Abstract: An electronically commutated DC motor comprises a stator comprising at least one stator winding (22, 24, 26), a rotor (28) electromagnetically interacting with the stator, a positive and a negative DC voltage line (76, 78) for supplying power to the motor (20), in particular from a battery (77), a full bridge circuit (74) for controlling the current in the at least one stator winding (22, 24, 26), which full bridge circuit (74) comprises a plurality of bridge arms that each comprise an upper bridge transistor (66, 80, 86) for controlling the current from the positive DC voltage line (76) to an associated terminal (68; 82; 88) of that stator winding (22, 24, 26) as well as a lower bridge transistor (70, 84, 90) for controlling the current from the relevant terminal of the stator winding to the negative DC voltage line (78).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating an electric motor (32) with which a microprocessor or microcontroller (23) and a nonvolatile memory (74) are associated, at least one operating data value of the motor (32) being automatically saved under program control in the nonvolatile memory (74) upon occurrence of an error. An electric motor for carrying out such a method is also described. The result of the invention is to increase the operating reliability of a motor, since the saved data can be polled from time to time or after occurrence of an error. The manner in which such errors are processed is also described.

Abstract: An arrangement having an electric motor (10) has a microcontroller (12) for influencing at least one motor function and a nonvolatile storage element (14) for storing at least one variable as a definition for that motor function. The arrangement also has an interface (13a) for a data line (13) for transferring the at least one variable, in particular a current limiting value (Iref) from or to a storage element (14) by way of the microcontroller (12), and optionally by way of an internal data bus (15). The invention also relates to use of the device in the context of batteries of fans, and program-controlled current limitation for startup of an electric motor (10).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating an electronically commutated motor (10) that is equipped with a current limiting arrangement which acts on a PWM controller (56). The latter, in operation, delivers PWM pulses (60) having a controllable pulse duty ratio (pwm) and a substantially constant frequency. In the event a predetermined upper limit value (Isoil; Iw) of the motor current (Iist) is exceeded, the current limiting arrangement effects a change in this pulse duty factor (pwm) in order to reduce the motor current (Iist). If the motor current (Iist) exceeds a predetermined upper limit value (Isoil; Iw) while the motor (10) is rotating, that limit value (Isoil; Iw) is raised by a timing member (260) during a predetermined time span (304) (FIG. 8: Iwmax), so that the available motor power is temporarily raised in the context of a load peak. If the rotor (24) is stalled, the limit value (Isoil) is not raised but instead is greatly lowered.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for regulating the rotation speed, of a motor with which a digital rotation speed controller is associated and which, during operation, furnishes an actual-value signal for the rotation speed in the form of a rotation speed frequency signal, toward a target rotation speed setpoint defined in the form of a setpoint frequency signal, having the following steps: in a first time segment, a first numerical frequency value that characterizes the rotation speed of the motor is ascertained from the rotation speed frequency signal; in a second time segment that is substantially simultaneous with the first time segment, a second numerical frequency value that characterizes the frequency of the setpoint frequency signal is ascertained from the setpoint frequency signal; by means of the first and second numerical frequency values, the rotation speed of the motor is regulated in the digital rotation speed controller to a rotation speed that is associated with the setpoint frequency signal a

Abstract: An arrangement having an electric motor (10) has a microcontroller (12) for influencing at least one motor function and a nonvolatile storage element (14) for storing at least one variable as a definition for that motor function. The arrangement also has an interface (13a) for a data line (13) for transferring the at least one variable, in particular a current limiting value (Iref) from or to a storage element (14) by way of the microcontroller (12), and optionally by way of an internal data bus (15). The invention also relates to use of the device in the context of batteries of fans, and program-controlled current limitation for startup of an electric motor (10).

Abstract: An electronically commutated direct current machine comprising a rotor and a stator has a stator winding arrangement that can be supplied, via a full bridge circuit (78), with current from a direct current source (73, 74). A commutation arrangement (49, 50, 52, 54) is provided for commutating the semiconductor switches (1) (80 through 85) and is embodied in order, as a function of at least the position of the rotor (110), in a first bridge arm to switch on only one semiconductor switch in each case, and in a second bridge arm, controlled by a switching signal (PWM2), alternatingly to switch on and off a semiconductor switch associated with the switched-on semiconductor switch of the first bridge arm. Also provided is an arrangement for generating a switching definition signal (PWM1) which, by way of its magnitude, controls the pulse duty factor for the alternating switching on and off of the semiconductor switch associated with the first bridge arm.

Abstract: The rotation speed of an electric motor (9) is controlled by a controller (6) which receives its setpoint from a characteristic function (23). The characteristic function (23) calculates a setpoint for the controller (6) on the basis of an originally analog variable A (2) that is converted to digital by an A/D converter AD (10), with the aid of support values of a “MEM+DATA” characteristic that are stored in a memory (4); those values not predefined by the support values are calculated by interpolation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for nonvolatile storage of at least one operating data value of an electric motor (32). The latter comprises a microprocessor or microcontroller (23) that controls its commutation, and it comprises a nonvolatile memory (74). In this method, when the motor (32) is switched on, an old operating data value is transferred from the nonvolatile memory (74) into a volatile memory (97) associated with the microprocessor (23) and saved there as a variable. The variable is updated by the microprocessor in the time intervals between the commutation operations (FIG. 13). At intervals of time, the operating data value saved in the nonvolatile memory (74) is replaced by the updated operating data value corresponding to the present value of the variable. A motor for carrying out this method is described.

Abstract: An electronically commutated motor (10) is adapted to be powered directly by an AC voltage (UAC) source, and comprises a permanent-magnet rotor (18), a stator having at least one winding phase (L1, L2, . . . , Ln), a rectifier (38) which generates, from the AC voltage (UAC), a pulsating DC voltage (UB) between a positive lead (30) and a negative lead (32) of a DC link (15). Also present is a bridge circuit (28A, 28B, 28C), connected to that DC link (15) and provided to supply current to the at least one winding phase (L1, L2, . . . , Ln), which comprises a switching element (50) controllable with a control voltage (UST) that is lower than the pulsating DC voltage (UB) to be switched. An auxiliary circuit (34, 34′) generates, from the pulsating DC voltage (UB) at the DC link and from the AC voltage (UAC), a control voltage (UST) for driving the switching element (50) that is lower than the pulsating DC voltage by an amount equal to a predetermined value (U&Dgr;).

Abstract: An improved drum motor, preferably electronically commutated, features a unitary stationary central shaft (18) supporting a stationary inner stator (52), and an external rotor (49), including permanent magnets (54), secured to an inner surface of a generally cylindrical rotatable casing part (18). This permits variable speed operation while avoiding any need for an internal gear linkage. Safety is improved by making sealing plates (76, 78) at respective axial ends of the casing (14) stationary, and providing an annular peripheral seal (90) around each sealing plate. Respective rolling bearings (24, 44) near each end of the casing (14) facilitate rotation of the external rotor (49) relative to the stator (52), and a clamping arrangement (30) minimizes noise from the bearings.

Abstract: An electronically commutated direct current machine comprising a rotor and a stator has a stator winding arrangement that can be supplied, via a full bridge circuit (78), with current from a direct current source (73, 74). A commutation arrangement (49, 50, 52, 54) is provided for commutating the semiconductor switches (1) (80 through 85) and is embodied in order, as a function of at least the position of the rotor (110), in a first bridge arm to switch on only one semiconductor switch in each case, and in a second bridge arm, controlled by a switching signal (PWM2), alternatingly to switch on and off a semiconductor switch associated with the switched-on semiconductor switch of the first bridge arm. Also provided is an arrangement for generating a switching definition signal (PWM1) which, by way of its magnitude, controls the pulse duty factor for the alternating switching on and off of the semiconductor switch associated with the first bridge arm.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of regulating the current in a direct current machine with which are associated an arrangement for generating a current target value signal, as well as a PWM generator (FIG.

Abstract: An electronically commutated motor has a rotor (108), a stator having a stator winding arrangement (102), and a full bridge circuit (137) for controlling the current (i1, i2) in the stator winding arrangement (102); in the full bridge circuit (137), first semiconductor switches (114, 130) are connected to a first DC supply lead (116) and second semiconductor switches (132, 136) to the other DC supply lead (122), said second switches being bidirectionally conductive of current in the switched-on state. The motor has an arrangement (172, 198, 188) for opening the first semiconductor switches (114, 130) and for closing the second semiconductor switches (132, 136) during a predetermined operating state. An arrangement (202) is provided for monitoring the direction of the current (i1, i2) which flows in the second semiconductor switches (132, 136) when the latter are conductive during the predetermined operating state.

Abstract: An improved method of commutating an electronically commutated DC motor shuts off application of power between the end of one current pulse and the beginning of the subsequent current pulse. Based upon the instantaneous rotation speed, one calculates at what instant to shut off the power. During the power interruption, the disconnected winding is operated in short-circuit mode using two MOSFET transistors, and the decay of the current is monitored. When the current reaches a predetermined reduced value, the terminals of the winding are switched to a high-resistance state, until the subsequent current pulse is started. This has the advantage that less reactive power occurs during operation, and one need not install as bulky a storage capacitor as the capacitors used heretofore.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fan arrangement comprising a radial or diagonal fan (370) with which a direct current motor (32) is associated as drive motor, further comprising a digital control element (23, 24) such as a microcontroller or microprocessor, associated with that direct current motor (32), and comprising a program, associated with that digital control element (23, 24), for controlling the current flowing through the direct current motor (32), which program is embodied to generate a substantially constant current in the motor (32) in the working rotation speed range of the fan.

Abstract: The rotation speed of an electric motor (9) is controlled by a controller (6) which receives its setpoint from a characteristic function (23). The characteristic function (23) calculates a setpoint for the controller (6) on the basis of an originally analog variable A (2) that is converted to digital by an A/D converter AD (10), with the aid of support values of a “MEM+DATA” characteristic that are stored in a memory (4); those values not predefined by the support values are calculated by interpolation.

Abstract: An improved method, for obtaining a datum concerning the rotation speed (n) of a rotating object, such as a motor rotor (32), offers high precision. Typically, the motor has a sensor (61) which supplies a sensor signal that has, for each revolution of the rotor, a plurality A of events such as pulses or pulse edges which are counted by a microprocessor (23) associated with the motor. In order to keep the computation load on the microprocessor from increasing as the rotor speed increases, yet maintain high precision, the measurement is done over a full rotation of the rotor, starts at a first signal event (176), and ends after a third or nth signal event (182) which happens at the same rotational position as the first signal event.

Abstract: The rotation speed of an electric motor (9) is controlled by a controller (6) which receives its setpoint from a characteristic function (23). The characteristic function (23) calculates a setpoint for the controller (6) on the basis of an originally analog variable A (2) that is converted to digital by an A/D converter AD (10), with the aid of support values of a “MEM+DATA” characteristic that are stored in a memory (4); those values not predefined by the support values are calculated by interpolation.

Abstract: A watchdog circuit for a microprocessor which has a reset input and a control output, which output, when operation is normal, periodically delivers, under program control, a signal (P0B2) of predefined duration (t1); and having a capacitor (32) that can be charged via a charging circuit; having a discharging circuit (40, 42), controlled by the control output, for said capacitor (32), for periodic discharge thereof during the predefined duration (t1); the charging circuit and discharging circuit being adapted to the program sequence of the microprocessor such that when the microprocessor is operating normally, charging of the capacitor via the charging circuit corresponds respectively to discharge thereof via the discharging circuit; so that the voltage at said capacitor rises and falls within a predefined voltage range; and having an apparatus (30), for monitoring the charge state of said capacitor (32), which, in the presence of a charge state thereof that does not occur in normal operation, effects a reset