Abstract: An electric drive system includes a battery pack, a power inverter module (“PIM”), an electric machine, a switching circuit, and a controller. The electric machine has three or more phase legs. The PIM has a DC-side connected to the battery pack, and an alternating current (“AC”)-side connected to the electric machine. The switching circuit includes AC switches, and for each phase leg also includes three or more winding sections each electrically connectable to or disconnectable from the battery pack and PIM via the AC switches. The controller commands a binary switching state of each respective AC switch based on the rotary speed to implement one of three different speed-based operating modes of the electric machine, and to thereby vary a conductive path from the PIM to the electric machine through one or more of the connected winding sections.

Abstract: An electric drive system includes a battery pack, a power inverter module (“PIM”), an electric machine, a switching circuit, and a controller. The electric machine has three or more phase legs. The PIM has a DC-side connected to the battery pack, and an alternating current (“AC”)-side connected to the electric machine. The switching circuit includes AC switches. For each phase leg the circuit also includes three or more winding sections each electrically connectable to or disconnectable from the PIM via the AC switches. The controller commands a binary switching state of each respective AC switch based on the rotary speed to implement one of four different speed-based operating modes of the electric machine, and to thereby vary a conductive path from the PIM to the electric machine through one or more of the connected winding sections.

Abstract: A control device of an electric power supply apparatus controls a voltage applied to an inverter to fall within a voltage range between a first voltage that is the voltage of one of a first electric power supply and a second electric power supply and a second voltage that is the sum of the voltage of the first electric power supply and the voltage of the second electric power supply, by alternately switching between a series state in which a current loop that connects the first electric power supply, the second electric power supply, and a reactor in series with the inverter is formed, and a parallel state in which the first electric power supply and the second electric power supply are connected in parallel with the inverter as an electric load.

Abstract: A calculation function, which optimizes a dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings between winding-configurations, is dynamically configured. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting the electric motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings in an electric motor in an electric vehicle is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting the electric motor in the electric vehicle is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting a brushless DC motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting a tape storage drive is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting an electric motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity.

Abstract: An inverter device includes a power supply unit and a switch controller. The power supply unit supplies AC power to an AC motor whose electric characteristics in response to a rotation speed are switchable between low speed characteristics and high speed characteristics. The switch controller switches the electric characteristics of the AC motor. The switch controller executes switching control that alternately switches the electric characteristics of the AC motor between the low speed characteristics and the high speed characteristics on the basis of the rotation speed of the AC motor.

Abstract: A winding switching circuit and thermal protection for dual voltage hermetic induction motors used in hermetic cooling compressors. The circuit includes two coils of the main winding, an auxiliary winding, three switches that are connected based on desired connections for each of the power arrangements, a start-up relay and thermal protection devices that protect the two main windings from overheating. The circuit is operative in first and second arrangements. In the first arrangement, the first switch and the third switch are connected, the second switch is disconnected, and the first main winding, and second main winding and the auxiliary winding are connected in parallel. In the second arrangement, the first switch and the third switch are disconnected, the second switch is connected, and the first main winding and the second main winding are connected in series and the auxiliary winding is connected in parallel only to the second main winding.

Abstract: If a running range is selected, a current conduction mode of a motor is set to a low speed mode in which a current is conducted through a first and second windings, when a rotation speed of the motor is less than a threshold value, and is set to a high speed mode in which a current is conducted through only the first winding, when the rotation speed is equal to or greater than the threshold value. If a neutral range is selected, control of the inverter is stopped, and, a regeneration suppression control is executed to switch the current conduction mode to the high speed mode, not only in a higher-side speed range where the rotation speed is equal to or greater than the threshold value, but also in at least a part of a lower-side speed range where the rotation speed is less than the threshold value.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical machine and to a method for the operation thereof, particularly as a drive motor for an electrical tool or as starter generator for a motor vehicle. The electrical machine includes a rotor excited by a permanent magnet and a stator carrying a multi-phase winding, and operates in a voltage-controlled, lower rotational speed range via a transformer on a DC voltage source. The electrical machine can also be operated in a higher rotational speed range by field weakening, and the structure of the machine can be changed by reducing the flux linkage between the rotor and the stator in order to weaken the field. Preferably, the change to the structure of the machine is carried out by turning off winding parts or by switching them between series and parallel connections.

Abstract: The present invention includes techniques for configuring an electric drive module designed for various multi-axis drive system configurations. Embodiments include techniques for integrating a three phase dual converter with a diode bridge and drive controller within a single drive module. Further integrating the diode bridge directly within the drive module may result in an integrated, modular building block for multiple electric drive system configurations. In some embodiments, multiple electric drive modules are connected by a DC bus to form a system configured for higher energy efficiency.

Abstract: A direct drive drawworks (100) has a permanent magnet motor (40) with a first set of windings (250) and a second set of windings (252), a shaft (41) extending from the permanent magnet motor (40) such that the permanent magnet motor directly rotates the shaft (41), a drum (43) connected to the shaft (41) away from the permanent magnet motor (40) such that the rotation of the shaft (41) causes a corresponding rotation of the drum (43), and a switch cooperative with the first set of windings and the second set of windings so as to cause the sets of windings to be selectively connected in parallel or in series.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical drive having a motor with a rotor and a stationary stator, which has a coil arrangement, and having a motor controller for controlling the motor, with the motor controller being configured to pass current through the coil arrangement in order to produce an excitation field, with the coil arrangement having a plurality of coil winding sections, and with each coil winding section having a plurality of coil sections, wherein the polarity of at least one coil section of the plurality of coil sections of each coil winding section can be selectively reversed with respect to the other coil sections of the coil winding section. The drive is particularly suitable for use for an electrical tool.

Abstract: For a motor used as a generator, employing a dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings upon the generator, used in a turbine, exceeding a maximum usable constraint of a first direct current (DC)-to-alternating current (AC) inverter in order to reduce a voltage constant of the motor thereby limiting one of a produced voltage and a produced power.

Abstract: An integrated motor drive and battery recharge apparatus includes a battery, an electric motor having N separate motor windings each having a first and a second leg, a contactor having a plurality M of poles, each pole having a first side and a second side, the inverter having 2N switching poles and a capacitor each coupled in parallel with the battery, and PWM control circuitry configured to control the state of each switching pole. Each leg of each motor winding is coupled to a phase node of a corresponding inverter switching pole, at least two of the motor winding legs (or taps thereof) are coupled to the corresponding first sides of the contactor poles, a power source/sink is coupled to the corresponding second sides of the contactor poles, and in one aspect a capacitor is coupled between each pair of contactor poles.

Abstract: An electric machine including a housing and a stator arranged within the housing. The stator includes a plurality of stator windings that define a number of phases. A switch module is mounted at the housing. The switch module includes a plurality of switch members that are operatively connected to the plurality of stator windings. The plurality of switch members are configured and disposed to selectively establish one of a first electrical connection configuration and a second electrical connection configuration of the plurality of stator windings.

Abstract: Dynamic reconfiguration-switching of motor windings is optimized between winding-configurations. Acceleration is traded off in favor of higher velocity upon detecting an electric motor is at an optimal angular-velocity for switching to an optimal lower torque constant and voltage constant. The total back electromotive force (BEMF) is prohibited from inhibiting further acceleration to a higher angular-velocity.

Abstract: The machine in accordance with the present disclosure is an AC machine whose pole numbers can be switched (from pole p1 to pole p2), and whose number of series turns per phase N can be switched say from N0=Nrated to N1=N0/2. Furthermore, it employs an inverter so that the frequency can be changed from a low value (e.g., 5 Hz) to a high value (e.g., 200 Hz). Due to the combination of pole number and number of series turns switching/reconfiguration, a high torque at low speed (e.g., 0 rpm) and a high torque at high speed (e.g., 5,000 rpm) can be achieved, making mechanical gears obsolete. In addition, the output power of the motor can be increased at high speed in direct proportion to the speed increase.

Abstract: An electric motor for propelling a vehicle includes a stator; a rotor that rotates with respect to the stator; a magnet located on the stator or the rotor; a first winding segment and a second winding segment located on the other of the stator or the rotor; and a controller. The controller is adapted to operate the first winding segment and the second winding segment in series or in parallel as a function of at least the motor current. Methods of controlling an electric motor for propelling a vehicle, and a vehicle incorporating the electric motor, are also described.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for controlling an ac machine comprises controlling a full bridge network of commutation switches which are connected between a multiphase voltage source and the phase windings to switch the phase windings between a parallel connection and a series connection while providing commutation discharge paths for electrical current resulting from inductance in the phase windings. This provides extra torque for starting a vehicle from lower battery current.

Abstract: An electric machine including a housing and a stator arranged within the housing. The stator includes a plurality of stator windings that define a number of phases. A switch module is mounted at the housing. The switch module includes a plurality of switch members that are operatively connected to the plurality of stator windings. The plurality of switch members are configured and disposed to selectively establish one of a first electrical connection configuration and a second electrical connection configuration of the plurality of stator windings.

Abstract: An adaptive winding configurations and control method is disclosed for the electromagnetic poles of electric machines, including motors and generators. Motors utilizing the inventive adaptive winding configuration and control method are able to dynamically adjust their operating characteristics to maintain a constant rated power over a large operating speed range with high efficiency. Generators employing the inventive adaptive winding configuration and control method are able to dynamically adjust their operating characteristics in response to a variable driving force to achieve maximum power conversion efficiency. These generators are also able to dynamically change their output voltage and current (thus charging speed) when charging batteries depending on the charged state of the battery, and on the expected duration of the input power.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for controlling an ac machine comprises controlling a full bridge network of commutation switches which are connected between a multiphase voltage source and the phase windings to switch the phase windings between a parallel connection and a series connection while providing commutation discharge paths for electrical current resulting from inductance in the phase windings. This provides extra torque for starting a vehicle from lower battery current.

Abstract: A circuit configuration includes an output stage having at least one inductive load and a switching transistor configuration for switching the at least one inductive load. A supply voltage has a first supply potential and a second supply potential for feeding the supply voltage to the output stage. A registering device registers a particular instance when a potential at a specific circuit node of the output stage is outside a potential range defined by the first and second supply potentials.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical machine and to a method for the operation thereof, particularly as a drive motor for an electrical tool or as starter generator for a motor vehicle. The electrical machine includes a rotor excited by a permanent magnet and a stator carrying a multi-phase winding, and operates in a voltage-controlled, lower rotational speed range via a transformer on a DC voltage source. The electrical machine can also be operated in a higher rotational speed range by field weakening, and the structure of the machine can be changed by reducing the flux linkage between the rotor and the stator in order to weaken the field. Preferably, the change to the structure of the machine is carried out by turning off winding parts or by switching them between series and parallel connections.

Abstract: A motor is disclosed that operates on either AC outlet power or DC battery power with decreased power drop when switching between AC and DC power. The AC power to the motor may be stepped down by using a clipper circuit, while the DC power supplied to the motor may be increased by switching motor field windings from a series wound circuit to a parallel wound circuit. The motor may be used in a vacuum motor embodiment, or in other consumer devices that utilize electric motors.

Abstract: A motor comprises an armature, first and second commutators disposed at either side of the armature, first and second amateur coils wound on the armature through commutator pieces in a double winding back alpha type, and first and second stator coil groups respectively connected through brushes to first and second commutators. A first circuit formed of the first stator coil group, the first commutator, and the first armature coil is connected to a second circuit formed of the second armature coil, the second commutator, and the second stator coil group, in series or in parallel corresponding to a high voltage or a low voltage applied to the motor, thereby the motor shows the same output power without relation to the voltage applied thereto.

Abstract: A method for starting and operating an electric motor such as the spindle motor of a disk drive assembly employs a segmented stator winding. On startup, the winding segments are connected in series in order to maximize torque. Motor speed is detected, and when a predetermined speed is reached, the segments are connected in parallel to reduce the effective number of winding turns and maintain a control voltage for motor speed control. Switching of the winding segments can be by active elements such as FETs or by passive reactive elements responding directly to motor speed. For more gradual motor torque constant control, the winding may have more than two segments.

Abstract: A method of controlling and a controller for controlling at least one series motor is provided. Rectifier means is connected in series with the motor so that current through a field winding of the motor is always in the same direction irrespective of the polarity of the input voltage while the current direction through an armature of the motor reverses in accordance with the polarity of the input voltage. An energizing current is applied to the field winding by a bias power supply to ensure that the field winding always produces some flux during operation of the motor.

Abstract: A speed control device for use in a battery-powered vehicle wherein a shunt field current in a compound electric motor for driving the vehicle having a reactor connected in series therewith can be selectively controlled by using a variable resistor included in the circuitry and operatively interconnected to an accelerator pedal so that the resistance to the shunt field current may be changed accordingly to the extent of stepping-down on the pedal by the operator. The speed control device also features that a part of the vehicle's body structure of a ferro-magnetic material is used in combination as a core of the reactor so as to form a complete magnetic circuit for the reactor.

Abstract: A d.c. motor control system includes a pair of armature windings mounted on a single rotor or on a pair of mechanically coupled rotors, and a field winding or windings. The system includes switch means operable to effect a change in the electrical connections of the armature windings to a pair of electrical supply terminals and means for effecting variations of the current flowing in the field winding or windings.