Switched Reluctance Motor Commutation Control Patents (Class 318/254.1)
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Patent number: 9018883Abstract: A motor drive circuit operates in a first mode in which the output current flowing to a first output terminal from a second output terminal is increasing or in a second mode in which the output current flowing to the first output terminal from the second output terminal is decayed. In the first mode, a first voltage signal is output from the first signal terminal and the ground voltage output from the second signal terminal and, in the second mode, a ground voltage is output from the first signal terminal and a second voltage signal is output from the second signal terminal. The motor drive circuit compares the signals output from the first and second signal terminals and output comparison results to a control unit for controlling the output current through the motor coil.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Taishi Shibataka, Akira Fujita
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Publication number: 20150102751Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a motor acceleration apparatus and a motor acceleration method. According to at least one embodiment, the motor acceleration apparatus includes a rectifier converting household power into direct current (DC) voltage to output the converted DC voltage, a switching converter switching the DC voltage output from the rectifier in an alternating current manner to drive a two-phase switched reluctance motor (SRM), and a microprocessor controlling the switching converter at the time of initial acceleration of the two-phase SRM, so that an initially set dwell angle is changed to a dwell angle in a normal operation state and starting an advanced-angle control.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Joung Ho SON, Mu Seon WOO, Hong Chul SHIN, Dae Sung KIM
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Patent number: 8975855Abstract: A control system for compensating a hysteresis band of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit and a controller. The converter circuit may be operatively coupled to the stator and include a plurality of switches in selective communication with each phase of the stator. The controller may be in communication with each of the stator and the converter circuit, and configured to monitor at least one phase current of the SR machine relative to a current threshold of the hysteresis band, determine an adjustment value based on a difference between the phase current and the current threshold if the phase current exceeds the current threshold, and compensate the current threshold by the adjustment value.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse Gerdes, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil
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Patent number: 8952647Abstract: Disclosed herein are a switching control apparatus and method of a two-phase switched reluctance motor. The witching control apparatus includes: a rectifying unit rectifying commercial power; and an active converter including a pair of common switches commonly connected to two phase windings of the two-phase SRM, a pair of first phase switches bridge-connected to the pair of common switches at any one of the two phase windings, a pair of second phase switches bridged-connected to the pair of common switches at the other of the two phase windings and connected in series with each other, and a plurality of current feedback diodes each connected to the switches and operated in operation modes 1 to 3 to drive the two-phase SMR.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2012Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hong Chul Shin, Han Kyung Bae, Hyung Joon Kim, Guen Hong Lee
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Publication number: 20150002055Abstract: A system and methods for operating a switched reluctance machine includes a controller, an inverter connected to the controller and to the switched reluctance machine, a hysteresis control connected to the controller and to the inverter, a set of sensors connected to the switched reluctance machine and to the controller, the switched reluctance machine further including a set of phases the controller further comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the processor programmed to execute a control process and a generation process.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: The Board of Regents, The University of Texas SystemInventors: Babak Fahimi, Pourya Shamsi
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Patent number: 8922153Abstract: A full-pitch winding switched reluctance motor is provided. In this motor, one set of current components are estimated, which electromagnetically act on only one set of stator poles for one phase. Based on the estimated one set of current components, current components for respective three phases are controlled, resulting in accurate current control with no electromagnetic interactions with other phases. This current control allows a control circuit to be made compact, and a motor with effective field means can be provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masayuki Nashiki, Tomokazu Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20140354196Abstract: A motor controller configured to control an SRM includes an inverter connected to an SRM, a torque and flux estimator configured to estimate a torque and a flux generated in the SRM as an estimated torque and an estimated flux, based on output from the inverter and a rotor angle of the switched reluctance motor, a switching pattern selector configured to select one of a plurality of switching patterns based on comparing a result of a reference torque and the estimated torque, comparing a result of a reference flux and the estimated flux, and a flux phase angle, and performing switching of the inverter in accordance with a selected switching pattern, and a reference flux calculator configured to obtain the reference flux from a flux trajectory and the rotor angle changing the flux trajectory, the flux trajectory indicating a relationship between the rotor angle and the reference flux.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventor: Ghaderi Ahmad
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Publication number: 20140340006Abstract: A position sensorless step-wise freewheeling control method for a switched reluctance motor having dual switched-mode power converters for each phase doesn't require any additional external hardware, any rotor-position sensor, or storage of flux linkage data of the motor. After the upper and lower tubes of the main switch are switched off, and the phase of the switched reluctance motor enters into a negative voltage forced freewheeling state, the phase current is detected. When the phase current falls to a preset threshold, one of the upper or lower tubes is switched on and the phase enters into a zero voltage natural freewheeling state. When the phase current reaches a peak value, the rotor position becomes the start position of the minimum phase inductance and the rotor position is used as the switch-on position of the main switch. The upper and lower tubes are then switched on.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: China University of Mining and TechnologyInventors: Hao Chen, Hui Zeng
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Patent number: 8878467Abstract: Drive circuits that provide power factor correction and input current waveform shaping for controlling the speed and torque in a switched reluctance machine (SRM). The machine's phase windings are split into two segments, one of which is used for active power factor correction, input ac current waveform shaping and partial torque generation and the other of which is used for torque generation.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventor: Krishnan Ramu
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Patent number: 8847522Abstract: In a motor, a stationary member is provided with a number M (M is a positive integer) of first poles within 360 electrical degrees at spaces therebetween. A plurality of windings are at least partly wound in the spaces, respectively. A movable member is movably arranged relative to the stationary member and provided with a number K (K is a positive integer) of second poles. The number K of second poles is different from the number M of first poles. A unidirectional current supply unit supplies a unidirectional current to at least one of the windings so as to create an attractive force between at least one of the first poles and a corresponding at least one of the second poles to thereby move the movable member relative to the stationary member.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Masayuki Nashiki, Tomokazu Ishikawa, Yuichiro Ito
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Publication number: 20140265950Abstract: A switched reluctance motor (SRM) is disclosed which has a rotor position detecting system with magnetic switches to detect the rotor position and give signals to a logic circuit to trigger electrical phase changes among the coils of the switched reluctance motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Cheng Chieh HUNG
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Patent number: 8836256Abstract: A drive system has a switched reluctance motor (SR motor) and a control system configured to determine an estimated total torque of SR motor as a function of the phase voltages and phase currents of the phases of the SR motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Zimin W. Vilar, Chris J. Tremel
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Patent number: 8836258Abstract: An inverter device, a motor driving device, a refrigerating air conditioner, and a power generation system, which can reduce the recovery loss thereof, are obtained. A plurality of arms that can conduct and block current are provided. At least one of the plurality of arms includes: a plurality of switching elements each having a parasitic diode and being connected in series with each other; and a reverse current diode connected in parallel with the plurality of switching elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koichi Arisawa, Hirokazu Nakabayashi, Takuya Shimomugi, Yosuke Shinomoto, Mitsuharu Tabata, Kazunori Sakanobe
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Publication number: 20140239857Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a switched reluctance motor with use of a power conversion circuit. In the apparatus, a command voltage setter sets a command voltage for a coil of the motor, where the command voltage is set to change gradually during either or both of a ramp-up period and a ramp-down period of the command voltage. A voltage controller controls an applied voltage to the coil to the command voltage set by the command voltage setter by operating the power conversion circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Yoshinobu KAMADA
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Patent number: 8786224Abstract: A sensorless commutation circuit and sensorless driving apparatus for a brushless motor includes a voltage divided unit, a control signal output unit, a switch unit and a comparison unit. The voltage divided unit outputs a voltage divided signal according to a phase voltage signal of the brushless motor. The control signal output unit outputs a filter control signal, wherein the filter control signal has a same switching cycle as a pulse width modulation control signal that drives the brushless motor. The switch unit is coupled to the control signal output unit and the voltage divided unit, and outputs a comparison signal according to the filter control signal and the voltage divided signal. The comparison unit is coupled to the switch unit, and outputs a correct commutation signal according to the comparison signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: I-Shou UniversityInventors: Chii-Maw Uang, Zu-Sheng Ho, Ge-Wei Lee
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Patent number: 8779706Abstract: A control apparatus for a rotary electric machine has a DC-AC converting circuit with high- and low-potential-side switching elements to compose an inverter. In this apparatus, a connecting/disconnecting circuit is arranged to be electrically opened and closed between the DC-AC converting circuit and a power supply. A determining member determines whether or not the high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements have a malfunction. A failsafe performing element opens the connecting/disconnecting circuit and turns on both the high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements residing in a part of the inverter, when it is determined that there is caused a malfunction in the switching elements. The turned-on high-potential-side and low-potential-side switching elements realizes a short-circuit state therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Hiroya Tsuji
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Patent number: 8779708Abstract: A brushless motor driving circuit includes a battery for supplying a power to the brushless motor driving circuit; a driver circuit; a bridge circuit including a plurality of N-channel FETs; a control unit for rotating a brushless motor by switching the bridge circuit through the driver circuit based on a rotor position detection signal; a floating voltage generator for applying a voltage to a first group of the FETs of the bridge circuit; and a converter which is powered from the battery. The converter has an output connected to an input of the floating voltage generator for the first group of the FETs of the bridge circuit and an input of the driver circuit for a second group of the FETs of the bridge circuit to dedicatedly supply a power to gates of the FETs, and the control unit is powered from the battery without using the converter.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Miyazaki
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Publication number: 20140184112Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus of controlling driving of a two-phase switched reluctance motor (SRM). The apparatus includes: a target speed arrival judging unit judging whether or not a current speed of the SRM has arrived at a target speed; a zero volt switching (ZVS) achievement judging unit judging whether or not the SRM is in a state in which ZVS is possible; a negative torque generation judging unit judging whether or not a negative torque has been generated in the SRM; an advanced angle controlling unit judging whether or not an advanced angle will be controlled based on judgment results of the target speed arrival judging unit, the ZVS achievement judging unit, and the negative torque generation judging unit; and a dwell angle controlling unit judging whether or not a dwell angle will be controlled on the judgment results.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyung Joon Kim, Guen Hong Lee, Joung Ho Son, Han Kyung Bae, Hong Chul Shin
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Patent number: 8766570Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to a converter for an electrical system that is controlled in such that switching sequences for the converter, determined with respect to an optimization goal are modified such that by correcting a flux error resulting from assumptions on which the first optimization of the switching sequence is based.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2011Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: ABB Research LtdInventors: Tobias Geyer, Frederick Kieferndorf, Georgios Papafotiou, Nikolaos Oikonomou
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Patent number: 8766562Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting a relative rotational angle position of two shafts (particularly a cam shaft and a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine) that has an adjusting gear which is designed as triple shaft gear and has a drive part connected to a first shaft (crank shaft), a driven part connected to a second shaft (cam shaft), and an adjustment shaft connected to a servomotor shaft of an electric servomotor in a rotationally fixed manner. In order to implement a wide temperature range for the operation of the adjustment device, a temperature sensor is arranged in the servomotor. In a method for operating an adjustment device or an actuator, the current of the servomotor or the actuator is controlled depending on the temperature that was determined earlier.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Jens Schaefer, Martin Steigerwald
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Patent number: 8742710Abstract: A rotary electric machine system includes: a stator that has multi-phase stator coils and that generates stator magnetomotive forces based on respective stator currents having different phases supplied to the multi-phase stator coils; a rotor on which rotor coils are wound such that magnetic poles are formed by rotor currents generated in response to the stator magnetomotive forces generated by the stator; a regulating unit that regulates a flow direction of each of the rotor currents to one direction to thereby regulate a polarity of each of the magnetic poles; and a control unit that controls currents supplied to the stator coils on the basis of a target torque. The control unit superimposes a pulse on the stator currents to adjust the ratio of each of the stator currents and each of the rotor currents so as to minimize a copper loss in the stator and the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eiji Yamada, Kenji Hiramoto, Hideo Nakai, Norimoto Minoshima
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Patent number: 8716968Abstract: A control circuit for a blender provides low-cost power conditioning through the use of a high resistance which provides temporary power for operation of low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches for a time sufficient to switch the motor on, and a lower resistance which provides sufficient power for maintaining the motor on state indefinitely as instructed by the low-voltage logic circuitry. Low average power dissipation is provided by powering the low-voltage logic circuitry and low-voltage switches using the high resistance in a standby mode and switching in the lower resistance only when the motor is activated.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Eric K. Larson, Andy W. Tucker
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Patent number: 8674648Abstract: An improved single-switch control circuit for use in a multi-phase switched reluctance machine is provided. The control circuit includes at least first and second phase windings, a switch, a capacitor, and a diode. The capacitor may have a polarity opposite that of a power source in the control circuit. The first winding may be connected in series with the switch and connected in parallel with a circuit block comprising the second winding. The second winding may be connected in parallel with the capacitor and in series with the diode. In operation, the switch may be used to redirect current from the first winding to the second winding. The capacitor can become charged by the redirected current until it eventually stores enough energy to essentially discontinue current flow in the first winding. Then, the capacitor can discharge its stored energy as a current through the second winding. In this manner, substantially all of the energy from the first winding can be transferred to the second winding.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2008Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventor: Krishnan Ramu
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Patent number: 8664907Abstract: An apparatus includes an inverter including a high-side switch coupled to a low-side switch, the inverter generating a time-varying drive current from a plurality of drive control signals, a positive rail voltage, and a negative rail voltage wherein controlling the switches to generate the time-varying drive current produces a potential transitory overshoot condition for one of the switches of the inverter; a drive control, coupled to the inverter, to generate the drive control signals and to set a level of each of the rail voltages responsive to a plurality of controller signals; and a controller monitoring one or more parameters indicative of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition, the controller dynamically adjusting, responsive to the monitored parameters, the controller signals to reduce a risk of occurrence of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Kroeze, Colin Campbell, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
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Publication number: 20140055062Abstract: Disclosed herein are a switching apparatus for a two-phase SRM and a control method thereof. The switching apparatus for a two-phase SRM includes: a rectifier rectifying commercial power; and a zero-voltage switching converter including a pair of upper and lower switches that is vertically connected to each of two phase windings in series and a pair of diodes that is cross-connected across the two phase windings to be operated in operation modes 1 to 3 for each phase winding and provide commercial power supplied from the rectifier to the two-phase SRM so as to operate the two-phase SRM.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2013Publication date: February 27, 2014Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyung Joon Kim, Joung Ho Son, Han Kyung Bae
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Publication number: 20140035490Abstract: Drive circuits that provide power factor correction and input current waveform shaping for controlling the speed and torque in a switched reluctance machine (SRM). The machine's phase windings are split into two segments, one of which is used for active power factor correction, input ac current waveform shaping and partial torque generation and the other of which is used for torque generation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2013Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: REGAL BELOIT AMERICA, INC.Inventor: Krishnan RAMU
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Patent number: 8624541Abstract: Regulating the speed of a two-phase switched reluctance machine (TPSRM) rotor includes selecting either a motoring mode or braking mode of operation for the TPSRM, regulating the rotor speed, when the motoring mode is selected, using a control signal cooperatively produced by a speed control feedback loop and a current control feedback loop; and regulating the rotor speed, when the braking mode is selected, using a control signal produced by the current control feedback loop without the cooperation of the speed control feedback loop. The speed control feedback loop uses an established speed control signal and a signal indicative of the rotor's speed to dynamically adjust a first parameter governing the control signal. The current control feedback loop uses an established current control signal and a signal indicative of the current flowing through a stator winding of the TPSRM to dynamically adjust a second parameter governing the control signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.Inventors: Krishnan Ramu, Keunsoo Ha, Sung-Yeul Park
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Patent number: 8604726Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an electronically commutated motor (10) that comprises a rotor (12), a stator (14) having a multi-strand winding arrangement (16) for whose energization a power stage (18) is provided, a first lead (30) and a second lead (32) for connecting the power stage (18) to a voltage source (24), and a first controller. A first signal (U—34; U—38) is sensed, which signal characterizes a current (I_IN; I_IN?; I_M; I_M?) flowing through at least one of the leads (30; 32); the first controller generates at least one clocked signal (PWM) and outputs it to the power stage (18) in order to influence the first value, permitted current. The invention also relates to a corresponding motor (10).Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: EBM—Papst St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Gerald Hogg, Arno Karwath
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Patent number: 8598822Abstract: An inverter device, a motor driving device, a refrigerating air conditioner, and a power generation system, which can reduce the recovery loss thereof, are obtained. A plurality of arms that can conduct and block current are provided. At least one of the plurality of arms includes: a plurality of switching elements each having a parasitic diode and being connected in series with each other; and a reverse current diode connected in parallel with the plurality of switching elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2009Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Koichi Arisawa, Hirokazu Nakabayashi, Takuya Shimomugi, Yosuke Shinomoto, Mitsuharu Tabata, Kazunori Sakanobe
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Patent number: 8587167Abstract: A motor includes: a stator molded integrally with an insulating resin having a fixing member including a stator iron core and a winding wound thereon; a rotor arranged to face the stator about a shaft; a bearing rotatably supporting the shaft; a bracket fixing the bearing; and a drive circuit substrate having a drive circuit mounted thereon for driving the winding. The stator iron core is electrically connected to a ground serving as a reference point of a zero potential on the drive circuit substrate through a conductive member.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Haruhiko Kado, Akihiko Watanabe, Hirofumi Mizukami, Takehiko Hasegawa
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Patent number: 8575871Abstract: The invention comprises a modular electric machine comprising a modular stator having a plurality of stator teeth and windings and a modular rotor comprising a plurality of modular magnetic elements for electromagnetic interaction with stator teeth. The invention further comprises a method of control of a modular electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Inventor: Christopher Moore
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Patent number: 8525450Abstract: Drive circuits that provide power factor correction and input current waveform shaping for controlling the speed and torque in a switched reluctance machine (SRM). The machine's phase windings are split into two segments, one of which is used for active power factor correction, input ac current waveform shaping and partial torque generation and the other of which is used for torque generation.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2011Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.Inventor: Krishnan Ramu
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Patent number: 8519650Abstract: The invention relates to a control method implemented in a variable speed drive for determining the inductances (Ld, Lq) of a permanent magnet synchronous machine comprising three phases (a, b, c), each oriented along a direction, a stator, and a rotor. For each phase, one after the other, said method includes steps of: applying, along the direction of the phase (a, b, c), a voltage vector (V1, V3, V5) in the positive direction and a voltage vector (V2, V4, V6) in the negative direction for a predetermined duration; measuring the current obtained in the phase after applying the voltage vectors in both directions; determining an angle (?r) for the position of the rotor in relation to the stator based on the measured current; and determining the flow (Ld) and torque (Lq) inductances of the machine based on the predetermined angle (?r).Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Schneider Toshiba Inverter Europe SASInventors: Duro Basic, Stefan Capitaneanu, Francois Malrait
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Patent number: 8508178Abstract: Methods and systems of accelerating a brushless, DC electric motor based on torque may include determining a slope based on a maximum torque of the BLDC motor at a lower operating load and a maximum torque of the motor at a higher operating load, determining a period of the rotor based on sensor signals, and determining and applying a phase advance to a PWM pulse for a subsequent revolution of the rotor based on the period and the slope. In some embodiments, the amount of the phase advance is further based on maximum load optimum advance and/or maximum load speed. In some embodiments, a phase dwell is determined based on a positive torque zone and applied to the PWM pulse. In some embodiments, when the motor is operating below a given threshold, fixed-width PWM pulses are applied to subsequent revolutions of the rotor instead of phase-advanced PWM pulses.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Shop Vac CorporationInventor: Neil N. Norell
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Patent number: 8508164Abstract: An electrical machine device is disclosed, the electrical machine device including an electrical machine and a converter electrically coupled to the electrical machine. A configuration of the electrical machine generates a first vibration component in the electrical machine and the converter generates a second vibration component in the electrical machine. The electrical machine and the converter are adapted to each other such that the first vibration component and the second vibration component at least partially interfere destructively. Further, respective methods and computer programs for controlling a converter or operating a converter are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Jean Le Besnerais
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Patent number: 8502485Abstract: A motor drive circuit includes a positive and a negative supply rail for connection to a battery (104), a motor drive circuit including a plurality of motor drive subcircuits which each selectively permit current to flow into or out of a respective phase of a multi-phase motor (101) in response to control signals from a motor control circuit, and a switching means including at least one switch which is in series with a respective phase of the motor which is normally closed to permit the flow of current to and from the subcircuit to the respective motor phase. A fault signal detecting means (160) detects at least one fault condition and, in the event of a fault condition being detected, causes the at least one switch to open. A snubber circuit (150) is associated with the motor and is arranged so that following the opening of the switch, energy stored in the motor windings is diverted away from the switching means through the snubber circuit to the battery.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive US LLCInventors: Maciej Kudanowski, Andrew McLean
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Patent number: 8502488Abstract: A control system is provided for an AC electric motor which comprises a rotor and a stator and a plurality of phase windings connected in a star formation, each winding having one end connected to a common neutral point and another end arranged to have a terminal voltage applied to it. The control system comprises switching means arranged to control the terminal voltages applied to the windings and control means arranged to control the switching means so as to switch it between a plurality of states in each of a sequence of PWM periods. The control means is further arranged to measure the voltage at the neutral point at sample times within the PWM periods and to generate from the measured voltages an estimation of the rotational position of the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: TRW Automotive US LLCInventors: Connel Brett Williams, Christopher David Dixon, Jeffery Ronald Coles, Robert James Huxford
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Patent number: 8493018Abstract: An apparatus includes an inverter including a high-side switch coupled to a low-side switch, the inverter generating a time-varying drive current from a plurality of drive control signals, a positive rail voltage, and a negative rail voltage wherein controlling the switches to generate the time-varying drive current produces a potential transitory overshoot condition for one of the switches of the inverter; a drive control, coupled to the inverter, to generate the drive control signals and to set a level of each of the rail voltages responsive to a plurality of controller signals; and a controller monitoring one or more parameters indicative of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition, the controller dynamically adjusting, responsive to the monitored parameters, the controller signals to reduce a risk of occurrence of the potential transitory voltage overshoot condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Kroeze, Colin Campbell, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian
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Publication number: 20130181641Abstract: Disclosed herein is a unipolar switching apparatus of a switched reluctance motor, including: a control unit outputting a unipolar switching control signal; and a transformer driving an SRM according to the unipolar switching control signal output from the control unit, thereby minimizing vibration and noise.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2012Publication date: July 18, 2013Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Se Joon Kim, Sung Tai Jung, Han Kyung Bae, Hong Chul Shin, Guen Hong Lee
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Patent number: 8476852Abstract: A controller for a brushless motor that includes a processor, a first timer, a second timer, a compare register, a comparator, an input, and one or more outputs. The processor starts the first timer in response to a signal at the input. The first timer then generates an interrupt after a first period. In response to the interrupt, the processor generates a first control signal at the outputs. The processor also loads the compare register and starts the second timer in response to either the input signal or the interrupt. The comparator then generates a second control signal at the outputs when the second timer and the compare register correspond. Additionally, a motor system that includes the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Dyson Technology LimitedInventors: David John Hawker, Hanping Dai
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Patent number: 8471509Abstract: An embodiment of a circuit for maintaining voltage at a voltage bus after a power loss in a hard disk drive system. HDD systems may suddenly lose power and specific tasks, such as parking the read/write head and storing state data may be accomplished using a power generated from back EMF of a motor that is still turning. During the power loss sequence, a drive controller may drive a power chipset to regulate the voltage at a voltage bus so as to conserve power as much as possible. In this manner, the drive circuit may regulate the voltage via a drive algorithm to be just above a threshold voltage (typically 4.4 V) while the HDD system is storing state data, but apply other algorithm for other situations, such as parking the read/write head. Various drive algorithms may be tailored to provide a specific sequence of voltage bus regulation techniques suited to specific applications.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.Inventor: Frederic Bonvin
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Patent number: 8441223Abstract: Disclosed herein is a torque control method for a high-speed Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM), which controls a torque in the high-speed operation of a 2-phase SRM. In the torque control method for a high-speed SRM, a positive torque (T*mA) of an active phase (A phase) of the two phases of the SRM is compensated for based on a negative torque attributable to an inactive phase (B phase) of two phases during a compensation control enable interval (ENA) ranging from a time point at which the active phase (A phase) is turned on to a time point at which tail current of the inactive phase (B phase) remains. Accordingly, the present invention can remarkably reduce a torque ripple occurring in high-speed operation mode in consideration of the influence of a negative torque attributable to tail current.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Kyungsung University Office of Industry-Academy CooperationInventors: Jin-Woo Ahn, Dong-Hee Lee
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Patent number: 8436572Abstract: A reluctance machine includes a stator and a rotor having a same number of poles. The rotor is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation. Each stator pole is formed of a primary stator pole and an auxiliary stator pole. The auxiliary stator pole is axially aligned with the primary stator pole in the direction of the axis of rotation. Each rotor pole has a length extending in the direction of the axis of rotation sufficient to at least partially cover the primary stator pole and axially aligned auxiliary stator pole. The primary stator poles are actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation, and the auxiliary stator poles are also actuated with an alternating magnetic field orientation. The field orientations for the primary and auxiliary stator poles are, however, opposite each other such that a primary stator pole its axially aligned auxiliary stator pole have opposite magnetic field orientations.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2010Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: Everette Energy, LLCInventor: Daniel Christopher Dial
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Patent number: 8432118Abstract: An inverter comprises output switches for generating motor phase currents for application to an electrical motor based on a commanded torque. A current sensor is arranged for detecting motor phase currents applied to the electrical motor by an inverter. A voltage sensor is configured for measuring voltages applied to the electrical motor by the inverter. An output port is capable of outputting output signals of the detected motor phase currents and measured voltages for processing by a vehicle controller. The output signals are suitable for input to a vehicle controller for determining whether or not to generate an override control signal. An input port is configured for receiving the override control signal from the vehicle controller. The input port is coupled to an override input module for switching off a supply of electrical energy to the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Stephen Lind, Michael R. Schlichtmann, Orrin B. West, Kent D. Wanner
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Patent number: 8427095Abstract: The actuation system including a control system, an actuator comprising a drive part and a step motor comprising a rotor and a stator with at least one electric phase, an actuated system comprising a controlled element coupled to the drive part, and an elastic part capable of generating an elastic return force on the rotor of the motor or on the drive part. The control system comprises means for measuring an induced electric parameter on the phase of the stator after switching off the current of said at least one phase of the stator to detect a return of the rotor resulting from elastic return force when a mechanical clearance is overtaken.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Societe Industrielle de Sonceboz S.A.Inventors: Stéphane Bilat, Georges Gerber
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Patent number: 8421396Abstract: A motor controlling device includes an encoder to output pulse signals with a predetermined angle interval as a rotor of a motor is rotated. An energized phase of the motor is sequentially switched by detecting a rotation position of the rotor based on a value of counting the signals. An initial drive controlling portion executes an initial drive to switch the energized phase with a predetermined pattern after the device is activated so as to learn a relationship among the count value, the rotation position and the energized phase. An initial drive prohibiting portion prohibits the execution of the initial drive until a predetermined time is elapsed after the initial drive is finished.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Jun Yamada, Shigeru Kamio, Kiyoshi Kimura
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Patent number: 8405365Abstract: When a distortion of an output waveform of an alternating-current generator is improved, an output voltage control apparatus of a generator, which has versatility, is obtained. An output voltage control apparatus of a generator (1), including a generator winding (2) and an excitation winding (3) wound around a stator side, a field winding (5) wound around a rotor (4), and a rectifier (12) for rectifying a current generated by the excitation winding (3) and supplying the rectified current to the field winding (5), the output voltage control apparatus includes a field current drive means (20) for comparing an output voltage generated to the generator winding (2) with a reference wave whose distortion ratio is 0% and flowing a field current to the field winding (5) by adjusting a drive timing of a PWM signal output by a drive unit (24) based on a result of the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiro Nakada, Minoru Maedako
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Patent number: 8405327Abstract: Disclosed is a passive converter for a drive device of a switched reluctance motor (SRM), in which high demagnetization voltage for the SRM is provided. The converter includes a rectifier which smoothes input voltage to supply DC voltage, a boost circuit connected with the rectifier, and an asymmetric converter connected with the boost circuit, and the boost circuit includes first to third diodes and first and second capacitors. The high demagnetization voltage is generated at current duration of a single phase or poly-phase SRM by using the passive converter for the drive device of the SRM, so that the driving efficiency and the output power of the SRM can be increased.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Easy Life Center Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jianing Liang, Dong Hee Lee, Jin Woo Ahn
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Patent number: 8378617Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling the current of a high-speed Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM) using an inverter circuit including a first switching element, a second switching element, a first diode, a second diode and a reactor, wherein the first switching element and the first diode, the second diode and the second switching element are connected to a bridge circuit, and one end of the reactor is connected to the junction of the first switching element and the first diode, and the remaining end of the reactor is connected to the junction of the second diode and the second switching element; and excitation mode, free-wheeling mode-1, the excitation mode, and free-wheeling mode-2 are sequentially performed in a unit period T, and, when the control is terminated, demagnetization is performed.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Kyungsung University Office of Industry-Academy CooperationInventors: Jin-Woo Ahn, Dong-Hee Lee
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Patent number: RE45388Abstract: A compact field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based digital motor controller (102), a method, and a design structure are provided. The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) includes a sensor interface (206) configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors (104) and generate conditioned sensor data. The one or more sensors (104) provide position information for a DC brushless motor (108). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a commutation control (210) configured to create switching commands to control commutation for the DC brushless motor (108). The commutation control (210) generates commutation pulses from the conditioned sensor data of the sensor interface (206). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a time inverter (208) configured to receive the commutation pulses.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.Inventors: Robert Wichowski, Harold J. Hansen, Kevin G. Hawes