Abstract: A motor controller is provided. The motor controller is coupled to an efficiency indicator device and to a motor that is coupled to a fluid movement device. The motor controller includes a processor. The motor controller is configured to determine a fluid flow amount representing an amount of fluid moved by the fluid movement device during a predefined time period. Additionally, the motor controller is configured to determine a power usage amount representing an amount of power used by at least the fluid movement device and the motor in association with the fluid flow amount, generate an efficiency report associated with at least the fluid flow amount and the power usage amount, and transmit the efficiency report to the efficiency indicator device for presentation thereon.

Abstract: A housing for coupling to a motor having an axis of rotation is provided. The housing includes an end cap having an outer surface and an inner surface. The housing also includes a plurality of first heat fins coupled to the outer surface. Each first heat fin of the plurality of first heat fins includes a first portion extending radially from the axis of rotation. In addition, the housing includes a second portion coupled to first portion and extending parallel to the axis of rotation. The housing further includes a second heat fin coupled to the second portion.

Abstract: An electric motor controller for controlling an electric motor and methods of determining a loss of phase condition for at least one phase of three-phase input power provided to an electric motor controller are provided. The controller is configured to obtain phase sample data representing an input power electrical characteristic for at least one phase of three-phase power received by the controller and receive direct current (DC) bus data representing a measured DC bus electrical characteristic. The controller is also configured to calculate a ratio between the phase sample data and the DC bus data, and determine that a loss of phase condition exists for a phase of the three-phase power when the ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An electric motor controller for controlling an electric motor and methods of determining a loss of phase condition for at least one phase of three-phase input power provided to an electric motor controller are provided. The controller is configured to obtain phase sample data representing an input power electrical characteristic for at least one phase of three-phase power received by the controller and receive direct current (DC) bus data representing a measured DC bus electrical characteristic. The controller is also configured to calculate a ratio between the phase sample data and the DC bus data, and determine that a loss of phase condition exists for a phase of the three-phase power when the ratio exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A motor controller is provided. The motor controller is coupled to an efficiency indicator device and to a motor that is coupled to a fluid movement device. The motor controller includes a processor. The motor controller is configured to determine a fluid flow amount representing an amount of fluid moved by the fluid movement device during a predefined time period. Additionally, the motor controller is configured to determine a power usage amount representing an amount of power used by at least the fluid movement device and the motor in association with the fluid flow amount, generate an efficiency report associated with at least the fluid flow amount and the power usage amount, and transmit the efficiency report to the efficiency indicator device for presentation thereon.

Abstract: A control system for a motor includes an inverter coupled to the motor. The control system further includes a microcontroller coupled to the inverter. The microcontroller includes a processor programmed to measure an input voltage and acquire a back EMF voltage of the motor. The processor is also programmed to control the inverter to regulate the motor voltage based on the input voltage and the back EMF voltage to facilitate controlling the motor.

Abstract: A control system for a motor includes an inverter coupled to the motor. The control system further includes a microcontroller coupled to the inverter. The microcontroller includes a processor programmed to measure an input voltage and acquire a back EMF voltage of the motor. The processor is also programmed to control the inverter to regulate the motor voltage based on the input voltage and the back EMF voltage to facilitate controlling the motor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring input power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes determining, with a processing device, an average input current to the motor, the average input current based on a voltage drop across a shunt resistor in series with the motor, measuring an average input voltage applied to the motor utilizing the processing device, multiplying the average input current by the average voltage to determine an approximate input power, and communicating the average input power to an external interface.

Abstract: A housing for coupling to a motor having an axis of rotation is provided. The housing includes an end cap having an outer surface and an inner surface. The housing also includes a plurality of first heat fins coupled to the outer surface. Each first heat fin of the plurality of first heat fins includes a first portion extending radially from the axis of rotation. In addition, the housing includes a second portion coupled to first portion and extending parallel to the axis of rotation. The housing further includes a second heat fin coupled to the second portion.

Abstract: A method for monitoring input power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes determining, with a processing device, an average input current to the motor, the average input current based on a voltage drop across a shunt resistor in series with the motor, measuring an average input voltage applied to the motor utilizing the processing device, multiplying the average input current by the average voltage to determine an approximate input power, and communicating the average input power to an external interface.

Abstract: A control system for a motor includes an inverter coupled to the motor. The control system further includes a microcontroller coupled to the inverter. The microcontroller includes a processor programmed to measure an input voltage and acquire a back EMF voltage of the motor. The processor is also programmed to control the inverter to regulate the motor voltage based on the input voltage and the back EMF voltage to facilitate controlling the motor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring input power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes determining, with a processing device, an average input current to the motor, the average input current based on a voltage drop across a shunt resistor in series with the motor, measuring an average input voltage applied to the motor utilizing the processing device, multiplying the average input current by the average voltage to determine an approximate input power, and communicating the average input power to an external interface.

Abstract: A serial interface circuit electrically connected to a controller to control an electric motor. The interface circuit includes a controller circuit and a motor circuit. The controller circuit includes a transmitter and a receiver circuit, and the motor circuit includes a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit. The interface interrogates the motor to acquire status and diagnostic information by receiving commands from the controller, adjusts a voltage level to a desired level, outputs the voltage signal to command and control the motor, and receives a voltage response from the motor.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a three-wire programming box with a motor control circuit is provided. The method includes providing a three-wire to two-wire interface. The method further includes connecting the three-wire to two-wire interface between the three-wire programming box and the motor control circuit such that the three-wire programming box communicates bi-directionally with the motor control circuit utilizing less than three connections between the three-wire to two-wire interface and the motor control circuit.

Abstract: A method for controlling an electronically commutated motor (ECM) using an air moving system including a controller and an interface board, the interface board electrically coupled to the controller. The ECM electrically coupled to the interface board. The ECM includes a motor controller having an ECM program and the interface board includes a mode signal circuit and a tap signal circuit. The method includes transmitting control signals to the interface board, translating the signals into signals suitable for controlling the ECM, and operating the ECM based on the translated signals.

Abstract: A serial interface circuit electrically connected to a controller to control an electric motor. The interface circuit includes a controller circuit and a motor circuit. The controller circuit includes a transmitter and a receiver circuit, and the motor circuit includes a transmitter circuit and a receiver circuit. The interface interrogates the motor to acquire status and diagnostic information by receiving commands from the controller, adjusts a voltage level to a desired level, outputs the voltage signal to command and control the motor, and receives a voltage response from the motor.

Abstract: A single phase permanent magnet motor includes a rotor, a stator, and a quadrature axis winding positioned out-of-phase from a main winding of the stator for generating an output signal representative of rotor angular position. An integrator can be coupled to the quadrature axis winding for phase retarding the output signal, and a comparator can be coupled to the integrator for detecting zero crossings of the phase retarded output signal to provide a commutation signal. The quadrature axis winding can be positioned about ninety electrical degrees out-of-phase from the main winding of the stator, and the integrator can be adapted to phase retard the output signal by a number of degrees which decreases as a speed of the motor increases. At low speeds the phase retard is preferably at about ninety degrees so that the phase retarded signal becomes in-phase with the main stator winding back EMF voltage.

Abstract: A drive package for a dynamoelectric machine mounts a printed wire board in cantilever fashion from a wall of a drive package housing. Potting material in the housing provides mechanical support for the printed wire board away from the heat sink. Heat generating components on the first printed wire board have tubes of electrically insulating, thermally conductive material inserted over them and are clamped against the heat sink. The heat sink is mounted directly to the housing and is electrically grounded by the housing.

Abstract: A single phase permanent magnet motor includes a rotor, a stator, and a quadrature axis winding positioned out-of-phase from a main winding of the stator for generating an output signal representative of rotor angular position. An integrator can be coupled to the quadrature axis winding for phase retarding the output signal, and a comparator can be coupled to the integrator for detecting zero crossings of the phase retarded output signal to provide a commutation signal. The quadrature axis winding can be positioned about ninety electrical degrees out-of-phase from the main winding of the stator, and the integrator can be adapted to phase retard the output signal by a number of degrees which decreases as a speed of the motor increases. At low speeds the phase retard is preferably at about ninety degrees so that the phase retarded signal becomes in-phase with the main stator winding back EMF voltage.