Patents Examined by Eduardo Colón
  • Patent number: 10707797
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a current estimation unit configured to output a detected current value corresponding to each of the three-phase AC currents based on the measured current value and rotor rotation angle information of the motor. The current estimation unit defines a phase whose duty ratio of a driving pulse supplied to an inverter circuit, which generates the three-phase AC currents, becomes more than or equal to an operation switching threshold as an estimation target phase, calculates, for the estimation target phase, an estimated current value based on a coefficient value, which is calculated from the measured current value by the current measurement unit in a period in which the duty ratio of the driving pulse is lower than the operation switching threshold, and the rotor rotation angle information, and outputs the calculated estimated current value as the detected current value of the estimation target phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masaki Yamada, Hiroyuki Iyama, Yu Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10698383
    Abstract: A method of load characteristic identification and acceleration adjustment for a machine tool is provided. A first acceleration of a transmission system is set according to the weight of a workpiece, and the working platform and the workpiece are driven at the first acceleration. A first elastic deformation of the transmission system and an amount of first position error of the transmission system are calculated when transmission system is moved at the first acceleration. A dynamic error is calculated according to the first elastic deformation and the first position error. When the dynamic error is less than or greater than a target error, a second acceleration is set to the transmission system, and a second elastic deformation and a second position error are calculated when the transmission system moves at the second acceleration unit the dynamic error is converged to the target error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Jheng-Jie Lin, Kuo-Hua Chou, Chien-Chih Liao, Jen-Ji Wang
  • Patent number: 10690556
    Abstract: Method for measuring torque in rotating-equipment, turbo-machinery, pumps, turbines, and compressors. The measured torque can be used as an input to control torque, power, or energy efficiency. The method can also measure force (or torque) in traversing-machinery or vehicles such as automobiles, ships, aircraft, bicycles and motorcycles. The method takes real-time rotating (or linear) speed measurements, applies the discrete form of equations of motion, captures the natural decay curve(s) of the machine to estimate the torque (or force) associated with the losses of the power sink, and then solves for the driving torque of the power source. The method relates to monitoring and control systems used to safely and efficiently operate rotating-equipment and traversing-machinery. The method can be used to determine a health index of a machine to make predictive and corrective maintenance, reliability, performance, safety, and efficiency-related decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Mauricio F. Quintana
  • Patent number: 10661679
    Abstract: Multiple chemistry battery systems and methods for using such systems in electric vehicles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an example electric vehicle may include a drive motor configured to impart motion to one or more wheels of the electric vehicle, a plurality of batteries configured to power the drive motor, and one or more controllers. The plurality of batteries may include a first battery including a first cell having a first chemistry, and a second battery including a second cell having a second chemistry different from the first chemistry. The one or more controllers may be configured to cause the first battery and the second battery to power the drive motor, and to cause the drive motor to charge the first battery and the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Premergy, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Edward Botts, Blakely Lane Fabiani, David S. Merrill
  • Patent number: 10658963
    Abstract: A method for regulating operation of an induction motor having a rotor includes calculating a rotor flux angle error value, via a flux observer of a controller, using estimated d-axis and q-axis flux values of the rotor, estimating rotor position using a position observer of the controller, and calculating slip position of the rotor using d-axis and q-axis stator currents. The method also includes estimating a rotor flux angle as a function of slip position and estimated rotor position, calculating a corrected rotor flux angle by selectively adding the rotor flux angle error value to the estimated rotor flux angle, and controlling output torque of the motor using the corrected rotor flux angle. A logic switch may be used to selectively add the rotor flux angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anno Yoo, Nathan Minor
  • Patent number: 10658951
    Abstract: An electric working machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a motor, a rectifier circuit, a capacitor, a series switching element, a resistive element, a drive circuit, a peak voltage value acquirer, and a controller. The capacitor smooths power rectified by the rectifier circuit. The series switching element is coupled in series with the capacitor. The resistive element is coupled in parallel with the series switching element. The controller brings the series switching element into conduction in a case where AC power is inputted to the rectifier circuit and where a specified conducting condition based on a peak voltage value acquired by the peak voltage value acquirer is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuki Kawai, Itsuku Kato
  • Patent number: 10658957
    Abstract: A power tool includes a brushless motor, a supplying circuit, and a controller. The brushless motor is configured to drive and rotate when a voltage applied to the brushless motor is larger than or equal to an induced voltage. The supplying circuit is configured to apply a driving voltage to the brushless motor. The controller is configured to control the supplying circuit. The supplying circuit includes a rectifying circuit, a capacitor, and a switching circuit. The rectifying circuit is configured to rectify an alternating voltage and output a rectified voltage. The capacitor is configured to smooth the voltage inputted via the rectifying circuit. The switching circuit is configured to perform a switching operation based on a PWM signal to adjust a period during which the driving voltage is applied. The controller is configured to set a duty ratio within a prescribed range, and output the PWM signal of the set duty ratio to the switching circuit to control the switching operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Koki Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Kuragano, Takeru Kumakura
  • Patent number: 10648804
    Abstract: A method of detecting blocking of a rotor of a motor driving an actuator member with movement in translation between a first abutment and a second abutment, the method comprising the steps of, during an angular movement of the rotor, estimating at least a position (X) of the actuator member relative to the two abutments, a travel direction of the actuator member relative to the two abutments, and also a travel speed (V) of the actuator member; and on the basis at least of the estimated position of the actuator member, of the estimated travel direction of the actuator member, and of the estimated travel speed of the actuator member, detecting blocking of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Safran Electronics & Defense
    Inventors: Badr Mansouri, Kamal Aouchiche
  • Patent number: 10635091
    Abstract: A machine learning device of a machining condition adjustment device includes: a state observation unit that observes each of machining condition data indicative of a machining condition of each used tool and cycle time data indicative of a cycle time of one machining, as a state variable; a determination data acquisition unit that acquires determination data indicative of a result of an appropriateness determination of one machining in the case where an adjustment of the machining condition is performed; and a learning unit that performs learning by associating the machining condition data and the cycle time data with the adjustment of the machining condition using the state variable and the determination data so as to enables effective use of the allowance of a cycle time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki Sato
  • Patent number: 10630128
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor. A flow of an alternating current through stator coils in the electric motor is controlled based on a position of a rotor in the electric motor such that a repulsive force between a rotor and a stator coil in the stator coils occurs when the alternating current flows through the stator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Jay Tillotson, Peng Zeng
  • Patent number: 10630221
    Abstract: A motor control device including a PWM generator generating a PWM generator generating a PWM signal to be outputted to a drive circuit that energizes a winding of a switched reluctance motor; a rectangular wave generator outputting a rectangular wave signal of 1 pulse or more to the drive circuit in 1 drive period of each phase based on a rotational position of the motor; and a drive signal switcher executing switching so that a PWM drive by the PWM signal is performed when a rotational speed of the motor is equal to or less than a threshold value and a rectangular wave drive by the rectangular wave signal is performed when the rotational speed of the motor is greater than the threshold value. The PWM generator synchronizes a timing to start generation of a carrier of the PWM signal with rising of the rectangular wave signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Aizawa, Makoto Shinohara, Shigeru Nakajima
  • Patent number: 10630201
    Abstract: A module configured as a component of a multilevel converter has a plurality of basic units and electrical energy sources. Each basic unit has at least one half-bridge. The at least one half-bridge includes at least one high-side switch and at least one low-side switch. Two basic units are arranged directly adjacent alongside one another within the module. A first basic unit is connected to a positive pole of a first energy source and the at least one low-side switch is connected to a negative pole of a second energy source. A second basic unit is connected to a positive pole of the second energy source and the at least one low-side switch is connected to a negative pole of the first energy source. Current is transported between two poles via at least one current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Götz, Johannes Höß
  • Patent number: 10622859
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronically commutated electric machine (2) comprising: a rotor (21); an exciting winding (6) that is located at the rotor (21) in order to generate or alter a direct magnetic field in the rotor (21); a stator (22) comprising a three- or multi-phase stator winding (23) with phases that can be controlled via phase lines (8). The exciting winding (6) is connected to the stator winding (23).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Neuburger, Kurt Reutlinger
  • Patent number: 10622925
    Abstract: To estimate a magnet magnetic flux or a magnet temperature with higher accuracy during a three-phase short circuit operation, than in a case only a d-axis current is used. A control device includes a phase short circuit unit for short-circuiting three-phase terminals of a permanent-magnet-type synchronous machine having a permanent magnet. During three-phase short circuit operation in which the three-phase terminals are short-circuited by the phase short circuit unit and the permanent-magnet-type synchronous machine is operated, the control device estimates a magnet state of the permanent magnet on the basis of a d-axis current, a q-axis current and a magnetic characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiaki Takagi, Takahiko Kobayashi, Masahiro Iezawa
  • Patent number: 10615724
    Abstract: A shift range control apparatus switching a shift range by controlling a drive of a motor, the shift range control apparatus includes: an idle running determiner that is configured to determine whether a rotation state of the motor is an idle running state in which the motor rotates within a range of play existing between a motor shaft being a rotation shaft of the motor and an output shaft to which a rotation of the motor is transmitted; and a current limiter that is configured to limit a current of the motor when it is determined that the rotation state of the motor is the idle running state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Kamio
  • Patent number: 10615733
    Abstract: A power tool is provided including a brushless motor. A power supply interface is arranged to receive at least one of AC power from an AC power supply having a first nominal voltage or DC power from a DC power supply having a second nominal voltage, where the first and second nominal voltages both fall approximately within the operating voltage range of the motor. A motor control circuit is provided including a rectifier circuit converting the AC power to a rectified voltage signal, a power switch circuit having power switches to supply electric power from at least one of the DC power or the rectified voltage signal to the motor, and a controller controlling a switching operation of the power switches to regulate the supply of electric power to the motor at a level corresponding to the operating voltage range of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Cox, Michael K. Forster, John C. Vanko, Daniel J. White, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Matthew J. Velderman, Andrew E. Seman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10615591
    Abstract: A power electronics unit for driving an electric machine excited by permanent magnets and including a rotor and a stator having at least one stator winding, comprising at least one power switch designed to drive the stator winding, and an overvoltage protection device to protect the power switch from overvoltage. The overvoltage protection device comprises a phase voltage detecting device associated with the power switch as well as a short-circuit switching circuit which, when a predetermined phase voltage threshold value of the phase voltage detected by the phase voltage detection device is reached or exceeded, is adapted to be activated for short-circuiting the stator winding associated with the power switch. The short-circuit switching circuit comprises the power switch designed to drive the stator winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: L-3 COMMUNICATIONS MAGNET-MOTOR GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Ehrhart, Jens Steffen
  • Patent number: 10604173
    Abstract: A board of a controller of a load drive device includes: wiring layers provided on front and rear surfaces and inside thereof and ground layers provided inside thereof. Each wiring layer is divided into: a first region in which a drive circuit is provided; and a second region in which a control circuit is provided. A first ground layer including a first ground pattern for a circuit which is electrically connected to a wiring pattern of each wiring layer is divided into: a third region which overlaps with the first region in a thickness direction, and in which the first ground pattern for a power system electrically connected to the drive circuit is provided, and a fourth region which overlaps with the second region in the thickness direction, and in which the first ground pattern for a control system electrically connected to the control circuit is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Okamura, Shinichi Togawa
  • Patent number: 10608569
    Abstract: A control device of an AC rotating electrical machine includes: a midpoint potential detection unit 12 that detects, for respective phases, midpoint potentials 43, 44, 45 of upper switching elements 41 and lower switching elements 42 of an inverter circuit 20; a phase current detection unit 23 that detects a phase current of each phase of an AC rotating electrical machine 3; and a CPU 11 that calculates a current estimated value Idc of DC current that is input from a DC power supply 2 to the inverter circuit 20, on the basis of the detected midpoint potential of each phase and the phase current of each phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Matsumuro, Keiichi Enoki, Yoshimasa Nishijima, Masutaka Watanabe, Shingo Harada, Yasukazu Murata
  • Patent number: 10609838
    Abstract: A motor driving control device, together with a controller, included in a motor driving system, has a control circuit controlling drive of a motor according to instruction information transmitted from the controller. The control circuit has a first acquisition unit acquiring setting reference information related to assignment of identification information for the motor driving control device itself, the setting reference information being input from outside, a setting unit setting the motor driving control device's identification information based on a magnitude of a setting voltage input from the outside and the setting reference information, and a second acquisition unit acquiring the instruction information based on the identification information set by the setting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kaidu, Masato Aoki