main motor winding while the other is an auxiliary motor winding. The windings define a plurality of A-ratios as a function of turns in the main motor winding compared to turns in the auxiliary motor winding. A switching circuit selectively energizes the first and second windings in a full mode configuration and in a modulated mode configuration based on motor load conditions. In the full mode configuration, the A-ratio of the windings is greater than in the modulated mode configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: J. Scott Rose
  • Patent number: 6172476
    Abstract: An electrical control system for an induction motor for achieving optimum efficiency at both full and partial loads at markedly reduced electrical components costs while maximizing reliability over the range of load, and for achieving a two step motor power output in a greatly simplified manner, the circuit having an electrical induction motor adapted for connection to line electrical power at maximum motor operating frequency, and to a second source of electrical power at approximately one half of the maximum operating frequency, wherein an electrical switch is provided for selectively connecting each power source to the motor, wherein the second source is a reduced frequency wave form generator for producing a reduced frequency wave form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Bristol Compressors, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Tolbert, Jr., Michael R Young, David T Monk, Joseph F Loprete