Motor Protective Condition Responsive Circuits Patents (Class 361/23)
  • Patent number: 11960274
    Abstract: In order to specify a method, which is improved in comparison to the prior art, for monitoring an electrical switching arrangement having at least two channels, which each electrically conductively connect an electrical source supplying the respective channel, forming an electrical supply quantity, to an output of the respective channel, the switching arrangement is fed not only an external safety signal, from which an internal safety signal is respectively generated for the at least two channels in order to therewith control a voltage interrupter connected in series in the respective channel, but also a pulsed diagnostic signal, which is superimposed on the internal safety signals in order to alternately open and close again the voltage interrupters connected in the respective channels and to thus respectively alternately interrupt the supply quantities appearing in the respective channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: B&R INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION GMBH
    Inventors: Marc Herzog, Matthias Kleineberg
  • Patent number: 11890949
    Abstract: In a communication system, a control unit and driver units are connected in a daisy chain; each unit includes a corresponding insulated communication circuit, respectively. The control unit measures a communication delay time between the control unit and each driver unit from a response time to transmission of a pulse signal performed to each driver unit during a measurement period. Then, based on each communication delay time, the control unit transmits a shift time to each driver unit for equalizing the timing of signals output by the driver units. When each driver unit receives, from the control unit, an instruction instructing each driver unit to output a signal, each driver unit outputs the signal when the shift time has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MIRISE Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hyoungjun Na, Yoshikazu Furuta, Shigeki Otsuka, Takasuke Ito, Tomohiro Nezuka
  • Patent number: 11758698
    Abstract: Provided is a power semiconductor cooling module for an electric vehicle. The power semiconductor cooling module for an electric vehicle, according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, is electrically connected to a motor and comprises: a box-shaped housing part having an inner space; a power element part disposed in the inner space and electrically connected to a motor via at least one busbar; a heat dissipation part disposed in the inner space so as to make contact with the power element part in order to cool heat generated from the power element part; and a heat backflow prevention member disposed so as to surround at least a portion of the total length of the busbar, and disposed so as to make contact with the heat dissipation part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: AMOGREENTECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hwan Ku Lee
  • Patent number: 11742692
    Abstract: Techniques for an electronic device to perform power-stealing techniques to harvest energy from a power-control circuit to power components of the electronic device. In some examples, the electronic device may be connected in the power-control circuit between a power supply and a relay that is selectively configured to activate a power load. According to the techniques described herein, the electronic device may include voltage-drop circuitry that is connected in the power-control circuit such that a voltage drop is produced across electrical components of the electronic device while the relay is in the activated, or triggered, state. In this way, the electronic device may perform power-stealing from the power-control circuit while the relay is maintained in the activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Forest Girvin, Paul Joseph Schaffert
  • Patent number: 11626722
    Abstract: A power supply for a vehicle with a first network (12) with a voltage source (18) and with a first group (G1) of electrical consumers (20), a second network (14) with a second voltage source (22) and with a second group (G2) of electrical consumers (24), and a circuit breaker device (30) connected between the first network(12) and the second network(14) with a first circuit breaker (32) and with a second circuit breaker (34). Each circuit breaker (32, 34) allows in a conductor state, the flow of current between its input terminal (E1, E2) and its output terminal (A1, A2) in both directions, and it allows a flow of current only from the input terminal (E1, E2) to the output terminal (A1, A2) in a diode state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Eberspächer Controls Landau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Steffen Wandres
  • Patent number: 11493555
    Abstract: A method for operating a separately excited electric motor, which includes a rotor and a stator, includes the following: determining an electrical characteristic variable of the rotor and an electrical characteristic variable of the stator, calculating an initial setpoint voltage value for the stator based on a setpoint current value, a measured current value, and the determined electrical characteristic variables of the rotor and the stator, checking, based on the calculated initial setpoint voltage value, whether there is an electrical fault, in particular a shorted coil, at the rotor, and providing a fault message and/or disconnecting the electric motor if a fault has been identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Sebastian Huegler, Jovan Knezevic, Roman Nestlinger
  • Patent number: 11488795
    Abstract: A switching element (100) that comprises a switching unit (30), a first and a second coil unit (10, 20) for closing and opening the switching unit (30), wherein the first coil unit (10) comprises a first coil (12) and wherein the second coil unit (20) comprises a second coil (22). According to the invention, the first coil unit (10) comprises a first controllable delay circuit (14) that is connected in series with the first coil (12). The invention further relates to a switching device (200) that comprises a switching element (100) according to the invention. The invention further relates to a first and a second method for the operation of the switching device (200) according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chrysanthos Tzivanopoulos, Keonyeol Hwang
  • Patent number: 11454655
    Abstract: A current detection apparatus includes a voltage detector, a candidate voltage generator, a temperature detector and a correction voltage selector. The voltage detector includes an output terminal for outputting a detected voltage according to a load current. The candidate voltage generator includes correction resistors connected in series and connecting the output terminal and a ground. The candidate voltage generator generates candidate voltages at respective sections across the corresponding correction resistors. The temperature detector detects a temperature of a semiconductor switch. The correction voltage selector selects one of the candidate voltages as a corrected voltage. The one of the candidate voltages is weighted with corresponding one of the corrected magnification scales corresponding to an on-resistance of the semiconductor switch at the measured temperature. The corrected voltage indicates a corrected current value with correction of the load current according to the measured temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hirokazu Kasuya
  • Patent number: 11455263
    Abstract: A communication method for a fan includes transmitting an initial signal with a specific duty cycle pattern to the fan; entering a communication mode after the fan receives the initial signal; reading information of the fan by a firmware of the fan; and transforming the information of the fan into a fake tachometer (TACH) signal and transmitting the fake TACH signal to a controller via a TACH signal line under the communication mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Wiwynn Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Zhe Wu, Chih-Yuan Lin, Chih-Yuan Hung
  • Patent number: 11424706
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for controlling operation of an electric machine such as a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive or motor control system to limit battery current and protect a battery from excessive discharging or charging current from the PMSM drive. Systems and methods employ a torque control algorithm for PMSMs that uses a battery current limit constraint when generating current commands during each of a maximum torque per ampere (MTPA) operation, and maximum torque per voltage (MTPV) operation. Torque search operations are performed in each of the MTPA and MTPV operation regions in a PMSM drive system until current commands are achieved under a given battery current limit constraint and while maintaining maximum voltage utilization throughout all PMSM operation regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Haibo Li, Prerit Pramod, Krishna MPK Namburi, Zhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 11385247
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for depositing solid waste into a waste bin in an automated analyzer having a transport mechanism for transporting solid waste to a waste bin. The system includes a transport mechanism including a sliding mechanism, a parking position, and an opening that is proximal to the waste bin. The sliding mechanism includes a slider and an extendable ramp and the slider pushes the solid waste along the ramp into the waste bin. The transport mechanism is configured to place the solid waste into the parking position, contact the solid waste with the slider, and push said solid waste towards the waste bin along the ramp until the solid waste moves along the extendable ramp into the waste bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Peter, Markus Troxler
  • Patent number: 11299056
    Abstract: A vehicle includes charger contactors configured to selectively electrically couple terminals for connecting to a charger to corresponding terminals of a high-voltage bus. The vehicle includes a precharge contactor configured to selectively couple a terminal of a battery to the high-voltage bus through an impedance element. The vehicle includes a controller programmed to command the charger contactors to an open state for a drive cycle and command the precharge contactor to close at a start of the drive cycle and, responsive to a voltage across the terminals for connecting to the charger changing from being less than a first predetermined voltage immediately prior to the precharge contactor being closed to being greater than a second predetermined voltage at a completion of precharging, inhibit vehicle operation and disconnect the battery from the high-voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rui Wang, Aaron Walker, Yuan Zhang
  • Patent number: 11296507
    Abstract: Improved control of electrical power consumption is provided with “Smart Dim Fuses” (SDF) which can alter their output voltage as provided to the load circuits they are connected to. SDF units can replace conventional circuit breakers in electrical panels. The voltage control capability provided by SDF units can lead to improved control of electrical power consumption, since many loads can smoothly operate at lower power consumption when the voltage they are driven with decreases. SDF units can comply with relevant safety requirements, such as uninterrupted neutral connections between electrical mains and load circuits. SDF units can also provide a current limiting function that can substitute for the protective action of conventional circuit breakers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Aaron Sargent Goldin, Ram Rajagopal, Claudio Rivetta, Juan M. Rivas Davila
  • Patent number: 11243264
    Abstract: The abnormal power supply voltage detection device has a function of accurately detecting the abnormal voltage in accordance with the characteristics of the semiconductor element for each semiconductor chip. Circuit group for operating the adjustment function has a function of preventing the influence of the power supply voltage of the logic system such as control in the semiconductor product malfunctions becomes abnormal. Furthermore, it has a function of detecting the abnormal voltage of the various power supplies in the semiconductor product. It also has a function to test the abnormal voltage detection function in the normal power supply voltage range during use of semiconductor products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tadashi Kameyama, Masanori Ikeda, Masataka Minami, Kenichi Shimada, Yukitoshi Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 11173952
    Abstract: With an object of allowing steering wheel operation to be carried out easily at a normal time and when an abnormality occurs, the invention includes a motor having two windings and a control unit having two control systems that supply control signals to each winding of the motor, and when an abnormality occurs in one winding of the motor or in one system inside the control unit, a supply of current to the winding in which the abnormality has occurred is cut to zero, and the motor is driven by a predetermined current necessary at a normal time being supplied to the other winding, while at a time of a normal drive when no abnormality has occurred, the current supply is shared between the two windings, whereby the motor is driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihito Asao, Satoru Akutsu, Akihiko Mori
  • Patent number: 11165247
    Abstract: A protection circuit and a printed circuit board (PCB) for a terminal camera includes, in a configuration for coupling with a voice control motor (VCM), a drive circuit, a first circuit, a second circuit, a first protection system, a second protection system, and a third protection system. The first circuit and the second circuit are choke inductors or choke circuits including choke inductors, and are configured to couple to two ends of the VCM. The first protection system, the second protection system, and the third protection system are coupled to other key positions of the circuits. The devices are arranged on a top layer of the PCB, and a plurality of layers of the PCB are configured to route a signal based on design requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HONOR DEVICE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Xu, Chao Wang, Jie Dong, Yi Wang, Qiao Sun, Zhiyong Sun
  • Patent number: 11133768
    Abstract: A motor control center system according to the present invention includes a first integrated module and a second integrated module which are provided in correspondence with a motor control center and in a dual structure; a plurality of protection control modules provided in correspondence with respective motor units; and a multipoint bus to which the protection control modules are connected such that a serial communication network is formed between the first integrated module and second integrated module and the plurality of protection control modules, wherein one end of the multipoint bus is commonly connected to a first serial communication port of the first integrated module and a first serial communication port of the second integrated module, and the other end of the multipoint bus is commonly connected to a second serial communication port of the first integrated module and a second serial communication port of the second integrated module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: ROOTECH INC.
    Inventors: Changyong Jeong, Youngbok Byun, Boogi Moon, Dongchun Ji
  • Patent number: 11123854
    Abstract: A handheld power tool has a tool socket (2) to hold a tool (4) along a working axis (11), a motor (5) and a slip clutch (21) having a number of blocking elements. A sensor (27) serves to record a measured signal (28) as the measure of vibrations inside the handheld power tool (1). A band-pass filter (29) has a pass range in which a frequency lies that is equal to the product of the rotational speed of the wheel (22) on the drive side and the number N of blocking elements (24). The measured signal (28) filtered by the band-pass filter (29) is fed to an evaluation unit (30). When the filtered measured signal (28) exceeds a limit value, the evaluation unit (30) reduces the rotational speed of the motor (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Manschitz, Walter Wissmach
  • Patent number: 11070161
    Abstract: An electric-motor driving device includes an inverter connected to terminals connected to windings of an electric motor including the windings, the inverter applying an alternating-current voltage to the electric motor, a switching unit connected to the terminals and capable of switching a connection state between the terminals, a detecting unit that detects at least one of a voltage and an electric current of the inverter, and a control unit that determines on the basis of a detection value detected by the detecting unit that an abnormality occurs in the switching unit and controls the inverter to short-circuit at least two of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Hatakeyama
  • Patent number: 11031887
    Abstract: A motor control device includes: a storage configured to store reference Lissajous values; and a controller configured to apply an excitation signal to a resolver; receive an output signal output from the resolver, to obtain a Lissajous value corresponding to the received output signal, to determine that an external noise is input when the obtained Lissajous value is different from the reference Lissajous values, and to control driving of a motor based on the obtained Lissajous value when the obtained Lissajous value is equal to any one of the reference Lissajous values. A vehicle having the motor control device may further include a battery configured to transmit power to the motor and to be charged by regenerative braking of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jiwan Cha, Han Hee Park, JaeHyeon Lee, Seongmin Kim, Hyunwoo Noh, Taeil Yoo
  • Patent number: 10978987
    Abstract: A motor drive device includes: an inverter circuit; a drive circuit which receives voltage supplied from a control power source; a first cutoff circuit which cuts off voltage supply from the control power source to the drive circuit; a second cutoff circuit connected between the first cutoff circuit and the drive circuit; a voltage detection circuit which detects a detection voltage corresponding to the voltage supplied from the control power source and which is capable of changing the detection voltage; a comparison circuit which, upon determination that the detection voltage is not within a predetermined range, cuts off the first cutoff circuit; and a diagnosis circuit which diagnoses the first cutoff circuit. The diagnosis circuit causes the comparison circuit to cut off the first cutoff circuit, diagnoses the first cutoff circuit, and upon diagnosing the operation of the first cutoff circuit as being abnormal, cuts off the second cutoff circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoya Hosokawa, Taro Kishibe, Yusuke Shimogaki
  • Patent number: 10938267
    Abstract: A centrifugal electric pump assembly includes a pump body formed by a volute and an intake duct and a delivery duct. The pump also includes an electric motor, contained in an accommodation casing, the casing facing with one of its ends the pump body and being fixed to the pump body by means of a plurality of fixing elements; and an electrical box, the electrical box facing the other end of the casing. The casing and the electrical box are contained at least partially within a single shell. The pump further includes a terminal strip, connected to the electrical box and arranged in a compartment which extends from the shell, the compartment being axially offset with respect to the direction of extension of the electric pump. The assembly has at least one hole which passes at least partially through the compartment and/or the shell, the hole being extended in the same direction as a corresponding element for fixing the casing to the pump body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: DAB PUMPS S.P.A.
    Inventors: Francesco Sinico, Stefano Tazioli
  • Patent number: 10877095
    Abstract: In a power storage system, a first switch is connected between a first node and a second node. The first node is connected to a positive terminal of a power storage unit, and the second node is connected to a positive terminal of a load. A second switch is connected between a third node and a fourth node. The third node is connected to a negative terminal of the power storage unit, and the fourth node is connected to a negative terminal of the load. A first comparator circuit compares a first voltage based on a voltage between the first and fourth nodes with a first reference voltage. A second comparator circuit compares a second voltage based on a voltage between the second and third nodes with a second reference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Katsuaki Hamamoto
  • Patent number: 10881014
    Abstract: Providing a highly reliable electronic control device capable of achieving both low cost and productivity. An electronic control device including an electronic component, a control substrate on which the electronic component is mounted, and a sealing resin that seals the control substrate, the electronic control device being installed outside the vehicle cabin or in the engine compartment, the electronic control device further including a housing case that fixes the control substrate, and an outer periphery of the housing case being covered with a sealing resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yujiro Kaneko, Yoshio Kawai, Toshiaki Ishii
  • Patent number: 10770995
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a control device including a detecting circuit, a control circuit and a drive circuit. The detecting circuit detects changes in a current flowing between a node and a smoothing circuit, the node being to which a DC brush motor, a power supply circuit and the smoothing circuit can be electrically connected via respective different lines. The control circuit generates a control signal to control rotation speed of the DC brush motor according to the detected changes in the current. The drive circuit drives the DC brush motor according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kimura
  • Patent number: 10750635
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device control method for dissipating heat from an electronic element without self-heat-dissipation function in an electronic device. The method comprises: detecting a first temperature of the electronic element; and controlling the fan of the peripheral element located around the electronic element when the first temperature exceeds the first upper temperature threshold to dissipate the heat from the electronic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Jo-Hua Wu, Cheng-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 10670652
    Abstract: A semiconductor test equipment can conduct a burn-in test, and has a testing table capable of aligning a plurality of contact units formed of a probe card having a plurality of contact probes each corresponding to each of a plurality of semiconductor chips formed on a semiconductor wafer to contact with the semiconductor wafer, and a holding tool for holding the semiconductor wafer and the probe card in a contacted state; a voltage application circuit having connection wiring lines provided in a manner capable of parallel connection of the plurality of contact units aligned on the testing table, and a plurality of connection units to apply a testing voltage to the semiconductor wafer held on each of the plurality of contact units; and a characteristic measuring circuit for measuring characteristics of the plurality of semiconductor chips formed on the semiconductor wafer according to application of the testing voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Yoshida
  • Patent number: 10656612
    Abstract: A programmable safety unit for monitoring and controlling safety functions of a hazardous environment, for example an environment including hazardous machines, processes, materials, and so forth and safety equipment associated with the hazardous environment. A safety unit is adapted for external mounting, and includes a programmable safety module and a connection part that are interconnectable enabling mounting/demounting and replacement of the programmable safety module and/or the connection part. The safety unit further includes at least two connections that are programmable as safe inputs and/or outputs for direct connection to at least a number of the safety functions or equipment of the hazardous environment, and for example the machines and/or processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SSPN SAFETY SYSTEM PRODUCTS NORTH AB
    Inventor: Mats Linger
  • Patent number: 10660188
    Abstract: A discharging device for discharging electrostatic charges from a shaft includes a conductor arrangement having at least two bending elastic conductors arranged on a holder and made of a carbon-fiber arrangement. The holder has two holder legs arranged on a common pivot axis, each holder leg serving to accommodate a terminal section of a conductor. The holder legs are pivotable relative to each other to enable a holder angle (?) formed between the holder legs to be adjusted. The holder legs are lockable in a defined pivoted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: SCHUNK WIEN GESELLSCHAFT M.B.H.
    Inventors: Gerhard Denner, Thomas Radinger
  • Patent number: 10565042
    Abstract: A transceiver for imparting a voltage signal on a differential signaling bus, involving an output terminal and a string of one or more transistors connected between the output terminal and a predetermined voltage level. The transceiver can be switched between an active state in which the predetermined voltage level is applied to the output terminal, and an inactive state in which the predetermined voltage level is not applied to the output terminal. Methods for the transceiver can involve a detection step of detecting a first quantity depending on a current flowing through a first transistor in the string of transistors, a failure determination step of determining whether the detected first quantity satisfies one or more error conditions, and a control step of switching the transceiver to the inactive state if the detected first quantity is determined to satisfy at least one of the one or more error conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: European Space Agency
    Inventors: Richard Jansen, Scott Lindner, Boris Glass, Gianluca Furano
  • Patent number: 10312670
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drive device for a middle-high voltage vacuum circuit breaker chassis, which comprises a drive motor (10), a clutch (11) and a drive chain wheel (12); the clutch (11) is installed on an output shaft of the drive motor (10), the drive chain wheel (12) is directly fixed with the clutch (11), and the drive chain wheel (12) is driven by the drive motor (10) through the clutch (11). The drive device further comprises a driven chain wheel (13) and a chain (14) or a belt, the driven chain wheel (13) is fitted over a lead screw (15) of the chassis; and the driven chain wheel (13) is driven by the drive chain wheel (12) through the chain (14) so as to drive the lead screw (15) to rotate together. The drive device further comprises a position locking device (39), which is insertable into a recess (37a-c) on the lead screw (15) to lock the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Xin Zhang, Zhian Wang, Zhijian Zhuang
  • Patent number: 10122316
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus in which a main power supply used for motor drive is supplied via a magnetic contactor includes: a monitoring unit that monitors a main power supply voltage at an AC power supply input side of the magnetic contactor in a state in which contacts of the magnetic contactor are opened; a determination unit that determines whether the main power supply voltage monitored by the monitoring unit is normal; and a magnetic contactor control unit that outputs a command that controls opening and closing of contacts of the magnetic contactor, wherein when it is determined by the determination unit that the main power supply voltage is abnormal, the magnetic contactor control unit maintains an output of an open command such that the contacts of the magnetic contactor are opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hironao Tanouchi, Yasuyuki Matsumoto, Naoki Masuda, Kiichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 9939492
    Abstract: Detection of a locked rotor condition of an electric motor during startup herein uses a virtual speed switch. The methods and systems herein determine whether the motor is in a starting state, and the monitor the motor current to determine if it is greater than a predetermined threshold, and that the motor current decrease exceeds a predetermined threshold after a predetermined amount of time. If the decrease in motor current is not less than a predetermined threshold, then a speed switch bit is set, indicating that the rotor is turning. The methods and systems herein further determine whether a physical speed switch is faulty, and determine a locked rotor condition using the virtual speed switch signal, a physical speed switch signal, and whether the physical speed switch is faulty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Subhash C. Patel, George E. Alexander
  • Patent number: 9941816
    Abstract: A bidirectional current sensing circuit includes: a sensing resistor coupled between a load and a reference ground, a first and second auto-zero amplifiers coupled to the sensing resistor to sense the voltage across the sensing resistor, and an output transistor. One of the first and second auto-zero amplifiers operates in an output mode and the other of the first and second auto-zero amplifiers operates in a zeroing mode according to a polarity of a voltage across the sensing resistor. The output transistor has a first terminal providing a current sensing signal indicating a load current, a second terminal electrically connected to an inverting terminal of the one of the first and second auto-zero amplifiers operating in the output mode, and a control terminal electrically connected to an output terminal of the one of the first and second auto-zero amplifiers operating in the output mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mingliang Liu
  • Patent number: 9912261
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a variable frequency drive motor control apparatus. The apparatus includes a main controller having a first interface. A motor controller is coupled to and controls an electric motor, the motor controller further coupled to the main controller. A network switch is coupled to the main controller, the motor controller, and a remote controller over respective digital connections. The remote controller has a second interface. The network switches data between the first interface, the second interface, and the motor controller. A network coupler is coupled between a variable frequency drive controller and the motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren Neil Rattan, Charles Edward Neal, III, James Douglas Funkhouser, Derek Williams, Gary Lee Cline, Derek James Abel, Troy Dale Bachman
  • Patent number: 9896121
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus that driving-controls a motor via inverters based on a current command value, and applies an assist force by the motor to a steering system, includes multi-system driving systems with the inverters for respective system-windings of the motor which is a multi-system motor, wherein respective multi-system current command value characteristics against a steering torque are applied so as to be disproportionate for left and right steering, to the respective multi-system driving systems, and an assist-control is performed in response to the individual current command value characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Fukuda, Yasuhide Nomura, Tamotsu Oumi
  • Patent number: 9855905
    Abstract: A first power storage portion stores power generated by a generator in a vehicle, and supplies power to a motor for starting an engine and an electric device in the vehicle. A second power storage portion is connected to the first power storage portion in parallel, and stores power generated by the generator, and supplies power to the electric device in the vehicle. The first power storage portion and the second power storage portion are connected each other in parallel. A first switch is inserted in a path between the first power storage portion and the second power storage portion. A diode is connected in parallel with the first switch such that a cathode side thereof is connected to the second power storage portion side. A second switch is provided between the path and the second power storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kaoru Nakajima, Akinobu Tsunesada, Hideki Sakata, Nobuyuki Ohsumi
  • Patent number: 9719477
    Abstract: A power generation and starting device for a utility vehicle having a battery source capable of storing electrical energy, a logic/driver module operably coupled to the battery source and capable of outputting power to a drive system of the utility vehicle, an internal combustion engine capable of outputting a mechanical driving force, and a generator system operably coupled to the internal combustion engine and electrically coupled to the logic/driver module. The generator system is capable of operating as a generator in response to the mechanical driving force of the internal combustion engine, thereby outputting electrical energy to the logic/driver module. The generator is further capable of operating as an electric motor in response to input of electrical energy from the logic/driver module to drive the internal combustion engine during startup of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Lowell Harper, Osahenrhunwen Erhun Iyasere
  • Patent number: 9698711
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a multi-phase AC motor generating a steering assist torque in an electric power steering device of a vehicle, includes: first and second inverters in first and second systems that output first and second alternating current voltages to first and second multi-phase winding wire sets, respectively; and a control unit that controls a phase difference between the first and second alternating current voltages. The first and second multi-phase winding wire sets provide a stator of the motor, and generate a rotating magnetic field in a rotor. The control unit sets a control range including a reference phase difference, which reduces a specified-order harmonic component, and changes the phase difference within the control range according to a characteristic required of the motor, or so as to cause a fluctuation in the energization of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jirou Hayashi
  • Patent number: 9666224
    Abstract: A data storage device is disclosed comprising a head actuated over a disk and a spindle motor configured to rotate the disk, wherein the spindle motor comprises a stator, a rotor, and a plurality of windings. The data storage device further comprises control circuitry comprising a spindle motor driver comprising a plurality of switches including a first switch and a second switch configured to commutate the windings. A current flowing through the first switch is measured for a first part of an electrical cycle of the spindle motor. The measured current is processed to generate an estimated current flowing through the second switch during a second part of the electrical cycle of the spindle motor, wherein the first part of the electrical cycle is different from the second part of the electrical cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Inventor: Jaesoo Byoun
  • Patent number: 9638735
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detecting faults in excitation wiring. A first sum of a first high voltage and a first low voltage related to a first sensor is determined, where the first sensor is further related to an excitation voltage. A second sum of a second high voltage and a second low voltage related to a second sensor is determined, where the second sensor is further related to the excitation voltage. The excitation voltage is provided to both the first and second sensors using excitation wiring. A determination is made whether each of the first sum and the second sum changes beyond a threshold amount during a first time interval. After determining that each of the first sum and the second sum has changed beyond the threshold amount during the first time interval, an indication of a fault in the excitation wiring is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Glenn R. Reese, Joseph A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 9520815
    Abstract: A control device (100) of an electric sealed compressor of the present invention comprises a power converter (30) which supplies electric power to an electric motor (5) of the electric sealed compressor; a driving circuit (27) which drives the power converter (30); abnormality detector (40) which detects abnormality in an abnormality detection region including the power converter (30) and the driving circuit (27); a controller (11) configured to output a control signal for driving the power converter to the driving circuit (27) and stop outputting the control signal in response to a signal (Fo signal) output from the abnormality detector (40), the signal indicating that the abnormality has been detected; and an auxiliary protection circuit (50) configured to deactivate the driving circuit (27) in response to the signal output from the abnormality detector (40), the signal indicating that the abnormality has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Sumi, Shigetomi Tokunaga, Hiroaki Kase, Masamitsu Taura, Mitsuhiro Fukuda
  • Patent number: 9477212
    Abstract: A safety switching device for the failsafe shutdown of an electrical load has at least one input circuit for receiving an input signal from a signaling device which signals a safety-related state, an evaluation and control unit for evaluating the input signal, and at least one output circuit for outputting an output signal. The safety switching device further has at least one switching element for interrupting a current supply path to the load in dependence on the input signal. The input circuit and the output circuit are joined at a device connector so that the device connector can selectively be used as an input for receiving the input signal or as an output for outputting the output signal. The input circuit has a test switch which is coupled to the evaluation and control unit which is designed for selectively suppressing the input signal using the test switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: PILZ GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Kim Le, Sebastian Richter
  • Patent number: 9441621
    Abstract: A machine includes at least two compressors that is controlled by a compressor controlling apparatus. By using an inverter for the at least two compressors, the use of elements is minimized and the compressor capacity may be increased, and the operation efficiency of the system may be enhanced. As an example, a plurality of operation modes may be used according to a load or cooling capacity of the two compressors. The two compressors are separately or simultaneously operated by using the inverter, thus simplifying the configuration of the system, and reducing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jaeyoo Yoo, Taewoong Nah
  • Patent number: 9293907
    Abstract: A load circuit protective device calculates increasing temperature of wire of a load circuit with a first predetermined sampling period (dt1) determined by a clock signal for normal operation when a semiconductor relay (Q1) is on to estimate the temperature of the wire. The temperature of the wire is therefore estimated with high accuracy. Moreover, when the semiconductor relay (Q1) is off, the load circuit protective device calculates decreasing temperature of the wire of the load circuit with a second predetermined sampling period (dt2) to estimate the temperature of the wire. The second predetermined sampling period (dt2) is determined by a clock signal for power-saving operation and is longer than the first predetermined sampling period (dt1). Accordingly, the calculation times of the temperature can be reduced, and the power consumption is therefore reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keisuke Ueta, Akinori Maruyama, Yoshihide Nakamura, Yoshinori Ikuta
  • Patent number: 9274159
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an electric power circuit configured to transfer a power signal to a torque module that is electrically isolated from a chassis ground includes injecting a common voltage component into a common mode voltage of electrical phases during operation and monitoring a negative-ground voltage and a positive-negative voltage of the electric power circuit. An AC line resistance is determined based upon the negative-ground voltage and the positive-negative voltage. Faults in electrical isolation between the electric power circuit and a chassis ground are detected based upon the AC line resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Konking (Michael) Wang
  • Patent number: 9250023
    Abstract: An explosion-proof enclosure including at least one heat exchanger for active thermal management. Equipment within the enclosure produces heat within the enclosure, while the at least one heat exchanger removes heat produced from the equipment and manages the internal temperature of the enclosure to a level suitable for hazardous locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Cooper Technologies Company
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Manahan, Marc Raymond Kozlowski
  • Patent number: 9184583
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes an inverter unit and an ECU. The inverter unit or the ECU includes a magnetic force estimator that estimates a magnetic force of a permanent magnet structure associated with a motor rotor of a motor unit. The inverter unit or the ECU may also include a determiner for the estimated magnetic force and an abnormalities-responsive motor drive limiter. The estimator is configured to estimate, according to a predefined rule, the magnetic force, based on at least two detection signals selected from a group consisting of a detection signal indicating a rotational frequency of the motor unit, a detection signal indicating a motor voltage of the motor unit and a detection signal indicating a motor current of the motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: NTN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takayoshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 9116013
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a meter for monitoring usage of power provided by a power transmission system to a site. The meter comprises: a communication module to generate communications carried over the system; a request manager module to process messages received from a head end of the system; a meter module connected to a power feed of the system; a connection manager module to evaluate readings and data and to generate connection signals for the meter in view of the readings; and a relay having a first position where the power is connected to the site and a second position where the power is disconnected, the relay being controlled by the connection signals. The connection manager module generates a first signal for the relay to disconnect the power when an over-voltage condition or an over-current condition on the system has been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Sobotka, Xiao Ming Shi, Yan Long
  • Patent number: 9059652
    Abstract: A motor drive system includes a first interlock mechanism configured to be activated in response to transition to an operable state of an interruption device, to open an open/close device, a second interlock mechanism configured to be activated in response to transition to an openable state of a case containing a power control unit, to open the open/close device, and a control device. The control device is configured to perform, when the first interlock mechanism is activated, a first process of opening the open/close device after shutting down the power control unit, and to perform, when the second interlock mechanism is activated, a second process of opening the open/close device while driving the power control unit, instead of the first process, depending on a counter electromotive voltage generated by a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyori Matsumura, Toshihiro Katsuda, Nao Uchibori