Patents Examined by Zemenay Truneh
  • Patent number: 9970446
    Abstract: A multi-fan speed single-wire output system and a method thereof are disclosed. The system includes at least one first fan and one second fan, which have a first and a second rotation speed, respectively. The first fan transmits the first rotation speed to the second fan, and the second fan performs a logical operation on the first and the second rotation speed to generate an output rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hu Zhang, Dong-Qi Tian, Wei-Ming Li
  • Patent number: 9958857
    Abstract: To provide a motor control device, motor control method, and non-transitory computer readable medium recording a motor control program, which add a backlash correction amount to a position command for a motor at the appropriate timing. Included are a first position detection part that detects a first position which is a position of a movable part; a second position detection part that detects a second position which is a position of a driven part; a positional error calculation part that calculates positional error, which is deviation between a converted first position detected value and a second position detected value; and a backlash correction part that adds a backlash correction amount when the absolute value for the variation of the positional error since reversal of a position command was detected exceeds the predetermined reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shoutarou Hashimoto, Tadashi Okita, Yuuki Morita
  • Patent number: 9954426
    Abstract: A motor driving device includes, a PWM converter that performs power conversion between AC power and DC power in a DC link, an inverter that converts the DC power in the DC link to AC power for a motor and that converts the AC power from the motor to DC power for returning to the DC link, a power storage unit that stores the DC power, a switch that connects or disconnects between an AC power supply and the PWM converter in response to a command, and a command unit that continues outputting a connection command to the switch while a DC voltage in the DC link is boosted up to a prescribed voltage by the DC power, and that initiates outputting a disconnection command to the switch after the DC voltage in the DC link reaches the prescribed voltage and before the inverter initiates powering operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Wataru Kuroki
  • Patent number: 9954422
    Abstract: An integrated gate driver for motor control includes a first diode coupled to an upper rail and providing a voltage on a first connector and a power amplifier coupled between the first connector and a second connector that can be coupled to a source of a high-side power transistor. The power amplifier receives a control signal and provides an output signal to a second pin for driving a gate of the high-side power transistor. A first integrated capacitor is coupled between the first and second connector and an integrated charge pump is coupled to supply a current to the first connector. The charge pump includes a second integrated capacitor having a terminal coupled to a high frequency oscillator and a terminal coupled through a second diode to the first connector and a third diode coupled between the second connector and a point between the second capacitor and the second diode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Miroslav Oljaca, Ajinder Singh, Sanjay Pithadia
  • Patent number: 9948217
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor assembly, a method of operation thereof and a transport vehicle provided with the motor assembly. The motor assembly is provided with an energy source switching controller that is in synchronization with motor operation and provides an improved utilization of energy storage sources in an electric, hybrid electric, or fuel cell based motor vehicle drive train application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Atieva, Inc.
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Chuang
  • Patent number: 9935567
    Abstract: A rotating electric machine control device includes: a q-axis PI controller calculating a pre-restriction q-axis voltage instruction value based on a q-axis voltage detection value and a q-axis current instruction value; a first q-axis restricter calculating a post-restriction q-axis voltage instruction value by restricting the pre-restriction q-axis voltage instruction value, for an excess of output exceeding a maximum outputtable voltage V_max; a correction value calculator calculating a q-axis correction value that has a reverse phase of a ripple current of a q-axis current; and a corrector correcting the post-restriction q-axis voltage instruction value with the q-axis correction value. In such manner, even when the pre-restriction q-axis voltage instruction value is saturated, a ripple current is reduced, thereby reducing a sound and/or a vibration caused by the ripple current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira Takesaki, Nobuyori Nakajima
  • Patent number: 9935576
    Abstract: A controller and methods for hybrid operation control of an electric motor in an electric motor system are provided. The controller is configured to receive a speed command for operating the electric motor, measure available voltage on an inverter configured to provide conditioned AC voltage to the electric motor, and determine a winding phase angle difference based on the received speed command and the measured available inverter voltage. The controller is also configured to adjust a phase angle difference between winding voltage commands for the switches of the inverter using the determined winding phase angle difference, and apply the winding voltage commands including the adjusted phase angle difference to the inverter switches to control the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Roger Carlos Becerra
  • Patent number: 9925889
    Abstract: An electric machine is provided for a dual voltage power system having a first energy storage system (HV-ESS) with a first nominal voltage and second energy storage system (LV-ESS with a second nominal voltage). The electric machine includes a rotor assembly having a rotor core configured to support permanent magnets spaced around the rotor core to define a number of rotor poles. The rotor core has multiple rotor slots arranged as at least one barrier layer at each of the rotor poles. Permanent magnets are disposed in the at least one barrier layer. A stator assembly surrounds the rotor assembly. The electric machine is configured to be operatively connected with the HV-ESS. The electric machines has at least one of a predetermined efficiency at rated power, a predetermined power density, a predetermined torque density, a predetermined peak power range, or a predetermined maximum speed of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Thomas W. Nehl
  • Patent number: 9923502
    Abstract: A method for detecting a potential (Vn) includes stator wirings in a Y connection, and automatically adjusting a relationship with a position of a rotor as a system for realizing rotor position-sensorless stable drive of an AC motor where the three-phase stator wirings are in Y connection in the stop and low-speed ranges. A synchronous motor control apparatus includes a three-phase synchronous motor in which three-phase stator wirings are in a Y connection, and an inverter for driving the motor, wherein the synchronous motor is DC-conducted thereby to move a rotor to a predetermined position, and is applied with a pulse-shaped voltage from the inverter in the moved state so that a neutral point potential as potential (Vn) of the Y connection point is acquired when the pulse voltage is applied, thereby driving the synchronous motor based on the acquired value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Iwaji, Masaki Hano, Naoki Okamoto, Takeshi Umetsu
  • Patent number: 9923499
    Abstract: Provided is a motor control device, including an acceleration command calculation unit configured to calculate an acceleration command directed to a motor, a torque command calculation unit configured to calculate a torque command directed to the motor based on the acceleration command and a predetermined moment-of-inertia value, a torque correction value calculation unit configured to estimate disturbance of the motor based on the torque command and at least one of a motor position or a motor speed, to thereby calculate a torque correction value for the torque command, and a moment-of-inertia value change unit configured to change the predetermined moment-of-inertia value based on an estimated moment-of-inertia ratio, which is a ratio of the torque correction value to the torque command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yasufumi Yoshiura, Yasuhiko Kaku
  • Patent number: 9920571
    Abstract: An integrated controller for an operator unit for powering an overhead garage roller door or roller shutter is described. The operator unit comprises a motor, an output drive assembly, a timing assembly unit, and a clutch assembly for providing selective engagement between motor powered operation and manual operation (provided by a chain rotating a chain wheel). The motor is arranged to drive a shaft which, in turn, provides drive to the roller door or shutter assembly (not shown), which includes an axle around which the roller door or shutter is wound. The integrated controller comprises an inverter for receiving a single phase power supply and supplying three phase power to drive the motor; and a drive controller in operable association with the inverter for providing active management of the operation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Automatic Technology (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Travis William Smith, Geoff Baker, Nikolai Klepikov, Jasbir Singh, Ray Hawkins
  • Patent number: 9912274
    Abstract: This AC rotating machine control device includes: power limiting means 6 for limiting drive power supplied for driving the AC rotating machine; and power feed means 10 for, when sensor abnormality determination means 3 determines that the rotational position sensor is abnormal, on the basis of the estimated rotational position, supplying the AC rotating machine with power obtained by adding rotational position estimation power supplied for the rotational position estimation means 9 to estimate the rotational position, to the drive power limited by the power limiting means, wherein the power limiting means 6 limits drive current at least during a predetermined period since the sensor abnormality determination means 3 determines that the abnormality occurs until estimated error of the estimated rotational position falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Nakajima, Yuya Tsuchimoto, Isao Kezobo, Yoshihiko Kimpara
  • Patent number: 9912264
    Abstract: A system and method for limiting the vibration of an electric motor so as to avoid situations in which extreme vibration may result in damage to the motor or other equipment. A motor control subsystem runs the motor in accordance with a command specifying a speed or torque. A vibration sensor, such as a three-axis accelerometer, senses a vibration of the electric motor, or, alternatively, software indirectly detects the vibration based on phase or torque ripple. Such vibration may be caused by, e.g., a broken fan blade or an accumulation of snow or ice. A control element receives data regarding the vibration, determines whether the vibration exceeds a pre-determined limit, and if so, takes action to reduce the vibration of the electric motor below the pre-determined limit. Such action may involve slowing or stopping the motor, thereby avoiding damage, increasing reliability, and reducing cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: James L. Skinner
  • Patent number: 9912272
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a control device of a secondary excitation device which supplies a rotary machine with a voltage or current of a variable frequency. The control device includes a harmonic frequency calculation unit which calculates a frequency of a specific harmonic generated on a primary side of the rotary machine by using a slip frequency or rotation speed of the rotary machine and a carrier frequency of the secondary excitation device, and a carrier frequency correction unit which corrects the carrier frequency of the secondary excitation device such that the frequency of the specific harmonic calculated by the harmonic frequency calculation unit falls within a given band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Ryan Triadhitama Bin Marwan Awaloeddin, Kiyoshi Kusunoki, Kentaro Kinoshita, Hiroyuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 9905264
    Abstract: A servo control system according to the present invention includes a servo control device for driving a driven body that operates periodically using a servomotor; and a learning controller for generating correction data based on a location deviation with respect to a uniform command pattern, and storing the correction data in delay memory and correcting the location deviation. The delay memory includes first memory having a short access delay time and second memory having a long access delay time. The servo control device includes a switching unit for assigning one of the first memory and the second memory to the learning controller, depending on a learning period according to the command pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouki Kameta, Naoto Sonoda
  • Patent number: 9899953
    Abstract: A system to detect a ground fault at the output of an inverter section prior to powering up a motor drive system is disclosed. A low voltage power supply is connected to the DC bus prior to connecting the input power source to the rectifier section. If a ground fault exists, the voltage potential on the DC bus causes conduction through one of the freewheeling diodes connected in parallel to the power switching device on the output of the inverter section. A fault detection circuit generates a signal corresponding to the presence of the low voltage potential when the low voltage is applied to the DC bus. If a ground fault is present at the output of one of the inverter sections, the motor drive system prevents the AC voltage from being applied to the rectifier section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Figie, Zoran Vrankovic, Mark A. Gries, Craig Winterhalter, Gennadi Sizov
  • Patent number: 9876455
    Abstract: A field winding type synchronous machine has a stator having a stator core to which a stator coil is wound, and a rotor that rotates while facing a peripheral surface of the stator with an electromagnetic gap therebetween. The rotor includes a rotor core having a plurality of main pole portions and interpole portions, main pole windings wound around the main pole portions, interpole windings wound around the interpole portions, and a full-wave rectifier circuit for energizing the field current to the main pole windings. The interpole windings produce the induced current by a magnetic flux generated by a time harmonic current superimposed on a fundamental wave of the stator coil. The electromagnetic gaps between the interpole portions and a circumferential surface of the stator are configured larger than electromagnetic between the main pole portions and the circumferential surface of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Seguchi
  • Patent number: 9871485
    Abstract: The stepper motor driver circuit controls driving of a stepper motor. The stepper motor driver circuit generates a driving current having a pseudo-sinusoidal waveform that varies stepwise every one period of a reference clock signal and makes the waveform of the driving current vary in response to a measurement value of an exciting voltage on a coil of the stepper motor at a time when the driving current is zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideki Kimura, Katsunori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9871481
    Abstract: This AC rotating machine control device includes: power limiting means 6 for limiting drive power supplied for driving the AC rotating machine; and power feed means 10 for, when sensor abnormality determination means 3 determines that the rotational position sensor is abnormal, on the basis of the estimated rotational position, supplying the AC rotating machine with power obtained by adding rotational position estimation power supplied for the rotational position estimation means 9 to estimate the rotational position, to the drive power limited by the power limiting means, wherein the power limiting means 6 limits drive current at least during a predetermined period since the sensor abnormality determination means 3 determines that the abnormality occurs until estimated error of the estimated rotational position falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Nakajima, Yuya Tsuchimoto, Isao Kezobo, Yoshihiko Kimpara
  • Patent number: 9866155
    Abstract: [Problem] An object of the present invention is to provide a motor control unit that the heat generation of FETs is not concentrated in one FET and the heat generation is distributed to the plural FETs by operating the duties of all three-phases in a case that the driving of the motor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Takayoshi Sugawara, Ryo Minaki, Hideki Sawada