Abstract: A device and a method for reducing or muffling sound from kitchen appliances such as coffee grinders. The sound reducing or muffling device can be left on the appliance even when not in use, providing a decoration to the kitchen in a style appropriate to it's surroundings. Using the muffling device, a person can enjoy fresh-ground coffee at any time with the assurance that the sound from the coffee grinder is well insulated. The device is particularly easy to deploy and use, requires no moving parts, and is flexible enough to work with the majority of coffee grinder products currently on the market. Other embodiments can be used with other forms of kitchen appliances.

Abstract: Verification system logic operates PWM motor drivers for DC motors of a tape drive, and verifies the on time duty cycle period and offset of the PWM motor drivers; verifies DAC current reference and amplifier sense signals against thresholds; and verifies Hall sensor state sequence of the DC motors during rotation. If the verifications are successful, the logic rotates the DC motors, and, for each motor, verifies the time of acceleration at a desired torque; verifies a computed velocity based on a measured velocity to a reference velocity; and verifies an actual rotation rate to a computed velocity.

Abstract: In a gas turbine system having first power converter converting power system N AC voltage to DC voltage, second power converter converting the DC voltage into AC voltage, generator connected to second power converter's AC output and rotated by turbine and turbine controller outputting a revolution speed command value omg* according to a fuel flow rate of the turbine, a detector for detects a revolution speed omg of the generator, another detector detects Vdc of the first converter, a speed regulator generats a DC voltage command value according to a difference between omg and omg*, a switchover unit selects either a preset DC voltage command value Vref or the DC voltage command value according to the revolution speed omg and a voltage regulator and a controller control first power converter conversion output according to a control signal for making Vdc coincide with Vdc*.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a fundamental wave current control system that controls a fundamental wave component of a motor current in an orthogonal coordinate system and a higher harmonic current control system that controls a higher harmonic component contained in the motor current in an orthogonal coordinate system. In the motor control apparatus, it is judged whether an output voltage from the power conversion device is in a saturated state, and a current control gain for the higher harmonic current control system is reduced if it is judged that the output voltage is in the saturated state.

Abstract: A motor controlling device for an AC/DC driven motor is used for an AC and DC motor. The motor controlling device comprises an AC/DC converting unit, a voltage stabilizing unit, a phase detecting/controlling unit, and a high voltage driving unit. The AC/DC converting unit receives an AC power source to convert the AC power source into a high voltage DC voltage. The voltage stabilizing unit receives the high voltage DC voltage to convert it into a low voltage DC voltage. The phase detecting/controlling unit detects a polarity of the permanent magnet to output a first detecting and a second detecting signals accordingly, so as to provide automatically a shut down protection when the motor is locked. The high voltage driving unit receives the first detecting and the second detecting signals to drive the motor accordingly.

Abstract: A dynamic optimization method for speed data, for compensating for a speed data maximum value and a minimum resolution that can be specified by users without depending on a speed pattern preparation cycle. A dynamic optimizing method for speed data used for preparing a speed instruction pattern fed to a motor in a positioning device, wherein a speed pattern generator (1) that calculates a desired speed pattern when a moving instruction (2) such as a moving distance, speed, acceleration time and deceleration time is input is provided, and a speed pattern preparation cycle (3) can be specified by users without the possibility that speed data maximum value and a minimum resolution of speed data are modified.

Abstract: A laser level with a sensorless DC motor controller having a feedback sampling circuit connected in parallel with the coil to sense back EMF. An integrator provides a feedback signal from the sensed back EMF, which the amplified difference from a reference level is used as a pulse width control signal. A pulse width modulation generator uses the control signal to generate variable “on” time pulse widths for each motor drive pulse such that high resolution is provided to the DC motor, permitting accurate rotor position at low rotational speeds. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract to allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that is will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A rotor position estimator for a permanent magnet motor with a stator and a rotor includes a sensing circuit that generates d-axis and q-axis negative sequence stationary current (NSSC) signals. A signal conditioning circuit combines the d-axis and q-axis NSSC signals with first and second positive feedback signals that are based on a rotor position estimate signal. A regulator is coupled to an output of the signal conditioning circuit. A mechanical system simulator that is coupled to the regulator and a demand torque signal generates the rotor position estimate signal. The signal conditioning circuit includes a second harmonic amplifying circuit that receives the rotor position estimate signal and outputs the first feedback signal to a first multiplier. The signal conditioning circuit includes an inverse saliency model receives the rotor position estimate signal and outputs the second feedback signal to a second multiplier.

Abstract: To realize structure simplification and reduction in manufacturing cost without lowering power transmission efficiency and reliability. The present invention includes a first motor 5 and a second motor 6, and a lead 2 of a ball screw 12 is disposed coaxially with a motor rotary shaft 5a on a first motor 5 side and a nut 3 of the ball screw 12 is disposed coaxially with a motor rotary shaft 6a on a second motor 6 side so that the first motor 5 and the second motor 6 are connected to each other via the ball screw 12.

Abstract: A Helmholtz resonator includes a chamber at least partially defining a cavity. The chamber has a neck which defines a passage that is in fluid communication with the cavity. The chamber and the neck produce a passive response to a sound wave produced by the internal combustion engine. The sound wave negatively effects engine performance. An active resonator is disposed within the chamber. The active resonator produces a forced response for supplementing the passive response and increasing the band width of the noise attenuating pressure wave. The Helmholtz resonator is in fluid communication with a portion of an air induction system that defines a passageway that carries the sound wave. A driver is connected to the active resonator, which is preferably a loud speaker, to drive the loud speaker and produce the forced response. The driver preferably utilizes a signal source, such as an engine speed signal, to synchronize the forced response with the engine speed.

Abstract: A rotation detection circuit of a dc brushless motor using a fixed bias voltage includes a transistor, and a signal adjuster. The signal adjuster is connected in series between the transistor and driver circuit of the dc brushless motor, for adjusting a signal output by the driver circuit to the according to a fixed bias voltage. The signal adjuster can be selectively supplied with a fixed bias voltage or connected in series with a zener diode. The signal adjuster can be adjusted according to the characteristics of the motor driver circuit, thereby enhancing the design of the rotation detection circuit.

Abstract: A disk drive apparatus reproduces a signal from a disk and/or records an signal on the disk. A position detecting part produces a position signal in response to a rotation of a rotor. An activation operation block controls active operation of first and second power amplifying parts in response to the position signal. A signal producing part produces a slope signal which repeats a slope waveform a plural times during one period of the position signal. The shaping part produces first and second activation control signals which responds with the slope signal. The activation operation block controls the first and second power amplifying parts responding with the first and second activation control signals. Therefore, an excellent disk drive apparatus with reduced acoustic noise and reduced vibration can be realized by using only one position signal of one position sensor.

Abstract: To provide a control circuit or the like of a brush-less motor capable of properly controlling current of motor windings by detecting positions of magnetic poles of a rotor at a rotational frequency of the rotor from low rotation which cannot lock a PLL circuit to steady-state rotation for rotating at high speed. Positions of magnetic poles are detected by a change in a magnetic flux (magnetic flux signal) of motor windings caused by rotating a rotor having the magnetic poles, thereby, a synchronizing signal (ROT signal) in synchronism with rotation of the rotor is generated.

Abstract: In a vibration control apparatus for a vehicle driven by an electric motor at least, a first target torque is calculated from a vehicle operating condition such as an accelerator opening, and a second target torque is calculated from at least a sensed motor speed by using a model H(s)/Gp(s) composed of a transfer characteristic H(s) which is greater than or equal to a transfer characteristic Gp(s) in an order difference between the order of a denominator and the order of a numerator. A torque control section controls the motor to bring an actual output torque of the motor closer to a command motor torque determined from the first and second target torque.

Abstract: An automatic music composing apparatus is provided, which is capable of generating music with a high degree of completion in synchronization with images and in a time that matches the length of images. The automatic music composing apparatus automatically creates musical compositions to be reproduced as a background for images. A number of bars of a musical composition that corresponds to a time period required by each of sections of images is calculated. Bar number-corresponding data necessary to generate the musical composition and corresponding to the calculated number of bars is acquired. The musical composition based on the acquired bar number-corresponding data is generated. The generated musical composition is outputted according to each of the sections of the images.

Abstract: A power controller for applying power to an induction motor or similar AC load has a variable drive circuit for staring and switching a portion of the AC input line power. In one mode, the input line power is fed straight through to the load. In another mode, the AC waveform is reshaped to improve the power factor or to boost its RMS value, e.g., for brownout protection. In a further mode the output power can be provided at a different frequency from the input line power. Vector control increases efficiency through power optimization, with sensing of load requirements. Sensing of regeneration pulses at the commencement of a half cycle can be employed for direct sensing of motor speed or load.

Abstract: A garage door drive assembly for moving a linkage arm connected to a garage door, the assembly being adapted for shipping in a partially assembled condition in at least a box for on-site installation, the assembly has a longitudinally-extending rail with laterally extending flanges. The assembly also has a carriage shaped to fit about the flanges. A drive mechanism is movably mounted to the rail. An anchor is coupled to the drive mechanism. The assembly also has a coupler with a selectively releasable connection to the anchor, a connector pivotably connectable to the linkage arm, and a detachable connection enabling the coupler to be fixedly secured to and carried by the carriage. The rail and the carriage may be shipped to the installation site in a box having a smaller cross-sectional profile than would be required to accommodate the carriage and coupling in their connected state.

Abstract: A motor controller system (15a) for dc power source motors (10) which includes a sensor device (16) that operates to measure and generate a voltage signal from the motor current and the rate of change of said current, and a programmable input/output processor (12) which receives voltage signals as input from the motor current, dc power source (11) and/or motor (10) and compares on or more of these voltage signals to one or more control parameters. Based upon these comparisons, the processor (12) generates a pulse width modulation control signal, which triggers a switching mechanism (14) and related interrupt service routing to make adjustments to the operational parameters of the motor by periodic interruption of the motor current.

Abstract: A method for calibrating electric motors using current-sensing only is disclosed. The method involves applying a voltage in pulse-width modulated fashion for a short time to insure motion of the motor. Following startup, varying voltages are pulsed to the motor, switching polarity at regular intervals. The current generated in the motor by each level of voltage is measured. The data generated provide a reasonably accurate view of the properties of the motor, allowing for more precise velocity control.

Abstract: A motor controller (30) includes three analog Hall-effect sensors (42, 44, 46) for forming continuous-time signals proportional to the sine and cosine of the position of the rotor (24) of a motor (20). The sine and cosine signals are differentiated to obtain signals proportional to the rotor rate times the sine and cosine values. These integrated values are then multiplied by the cosine and inverse of the sine values, respectively, to obtain values equal to the rotor rate times the square of the cosine and the rotor rate times the square of the sine. These latter two values are summed to obtain an output signal proportional to the rotor rate based on the trigonometric identity sin2(x)+cos2(x)=1. Since the motor controller (30) derives a high-resolution value for the rotor rate, it may be used for fine resolution control of brushless motors and the like.