H-bridge Patents (Class 318/400.29)
  • Patent number: 8994310
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motor controller having one or more multi-functional pins. The motor controller includes a plurality of pins but does not include a dedicated pin for transmitting a clock signal and a dedicated pin for transmitting a motor specification database setting signal, wherein the clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal are for setting motor specification data. The clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal are transmitted through two of the plural pins which are multi-functional function pins shared by other functions in a normal operation mode. In a motor specification database setting mode, these multi-functional function pins are used for transmitting the clock signal and the motor specification database setting signal. In the normal operation mode, these multi-functional function pins are used for other functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Richtek Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Kuang Wu, Wei-Hsu Chang
  • Publication number: 20150084563
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system. The modular power conversion system includes at least one first electric resource, a modular power stage, at least one second electric resource, and wherein the modular power stage comprising at last one module including power electronics for converting power between the at least one first electronic resource and the at least one second electric resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Donald J. Lucas, Jason M. Sachs
  • Patent number: 8970149
    Abstract: A motor circuit with power-off braking function includes a driving unit, a coil unit, and a braking unit. The driving unit includes a plurality of switch arms connected in parallel, with each switch arm having a series contact. The coil unit includes a plurality of coils and a central contact. Each coil includes an end connected to the series contact of one of the switch arms. The other end of each coil is connected to the central contact. The braking unit includes a brake loop switch coupled between the central contact of the coil unit and an end of the switch arms. When power is cut off, a plurality of brake loops is formed to share the transient current during braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sunon Electronics (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-Ken Cheng, Shou-Chien Chang, Chieh-Jen Yang
  • Patent number: 8941340
    Abstract: A regenerative variable frequency drive includes an active converter connected to an inverter. The converter has a filter capacitor, an inductor, two half bridges, bus bars that connect to the inverter and bus capacitors. The converter converts single phase AC power to DC power and DC power to single phase AC power, boosts the AC power, reduces input line harmonics, maintains input current in phase with utility voltage in order to achieve near unity power factor, and maintains constant DC voltage between the bus bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventors: Larry G. Meiners, Theodore Clifton Pettyjohn, Jack Yongchen Yang, Peda V. Medagam
  • Patent number: 8941346
    Abstract: A control system (128) for controlling a switched reluctance (SR) machine (110) having a rotor (116) and a stator (118) is provided. The control system (128) may include a converter circuit (122) operatively coupled to the stator (118) and including a plurality of switches (132) in selective communication with each phase of the stator (118) and a controller (130) in communication with each of the stator (118) and the converter circuit (122). The controller (130) may be configured to determine a position of the rotor (116) relative to the stator (118), and generate a modulated switching frequency (152) based on the rotor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Nee, Joshua Williams
  • Patent number: 8907605
    Abstract: A circuit structure applied to a motor and enabling upgraded MOS transistor heat dissipation ability is disclosed. The circuit structure includes a motor driving unit and a signal processing unit. The signal processing unit is connected to the motor driving unit for maintaining a first and a third switch of the motor driving unit at a constant turn-on voltage and boosting turn-on voltages of a second and a fourth switch of the motor driving unit, so as to effectively upgrade the heat dissipation ability of the first, second, third and fourth switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Asia Vital Components (China) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bao-Lin Yao, Qing-Wu Hu
  • Patent number: 8896253
    Abstract: A control circuit for a fan includes a fan controller, a switch controller, and a frequency detector. When a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal output pin of the fan controller outputs PWM signals, the frequency detector outputs a high level signal, connecting an input pin of the switch controller to an output pin of the switch controller. The fan receives the PWM signal. When the PWM signal output pin of the fan controller does not output PWM signals, the frequency detector outputs a low level signal, such that the output pin of the switch controller does not output any signal. In this state, the fan receives a high level signal through a resistor and a power supply, enabling the fan to continue operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kang Wu
  • Patent number: 8884562
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a brushless direct current motor. An H-bridge is configured to couple a direct current power source to windings of the brushless direct current motor. The H-bridge comprises a plurality of switches. A motor controller is configured to close one of the plurality of switches to put the H-bridge in a coast configuration, wherein the windings of the motor are short circuited. A desired direction for a current impulse to the windings is identified. The one of the plurality of switches is opened in response to identifying a first desired direction for the current impulse to provide the current impulse in the first desired direction to the windings. Another of the plurality of switches is closed in response to identifying a second desired direction for the current impulse to provide the current impulse in the second desired direction to the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Douglas Conrad Cameron, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140320051
    Abstract: A motor winding and power electronic switch assembly having switchable output capability is disclosed to include a first winding set including a first upper winding and first lower winding connected to a common contact, a first switch set including four power electronic switches electrically connected to the first winding set, a second winding set including a second upper winding and a second lower winding and connected to the common contact, a second switch set including four power electronic switches electrically connected to the second winding set, a third winding set including a third upper winding and a third lower winding connected to the common contact, a third switch set including four power electronic switches electrically connected to the third winding set, and a configuration control means for controlling on/off of the power electronic switches to form a H type drive configuration or Y type drive configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: J.D. COMPONENTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shih-Chieh WANG, Yuan-Kuei LEE, Mei-Hao WU
  • Publication number: 20140312818
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first and second resistor groups, first and second switch groups, a register, and an amplifier. The first resistor group includes plural first resistors connected in series between a first terminal and an output of the amplifier. The first switch group includes plural first switches. Each of the first switches is connected between a corresponding one of the connection point between the first resistors and the inverting input terminal of the amplifier. The second resistor group includes plural second resistors connected in series between a second terminal of the amplifier and a reference voltage source. The second switch group includes plural second switches. Each of the second switches is connected between a corresponding one of the connection point between the second resistors and a positive input terminal of the amplifier. The register selects each of first and second switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki FURUCHI
  • Publication number: 20140306631
    Abstract: A method for operating an energy supply unit for a motor vehicle electrical system, including at least one first subsystem and one second subsystem having different voltage levels, the energy supply unit including an electric machine which is connected via a converter circuit to the first subsystem and the second subsystem. In a first operating mode, a switchable switch element of the converter circuit which connects the converter circuit to the second subsystem is opened, the converter circuit is activated as an inverter circuit and the electric machine is motor or generator operated. In a second operating mode, the switchable switch element of the converter circuit is closed, the converter circuit is activated as a DC-DC converter and the DC-DC conversion takes place between the voltage levels of the first and the second subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Sebastian JANSEN
  • Publication number: 20140292243
    Abstract: The invention relates to a power module (9) for converting an electric current flowing between an accumulator and an alternating-current motor, said module (9) comprising switching means (10) that can be controlled to authorise the powering of the motor and/or the charging of the accumulator, and an intrinsic control unit (13) connected to said switching means (10) and capable of delivering opening and/or closing signals to said switching means (10), said intrinsic control unit (13) being further capable of exchanging data with a remote control unit, with a potential barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventors: Boris Bouchez, Luis De Sousa, Bénédicte Silvestre
  • Publication number: 20140285130
    Abstract: When a counter-electromotive force generated by an inductive load is applied to the drain of a switch element, the gate of the switching element may pull the gate potential toward the direction opposite to its original potential due to capacitance coupling of the drain-gate capacitance, and this may cause a malfunction. To cope with this, a switch element that pulls the potential to the reverse direction is provided and controlled to turn on at timing at which the counter-electromotive force is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Katsumi INOUE
  • Publication number: 20140265947
    Abstract: A driver circuit for a three phase direct current (DC) brushless motor include: three bridge arms each having a first switch, a second switch, and a first diode and a second diode respectively and electrically coupled with the first switch and the second switch in parallel, and three capacitor arms each having a first capacitor and a second capacitor to electrically couple a center tap of a corresponding phase coil of the DC brushless motor to a respective on of positive and negative terminals of a DC power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Fu-Tzu HSU, Chien-Sen TU
  • Publication number: 20140247001
    Abstract: An electronic circuit includes a noise source and an analog circuit and a logic circuit that may be adversely affected by noise. At least a portion of the analog circuit and the logic circuit is formed on a buried impurity layer whose conductivity is different from that of a substrate, and at least a portion of the periphery of that portion is surrounded by an impurity layer that is different from the substrate. Thus, propagation of the noise from the noise source is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isamu MORIYA, Atsushi YAMADA
  • Patent number: 8823303
    Abstract: Provided is an alternating-current direct-current converter capable of controlling a harmonic current and improving a power factor at reduced costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Shinomoto, Takuya Shimomugi, Mitsuo Kashima, Makoto Tanikawa
  • Patent number: 8823312
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric motor assembly, particularly for driving a fan for an engine cooling system and/or an air conditioner of a motor vehicle, comprising an electric motor and a motor control device for activating the electric motor. According to the invention, the motor control device can be adjusted according to a characteristic curve (1,2,3,4) of the electric motor and/or of the fan, and thereby the power and/or rotational speed of the electric motor can be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Henrik Hessert, Guenther Riehl, Christian King, Christian Poddey, Thomas Helming
  • Patent number: 8816614
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a load current through a coil is connected to an output port of a transistor H-bridge that includes two low side transistors and two high side transistors. A current sense circuit is coupled to the H-bridge and configured to provide a representation of the load current provided by the output port. A current regulator is configured to generate a modulated signal dependent on the representation of the load current and a current set-point. The modulated signal has a duty-cycle. A gate control logic drives the individual transistors of the H-bridge on and off in accordance with the modulated signal. A direction signal provides the load current to the coil. The direction signal determines the direction of the load current. An over current detection circuit is coupled to each individual transistor and is configured to signal an over-current by providing an active over-current failure signal when a transistor current through the respective transistor exceeds a respective maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Martin Barth
  • Patent number: 8803458
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus includes an inverter which has an upper and lower arms each provided with a plurality of semiconductor switching devices and free-wheeling diodes connected in reverse parallel with respective ones of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices, wherein the semiconductor switching devices are controlled on and off to convert DC to AC, a short-circuiting unit which includes a selector switch between motor phase windings of a synchronous motor, the selector switch being opened and closed under the control of a command, and a dynamic braking control unit which, upon reception of a dynamic braking start command, performs control so as to turn on all of the semiconductor switching devices provided in either one of the upper and lower arms and to turn off all of the semiconductor switching devices provided in the other arm, and thereafter controls the short-circuiting unit so that the selector switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Shinichi Horikoshi, Hiroyasu Sato, Minoru Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8796983
    Abstract: A data storage device stores previous position readings of the rotor for a previous cycle of a pulse width modulation signal applied to the motor. A current raw position reading for the current cycle is received. A predicted position reading for a current cycle is determined based on at least one of the stored previous position readings of the previous cycle. A data processor determines whether a difference between the current raw position reading and the predicted position reading for a first mode and a second mode is within one or more preset thresholds. The data processor selects the current raw position reading as a verified reliable final position reading if a first difference for the first mode is equal to or less than a primary preset threshold or if a second difference for the second mode is equal to or less than a secondary preset threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Long Wu, Robert Shaw
  • Patent number: 8796969
    Abstract: An switch array for use in a motor control circuit with a power source, controller and a motor includes a plurality of bidirectional switches positioned between the power source and the motor, wherein the bidirectional switches are PWM controlled by high speed control signals from the controller to provide power from the power source to the motor as desired, wherein the switch array is positioned substantially adjacent to the motor. The power source may be a three phase AC power source. The switches are preferably bidirectional gallium nitride (GaN) switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Jay Goetz
  • Publication number: 20140203559
    Abstract: A connection for parallel bridge circuits in a power converter is provided. In particular, a power converter can be used to provide a desired power to a load, such as a generator, motor, electrical grid, or other suitable load. The power converter can include a plurality of bridge circuits coupled in parallel. A bridge output of each of the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at the load instead of at the power converter. In particular, the parallel bridge circuits can be coupled together at a location that is physically proximate the physical location of the load, such as at a plurality of terminals associated with the load. By doing so, stray inductance associated with conductors used to couple the bridge outputs of the parallel bridge circuits to the load can be effectively coupled between the parallel bridge circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Robert Allen Seymour, Duro Basic
  • Patent number: 8760087
    Abstract: What is described is an actuator system (2) comprising at least one actuator (29, 29?) and an associated control system (8) which is designed for at least two operating modes, at least one of which may be deactivated, whereby one of the operating modes is a high efficiency operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Technische Universitat Wien
    Inventors: Alexander Schulz, Michael Wehse, Johann Wassermann, Manfred Neumann
  • Publication number: 20140158525
    Abstract: A system comprises a water purification system having an electrolytic cell to receive a flow of waste water. A power source supplies power to the electrolytic cell. The power source at least comprises an H-bridge controller to apply power to the electrolytic cell. A device senses an amount of current being supplied to the H-bridge controller. An analog-to-digital device outputs a digital signal representative of the sensed current. A processor processes the digital signal and outputs a plurality of pulse width modulated control signals for the H-bridge controller. The control signals control the H-bridge controller to apply the power during a first period of time with a current in a first direction to maintain an average for the sensed current, and to apply the power during a second period of time with the current in a second direction to maintain the average.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony Elmer Greene
  • Patent number: 8736209
    Abstract: A drive and control circuit for motor system and the method thereof are disclosed. The motor system could be applied in a cooling device, wherein the motor system comprises a rotor, a coil and a bridge circuit. The drive and control circuit comprises a control unit, a state detecting circuit, a load determining circuit, and a startup setting circuit. The startup setting circuit makes the motor run with the maximum torque, thus to make the motor system start up easily and quickly. The load determining circuit detects the load of the motor system, thus to generate a load determining signal to determine the speed of the motor system. The control unit could be realized with few components so as to save the costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jian Zhao, Yike Li, Yangwei Yu
  • Patent number: 8729841
    Abstract: An electronic circuit and an associated method used to drive an electric motor provide a user selectable relationship between rotational speed of the electric motor and phase advances of signals used to drive the electric motor. By selecting the relationship, efficiency of the electric motor drive can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Reynolds, Chee-Kiong Ng
  • Patent number: 8710781
    Abstract: In a power conversion device that includes a PWM converting means for generating a PWM pulse by comparing three-phase voltage commands with a triangular wave carrier signal, a power converter for converting between a DC voltage and a three-phase AC voltage by driving a switching element according to the PWM pulse, a current detecting means for detecting a pulsed current flowing through a DC bus conductor of a main circuit, and a voltage command correcting means for correcting three-phase voltage commands, which corrects the three-phase voltage commands so that a line voltage value between the maximum phase and an intermediate phase and a line voltage value between the intermediate phase and the minimum phase are each equal to or larger than a predetermined value, the maximum phase, intermediate phase, and minimum phase being determined in correspondence to momentary values of the three-phase voltage commands arranged in descending order, if the voltage command is outside an allowable upper limit or lower limi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoichiro Arakawa, Koichiro Nagata, Yuusuke Arao, Shigehisa Aoyagi
  • Publication number: 20140103845
    Abstract: The time required to reverse current flow in an electric motor is reduced by exploiting inductive current that persists in the motor when power is temporarily removed. Energy associated with this inductive current is used to initiate reverse current flow in the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Michael V. Bredemann
  • Patent number: 8692493
    Abstract: A movable partition system includes a movable partition including coupled panels and a lead post engaged with and movable along a track. A motor control system includes a motor coupled to the movable partition and a switching circuit coupled to the motor and for selectively coupling the motor to a positive power source and a negative power source responsive to one or more PWM signals. An encoder is configured for generating one or more rotation signals indicative of operational direction and operational speed of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to the switching circuit and is configured for improving airflow around the panels of the movable partition when the lead post of the movable partition is between a predefined position and a fully retracted position indicative of a billowing effect for the panels by adjusting pulse widths of the PWM signals to control rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Won-Door Corporation
    Inventors: Duane O. Hall, E. Carl Goodman, W. Michael Coleman, John G. Garrett, III
  • Publication number: 20140035499
    Abstract: There are provided a driving apparatus having a current detection function and a motor driving apparatus having a current detection function that are capable of detecting current without a voltage drop by using a dummy transistor connected to a driving transistor in parallel. The driving apparatus includes: a driving unit including at least one transistor connected between a driving power terminal supplying driving power and a ground and switched according to a switching control signal to drive a preset device; and a detecting unit including at least one dummy transistor connected to the at least one transistor in parallel and switched together with the at least one transistor according to the switching control signal to detect current flowing in the at least one dummy transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Joo Yul KO
  • Patent number: 8633662
    Abstract: A control method for a sensor-less, brushless, three-phase DC motor. The effects of commutation on the motor may be minimized using a sinusoidal current drive on each electromagnet. The “off” times and/or the “on” times of the drive transistors controlling the electromagnets in a full “H-bridge” configuration drive scheme may be delayed. By overlapping the drive signals to the electromagnets with respect to a commutation command, the effects of switching between electromagnets may be minimized. In addition, the “on” and “off” times may also be adjusted during the overlapping to further ensure that the coils continuously conduct current, and that the current does not change direction during the switching. The delays, and hence the overlap times of the coil drive signals may be dynamically controlled, for example by using digital timers, making the response predictable and easily controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation
    Inventors: Lynn R. Kern, James P. McFarland
  • Patent number: 8629639
    Abstract: A brushless direct current (DC) motor includes a rotor, a stator and a driving unit. The rotor includes a plurality of magnetic poles. The stator includes a plurality of upper pole arms and a plurality of lower pole arms. The driving unit includes at least two coils wound on the upper pole arms and the lower pole arms respectively, and the driving unit generates an alternating magnetic field on the stator for driving the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Hung Wu, Tsung-Jung Hsieh, Yueh-Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 8610387
    Abstract: A motor system comprises a motor and a driving module. The motor has a plurality coil units not electrically connected to each other. The driving module has a control unit, a driving unit and a circuit board. The control unit is coupled to the driving unit. The driving unit has a plurality of driving circuits. The number of the driving circuits is the same as the number of the coil units. Each of the driving circuits is coupled to a respective one of the coil units so as to form a plurality of independent coil loops. The control unit and the driving unit are mounted on the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Sunonwealth Electric Machine Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alex Horng, Kuan-Yin Hou, Chung-Ken Cheng, Cheng-Tai Cheng, Yu-Fang Li
  • Patent number: 8610383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined method and device for powering and charging, wherein said device comprises an AC motor (6), a converter (2), storage means (5), and switching means (4) either for enabling the powering of the motor (6) or for enabling the charging of the storage means (5) by the converter (2). The switching means (4) is integrated in the converter (2) and includes at least one H-shaped bridge structure (3) for each phase of the motor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Valco Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Luis De Sousa, Boris Bouchez
  • Patent number: 8604733
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator including an electrical machine. The electrical actuator (100) comprising: a polyphase machine (101); at least one connection member (143) for powering the actuator from at least one network (146) delivering alternating current; and first and second buses (106, 107) connected in parallel between each connection member (143) and the machine (101) for applying frequency control thereto. Each inverter (111, 131) comprises a plurality of arms each having two controlled switches, each phase of the machine (101) being connected both to the two switches of an arm of the first inverter (111) and also to the two switches of an arm of the second inverter (131). The actuator further comprises controlled connection and disconnection means interposed between each bus (106, 107) and each connection member. The invention is applicable to actuators used in aviation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, Universite de Lorraine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Liegeois, François-Noël Leynaert, Farid Meibody-Tabar, Serge Lionel Pierfederici, Babak Nahid Mobarakeh
  • Patent number: 8575885
    Abstract: To make it possible to avoid an unstable state with a simple configuration even one of the phases of the motor fails. A motor drive system in accordance with the present invention includes a motor to which a plurality of phase coils of five phases or more are connected in a star connection, an inverter connected to one end of each of the phase coils, the inverter being configured to convert a DC power into an AC power and supply the AC power to each phase of the motor, a power relay disposed at another end of each of the phase coils, the power relay being configured so as to be able to cut off a supply power to at least one phase coil among the plurality of phase coils of the motor by using a plurality of contact points interposed between the star-connected coils, and a control unit that generates a control signal for the inverter and thereby controls driving of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okumatsu
  • Patent number: 8575878
    Abstract: An energy converter includes a magnetism generation mechanism unit that generates a magnetic field when connected to an AC electrical power source, and a rotating mechanism unit having a single turn coil array member in which a plurality of single turn coils is disposed at a predetermined interval and a soft magnetic metal plate disposed on a side of the single turn coil array member opposite to the magnetism generation mechanism unit. The rotating mechanism unit is structured such that the single turn coil array member faces the magnetism generation mechanism unit across a predetermined magnetic gap and rotary driven by the magnetic field. Here, a drive signal period of the electrical power source is a period that maximizes an eddy current generated in the soft magnetic metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: TBK Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sekiya, Kiyotsugu Narita
  • Patent number: 8552672
    Abstract: A motor drive for driving two-phase motors using a three-phase bridge output stage, and a method of operating the drive. The driven two-phase motor can be a two-phase bipolar motor (such as a hybrid stepping motor). The drive can also be configured so that a single output stage can be used to drive either two-phase or three-phase motors, with or without a feedback sensor. A reference return is provided from one of the three half-bridge output stages with each of the motor phase windings connected between the reference return and one of the other half-bridge outputs. The switches of each half-bridge are modulated so that current can be controlled in each of the two motor phase windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Teknic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Bucella, Dave Sewhuk, Scott Mayne, Warren God
  • Patent number: 8536821
    Abstract: A multi-channel stepper motor controller has at least a first and second stepper motor control channel. Each of the control channels has a solid state switching circuit operable to connect the control channel to a stepper motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffry K. Kamenetz, Dana N. Switzer, William Betterini, John M. O'Neil
  • Patent number: 8531146
    Abstract: The drive control circuit for an electric motor is provided. The drive control circuit includes: an original drive signal generator that generates an original drive signal; an excitation interval setter that is able, for each half cycle of respective length ? in each 2? excitation cycle of the original drive signal, to arbitrarily set excitation intervals during which to excite coils of the electric motor to any one of a plurality of intervals which include at least either one of a symmetrical interval centered on a center of each half-cycle and an unsymmetrical interval; and a drive signal shaping circuit that generates a drive signal for driving the electric motor, by validating the original drive signal during the excitation intervals and invalidating the original drive signal during non-excitation intervals other than the excitation interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kesatoshi Takeuchi, Isamu Sejimo, Takafumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8531142
    Abstract: A bi-power motor controlling apparatus, which is electrically connected with a motor, includes a driver IC having a first pin and a second pin. The first and second pins are used to receive a first power and a second power, respectively, from outside. The second power is supplied to the driver IC, and the first power is supplied to the motor for controlling the rotational speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Lung Liu, Chun-Chia Lu, Chia-Feng Wu, Chun-Lung Chiu
  • Publication number: 20130221888
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus includes an inverter which has an upper and lower arms each provided with a plurality of semiconductor switching devices and free-wheeling diodes connected in reverse parallel with respective ones of the plurality of semiconductor switching devices, wherein the semiconductor switching devices are controlled on and off to convert DC to AC, a short-circuiting unit which includes a selector switch between motor phase windings of a synchronous motor, the selector switch being opened and closed under the control of a command, and a dynamic braking control unit which, upon reception of a dynamic braking start command, performs control so as to turn on all of the semiconductor switching devices provided in either one of the upper and lower arms and to turn off all of the semiconductor switching devices provided in the other arm, and thereafter controls the short-circuiting unit so that the selector switch is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: FANUC CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130200831
    Abstract: A power supply device includes: an inverter that converts a DC power supplied from a battery pack into an AC power and outputs the AC power; and an adapter shapes a waveform of the AC power outputted from the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Yasushi Nakano, Yoshikazu Kawano, Nobuhiro Takano, Kazuhiko Funabashi
  • Patent number: 8497641
    Abstract: To provide a disk drive capable of inhibiting the occurrence of acoustic noise caused by a voltage pulse when the head is retracted using a speed control method using voltage obtained by rectifying a back electromotive force after the power source has been cut off from the rotation of a spindle motor. Retraction control circuit is used to control the on and off modes of transistors in accordance with the speed of VCM. The voltage across VCM becomes a voltage that can be regulated with VCM voltage control circuit. At this time, voltage is supplied to the terminals based on the voltage of ISO5V that is the rectified voltage of the back electromotive force of the spindle motor and the pulsating voltage is synchronized and produced at both terminals. As a result, the potential difference across VCM is such that the pulsating voltage is negated and acoustic noise is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Masaki Yamashita, Chisako Ota, Nobuhiko Wasa
  • Publication number: 20130181646
    Abstract: A three-phase AC to DC converter includes a three-phase AC power supply, a three-phase rectifier bridge circuit that is connected to the three-phase AC power supply and includes rectifying devices which are connected in a bridge configuration, a three-phase full-bridge circuit that includes two serially-connected switching devices for each of three phases, the two serially-connected switching devices being connected at an output side of the three-phase rectifier bridge circuit, and includes reverse blocking diodes which are connected in parallel to the respective switching devices, a reactor that connects the three-phase full-bridge circuit to the three-phase AC power supply, a smoothing capacitor connected to an output side of the three-phase full-bridge circuit, DC voltage detection means that detects an output voltage, power supply phase detection means that detects a power supply phase of the three-phase AC power supply, and pulse width modulator that outputs PWM signals which control the switching device
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaki Takata, Shigeo Takata
  • Patent number: 8482233
    Abstract: A head of a hard disc device is retracted to a predetermined position by operating a VCM (Voice Coil Motor) driver. Trouble in a hard disc is detected and retraction is performed even if a short circuit occurs in either of the output line of a VCM driver in an input end of a high potential side or in an input end of a low potential side. A ground short circuit is detected in each side separately and different retracting methods are executed for each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kuroiwa
  • Patent number: 8456116
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, a system includes a first remote tool. The system also includes a variable frequency drive (VFD) coupled to the first remote tool, wherein the output of the VFD powers the first tool and wherein at least part of the VFD is in situ with the first remote tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Burdick
  • Patent number: 8456219
    Abstract: A PWM mode for turning on and off two output transistors by an output of a high impedance circuit and a constant voltage mode for controlling voltages at two output terminals by an output of an op amp are provided. Then, the two modes are switched by a switching signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8446117
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the multi-phase machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting a duty cycle of PWM waveforms so that the correct phase voltage command signals are applied at the angle transitions. This can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Michael H. Kinoshita, Ray M. Ransom, Milun Perisic
  • Patent number: RE45388
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wichowski, Harold J. Hansen, Kevin G. Hawes