Motor Patents (Class 340/648)
  • Patent number: 11824328
    Abstract: A drawer comprising a chassis configured for insertion into an opening in a distribution switchboard, a front facade that closes the opening in the distribution switchboard when the drawer is inserted, and downstream connection terminals intended to be connected to a load, wherein the distribution drawer includes a plurality of connectors that open onto its front facade, each of these connectors being connected to a downstream connection terminal and allowing a measurement apparatus to be connected, and the connection drawer including a selector that is actuatable from the front facade and that allows the downstream connection terminals to be connected to and disconnected from an equipotential link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Laurent Banet, Antoine Galasso, Jean-Yves Richard Mounier
  • Patent number: 11719569
    Abstract: A method of identifying a fault in a synchronous reluctance electric machine, the method including carrying out a first vibration measurement on a stator in a first radial direction of the stator; carrying out a second vibration measurement on the stator in a second radial direction of the stator; determining, on the basis of at least one of the first vibration measurement and the second vibration measurement, a first vibration frequency; determining, on the basis of the first vibration measurement and the second vibration measurement, a mode shape of the vibration at the first vibration frequency; and determining, on the basis that the first vibration frequency fb and the mode shape m fulfil the following barrier fault conditions: fb=fr, and m=1 where fr is a rotation frequency of a rotor, that a flux barrier of the rotor is defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Pedro Rodriguez, Jahirul Islam, Reza Rajabi Moghaddam
  • Patent number: 11566967
    Abstract: Provided is an abnormality detection device which detects an abnormality in a target machine, comprising: a first acquisition unit which acquires a drive side temperature of the target machine; a second acquisition unit which acquires a non-drive side temperature of the target machine; a correlation storage unit which stores a correlation between the drive side temperature and the non-drive side temperature based on the drive side temperature and the non-drive side temperature during normal operation of the target machine; a detection unit which detects a deviation from the correlation stored in the correlation storage unit on the basis of the drive side temperature acquired by the first acquisition unit and the non-drive side temperature acquired by the second acquisition unit; and, an output unit which outputs the deviation from the correlation which was detected by the detection unit as an abnormality in the target machine or as an abnormality indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NIPPON PAPER INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Susumu Nozoe
  • Patent number: 11355912
    Abstract: The present invention corresponds to a method and an apparatus for detecting faults in transmission and distribution systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana
    Inventors: Jorge Wilson González, Hugo Alberto Cardona, Idi Amin Isaac Millán, Gabriel Jaime López, Jairo Augusto Lopera
  • Patent number: 11154797
    Abstract: A filtering device includes a water pump, a filter cartridge, and a communicating tube for coupling the water pump with the filter cartridge. The filtering device further includes a flow switch attached to the communicating tube and configured to change switching states in response to a water flow rate in the communicating tube being lower than a predetermined value. The filtering device further includes a reminding device operably connected to the water flow switch. The reminding device generates a reminder signal when the state of the water flow indicates that the flow rate of the water in the communicating tube is lower than the predetermined value. The control system includes a control panel for the filtering pump, a central control system, and a filtration detecting system. The control panel is connected to the central control system and the central control system is connected to the filtration detecting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: BESTWAY INFLATABLES & MATERIAL CORP.
    Inventors: Shuiyong Huang, Xiaobo Chen, Changde Wan
  • Patent number: 11131712
    Abstract: A device for inspecting the rotor windings of a generator includes a sequential logic circuit that generates a full-cycle pulse. A high-voltage full-cycle pulse matching generator couples the full-cycle pulse generated by the sequential logic circuit to form a corresponding transient bidirectional rotating magnetic field pulse. The transient bidirectional rotating magnetic field pulse is transmitted to two ends and a large shaft of the generator rotor winding through an impedance-matched connecting line. The transient bidirectional rotating magnetic field pulse generates a resonance effect with each large coil in the rotor. The pulse signal coupling feedback acquisition circuit couples all waveforms reflected by the generator rotor to form a magnetic field waveform, and the magnetic field waveform is transmitted to a data acquisition system by an operational amplifier. A central processing unit transmits a digital information stream to an upper computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: SHANDONG GUTE ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuewu Zhang, Chicheng Liu, Jingrong Chen, Genyin Wu, Xu Han, Lixin Lu, Juncheng Dong, Yuqing Wei, Kunpeng Tian, Fengjun Wang, Jianxi Liu, Yanxu Sun, Zhen Lv, Jianfeng Sun, Pian Zhang
  • Patent number: 10768236
    Abstract: A rotor bar fault in a rotor of an electrical machine having a plurality of rotor bars and an end ring configured to short circuit the rotor bars. The method includes the steps of measuring a first temperature at a first end ring location, and measuring a second temperature at a second end ring location, the second end ring location being different from the first end ring location. As broken rotor bars cause a non-uniform temperature distribution in the end ring, the detection of rotor bar faults can be based on monitored temperatures at different end ring locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Pedro Rodriguez, Subrat Sahoo
  • Patent number: 10752004
    Abstract: An ink jet printer includes an ink cartridge that has a storage chamber for storing ink and enables the storage chamber to be replenished with the ink, a print head that ejects the ink supplied from the storage chamber via a filter, a state estimation portion that estimates a state of the filter, and a notification portion that performs notification, wherein the notification portion performs different notification in accordance with an estimated state by the state estimation portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeki Fukushima
  • Patent number: 10564623
    Abstract: A numerical controller that achieves detection of a lifetime of a belt in a machine whose axis and motor are interconnected by the belt includes a axis pulse acquisition unit obtaining a pulse of a axis provided in a machining tool to be controlled, a motor pulse acquisition unit obtaining a pulse of the motor driving the axis, a axis revolution speed calculation unit calculating a revolution speed of the axis based on the obtained axis pulse, a motor revolution speed calculation unit calculating a revolution speed of the motor from the obtained motor pulse, a substantial slip distance calculation unit calculating a substantial slip distance of the belt from the axis revolution speed and the motor revolution speed, and a belt lifetime determination unit determining that the belt has reached the end of its lifetime when the substantial slip distance of the belt exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromasa Itou, Motohiko Itou
  • Patent number: 10564005
    Abstract: A position determining sensor unit having a number of sensors arranged at predetermined positions along a path, and a transducer. The transducer has a first end which is moveable at least along the entire path, and a length running parallel to the path. Each sensor has a first supply voltage connection, a second supply voltage connection and a switching output, and wherein the switching output is switched into an On-state or an Off-state as a function of the threshold value of a sensor signal being exceeded or undershot. The supply voltage connection of each sensor is connected to a supply voltage, and a first sensor is arranged at a beginning of the path and a last sensor is arranged at an end of the path so that the second supply voltage connection of the first sensor is connected to a reference potential and the first sensor has a power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: TDK-Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Franke, Klaus Heberle
  • Patent number: 10447041
    Abstract: A dynamic line rating determination apparatus configured to control the current applied to a power line conductor by determining a dynamic maximum current rating for said power line conductor, based on measured voltage and current phase vectors taken at two temporally spaced sample times, the phase vectors including a voltage and current phase vector for each phase of electrical power carried by the power line conductor at a first and second end of the power line conductor; and determining the dynamic maximum current rating by; applying the phase vectors to a power line model to estimate the conductor temperature, applying the estimate to a thermal model to predict a steady state temperature that the power line conductor will reach, and calculate the dynamic maximum current rating based on the prediction of the steady state temperature, a power line conductor current, and a maximum temperature limitation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Technology GmbH
    Inventors: Hengxu Ha, Deng Na
  • Patent number: 10429209
    Abstract: A position determining unit is provided that has a number of sensor units arranged at positions along a path, and a transducer. Each sensor unit has a carrier, a first and second supply voltage connection, a switching output, a measuring unit and a bias magnet comprising two poles. The measuring unit is arranged on the carrier and has at least one magnetic field sensor, wherein the switching output is switched into an On or Off-state as a function of a threshold value exceeding or falling short of a sensor signal. The first supply voltage connection of each sensor unit is connected to a supply voltage, wherein a first sensor unit is arranged at a beginning of the path and a last sensor unit is arranged at the end of the path. The second supply voltage connection of the first sensor unit is connected to a reference potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TDK-Micronas GmbH
    Inventors: Joerg Franke, Klaus Heberle
  • Patent number: 9874492
    Abstract: A marking system for knowing precisely at which location on an electrical device a used brush and associated brush holder assembly were positioned to evaluate whether abnormal brush wear, abnormal operation or other anomaly is occurring and performing maintenance and/or replacement of components as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: CUTSFORTH, INC.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 9762016
    Abstract: An apparatus for use with a dynamoelectric machine includes a main body configured for attachment to a brush holder. A proximity sensor is on the main body, and the proximity sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a brush located at least partially inside the brush holder. The apparatus receives power from a battery located inside the apparatus, and transmits a wireless signal. The wireless signal is transformable into an indication of a remaining life of the brush. The apparatus is configured to be fully operational when the dynamoelectric machine is neither energized nor in operation, as the apparatus receives power from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Earl Fish, Albert Eugene Steinbach, James Warren Pemrick
  • Patent number: 9644735
    Abstract: A speed sensor is integrated with a bearing of a transmission. The speed sensor may sense rotation of a bearing cage using a proximity sensor or may sense passage of the rolling elements themselves using an acceleration sensor. The speed of the shaft supported by the bearing is calculated from the speed sensor reading. The shaft speed may be used to control a slipping clutch during a shift event. When the transmission is in a fixed gear ratio, inconsistent speed sensor reading may indicate a preload issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Tekletsion Berhan
  • Patent number: 9590376
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a brush holder assembly and/or detecting wear of a brush in a brush holder assembly are disclosed. One method includes sending data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations to a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a marker tracking longitudinal movement of the brush may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush, such as the wear rate, wear state, or life expectancy of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cutsforth, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 9424519
    Abstract: A diagnostic monitoring system and method is employed for one or more vapor compression systems such as air conditioners and heat pumps having a compressor, an indoor air handler fan coil and an outdoor condensor. Temperature, voltage and current sensors are provided at the outdoor condensor to determine that at least one vapor compression system is operating properly. Data obtained from the sensors is wirelessly transmitted to a receiving-device for use by the systems' custodian or repair service provider and includes information concerning an occurrence of periods when one or more of the vapor compression systems are operating at an abnormal state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert P. Scaringe, Robert Paul Roth, Erik P. Thomas, Chad L. Carff, Daniel Lambert
  • Patent number: 9331555
    Abstract: An apparatus, brush holder and system are provided. The apparatus includes a main body configured for attachment to a brush holder, and a proximity sensor on the main body. The proximity sensor is configured for detecting the presence of a brush located at least partially inside the brush holder. The apparatus is configured to transmit a wireless signal to a remote location, and the wireless signal is transformable into an indication of a remaining life of the brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Earl Fish, Albert Eugene Steinbach
  • Patent number: 9057378
    Abstract: An intelligent air moving apparatus for cooling an electronics enclosure includes a motor for driving a fan at a variable rotational speed and a microcontroller for controlling the rotational speed of the motor. The microcontroller includes a speed sensor for sensing the rotational speed such that when the sensed rotational speed deviates below a target speed, the microcontroller detects a locked rotor condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: John P. Franz, Wade D. Vinson, Thomas D. Rhodes, David F. Heinrich, Stephen A. Kay
  • Patent number: 9049762
    Abstract: A constant voltage dimmable LED (Light Emitting Diode) driver is disclosed that is compatible with all types of dimmers, including conventional phase cut (TRIAC) dimmers, and behaves like a conventional constant voltage driver which can be connected to any size of LED load that has a matching voltage rating. The driver produces a continuous train of pulses for driving the LED load and obtains an averaged measure of the voltage at the AC input for controlling the duty cycle of the continuous train of pulses. Therefore, when the averaged measure of the voltage at the AC input is reduced by a dimmer, the duty cycle reduces, resulting in a dimmed LED. The driver can be created by adding a few components to a conventional wide input range AC-DC converter without or with very little modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Inventor: Gang Gary Liu
  • Patent number: 8972219
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of monitoring electrical brushes in electrical rotating machinery. One embodiment of the method comprises continuously measuring at least one parameter associated with an electrical brush; and determining, using the at least one continuously measured parameter associated with the electrical brush, maintenance for the electrical brush.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sascha Schieke, Aditi Yogin Koppikar, Mark Andrew Sporer, Chongchan Lee
  • Patent number: 8791814
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a remote annunciator 10 that includes an enclosure 11 and a control 12 within the enclosure 11. The control 12 receives signals S from a plurality of transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and at least one generator 14 that is connected to at least one of the transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D. The control 12 displays a status of electrical connections that include the plurality of transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and the at least one generator 14. In some embodiments, the control 12 recognizes when the plurality of transfer switches 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D and the at least one generator 14 are connected to the control 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Kohler Company
    Inventors: Eric D. Albsmeier, Michael T. Little, Anthony J. Hackbarth
  • Patent number: 8786450
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying dirt and/or dew on components of a voltage intermediate circuit converter. According to the invention, the temporal curve of a partial discharge pulsed current is detected at least during a precharging process of an intermediate circuit capacitor of the voltage intermediate circuit converter comprising at least one capacitor, wherein a frequency spectrum is calculated from said current pulse, and wherein depending of the result, a dirt warning and/or a dew warning is activated. Thus, the degree of dirt and/or dew of said voltage intermediate circuit converter can be determined at least during a charging process of an intermediate circuit capacitor of a voltage intermediate circuit converter, thereby preventing a breakdown including the consequences thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Dietrich, Werner Fischer, Jörg Hassel, Marc Hiller, Carsten Probol, Rainer Sommer
  • Patent number: 8686670
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the holding torque of a brake in a material handling system is disclosed. The material handling system may include a bridge, a trolley, and a hoist, each driven along a different axis by a motor. A brake is operatively coupled to the motor to prevent unwanted motion of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to each motor which controls operation of the motor and its corresponding brake. The motor controller generates a torque command to the motor while keeping the brake set. The initial torque command is less than the holding torque of the brake. The torque command is incremented until motion is detected on the motor. The torque value when motion is detected is stored in the motor controller and displayed to an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Magnetek, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurtis L. Verheyen, Aaron Kureck
  • Publication number: 20140077960
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a brush holder assembly and/or detecting wear of a brush in a brush holder assembly are disclosed. One method includes sending data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations to a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a marker tracking longitudinal movement of the brush may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush, such as the wear rate, wear state, or life expectancy of the brush.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Cutsforth, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 8610591
    Abstract: The invention inter alia relates to a method for monitoring the bearing current of an electrical machine (10). An electrode (100) arranged at a distance (d) to a shaft and the shaft—due to the gap (S) between the electrode and the shaft—produce a measurement capacitance (C) and an electric shift current (i) which flows through the measurement capacitance when there is a temporal change of the voltage (Ug) applied between the shaft and the housing is measured. A measurement signal (Ms) indicating a bearing current flow is generated when the shift current or a measurement variable produced by the shift current meets a predetermined trigger criterion. Preferably, the electrode has a circular inner contour so that the gap is annular. The annular inner contour results in an error compensation in the case of a balance error of the shaft because the factor dC/dt remains at least substantially constant. Due to the contactless measurement of the shift current, no contact brushes for contacting the shaft are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Richard Kretschmer, Arno Steckenborn, Oliver Theile
  • Patent number: 8552668
    Abstract: An automotive electrical body system includes a plurality of electrical assemblies coupled to at least one automotive body component. Each of the assemblies includes a heating element for heating the at least one component, a motor for actuating the at least one component, or a switch configured to toggle the at least one component on and off. Each of the assemblies also includes a wireless communication module for receiving wireless signals, and, in response to the wireless signals, controlling operation of the heating element or motor. An electrical conductor interconnects each of the electrical assemblies and carries electrical power to each of the electrical assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Alfons Hogenmueller, Vivek Jain
  • Patent number: 8538709
    Abstract: A fuel battery system is comprised of a power source circuit, a rotating electrical machine that is a load, a memory device and a control unit. Here, a battery learning system corresponds to an arrangement including a fuel battery that is a structural component of the power source circuit, a high frequency signal source, an electric current detection means, a voltage detection means, the memory device and a battery learning part that is a structural element of the control unit. An impedance value can be obtained from alternating current components of respective detecting values of the electric current detection means and the voltage detection means. The battery learning unit has an I-V characteristic curve learning module that learns an I-V characteristic curve and a learning prohibition judgment module that judges whether or not an acquiring interval of the impedance value is over a predetermined threshold interval set in advance, and prohibits learning if the former is over the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ayako Kawase
  • Patent number: 8537024
    Abstract: A sanitary rotary valve has a casing, a side plate arranged at a first side of the casing, a rotor provided in the casing, a rotatable shaft for rotating the rotor, a geared motor for rotating the shaft, and a motor mount for mounting the motor. The side plate has a cylinder which extends into the casing and is inserted into the rotor, extending to an approximate center of the rotor. An angular supporting bearing for rotatably supporting the shaft is provided at an end of the cylinder disposed at the approximate center of the rotor. An electrical alarm system stops rotation of the geared motor automatically if the rotor touches the casing. A clearance between the side plate and casing can be cleaned by extracting the side plate using a hanger and connecting rod. The position of the side plate is correctly fixed by set bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Shuichi Okabe
  • Patent number: 8514092
    Abstract: An alarm circuit is for a fan. The alarm circuit includes a direct current converting circuit, a first electronic switch, a second electronic switch, a clock chip, and a light emitting diode. When the fan does not operate, the light emitting diode blinks to warn the user that the fan may have a problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiang Cao, Hai-Qing Zhou
  • Patent number: 8451134
    Abstract: A computer implemented method and system includes using information provided from sensors to monitor a wind turbine generator and provide signals representative of operation of the wind turbine generator, extracting signal level features from the signals, extracting model based features from the signals, calculating signal based conclusions, model based conclusions and spectral feature reinforcement based conclusions, and fusing the conclusions to provide a fault detection indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Raj Mohan Bharadwaj, Kyusung Kim
  • Patent number: 8436570
    Abstract: The motor driving system includes a driving state amount detector configured to detect a driving state amount, a motor control part configured to perform a power supply control, a higher control part capable of outputting a higher control command to the motor control part, and a safety requesting part that inputs a safety request signal to the motor control part. The motor control part includes a motor control circuit part that performs the power supply control, a mode selecting and executing part configured to select and execute either a first safety function mode or a second safety function mode, and a comparing and monitoring processing part that compares the driving state amount and a predetermined operation monitoring pattern, when the safety request signal is inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Kunimasa Ando, Tsutomu Kubo, Keisei Inoki
  • Patent number: 8374834
    Abstract: A statistical methodology is disclosed to provide time-to-event estimates for oilfield equipment. A method according to the present invention extracts unbiased information from equipment performance data and considers parameters interactions without recourse to data thinning. The analysis explicitly accounts for items of equipment that are still operational at the time of analysis. A method according to the present invention may also be utilized to apply survival analysis to any oilfield equipment components where time-to-event information has been recorded. The method of the present invention allows comparative reckoning between different components present in the system comprising several or many individual components and allows analysis of these components either individually or simultaneously, i.e., in the presence of other components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Bailey, Benoit Couet, James R. Hogan, Iain S. Weir
  • Patent number: 8351168
    Abstract: A circuit comprises a switch, a driver circuit, and an open circuit detector. The switch has a first current electrode coupled to a power supply terminal, a second current electrode coupled to supply a current to a load, and a control electrode. The driver circuit has an input for receiving a control signal, and an output coupled to the control electrode of the switch. The open circuit detector has a first terminal coupled to receive a voltage from a bootstrap capacitor, a second terminal coupled to the power supply terminal, and a control terminal coupled to the driver circuit. The open circuit detector detects an open circuit, and in response, provides a signal at the control terminal for causing the driver circuit to open the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Thierry Sicard
  • Patent number: 8344678
    Abstract: A servomotor control system includes: an integrated control unit for integrally controlling servomotors; and servomotor units coupled with the integrated control unit and the servomotors. Each servomotor unit includes: a motor driver; a rotation detector of the servomotor; an original point detector for detecting an original point of the servomotor; a communication element for obtaining control information including rotation position instruction information from the integrated control unit; a rotation position calculator for calculating a current rotation position of the servomotor based on a rotation detection signal; a motor drive instruction element for outputting driving instruction information to the motor driver according to the control information and the current rotation position; and a current rotation position correction element for resetting the current rotation position to a predetermined original point when the original point detector detects the original point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuaki Koshobu
  • Patent number: 8301331
    Abstract: A method for the calibration or diagnosis of a motor vehicle brake system having a cyclically operated pump. At least one parameter (URPOff), representing the electromotor force of the reference pump, is repeatedly ascertained during operation of a reference pump under defined guidelines. A statistical characteristic variable (URPOff) is derived from the values of parameter (URPOff) ascertained for the reference pump. Parameter (UBPOff) is ascertained under a corresponding guideline during operation of an operating pump. Corresponding statistical characteristic variable (UBPOff) is derived from the values of parameter (UBPOff) ascertained for the operating pump. At least one ratio number is calculated as a measure of the deviation of the operating behavior of the operating pump from the operating behavior of the reference pump from the characteristic variable (URPOff) calculated for the reference pump and the characteristic variable (UBPOff) calculated for the operating pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Faouzi Attallah, Tobias Scheller, Tom Robert
  • Patent number: 8279565
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing overcurrent circuit protection are disclosed. A method of providing overcurrent circuit protection may include setting a threshold current value according to an operational state of a motor and sensing an amount of current being supplied to the motor. The method may further include electrically isolating the motor from a current source if the sensed current amount is greater than the threshold current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Won-Door corporation
    Inventors: Duane O. Hall, D. George Field, E. Carl Goodman, Kevin D. Banta
  • Patent number: 8199022
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for coordinating the installation and removal a motor control center subunit with the power connection and interruption thereof. A system of interlocks and indicators causes an operator to install a motor control center subunit into a motor control center, and connect supply and control power thereto, in a particular order. Once installed, a test module system included with the subunit provides for pass-through connection of signals from equipment test points. The test module can thus relay internal conditions of the subunit to the operator without a need for disengaging or opening the subunit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert A. Morris, Scott E. McPherren, Edgar Yee
  • Patent number: 8174402
    Abstract: A machine condition monitor resides in close proximity to a machine train, such as an AC inductive electric motor coupled to a driven unit such as a centrifugal pump or fan. A plurality of sensing devices are connected to the machine and the machine condition monitor. Machine state and condition parameters sensed by these devices are utilized by the machine condition monitor to derive machine condition values for each component and for the machine train as a whole. These derived condition values are transmitted via an industrial communications network to a control center where they can be trended and monitored. With no particular knowledge of machine analysis techniques or severity of specific machine faults, and no special training, Operators and Production Planners can use the condition values to plan production schedules, adjust process parameters, and request appropriate maintenance action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: CSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kai Bouse, Stewart V. Bowers, III, Jim Robinson, Richard Piety, Todd Reeves
  • Patent number: 8159362
    Abstract: A faulted circuit indicator utilizes digitized fault indication curves to determine if a fault has occurred in a monitored conductor. Fault indication curves are intended to be similar to trip curves of common power protection devices, and consist of a plurality of associated fault current levels and fault times. The faulted circuit indicator only displays a fault when the current within the monitored conductor exceeds one of the fault current levels for its associated fault time. This results in more accurate fault detection through the ability to distinguish between small and large amplitude faults coupled with the flexability of a fault indicator suitable for use on many different power systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan W. Swartzendruber, Laurence Virgil Feight, Tyson J. Salewske
  • Patent number: 8140291
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for correction of parameters used in determination of stator turn faults of an induction motor. An embodiment may include determining a residual impedance and/or a residual voltage of the motor, and correcting a normalized cross-coupled impedance based on the residual impedance and residual voltage. Additional embodiments may include measuring an operating temperature of the motor and determining a negative sequence impedance of the motor based on the temperature. Another embodiment may include measuring voltages and currents of the motor and determining phasors for the voltages and currents using compensation for variations from a nominal frequency of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bogdan Z. Kasztenny, Somakumar Ramachandrapanicker, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Arijit Banerjee
  • Patent number: 8134472
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring a component of an electrical device and/or a brush of a brush holder assembly are provided. One method includes receiving data from a plurality of remote monitoring locations at a central control unit, where the data may be evaluated in order to monitor states of brushes or other components of an electrical device at a plurality of remote electrical facilities. For example, multiple images of a component of an electrical device may be acquired. A comparison of the images, for example, a comparative imaging technique, such as pixel-by-pixel comparison or visual observation, may then be performed in order to evaluate a condition of the brush or other component, such as a threshold and/or anomalous condition of the brush or other component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Cutsforth Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 8130112
    Abstract: In one aspect, an alarm mask for condition monitoring in a wind turbine is automatically generated. A reference data selecting definition is selected from a control definition repository in the wind turbine. The reference data selecting definition specifies a time interval of recorded reference data. Reference data is selected from a sensor located in the wind turbine recorded during the time interval. A reference value is calculated based on the reference data. A first and a second alarm mask factor are selected from the control definition repository. A first alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the first alarm mask factor and the reference value. A second alarm mask is calculated based on multiplying the second alarm mask factor by the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Gram & Juhl A/S
    Inventors: Klaus Gram-Hansen, Axel Juhl, Troels Kildemoes Moeller
  • Patent number: 8120503
    Abstract: A worn brush monitoring system for monitoring a plurality of brushes of an electrical machine comprises a plurality of mounted flags configured to be in moveable communication relative to a wear of each of the plurality of brushes and an electrical recording circuit. The electrical recording circuit includes at least one impedance device configured to provide impedance data, at least one switch having a contact plate interactable with at least two of the plurality of mounted flags at different points along a length of the contact plate and an impedance dependent on the length of the contact plate, and a recording device configured to detect changes in electrical characteristics in the electrical recording circuit resulting from changes in a switch state, the switch state defined by the interaction between the mounted flags and the electrical recording circuit, as a result of brush wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Bernhard Mark, Max Hobelsberger
  • Patent number: 8089365
    Abstract: A wiper control method and a wiper control device which can stabilize wiping rhythm of a wiper while ensuring required wiping and smoothly respond to change of a rainfall situation are provided. An adhesion cycle of a raindrop adhering on a detection surface is detected, a current adhesion cycle to be the basis when determining an intermittence time of a wiper is determined based on the detected raindrop adhesion cycle, the wiper intermittence time is determined based on the current adhesion cycle, a raindrop adhesion cycle shorter than the current adhesion cycle is detected, and when the raindrop adhesion cycle shorter than the current adhesion cycle is detected a predetermined number of times, the current adhesion cycle is changed to a shorter adhesion cycle and the wiper intermittence time is determined based on the changed current adhesion cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Niles Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuto Kokuryo, Yoshiteru Makino, Satoshi Furusawa
  • Patent number: 8054190
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for monitoring brushes, such as slipring or commutator brushes, on electrical machines. At least one electronic sensor is configured to be arranged in or on a brush apparatus of an electrical machine such that an electrical supply power can be locally drawn directly from an electromagnetic environment of the brush apparatus. The apparatus can transmit measurement data detected by it by electromagnetic radiation to an indication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd
    Inventor: Max Hobelsberger
  • Publication number: 20110227743
    Abstract: A door usable for after market installation of remotely actuatable locking systems is provided with a spacer element within its interior. The spacer element includes an orifice sized for accommodating a motor and locking mechanism. A tubular element is also provided through the interior of the door body adjacent to the first orifice, the tubular element being usable to accommodate wiring. A motor disposed within the first orifice can be placed in communication with a power source and/or receiver using wiring extending through the tubular element, while a lock assembly can be installed within the first orifice in operative engagement with the motor. Receipt of a remote signal by the receiver causes actuation of the motor, which then actuates the lock assembly. Use of the spacer and tubular elements enables all primary components of the remotely actuatable locking system to be installed within the interior of the door, after market.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventor: Mark Kilbourne
  • Patent number: 8004226
    Abstract: A method of detecting one or more failed current sensor and estimating a phase current for the failed current sensor on a three-phase machine is disclosed. The method may include detecting one or more failed current sensor by determining if an absolute value of a sum of the phase currents of the motor is below an open circuit value. The method may also include determining which phase currents are approximately zero, for each phase current associated with each phase of the motor, if the sum of the phase currents of the motor is not below the open circuit value. The method may further include estimating the phase current for the failed current sensor by determining the phase current value for the failed current sensor, that when added to the phase currents of the remaining current sensors, will make the sum of all the phase currents equal to approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartman, Jesse R. Gerdes, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jackson Wai
  • Patent number: 7969059
    Abstract: A brush assembly having a brush wear indicator for use with electric actuating devices such as motors and generators that detects the worn condition of a brush and generates a signal indicating this worn condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Bodine Electric Company
    Inventors: Charito J. Cacal, Timothy M. Oliver, Joseph J. Norris
  • Patent number: 7956762
    Abstract: A controller (500) in an electric drive system is used to develop power generation failure diagnostics. During operation, the controller (500) receives a set of generator inputs, a set of machine parameters, and a set of diagnostic values. Next, the controller (500) determines a set of expected operating values corresponding to the set of diagnostic values. The controller (500) then compares the obtained diagnostic values to one or more corresponding expected operating values. If the difference is greater than a threshold, the controller (500) provides an appropriate fault indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Bailey, Matthew Hendrickson, Frederick Beach