Abstract: The present technique relates to a power and data signal transfer assembly including a plurality of conductors. Through the transfer assembly, power and data signals may be distributed and transferred to a wide variety of devices and locations. Moreover, in one example, power and data signals may be carried over a power conductor working in conjunction with a further conductor. In a further example, the assembly may include advantageous features, such as circuit protection circuitry and LEDs.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a plurality of operating parameters of a multiphase motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and electrical input data. The system and method may be used to decompose the electrical input data into a positive sequence and a negative sequence. The positive sequence may be used to establish a plurality of electrical parameters of the motor. The plurality of electrical parameters may be used with the positive sequence and negative sequence to establish the output power of the motor.

Abstract: A technique for determining inductive and resistive components of power line impedance. A measurement circuit switches a burden or drain resistor between power line conductors to cause a droop or sag in a voltage waveform. The voltage waveform is sampled prior to inclusion of the resistor in the circuit, as well as after to identify the droop. The short circuit between the power lines is then removed by opening the circuit and a capacitor in the test circuitry causes a resonant ring due to the inductive component of the power line impedance. Based upon the period or frequency of the resonant ring, and upon the voltage measurements with and without the resistor in the circuit, the inductive and resistive components of power line impedance can be computed.

Abstract: A multi-layer corrosion protection system and a method for applying the multi-layer corrosion protection system. The system comprises a corrosion-resistant layer plated onto a metallic substrate. The corrosion-resistant layer may be deposited using an autocatalytic (electroless) process. The corrosion-resistant layer may comprise phosphorous. The system comprises a stain-resistant layer deposited over the corrosion-resistant layer. The stain-resistant layer may be deposited using an autocatalytic (electroless) process. The stain-resistant layer may comprise nickel. The system may also comprise an inner layer plated onto the metallic substrate to prepare the metallic substrate for the application of the corrosion-resistant layer. The inner layer may comprise nickel and may be deposited using an autocatalytic (electroless) process.

Abstract: A technique for securing a conduit box to a housing of an electric motor is disclosed. The technique includes forming a hollow extension from a surface of the conduit box. The conduit box is placed on a motor frame so that the hollow extension is inserted into a hole in the motor frame that passes into the hollow interior of the motor frame. The hollow extension is plastically deformed inside the motor housing to a greater width than the diameter of the hole in the motor housing so that the conduit box cannot be removed from the motor housing. A stator is placed in the motor housing and wiring is routed from the stator to the interior of the wiring box through a passageway formed by the hollow extension.

Abstract: EMI shielding in an electric vehicle drive is provided for power electronics circuits and the like via a direct-mount reference plane support and shielding structure. The thermal support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support forms a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, the present technique provides a circuit interrupter. The exemplary circuit interrupter includes conductive spanner that completes an electrical pathway between first and second electrical conductors. To facilitate a good electrical connection between the conductive spanner and the first and second conductors, the exemplary interrupter includes a biasing mechanism that biases the conductive spanner toward the first and second conductors. However, in the event of a fault condition, for instance, the conductive spanner is displaced away from the first and second conductors by magnetic forces, and the electrical path is interrupted. To facilitate this displacement, the biasing mechanism presents an opposing force to displacement relationship with a negative slope. That is to say, the biasing force provided by the biasing mechanism decreases as the distance between the conductive spanner and the first and second electrical conductors increases.

Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments, the present technique provides a reduced current field-oriented-control scheme. For example, the present technique provides a method of controlling an induction device in which a predetermined reduction factor is employed to reduce the flux-current vector of a field-oriented-control scheme. By reducing this vector, less current and less power are drawn by the induction device, in turn reducing resistive heating and stator core losses, for instance.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing estimated values of electrical parameters of a motor. The electrical parameters may be established from stator resistance data and motor data obtained at a single load on the motor. The electrical parameters also may be established without stator resistance data by using motor data at three load conditions of the motor. The electrical parameters also may be established from baseline motor data and motor data obtained at a desired operating load of the motor. Based on the estimated values, the system and method also may be used to estimate motor operating parameters, such as torque, efficiency, output power, output speed, and other performance criteria of the motor.

Abstract: A technique for controlling a switching circuit, such as a relay, includes one or more sensing circuits that generate signals based upon the presence of an actuating object and upon a randomly applied strobe signal. The generated signals are sampled and are used as a basis for determining the state of an output signal. The sensing circuit may generate the signals based upon capacitive coupling with the actuating object. The randomization of the sampling provides enhanced immunity to periodic or cyclic noise. Where more than one sensing circuit is included, the output of the circuits may be considered together for determining the state of the output signal, such as based upon predetermined ranges of signal levels. Signals of the sensing circuit may be sampled in the absence of the strobe to provide an indication of the relative noise level. If the noise level is determined to be elevated, the output signal may not change states.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the present invention provides a rotor assembly. The exemplary rotor assembly includes a plurality of rotor laminations, which cooperate to form a rotor core, capped at each end by end members. Extending through the rotor core and the end members, a plurality of rotor channels is configured to receive electrically conductive members therethrough. Each of the electrically conductive members has external portions, which extend beyond the rotor channel, and an interior portion that is housed within the rotor channel. By flexing the external portions, a compression force that secures the laminations and the end members with respect to one another may be provided. Advantageously, the external portions may be fused to one another and/or to the end members. As one example, the external portions may be fused through the introduction of a molten metal into the end member.

Abstract: A resistance temperature detector device and system are provided for measuring the temperature adjacent to windings within a stator assembly. The resistance temperature detector comprises a resistive element enclosed within a plurality of insulative layers, including insulation panels and adhesive. These surrounding insulation layers are sufficient to prevent partial discharge within any air gaps or low dielectric materials adjacent to the resistive element when the resistance temperature detector is disposed within a motor. A method for detecting temperatures between windings of an electrical machine is also provided.

Abstract: A modular inductor arrangement is provided in which a footprint of an enclosure for single or multiple phase inductors provides enhanced thermal transfer. The inductor coil may be wound about an axis generally parallel to a mounting surface of the package, so as to provide for reduced height and expanded footprint dimensions. The inductor package may be mounted on a thermal support, such as a fluid-cooled support. Heat is extracted from the assembly during operation, so as to establish a reduced maximum internal temperature as compared to here for known structures. The arrangement may be included in various circuit configurations, such as power converters. Other components may be incorporated and integrated into the package, including sensors, capacitor coils, other inductor coils, and so forth.

Abstract: A terminal structure provides interfacing with power electronics circuitry and external circuitry. The thermal support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the terminal structure and the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support may form a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: A technique is provided for integrating human machine interfaces with control and monitoring systems. Control and monitoring systems may be integrated into a human machine interface to enable access to various systems including networked and programmable electrical components, such as components of motor control centers, and databases that including component, system designation data, configuration information, settings, and so forth. The database and components are accessed by execution of a program embedded in the human machine interface to provide desired information in response to selection of a particular physical component of the system. The information serves as the basis for an operator display through the human machine interface.

Abstract: A motor control system comprising a plurality of motor controllers and a power source adapted to drive an electric motor. The motor control system comprises a switch that is selectively operable between at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the power source is coupled to a first controller to provide the power to drive the electric motor. In the second position, the power source is coupled to a second controller to provide the power to drive the electric motor. The switch also electrically isolates the input and the output of the first controller from the power source when the manual bypass switch is positioned in the second position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the components within each respective unit of the MCC are connected powered by a connector assembly that is directly engaged to secondary power and network data conductors disposed of within the enclosure. The connector assembly, if so desired, will maintain connection even upon disengagement of the unit from the main power supply. This service position can be employed to provide a safe environment for diagnostic testing and repair of the unit. In another embodiment, the secondary power and network data conductors may by carried over an open rail system. This embodiment provides a convenient means of quickly and easily engaging the secondary power and network data conductors to the unit. Another embodiment provides a method for placing the unit into a service position.

Abstract: EMI shielding is provided for power electronics circuits and the like via a direct-mount reference plane support and shielding structure. The thermal support may receive one or more power electronic circuits. The support may aid in removing heat from the circuits through fluid circulating through the support. The support forms a shield from both external EMI/RFI and from interference generated by operation of the power electronic circuits. Features may be provided to permit and enhance connection of the circuitry to external circuitry, such as improved terminal configurations. Modular units may be assembled that may be coupled to electronic circuitry via plug-in arrangements or through interface with a backplane or similar mounting and interconnecting structures.

Abstract: Transmission of electrical signals can be conducted over a rail. The rail, which may be an at least partially open rail structure, may be disposed within an enclosure, and can be used to transmit data and power signals to an assembly of electrical components. A connector assembly may also be provided to facilitate the transmission of data and power signals between the components and the rail.

Abstract: The present technique relates to the distribution of power and data signals throughout a networked system. For example, three-phase power may be conducted to a device over a set of conductors. One of the conductors, however, may be configured to conduct, in conjunction with a neutral conductor, both one phase of three-phase power as well as data signals in accordance with a predetermined data communications protocol. As an alternate example, the present technique may comprise a set of a first power conductors configured to conduct three-phase power and a secondary power conductor which works in conjunction with an auxiliary conductor to conduct power and data signals. Additionally, the present technique provides for the maintenance data communications and a level of power upon the interruption of three-phase power to a particular component or device.