Abstract: An electric motor system is described. The electric motor system includes a drive circuit including an inverter configured to supply variable frequency current and a contactor configured to supply line frequency current. The electric motor system also includes an electric motor coupled to the drive circuit wherein the electric motor is communicatively coupled to a controller. The controller is configured to control the inverter to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor, thereby operating the electric motor at a motor speed, and determine, based upon at least one input parameter, a maximum potential motor speed the inverter can achieve. The controller is also configured to receive a command to operate the electric motor at line frequency current and control the drive circuit to transition from supplying variably frequency current to supplying line frequency current before the maximum potential motor speed the inverter can achieve is reached.

Abstract: An electric motor system is described. The electric motor system includes a drive circuit configured to supply variable frequency current and a contactor configured to supply line frequency current, wherein the drive circuit includes a three-phase inverter and an H-bridge including two phases of the inverter. The electric motor system also includes an electric motor and a controller. The controller is configured to control the inverter to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor over a first duration and determine to control the drive circuit to transition from supplying variable frequency current to supplying line frequency current. The controller is also configured to determine a polarity of a sensed alternating current (AC) voltage, disable at least two switches of the H-bridge, and control the contactor to close, thereby preventing the contactor and the inverter from energizing the electric motor at the same time once the contactor is closed.

Abstract: Electric motors and drive circuits therefor are described herein. The drive circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The drive circuit includes an inverter configured to regulate current to a first winding and a second winding of the electric motor in the first mode of operation and to only the first winding in the second mode of operation. The drive circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the second winding and configured to supply line frequency current to the second winding at a first node in the second mode of operation, and a second switch coupled to the second winding and configured to enable selection of regulating current to the second winding using the inverter in the first mode of operation or supplying the line frequency current directly to the second winding in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: Electric motors and drive circuits therefor are described herein. The drive circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The drive circuit includes an inverter configured to regulate current to a first winding and a second winding of the electric motor in the first mode of operation and to only the first winding in the second mode of operation. The drive circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the second winding and configured to supply line frequency current to the second winding at a first node in the second mode of operation, and a second switch coupled to the second winding and configured to enable selection of regulating current to the second winding using the inverter in the first mode of operation or supplying the line frequency current directly to the second winding in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a permanent magnet rotor is provided. The permanent magnet rotor includes at least one permanent magnet and a substantially cylindrical rotor core including an outer edge and an inner edge defining a central opening. The rotor core includes a radius R, at least one pole, and at least one radial aperture extending radially though the rotor core from the outer edge to a predetermined depth less than the radius. The at least one radial aperture is configured to receive the at least one permanent magnet. The rotor further includes at least one protrusion extending into the at least one radial aperture, the at least one protrusion positioned substantially along a bottom of the at least one radial aperture and configured to facilitate retention of the at least one permanent magnet within the at least one radial aperture.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure includes a fluid moving system. The fluid moving system includes a fluid moving apparatus configured to convey a fluid through a housing from an inlet to an outlet. The fluid moving system includes an active cleaning device configured to neutralize or remove at least a portion of an undesired matter from the fluid conveyed through the housing. The fluid moving system includes an electric motor including a rotor coupled to the fluid moving apparatus and configured to turn the fluid moving apparatus upon application of electric power to a stator of the electric motor. The fluid moving system includes a motor controller communicatively coupled to the electric motor and configured to control at least one of a speed output or a torque output thereof.

Abstract: Electric motors and drive circuits therefor are described herein. The drive circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The drive circuit includes an inverter configured to regulate current to a first winding and a second winding of the electric motor in the first mode of operation and to only the first winding in the second mode of operation. The drive circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the second winding and configured to supply line frequency current to the second winding at a first node in the second mode of operation, and a second switch coupled to the second winding and configured to enable selection of regulating current to the second winding using the inverter in the first mode of operation or supplying the line frequency current directly to the second winding in the second mode of operation.

Abstract: Controllers for controlling hybrid motor drive circuits configured to drive a motor are provided herein. A controller is configured to drive the motor using an inverter when a motor commanded frequency is not within a predetermined range of line input power frequencies, and couple line input power to an output of the inverter using a first switch device when the motor commanded frequency is within the predetermined range of line input power frequencies.

Abstract: Controllers for controlling hybrid motor drive circuits configured to drive a motor are provided herein. A controller is configured to drive the motor using an inverter when a motor commanded frequency is not within a predetermined range of line input power frequencies, and couple line input power to an output of the inverter using a first switch device when the motor commanded frequency is within the predetermined range of line input power frequencies.

Abstract: A motor controller coupled to a motor is provided. The motor controller includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a first input coupled to the processor, wherein the first input is associated with a first mode of operation, and a second input coupled to the processor, wherein the second input is associated with a calibration mode. The motor controller is configured to receive, through the first input, a first activation signal, operate the motor in the first mode of operation in response to receiving the first activation signal, while operating the motor in the first mode of operation, receive, through the second input, a second activation signal, in response to receiving the first activation signal and the second activation signal, adjust a value of a parameter associated with the first mode of operation, and store the value of the parameter in the memory.

Abstract: A fan drive circuit for a variable speed fan motor in a cooling system, includes an inverter configured to supply a current signal to stator windings of the variable speed fan motor, a frequency detection circuit coupled to an output stage of an inverter of a compressor motor of the cooling system and configured to detect a first frequency of a compressor current signal at the output stage of a variable speed compressor drive circuit and generate a frequency signal, and a digital signal processor (DSP) coupled to the inverter and the frequency detection circuit. The DSP is configured to receive the frequency signal corresponding to the first frequency from the frequency detection circuit, select a second frequency corresponding to the first frequency at which to operate the variable speed fan motor, and transmit control signals to the inverter to supply current to the stator windings at the second frequency.

Abstract: A motor control assembly for an electric motor. The motor control assembly is configured to be coupled to the electric motor, and includes a wireless communication module, an input power connector, and an inverter module. The wireless communication module is configured to receive a wireless signal from a system controller. The input power connector is configured to receive a DC voltage from an external power supply module. The inverter module is coupled to the wireless communication module and the input power connector. The inverter module is configured to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage to operate the electric motor according to the wireless signal.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric pump motor is provided. The drive circuit includes an inverter and a contactor. The inverter is configured to supply variable frequency current to the electric motor. The contactor is configured to supply the line frequency current to the electric motor.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor includes an inverter, a solid state switch, and a contactor coupled in parallel with the solid state switch. The inverter is configured to supply variable frequency current to the PSC motor over a first duration. The solid state switch is configured to supply line frequency current to the PSC motor at the expiration of the first duration. The contactor is configured to supply the line frequency current to the PSC motor over a second duration beginning when the contactor closes after expiration of the first duration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor using a motor controller including a processor are provided. The method includes transmitting, by the processor, a no-spin signal commanding the electric motor not to spin, receiving temperature information associated with a temperature of the electric motor, comparing the temperature information to a predetermined threshold temperature to determine whether the temperature is at a sufficient level to prevent icing, and adjusting current applied to the electric motor when the temperature measurement is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A motor control assembly for an electric motor. The motor control assembly is configured to be coupled to the electric motor, and includes a wireless communication module, an input power connector, and an inverter module. The wireless communication module is configured to receive a wireless signal from a system controller. The input power connector is configured to receive a DC voltage from an external power supply module. The inverter module is coupled to the wireless communication module and the input power connector. The inverter module is configured to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage to operate the electric motor according to the wireless signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor using a motor controller including a processor are provided. The method includes transmitting, by the processor, a no-spin signal commanding the electric motor not to spin, receiving temperature information associated with a temperature of the electric motor, comparing the temperature information to a predetermined threshold temperature to determine whether the temperature is at a sufficient level to prevent icing, and adjusting current applied to the electric motor when the temperature measurement is below the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a permanent magnet rotor is provided. The permanent magnet rotor includes at least one permanent magnet and a substantially cylindrical rotor core including an outer edge and an inner edge defining a central opening. The rotor core includes a radius R, at least one pole, and at least one radial aperture extending radially though the rotor core from the outer edge to a predetermined depth less than the radius. The at least one radial aperture is configured to receive the at least one permanent magnet. The rotor further includes at least one protrusion extending into the at least one radial aperture, the at least one protrusion positioned substantially along a bottom of the at least one radial aperture and configured to facilitate retention of the at least one permanent magnet within the at least one radial aperture.

Abstract: A drive circuit for an electric motor includes a first filter, a rectifier, an inverter, and a line contactor. The first filter is configured to be coupled to an AC source and produces a filtered line frequency AC signal. The rectifier is coupled to the filter and produces a DC signal from the filtered line frequency AC signal. The inverter is coupled to the rectifier and produces an AC signal on an output node of the inverter. The AC signal is supplied to the electric motor to energize its stator windings. The line contactor is coupled between an output node of the first filter and the output node of the inverter. The line contactor supplies the output node of the inverter directly with the filtered line frequency AC signal to energize the stator windings when the inverter is disabled.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a permanent magnet rotor is provided. The permanent magnet rotor includes at least one permanent magnet and a substantially cylindrical rotor core including an outer edge and an inner edge defining a central opening. The rotor core includes a radius R, at least one pole, and at least one radial aperture extending radially though the rotor core from the outer edge to a predetermined depth less than the radius. The at least one radial aperture is configured to receive the at least one permanent magnet. The rotor further includes at least one protrusion extending into the at least one radial aperture, the at least one protrusion positioned substantially along a bottom of the at least one radial aperture and configured to facilitate retention of the at least one permanent magnet within the at least one radial aperture.