Abstract: A controller is provided for generating carrier signals for a PWM generator controlling an inverter driving an electric actuator to reduce the EMI level of the inverter. The controller includes an interface configured to connect to the inverter, a memory configured to store a measured electromagnetic-interference (EMI) spectrum, a desired EMI spectrum and an EMI suppression rate program, and a processor. The processor is, in connection with the memory, configured to computing EMI suppression rates for a frequency range, wherein the EMI suppression determined adaptively by the measured EMI spectrum and the desired EMI spectrum, computing sweep duration of discrete frequency, wherein the sweep duration is determined by the EMI suppression rate of the discrete frequency, and a modulator configured to modulate the carrier signals based on the sweep durations of carrier frequencies and to transmit the modulated carrier signals to the PWM generator to generate PWM signals for the inverter.

Abstract: A control device to control a motor includes a stator including a coil, a rotor including a permanent magnet, a detector that detects a rotational position of the rotor at every predetermined angle and outputs a position signal indicating the detected rotational position, and a controller that receives the position signal output by the detector and adjusts a duty ratio of a driving signal of the rotor by a pulse width modulation scheme based on the received position signal to control rotation of the rotor. The controller raises the duty ratio from a first duty ratio, starting from a point in time at which the position signal is received, and returns the raised duty ratio to the first duty ratio when a next position signal has been received.

Abstract: A drive control device is provided with a physical amount detection unit which detects the physical amount pertaining to the output of a motor, a rotational frequency determination unit for determining whether the rotational frequency of the motor is equal to or greater than a base rotational frequency, a threshold value selection unit for selecting a threshold value for the physical amount in accordance with the determination result of the rotational frequency determination unit, and a rotational frequency control unit for controlling the rotational frequency of a rotating shaft in accordance with the magnitude relationship between the detected physical amount and the selected threshold value.

Abstract: A method of driving a stepper motor in a feed-forward voltage mode may include for a desired speed for the stepper motor setting an amplitude of a sinusoidal phase voltage of the stepper motor to be equal to a sum of an expected back-electromotive force (BEMF) amplitude estimated as a function of the desired speed, and a product of a desired phase current amplitude and an estimated absolute value of an impedance of the stepper motor.

Abstract: A discharge control device in an electric power conversion system mounted to a motor vehicle turns off a relay in order to instruct an electric power conversion circuit to supply a reactive current into a motor generator, and thereby to decrease a capacitor voltage to a diagnostic voltage. After this process, the discharge control device outputs an emergency discharging instruction signal dis in order to turn on both power switching elements at high voltage side and a low voltage side in the electric power conversion circuit. This makes a short circuit between the electrodes of the capacitor in order to discharge the capacitor, and executes a discharging control to detect whether or not an emergency discharging control is correctly executed and completed. The discharge control device detects whether or not the electric power stored in the capacitor is discharged on the basis of the voltage of a voltage sensor.

Abstract: An electronic protection system for motors is provided that includes electric current (SC1-n) sensor elements, more specifically Hall positioning sensors, and electronic circuits for electric tension reading. The signals are processed by a central processor (2) that executes a set of rules (A, B, C) and makes inferences based on the collected data in order to protect the motor (M, M?) against possible failure. Furthermore, a method to protect motors (M, M?) is provided, based on a set of rules (A, B, C) in order to characterize failures and trends of possible failures, so that the motor does not operate out of its specification for the system to deactivate it.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, wherein the adjustment drive includes a drive motor having a motor magnet that generates a magnetic exciter main field and having a motor armature that is rotatably arranged between a plurality of magnet poles of said motor magnet. The adjustment drive also includes a magneto-sensitive sensor positioned in such a way that during a rotation of the motor armature it senses a change in a magnetic flux density of the exciter main field.

Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for sensorless control of a vector controlled motor drive system that includes an electric motor used to drive an auxiliary oil pump.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and a method for improving the use of energy in an electric motor by inducing currents generated from magnets that result in an increase of primary power and creating, directing and introducing a counter current obtained from primary coils of the motor into a resonant LC circuit which is introduced as a transient secondary process to increase the overall efficiency of the motor. Furthermore, this motor produces rotational torque without using alternating magnet polarity, but rather magnetic compression that utilizes permanent magnets arranged in a dipolar manner around an axial plane.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit comprises positive and negative input terminals for connection of the motor circuit to a DC supply, a DC link filter connected between the input terminals: an electric motor having at least two phases, a plurality of motor drive sub-circuits, each connected to a respective phase of the electric motor and which each control the flow of current into or out of the respective phase of the motor that has been drawn from the supply through the DC link filter, and a switching means provided in the electrical path between the DC link filter and the electric motor drive sub-circuits, the switching means being movable between a closed position in which it connects the DC link filter to the motor drive sub-circuits, and an open position which isolates the DC link filter from the motor drive sub-circuits.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine which operates in a constant power mode.

Abstract: An electric-motor-equipped vehicle of the present invention includes an electric motor which receives a power supply from a storage apparatus and drives the vehicle, or assists a driving of the vehicle by an internal combustion engine. The electric motor includes: an inner circumference side rotor and an outer circumference side rotor which are each provided with magnet pieces, and rotation axes of which are coaxially arranged; a stator which is arranged on an outer circumferential side or an inner circumferential side of the inner circumference side rotor and the outer circumference side rotor; and a phase modification device capable of modifying a relative phase between the inner circumference side rotor and the outer circumference side rotor.

Abstract: Circuits and methods system for a DC-to-DC conversion using the inductance of a motor coil are disclosed. The invention is especially applicable for mobile electronic devices having a motor and requiring a DC-to-DC conversion. By using the coil of the motor for DC-to-DC conversion and for the purpose of a motor no space for an additional coil is required. For motor control an H-bridge arrangement is provided allowing motor movement in both directions, to brake and free run. By adding two diodes and a capacitor and modulation of a switch of the H-bridge a DC-to-DC conversion has been made possible.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine which operates in a constant power mode.

Abstract: A motor control method that includes the steps of: rotationally driving a motor that is provided with a rotor having permanent magnet pieces, and a stator; and short circuiting a plurality of phases of the motor when the rotational frequency of the motor is equal to or greater than a predetermined rotational frequency.

Abstract: This invention is a back EMF permanent electromagnetic motor generator and method using a regauging process for capturing available electromagnetic energy in the system. The device is comprised of a rotor with magnets of the same polarity; a timing wheel in apposition to a magnetic Hall Effect pickup switch semiconductor; and a stator comprised of two bars connected by a permanent magnet with magnetized pole pieces at one end of each bar. There are input and output coils created by wrapping each bar with a conducting material such as copper wire. Energy from the output coils is transferred to a recovery rectifier or diode. The magnets of the rotor, which is located on a shaft along with the timing wheel, are in apposition to the magnetized pole pieces of the two bars. The invention works through a process of regauging, that is, the flux fields created by the coils is collapsed because of a reversal of the magnetic field in the magnetized pole pieces thus allowing the capture of available back EMF energy.

Abstract: A method of predicting the performance of certain electromagnetic devices is based on the integrated average core loss (IACL) and the integrated average relative permeability (IAP) of the electromagnetic core material used in the devices. The method includes the steps of establishing the range of induced magnetic fields over which the device is designed to operate, measuring the core loss and relative permeability of the core material over the range of induced fields and calculating the IACL and IAP over the range. Performance parameters can then be predicted using equations based on the IACL and the IAP with coefficients and constants derived through linear regression analysis.

Abstract: This invention is a back EMF permanent electromagnetic motor generator and method using a regauging process for capturing available electromagnetic energy in the system. The device is comprised of a rotor with magnets of the same polarity; a timing wheel in apposition to a magnetic Hall Effect pickup switch semiconductor; and a stator comprised of two bars connected by a permanent magnet with magnetized pole pieces at one end of each bar. There are input and output coils created by wrapping each bar with a conducting material such as copper wire. Energy from the output coils is transferred to a recovery rectifier or diode. The magnets of the rotor, which is located on a shaft along with the timing wheel, are in apposition to the magnetized pole pieces of the two bars. The invention works through a process of regauging, that is, the flux fields created by the coils is collapsed because of a reversal of the magnetic field in the magnetized pole pieces thus allowing the capture of available back EMP energy.

Abstract: A motor driving control device that achieves as high as possible phase coil energization level while preventing thermal destruction of the power switching element by using precise thermal detection of a portion of the power switching element inside a switching module of the control device. An electric power loss Lt at the switching element is used for calculating a saturation temperature Tjgoal. On the basis of the saturation temperature, Tjgoal, and a time constant &tgr; of temperature rise, an instant junction temperature Tjnow is calculated. A difference Error between the instant junction temperature Tjnow and an upper temperature limit value Tjmax is calculated. In a motor locked condition, a coefficient Kt is calculated for the target torque, the target torque being equal to the required torque multiplied by Kt. Kt is based on the Error for calculating the target torque. If Error is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, K3, Kt is set to be 1, even if Kt is in excess of 1.

Abstract: In flowing a switching current through an inductive load by way of an H-bridge circuit, a control circuit and a timing signal generating circuit are used to start a current supply operation in accordance with a driving period of a predetermined frequency, thereby increasing the current flowing through the inductive load. In reducing the current, a power source regeneration operation is performed during a power source regeneration period and a commutation operation is performed during a commutation period. The power source regeneration operation and the commutation operation are well balanced with each other, thereby making it possible to perform a high-frequency driving with a switching current having less ripple. Also, since the power source regeneration operation is performed in a long time in the case where the switching current level is reduced, it becomes possible to quickly reduce the current level down to a desired level.

Abstract: A circuit and method for controlling a switched reluctance motor are provided. The circuit includes a phase coil and a switch that controls a current in the phase coil responsive to a hysteresis control signal. The circuit also includes a current sensor that measures the level of current in the phase coil and a comparator that compares the measured current level to a predetermined upper hysteresis current level. The circuit further includes a hysteresis control signal generating circuit that generates the hysteresis control signal responsive to the comparison signal and a timing signal that comprises a series of timing pulses. The hysteresis control signal assumes a first logic level whenever the measured level of current in the phase coil exceeds the predetermined upper hysteresis current level, thereby opening the switch and allowing current to dissipate from the phase coil.

Abstract: In an actuation circuit for a stepping motor, one switching element and its associated coil are connected at one connecting point, while the other switching element and its associated coil are connected at another connecting point. A pair of switching circuits and a pair of rectifying circuits are provided between two connecting points. When one of switching elements is changed from an ON condition to an OFF condition, the voltage difference between two connecting points allows the current to flow in a designated direction through the switching circuit and the rectifying circuit combined, thereby releasing the energy stored in the coils.

Abstract: A commutation circuit for a switched reluctance electric motor. Each phase coil in the motor discharges through a resistance. The resistance is progressively increased during discharge, to thereby decrease the overall time required for full discharge. This decrease in discharge time allows each phase coil to pass current for a longer time, thereby increasing torque which the motor produces.

Abstract: A noncontacting power transfer apparatus, a noncontacting signal transfer apparatus(to be referred to below as a power coupler and a signal coupler, respectively), and a separate machine apparatus that uses these couplers are disclosed. The power coupler is composed of a primary side and a secondary side that are fixed to a static unit and rotatable unit of the machine apparatus, respectively, such that its output does not vary with arbitrary rotation by the rotatable unit. The signal coupler is composed of receiving side portion having a electric-to-light conversion device that converts an electric signal to an optical signal of rotational symmetry relative to the axis of rotation of the rotatable unit and a photoelectric conversion device that converts an optical signal to an electric signal. Accordingly, the rotatable unit can be supplied with power from the static unit even while rotating, and moreover, can communicate with the static unit.

Abstract: Between one end of a motor coil and the ground, a drive transistor is connected. When the drive transistor is turned off, and in particular at the moment when a current flowing through the motor coil drops to zero, a back electromotive force is induced at said one end of the motor coil. The back electromotive force is clamped by a pnp-type transistor with its base supplied with a constant voltage and its emitter connected to said one end of the motor coil.

Abstract: This invention provides cost-effective suppressing conducted radio-noise emissions from industrial inverter-motor drives whose EMI performance is able to meet the CISPR or FCC limits on conducted emissions. The invention includes some small size L,C filtering elements built inside the inverter, e.g., two grounding capacitance connected from both side of DC link to grounding heat sink of devices, a line capacitance across a DC link, three line capacitances across phase leads in AC input side of the diode rectifier, a zero sequence inductance both in each phase input and in each phase output lead of the inverter. Optionally, an extra secondary winding of the zero sequence inductor is connected to main circuit of inverter via a L, R, C network.

Abstract: A driver circuit for an electric actuator having one or more phase windings which are selectively connected to a source of electrical energy is disclosed. Magnetic energy stored in the phase windings is transferred to a capacitor to prevent damage. The driver circuit includes a recovery circuit for transferring this energy from the capacitor back to the source of electrical energy. The recovery circuit includes an electronic recovery switch which is selectively opened and closed by a duty cycle controller logic circuit. When the recovery circuit switch is closed, electrical current flows from the capacitor to an inductor. The inductor returns this energy to the source of electrical energy. The recovery circuit further includes a power supply for the logic components of the duty cycle controller.

Abstract: Method of operating an electronically commutated motor, controlled by a board mounted electronic circuit, wherein current surges in such circuit are suppressed while dissipating heat associated with such suppression from motor structure as opposed to the control circuit. The heat associated with control circuit current surge suppression is dissipated into the bowels of the motor as opposed to being dissipated from a heat generating resistor mounted on the control circuit board as has been done heretofore. Illustrated structure includes current surge suppressing special winding turns on the motor core. Such special winding turns are connected with a known electronic control circuit so that power supplied to such circuit is transmitted through the special winding on the motor. Current surges associated with operation of the motor control circuit are then suppressed, during operation, by the special winding inside the motor.

Abstract: The counter-EMF generated by electromechanical actuators (14), (16), (18) and (20) during deceleration of the actuators is pooled to power various temperature control devices, such as Peltier-type thermoelectric modules (26) associated with the actuators themselves or a similar thermoelectric module (24) and a fan (30) used to cool an AC-to-DC power converter (10) situated at a location remote from the electromechanical actuators. An electronic commutator circuit (44) is operably coupled to windings (38), (40) and (42), of the actuators to energize the windings to operate the actuators as motors and terminate such energization of the windings to permit deceleration of the actuator whereby it operates as a generator.

Abstract: A class of electrical machines for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy and vice versa is disclosed. Each machine has an integral number of repeatable sections and is comprised of a magnetic stator, a magnetic armature, multiple open-circuit armature windings overlapping within each repeatable section, a commutator, multiple brushes bearing on the entire commutator, stator magnetic field of various configurations, and appropriate connections and couplings to electrical and mechanical energy sources and loads. Also disclosed are means for disposing of armature winding energy as a part of the armature windings commutation by dissipating the energy in various locations and dissipators or by recovering the energy for reuse.

Abstract: A class of electrical machines for converting between electrical energy and mechanical energy and vice versa is disclosed. Each machine has an integral number of repeatable sections and is comprised of a magnetic stator, a magnetic armature, multiple open-circuit armature windings overlapping within each repeatable section, a commutator, multiple brushes bearing on the entire commutator, stator magnetic field of various configurations, and appropriate connections and couplings to electrical and mechanical energy sources and loads. Also disclosed are means for disposing of armature winding energy as a part of the armature windings commutation by dissipating the energy in various locations and dissipators or by recovering the energy for reuse.