Patents Examined by Thai Dinh
  • Patent number: 9479097
    Abstract: Provided is a sensorless BLDC motor apparatus for providing a drive current allowing the rotor of the BLDC motor to be aligned in a predetermined direction during an initial position setting section (or for a first period of time), and providing a drive current allowing a frequency thereof to be varied at predetermined time intervals so as to accelerate the rotational speed of the BLDC motor during an open loop section (or for a second period of time), and a method using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyelyong Kang, Jaemin Kim, Jinseok Hu, Shinhyun Park
  • Patent number: 9479100
    Abstract: An electric motor controller includes a first coordinate conversion unit that converts a three-phase current into a current in a ?c-?c rotating coordinate system, a first calculation unit that obtains a first term, a second calculation unit that obtains a voltage command value in the ?c-?c rotating coordinate system as a sum of the first term and a second term, a second coordinate conversion unit that coordinate-converts the voltage command value into a voltage command value of a voltage to be applied to a rotary electric motor in another coordinate system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Araki, Naoto Kobayashi, Nobuki Kitano
  • Patent number: 9467084
    Abstract: A motor-driven appliance system in one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a motor-driven appliance having a motor, at least one control circuit, and a communication device. The control circuit is configured to execute a process related to control of the motor-driven appliance. The communication device is configured to communicate with an external device. The control circuit is further configured to switch, when at least one predetermined sleep condition is satisfied, from an active mode in which the control circuit performs a normal operation to a sleep mode in which the control circuit stops part of the normal operation to thereby suppress power consumption; and to switch to the active mode when the communication device receives an external wakeup signal transmitted from the external device while the control circuit is in the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hitoshi Suzuki, Masafumi Noda, Masaaki Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 9461575
    Abstract: A rotary electric machine control apparatus controlling drive of a rotary electric machine includes a pre-limit d-axis voltage arithmetic portion calculating a pre-limit d-axis voltage command value; a pre-limit q-axis voltage arithmetic portion calculating a pre-limit q-axis voltage command value; a d-axis limit portion calculating a d-axis voltage command value; and a q-axis limit portion calculating a q-axis voltage command value. When an absolute value of the pre-limit q-axis voltage command value is greater than an absolute value of a second limit value, and an absolute value of a previous q-axis voltage command value is equal to or greater than the absolute value of the second limit value and is equal to or less than an absolute value of a first limit value, the q-axis limit portion determines a previous q-axis voltage command value as the q-axis voltage command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Ootake, Nobuyori Nakajima, Takafumi Satou
  • Patent number: 9450522
    Abstract: A field control device for a synchronous rotating machine includes: a target operating condition input unit; a first subtraction unit; a final-control-quantity control computation unit that accepts the final-control-quantity deviation and outputs a field-current correction demand value; an anticipatory computation unit that outputs a field-current anticipatory demand value based on the operating condition demand values input; an addition unit that adds the field-current correction demand value and the field-current anticipatory demand value; a second subtraction unit; and a field-current regulation device that adjusts the field current based on the field current deviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiro Tsuda, Mitsuhiro Kawamura, Tadashi Fukami, Kazuo Shima
  • Patent number: 9442023
    Abstract: An electronic temperature sensor for measuring the junction temperature of an electronic power switch (4) of a static converter (8) includes an injection source of a calibrated measurement current (20) and a differential voltage measurement amplifier (76; 276). The electronic temperature sensor includes a first series connection (26) element and a second series connection (28) connected respectively to the inlet terminals (78, 80) of the differential voltage amplifier (76; 276). The first and second series connection elements (26, 28; 224, 226) are configured to protect the amplifier against a high voltage, have essentially identical electrical characteristics and are included in the set formed by resistances and high-voltage (HV) rapid diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: TECHNOFAN, INSTITUT NATIONAL POLYTECHNIQUE DE TOULOUSE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (C.N.R.S.)
    Inventors: Pascal Rollin, Frederic Richardeau, Matthieu Morvan, Franck Mosser
  • Patent number: 9431935
    Abstract: A control device of a three-phase AC motor includes: an inverter that drives the AC motor; a current sensor that senses a current flowing in a sensor phase of the AC motor as a sensor phase current; and a controller that switches on and off a switching element of the inverter to control a current flowing through the AC motor. The controller includes: a current estimation device that estimates d-axis and q-axis current estimated values based on the sensor phase current and an electric angle of the AC motor; and a zero-crossing interpolation device that interpolates a command value relating to a voltage of the AC motor when the sensor phase current is in a zero cross range, which includes a zero point. When the sensor phase current is in the zero cross range, the zero-crossing interpolation device interpolates the command value with a continuous variable value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuji Omata, Takahumi Oowada
  • Patent number: 9425729
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing thermal damage to an electric motor in a vehicle includes arrangements for monitoring the motor and detecting a cycle of the motor. If the cycle occurred within a predetermined increment time, a cycle count is incremented. If no cycle occurs for a predetermined decrement time, the cycle count is decremented if the cycle count is greater than zero. If the cycle count is at least equal to a cycle limit, power operation of the motor is deactivated for at least the decrement time. The method may include continuously calculating energy consumed by the motor and, if the energy consumed exceeds one or more allowable energy thresholds, setting the cycle count equal to the cycle limit. The method may further include detecting a failure condition and setting the cycle count equal to the cycle limit when the failure condition is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael D. Oakley, Dean A. Scott, Jr., Trevor Scott Whitten
  • Patent number: 9425713
    Abstract: Method and device for starting a motor (12) in weak grids, especially asynchronous motors, which motor after start-up is supplied by a supply grid (13). The device (11) includes a frequency converter (14), which is rated in relation to the size of the motor (12) and arranged to bring the motor (12) up in speed, arranged to synchronize output voltage with voltage from the supply grid (13), and arranged for connecting the motor (12) to the supply grid (13) after the voltage of the motor is synchronized with the voltage of the supply grid (13). The main object is to do this with as low costs as possible and in the most space-saving manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Marine AS Power Electric Systems Bergen
    Inventor: Torbjörn Haugland
  • Patent number: 9419554
    Abstract: A control device of a three-phase AC motor includes: an inverter for driving the motor; a current sensor for sensing a sensor phase current of the motor; and a controller for controlling the motor. The controller includes: a current estimation device for estimating d-axis and q-axis current estimated values based on the sensor phase current and an electric angle of the motor; and a zero-crossing interpolation device for interpolating the d-axis and q-axis current estimated values by fixing the d-axis and q-axis current estimated values when the sensor phase current is in a zero cross range, which includes a zero point, so that the sensor phase current crosses the zero point, and for outputting interpolated d-axis and q-axis current estimated values as fixed d-axis and q-axis values, which are used for a feedback control relating to current flowing through the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuji Omata, Takahumi Oowada
  • Patent number: 9419548
    Abstract: The invention refers to a method for controlling a brushless, electronically commutated electric motor, a main AC voltage being rectified into an intermediate circuit direct voltage and this direct voltage being fed by an intermediate circuit containing an intermediate circuit capacitor to an inverter which is controlled by a motor control means for feeding and commutating the electric motor whereby the intermediate circuit direct voltage is monitored in respect of its voltage level and is compared with a predetermined limiting value and, on reaching or exceeding the limiting value, the intermediate circuit direct voltage is limited to the predetermined limiting value by clocked disconnection and reconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: ebm-papst Mulfingen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Konig, Thomas Brand
  • Patent number: 9409493
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric machine in a hybrid or electric motor vehicle fed by a battery by power electronics, the battery including an assembly of modules interconnected in series and the method realizes a module-commutation in which each module can be selectively disconnected from the assembly. The method includes: calculating energy losses as a function of current operating characteristics of the electric machine, or respectively for each of a plurality of possible module-commutation configurations; determining at least one optimum module-commutation configuration from the plurality of possible module-commutation configurations, reducing energy losses to a minimum; and commutating the modules according to the previously determined optimum commutation configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Ali Ercan, Anh-Linh Bui-Van
  • Patent number: 9413280
    Abstract: An inverter is provided. The inverter includes a current providing unit providing a first axis current and a second axis current to an induction motor; a revolutions per minute (RPM) measuring unit measuring the RPM of the induction motor; and a control unit changing the second axis current according to the measured RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Byung Woon Jang, Chun Suk Yang, Jae Hoon Jang, Joong Ki Jung, Sun Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 9410792
    Abstract: A resolver device (14) includes: a microcomputer (1) for outputting a control signal for driving a motor (4) to a drive circuit (3); a sensor section (5) (resolver) for outputting detection values (a sine signal and a cosine signal) in accordance with a rotation angle of the motor (4); and a signal circuit (13) provided between the microcomputer (1) and the sensor section (5). The microcomputer (1) determines an abnormality when the detection values of the sensor section (5) are out of a first normal range and then determines return of the sensor section (5) to normal when the detection value is present within a second normal range and in a plurality of regions obtained by dividing the first normal range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamamoto, Shunichi Wada, Katsuya Ikemoto, Chiaki Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 9413088
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a power tool having a motor powered by a battery. The method includes: delivering power from the battery to the motor in accordance with an operator input; detecting a condition of the power tool indicating a shutdown of the power is imminent; and fading the power delivered from the battery to the motor, in response to the detected condition, through the use of a controller residing in the power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Daniele C. Brotto, Michael K. Forster, Jason K. Leh, Wing W. Lin
  • Patent number: 9399888
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control an architectural opening covering assembly are disclosed herein. An example method disclosed herein includes determining a position of a covering of an architectural opening covering assembly. The example method further includes determining a speed at which the covering is to move via a motor based on the position and a period of time. The example method also includes operating a motor to move the covering at the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendell B. Colson, Daniel M. Fogarty
  • Patent number: 9394888
    Abstract: A system for controlling motion of a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator includes a damper operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and having a movable portion that moves with the SMA actuator when the SMA actuator contracts during electrical activation. An electronic switch is operatively connectable to the SMA actuator and to the damper. The electronic switch has an open position preventing electrical power flow to the SMA actuator, and a closed position permitting electrical power flow to the SMA actuator. A biasing element applies a biasing force that urges the electronic switch to the closed position. The damper overcomes the biasing element to move the switch to the open position only when velocity of the movable portion equals or exceeds a predetermined threshold velocity, and to return to the closed position when the velocity of the movable portion falls below the predetermined threshold velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Nancy L. Johnson, Jonathan E. Luntz, Diann Brei, Clover Thebolt, Brent Utter
  • Patent number: 9397604
    Abstract: A system and method for preventing damage to a controller of an electric motor in a vehicle from back electromotive force, the vehicle having a battery, includes monitoring, in a circuit path, a voltage and a rotational speed generated by back-driving the motor. If power is supplied to the controller by the battery, the method includes comparing the voltage to an upper voltage threshold, comparing the rotational speed to an upper rotational speed threshold, and, if the voltage exceeds the upper voltage threshold or the rotational speed exceeds the upper rotational speed threshold, clamping the circuit path to the battery to charge the battery with the voltage. The method is performed by an electronic controller that may detect the voltage and rotational speed via controller ports, sensor transmissions, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael D. Oakley
  • Patent number: 9379649
    Abstract: A linear motor system includes a stator, a mover, and a controller. The stator includes a plurality of armature coil units arranged so as to be spaced apart from one another at certain intervals. The mover includes a permanent magnet. The controller is configured to sequentially select, as a power-feeding target, an armature coil unit opposing the mover from among the plurality of armature coil units, perform, for the power-feeding target, computation for power-feeding control on the basis of a speed command, and sequentially feed power to the armature coil unit. The controller includes a power-feeding-switching compensation function of performing switching compensation when the power-feeding target is switched to a next armature coil unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Takase, Shinya Morimoto, Toru Shikayama, Minoru Koga, Nobuhiro Umeda
  • Patent number: 9360846
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling servomotors are described herein. Servomotor controllers and related control circuitry are configured to generate control signals for controlling the servomotor. The control signals include directional control signals to control the rotational direction and position of the servomotor, and power control signals control the rotational speed and/or torque of the servomotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Horizon Hobby, LLC
    Inventor: Paul Beard