Abstract: A position management apparatus includes motors connected to a power supply; a position detecting device connected to the power supply and detecting the rotational position of the motors or the drive position of driving members driven by the motors; position storage devices connected to the power supply and storing the rotational position or the drive position detected by the position detecting devices; and a power cut-off delay circuit for keeping the position detecting devices and the position storage devices connected to the power supply even if the power switch is shut off from a conducting state, and for storing the rotational position or the drive position of the position storage devices after the motor has lost its rotational speed.

Abstract: An arc suppressing circuit configured to suppress arcing across a power contactor coupled to an alternating current (AC) power source having a predetermined number of phases, each contact of the power contactor corresponding to one of the predetermined number of phases includes a number of dual unidirectional arc suppressors equal to the predetermined number of phases of the AC power source. Each dual unidirectional arc suppressor includes a first phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a positive domain, a a second phase-specific arc suppressor configured to suppress arcing across the associated contacts in a negative domain, and a coil lock controller, configured to be coupled between a contact coil driver of the power contactor, configured to detect an output condition from the contact coil driver and inhibit operation of the first and second phase-specific arc suppressors over a predetermined time.

Abstract: A method for determining a stator current vector for starting a synchronous machine of a drive of a passenger transportation apparatus having a rotor and a stator with a stator winding may involve imposing different stator current vectors with different stator current vector directions on the stator winding over the course of a plurality of current application operations, determining from the different stator current vectors a minimum stator current vector with a minimum stator current vector direction at which a minimum driving torque acting on the rotor is generated in the synchronous machine, determining a starting stator current vector with a starting stator current vector direction from the minimum stator current vector, and imposing the starting stator current vector on the stator winding for starting the synchronous machine.

Abstract: Since a shape of a stator 44 is made mirror symmetric with respect to a rotor 45 as a 4-pole/6-slot type, rotational deflection of the rotor 45 can be suppressed. As the minimum number of poles and the minimum number of slots, which can suppress the rotational deflection of the rotor 45, a frequency of magnetic noises approaches a frequency of mechanical noises. Thus, it is possible to integrate the whole noises generated by the DR-side wiper motor 21 into a low frequency range thereof, and to make the acoustic sensitivity (dB) of a vehicle interior smaller. Since the stator 44 is fixed inside a housing 40 and mounting legs fixed to a vehicle body fixed portion are provided in the housing 40, the stator 40, which is a source of the magnetic noises, can be fixed to a vehicle via only the housing 40. Therefore, a brushless wiper motor with quietness improved further can be designed.

Abstract: A vehicle door is operated in accordance with a desired speed pattern. A vehicle door opening-closing control device 1 includes a power-supply voltage detecting unit 2 that outputs a detection value of a power-supply voltage of an electric motor 13, a reference control pattern storage unit 3 that stores a reference control pattern that indicates a voltage command value or a speed command value for the electric motor 13, the reference control pattern is a control pattern of the electric motor when the detection value is within a predetermined range, a control pattern generating unit 4a that generates a corrected control pattern that is obtained by correcting the reference control pattern based on the detection value, and a PWM control unit 4 that controls the electric motor 13 based on the corrected control pattern.

Abstract: A door opening/closing control device includes: a driving part driving an actuator opening or closing a door; an operation switch operated for instructing opening/closing or stopping of the door; a first controller controlling driving of the actuator via the driving part in accordance with the operation; a manual opening/closing detector detecting that the door is manually opened or closed; and a second controller controlling the driving of the actuator via the driving part to assist a manual operation of opening or closing the door when the manual opening/closing detector detects the manual opening/closing operation. Then, when the second controller controls the driving of the actuator to assist the manual operation of opening or closing the door, even when the operation switch is operated, the first controller does not control the driving of the actuator in accordance with the operation, and the second controller continues to control the driving.

Abstract: A seat adjusting device for an automobile seat (1) having an electric motor (11) for generating a drive motion, wherein the electric motor is operationally coupled to a gearbox (13) for transmitting the drive motion thereof, the gearbox having a gearbox housing (19) in which gearbox elements are disposed for a step-up or step-down transmission of the motor drive motion, by means of which electric motors of lesser technical complexity can be used than previously. To this end, the invention proposes that the gearbox (13) has detection device for detecting information about the speed of at least one of the gearbox elements or detecting a variable dependent on the speed.

Abstract: A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is disclosed herein. The system comprises a sensor mounted proximate to the motor, the sensor outputting a signal, a power cable connected between a motor and a controller, the power cable supplying a three phase AC voltage to the motor, one phase of the three phase signal having a control signal thereon; electronics connected to the sensor, the electronics receiving the signal and propagating the signal to the controller; and a computer defining the controller, the controller having a non-transitory memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the computer program product performing a process of controlling the variable speed drive of the motor and a process of monitoring the signal from the sensor to determine if the motor is backspinning.

Abstract: A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is described herein. The system comprises a variable speed drive for powering the motor via a power cable; and a controller, the controller having a memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor. The computer program product comprises the instructions of: monitoring an input current or impedance on the power cable to determine changes in motor current impedance, comparing changes in the motor current impedance to a historical threshold value for backspin events to determine whether the motor is backspinning; impeding operable power to the motor when it is determined the motor is backspinning; supplying a low AC voltage to the motor after it is determined the motor is backspinning; and determining whether or not the motor has stopped backspinning by monitoring the low AC voltage.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for controlling a DC motor includes a detection unit configured to detect an angular speed of the DC motor, and a control unit configured to, when the DC motor is accelerated, increase a control value that controls a driving of the DC motor at a constant rate from a first control value corresponding to an angular speed lower than a target angular speed up to a second control value corresponding to an angular speed higher than the target angular speed, and switch the control value that controls the driving of the DC motor to a control value corresponding to the target angular speed in response to the detection result of the detection unit reaching the target angular speed.

Abstract: Control of rotational speed of a direct current multi-phase brushless motor is provided using an apparatus and method that works at low speed but does not depend upon Hall effect sensors. An apparatus for accelerating rotation of the motor shaft has a power stage circuit coupled to a back Electromotive Force (EMF) sensor circuit and a microprocessor. The power stage pulses at a duty cycle less than 100% under control of the microprocessor. The back EMF sensor circuit measures an order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases during off-time. The microprocessor determines one or more phases to be pulsed, and the polarity of the pulses based on the measured order. A method for sustaining rotation pulses the phases, measures order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases, and updates commutation state based on the measured order.

Abstract: Control of rotational speed of a direct current multi-phase brushless motor is provided using an apparatus and method that works at low speed but does not depend upon Hall effect sensors. An apparatus for accelerating rotation of the motor shaft has a power stage circuit coupled to a back Electromotive Force (EMF) sensor circuit and a microprocessor. The power stage pulses at a duty cycle less than 100% under control of the microprocessor. The back EMF sensor circuit measures an order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases during off-time. The microprocessor determines one or more phases to be pulsed, and the polarity of the pulses based on the measured order. A method for sustaining rotation pulses the phases, measures order with respect to voltage of at least one phase relative to one or more other phases, and updates commutation state based on the measured order.

Abstract: A disk drive is disclosed comprising a spindle motor having a plurality of windings including at least a first winding, a second winding, and a third winding. During a spin-up operation, a voltage is applied to the first winding and a first rise time is measured for current flowing through the first winding to reach a predetermined threshold. A voltage is applied to the second winding and a second rise time is measured for current flowing through the second winding to reach a predetermined threshold. A voltage is applied to the third winding and a third rise time is measured for current flowing through the third winding to reach a predetermined threshold. A difference is computed in response to the first rise time, the second rise time, and the third rise time, and an angular position of the spindle motor is estimated by computing an arctangent in response to the difference.

Abstract: A system controls an induction motor driven by a power inverter circuit. An operational amplifier circuit is operatively connected to the power inverter circuit and operative therewith for sensing DC current and controlling acceleration and deceleration of the induction motor. The operational amplifier circuit includes a first operational amplifier operative in a motoring mode to have a positive polarity output and remain substantially at zero during a regeneration mode. A second operational amplifier circuit is operative in a regeneration mode to have a negative polarity output and remain substantially at zero in a motoring mode.

Abstract: The side wall (5) for an ink fountain of a printing machine has two plates (11, 14) fixed some distance apart and an intermediate plate (13) having a front edge (13a) in the shape of an arc of a circle. This intermediate plate (3) is mounted between the plates in such a way that it can be shifted and tilted. The front edge of this plate contacts the circumference of an ink fountain roller (6) via springs (18, 19) acting on the intermediate plate. The wall has a slideway (10) in which the plates (11, 14, 13) are mounted. The slideway has a reinforced region (12) on one of its sides which is proximate the ink fountain roller (6). The side wall (5) thus more effectively seals an ink fountain against leakage.

Abstract: Direct current (DC) solid state series wound motor drives for hoist and crane applications. A microprocessor controlled electronic system is employed to control the speed, direction, acceleration and deceleration of a direct current DC solid state series wound motor drive for a hoist or a crane (bridge or trolley). The operation can be via an operator, radio remote, or computer communication link. The system requires a speed and direction command from the operator controls; it then configures the motor and varies the speed while offering certain protection circuits. The DC series wound motor drive includes a DC series wound motor comprising an armature and a series wound field that is supplied with DC voltage power from an external source. The DC voltage power supply can either be generated DC or rectified alternating current (AC). High speed insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switching elements are provided.

Abstract: A vehicle door operating apparatus includes a torque sensor or detecting torque applied to a knob of a vehicle door, a velocity sensor for detecting a moving velocity of the vehicle door, and a controller unit. The controller unit modifies a target current signal, corresponding to the detected torque, on the basis of an acceleration coefficient corresponding to an acceleration signal calculated from the moving velocity and a velocity coefficient corresponding to the moving velocity, to thereby generate a modified current signal. The apparatus provides a power assist to a opening/closing movement of the vehicle door, using the modified current signal.

Abstract: An electric motor for portable machine tools, comprising an output shaft for operating, means for sensing the speed of said output shaft; means for sensing the magnitude and the phase of the input voltage of the electric motor itself; means for sensing the electric current absorbed by the load, microprocessor means programmed for processing the detected values sensed by said means for sensing; means for generating an acceleration ramp at the starting; means for generating a deceleration ramp at the stopping, as well as means for generating the cruise speed of the tool, voltage controlled by said microprocessor in response to said detected values processed by itself, and means for controlling the forward running, reverse running and the run storing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling driving of a apparatus such as a motor. A signal representing the position and/or velocity of the motor is received by a drive control unit. A microprocessor in the drive control unit provides a division ratio signal and a rotation judging signal to a clock pulse divider and two-phase pulse generator, respectively, and also calculates the velocity of the apparatus in accordance with the condition data. The clock pulse divider divides a clock pulse signal in accordance with the division ratio signal and outputs a divided clock pulse signal. The two-phase pulse generator generates two-phase pulses having a 90-degree phase shift of a given polarity with respect to one another in accordance with the divided pulse signal, and reverses the polarity of the phase shift in accordance with the rotation judging signal. The microprocessor further outputs a control signal to control driving of the apparatus in accordance with the calculated velocity and the two-phase pulses.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved windshield wiper assembly. The assembly includes a wiper blade which undergoes oscillatory rotary motion and is swept back and forth between two extreme locations across a windshield to remove rain and other precipitation from the windshield. A brushless DC motor has its output shaft connected to the wiper assembly. The foregoing results in rotary oscillation of the blade and permits the elimination of the four-bar mechanism which is typical of prior art wiper assemblies. The rotary motion of the blade in either direction is decelerated when the blade reaches a preselected position between two extreme locations.

Abstract: A conveyance (10) is provided with automatic limiting (223) of the rate of change in power supplied to first (26a or 232a) and second (26b) motors, whether the motors are electrical or hydraulic; and dynamic braking of electric motors (26a and 26b) is achieved by shorting a motor winding (150a) during a portion (233a) of an interval (217a) between power pulses (207a) of a pulse-width-modulated driving voltage (209a).

Abstract: A controller for an electric clamp closes the clamp rapidly at first, then runs at a slower speed while contacting the workpiece, and speeds up again after contacting it, to close with full clamping force. Arrival of the clamp at the position for slowing down is directly detected by means of a proximity sensor, as are arrivals at other positions. The speed of operation is relatively insensitive to the voltage of its AC electrical power source because an open-loop compensating signal controls the pulse duration of rectified DC pulses that drive the motor. The controller has dynamic braking that is applied between individual pulses of pulse trains of motor current; this results in sigfificant increase in swings of current values for a given motor speed, that reduces harmful effects of mechanical friction. Two jogging speeds are selectable.

Abstract: The system includes a plurality of parallel-connected power field effect transistors arranged for connection in series with the traction motor with a common control circuit connected to the gate electrodes of the field effect transistors to control the on-off cycle of conduction through the field effect transistors. A plurality of parallel connected power diodes are arranged for reverse connection in parallel with the traction motor to serve as freewheeling diodes. The diodes are physically positioned apart from one another and distributed in position among the field effect transistors and each diode is positioned in a similar manner with a group of associated field effect transistors for ease of transfer of current flow between the diode and the associated field effect transistors.

Abstract: A motor control system in which direct current is sequentially applied to portions of the motor stator windings in response to rotor position signals generated by Hall effect devices until the rotor has reached a desired angular velocity corresponding to the frequency of a source of reference pulses, at which time the portions of the stator windings are driven in a synchronous manner by pulses having a fixed duration and the same frequency as the reference pulses. In the synchronous mode the Hall effect signals are used only in conjunction with circuitry to determine whether or not the rotor is continuing to rotate at the desired, synchronous velocity. The motor is stopped by reverse application of direct current drive to the windings in the direct current drive mode and, again, in accordance with the position signals output from the Hall effect devices.