Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and device for detecting an imbalance condition in a rotating washing machine tub. An indication of a power level required to maintain a given washing machine rotation speed is compared to a predefined standard power level associated with the given rotation speed, and a tub imbalance condition is detected in response to the comparison. The predefined standard power level may be stored in a memory device accessible by a processor that is programmed to calculate the power level required to achieve the given washing machine rotation speed and compare the required power level to the predefined standard power level to detect the tub imbalance condition.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the rotation speed of a washing machine tub includes receiving an indication of the actual tub rotation speed and comparing the actual tub rotation speed to a set point speed to calculate a speed error. One or more gain factors are applied to the speed error to calculate a correction factor. Adaptive gain control is used, wherein the gain factors are adjusted in response to system parameters, including the actual or desired tub rotation speed, speed error, average torque demand, average power, etc.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and device for detecting an imbalance condition in a rotating washing machine tub. An indication of a power level required to maintain a given washing machine rotation speed is compared to a predefined standard power level associated with the given rotation speed, and a tub imbalance condition is detected in response to the comparison. The predefined standard power level may be stored in a memory device accessible by a processor that is programmed to calculate the power level required to achieve the given washing machine rotation speed and compare the required power level to the predefined standard power level to detect the tub imbalance condition.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting an imbalance condition in a rotating washing machine tub includes receiving an indication of the actual tub rotation speed, comparing the actual tub rotation speed to a predetermined desired rotation speed to calculate a speed error, and determining maximum and minimum speed errors. The difference between the maximum and minimum speed error is calculated, and a tub imbalance condition is detected based at least in part on the calculated difference. In one embodiment, the speed error is input to a controller that produces an output used to minimize the absolute speed error. The difference between the minimum and maximum controller output is then used to determine tub imbalance. In another aspect of the invention, the method and system include receiving an indication of a power level required to achieve a given washing machine rotation speed and comparing the required power level to a predefined standard power level associated with the given rotation speed.

Abstract: A method for controlling the average voltage applied to a phase winding of a reluctance machine during periods of current increase, stable current control, and current decrease to improve machine efficiency and thereby reduce acoustical noise produced by the machine and unwanted vibration. According to one aspect, a method is provided whereby a maximum duty cycle is selected and voltage is applied to the phase winding during the period of current increase according to the maximum duty cycle until the current reaches a desired peak current value and thereafter the voltage applied to the phase winding is equal to the lesser of the voltage required to keep the phase current at the predetermined peak current value or the voltage corresponding to the maximum duty cycle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the average voltage applied to a phase winding of a reluctance machine during a period of current increase, controlling the current when a desired current is reached, and controlling the voltage applied during a period of current decrease, to improve machine efficiency and thereby reduce acoustical noise produced by the machine, and unwanted vibration. The apparatus comprises circuitry and associated elements which are operable to switch the phase winding into circuits which apply either a positive DC voltage, a zero voltage, or a negative DC voltage, to increase, maintain, or decrease the current in the winding. The timing and the rate of the switching is controlled as a function of the angular position and speed of a rotor of the reluctance machine, the torque output of the machine, and the desired speed or torque.

Abstract: A polyphase dynamoelectric machine (10) such as a switched reluctance motor has a stator assembly (12) and a rotor assembly (14). The rotor assembly is movable with respect to the stator assembly. The stator assembly includes a stator (16) having a plurality of stator poles (18). The rotor assembly includes a rotor (20) having a plurality of rotor poles (22). The stator assembly further includes a plurality of separately energizable stator windings (24) associated with the respective machine phases. These stator windings are energized and de-energized in a predetermined sequential manner to sequentially activate and deactivate the machine phases. Energization and de-energization of the respective stator windings is at least partially determined as a function of the machine's instantaneous rotor position. The machine includes a processor (26) for determining the rotor position.

Abstract: A control circuit for maintaining power output of a motor, irrespective of amplitude changes in line voltage. The output of an amplifier is indicative of the line voltage. A ramp generator generates a ramp voltage which is consistent and repetitive, irrespective of changes in the line voltage. A comparison is made between the ramp voltage and the amplifier output, causing a triac to fire when the two are equal. The equalization point is a point at which sufficient power can be derived from the remainder of the line voltage to assure consistent and repetitive operation.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a flexible printed circuit fixed to a lamp housing and feeding electrical current to a lamp bulb assembly connected to the lamp housing characterized in that the lamp housing and the lamp socket assembly each support a sealing gasket which engages the flexible printed circuit outboard of the electrical connection between the terminals of the lamp socket assembly and the printed circuit.