Patents by Inventor Martin Weinmann
Martin Weinmann has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11509254Abstract: In a method for detecting a motor phase fault of a motor arrangement, the motor phases of which are connected to a drive circuit having a DC voltage intermediate circuit and an inverter. A motor phase voltage at at least one of the motor phases with respect to a reference potential is captured while the inverter is switched off; and a voltage profile of the captured motor phase voltage is used to determine whether there is a motor phase fault on one of the motor phases of the motor arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Andreas Schmid, Sebastian Tinius
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Patent number: 11372047Abstract: A drive circuit for driving an electronically commutated motor contains a DC voltage intermediate circuit, and an inverter which is connected to the latter and has a bridge circuit containing a plurality of transistors, to which the motor phases of a motor configuration containing the motor can be connected. For detecting an insulation fault in the motor configuration, a positive or negative transistor of the inverter is switched on, while all other transistors of the inverter are switched off before all transistors of the inverter are switched off. A motor phase voltage of a selected motor phase of the motor phases with respect to a reference potential is then captured, while all transistors of the inverter remain switched off in order to determine whether there is an insulation fault on the motor phase on a basis of a voltage profile of the motor phase voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Andreas Schmid, Sebastian Tinius
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Publication number: 20200052617Abstract: A drive circuit for driving an electronically commutated motor includes an AC terminal to which a power supply grid is connectable, a rectifier connected on the input side to the AC terminal, an inverter connected on the input side to the rectifier and to which the motor phases of the motor are connectable, and an intermediate DC voltage circuit between the rectifier and the inverter. An EMC filter includes a capacitive feedback coupling having at least one Y-capacitor connected between one pole of the intermediate DC voltage circuit and protective ground and overall incorporating stronger insulation than basic insulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: MARTIN WEINMANN, ANDREAS SCHMID, SEBASTIAN TINIUS
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Publication number: 20200049769Abstract: A drive circuit for driving an electronically commutated motor contains a DC voltage intermediate circuit, and an inverter which is connected to the latter and has a bridge circuit containing a plurality of circuit breakers, to which the motor phases of a motor configuration containing the motor can be connected. For detecting an insulation fault in the motor configuration, a positive or negative circuit breaker of the inverter is switched on, while all other circuit breakers of the inverter are switched off before all circuit breakers of the inverter are switched off. A motor phase voltage of a selected motor phase of the motor phases with respect to a reference potential is then captured, while all circuit breakers of the inverter remain switched off in order to determine whether there is an insulation fault on the motor phase on a basis of a voltage profile of the motor phase voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: MARTIN WEINMANN, ANDREAS SCHMID, SEBASTIAN TINIUS
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Publication number: 20200052641Abstract: In a method for detecting a motor phase fault of a motor arrangement, the motor phases of which are connected to a drive circuit having a DC voltage intermediate circuit and an inverter. A motor phase voltage at at least one of the motor phases with respect to a reference potential is captured while the inverter is switched off; and a voltage profile of the captured motor phase voltage is used to determine whether there is a motor phase fault on one of the motor phases of the motor arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: MARTIN WEINMANN, ANDREAS SCHMID, SEBASTIAN TINIUS
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Patent number: 9124195Abstract: A method controls a three-phase converter with a voltage intermediate circuit by pulse-width modulation for supplying a polyphase system, in particular a three-phase machine. The converter is operated with at least two different modulation methods which are selected from among the group of modulation methods which includes single-phase switching, two-phase switching and three-phase switching, and for changeovers to be made between the at least two different modulation methods depending on the operating state of the polyphase system.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Stefan Zeh, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu
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Publication number: 20140119398Abstract: In order to determine an operating temperature of an electric motor which is fed via an inverter, the inverter is first of all permanently assigned to an electric motor. Following calibration of measured value of at least one operating parameter of the electric motor by the assigned inverter on the production line of the electric motor and inverter, at least one measured value of at least one operating parameter of the electric motor is then acquired by the assigned inverter during operation of the electric motor and the operating temperature of the electric motor is determined using this at least one measured value and the calibration result from the assigned inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2013Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KGInventors: RADU LIVIU FLOREA, MARTIN WEINMANN
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Patent number: 8502552Abstract: The invention specifies a method for fault identification when driving a polyphase motor by means of a frequency converter, wherein, in a rest state, the frequency converter controls the phase voltages of the polyphase motor and the phase currents of the polyphase motor are measured. In this case, provision is made for, then in the rest state, the phase currents or current variables derived therefrom to be adjusted by closed-loop control to a predetermined setpoint current variable, for the frequency converter to be controlled so as to output an interference voltage variable for the phase voltages, for the response of the adjustment by closed-loop control to the interference voltage variable to be observed, and for a conclusion to be drawn regarding a fault of the frequency converter and/or the phases of the polyphase motor from the response of the closed-loop control. The cited method allows for largely loss-free detection of faults in the drive system of a polyphase motor.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu, Martin Weinmann
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Publication number: 20120320650Abstract: A method controls a three-phase converter with a voltage intermediate circuit by pulse-width modulation for supplying a polyphase system, in particular a three-phase machine. The converter is operated with at least two different modulation methods which are selected from among the group of modulation methods which includes single-phase switching, two-phase switching and three-phase switching, and for chageovers to be made between the at least two different modulation methods depending on the operating state of the polyphase system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2012Publication date: December 20, 2012Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KGInventors: MARTIN WEINMANN, STEFAN ZEH, NICOLA-VALERIU OLARESCU
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Patent number: 8248017Abstract: A method for operating an electric motor with at least two motor terminals that are driven by a control device contains the steps of short-circuiting of at least two of the motor terminals of the electric motor by the control device; measurement of the motor phase currents at the short-circuited motor terminals; and identification of a standstill of the electric motor if a magnitude and/or a frequency of the motor phase currents measured lies below a predefined limit value. In the case of such a reliable identification of the standstill of the electric motor, an enable signal can then advantageously be generated in order, by way of example, to enable access to an apparatus driven by the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Stefan Zeh, Rainer Frisch, Hartmut Wauer, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu, Radu Liviu Florea, Martin Rieser
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Publication number: 20110121650Abstract: A circuit configuration for providing a voltage supply for a driver circuit driven by a controller, contains a controller for driving a driver circuit, and an intermediate circuit for providing a DC voltage. The intermediate circuit is connectable to a voltage source. A first voltage regulating circuit is provided for generating an auxiliary voltage from the DC voltage. A second voltage regulating circuit is provided for generating a first supply voltage for the controller from the auxiliary voltage. A third voltage regulating circuit is provided for generating a second supply voltage for the driver circuit from the auxiliary voltage. In this case, the third voltage regulating circuit generates the second supply voltage in a manner dependent on a control signal from the controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KGInventors: MARTIN WEINMANN, MARTIN RIESER, ARTUR SCHÜTZ
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Patent number: 7921494Abstract: An internal unit of a washing machine or spin-dryer normally includes a washing container, which has a laundry drum mounted in the container such that it can rotate, and an electric motor for driving the laundry drum via a reduction gear, a transmission, or direct drive. The internal unit is suspended in a machine housing such that it can vibrate and constitutes an overall system which can vibrate in a damped manner and which is subject to unbalance-dependent resonance phenomena in specific regions of the rotational speed of the laundry drum. The causes of these resonance phenomena are vibratory movements due to momentary unbalances in the load in the laundry drum.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: DIEHL AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Roman-Hartmut Wauer, Alexander Müller
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Publication number: 20110037495Abstract: The invention specifies a method for fault identification when driving a polyphase motor by means of a frequency converter, wherein, in a rest state, the frequency converter controls the phase voltages of the polyphase motor and the phase currents of the polyphase motor are measured. In this case, provision is made for, then in the rest state, the phase currents or current variables derived therefrom to be adjusted by closed-loop control to a predetermined setpoint current variable, for the frequency converter to be controlled so as to output an interference voltage variable for the phase voltages, for the response of the adjustment by closed-loop control to the interference voltage variable to be observed, and for a conclusion to be drawn regarding a fault of the frequency converter and/or the phases of the polyphase motor from the response of the closed-loop control. The cited method allows for largely loss-free detection of faults in the drive system of a polyphase motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2010Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KGInventors: NICOLA-VALERIU OLARESCU, MARTIN WEINMANN
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Patent number: 7863786Abstract: A drive apparatus for a washing machine includes an electric motor, a drive shaft connected to the electric motor for rotary drive purposes and electronics for controlling operation of the electric motor. In order to achieve a compact construction, the electric motor and the electronics are integrated in a common unit. In order to increase operational reliability of the drive apparatus together with a simple construction, the common unit has a wall which is thermally coupled both to the electric motor and to the electronics and serves to dissipate heat. The electronics have a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall. Both the temperature of the electric motor and the temperature of the electronics can be monitored with this one temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2009Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Alexander Müller
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Patent number: 7741741Abstract: A drive apparatus for a washing machine includes an electric motor, a drive shaft connected to the electric motor for rotary drive, a fan for cooling the electric motor and electronics for controlling operation of the electric motor. In order to achieve a compact construction, the electric motor and the electronics are integrated in a common unit, such as a motor housing. In order to protect the electronics and at the same time ensure that the electronics are sufficiently cooled, the common unit has a dividing wall, with the electric motor and a printed circuit board of the electronics disposed on opposite sides of the dividing wall. The dividing wall has at least one aperture. The electronics include power components protruding at least partially through the aperture and being in contact with the dividing wall and/or with a cooling air stream generated by the fan.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Dielh AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Alexander Müller, Thomas Mehrer
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Publication number: 20100117583Abstract: A method for operating an electric motor with at least two motor terminals that are driven by a control device contains the steps of short-circuiting of at least two of the motor terminals of the electric motor by the control device; measurement of the motor phase currents at the short-circuited motor terminals; and identification of a standstill of the electric motor if a magnitude and/or a frequency of the motor phase currents measured lies below a predefined limit value. In the case of such a reliable identification of the standstill of the electric motor, an enable signal can then advantageously be generated in order, by way of example, to enable access to an apparatus driven by the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2009Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Stefan Zeh, Rainer Frisch, Hartmut Wauer, Nicola-Valeriu Olarescu, Radu Liviu Florea, Martin Rieser
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Publication number: 20090184674Abstract: A drive apparatus for a washing machine includes an electric motor, a drive shaft connected to the electric motor for rotary drive purposes and electronics for controlling operation of the electric motor. In order to achieve a compact construction, the electric motor and the electronics are integrated in a common unit. In order to increase operational reliability of the drive apparatus together with a simple construction, the common unit has a wall which is thermally coupled both to the electric motor and to the electronics and serves to dissipate heat. The electronics have a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the wall. Both the temperature of the electric motor and the temperature of the electronics can be monitored with this one temperature sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: DIEHL AKO STIFTUNG & CO. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Alexander Muller
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Patent number: 7340158Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a polyphase brushless electric motor, wherein the motor phase currents which are associated with the phases are produced by clocked variation of the respectively applied electrical potential. In this case, the motor phase currents flow back from the electric motor via a common return line with the peak current value in the return line being detected and being included in a controlled variable. Furthermore, a circuit configuration is specified, which is provided in a corresponding manner in order to carry out the control method. The control method and the circuit configuration allow the motor phase currents to be taken into account in the control of the electric motor in a simple and cost-effective manner.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2006Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Diehl Ako Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Stefan Zeh, Martin Weinmann, Alexander Müller, Valeriu Olarescu
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Publication number: 20080018182Abstract: A drive apparatus for a washing machine includes an electric motor, a drive shaft connected to the electric motor for rotary drive, a fan for cooling the electric motor and electronics for controlling operation of the electric motor. In order to achieve a compact construction, the electric motor and the electronics are integrated in a common unit, such as a motor housing. In order to protect the electronics and at the same time ensure that the electronics are sufficiently cooled, the common unit has a dividing wall, with the electric motor and a printed circuit board of the electronics disposed on opposite sides of the dividing wall. The dividing wall has at least one aperture. The electronics include power components protruding at least partially through the aperture and being in contact with the dividing wall and/or with a cooling air stream generated by the fan.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2007Publication date: January 24, 2008Inventors: Martin Weinmann, Alexander Muller, Thomas Mehrer
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Patent number: 7285930Abstract: A method is specified for controlling a multiphase motor that is commutated by an inverter-side bridge circuit, in the course of which a particularly precise and technically simple detection of a control-relevant variable of a considered motor phase, in particular of a motor phase current and/or a back EMF voltage and/or a variable derived therefrom, takes place. It is provided here to determine the control-relevant variable with the aid of the current state of a freewheeling diode that is disposed in a phase half bridge, assigned to the respective motor phase, of the bridge circuit, the current state being detected during an on time in which a power switch, connected in parallel with the freewheeling diode, of the phase half bridge exhibits a conducting state, and a power switch connected in series with the freewheeling diode exhibits a blocking state.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Alexander Müller, Stefan Zeh