Responsive To Thermal Conditions Patents (Class 318/471)
  • Patent number: 8489250
    Abstract: A fan control system for a computer system is provided. The fan control system includes a power sensor and a controller. The power sensor detects the power dissipated by a target device in the computer system. The controller calculates a suggested airflow speed required for the target device and thus outputs a control signal for controlling a fan within the computer system according to at least the dissipated power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ameha Aklilu, Charlie C C Chiu, Kelvin W P Huang, Ku-Jei King, Edward Y C Kung, Bryan M H Pan
  • Patent number: 8487575
    Abstract: A temperature estimation controller and methods are provided for estimating stator winding temperature over a full range of motor operating speeds. In one implementation, the angular velocity of a motor is determined along with a total power loss for each phase of said motor. The total power loss in each phase comprises stator winding power loss and a core power loss. Stator winding temperatures for each phase of motor can then estimated based on the total power loss in that phase, and a combined thermal impedance for that phase. The combined thermal impedance comprises a first thermal impedance between the stator winding and the stator core, and a second thermal impedance between the stator core and the motor coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Chia-Chou Yeh, Nitinkumar R. Patel, Yo Chan Son, Steven E. Schulz
  • Patent number: 8487574
    Abstract: A fan rotary speed controlling device includes a base voltage generating circuit, a first voltage generating circuit, a second voltage generating circuit and a compensation controlling circuit. The base voltage generating circuit receives a pulse width modulation signal and outputs a base voltage signal. The first voltage generating circuit receives the pulse width modulation signal and generates a first voltage signal according to the pulse width modulation signal. The second voltage generating circuit receives a fan rotary speed signal and generates a second voltage signal according to the fan rotary speed signal. The compensation controlling circuit outputs a voltage deviation compensation signal according to the first voltage signal and the second voltage signal. Hence, the fan rotary speed controlling device provides a stable rotary speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chin-Fa Chiu, Chung-Hung Tang
  • Patent number: 8482236
    Abstract: This invention provides a motor control method which comprises the steps of operating a motor at a fanless operation mode when a ambient temperature is lower than a lower temperature, operating the motor at a silent operation mode when the ambient temperature is higher than the lower temperature and lower than a higher temperature, and operating the motor at a cooling operation mode when the ambient temperature is higher than the higher temperature. When the motor operates at the fanless operation mode, the rotation speed of the motor is zero rpm. When the motor operates at the silent operation mode, the motor operates at a constant rotation speed. When the ambient temperature is higher than the higher temperature, the rotation speed of the motor is a linear function of the temperature and varies between the higher temperature and a maximum temperature corresponding to the full rotation speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Sea Sonic Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsiu-Cheng Chang
  • Patent number: 8482237
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power source, a motor, and a computing device. The power source provides electrical energy to the motor, and the motor generates rotational motion from the electrical energy received. The computing device is configured to estimate a temperature of the motor in real time based at least in part on a thermal model of the motor. The thermal model includes a plurality of nodes and at least one thermal resistance. Each node represents a region of the motor and each thermal resistance represents a heat transfer path between at least two of the nodes. A method includes solving one or more energy balance equations to determine a temperature change at each node and estimating the temperature of the motor in real time based at least in part on the temperature change at each node and at least one of the thermal resistances in the thermal model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Berry, Pankaj Mithal, Paul F. Turnbull, Peter J. Savagian, Chia-Chou Yeh, Steven E. Schulz
  • Patent number: 8461792
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) fan controller includes a sensor, a generator, a selector, and a multiplexer. The sensor is configured for sensing a current temperature of an electronic device. The generator is configured for generating different PWM signals, each of which is suitable for regulating the rotational speed of a fan for dissipating heat for the electronic device of a corresponding temperature. The selector is configured for generating a selection control signal based upon the current temperature of the electronic device. The selection control signal is used for selecting a PWM signal corresponding to the current temperature of the electronic device from the PWM signals from the generator. The multiplexer is configured for performing the selection of the PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Jen Huang, Hsien-Chang Chiu
  • Patent number: 8454751
    Abstract: Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Eldon Technology Limited
    Inventor: Mark Gohl
  • Patent number: 8456122
    Abstract: A control circuit includes a current sensing circuit, an analog digital converter (ADC), an amplifying circuit, a processor, and a switching circuit. The current sensing circuit senses current supplied to an electronic device by a power supply and outputs a first voltage signal. The amplifying circuit amplifies the first voltage signal output from the current sensing circuit to a second voltage signal. The ADC converts the second voltage signal to a digital signal. The processor outputs pulse width modulation (PWM) signals according to the digital signal. The switching circuit receives the PWM signals to control a fan of the electronic device according to the PWM signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ming-Chih Hsieh
  • Patent number: 8448000
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 8436566
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-speed control apparatus for a fan motor. The apparatus includes a driving member, a motor speed sensing member, a resistor circuit, a voltage-division resistor, and a multi-segment switch. The driving member has a controlled end connected with the multi-segment switch. The driving member has an output end connected with the fan motor. The driving member has a detection end connected with the motor speed sensing member. The resistor circuit includes some resistors with various resistances. The multi-segment switch interconnects the resistor circuit, the voltage-division resistor, the controlled end of the driving member, and a voltage source. This switch is optionally connected to the resistor disposed in the voltage source or voltage-division resistor. An input voltage is created across the resistor by dividing the voltage. The driving member is therefore provided for driving the fan motor to a rotating speed according to the input voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Cooler Master Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Fengquan Hu
  • Patent number: 8425436
    Abstract: An operating status of a motor in a drive unit is analyzed to extend the life of the motor. A wearable motion assistive device 1 includes a shoulder joint mechanism 5 and an elbow joint mechanism 6 for aiding a movement of the shoulder joint and the elbow joint, and a control unit 100 having a control circuit for controlling drive units 11 for the shoulder and elbow joint mechanisms 5 and 6. The control unit 100 controls the drive units 11 based on a physical quantity and a biosignal detected by an angle sensor, a torque sensor, and a biosignal detecting sensor. A controller in the drive unit 11 includes a motor monitoring unit for monitoring an operational status of the motor, and a motor control unit for limiting a drive signal supplied to the motor based on a monitoring result provided by the motor monitoring unit, in order to prevent an overload state of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: University of Tsukuba
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Sankai
  • Patent number: 8427085
    Abstract: A speed adjustment circuit for a plurality of fans includes a voltage input terminal, a plurality of speed control modules, and a fan tachometer. Each of the speed control modules includes a fan connector, a speed adjusting unit, and a detector switch unit. The speed adjusting unit includes a switching control unit, a voltage adjusting chip, and a variable resistor. The detector switch unit includes a first switch. The voltage input terminal connects to the input terminal of the voltage adjusting chip through the switching control unit. The output terminal of the voltage adjusting chip connects to the power pin of the fan connector. The adjusting terminal of the voltage adjusting chip connects to ground through the variable resistor, and connects to the output terminal of the voltage adjusting chip through a resistor. The detection pin of the fan connector connects to the fan tachometer through the first switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Deng, Xian-Guang Tan
  • Patent number: 8421392
    Abstract: An apparatus and method controls a speed of a fan in a computer. The apparatus includes a signal generator, a signal buffer, a signal switch, and an integrated baseboard management controller (IBMC). The IBMC includes a general purpose input output (GIPO) pin and a signal output port. The IBMC determines whether the IBMC operates normally by detecting a voltage status of the GIPO pin. The signal generator generates a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal according to a system temperature of the computer when the IBMC does not operate normally. The IBMC generates a second PWM signal to according to the system temperature of the computer when the IBMC operates normally. The signal switch controls the speed of the fan according to the first PWM signal or the second PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bo Tian, Guo-Yi Chen, Kang Wu
  • Patent number: 8418930
    Abstract: The temperature control circuit, to keep a temperature of an enclosed space within a temperature range, comprises a cooling unit to keep the temperature of the enclosed space below a maximum temperature of the temperature range, a heating unit to keep the temperature of the enclosed space above the minimum temperature of the temperature range, and an indicating unit to indicate whether the temperature is within the temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Publication number: 20130076286
    Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to control of rotational components in a computer system. In one embodiment, the rotational component includes a cooling fan, the cooling fan being controlled in accordance with data tailored to reduce the acoustic noise produced by the cooling fan. In one embodiment, the cooling fan is operated with non-uniform pulse width modulated signals. The non-uniform pulse width modulated signals can be a function of desired rotation speed and can include fundamental and harmonic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Lee PATTON, Anthony J. Aiello, Cheng P. Tan
  • Patent number: 8400091
    Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is provided which includes a microprocessor, and a built-in temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature of the microprocessor as a reference temperature. The apparatus further includes external temperature sensors, where at least one of the external temperature sensors is configured to measure the temperature of the microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to make an external temperature calibration using the reference temperature measured by the built-in temperature monitor. Each of the external temperature sensors is configured to monitor temperature information of a component and provide the temperature information to the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sato, Isao Shimura, Tsutomu Kawano
  • Patent number: 8384328
    Abstract: An aircraft engine starting system may comprise a starter motor, a start controller for controlling the starter motor to operate with a desired torque output, and a processor for determining torque profiles for the starter motor. The processor may provide an initial torque profile responsively to ambient condition of the engine. The processor may also provide modifications to the initial torque profile responsively to temperature of the start controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Fuller, Ray McGinley, David Chandu-Lall
  • Patent number: 8378614
    Abstract: A fan control circuit includes a first switch element, a second switch element, and a fan connector. A first control terminal of the first switch element is connected to a fan control terminal to receive a pulse width modulation signal. A first terminal of the first switch element is connected to a first voltage source. A second control terminal of the second switch element is connected to the first terminal of the first switch element. A fourth terminal of the second switch is connected to a second voltage source via a NTC resistor. A first pin of the fan connector is connected to ground. A second pin of the fan connector is connected to a third terminal of the second switch element. A third pin of the fan connector is connected to a signal receiving terminal. The third pin is configured to receive a feedback signal indicating a rotating speeding of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuan-Tsai Hou
  • Publication number: 20130036756
    Abstract: An electric motor configured to drive an air moving device included within a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is described. The air moving device is configured to draw air through a condensing coil of the HVAC system from a first side of the condensing coil to a second side of the condensing coil. The motor includes a temperature sensor configured to measure an exhaust air temperature at the second side of the condensing coil and to generate a temperature signal that includes measured temperature information. The motor also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and configured to receive the temperature signal and to control operation of the motor based at least partially on the temperature signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Steven Wilfred Post, Roger Carlos Becerra, Kerry Baker Shelton, Paul Nathanael Selking
  • Patent number: 8368338
    Abstract: This invention provides a device and method for detecting a type of a fan. The device for detecting a type of a fan includes a detector and a voltage controller. The detector is used for detecting and comparing a control voltage with a reference voltage to generate a comparison signal and transmitting the comparison signal to the voltage controller. The voltage controller outputs a variable voltage or a constant voltage to a voltage input terminal of a fan according to the comparison signal. The voltage controller can include an integrator for integrating a modulation signal and outputting the variable voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pegatron Corporation
    Inventors: Wei-Kai Shen, Kuan-Yin Lin
  • Patent number: 8368336
    Abstract: A vehicle having a vehicle system is provided with a motor having a housing and a stator. The motor is configured to provide motor torque for vehicle propulsion. The vehicle system is also provided with at least one controller that is configured to receive input indicative of at least one of the housing temperature and the stator temperature, and control the motor torque based on a comparison of the input to predetermined thermal data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shailesh Shrikant Kozarekar, Terri Wrobel
  • Patent number: 8362725
    Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: RBC Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventors: Roger C. Becerra, Steven A. Nardin, Michael R. Koller, Andrew C. Barry, Brian L. Beifus, Andrew M. Knollman
  • Patent number: 8358094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement having an electric machine, comprising a stator (4) and a rotor (1) and an infrared temperature sensor, wherein the detection field of the infrared temperature sensor is directed at an outer surface of the rotor (1). The infrared temperature sensor is a thermopile (6) for radiometrically contactlessly detecting a temperature of the rotor (1), the thermopile being arranged in a slot of the stator (4) and being compatible with standard slot-sealing-wedge components of the electric machine with regard to assembly, and thus enables the operational monitoring of the thermal state of an electric machine in a novel manner, such that adapted power states can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jürgen Zettner
  • Patent number: 8358501
    Abstract: A motherboard includes a fan and a fan control circuit. The fan control circuit includes a switch module and a voltage control circuit. A first terminal of the switch module is connected to a standby power terminal of the motherboard. A second terminal of the switch module is connected to a first power terminal of the motherboard and connected to a power terminal of the fan. An input terminal of the voltage control circuit is connected to a power state signal terminal of the motherboard. An output terminal of the voltage control circuit is connected to a control terminal of the switch module. When the motherboard is turned off, the voltage control circuit turns on the switch module for a predetermined time, to make the standby power terminal supply a working voltage for the fan to keep the fan rotating for the predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kang Wu, Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8354809
    Abstract: A pump system. The pump system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a sensor coupled to a power source, and a controller. The motor operates the pump. The sensor detects an electrical characteristic of the power source. The controller executes a fault check, controls the motor, detects a change in the electrical characteristic, and suspends the execution of the fault check for a predetermined period of time when the detected change in the electrical characteristic is outside of a valid characteristic range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Mehlhorn, Brian T. Branecky
  • Patent number: 8344675
    Abstract: A rechargeable electric power tool includes a motor driven by a secondary battery, a switching element for regulating power distribution to the motor, a motor control unit for controlling rotation of the motor through the switching element, a lead wire for supplying a drive current to the motor therethrough and a trigger switch changed over by a user for turning on or off the drive current supplied to the motor through the lead wire. In the rechargeable electric power tool, upon changeover of the trigger switch, a microcomputer determines a magnitude relation between a detected temperature outputted from a first thermistor and a first temperature threshold value. If the detected temperature is determined to be greater than the first temperature threshold value, the microcomputer is set in a limited operation mode in which a revolution number of the motor is limited to a predetermined value or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Power Tools Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Tatsuya Miwa, Atsumasa Kubota, Masaki Ikeda, Kazuhiko Nishii
  • Patent number: 8339087
    Abstract: A fan control circuit includes an integrated circuit (IC), a thermistor, and a transistor. A first input of the IC is connected to a fan power supply. A second input of the IC is connected to a stand-by power supply. A base of the transistor is grounded through the thermistor. An emitter of the transistor is connected to an output of the IC. A collector of the transistor is connected to a fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 8324854
    Abstract: A fan control system includes a temperature detecting circuit and a rotation rate control circuit. The detecting circuit includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a thermistor. The rotation rate control circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The detecting circuit detects temperature and outputs a voltage signal. The rotation rate control circuit receives the voltage signal and controls the rotation rate of the fan according to the voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 8324855
    Abstract: A fan control system includes a temperature detecting circuit and a rotation rate control circuit. The detecting circuit includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a thermistor. The rotation rate control circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The detecting circuit detects temperature and outputs a voltage signal. The rotation rate control circuit receives the voltage signal and controls the rotation rate of the fan according to the voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 8310192
    Abstract: In BLDC motors driven via sensorless techniques, the BEMF signals in the motor coils may be used to detect the position of the motor such that speed of the motor may be accurately controlled. When detecting the BEMF signals, however, small perturbations occur which negatively impact the rotational torque of the motor. As a result, torque ripple may occur at regular intervals which may result in inefficiencies as well as audible noise. In various embodiments as described herein, the sampling of the BEMF signals may be done so at pseudo-random intervals such that the overall spectral energy that presents from the BEMF detections may be reduced at specific frequencies (such as fundamental sampling frequencies and harmonics thereof) and spread out over many more frequencies. Thus, despite the overall spectral energy being the same, the amplitude of any given frequency is lower as the sampling of the BEMF is less periodic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic Bonvin
  • Patent number: 8280559
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes an input configured to receive a first control signal and an output module configured to generate an output signal based at least on the first control signal and a second control signal generated based at least on a measured temperature of the IC. The output signal is configured to control a cooling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Herman, Sagheer Ahmad
  • Patent number: 8278864
    Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in compressors and, in particular, to an improvement in a method of controlling variable speed dynamic compressors to avoid ‘motor overload as a result of choking.1 The invention therefore comprises a method of controlling a compressor to provide compressed gas at a target delivery pressure (Pt) and prevent excessive motor power consumption, the compressor being driven by a variable speed motor which has motor windings, wherein the gas inlet temperature (Tin), gas output delivery pressure (Pd), motor speed (Vm) and the motor winding temperature (Tmw) are continuously measured during operation of the compressor. The gas inlet temperature (Tin) is used to determine a predetermined maximum motor winding temperature (Tmwmax) limit. The maximum motor winding temperature (Tmwmax) is used (to set a maximum motor speed (Vmmax) limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Gardner Denver Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Geoffrey George Powell
  • Patent number: 8264184
    Abstract: A low-pin count fan speed control system and a method thereof include primarily an activation unit to drive a fan to operate. When the fan starts completely, the fan slows down to a pre-determined rotation speed through an idle speed regulation unit. After achieving a pre-determined temperature through a temperature transition unit, the fan speed beings to increase from the idle speed. When the fan is operating, the rotation speed is properly increased in proportion to the temperature, using a positive temperature regulation slope unit. Therefore, through this method, the rotation speed will not be decreased by foreign objects when the fan is operating and a computer host can be provided with proper heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Grenergy Opto, Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Hui Wang, Chang-Ling Sha, Ko-Ming Lin, Ko-Yen Lee
  • Patent number: 8253364
    Abstract: A method for controlling fan speed is disclosed. Firstly, a number of temperature ranges are defined. Each temperature range is associated with a corresponding fan speed. Each two adjacent temperature ranges overlap. The temperature of an electronic system is measured and is compared with the defined temperature ranges to determine whether it enters into a new range. If the measured temperature exceeds any one of the limits of a temperature range associated with the current fan speed, it enters into a new temperature range. The fan speed is adjusted to which is associated with the new entered temperature range. The overlap of each two adjacent temperature ranges covers the fluctuation of the temperature of the electronic system caused solely by the adjustment of fan speed caused by the traversing of the measured temperature between the two adjacent temperature ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chien-Fu Chen, Wan-Neng Su
  • Patent number: 8248014
    Abstract: Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: MechoShade Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Berman, Jan Berman, Alex Greenspan, Stephen P. Hebeisen
  • Patent number: 8248015
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling a rotation speed of a fan of an electronic device according to a temperature of the electronic device. The circuit senses the temperature of the electronic device, and outputs a voltage changing with the sensed temperature. The rotation speed of the fan changes with the voltage. The circuit slows the rotation speed of the fan down when the sensed temperature of the electronic device is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 8248016
    Abstract: A fan circuit controls a speed of a fan. A control chip outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal that changes with the temperature of an electronic device that the fan is mounted in. An input circuit converts the PWM signal into a continual voltage signal. An amplifier circuit amplifies the voltage signal and outputs a control signal. When the control signal is less than a threshold voltage, the control circuit is turned on and the fan receives current which is less than preset current. When the control signal is greater than the threshold voltage, the control circuit is turned off and the fan receives current which is greater than the preset current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry ( ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Publication number: 20120199039
    Abstract: A drive system for a grid blower of a vehicle is provided. The system includes: an electrical bus, a grid of resistive elements connected to the electrical bus, the grid of resistive elements configured to thermally dissipate electrical power generated from braking of the vehicle, the electrical power being transmitted on the electrical bus to the grid of resistive elements, an electrical power modulation device configured to modify electrical power received from at least one of the electrical bus and the grid of resistive elements, and a grid blower motor coupled to an output of the electrical power modulation device, wherein a speed of the grid blower motor varies based on the electrical power that has been modified by the electrical power modulation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Worden, Sudhir Kumar Gupta, Theodore Clark Brown
  • Patent number: 8237387
    Abstract: A fan duty cycle controlling system and method are implemented by a computing device. The fan duty cycle controlling system obtains an optimum duty cycle range of a fan around a central processing unit (CPU), and controls the fan to operate at the optimum duty cycle range. By implementing the system and method, the computing device can obtain an optimum cooling efficiency of the computer system, and reduce system noise generated by the fan when the fan operates at the optimum duty cycle range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zeu-Chia Tan
  • Patent number: 8237386
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage working states of a data processing system. At least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data processing system with one or more sensors (e.g., physical sensors such as tachometer and thermistors, and logical sensors such as CPU load) for fine grain control of one or more components (e.g., processor, fan, hard drive, optical drive) of the system for working conditions that balance various goals (e.g., user preferences, performance, power consumption, thermal constraints, acoustic noise). In one example, the clock frequency and core voltage for a processor are actively managed to balance performance and power consumption (heat generation) without a significant latency. In one example, the speed of a cooling fan is actively managed to balance cooling effort and noise (and/or power consumption).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Culbert, Keith Alan Cox, Brian Howard, Josh de Cesare, Richard Charles Williams, Dave Robbins Falkenburg, Daisie Iris Huang, Dave Radcliffe
  • Patent number: 8221091
    Abstract: Driving controlling apparatus and method for a reciprocating compressor capable of stably driving a reciprocating compressor when a reciprocating compressor is operated or an output capacity of the reciprocating compressor is varied, by matching an impedance of the apparatus to an inductance of a motor, and capable of enhancing an efficiency of the reciprocating compressor. The apparatus comprises an output capacity determining unit for determining an output capacity of a reciprocating compressor; an over-stroke preventing unit for preventing an over-stroke of a motor inside the reciprocating compressor; and an impedance matching unit for matching an inductance of the reciprocating compressor to an impedance of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyeung-Ju Kim, Chang-Oh Kim, Chel-Woong Lee
  • Patent number: 8222844
    Abstract: A method for determining the magnet temperature of a permanent magnet electrical machine. The magnet temperature is able to be determined particularly simply and accurately if a phase voltage and the rotational speed of the electrical machine are measured, and the magnet temperature is determined from this.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Eisenhardt
  • Patent number: 8217614
    Abstract: A fan delay controlling apparatus includes a connector connected to a fan of an electronic device, a power supplying module connected to the connector, and a power controlling module connected to the power supplying module. The power supplying module is connected to a fan power source and a stand-by power source. The power controlling module controls the power supplying module supply power to the fan when the electronic device including the fan powers off until an ambient temperature is lower than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guang-Dong Yuan, Xun-Chun Qiu
  • Patent number: 8212501
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a processor, memory coupled to the processor, a cooling fan, and a controller coupled to the processor and configured to control the speed of the cooling fan based on the operation of the memory. The processor is configured to determine a user-selected performance setting for the information handling system; determine a fan speed limit corresponding to the user selected performance setting; limit the speed of the cooling fan based on the determined fan speed limit; and in connection with limiting the speed of the cooling fan, control an operational parameter of the memory to reduce cooling demands generated by the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Paul Artman, William K. Coxe, III
  • Patent number: 8198848
    Abstract: A system for compensating the characteristics of a fan, applied to a heat-dissipating fan of an electronic device. This system comprises of an analyzing module for analyzing the relation between the duty ratio of pulse width modulation (PWM) and the rotational speed of the fan to generate analyzing data, and a compensating module for generating compensating data basing on the analyzing data and a specific proportion relation between the temperature and the duty ratio of PWM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Pai-Ching Huang, Jiang-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 8196698
    Abstract: The invention provides a motor-driven power steering apparatus provided with a fault diagnosing apparatus diagnosing a fault of a board temperature detecting apparatus on the basis of an armature current Im detected by a motor current detecting apparatus and a board temperature Tb of the control board detected by the board temperature detecting apparatus, and a target current suppressing apparatus suppressing a target current Iq at a time when the fault diagnosing apparatus diagnoses that the board temperature detecting apparatus is out of order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiro Tamaki
  • Patent number: 8179084
    Abstract: A drive system for a grid blower of a vehicle is provided. The system includes: an electrical bus, a grid of resistive elements connected to the electrical bus, the grid of resistive elements configured to thermally dissipate electrical power generated from braking of the vehicle, the electrical power being transmitted on the electrical bus to the grid of resistive elements, an electrical power modulation device configured to modify electrical power received from at least one of the electrical bus and the grid of resistive elements, and a grid blower motor coupled to an output of the electrical power modulation device, wherein a speed of the grid blower motor varies based on the electrical power that has been modified by the electrical power modulation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Bret Worden, Sudhir Kumar Gupta, Theodore Clark Brown
  • Patent number: 8179071
    Abstract: A system includes two counter-rotating electric fans. A cooling controller is configured to run the fans at first and second operating points responsive to a measured value of a parameter. The first and second operating points correspond to first and second different required volumes per unit time of air flow. Rotational speeds of the fans at the first and second operating points define first and second different rotational speed offsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Phelan, Erik R. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20120112678
    Abstract: A fan speed control circuit includes a first fan, a second fan, a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor, a PWM regulator, and a driving module. The first temperature sensor senses a temperature of the first component to generate a first temperature signal. The second temperature sensor senses a temperature of a second component to generate a second temperature signal. The PWM regulator is connected to the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor. The PWM regulator generates a first PWM signal according to the first temperature signal and generates a second PWM signal according to the second temperature signal. The driving module is connected to the PWM regulator. The driving module generates a first driving voltage provided to the first fan according to the first PWM signal. The driving module also generates a second driving voltage provided to the second fan according to the second PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: XIANG-JI HUANG, JIAN FU, ZHI-JIANG YAO, LI-FU XU
  • Patent number: 8174227
    Abstract: A fan control system includes a temperature detecting circuit and a rotation rate control circuit. The detecting circuit includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a thermistor. The control circuit includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a third terminal. The detecting circuit detects temperature and outputs a voltage signal. The control circuit receives the voltage signal and controls the rotation rate of the fan according to the voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang