Pluse Width Modulation Or Chopping Patents (Class 318/811)
  • Patent number: 11936314
    Abstract: A motor drive device is proposed. The motor drive device is configured to drive a motor having a plurality of windings respectively corresponding to a plurality of phases, and includes: a first inverter including a plurality of first switching elements, and connected to a first end of each of the plurality of windings; a second inverter including a plurality of second switching elements, and connected to a second end of each of the plurality of windings; and a controller configured to generate phase voltage commands of the first inverter and phase voltage commands of the second inverter based on preset voltage commands of the motor so that the phase voltage commands of the first inverter and the phase voltage commands of the second inverter are respectively represented as vectors of different angles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yong Jae Lee, Jung Hwi Kim, Jun Mo An
  • Patent number: 11916505
    Abstract: A method for operating a drive device for a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the drive device has an electric machine which is electrically connected to a DC power source via an inverter controlled by means of pulse width modulation. The pulse width modulation is performed depending on a predetermined duty cycle. When the duty cycle that is less than a threshold value, a continuous pulse width modulation is used to control the inverter. The pulse width modulation is switched to a discontinuous pulse width modulation when the threshold value is exceeded. A motor vehicle and a drive device for a motor vehicle are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Martin Adam, Alexander Tkatschenko
  • Patent number: 11916494
    Abstract: A controller includes first and second setting sections. The first setting section sets a first duty-cycle, which is a percentage of a switch-on time period of a drive switch in one switching-cycle, by peak current-mode control to control a reactor current to be a current-command value generated based on an AC-voltage value. The second setting section sets a second duty-cycle, which is the percentage of the switch-on time period of the drive switch in one switching-cycle, by average-current-mode control to control an average value of the reactor current to be the current-command value. The controller operates the drive switch at the first duty-cycle when an absolute value of the AC-voltage value is equal to or more than a threshold less than an amplitude of the AC-voltage value, and operates the drive switch at the second duty-cycle when the absolute value of the AC-voltage value is less than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiji Iyasu, Yuichi Handa
  • Patent number: 11909341
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a power conversion device capable of suppressing an increase in a current flowing through a motor even if a voltage command exceeds the amplitude of a carrier wave. In order to achieve the above object, the power conversion device controls the driving of a motor by converting a DC voltage into a voltage based on a voltage command by an operation of a switching circuit and includes: a modulated wave generator that generates a first modulated wave from the voltage command; and a control signal generator that generates a control signal for controlling the operation of the switching circuit from the first modulated wave and a carrier wave. The modulated wave generator generates a square wave based on a voltage command norm as the first modulated wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusaku Onuma, Takuya Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 11855520
    Abstract: An electric tool includes a motor and a motor control device. The motor control device is configured to update a command value of a speed of the motor based on a parameter relating to at least one of a voltage of a direct-current power supply for the motor or a magnitude of a load applied to the motor during rotation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumiiki Yoneda
  • Patent number: 11855562
    Abstract: An automatic control system for a phase angle of a motor is provided. A current detector circuit detects a current signal of the motor to output a current detected signal. A control circuit outputs a control signal according to the current detected signal indicating a time point at which the current signal reaches a zero value. A driver circuit outputs a driving signal according to the control signal. An output circuit operates to output a motor rotation adjusting signal to the motor to adjust a rotational state of the motor according to the driving signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yi-Cheng Liu
  • Patent number: 11811348
    Abstract: An inverter controller is used to control an inverter circuit, which drives a vehicle on-board electric motor using a vehicle on-board electricity storage device. A rotation controlling unit of the inverter controller executes a process that derives two-phase voltage command values based on an external command value delivered from an external device and an actual rotation speed, and a process that derives three-phase voltage command values based on the two-phase voltage command values. In a case in which a voltage utilization factor is less than or equal to a utilization factor threshold, the rotation controlling unit derives, by switching at a switching period, sets of three-phase voltage command values of which the line voltages of the vehicle on-board electric motor are the same and the variation ranges are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Takashi Ogami, Takashi Kawashima
  • Patent number: 11811333
    Abstract: A power converter includes a converter circuit, an inverter circuit, a clamp circuit, a scrubber circuit, and an element including a resistive component. The converter circuit generates from an AC voltage source a DC voltage with AC components superimposed. The inverter circuit has an input connected with an output of the converter circuit. The inverter circuit is configured to convert the DC voltage into an AC voltage by switching, and output the AC voltage to an inductive load. The clamp circuit includes a first capacitor and a first diode connected in series. The clamp circuit is connected between a positive output and a negative output of the converter circuit. The snubber circuit includes a second capacitor and a second diode connected in series. The snubber circuit is connected between the positive output and the negative output of the converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 11797070
    Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein allow efficient reallocation of PoE when a PSU for a PSE fails. A PSE initially receives power from at least two PSUs and provides PoE to at least two PDs. When power from one of the PSUs becomes unavailable, the PSE refrains from providing PoE to a first PD, but continues providing PoE to a second PD. The PSE sends a communication to the second PD requesting that the second PD allow the PSE to allocate less power to the second. If the second PD confirms that allocating less power to the second PD is acceptable, the PSE reduces the amount of power allocated to the second PD and allocates at least some of the power saved by the reduction to the first PD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Hong Yi Wee, Kah Hoe Ng, Shiyu Tian
  • Patent number: 11799407
    Abstract: A drive system and method for controlling a synchronous motor having several phases, in which a method for controlling a drive system includes a synchronous motor having several phases comprises the steps: providing appropriate operating parameters for the synchronous motor by processing an input of the drive system; in case of a determination of a fault of one of the phases, calculating a zero sequence voltage for a neutral conductor based on motor parameters estimated by a parameter estimation algorithm based on detected operating parameters; and applying the calculated zero sequence voltage to the neutral conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Kai-Sven Becker, Zeger Bontinck, Ali Terro, Viktor Tihanyi
  • Patent number: 11791759
    Abstract: A variable speed drive includes an output terminal for delivering a drive voltage; a power inverter for generating the drive voltage; a drive controller for controlling the generation of the drive voltage; and a current sensor for providing a drive current intensity signal to the drive controller. The drive controller includes a PWM generator; a control law module; and a state variable estimator estimating a state variable of the controlled AC electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Combes, Dilshad Surroop, Philippe Martin, Pierre Rouchon
  • Patent number: 11791713
    Abstract: Described herein is a method of cooling a plurality of power devices, where the power devices are arranged as a plurality of switches used to generate a three-phase output AC voltage. Based on power device stress data, one or more switches (associated with one or more phase output AC voltages) may be identified as requiring more cooling than other of the switches. The switches are controlled to apply a common mode component voltage to each of the three phases for at least a portion of one or more output AC voltage segments. The common mode component voltage has a maximum amplitude that is sufficient to clamp the phase AC output voltage of the identified phase(s) to the positive supply rail voltage and/or negative rail supply voltage when the respective phase AC voltage is approaching respectively the positive supply rail voltage or negative supply rail voltage to cool the identified switch(es).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: YASA LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon David Hart, Samuel David Ahearn
  • Patent number: 11764711
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes an excitation unit and a control unit. The excitation unit includes switching elements connected to a power supply and to different motor coils. The excitation unit excites an excitation phase targeted for excitation among motor excitation phases by the control unit driving the switching elements. When the excitation phases are excited, the control unit drives, in a first time period and based on a first PWM signal, a first switching element connected to a first phase coil corresponding to a first phase of the excitation phase targeted for excitation and, in a second time period and based on a second PWM signal, drives a second switching element connected to a second phase coil corresponding to a second phase of the excitation phase. The control unit controls outputting a duty ratio of the second PWM signal to the second switching element in the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuya Miyashita, Eijiro Ohashi, Yasukazu Maeda
  • Patent number: 11754304
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a compressor having a discharge port and a suction port, a first sensor configured to provide feedback corresponding to a first temperature of the working fluid exiting the compressor proximate the discharge port, a second sensor configured to provide feedback corresponding to a second temperature of the working fluid entering the compressor proximate the suction port, and an automation controller storing data indicative of an operational envelope. The operational envelope defines compressor operation coordinates corresponding to a range of suction temperatures and a range of discharge temperatures inside and outside of a target region of the operational envelope, and the automation controller is configured to control a target range of compressor speeds based on a comparison of the target region to an operation coordinate defined by the feedback from the first sensor and the feedback from the second sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
    Inventors: Aron M. Seiler, Nicholas P. Mislak, Chandra S. Yelamanchili, Rajiv K. Karkhanis, Nathan T. Ostrye
  • Patent number: 11757384
    Abstract: A plural-fans driving apparatus is provided to drive a first fan and a second fan, and the first fan and the second fan are three-phase fans. The plural-fans driving apparatus includes a controller, a first three-phase motor driver structure, a second three-phase motor driver structure, and a protection and input interface circuit. The protection and input interface circuit is coupled to the first three-phase motor driver structure and the second three-phase motor driver structure, and protects the first three-phase motor driver structure and the second three-phase motor driver structure. The controller controls the first three-phase motor driver structure to drive the first fan, and controls the second three-phase motor driver structure to drive the second fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Kuo-Ying Lee, Feng-Ying Lin, Meng-Yu Chen, Chia-Ching Tsai
  • Patent number: 11742788
    Abstract: A pulse width-modulated (PWM) driving method is provided for a PWM motor control system with zero-crossing compensation. The PWM driving method includes controlling each carrier generator of first, second and third PWM generators to generate a carrier offset between each of first, second and third carrier signals, at least when a current flowing in a respective phase of an alternating current (AC) motor of the PWM motor control system is between +/?10 mA, such that a voltage between respective nodes and a reference point of respective half-bridges of the PWM motor control system are offset to obtain a variable common mode voltage each time respective PWM signals are in an off-state, at least when the respective current is crossing zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: ETEL S.A.
    Inventor: Gabriele Gualco
  • Patent number: 11732921
    Abstract: A control method for a space conditioning system operable with a stages thermostat, the method including: powering a control module comprising including an output terminal, a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and control logic; detecting receipt of the first input signal at the first input terminal; responsive to detecting receipt of the first input signal, outputting a first value of the plurality of values, the first value corresponding to the first input signal; after outputting the first value, outputting one or more values of the plurality of values, the one or more values being larger than the first value; detecting receipt of the second input signal at the second input terminal; and responsive to detecting receipt of the second input signal, outputting a second value of the plurality of values, the second value corresponding to the second input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: WaterFurnace International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert R. Brown, Dennis L. Harris
  • Patent number: 11722088
    Abstract: A motor driving system includes first and second motors including multiple first windings and second windings; a first inverter including a DC terminal connected to a DC voltage source and an AC terminal connected to the multiple first windings; a first switch part including a plurality of first mode change switches connected to the multiple first windings; a second inverter including a DC terminal connected to the DC voltage source and an AC terminal connected to the plurality of first mode change switches; a second switch part including a plurality of second mode change switches connected to the AC terminal of the second inverter and the multiple second windings; a third switch part including a plurality of third mode change switches connected to the multiple first windings; and a controller configured to control the short-circuited state or the open state of the multiple first mode, second and third mode change switches, based on whether the first and the second motors are driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gyeong Cheol Kim, Jong Hyun Kim, Sang Jin Park
  • Patent number: 11722089
    Abstract: A controller includes a first processor for a first power inverter. Computer-readable media is configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the first processor to: generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal; identify a pulse width modulation method of the first power inverter and a pulse width modulation method of a second power inverter; identify and compare a switching frequency of the first power inverter and a switching frequency of the second power inverter; determine an optimized phase shift between the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to the pulse width modulation method of the first power inverter and the pulse width modulation method of the second power inverter and the switching frequency of the first power inverter and the switching frequency of the second power inverter; and synchronize the optimized phase shift between the first power inverter and the second power inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Schulz, David Tang, Daniel L. Kowalewski, Silva Hiti
  • Patent number: 11713074
    Abstract: To improve steering feeling felt by a driver, a motor control device includes a processor and a memory which stores a program for controlling an operation of the processor. According to the program, the processor executes: switching from n-phase (n is an integer of three or more) energization control to n?1 phase energization control in response to a switching signal; acquiring a torque command value, an electrical angle of a motor, and an actual current value of the motor; generating a pre-current command value on the basis of the torque command value, the electrical angle of the motor, and the actual current value of the motor which are acquired; generating a current command value by applying dither control to the pre-current command value in a dead point range of an electrical angle range from 0 to 2?; and performing the n?1 phase energization control on the basis of the current command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuji Endo, Masaya Ishikawa, Hiroaki Mizushima
  • Patent number: 11711029
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter is provided. The power converter generates a three-phase output power by switching an input power through a plurality of switches. The method includes steps of: acquiring a three-phase output command corresponding to the three-phase output power; comparing the three-phase output command with a control carrier to acquire a voltage phase angle corresponding to the three-phase output command; acquiring a three-phase current value of the three-phase output power; detecting the voltage phase angle and a positive/negative change of the three-phase current value to decide a zero-sequence voltage; composing the zero-sequence voltage and the three-phase output command to acquire a three-phase output expected value; comparing the three-phase expected values with the control carrier to acquire a turned-on time of each switch; and switching the input power to adjust the three-phase output power according to the turned-on time of each switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ping-Heng Wu, Kai-Wei Hu, Lei-Chung Hsing
  • Patent number: 11705845
    Abstract: This motor control device includes a vector control unit. The vector control unit includes: a current control unit that calculates a before-compensation d-axis voltage command value and a before-compensation q-axis voltage command value; a first non-interference control unit that calculates a first d-axis non-interference compensation value on the basis of a q-axis current command value to compensate for the before-compensation d-axis voltage command value and calculates a first q-axis non-interference compensation value on the basis of a d-axis current command value to compensate for the before-compensation q-axis voltage command value; and a second non-interference control unit that cancels out an interference component of a d-axis current generated in a specific rotation range of a motor with a q-axis current and an interference component of the q-axis current generated in the specific rotation range with the d-axis current by using a variable integral gain varying depending on a motor rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventor: Takami Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11689132
    Abstract: A parameterless and position-sensorless MTPA control of a permanent magnet synchronous motor including: using three rotating reference frames having different observation angles to parse the current vector; using a target current value and a preset current-rotor angle y that is between the current vector and the qr-axis of the (dr, qr) rotor reference frame to obtain the angles between the current vector, the voltage vector, and the rotor position; obtaining the target voltage value and the target voltage angle by using the obtained angles to obtain the target phase voltage values for regulation. The method is simple in controlling the motor, improves the control efficiency and reliability, and improves the control accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ZHONGSHAN BROAD-OCEAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ning Liu, Wei Guo, Yan Yang
  • Patent number: 11674459
    Abstract: A control apparatus includes: a data acquisition part that is configured to acquire torque data indicating a drive torque of an electric motor, rotation number data indicating a rotation number of the electric motor, and DC voltage data indicating a DC voltage supplied to an inverter which supplies an AC current to the electric motor; a determination basis derivation part that is configured to derive a determination basis based on a drive efficiency of the electric motor by using the torque data, the rotation number data, and the DC voltage data; and a control method determination part that is configured to determine, based on the determination basis, which one of a one-pulse control and a pulse-width modulation control is employed as a control method of the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Tanaka, Yoichi Yamashiro
  • Patent number: 11641174
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a motor driving device capable of inhibiting unstable driving of a motor even in the occurrence of a sudden fluctuation of a power supply voltage. The motor driving device includes a power supply voltage sudden fluctuation detector, a power supply voltage fluctuation width generator and a current limit value setting unit. The power supply voltage sudden fluctuation detector detects a sudden fluctuation in a direction in which the power supply voltage rises. The power supply voltage fluctuation width generator detects a fluctuation width of the power supply voltage. When the sudden fluctuation is detected by the power supply voltage sudden fluctuation detection unit, a current limit value of the current limit value setting unit is reduced from a normal value and corrected by the correction width corresponding to the fluctuation width of the detected power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiya Suzuki, Akio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11615049
    Abstract: A programmable serial input-output controller is provided. A timer circuit performs a timing operation. An input pin is configured to receive an input signal from an external circuit. An output pin is configured to provide an output signal to the external circuit. In an output mode, the sequence controller provides an initial level to the output pin and controls the timer circuit to perform the timing operation. In response to a duration of the timer circuit performing the timing operation reaching first transmission time, the sequence controller inverts the level of the output pin and controls the timer circuit to re-perform the timing operation. In response to the duration of the timer circuit re-performing the timing operation reaching second transmission time, the sequence controller inverts the level of the output pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cheng-Chih Wang
  • Patent number: 11611286
    Abstract: A method for determining rectifier-stage output current and/or grid-side currents (iu, iv, iw) of a frequency converter (1) having a passive rectifier (3), an inverter (4), a DC-link with a DC-link inductor (Ldc) and a DC-link capacitor (Cdc) between the rectification stage (3) and the inverter stage (4) is described. In a frequency converter the current information for the grid-side currents (iu, iv, iw) should be obtained without a current sensor at the grid-side (2). To this end the method comprises the step of calculating a current in the DC-link (5) by using at least a voltage value (Urec) and characteristics of the rectifier (3) in the DC-link (5) and/or grid side currents to form a corrected current using the calculated current and a measured current or currents or a fraction of a measured current or currents, or a fraction of a measured current or currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Danfoss Power Electronics A/S
    Inventor: Henrik Rosendal Andersen
  • Patent number: 11604020
    Abstract: A heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control system. The HVAC control system includes a sensor that detects a refrigerant released from an HVAC system and emits a signal indicative of the detection. The HVAC control system also includes a switch that blocks a flow of electricity to an enclosed space and a controller that receives the signal from the sensor and activates the switch to block the flow of electricity in response to detection of the refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS TYCO IP HOLDINGS LLP
    Inventor: William F. McQuade
  • Patent number: 11569753
    Abstract: A mode of a rectifier may be changed between at least fully passive and fully synchronous based upon direct current (DC) output by the rectifier and/or direct current voltage output by the rectifier. This extends the range of direct current output by the rectifier for a given range of DC voltage output by the rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Honeywell Limited
    Inventors: Randy Fuller, Louis Cheng, Darning Ma
  • Patent number: 11545971
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides techniques for predicting failure of power switches and taking action based on the predictions. In an example, a method can include controlling the at least two parallel-connected power switches via a first driver and a second driver, the first a second driver responsive to a single command signal, measuring a failure characteristic of a first power switch, and disabling a first driver of the first power switch when the first failure characteristic exceeds a failure precursor threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Analog Devices International Unlimited Company
    Inventor: Bernhard Strzalkowski
  • Patent number: 11539283
    Abstract: A power converter is configured to measure an output current and to determine a multi-phase voltage reference as a function of the output current. Within the same switching period the voltage reference is determined, a modulation routine determines a modulation index for each phase of the output voltage. In some instances, one or more phases must start modulation during the switching period before the new modulation index is determined. The modulation routine stores the value of the modulation index generated from the prior switching period and uses the stored value when a new value is not yet ready. An offset value for the phase voltage which used a modulation index from the prior switching period is determined in order to compensate the phase voltages of the other phases and to maintain a desired line-to-line voltage output from the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Hoffman, Adam M. Shea
  • Patent number: 11491932
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle electrical system includes, among other things, a contactor enclosure, and contactor contacts housed within the contactor enclosure. A resistor is housed within the contactor enclosure or is housed within a relay enclosure outside the contactor enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Burkman, Baojin Wang
  • Patent number: 11489467
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes control circuitry and rotation direction adjusting circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to output, in accordance with a phase sequence with respect to a motor, a drive command signal which is generated based on a motor rotation signal output from a motor rotation detector to control the motor. The rotation direction adjusting circuitry is configured to match the phase sequence with rotation direction information included in the motor rotation signal if a first trouble signal showing excessive motor current or excessive motor speed is input via an operation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventor: Hiroaki Oya
  • Patent number: 11482961
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to effectively reduce vibration or noise caused by a motor. An inverter circuit 300 generates an alternating current from a direct current supplied from a direct current power supply 10 by using a plurality of IGBTs 311 which are switching elements, supplies the generated alternating current to a motor 100, and drives the motor 100. This alternating current includes a fundamental harmonic current corresponding to a rotational speed of the motor 100, and a harmonic current of a switching operation of the IGBTs 311. A controller 200 controls a second phase such that a first phase and the second phase are not superimposed on each other at a predetermined motor rotational speed, the first phase being a phase of an excitation force cyclically produced in the motor 100 by the fundamental harmonic current, and the second phase being a phase of an excitation force cyclically produced in the motor 100 by the harmonic current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Hoshino, Takafumi Hara, Masaru Yamasaki, Yosuke Tanabe, Masanori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 11462946
    Abstract: A first converter performs power conversion and outputs AC power. The AC power outputted from the first converter is supplied to a first coil. The first coil is magnetically coupled with a second coil, and the AC power is transmitted from the first coil to the second coil. A second converter is connected to the second coil, and converts the AC power transmitted to the second coil to DC power and supplies the DC power to a load. A first control unit controls the first converter so as to alternately switch between a first state of outputting rectangular wave voltage which cyclically changes and a second state of outputting constant reference voltage, on the basis of required power of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Nakanishi, Tomokazu Sakashita
  • Patent number: 11447014
    Abstract: A fault detection device has a pair of power supply lines connected to a high voltage battery via power supply relays. Capacitors and inverters for driving a motor are disposed between the power supply lines. A controller in the fault detection device controls the inverters to discharge the capacitors at different times after the power supply from the battery to motor is stopped by switching OFF the power relays. The controller then determines whether the capacitor voltage has dropped after each capacitor is discharged. Based on the determination result of the voltage drop in each of the capacitors, the controller can determine whether the power supply relays or the capacitors are malfunctioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shingo Takinai
  • Patent number: 11444525
    Abstract: An inverter system includes a level skip prevention control section. The level skip prevention control section is configured to: in response to an upward shift of an output voltage level of a first one of phases, set a counter for inhibiting upward shifting of the output voltage level of the first phase during a predetermined duration, and set a counter for inhibiting downward shifting of an output voltage level of a second one of the phases other than the first phase during a predetermined duration; and in response to a downward shift of the output voltage level of the first phase, set a counter for inhibiting downward shifting of the output voltage level of the first phase during a predetermined duration, and set a counter for inhibiting upward shifting of the output voltage level of the second phase during a predetermined duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: MEIDENSHA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuichi Ogawa, Shizunori Hamada
  • Patent number: 11374505
    Abstract: An inverter performs a power conversion operation for converting DC power into AC power, includes an arithmetic control device provided with a voltage command signal generation unit, a synthesis processing unit, and a carrier wave comparison unit. The voltage command signal generation unit has a plurality of control systems, and outputs the first voltage command signal generated based on the first control system among the plurality of control systems, and the second voltage command signal generated based on the second control system different from the first control system among the plurality of control systems. The synthesis processing unit generates a synthesized voltage command signal obtained by synthesizing the first voltage command signal and the second voltage command signal at a predetermined ratio. The carrier wave comparison unit generates a PWM signal which is a gate drive signal for controlling the power conversion operation based on the synthesized voltage command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Nemoto, Toshiyuki Ajima, Taito Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11365613
    Abstract: In some examples, an electric submersible pump includes a pump, an electric motor to drive the pump, and a controller. The controller can monitor at one or more terminals of the electric motor a value relating to total harmonic distortion. The controller can also determine whether to de-rate the electric motor in response to the monitoring at the one or more terminals of the electric motor of the value relating to the total harmonic distortion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Stuart G. Luyckx, Matthew J. Tenny
  • Patent number: 11368108
    Abstract: An intermediate circuit current of a power converter is determined as precisely as possible in a simple and inexpensive manner. The intermediate circuit current is determined as a function of a detection of the measured output voltages and output currents of the individual phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: IAV GmbH Ingenieurgesellschaft Auto und Verkehr
    Inventors: Michael Homann, Faical Turki
  • Patent number: 11349412
    Abstract: A three-phase AC control apparatus includes: an equal duty sensing circuit; and a PWM signal control circuit. The equal duty sensing circuit senses whether any two of a U-phase, a V-phase, and a W-phase of a three-phase AC current have an equal duty value. The PWM signal control circuit outputs, when it is sensed that any two of the U-phase, the V-phase, and the W-phase of the three-phase AC current have the equal duty value, a control signal that shifts a timing of start and a timing of stop of one of the two phases having the equal duty value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Takayuki Jinno, Yoshiaki Okuno
  • Patent number: 11342863
    Abstract: An inverter performs a power conversion operation for converting DC power into AC power, includes an arithmetic control device provided with a voltage command signal generation unit, a synthesis processing unit, and a carrier wave comparison unit. The voltage command signal generation unit has a plurality of control systems, and outputs the first voltage command signal generated based on the first control system among the plurality of control systems, and the second voltage command signal generated based on the second control system different from the first control system among the plurality of control systems. The synthesis processing unit generates a synthesized voltage command signal obtained by synthesizing the first voltage command signal and the second voltage command signal at a predetermined ratio. The carrier wave comparison unit generates a PWM signal which is a gate drive signal for controlling the power conversion operation based on the synthesized voltage command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: HITACHI ASTEMO, LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya Nemoto, Toshiyuki Ajima, Taito Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11290023
    Abstract: A matrix converter system operating in current control mode is provided. The matrix converter includes a switching matrix coupled between a low voltage side and a high voltage side, wherein the matrix converter is coupled at its low voltage side to a generator for receiving an input power including an input current and transforming the input power into an output power at its high voltage side, wherein a load is coupled to the high voltage side. The control system includes a load observer and a model predictive controller (MPC). The load observer is configured to estimate a load current that flows to the load from the high voltage side of the matrix converter as a function of a switching state of the switching matrix, an output voltage output at the high voltage side of the matrix converter, and the input current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Vladimir Blasko
  • Patent number: 11277085
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a motor may include: an inverter unit configured to output 3-phase AC currents through a plurality of switches to be switched by an input control signal to drive a 3-phase motor; a current detection unit including a plurality of current sensors configured to detect two or more phase currents among the 3-phase AC currents flowing through the 3-phase motor; and a control unit configured to receive respective fed-back phase currents detected by the plurality of respective current sensors, correct the phase currents by applying, to the fed-back phase currents, respective correction gains estimated in advance on the plurality of respective current sensors so as to compensate for a current detection deviation of each of the plurality of respective current sensors, and then control the inverter unit based on the corrected phase currents to control driving of the 3-phase motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyeon Hee Jeong, Kyu Ha Kim, In Hyuk Kim, Jeong Hoon Seo
  • Patent number: 11239787
    Abstract: A control system and method of controlling a multi-phase electric machine for controlling the flow of electrical current between a voltage source and the multi-phase electric machine or other application/load. The control system includes, between each phase of the multi-phase electric machine and the voltage source: a high side diode and a high side switch positioned in parallel between a positive terminal of the voltage source and the electric machine with the high side diode being reverse biased with regard to the positive terminal; and a low side diode and a low side switch positioned in parallel between a negative terminal of the voltage source and the electric machine with the low side diode being reverse biased with regard to the electric machine. The control system operates the high side and low side switches to provide efficient operation of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Caleb W. Secrest
  • Patent number: 11196378
    Abstract: A motor control device generates three-phase drive currents having a phase difference by combining on-off actions of switching elements and supplies the three-phase drive currents to three-phase coils of a brushless motor. The motor control device includes a drive circuit including a bridge circuit that uses multiple switching elements and a control circuit that sets a control pulse, which causes each of the switching elements to perform on-off actions. The control circuit includes a control pulse generating unit that generates a control pulse. The control circuit further includes a set value retaining unit that retains a set value of an on-time length of the control pulse, which is referred to when the control pulse is generated in the control pulse generating unit. The control circuit further includes a set value changing unit that changes the set value retained in the set value retaining unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yukito Suehiro
  • Patent number: 11165359
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes a converter circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit controls, through use of PWM signals, high potential-side switches for a U-phase circuit, a V-phase circuit, and a W-phase circuit, respectively. The control circuit alternately switches between a first modulation method and a second modulation method at each half carrier period of each of the PWM signals. In the first modulation method, the control circuit determines, as a first value, a duty ratio of the PWM signal for one of a U phase, a V phase, and a W phase that has a maximum phase voltage. In the second modulation method, the control circuit determines, as a second value, the duty ratio of the PWM signal for one of the U phase, the V phase, and the W phase that has a minimum phase voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Fumito Kusama, Takaaki Norisada, Yutaka Kamon
  • Patent number: 11146180
    Abstract: A power converter having a dynamic bus controller to control a rectifier DC output for motoring and regenerating power flow directions, in which the controller controls a DC bus voltage between first and second regenerating voltage limits and limits power at the DC output in an increasing fashion with increasing values of the DC bus voltage according to a regenerating power limit parameter for a regenerating direction of power flow at a DC output. For a motoring direction of power flow at the DC output, the controller controls the DC bus voltage at the DC output between first and second motoring voltage limits and limits the power at the DC output in a decreasing fashion with increasing values of the DC bus voltage according to a motoring power limit parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ahmed S. Mohamed Sayed Ahmed, Steven M. Wirtz, Joseph S. Klak
  • Patent number: 11144031
    Abstract: One example embodiment of the present invention is a control system for an actuator that is controlled by a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The control system includes at least two controllers that are connected to the actuator. Each of the controller sends an independent sequence of PWM signal to the actuator. The actuator is controlled by a combination of the PWM signals from all the controllers together. The controllers are synchronized by a clock signal that provides a sequence of periodic clock interval and the PWM signal from each controller occupies a separate and non-overlapping clock interval from the PWM signal of other controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: INSIGHT ROBOTICS LIMITED
    Inventor: Kai Leung Yung
  • Patent number: 11028523
    Abstract: Provided is a laundry treating apparatus having a cleaning nozzle and a method for controlling the cleaning nozzle. The laundry treating apparatus may include a main body having a tub, and a circulation path formed outside the tub to circulate air from the tub along the circulation path outside the tub. A cleaning nozzle may be provided at the circulation path, and configured to inject water. A water supply passage may be provided having one side connected to a water supply source and another side connected to the cleaning nozzle. A water supply valve may be provided to open and close the water supply passage. A controller may control the water supply valve to supply water to the cleaning nozzle. The controller may control the water supply valve to supply water to the cleaning nozzle during a drain course among a plurality of drain courses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Taewan Kim, Hyunchul Choi, Wonjong Kim