Abstract: A reverse power connection preventing circuit includes a diode and an actuation unit that are connected in series between a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal of a circuit breaker. A positive electrode of the diode points to the negative input terminal of the circuit breaker, and a negative electrode of the diode points to the positive input terminal of the circuit breaker. When a power supply is forward connected to the circuit breaker, the diode is cut off, there is no current on the actuation unit, and the reverse power connection preventing circuit is in a power-off state. When the power supply is reversely connected to the circuit breaker, the diode conducts, and the actuation unit is configured to prevent closing of the circuit breaker, and/or the actuation unit is configured to perform an alarm prompt, to perform an early warning.

Abstract: A robot includes an articulated arm; and a base unit to which the articulated arm is operably coupled. The base unit includes: a rotating portion; an actuator mounted on the rotating portion and configured to rotate the rotating portion about a first axis; an arm connector attached to a first portion of the rotating portion. The articulated arm is connected to the arm connector to swing about a second axis; and a rib straddling the actuator and connecting the arm connector to a second portion of the rotating portion. The actuator is located between the first portion and the second portion of the rotating portion.

Abstract: A thermal management system includes a heat exchanger defining a confined volume for thermal transfer between a first flow within a first passage and a second flow within a second passage. A first conduit outside the confined volume communicates the first flow to the first passage of the heat exchanger. A thermal transfer augmenter is attached to the first conduit.

Abstract: A temperature sensing device includes a sensor module operable to measure the temperature of a piece of equipment, a component of a piece of equipment, an area, or other desired location or apparatus. A thermostatic switch is connected between a battery and the sensor module so that electrical current is provided from the battery to the sensor module only when the thermostatic switch is closed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide pumps with features to reduce form factor and increase reliability and serviceability. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide features for gentle fluid handling characteristics. Embodiments of the present invention can include a pump having onboard electronics and features to prevent heat from the onboard electronics from degrading process fluid or otherwise negatively impacting pump performance. Embodiments may also include features for reducing the likelihood that fluid will enter an electronics housing.

Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a motor unit to drive a wheel. The electric vehicle also includes a control system that controls the motor unit. The control system includes an inverter. The electric vehicle also includes a temperature sensor to sense temperature Tmc of the motor coils of the motor unit or a temperature sensor to sense temperature Tic of the inverter. The electric vehicle also includes a limiter to, if the temperature Tmc sensed by the sensor exceeds a motor coils temperature threshold, reduce a motor current of the unit until a derivative dTmc/dt of the sensed temperature Tmc with time t drops to zero or below, or to, if the temperature Tic sensed by the sensor exceeds an inverter temperature threshold, limit a current command to the inverter until a derivative dTic/dt of the sensed temperature Tic with time t drops to zero or below.

Abstract: A temperature protection device basically includes a temperature detector, a temperature estimator, an overheated determining component and an overheating protection component. The temperature detector detects a temperature of a semiconductor component. The temperature estimator estimates an estimated temperature of the semiconductor component. The overheated determining component determines whether the semiconductor component is in an overheated state based on the detected temperature and the estimated temperature by using a first estimated temperature as the estimated temperature at a time point when the detected temperature has reached a first threshold temperature and a second estimated temperature that is estimated subsequent to the time point as the estimated temperature when the detected temperature has reached the first threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method for determining a temperature of an electric motor including stator windings includes injecting an AC current into a D-axis current of a stator winding at a frequency that is synchronized with a control frequency of the electric motor, determining a DC-phase current, determining a resistance of the stator winding corresponding to the DC-phase current and an applied voltage, and determining a temperature of the electric motor as a function of the resistance of the stator winding.

Abstract: An electric compressor controller includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant of an air conditioning system; a motor that drives the compressor; an inverter that selectively control switching elements based on PWM pulse signals to supply drive power to the motor and heats the refrigerant by heat generated due to switching of the switching elements during a heating operation; temperature detectors each detects junction temperature of each of the switching elements; a drive controller that supplies the pulse signals to the inverter to control the inverter; and a slope varying unit that variably controls precipitous degree of rising/falling slope waveforms of the pulse signals based on the junction temperature detected by the temperature detectors. According to the electric compressor controller, efficiency for heating refrigerant is improved, so that its own heating ability is improved.

Abstract: A drive and control circuit for motor system and the method thereof are disclosed. The motor system could be applied in a cooling device, wherein the motor system comprises a rotor, a coil and a bridge circuit. The drive and control circuit comprises a control unit, a state detecting circuit, a load determining circuit, and a startup setting circuit. The startup setting circuit makes the motor run with the maximum torque, thus to make the motor system start up easily and quickly. The load determining circuit detects the load of the motor system, thus to generate a load determining signal to determine the speed of the motor system. The control unit could be realized with few components so as to save the costs.

Abstract: A rotation direction control method of a cooling fan is disclosed. The rotation direction control method includes a detection step, a determination step and a driving step. The detection step receives a temperature control signal from a temperature detection unit by a rotation direction control unit when a predetermined dust-expelling time period begins. The determination step determines whether a detected temperature is higher than a predetermined value based on the temperature control signal by the rotation direction control unit. The driving step controls the rotation direction control unit to keep outputting a cooling signal so as to drive a motor of the cooling fan for a cooling operation when the determination of the determination step is positive.

Abstract: A temperature monitoring system consists of a multielement thermopile, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), first and second microcontrollers (MCUs), a first stepping motor, a second stepping motor, a plurality of microswitches and a monitoring apparatus. The multielement thermopile is connected to the ADC linked with the first MCU, and the first MCU is further connected to the first stepping motor with microswitches for vertical motion control, and the second stepping motor with microswitches for horizontal motion control. At the same time the first MCU can be connected to the second MCU and the second MCU is linked with the monitoring apparatus. A hot spot occurring in electrical heating equipment or a smoldering source hidden in upholstery can be identified and proper measures can be performed, in case of extremely high temperature, so as further to prevent a fire.

Abstract: There are provided a laundry treatment machine and a method of controlling the same. A temperature around a motor is sensed and the range of current input to the motor in accordance with the sensed temperature is limited in stages. Therefore, the surrounding of the motor can be prevented from being overheated. In addition, since the range of the current input to the motor is limited in stages, when the current applied to the motor is limited, abnormal noise is not generated and the torque of the motor can be maximized.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system (60) comprising: a pumping mechanism (64); a motor (51) for driving the pumping mechanism; a drive control (50) for controlling the motor; and means (52) for monitoring at least one state within the system; wherein, to improve the performance of the system, the drive control causes the system to operate for transient periods in an overload condition which can result in said monitored state exceeding a predetermined operational limit, and when operating in said overload condition said drive control controls the power to the motor dependent on the level of said monitored state thereby avoiding said state from exceeding said operational limit.

Abstract: A method and a circuit for detecting an overheating of an electronic switch of power supply of a load by an A.C. voltage, in which a voltage representative of the temperature in the vicinity of the switch is compared with a threshold, the result of this comparison being sampled at frequency corresponding to an even multiple of the frequency of the A.C. power supply voltage, to provide a signal indicative of the fact that a temperature threshold has been exceeded.

Abstract: A method and system for limiting the operating temperature of an electric motor is provided. A maximum operational temperature of the motor is determined. A current operational temperature within the motor is sensed. A maximum allowable power dissipation of the motor is calculated based at least in part on the maximum operational temperature and the current operational temperature of the motor. A torque command for the motor is generated based on the maximum allowable power dissipation.

Abstract: In a fan motor drive circuit which drives a motor based on a pulse-modulated external control signal, a temperature control signal generator generates a pulse-modulated temperature control signal whose duty ratio changes depending on temperature. A signal synthesizer synthesizes the external control signal and the temperature control signal by a logical operation. A drive controller drives the motor based on output of the signal synthesizer.

Abstract: A laminated core testing device for testing laminated cores in a generator is provided. The laminated core testing device includes an exciting winding situated parallel to a rotation axis of the generator and connected to a secondary alternating current generator, and further includes an infrared image acquisition device for acquiring infrared recordings. The secondary alternating current generator has a controllable frequency converter, and the secondary alternating current generator, at a frequency ranging from 400 Hz to 600 Hz, provides, in a single-phase manner, an output of 200 kW with a controllable output voltage ranging from 0 V to 3.0 kV.

Abstract: The present invention includes temperature transition estimating means 24, 25 for estimating a temperature transition of an electric motor 1 caused by the passage of electric current through the electric motor 1, an electric pump 8 as coolant supplying means for supplying a coolant to the electric motor, and coolant supply control means 26 to 28 for controlling the pump 8 according to the temperature transition of the electric motor 1 and the coolant temperature. The amount of operation of the electric pump 8 is determined from the temperature transition and the coolant temperature. This structure makes it possible to prevent overheating of the electric motor properly using the coolant while minimizing the energy consumption involved in using the coolant.

Abstract: A self-calibrating, continuous variable speed fan for use in cooling electronic circuitry is disclosed. Upon initial power-up, in an environment of known temperature, the self-calibrating fan accommodates for the tolerances of its electronic components by reading a voltage from its thermistor array and comparing the actual value to an expected value for the given temperature. The difference is then stored in the non-volatile memory of a microcontroller for use in adjusting future voltage readings from the thermistor array. During normal operation, adjusted readings from the thermistor array are then converted by the microcontroller into a control signal for driving the motor of a cooling fan. A quickly cycling stochastic process between adjustments to fan motor speed and temperature readings is then established, thereby maintaining a high degree of control over the device to be cooled.

Abstract: An electric motor system includes an electric motor, a temperature sensor mounted therein capable of measuring a local temperature and generating a temperature related signal, and a processor configured to calculate an actual temperature of a rotor magnet from the temperature related signal, and an actual output torque from the actual rotor magnet temperature. A method for determining the actual output torque of a motor includes sensing a temperature within the motor, calculating a rotor magnet temperature from the sensed temperature, and calculating the actual output mechanical torciue from the rotor magnet temperature.

Abstract: An object is to provide an inverter device capable of realizing exact protection of the winding of a motor. An inverter device for generating a pseudo alternating current by switching a direct current to drive a motor, comprises a controller that executes vector control on the basis of a secondary current applied to the motor. The controller calculates a current density from the secondary current to execute a predetermined protection operation on the basis of the calculated current density. The controller imposes a restriction on the operation frequency of the motor on the basis of the current density.

Abstract: A fan motor speed control circuit includes a driving circuit, a voltage division circuit, and a speed modulator. The voltage division circuit has a first transistor and a plurality of resistors and is connected between a voltage source and the driving circuit. The speed modulator has a second transistor and a plurality of parallel resistors and is connected between the voltage division circuit and the driving circuit. The current of the fan motor speed control circuit flows through a first path under a first input voltage generated from the voltage source and through a second path under a second input voltage larger than the first one; the parallel resistors are in the second path such that the current value passing through the driving circuit varies according to the resulting resistance value of the parallel resistors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is herein disclosed for determining the motor performance of an electric motor through monitoring the temperature of rotor magnets. The temperature is determined by initially heating the rotor magnets to two known temperatures and subsequently recording the temperature at each known temperature. From the known and recorded temperatures, an offset, if any, is calculated. An actual temperature is then determined from the subsequent temperatures of the magnets and the offset. The actual temperature is then used as a basis to determine the motor performance.

Abstract: A robot has a robot structure, preferably a plurality of interconnected arms. The robot also has drives for driving the arms, and a plurality of electronic drive units for operating and controlling the drives. The electronic drive units generate heat when in operation and are distributed on the robot structure at spaced locations from each other. A thermal insulation is arranged between the robot structure and the drive electronics. A cooling device is arranged on the drive electronics and is spaced from the robot structure.

Abstract: A heater, humidifier or fan has a control circuit including a microcontroller having an algorithm for controlling power to the appliance. The power to the appliance is varied in accordance with a target temperature/humidity signal and an actual temperature/humidity signal. Preferably, a sensor electrically connected to a clock oscillator input of the microcontroller is used to vary the clock oscillator frequency in response to changes in ambient temperature/humidity. The frequency of the clock oscillator varies in response to changes in temperature/humidity and the microcontroller in response to the frequency of the clock oscillator variably controls the power to the appliance.

Abstract: Temperature comparison circuits which utilize two thermistors which are initially set up in a balanced bridge using NPN transistors and resistors. As temperature differences between the thermistors cause the bridge to become unbalanced, there is a current flow in which the voltage varies in magnitude and direction. The circuits are attached to electrical equipment which is sensitive to changes in magnitude and direction of voltage. The circuits find uses in controlling refrigeration systems, controlling heating and cooling systems, and performing diagnostic tests on mammals or devices which contain temperature differences between two separate points. The circuits may be used in cooperation with an expansion valve which is located in the tubing of a refrigeration system. The tubing is non-magnetic. There is a fixed magnetizable plate having a central orifice.

Abstract: A system for controlling electric motors in binary and hybrid applications, particularly motors which are used to control windows which can be moved downwards from one extreme position to another extreme position by a single touch of the switch, and between other positions by depressing the switch so long as movement is desired. In this system, a control element is placed in series with the electric motor. The control element has an interrupt component and a sense component which are coupled in series, and the series combination is coupled in parallel with a control component. When the electric motor reaches one of its extreme positions, the sense component senses an increase in the current drawn by the motor. The sense component then signals the control component to cause the interrupt component to interrupt the current and stop the motor.

Abstract: A motor drive control method and an apparatus therefor in a motor used in an adjusting device for adjusting a physical amount such as a temperature of a heat-generating member, wherein a load on a bearing of the motor caused by frequently repeating drive/stop of the motor can be reduced; thereby, prolonging the service life of the motor. The temperature of the heat-generating member is detected by a temperature detection sensor. A comparison calculating unit calculates a temperature change rate K.sub.n or the like in order to recognize the temperature of the heat-generating member and a change state (such as, a temperature change rate), and selects a rotating speed change characteristic appropriate for the change state at such time. An indication signal for changing the rotating speed of the motor on the basis of the selected characteristic is outputted to a motor control driver in order to perform drive control for the motor.

Abstract: A tilt servo controlling apparatus is provided with: an optical pickup for emitting a light beam onto an optical record medium and detecting a reflection light from the optical record medium to thereby output a detection signal; a level detecting device for detecting a level of the detection signal outputted by the optical pickup; a tilt error correcting device for correcting a tilt error due to an aberration, which is generated by a tilt angle between (i) a normal line of a surface of the optical record medium at a position irradiated with the light beam and (ii) an optical axis of the light beam; and a tilt error correction controlling device for outputting a control signal to control a correction amount of the tilt error correcting device, by giving a variation to the control signal on a time base and adjusting the control signal so that the level detected by the level detecting device be optimized with respect to the variation of the control signal.

Abstract: A motor speed control circuit includes a temperature sensor providing a first voltage output which is proportional to the temperature and a control voltage generator having an internal voltage reference receiving the first output as an input. The control voltage generator develops a control voltage representative of a desired motor speed profile which varies substantially linearly between a first predetermined temperature and a second predetermined temperature and supplies the control voltage to a motor drive circuit with a motor drive voltage at its output. The control voltage is fed back to the temperature sensor to achieve a controlled, fast rising slope. A second feedback circuit results in a reduced slope of the voltage between the second predetermined temperature and a third predetermined temperature at which an alarm signal is generated. The circuit also is able to detect a stopped motor and provide an alarm.

Abstract: A disk drive has a microprocessor, a digital controller chip, and an analog power chip, and a multi-winding spindle motor. The power chip operates under gross and fine control to connect and disconnect, during ON and OFF phases, a supply voltage to each winding on a PWM basis. The magnitude of the supply voltage and the temperature of the power chip vary. The microprocessor sends a digital control signal to the controller chip for gross control. The controller chip sends a PWM signal to the power chip for fine control. The power chip has pins for receiving the supply voltage, for sending a modulated signal to the controller chip; and for receiving the PWM signal from the controller chip.

Abstract: Apparatus which automates the collection of motor temperature, flux and shaft current data for proactive motor maintenance. Motor speed is determined by an analysis of the flux frequency spectrum, and motor load is determined based on speed, from which a normalized thermal parameter is then determined. From a spectrum analysis of magnetic flux signals a set of peaks each characterized by a frequency and an amplitude is found, and a subset of peaks is identified in accordance with predetermined identity criteria for purposes of comparison. Temperature, magnetic flux and shaft current data are trended to provide early indications of degradation, as well as for recognizing faults.

Abstract: An Electric Vehicle Monitoring System (EVMS) for measuring the performance f an electric vehicle. The preferred embodiment of the system comprises: (1) a variety of sensors for obtaining data on vehicle performance and operating parameters; (2) a digital dashboard display providing the vehicle operator with information on vehicle operating parameters; (3) a data acquisition system for collecting the data from the sensors and converting the data to digital format; and (4) a processing unit in the form of a removable, portable or notebook computer used for storing, evaluating and providing reports of the digital format data. The EVMS is adapted for use in a vehicle specifically designed for electric propulsion or for use in an internal combustion engine vehicle converted to electrical power use. The sensors include voltmeters, ammeters, thermocouples, optical shaft encoders and an inclinometer and provide data to both the operator display and the data acquisition system.

Abstract: An apparatus for driving and controlling a motor which moves a movable portion of a vehicle by driving force of the motor. The apparatus includes a drive stopping circuit for comparing a value of current detected by a current detection circuit, which detects drive current of the motor when the movable portion is being moved, with a predetermined comparison current value, and for stopping driving of the motor at a time when a detected current value exceeds the comparison current value. The apparatus also includes a comparison current varying circuit for varying the comparison current value based on a temperature of an environment of the movable portion. Since it is possible to carry out temperature compensation based on ordinary drive current and lock current of the motor, the comparison current value can be set within a wide range.

Abstract: An actuator employing a unidirectional electric motor driving a first rotating member connected to a second rotating member through a pivotable link of which a first end is connected to the first rotating member at a smaller distance from its axis of rotation than the distance between the point at which the second end is connected to the second rotating member and its axis of rotation. An enegerization circuit includes first and second limit switches through which the motor is alternately energized to rotate the second men%her in opposite directions to first and second limiting positions respectively.

Abstract: An automatic control system for regulating the temperature of blower air discharged over a heater core to a vehicle passenger compartment. A thermistor is disposed to sense discharge air adjacent the heater core and provide a temperature signal. An electrical indication is provided of the condition of a servomotor driven valve controlling water flow to the heater core. An electrical reference signal is provided indicative of a user selected relative change of flow discharge air temperature. A signal is provided indicating inlet pressure to the valve controlling flow of liquid to the heater core. The signals are summed; and, the valve servo driven until the sum is zero modulating the valve to maintain the sum at zero for regulating blower air discharge temperature at a constant level.

Abstract: A temperature control system for a passenger van having individual temperature selection controls for passengers in the forward and rear sections of the passenger compartment. Separate exothermic heat exchangers for circulation of engine coolant therethrough are provided for the forward and rear passengers. Each heat exchanger is supplied by a coolant control valve and individual blowers provide a stream of forced air over the heat exchangers. A thermistor senses the temperature of the air discharge over each heat exchanger and a controller sums the sensed temperature signal with a user selected relative temperature reference signal provided independently by the forward and/or rear passenger selector inputs and a valve position signal; and, the controller generates a control signal proportional to the summation.

Abstract: An air-conditioning equipment for a vehicle includes first and second local shutter control units each having a motor for moving a shutter, a drive circuit for driving the motor, a controlling device responsive to a heat load signal to control the drive circuit to thereby control the shutter in accordance with the heat load signal, and a blower control unit responsive to changes in opening of the shutter to control the rate of an air flow. Since separate shutter control units are provided, each shutter can be controlled independently, thus preventing all the air-conditioning functions from halting simutaneously otherwise occurred in conventional air-conditioning equipment having a central control unit or microcomputer.

Abstract: A motor actuator, responsive to conditions such as temperature, and to the position of a mechanism which the motor moves during operation, such as a damper which separates a refrigerating chamber from a cold storage area. The motor actuator is a capable of controlling the operation of more than one mechanism from a single motor, and can operate one or more mechanisms simultaneously (with or without a predetermined delay,) or with a relative predetermined delay.

Abstract: A transistor fault indicator circuit monitors the conduction state of a transistor and compares that state to a commanded state. Differences in states are treated as faults and actuate an alarm or shut down the system including the transistor. In systems in which the transistor may be operated in a continuous conduction mode for long time periods, a control circuit is provided to periodically short circuit the base-emitter bias of the transistor to force a momentary period of nonconduction during which time the proper operation of the transistor can be verified.

Abstract: To control the operation of a machine tool, which has a tool bit cutting a workpiece, the temperature of a measurement spot or area, such as on the cut surface of the workpiece, is checked by an optical element which collects infra-red radiation and focuses it on a thermal sensor. The temperature read by the thermal sensor is registered in an evaluating device which generates a signal when a predetermined temperature condition is reached for discontinuing operation of the machine tool.

Abstract: A system for automatic control of water temperature by means of a plurality of pushbuttons or their equivalent bearing indicia identifying a range of available temperatures which, when actuated through appropriate circuitry, control the water valve setting as to the proportion of hot water to cold water and vice versa and as to the volume of water.

Abstract: A thermally controlled servo system in which a member supporting the drive for a device to be accurately positioned is moved relative to a stationary support member in response to changes in temperature of an elongated, tensioned member. Changes in temperature of the tensioned member are achieved by regulating the current flow through the tensioned member in accordance with a control signal derived from an error signal generated by the device to be positioned.

Abstract: A servo-system includes a high-gain direct-coupled direct current (dc) differential amplifier to which a dc input signal is fed. An adder adds the dc amplifier output to a comparison voltage, and the adder output is applied through a filter circuit to a second input of the differential dc amplifier. A servo-amplifier drives a servo-motor in accordance with the dc amplifier output. Means are provided for zero-balancing the dc amplifier output while varying the comparison voltage by the servo-motor.

Abstract: A servo-system is provided for self-balancing systems using an ac servomotor capable of maintaining loop gain substantially constant irrespective of span adjustment and without capacitor coupling. It includes a direct-coupling dc amplifier for comparing input and comparison signals and amplifying the result, a servo amplifier having a differential direct-coupling amplifier with inverting and non-inverting input terminals, with feedback from its output to the inverting input terminal and a switch to the non-inverting input terminal operating at the same frequency as the ac power source for the servomotor, to maintain the loop gain constant irrespective of span adjustment, and means causing the ac servomotor to move a slide resistor to bring the compared signal into balance with the input signal.Provision is also made for receiving input signals from thermoelectric or resistance thermometers and balancing the system using these signals.

Abstract: A proportional motor control circuit for supplying bidirectional drive to a motor as a function of variations of a sensed parameter includes a temperature sensing amplifier which is responsive to an error signal indicative of deviations of the parameter from a set point to provide an output signal representing the direction and amount of the deviation, and a pair of operational amplifiers, each of which serves as a load for the other amplifier, which are responsive to the signal output of the temperature sensing amplifier to determine the polarity of the energizing potential applied to a D.C. motor over motor drive circuits. The motor control circuit is described with reference to an application in an environmental control system to effect positioning of dampers located in air ducts for supplying heated or cooled air to an area in response to changes in the air temperature in the area.

Abstract: An electronic thermostat for controlling the operation of a temperature changing device such as a heater or a cooling device to maintain the temperature of an object at a desired level. The thermostat comprises a device in heat exchanging relationship with the object for generating a temperature signal representative of the temperature of the object. A reference signal generator is operable to generate a reference signal representative of the desired temperature level. A comparator compares the reference and temperature signals and produces an operate signal to operate the temperature changing device when the reference and temperature signals are unequal.