Abstract: A rotating flux vector is set up in a motor or generator's rotor by simultaneously energizing two phase windings while the rotor remains stationary, wherein each phase winding may be energized by the same or different excitation voltages. Respective tap voltages are then recorded at this first flux position. Thereafter, the two phase windings are simultaneously energized by another voltage excitation, wherein each phase is energized at the same or different voltages, causing a new flux position to occur. Once again, respective tap voltages are recorded. This process may be repeated for various rotations of the motor's flux. The measured tap voltages are evaluated to determine the location of the rotor, without actually moving it. The present invention is applicable to SR and non-SR machines having a plurality of phases and pole configurations.

Abstract: A system for detecting the position of a rotor for a switched reluctance (SR) machine having an irregular pole configuration. The system does not require the use of a conventional sensing device, and provides accurate position information, without disrupting operation of the machine. A voltage ratio is used to infer the position of the rotor relative to the stator.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling the operation of switched reluctance machines (i.e., motor or generator) having a plurality of phase windings. The circuit slows down the initial "turn off" of the phase windings to eliminate an abrupt reduction in the current flowing therethrough. This reduces the impulse which excites mechanical oscillations in the motor/generator, reduces switching losses in the switching transistors, and reduces the number of harmonics.

Abstract: A fully integrated electronic appliance controller for controlling the operation of a appliance (e.g., a gas-fired water heater or boiler). The controller includes an integrated intelligent control system; enhanced safety features including an igniter current proving circuit, a flame detection circuit, a safety limit string and an energy cut-out (ECO) control; an intelligent user interface including a display unit and a communications system; and an adaptive control feature. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller is adapted to receive as many as four temperature probes (e.g., thermistors). The first probe senses the water temperature at the outlet of a water heater, the second probe senses the water temperature at the inlet of the water heater, the optional third probe senses the temperature at a first location in an associated remote water storage tank, and the optional fourth probe senses the temperature at a second location in the associated remote water storage tank.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor comprised of a stator having a plurality of evenly spaced, radially oriented, like stator poles that define a gap between adjacent stator poles. Windings for three phases are wound about the stator poles wherein a stator pole of a first phase is disposed circumferentially between a winding and an associated stator pole of a second phase and a winding and an associated stator pole of a third phase. A rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the stator. The rotor has an even number of rotor poles, the rotor poles being dimensioned such that when one of the phases is energized, the rotor poles operatively interact with the energized stator poles such that the motor moves from a first state wherein half of the rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of the stator poles to a second state wherein all of said rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of stator poles.

Abstract: A fully integrated electronic appliance controller for controlling the operation of a appliance (e.g., a gas-fired water heater or boiler). The controller includes an integrated intelligent control system; enhanced safety features including an igniter current proving circuit, a flame detection circuit, a safety limit string and an energy cut-out (ECO) control; an intelligent user interface including a display unit and a communications system; and an adaptive control feature. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controller is adapted to receive as many as four temperature probes (e.g., thermistors). The first probe senses the water temperature at the outlet of a water heater, the second probe senses the water temperature at the inlet of the water heater, the optional third probe senses the temperature at a first location in an associated remote water storage tank, and the optional fourth probe senses the temperature at a second location in the associated remote water storage tank.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a first element having a plurality of uniform poles and a second element having a first pole and a second pole. The first pole has a wide face and the second pole has a narrow pole face. The first and second elements are disposed for movement relative to each other such that the wide and narrow poles are moveable in spaced relation to the plurality of uniform poles.

Abstract: A driving circuit for a multi-phase switched reluctance (SR) machine, wherein a reduced number of wire connections between the machine and driving circuit are needed. In addition, one embodiment of the driving circuit requires the use of fewer individual diodes for the circuit design. The reduction in the number of wire connections and diodes provides greater reliability, improved efficiency, and lower production costs.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor driven by a two-phase source, includes a stator having an even number of evenly-spaced, like stator poles defining a gap between each stator pole; windings for each of the two phases of the motor wound about stator poles that are circumferentially separated by a winding and an associated stator pole of a different phase; and a rotor mounted for rotation relative to the stator, the rotor having an even number of rotor poles, the rotor poles being dimensioned such that when the phases are alternately energized, the rotor poles operatively interact with the stator poles such that the motor advances sequentially to a first state wherein one-third of the rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of the stator poles, to a second state wherein two-thirds of the rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of stator poles and to a third state wherein all of the rotor poles are magnetically coupled to a like number of stator poles.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a first element having a plurality of uniform poles and a second element having a first pole and a second pole. The first pole has a wide face and the second pole has a narrow pole face. The first and second elements are disposed for movement relative to each other such that the wide and narrow poles are moveable in spaced relation to the plurality of uniform poles.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor having a stator with a plurality of radially oriented stator poles. Windings for three phases are wound about the stator poles wherein a stator pole of a first phase is disposed circumferentially between a winding and an associated stator pole of a second phase and a winding and an associated stator pole of a third phase. A rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the stator. The rotor has a wide rotor pole and a narrow rotor pole. The rotor poles are distributed on the rotor wherein a narrow rotor pole is disposed to each side of a wide rotor pole in a direction of rotation.

Abstract: A method for heating a medium in a heating apparatus comprising establishing a setpoint temperature for the medium, determining thermal characteristics of the heating apparatus and the medium during a first mode of operation, the thermal characteristics establishing an idle-on pulse duration for raising the temperature of the medium a first amount, generating at a move-to-idle temperature a move-to-idle pulse of heat having a move-to-idle pulse duration, the move-to-idle pulse duration being sufficient to raise the temperature of the medium to a temperature above the setpoint temperature, wherein the move-to-idle pulse duration is derived from the idle-on pulse duration and the deviation between the setpoint temperature and the move-to-idle temperature.

Abstract: A switched reluctance motor, comprising:a stator formed from a magnetically permeable material, having "n" number of evenly spaced, radially oriented, like stator poles, the stator poles having like stator pole faces and forming a uniform gap between adjacent stator poles;windings for two phases wound about stator poles that are circumferentially separated by a winding and an associated stator pole of a different phase;a rotor mounted for rotation relative to the stator about an axis, the rotor having at least two rotor sections, a first of the at least two rotor sections including at least 1/4 "n" number of like, wide rotor poles, each having a like, wide rotor pole face, and a second of the at least two rotor sections including at least 1/4 "n" number of like, narrow rotor poles, each having a like, narrow rotor pole face, the rotor having:a first angular position wherein a first portion of the wide rotor pole faces of the first rotor section are in alignment with a first pair of opposite, energized stator

Abstract: A temperature control system for a gas-fired appliance which uses a thermoelectric device to develop power for recharging a primary energy source, such as a rechargeable battery. The present invention provides a reliable and efficient system for controlling and powering a temperature control system.

Abstract: A switched reluctance machine includes a first element having a plurality of uniform poles and a second element having a first pole and a second pole. The first pole has a wide face and the second pole has a narrow pole face. The first and second elements are disposed for movement relative to each other such that the wide and narrow poles are moveable in spaced relation to the plurality of uniform poles.

Abstract: A controller for controlling the cooking of food within a cooking apparatus. The controller is comprised of a temperature sensor input for receiving an output of a temperature sensor and a system for initiating a cook of a food product based upon a set cook temperature and a set cook time. Plural indications of incremental energy that is absorbed by the food product during the cook are determined, wherein each of the plural indications of incremental energy is based upon a difference between a temperature determined at the temperature sensor input and a desired internal temperature of the food product. The end of the cook is established when the total of the plural indications of incremental energy is one of equal to and greater than an ideal energy to prepare the food product based upon the set cook time and the cook temperature.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a flow rate of a heat transfer fluid in a heat transfer system, the heat transfer system having a heat transfer fluid flow path, flow control device for creating flow along the path, a fuel source for providing a combustible fuel to the path, an air source for providing combustion air to the path, and an assembly for combusting the fuel and air, the control system comprising a sensor for sensing a measured flow value at the air source, a controller for storing an optimum flow value at the air source and for storing a range of operating control values for the flow control device, the operating control values corresponding to the optimum flow value, a system for calculating a deviation between the measured flow value and the optimum flow value, and a system for varying the operation of the flow control means in accordance with the deviation.

Abstract: A temperature control system for melting a solid cooking medium in a deep fat fryer comprising a chamber for containing a cooking medium; a heating surface within the chamber for heating the cooking medium; a heating device for heating the heating surface; a temperature sensor in the vicinity of the heating surface for sensing the temperature of the medium; and a temperature controller for controlling the heating device to control the amount of heat provided to the cooking medium, wherein the temperature controller includes: a system causing the heating device to generate uniform pulses of heat at a fixed duty cycle for a predetermined period of time, and a system for interrupting the operation of the heating device the predetermined period if the temperature of the cooking medium exceeds a first predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A deep fat fryer system includes a vat for holding a quantity of cooking medium. A tube or conduit is disposed between a position in the vat corresponding to a lower desired level of cooking medium in the vat and a blower for creating a vacuum in the tube. A pressure sensitive switch is disposed for sensing differences in pressure between the inside of the conduit and the outside of the conduit. The pressure sensitive switch provides an electrically detectable indication of when the difference in pressure between the inside of the conduit and the outside of the conduit is in excess of a predetermined difference in pressure indicative of cooking medium covering the end of the tube disposed in the vat.

Abstract: A switched reluctance d.c. motor having a plurality stators has been disclosed. Each stator comprises phase windings for energizing a set of stator poles. The stator poles are distributed about the circumference of the stator yoke. Two phases activated in succession are associated with distinct ones of the plurality of stators. The motor of the present invention operates under a wide range of rotational speeds while reducing the switching losses and audible noise in the rotor and stator iron.