With Signals, Meters, Recorders Or Testing Devices Patents (Class 318/490)
  • Patent number: 10649426
    Abstract: The present invention can stabilize driving of a motor even if multiple control instructions of driving the motor are acquired through non-real-time communication. A servo driver (10) does not perform processing corresponding to other control commands when acquiring the other control commands from other interfaces through non-real-time communication in a process of performing processing corresponding to a control command acquired via one interface and through non-real-time communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Takao Ushiyama, Satoshi Yamawaki, Takaya Kitano
  • Patent number: 10644494
    Abstract: A protective arrangement for protecting an electrical device against an overload current includes: an input at which a current is supplied to the protective arrangement by a power supply; an output via which the current (I) is transferred in the form of an output current to the electrical device; a safety switch in a power line between the input and the output, which safety switch disconnects the power line when a set tripping current is exceeded; and a current sensor which measures the current (actual) in the power line when the electrical device is connected, the current sensor being able to set the tripping current, on the basis of the measured current (actual), to a value that is greater than the measured current (actual) by a specified difference (?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Knoop, Lars Alsdorf
  • Patent number: 10637375
    Abstract: A actuator using a voice coil motor (VCM) method includes a coil configured to face a magnetic member disposed on a lateral surface of a lens carrier, and be spaced apart from the magnetic member, a driving circuit configured to supply a composite current including a driving current and a position detection current to the coil based on a composite voltage input to the driving circuit, and an impedance/digital conversion circuit configured to convert an alternating current (AC) voltage signal including a specific frequency component acquired at opposite ends of the coil via a demodulation scheme, extract a low-frequency signal having an inductance component of the coil, and detect a position signal based on the low-frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo Young Choi, Jung Eui Park, Joo Hyoung Lee, Joo Yul Ko
  • Patent number: 10637382
    Abstract: An apparatus to control a motor includes a detector that detects a driving current flowing through a motor winding, phase determiner that determines a motor rotor rotation phase based on the detected driving current, generator that generates an instructed phase, and controller. The controller includes a first mode where controlling the driving current flowing through the motor winding controls the motor based on a torque current component value such that a deviation between the generated instructed phase and the determined rotation phase is reduced, and a second mode in which a current of a predetermined magnitude controls the motor. The torque current component is expressed in a rotating coordinate system based on determined rotation phase. The generator generates, based on the rotation phase determined while executing second mode, the instructed phase in the first mode when a controlling driving current mode is switched from the second to the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Junya Takatsu
  • Patent number: 10615734
    Abstract: To determine a driving parameter for driving a motor having an unknown circuit constant in a simple way and to shorten time required for the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouki Oikawa, Yuuki Morita, Tadashi Okita
  • Patent number: 10610024
    Abstract: Seating and/or lounging furniture with a footrest coupled to a frame via a linkage mechanism designed as a scissor mechanism. A drive mechanism extends and retracts the footrest, and includes: at least one first linkage articulatedly fastened at one end to a first hinge point on the frame, and having a second end with a second hinge point, at least one second linkage articulatedly coupled at a first end to the first linkage at the second hinge point, and having a second end coupled to a third hinge point provided on the linkage mechanism, and the first and second hinge points defining a first straight line, and the second and third hinge points defining a second straight line, in an extended position of the footrest, the first and second straight lines enclosing an angle of 180°+/?5° relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: CIAR S.P.A.
    Inventor: Massimo Carrera
  • Patent number: 10598732
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting a fault in a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), operably connected to a controller. The method includes receiving at a controller a stator voltages and currents for the PMSM, computing a negative sequence current and a negative sequence voltage for the PMSM; and determining if conditions are satisfied for monitoring for a fault of the PMSM. The method also includes ascertaining a change in the negative sequence current and a change in the negative sequence voltage for a selected time duration, calculating a ratio of the change in the negative sequence current and the negative sequence voltage corresponding to a negative sequence admittance for the PMSM, determining if the negative sequence admittance differs from a nominal value in excess of a threshold; and identifying the stator winding as faulted if the ratio exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Azeem Sarwar, Madi Zholbaryssov, Wesley G. Zanardelli, Yo Chan Son, Ethan M. Blakley
  • Patent number: 10601350
    Abstract: A motor device includes a motor, a motor driving control device and a position detector for outputting a position detection signal. The motor includes magnetic poles (n*6) and coils wound around teeth (n*4) where n is a positive integer. The coils are arranged in a peripheral direction such that the first-system coils and the second-system coils are alternately arranged. The motor driving control device includes a first drive circuit and a second drive circuit, each including an inverter circuit and a control circuit portion. The first drive circuit energizes the first-system coils and the second drive circuit energizes the second-system coils at an energization timing different from that of the first-system coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI INC.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Tamitsuji
  • Patent number: 10594129
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a fault in a power relay of an inverter is disclosed. The apparatus for detecting a fault in a power relay includes: a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage of a DC link; a current sensor configured to measure an output current applied to an inverter stage; a storage unit configured to store resistance of an initial charge resistor, a time constant of a capacitor, and a reference voltage measured when voltage drop of the DC link does not occur; and a controller configured to determine, when the voltage drop of the DC link occurs, the presence or absence of a fault in the power relay based on a difference between the reference voltage and a voltage measured after lapse of a period corresponding to the time constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ju-Beom Son
  • Patent number: 10571522
    Abstract: A system includes a proportional-integrated-derivative (PID) regulator. The system also includes a fault detection unit. The fault detection unit is for receiving at least two outputs from the PID regulator. The at least two outputs include at least two rotor reference frame (D-Q) currents. The fault detection unit is further for generating a detection signal based on the at least two rotor reference frame currents. The detection signal identifies a fault based on the fault detection signal amplitude value based on the magnitudes of the amplitudes for each of the at least two rotor reference frame D-Q currents. The fault detection unit is for identifying an existence of a permanent magnet motor fault based on a comparison between the fault detection signal amplitude value and an amplitude threshold value. Further the fault localization signature is utilized to locate the location of the fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Sandun Shivantha Kuruppu
  • Patent number: 10483898
    Abstract: A motor control system for operating an electric motor is described. The motor control system includes a power supply module disposed external to the electric motor and configured to convert an alternating current (AC) voltage at a first level to a direct current (DC) voltage at a second level lower than a DC-equivalent voltage of the AC voltage at the first level, and a motor control assembly coupled to the electric motor. The motor control assembly includes an input power connector configured to receive the DC voltage at the second level from the power supply module. The motor control assembly also includes an inverter module coupled to the input power connector. The inverter module is configured to convert the DC voltage at the second level to an AC motor voltage to operate the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary Joseph Stauffer, Luis D. Morales, Oscar A. Guevara
  • Patent number: 10479206
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for changing from the idle operating state of an electric motor (5) having three phase terminals (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) to a short-circuit operating state. Thereby significant voltage rises are avoided. For this purpose, after receiving (120) a request for changing of the operating state of the electric motor (5) to the short-circuit operating state, three switching elements (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) are closed. Thereby the switching elements (1-1, 1-2, 1-3) are at least partially closed successively and the times of closing the individual switching elements are predetermined as a function of control parameters of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ekard Grossmann, Marcus Abele, Torsten Heidrich
  • Patent number: 10469015
    Abstract: A motor control device having a motor temperature sensor for detecting a magnet temperature of the motor, a magnet magnetic flux calculation section that calculates a magnet magnetic flux of the motor corresponding to the magnet temperature of the motor, a current combination candidate calculating section that calculates a d-q axis current combination candidate that minimizes the input current of the inverter within a voltage limit ellipse determined by a value that can be output by a voltage of a power supply of the motor, and a d-q axis current search section that searches the d-q axis current that minimizes the input current of the inverter within the range of the combination candidate of the d-q axis currents when the d-q axis current of the motor moves on a voltage limiting ellipse by automatic weakening flux control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Shingo Harada, Keiichi Enoki, Yasukazu Murata, Masutaka Watanabe, Yoshimasa Nishijima
  • Patent number: 10429419
    Abstract: A system and method for iterative condition monitoring and fault diagnosis of an electric machine, such as an electric motor, is configured to iteratively analyze a pattern of multiple fault signatures in a motor current signal under harsh, noisy conditions. As such, the present invention evaluates patterns of multiple fault signatures that are spread over the wide motor current spectrum, by effectively rejecting signal distortions, harsh noise, and interference from the dynamic operation of the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventor: Seungdeog Choi
  • Patent number: 10427201
    Abstract: A handheld pressing device for connecting two work pieces, in particular a pipe and a press fitting by means of a pressing process, has a pressing tool with multiple pressing jaws. The pressing tool is connected to a converter driven by an electric motor. The electric motor and the converter are partly surrounded by a housing. The pressing device has at least one data detecting element, at least one data detecting element being a camera. Furthermore, the camera is used as a data detecting element for documenting pressing processes in a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Novopress GmbH Pressen und Presswerkzeuge & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Bungter, Jörg Hanisch, Günther Odenthal
  • Patent number: 10425007
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a multiphase regulator includes a plurality of output phases each of which is operable to deliver a phase current through a separate inductor to a load connected to the output phases via the inductors and an output capacitor. A controller is operable to regulate a voltage delivered to the load by adjusting the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, monitor the phase currents delivered to the load by the output phases, test the output phases in a predetermined sequence, and determine if the phase currents respond in a predetermined way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies Austria AG
    Inventors: Benjamim Tang, Richard Pierson, Scott Southwell, Tim Ng, Yi-Yuan Liu, Brian Molloy, Kenneth Ostrom, Amir Babazadeh
  • Patent number: 10404202
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic control device including inverter circuits of first and second systems for driving a multiphase motor with first and second coil sets by use of upper and lower arm switching elements selectively controlled to be ON/OFF in each coil of the first and second coil sets. The upper arm switching elements of all phases in the inverter circuit of the first system are turned ON to apply a high potential to the first coil set, and the lower arm switching elements of all phases in the inverter circuit of the second system are turned ON to control the second coil set to a low potential. When a value of current flowing through the lower arm switching element in the inverter circuit of the second system is a predetermined value or more, it is determined that a power supply failure has occurred between the first and second systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Tomonobu Koseki, Tomishige Yatsugi, Fumiya Iijima
  • Patent number: 10374544
    Abstract: A method for estimating a service life of a motor that is driven by variable duty cycle control. The method includes calculating an elapsed service life ratio representing a ratio of an elapsed service life to all service life according to the following formula to estimate the service life of the motor: L s = ? i ? ? ( t i L i × ( 1.5 ) m ) ? ? m = 40 - max ? ( 40 , K i ) 10 , where Ls represents the elapsed service life ratio, ti represents a driving time in a section i, Li represents a service life expectancy at a duty cycle Di in the section i and at an environmental temperature of the motor being 40° C., and Ki represents a temperature in the section i.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuichiro Yokoyama, Shoki Yamazaki, Junya Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 10355581
    Abstract: A fault tolerant inverter or controlled rectifier system includes a first leg having at least one switch device, a spare leg having at least one spare switch device, a spare leg connect switch associated with the spare leg and the first leg, a fault detection sub-system for detecting a fault in the first leg and outputting a signal on detection of a fault in the first leg, and a leg selection control sub-system that receives the signal output by the fault detection sub-system and controls the operation of the spare leg connect switch in accordance with the output signal, such that on detection of a fault the spare leg may be activated to take over the operation of the first leg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mustafa Kamil Guven, Yaoxin Qian, In Chul Jang, John Parry
  • Patent number: 10355634
    Abstract: An electric machine assembly having an electric machine and a controller-based method for isolating a particular fault condition in the electric machine. A plurality of current sensors is configured to output respective measured currents in respective phases of the electric machine. A position sensor is configured to output a rotor position of the electric machine. A controller is configured to group the respective measured currents into respective combinations of two. The controller is configured to calculate respective residual factors (Ri), and a global residual factor (G) based on the respective residual factors (Ri). Responsive to at least three of the global residual factor (G) and the respective residual factors (Ri) exceeding respective calibrated error thresholds, the controller is configured to identify a particular fault condition from among a plurality of possible fault conditions and execute a control action with respect to the electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jiyu Zhang, Mutasim A. Salman
  • Patent number: 10336365
    Abstract: An electromechanical power steering system for a vehicle may include an electric motor having a stator fitted with at least two electrical winding sets and having a rotor fitted with permanent magnets. The electric motor may exert a steering movement introduced by a driver on the vehicle. A main control unit may determine a motor current prespecification based on the steering movement. The motor current prespecification can be output to the electrical winding sets and may comprise a power control unit that provides and feeds the motor current prespecification to the winding sets. A driver control system may be provided for each winding set, wherein all driver control systems and the main control unit each have a microcontroller and are combined to form an assembly. A power driver may be connected to each of the driver control systems, and at least two power drivers are arranged in a power control unit. Each power driver may be a half-bridge with power semiconductor switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP PRESTA AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Gergely Füzes, Attila Zoltán Konfár
  • Patent number: 10264704
    Abstract: A brushless DC motor includes a circuit board on which a terminal with an open-collector or open-drain output function is mounted. The terminal includes at least one of a first specific resistance connected in series to a switching element and a second specific resistance connected in parallel to the switching element. The first and second specific resistances vary among multiple types of brushless DC motors. A motor identification method includes: supplying a power supply voltage from an identification apparatus to the brushless DC motor; supplying a voltage to a signal line of the terminal via a pull-up resistance in the identification apparatus; inputting to the identification apparatus an identification voltage value set by the least one specific resistance and outputted from the terminal; and identifying a type of the brushless DC motor based on the identification voltage value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hideyuki Takemoto
  • Patent number: 10261130
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring ageing of permanent magnets of a synchronous machine comprising a stator and a rotor, the machine being fitted with at least one angular position sensor of the rotor, the rotor comprising the permanent magnets provided to move said rotor around the stator, the angular position sensor comprising at least two fixed magnetic induction measurement sensors extending to an axial end of the rotor, facing and immediately adjacent to the axial edges of the permanent magnets, characterized in that the method consists of: j1) determining, while stopped or during a laden or unladen rotation phase of the synchronous machine, the maximum value of the magnetic induction using the magnetic induction measurement sensors and the electronic unit; j2) comparing the measured maximum magnetic induction value with a reference value; and j3) if the maximum magnetic induction value is less than the reference value, presenting a difference determined with respect to said reference value
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: LOHR ELECTROMECANIQUE
    Inventor: Pierre Dumas
  • Patent number: 10248098
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a PLC apparatus which is capable of predicting its life expectancy depending on an ambient temperature of the PLC apparatus. The PLC apparatus includes: an input unit through which a user inputs an ambient temperature of a PLC; a memory in which a life expectancy of a part depending on the ambient temperature is stored; a diagnosing unit configured to predict the PLC life expectancy by calculating a ratio of part life expectancy corresponding to the input ambient temperature to reference life given when the PLC is made, and compare PLC used time and the PLC life expectancy to determine whether or not the PLC used time exceeds the PLC life expectancy; and a control unit configured to control the operation of the input unit, the memory and the diagnosing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: LSIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chang-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 10209310
    Abstract: A rotary machine diagnostic system includes: a current measurement unit for measuring a leakage current of a rotary machine; a voltage measurement unit for measuring a voltage of the rotary machine corresponding to the flowing leakage current; and a data processing unit. The data processing unit has a function of performing transient response analysis on a predetermined equivalent circuit model, which is equivalent to a leakage current path of the rotary machine, using current data and voltage data having a predetermined time width which are respectively measured at predetermined time intervals by the current measurement unit and the voltage measurement unit, and a function of extracting parameters of the equivalent circuit of the leakage current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuji Kato, Kohji Maki, Minori Nagata
  • Patent number: 10201923
    Abstract: A first rotation controller that rotates a rotary table by feedback control based on a rotation amount detected by a rotation amount detection unit and a second rotation controller that rotates the rotary table by the feedback control based on a distance detected by a distance detection unit are included and rotation control by the first rotation controller is switched to that by the second rotation controller at a predetermined rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime Oono
  • Patent number: 10184806
    Abstract: A rotation angle detection device includes resolvers 2a and 2b for detecting the rotation angle of a rotating body, and a signal processing circuit 10 for processing the output signals of the resolvers. The signal processing circuit 10 includes a detection signal processing section 30 for obtaining, from the output signals of the resolvers, electrical angle signals A1 and A2 corresponding to the electrical angles of the resolvers, and an abnormality detection section 50 capable of detecting an abnormality of the input signal from at least one of the resolvers. The abnormality detection section 50 performs comparison determination processing for comparing the electrical angle signal A1 and the electrical angle signal A2 obtained from the resolvers at the same time, and comparison determination processing for comparing the electrical angle signals A1 and the electrical angle signals A2 in a continuous time series at time points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiko Komatsu
  • Patent number: 10185300
    Abstract: A numerical controller for controlling a machine receives an instruction to reestablish a machine coordinate value of a movable part of the machine and stops a servo motor driving the movable part. When the servo motor is stopped, the numerical controller acquires position information of a position detector provided to the servo motor. Then, the numerical controller updates the machine coordinate value of the movable part based on the position information, and further updates the absolute coordinate value of the movable part based on the updated machine coordinate value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Haga, Satoshi Kimura
  • Patent number: 10183578
    Abstract: A method of calibrating and controlling a gauge, to which a stepper motor is applied in a cluster of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), includes: receiving information corresponding to an operation state of an electric motor from a certain controller; and controlling a gauge angle indicated by a needle of the gauge to correspond to a target gauge angle indicated by the received information. The step of controlling includes: setting a dropping flag when the target gauge angle is lower than a previous gauge angle; and calibrating the target gauge angle to drop by a reference angle when the target gauge angle corresponds to an angle value that is different from a lowest point of the gauge while setting the dropping flag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kang Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 10177693
    Abstract: A motor drive device determines whether or not a combination of logic levels of sensor signals S1 to S3 is normal, whenever the logic levels of the sensor signals S1 to S3 are changed. Each of the sensor signals S1 to S3 indicates a rotation position of a rotor. When the combination is not normal, the number of the level changes in each of the sensor signals S1 to S3 is counted. When the count value of any one of the sensor signals reaches a threshold value Cth, supply of power to a motor is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yohei Takayama
  • Patent number: 10177703
    Abstract: A leak-current detecting unit detects a zero-phase current flowing from an electric-motor driving device, which drives an electric motor with electric power from an alternating-current power supply, or the electric motor to a ground, a leak-current control unit that, on the basis of the zero-phase current detected by the leak-current detecting unit, generates a control signal having cyclicity synchronized with the alternating-current power supply, and an anti-phase generating unit that generates an anti-phase current that is in anti-phase to the zero-phase current on the basis of the control signal from the leak-current control unit, and outputs the anti-phase current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Shinomoto, Koichi Arisawa, Takashi Yamakawa, Yuji Takayama
  • Patent number: 10163325
    Abstract: A sensor housing system is used to monitor the lifetime of a motor or other device. A protected housing shields a microprocessor and several sensors. The device communicates to a user information about the health of the motor or other device using thermal, vibrational, or other measurements. The information is compared to a baseline which provides a warning threshold. Once the threshold is passed, the microprocessor can alert the user that the motor or other device is about to fail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: W.W. Grainger, Inc.
    Inventors: Brice Klein, Alessia Serafino, Yashaswini Madhavan, Jerry Shim, Norman Lee, Murtaza Haider, Lindsay Hai, Mary Pietrowicz, Xiaoyue Chen
  • Patent number: 10156462
    Abstract: A system includes a rotary device, a vector-based position sensor outputting raw sine and cosine signals indicative of an angular position of the rotary device, and a controller. The controller executes a method by receiving the raw sine and cosine signals from the sensor, generating corrected sine and cosine signals by applying an amplitude error input signal to a first integrator block using a first predetermined trigonometric relationship, and executing a control action for the rotary device via output signals using the corrected signals. The first predetermined trigonometric relationship is SC2?CC2, with SC and CC being the respective corrected sine and cosine signals. The controller may use a second predetermined trigonometric relationship, SC·CC, to apply an orthogonality error input signal to a second integrator block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: David S. Ochs, Caleb W. Secrest, Yo Chan Son
  • Patent number: 10151798
    Abstract: Accessory data collectors coupled to a switch-gear of a power system including at least one circuit breaker are provided. The data collector includes a sensor array configured to sense parameters associated with at least one accessory coupled to the at least one circuit breaker; and data storage configured to store the sensed parameters associated with the at least one accessory for a plurality of operational cycles of the at least one circuit breaker. Related methods and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Anthony Thomas Ricciuti
  • Patent number: 10135360
    Abstract: A third power supply circuit subjects a reference voltage to DC-DC conversion to generate a power supply voltage common to a second driver circuit for driving a second switching device and a fourth driver circuit for driving a fourth switching device. Wirings from a substrate on which the third power supply circuit is provided to a substrate on which the second driver circuit and the fourth driver circuit are provided are used by the third power supply circuit to supply the power supply voltage commonly to the second driver circuit and the fourth driver circuit. A first impedance device, a second impedance device, a third impedance device, and a fourth impedance device are provided in a substrate on which the second driver circuit and the fourth driver circuit are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shusaku Goto
  • Patent number: 10132850
    Abstract: A system for testing a ground fault detection system in an electric circuit establishes a ground connection between a bus and the ground via an inverter and a load by closing an inverter switch of the inverter and a grounding switch disposed between the load and the ground, determines whether the ground connection is detected, and determines a fault in the ground fault detection system responsive to the first ground connection not being detected by the ground fault detection system. Optionally, a ground fault may be identified by determining three phase voltages provided from each of plural inverters, determining symmetrical components of the three phase voltages for each of the inverters, and identifying a ground fault in one or more of the inverters while powered by the power supply based on the symmetrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey Louis Daigle, Jeffrey John Wolff, Latha Belagumba Narasegowda, Swapan Kumar Kundu
  • Patent number: 10115537
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a switch position includes a first circuit node and a second circuit node configured to connect the apparatus to an AC electric voltage. The apparatus further includes a switch connected between the first circuit node and a third circuit node, and a resistor connected between the first circuit node and the third circuit node. The apparatus also includes a microcomputer device, and a switched-mode power supply apparatus connected between the second circuit node and the third circuit node. The switched-mode power supply apparatus is configured to provide a supply voltage to the microcomputer device at the third circuit node. The microcomputer device is configured to calculate a position of the switch from an electric detection voltage dropped between the third circuit node and the second circuit node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kamil Pogorzelski, Jacek Wiszniewski, Zoltan Cer
  • Patent number: 10074267
    Abstract: An apparatus for an electric power tool in one aspect of the present invention comprises a controller, a storage device, and a communication device. The controller reads a settable item and a settable range from the storage device in accordance with a request from an external device received by the communication device, and transmits the settable item and the settable range to the external device through the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takuya Kusakawa
  • Patent number: 10063141
    Abstract: A method of adjusting an output voltage sensing error of a low voltage DC-DC converter to adjust a difference between a value obtained by sensing an output voltage of a low voltage DC-DC converter and a reference value controlling the low voltage DC-DC converter, thereby improving control accuracy is provided. The method of correcting an output voltage sensing error of a low voltage DC-DC converter includes applying a test voltage to an output of the LDC by voltage application equipment, sensing a voltage of the output of the LDC by a voltage sensing circuit and adjusting by a controller a voltage reference map included in an LDC controller that outputs a voltage reference value of the LDC, based on an error between the test voltage and a voltage sensing value sensed by the voltage sensing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Shin Hye Chun, Gi Bong Son, Hyun Wook Seong
  • Patent number: 10052082
    Abstract: A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Volcano Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Hugh Hossack, Stephen Charles Davies, Donald Mamayek, Richard Scott Huennekens, Stephen M. Fry, Eric Vaughn Mott, Peter Smith, Scott Tennant Brownlie, Jon David Klingensmith, Richard Chester Klosinski, Jr., Edward Anthony Oliver, Masood Ahmed, Gerald Lea Litzza
  • Patent number: 10027206
    Abstract: A blower motor assembly having a variable speed motor that is suitable for replacing a PSC motor in a residential HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. The blower motor assembly includes a variable speed motor and motor controller; a first power input for receiving a plurality of AC power signals from a control device for use in determining an operating parameter for the motor; and a second power input for receiving AC power from an AC power source for powering the motor controller even when no AC power signals are received by the first power input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Arthur E. Woodward
  • Patent number: 9991832
    Abstract: In some examples, a detection circuit is configured to detect a brushfire in a power system based on an electrical signal from the power system. The detection circuit is further configured to set a bit in response to detecting the brushfire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Martin Graefling, Christoph Seidl, Guenter Hofer
  • Patent number: 9989586
    Abstract: A converter circuit is provided. The converter circuit includes a capacitor module, bridge arms, a voltage measuring module and an open-circuit detection module. Each bridge arm is connected to the capacitor module in parallel and includes an upper arm and a lower bridge arm connected at a middle point. The voltage measuring module measures voltage differences between each two bridge arms. The open-circuit detection module transmits test impulse signals to the bridge arms to activate at least one upper-conducted bridge arm and at least one lower-conducted bridge arm. The open-circuit detection module retrieves the voltage differences of each pair of the upper-conducted and lower-conducted bridge arms to make comparison with a reference value to determine an operation state thereof, and makes comparison of the operation state determined according to the different groups of test impulse signals to determine whether the upper and the lower bridge arms are actually open circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liang Liu, Bo-Yu Pu, Yi Zhang, Hong-Jian Gan, Jian-Ping Ying
  • Patent number: 9977084
    Abstract: A method and system for determining core losses in a permanent magnet synchronous motor, comprising a measurement of the losses of the motor with the motor not connected to a load, and a deduction of the core losses of the motor from the losses of the motor. The motor is placed in an over-fluxing state during the measurement of the losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: SKF MAGNETIC MECHATRONICS
    Inventor: Lateb Ramdane
  • Patent number: 9973132
    Abstract: A motor control circuit includes a processor configured to calculate a plurality of motor impedances from measurements of an excitation voltage on a power bus to a motor and measurements of a plurality of currents through the motor resulting from the excitation voltage, and the processor configured to calculate individual winding inductances in the motor, based on the measured motor impedances, and configured to determine whether there is an inter-turn winding fault based on the calculated individual winding inductances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephen John Fedigan, Sandun Shivantha Kuruppu, Paul LeRoy Brohlin
  • Patent number: 9960721
    Abstract: A power failure detection unit in an AC-DC converter device detects power failure of a 3-phase AC power supply at the time of driving a motor, and generates a power failure detection signal in accordance with detection of power failure. A transmitter unit in the AC-DC converter device transmits the power failure detection signal using a cable, radio, or an optical fiber. A receiver unit in a DC-AC converter device receives the power failure detection signal transmitted from the transmitter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Koujirou Sakai
  • Patent number: 9893666
    Abstract: A method controls an angular speed of an induction motor by measuring a stator current and a stator voltage of the induction motor to determine an estimated stator current, an estimated rotor flux amplitude, and an estimated rotor speed. A first virtual control signal is based on a reference rotor speed and the estimated rotor speed. A second virtual control signal is based on the first virtual control signal and an estimated electromagnetic torque. A third virtual control signal is based on a reference rotor flux reference and the estimated rotor flux amplitude. A fourth virtual control signal is based on the third virtual control signal and an estimate of the third virtual control signal. Then, control input voltages are applied to the induction motor based on the second virtual control signal and the fourth virtual control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Yebin Wang, Jian Zhang
  • Patent number: 9887661
    Abstract: A controller that makes an electric motor efficiently operate in accordance with an ambient temperature. The controller includes a machine learning apparatus learning an operating command to the electric motor. The machine learning apparatus includes a status observing part and learning part. The status observing part observes an ambient temperature of an electric motor apparatus and a cycle time of the electric motor as status variables. The learning part learns an operating command to the electric motor in accordance with a training data set prepared based on a combination of the judgment data acquired by a judgment data acquiring part and the status variables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Matsumoto, Norihiro Chou
  • Patent number: 9862406
    Abstract: An initial check is executed individually on each group of a plurality of groups constituted by a plurality of multiphase windings (3a, 3b) of a motor (3) and a plurality of inverter circuits (9a, 9b) corresponding respectively thereto, opening/closing control is executed on a plurality of relays (6a, 6b) in accordance with an implementation result of the initial check so that respective timings at which power is supplied to the plurality of inverter circuits are offset, and drive control is executed on the plurality of inverter circuits in accordance with the implementation result of the initial check so that respective currents passed through the plurality of multiphase windings are offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Taizo Toda, Jiro Okada
  • Patent number: 9825561
    Abstract: Mechanisms are provided to control the operation of a motor. In particular, a variable frequency drive motor controller is described which resides within a motor housing. Additionally, the speed at which the motor operates is based on a signal received from a Hall Effect switch or from a communication device in communication with a remote interface. The Hall Effect switch is also described; in particular, the Hall Effect switch features a magnet rotatably connected with one side of a motor housing. A Hall Effect sensor, located on the opposite side of the motor housing, detects the position of the magnet and outputs a signal to the motor controller, located within the motor housing, indicating the detected magnet position. Additional operating features are described relating to the safe operation and control of the motor in potentially hazardous environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Shaw Dixon, LLC
    Inventor: Randy J. Dixon