Patents by Inventor Roger C. Becerra
Roger C. Becerra 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: 11841022Abstract: A control system is provided for an electric motor configured to drive a fluid moving apparatus to generate a fluid-flow. The control system includes a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to a stator of the motor to turn a rotor and generate the fluid-flow, and a processor that computes a value proportional to at least one of a system resistance or a static pressure for the fluid moving apparatus based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives a fluid-flow rate demand and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the fluid-flow rate demand and the value proportional to the system resistance or the static pressure. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply power to the motor and operate the fluid moving apparatus to generate the fluid-flow.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2020Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20230223874Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2023Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Stephen Solan, JR., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 11611299Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Solan, Jr., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 11466889Abstract: An electric blower system is described. The blower system includes a blower, an airflow system, a sensor, and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to operate the motor at a first torque and a first speed to generate a first airflow, determine a first airflow value wherein the first airflow value, the first torque, and the first speed define a first benchmark data point. The motor controller is also configured to operate the motor at a second torque and a second speed to generate a second airflow and determine a second airflow value wherein the second airflow value, the second torque, and the second speed define a second benchmark data point. The motor controller is further configured to generate an operating profile for the blower system defining torque, speed, and airflow points for different system resistances.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2020Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 11309822Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20220103109Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2020Publication date: March 31, 2022Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20210313918Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2020Publication date: October 7, 2021Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20210278103Abstract: An electric blower system is described. The blower system includes a blower, an airflow system, a sensor, and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to operate the motor at a first torque and a first speed to generate a first airflow, determine a first airflow value wherein the first airflow value, the first torque, and the first speed define a first benchmark data point. The motor controller is also configured to operate the motor at a second torque and a second speed to generate a second airflow and determine a second airflow value wherein the second airflow value, the second torque, and the second speed define a second benchmark data point. The motor controller is further configured to generate an operating profile for the blower system defining torque, speed, and airflow points for different system resistances.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20210207612Abstract: A control system is provided for an electric motor configured to drive a fluid moving apparatus to generate a fluid-flow. The control system includes a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to a stator of the motor to turn a rotor and generate the fluid-flow, and a processor that computes a value proportional to at least one of a system resistance or a static pressure for the fluid moving apparatus based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives a fluid-flow rate demand and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the fluid-flow rate demand and the value proportional to the system resistance or the static pressure. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply power to the motor and operate the fluid moving apparatus to generate the fluid-flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 10774838Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided, including a drive circuit and a processor. The drive circuit regulates power supplied to a stator of the electric motor to turn a rotor and blower to generate an airflow. The processor receives an air density, an airflow rate demand, and at least one of a measured torque and a measured speed of the electric motor. The processor computes one of a torque set point and a speed set point for the electric motor using an airflow algorithm and based on the air density, the airflow rate demand, and the at least one of the measured torque and the measured speed. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the one of the torque set point and the speed set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the blower to generate the airflow.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20200119669Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Inventors: STEPHEN SOLAN, JR., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 10516355Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Solan, Jr., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20190331123Abstract: A motor controller for an electric motor is provided, including a drive circuit and a processor. The drive circuit regulates power supplied to a stator of the electric motor to turn a rotor and blower to generate an airflow. The processor receives an air density, an airflow rate demand, and at least one of a measured torque and a measured speed of the electric motor. The processor computes one of a torque set point and a speed set point for the electric motor using an airflow algorithm and based on the air density, the airflow rate demand, and the at least one of the measured torque and the measured speed. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the one of the torque set point and the speed set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the blower to generate the airflow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Inventors: Bin Yang, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 10175080Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2014Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Brattoli, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra, Marc McKinzie, Joshua T. Doseck, John Sheldon Wagley
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Patent number: 9735715Abstract: A controller configured to be coupled to an electric motor. The controller including a processor programmed to receive a signal indicating a stopping command of the electric motor, and control a current such that a capacitor coupled to the electric motor is not overcharged by regenerative energy when a stopping of the electric motor has commenced, wherein controlling the current includes one of the following: upon receiving the signal indicating the stopping command of the electric motor, ramping the current down below a threshold level, or upon receiving the signal indicating the stopping command of the electric motor, forcing the current to circulate in motor windings to prevent regeneration of energy in the capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Ludovic Andre Chretien, Roger C. Becerra
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Publication number: 20170207737Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Inventors: STEPHEN SOLAN, JR., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 9634594Abstract: A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Solan, Jr., Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra
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Patent number: 9391500Abstract: An electric machine is described. The electric machine includes a rotor comprising a rotor disk and a plurality of permanent magnets magnetically coupled to the rotor disk. The plurality of permanent magnets include a substantially flat profile and are aligned in a substantially planar array. The electric machine also includes a stator comprising a solid stator core and a plurality of coils each wound around a coil insulating member. The stator core includes a plurality of stator teeth extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Smith, William A. Ziegler, Michael Garrett, Dean James Patterson, Roger C. Becerra, Ludovic Chretien, Darrel Buttram, Steven Peter Camilleri
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Publication number: 20160123784Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Mark A. Brattoli, Brian L. Beifus, Roger C. Becerra, Marc McKinzie, Joshua T. Doseck, John Sheldon Wagley
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Patent number: 9201433Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventors: Roger C. Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman