Abstract: A power electronic device comprising a grid side (L1, L2, L3) connected to a capacitor bank (2) is described, the capacitor bank (2) being connected to ground via a switch. Such power electronic device should be used in different types of grid with low costs. To this end a varistor (5) is connected in parallel to the switch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for estimating individual phase resistance of a motor by means of an adjustable speed drive (ASD) while the motor controlled by the ASD is running and/or is at standstill. The motor is an asynchronous motor or a synchronous motor. The invention also relates to an adjustable speed drive for executing a corresponding method.

Abstract: A method for determining rectifier-stage output current and/or grid-side currents (iu, iv, iw) of a frequency converter (1) having a passive rectifier (3), an inverter (4), a DC-link with a DC-link inductor (Ldc) and a DC-link capacitor (Cdc) between the rectification stage (3) and the inverter stage (4) is described. In a frequency converter the current information for the grid-side currents (iu, iv, iw) should be obtained without a current sensor at the grid-side (2). To this end the method comprises the step of calculating a current in the DC-link (5) by using at least a voltage value (Urec) and characteristics of the rectifier (3) in the DC-link (5) and/or grid side currents to form a corrected current using the calculated current and a measured current or currents or a fraction of a measured current or currents, or a fraction of a measured current or currents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a pulse shift protection method for detecting a phase-to-phase short circuit in a drive for controlling electric motors, wherein the drive provides an output voltage to the electric motor, and wherein the instant, at which a short circuit detection function is executed, is chosen to minimize disturbance in the output voltage of the drive. The invention is also directed at a drive for controlling electric motors, said drive including a controlling portion for generating an output signal and an output portion connectable to an electric motor. The drive is provided for executing the above-mentioned pulse shift protection method.

Abstract: A circuit comprising a first power node for connection to a positive voltage of a DC link, a second power node for connection to a negative voltage of the DC link and a mid-point power node for connection to a mid-point voltage of the DC-link, the circuit further comprising a three-level neutral point clamped converter module and a brake resistor connection.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an air-cooled motor controller for controlling electric motors, comprising a heat-sink and a variable fan for cooling passive and active components of the motor controller by means of an air stream generated by the fan. The invention is directed towards a fan control means and a coupled fan control method for controlling the speed of the fan of the motor controller in response to the losses in both passive and active devices inside the motor controller.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller is configured to store a timeout time value. The controller is also configured to initiate a pump priming process and subsequently initiate a timeout counter to begin counting a counter time value. The controller is configured to initiate a timeout interrupt routine that interrupts the pump priming process when the counter time value exceeds the timeout time value. The timeout interrupt routine includes shutting down the motor.

Abstract: A method for identifying the magnetic anisotropy of an electric rotary field machine comprising a rotor and a stator is described, the method comprising the steps of setting injection pulses of equal absolute values during an injection interval, detecting a respective current response in form of current difference vectors, and determining the anisotropy from the voltage vectors and current difference vectors. Such a method should allow identifying of magnetic anisotropy in a simple way. To this end, injection pulses in the three-phase domain are used.

Abstract: A circuit comprising a first power node for connection to a positive voltage of a DC link, a second power node for connection to a negative voltage of the DC link and a mid-point power node for connection to a mid-point voltage of the DC-link, the circuit further comprising a three-level neutral point clamped converter module and a brake resistor connection.

Abstract: The invention provides an inverter system and a method of using said inverter system. A rectifier stage of the inverter system is used to charge a DC link stage to a first voltage level and a control module determines whether voltages over series connected capacitors of the DC link stage are balanced. If those voltages are balanced, the rectifier stage charges the DC link stage to a second voltage level higher than the first voltage level.

Abstract: A method of operating a pumping system for an aquatic application based upon performance of multiple water operations is disclosed. The method includes providing a pump and a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller including a variable speed drive that is in communication with the motor. The method also includes: operating the motor in accordance with a first water operation, wherein the first water operation includes a first start time, end time, and water flow rate; operating the motor in accordance with a second water operation, wherein the second water operation includes a second start time, end time, and water flow rate; and altering the first water operation in response to performance of the second water operation.

Abstract: A method (400) of determining equivalent circuit parameters of a three phase induction motor is provided. The method (400) comprises applying (410) a current to a stator winding (362) of an induction motor (360), and varying (420) a voltage applied to the stator winding to regulate the applied current to be a constant current. Application of the current is terminated (430) when the applied voltage has reached a constant voltage. The equivalent circuit parameters are determined (440) from the value of the constant current, the values of the applied voltage, and a time period until the applied voltage attains the constant voltage. The method may provide values for a resistance (210) of the stator winding, a resistance (250) of a rotor winding (364), a magnetizing inductance (230), and a total inductance leakage value (220, 240) for the stator winding and the rotor winding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement for fastening a capacitor cup within which a capacitor is accommodated. The arrangement is for fastening a capacitor cup onto an opening of a mid-plate, wherein the capacitor cup comprises a cylindrical body having an opening end and an opposite end. The arrangement comprises: a collar provided on an outer surface of the cylindrical body, closely around the opening end; at least one first engagement feature formed at the outer surface of the cylindrical body and adjacent to the collar; and, at least one second engagement feature, corresponding to the first engagement feature, formed at an edge of the opening of the mid-plate; wherein, an engagement between the first and second engagement features fastens the capacitor cup onto the opening of the mid-plate.

Abstract: A system includes a motor and a control system operating as a master controller with respect to at least one function, the control system including an automation system with a user interface having a display connected to the automation system. A controller is located remotely from the control system and coupled to a pump or the motor. The controller operating as a slave controller with respect to the at least one function when connected to the control system. The controller is in communication with the motor and the control system, and transmits information to and receives information from the control system over at least one communication link. The controller operates independently to control the motor when disconnected from the control system.

Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and a filter arrangement in fluid communication with the pump. The pumping system can also include means for determining a load value indicative of an unclogged filter that permits movement of water through the filter arrangement, means for determining a load value indicative of a clogged filter that inhibits movement of water through the filter arrangement, and means for determining a performance value of the pumping system. The pumping system also includes means for determining a relative loading value of the filter arrangement, means for displaying the relative loading value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the relative loading value. In one example, the load values and performance value can include flow pressure values. A method of moving water of a swimming pool is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described in which a series of short-circuiting pulses is applied to a motor. A current in the motor is determined after one or more of the series of short circuit pulses has completed. The duration of the short-circuit pulses is adjusted depending on the determined current. The method and apparatus may be used within an arrangement for catching a spinning motor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller receives input of a performance value that is determined utilizing information from operation of the motor and compares the performance value to a reference value. The controller also is configured to prime and run the pump when the performance value equals the first reference value and to continue to do so until the performance value equals a second reference value. Alternatively, the controller receives user input of an amount of time the system can take to attempt to successfully prime the pump and is configured to operate the motor at maximum speed until the amount of time elapses.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a user interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a power parameter associated with the motor and compares the power parameter to a predetermined threshold value. The controller triggers a safety vacuum release system based on the comparison of the power parameter and the threshold value.

Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, an infinitely variable speed motor, and an arrangement for operating the motor. In one example, the pumping system includes a memory configured to store a plurality of retained speed values, an arrangement for providing a plurality of retained speed values to the memory, and an arrangement for reading a selected one of the plurality of retained speed values from the memory. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a storage medium for digitally storing a plurality of pre-established motor speed values and an arrangement for receiving input from a user to select one of the pre-established motor speeds. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system further includes an arrangement for restarting operation of the motor at a previously selected speed value when power supplied to the motor is interrupted during operation of the motor. A method for controlling the pumping system is also provided.