Having Electronic Power Conversion Circuit Patents (Class 318/722)
  • Patent number: 8729838
    Abstract: A controller for an electric actuator includes a reference model that generates position and speed reference signals in response to a position command signal and employs a feed forward model that accounts for dynamic loading of the electric actuator. The feed forward model receives the position and speed reference signals provided by the reference model, and in response generates feed forward signals that account for mechanical characteristics of the electric actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Matthew L. Wilhide, Jacek F. Gieras
  • Publication number: 20140117920
    Abstract: There are provided a motor driving device and method. The motor driving device includes: an operation controlling unit generating a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal for controlling an operation of a motor; a driving controlling unit generating a short pulse signal using the PWM signal transferred from the operation controlling unit; and a power supplying unit supplying power to the motor using the short pulse signal, wherein the driving controlling unit controls the PWM signal depending on a control signal provided from the outside to generate the short pulse signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Joong Jin NAM
  • Patent number: 8680808
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus drives a motor by a first motor drive part and a second motor drive part. The first motor drive part includes a first inverter for supplying current to a first winding set. The second motor drive part includes a second inverter for supplying current to a second winding set. A control unit starts to supply currents to the first winding set and the second winding set at the same time after waiting for completion of all failure detection processing with respect to each of the first motor drive part and the second motor drive part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Mukai, Nobuhiko Uryu
  • Patent number: 8653763
    Abstract: A ventilator includes a base, a drive device disposed on the base, an impeller coupled to the drive device and driven by the drive device, and a cover assembled with the base to define a closed area between the cover and the base for receiving a first circuit board therein, wherein when an AC power source is input to the first circuit board to be converted, a DC power source is output to drive the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Hua Lin, Yan-Lin Chen, Te-Chung Liu, Shih-Tzung Hsu, Pei-Chang Kuo
  • Publication number: 20140028239
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an a method, apparatus and computer program product for controlling the operation of a drive unit comprising a plurality of switching modules arranged to receive a DC electricity supply and generate an AC electricity supply for driving a load from the received DC electricity supply, the AC electricity supply being generated by the switching of the plurality of switching modules between a conducting state and a non-conducting state. The method comprises receiving one or more characteristics associated with each of the switching modules, comparing, for each switching module of the plurality of switching modules, a characteristic of the switching module with an equivalent characteristic associated with one or more other switching modules of the plurality of switching modules, and controlling a time period during which one or more of the plurality of switching modules are in the conducting state in accordance with a result of the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CONTROL TECHNIQUES LIMITED
    Inventors: Simon David Hart, Michael Cade, Richard Mark Wain
  • Patent number: 8638055
    Abstract: A power supply system of a transport system includes: a direct-current intermediate circuit; a motor bridge connected to the direct-current intermediate circuit, for supplying power between the direct-current intermediate circuit and the motor that moves the transport appliance; and also an energy storage and a direct-current converter based on indirect power transmission connected between the energy storage and the direct-current intermediate circuit, for controlling the power supply between the energy storage and the direct-current intermediate circuit. The direct-current converter based on indirect power transmission includes: a controllable solid-state switch, for disconnecting the power supply occurring from the energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Antti Kallioniemi
  • Patent number: 8624538
    Abstract: A motor driving apparatus is provided that performs AC/DC conversion by suppressing harmonics of the input at the time of normal operation, while on the other hand, allowing system operation to continue in the event of an overload by avoiding system stoppage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Tomokazu Yoshida, Takashi Harada, Shinichi Horikoshi, Yasusuke Iwashita
  • Patent number: 8604730
    Abstract: A control unit of an electric power converter, which is used in a three-phase motor having two winding wire systems, performs for a first duty instruction signal regarding a voltage applied to a first winding wire group a flatbed two-phase modulation process, and performs for a second duty instruction signal regarding a voltage applied to a second winding wire group a flattop two-phase modulation process. By phase-shifting the second duty instruction signal by 30° from the first duty instruction signal, a timing of maximum value of the first duty instruction signal is shifted from a timing of minimum value of the second duty instruction signal. Even when the maximum value is greater than a center output value and the minimum value is smaller than the center output value, overlapping of capacitor discharge is avoided, thereby reducing a ripple electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20130320754
    Abstract: A power supply system having a multiphase matrix converter and a method for operating the system are proposed. The converter has a plurality of input and output terminals and a plurality of sub-converters. The input terminals are respectively connected to the output terminals via bidirectional switches of the sub-converters. A circuit has at latest one DC source, an inverter connected in series with the DC source to generator a first alternating voltage, and an HF transformer connected in series with the inverter and connected to each of the input terminals. The HF transformer transforms the first alternating voltage up into a second alternating voltage and changes the frequency of the second alternating voltage by a multiple as compared with frequency of the first alternating voltage. A control unit activates the bidirectional switches as a function of the second alternating voltage present on the output of the HF transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Ralf Edelbrock, Markus Pfeifer
  • Patent number: 8593101
    Abstract: A power converting device is disclosed that can reduce switching loss occurring in a voltage source inverter that drives an AC motor. It is possible to supply DC power to the voltage source inverter from both a voltage source rectifier, which converts AC power from an AC generator into DC power, and a battery. A first switching circuit is inserted between the voltage source rectifier and the AC generator, and the battery is connected to the output side of the voltage source rectifier. A second switching circuit is inserted between the battery and the voltage source inverter. A third switching circuit and a reactor are inserted in series between the input side of the voltage source inverter and the input side of the voltage source rectifier. At least one of an upper arm and a lower arm of the voltage source rectifier can be chopper controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michio Iwahori
  • Publication number: 20130307461
    Abstract: A method for operating a power converter having at least one power converter half-bridge, in which a controllable switching element and a freewheeling diode connected parallel thereto and in the blocking direction are provided respectively between a first direct voltage terminal and an alternating voltage terminal as well as between the alternating voltage terminal and a second direct voltage terminal. The switching elements of the at least one half-bridge are controlled in alternating fashion and in each case interrupted by controlling pauses. The duration of the controlling pauses is set on the basis of a determined voltage drop at at least one of the freewheeling diodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Paul MEHRINGER
  • Patent number: 8587248
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a multi-phase power converter having at least two phase modules (100) comprising valve branches (T1, . . . , T6) having bipolar subsystems (10, 11) connected in series, at low output frequencies (f). According to the invention, a target value (u1 (t), . . . , u6 (t)) of a valve branch voltage overlaps a common-mode voltage (uCM(t)) such that a sum of two valve branch voltages (u1 (t), U2 (t) or U3 (t), U4 (t) or U5 (t), U6 (t)) of each phase module (100) equals an intermediate circuit voltage (Ud) of said multi-phase power converter. In this manner a known converter having a triphase power converter comprising distributed energy accumulators on the grid and load side, or merely on the load side, may be utilized as a drive converter, which may start up from the idle state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Marc Hiller
  • Patent number: 8575880
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for adjusting torque and speed of a motor, while remaining within the voltage limit of a power supply. The invention provides a brushless direct current motor with independently driven and switchable stators. In an aspect, each stator and the rotor is structured to function as an independent motor separate from another stator and the rotor. A first power electronics directs energy to a first stator, and a second power electronics directs energy to a second stator. A rotor rotates relative to the stators. In an aspect, a commutation electronics determines electrical position of the rotor relative to the stators, and synchronizes current pulses directed to a sequentially selected phase of the stators, to generate a rotating magnetic field that communicates with the rotor. A controller sets the connection of the first power electronics in series or in parallel with the second power electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Inventor: Alan L. Grantz
  • Patent number: 8575873
    Abstract: Various embodiments of an electric motor and electronic control for an electric motor are disclosed. An exemplary electric motor comprises a single-phase brushless permanent magnet electric motor. In exemplary embodiments, the electronic motor control is configured to commutate an electric motor at a frequency other than line frequency, perform pulse width modulation, and drive the electric motor with a drive waveform that approximates the counter-electromotive force of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Peterson, Michael P. Sullivan, Stephen J. Burton, Gary E. Horst, Keith I. Hoemann, Richard J. Fadler
  • Publication number: 20130278200
    Abstract: In a system for controlling a controlled variable of a rotary machine having plural-phase input terminals of the rotary machine in which plural-phase AC power is applied from an AC power applying module to the input terminals, a command-voltage setting module sets, based on a request value for the controlled variable, plural-phase AC command voltages for the plural-phase AC power as a feedforward manipulated variable. A current obtaining module obtains plural-phase AC currents flowing in the respective plural-phase input terminals of the rotary machine. An amplitude correcting module corrects the amplitude of at least one of the plural-phase AC command voltages based on the magnitudes of the plural-phase AC currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kiyoshi FUJII, Akimasa OSAKI, Hideki KABUNE, Koichi NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 8558499
    Abstract: To provide a controller apparatus of a type, in which the controller is given the redundancy so that the control of the drive motor can be properly performed at all times when an abnormality such as the failure of the controller occurs, with the reliability consequently increased, a plurality of controllers are provided, each including a power circuit for outputting a drive current for the drive motor and a control circuit, which is a light electric circuit, for controlling the power circuit in response to a motor drive command fed from a higher control. An abnormality determiner is provided for determining an abnormality occurring in the controller then in use according to a prescribed rule and then generating a switching signal. A switch is provided, which is operable in response to the switching signal to change the controller then in a state of functioning relative to the drive motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Takayoshi Ozaki, Koichi Okada, Takeshi Kanda
  • Patent number: 8558492
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a motor of an electric vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a capacitor supplied with power by a battery; an inverter configured to include a plurality of switching elements, convert direct current (DC) power stored in the capacitor into alternating current (AC) power in accordance with the switching of the switching elements and drive a motor with the AC power; and a capacitor protector provided between the battery and the capacitor and configured to consume initial power supplied by the battery at an early stage of the supply of power by the battery, the capacitor protector including a common resistor that consumes the DC power stored in the capacitor when the capacitor is discharged. Therefore, it is possible to guarantee the reliability of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaeseok Oh, Jinha Choi, Junbo Yun, Dongcheol Lee, Junyoung Lim, Dongwoo Lee, Junggi Lee, Jungbum Kim, Jinsoo Park, Seunghee Ryu, Gilwon Hong
  • Patent number: 8552672
    Abstract: A motor drive for driving two-phase motors using a three-phase bridge output stage, and a method of operating the drive. The driven two-phase motor can be a two-phase bipolar motor (such as a hybrid stepping motor). The drive can also be configured so that a single output stage can be used to drive either two-phase or three-phase motors, with or without a feedback sensor. A reference return is provided from one of the three half-bridge output stages with each of the motor phase windings connected between the reference return and one of the other half-bridge outputs. The switches of each half-bridge are modulated so that current can be controlled in each of the two motor phase windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Teknic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas John Bucella, Dave Sewhuk, Scott Mayne, Warren God
  • Patent number: 8547044
    Abstract: A method for determining the angular position of a synchronous machine having a magnetically anisotropic rotor includes an (m) iteration stage and an (n) iteration stage. The (m) iteration stage encompasses: generating an (m) magnetic field of an (m) angular direction and acquiring an (m) peak value of the current pulse generated by the (m) voltage pulse; and providing at least two further (m+i) peak values in different (m+i) angular directions that differ from the (m) angular direction. The (n) iteration stage includes: ascertaining the angular directions (n) and (n+1) in which the two highest or the two lowest peak values from a peak value group occur; and providing an (n) angular direction, which resides between the (n+1) angular direction and the (n+2) angular direction, as an angular position output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Vollmer
  • Patent number: 8525458
    Abstract: A brushless motor position detection device has a set of first Hall elements (main Hall ICs 18 for detecting magnetic pole positions) and a set of second Hall elements (sub-Hall ICs 19 for detecting magnetic pole positions) mounted on a plane facing a magnetic pole position detecting magnet 16 for detecting the position of a rotor 12. They are subjected to offset adjustment and are mounted in such a manner that the difference between the maximum value of the magnetic flux density at the mounting positions of the first Hall elements and the maximum value of the magnetic flux density at the mounting positions of the second Hall elements is held within a prescribed limit (mounted in such a manner as to have the offset of a prescribed machine angle in the circumferential direction) to bring the detection accuracy of the plurality of sets of the Hall elements into agreement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Hatano, Toshiyuki Umemoto, Naoki Miyamoto, Satoshi Fujimura
  • Patent number: 8519648
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for rotor and stator temperature compensation for field weakening current. The method comprises generating a phase voltage feed back signal Vph based in part on pre-defined optimal current commands (ID* and IQ*) received by the IPM, generating a phase voltage command (Vphcmd) based in part on a temperature of a magnetic rotor and stator of the IPM, and generating a phase voltage error (Verror) by subtracting the phase voltage feed back signal (Vph) from the phase voltage command (Vphcmd). The method further comprises generating a d-axis command current correction value (?Id) and a q-axis command current correction value (?Iq) from the phase voltage error (Verror); and adjusting the pre-defined optimal current commands (ID* and IQ*) by the d-axis and the q-axis command current correction values (?Id and ?Iq).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Min Dai, Brian A. Welchko
  • Patent number: 8482231
    Abstract: A pulse width modulation (PWM) module is configured to adjust the input PWM control signal and the motor can be implemented in different rotation speed to enhance the flexibility of the implementation of the motor when the PWM control signals are the same. In addition, the PWM modulation block in the present invention includes a PWM direction control circuit, a PWM vector transfer circuit and a PWM signal generation circuit. Apparently, the PWM modulation block of the present invention is connected to a PWM control signal inputted by an external system and an external adjustment apparatus; by setting up the adjustment apparatus, the vector and the modulation direction of the PWM control signal can be adjusted, and the duty cycle of the PWM control signal can also be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Amtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Teng-Hui Lee, Kuo-Yung Yu
  • Publication number: 20130147418
    Abstract: A multi-phase electric motor comprises a stator comprising a plurality of wire coils surrounding a non-magnetizable core; a rotor with permanent magnets embedded therein, the rotor being disposed adjacent to the stator, the rotor being mounted on a rotatable drive shaft; a power source; a position sensor operably connected to the rotor; and a control circuit operably connected to the power source, the position sensor, and the wire coils, for controlling distribution of electrical energy to the wire coils. In this motor the control mechanism transfers electrical charge from a first coil to a second coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventors: Denis L. Palmer, Edward Butler, Kevin Mosley
  • Publication number: 20130147419
    Abstract: In a system supplying power from an AC power supply to a three-phase motor via a converter and an inverter, a leakage current reducing apparatus is connected to a connection line between the AC power supply and the converter. A common mode transformer detects, as common mode voltage, common mode current flowing from the AC power supply to the connection line. The common mode voltage is inputted to a voltage amplifier via a filter apparatus. Output voltage obtained by voltage amplification passes through a capacitor and then is applied as an AC component to a neutral point of capacitors connected in a Y-connection fashion, so as to have the same phase as that of the common mode voltage. Thus, current having the same phase as that of the common mode current is supplied via the capacitors to the converter through the connection line, thereby reducing the common mode current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Sakai, Satoshi Azuma
  • Publication number: 20130147417
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for controlling a motor of an electric vehicle. In particular, an output voltage from a battery used to provide power to a motor of an electric vehicle, a speed and a torque of the motor are used to generate a magnetic flux based current control map. A current control command is then generated using the magnetic flux based current control map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Kim, Wonkyoung Choi, Mu Shin Kwak, Suhyun Bae
  • Patent number: 8446114
    Abstract: A control apparatus for use with an electric power conversion system which is equipped with a dc/ac converter connected to an electric rotating machine and a capacitor joined to input terminals of the dc/ac converter. The control apparatus stores an angle of rotation (i.e., start angle ?0) of the electric rotating machine before start of control of energization of the electric rotating machine to discharge the capacitor and determines command currents idr and iqr which will result in zero (0) torque in the electric rotating machine. The control apparatus includes a command current correcting circuit which corrects the command currents idr and iqr by a difference between a current angle ? of rotation of the electric rotating machine and the start angle ?0, thereby avoiding constant rotation of the electric rotating machine when the capacitor is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroya Tsuji, Tatsuru Morioka, Hiroshi Inamura, Takahumi Oowada
  • Patent number: 8441224
    Abstract: An inverter circuit for a motor outputs three-phase AC currents, which are outputted from common connection points to stator coils, based on output voltage of a DC power source and a power supply capacitor by a switching operation of transistors. An inverter control circuit determines that a system main relay is turned off, upon receiving a main relay-off signal from an electronic control unit. The inverter control circuit turns on the low-side transistors, while turning off the high-side transistors. A discharge current flows from the positive electrode to the negative electrode of the power supply capacitor through the stator coil and the low-side transistors, so that electric charge stored in the power supply capacitor is discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Sumi, Hiroshi Amano, Koji Sakai
  • Patent number: 8427092
    Abstract: A permanent magnet generator system provides protection from fault conditions. The system includes a permanent magnet generator having a first, second, and third winding wherein each winding has a first end and a second end. During the normal mode of operation, the first ends of the windings are shorted to a first neutral point and alternating current (AC) voltage developed in the first, second and third windings is provided to a primary output associated with the second ends of the windings. In response to a fault condition on the primary output side of the system, the second ends of the windings are shorted together to a second neutral point and the first ends of the windings are disconnected from the first neutral point. During the backup mode, AC voltage developed in the windings is provided to a secondary output associated with the first ends of the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Steven J. Moss
  • Patent number: 8405341
    Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a synchronous motor drive system that is capable of suppressing ripples in current while reducing switching loss. The system includes three-phase inverters 201-203, a control circuit 400 for controlling the operations of the three-phase inverters and a synchronous motor 300 including a plurality of three-phase coils. To control the operations of the three-phase inverters, the control circuit 400 causes the three-phase inverters 201 and 203 and the three-phase inverter 202 to use different carrier frequencies to generate three-phase AC power, and each of the three-phase inverters supplies a different one of the three-phase coils with three-phase AC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Tagome
  • Publication number: 20130063069
    Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for driving a motor with initial compensation. The apparatus for driving a motor includes a current detecting part detecting a voltage of a driving current flowing in the motor through an inverter supplying the driving current to the motor; a peak value detecting part detecting a peak value of the voltage detected by the current detecting part; an A/D converting part converting the voltage from the peak value detecting part into a digital signal; and a driving controlling part driving the motor for a predetermined initial driving period to compensate for an offset in the driving current based on the digital signal from the A/D converting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Joo Yul KO
  • Patent number: 8390224
    Abstract: A drive device for an adjusting device for adjusting a vehicle component of a vehicle includes an electronically commutated motor and an electronic control device which actuates the electronically commutated motor with an actuating voltage. The electronic control device can adapt the signal form of the actuating voltage on the basis of at least one operating parameter in order to optimize the power output, the acoustics, the electromagnetic irradiation and/or the heating of the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventor: Uwe Klippert
  • Patent number: 8374005
    Abstract: A control section controls a current-source converter while a switch is conducting, to render conducting a pair of a high-aim side transistor and a low-arm side transistor (for example, transistors) which are connected to any one of input lines, performs voltage doubler rectification on a voltage between a neutral phase input line on which a resistor is provided and any one of the input lines, to serve for charging of clamp capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20130002186
    Abstract: Provided is a power converter that is capable of ensuring a conduction current without expanding the configuration of a DC voltage conversion circuit such as a DC chopper. Power can be supplied from both a DC chopper and a voltage source rectifier converting AC power into DC power, to a voltage source inverter. The voltage source rectifier has an upper arm part and a lower arm part having switching elements. The voltage source rectifier converts AC power obtained from an alternator into DC power, performs a DC chopper operation using the upper and lower arms thereof and a winding wire of the alternator, and supplies power of a DC power source to the voltage source inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michio Iwahori
  • Patent number: 8344682
    Abstract: A first and a second drive current for an electrical drive are generated as a function of a nominal value for a movement variable, such as drive torque or rotational speed. An alternating magnetic field is generated in the drive by the drive currents. The alternating magnetic field causes movement of the drive. A first measurement signal and a second measurement signal are determined by a measurement device. The two measurement signals represent the first drive current and the second drive current. A field-producing direct-axis current component and a torque-producing quadrature-axis current component are determined as a function of the first and second measurement signals. In addition, an actual value of the movement variable is determined as a function of the measurement signals. At least one of the drive currents is generated with a variable test current component which forms a test pattern for checking the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Pilz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Roland Gaiser, Marcus Gossner, Dirk Scheffner
  • Publication number: 20120293106
    Abstract: An electric motor (40) has a permanent-magnet rotor (46) and an apparatus for generating a three-phase sinusoidal current (i202, i204, i206) for supplying current to said motor (40), also a microprocessor (95) for executing the following steps: while the motor (40) is running at a substantially constant load, the motor is operated firstly at a predetermined operating voltage (U), and an amplitude of a current flowing to the motor is iteratively sampled, stored, and compared as applied voltage is decreased. If it is found, in this context, that the current flowing to the motor has not decreased as a result of reduction in the voltage amplitude, the motor (40) is operated at that current. If, however, it is found that the current flowing to the motor has decreased as a result of the reduction in the voltage delivered to the motor (40), the measurements and the comparison are repeated, optionally multiple times, in order to identify values for optimized efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: EBM-PAPST St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Hirt
  • Publication number: 20120286717
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes: a high-voltage circuit; a low-voltage circuit operating with an operating voltage lower than that of the high-voltage circuit; and a substrate. The substrate includes an edge section, portions corresponding to the low-voltage circuit and the high-voltage circuit formed thereon and a voltage conversion circuit converting a voltage range of the high-voltage to be capable of operating by the low-voltage circuit. The substrate is provided with an insulating area in a periphery of the high-voltage circuit, and the voltage conversion circuit being provided with an insulating area in a periphery thereof. The insulating area provided in the periphery of the voltage conversion circuit shares an area with at least either of the insulating area provided in the periphery of the high-voltage circuit and the edge section of the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Junichi Fukuta, Tsuneo Maebara
  • Patent number: 8305020
    Abstract: The device is provided with an electric power conversion circuit including switching elements for converting a DC electric power to an AC electric power, a load connected to an output side of the electric power conversion circuit, means for detecting a current flowing through a DC side in the electric power conversion circuit, a voltage command value preparing means for controlling the operation of the switching elements in the electric power conversion circuit and a wire breaking detecting means. The wire breaking detection means judges a wire breaking in the load or an abnormality of any of the switching elements in the electric power conversion circuit by making use of a DC current detection value in a period when a current of maximum voltage phase or of voltage minimum phase of the electric power conversion circuit is flowing in a DC current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Suzuki, Yasuo Notohara, Kiyoshi Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8294396
    Abstract: A compact field programmable gate array (FPGA)-based digital motor controller (102), a method, and a design structure are provided. The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) includes a sensor interface (206) configured to receive sensor data from one or more sensors (104) and generate conditioned sensor data. The one or more sensors (104) provide position information for a DC brushless motor (108). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a commutation control (210) configured to create switching commands to control commutation for the DC brushless motor (108). The commutation control (210) generates commutation pulses from the conditioned sensor data of the sensor interface (206). The compact FPGA-based digital motor controller (102) also includes a time inverter (208) configured to receive the commutation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Space Systems International, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert P. Wichowski
  • Patent number: 8294407
    Abstract: A motor controller and an electric power steering system including the motor controller are provided. The motor controller has a microcomputer. When the on time of one of the lower potential-side FETs corresponding to the respective phases in a drive circuit becomes shorter than the detection time for detecting the phase current value, the microcomputer estimates the phase current value of the electric current undetectable phase based on the phase current values of the two phases other than the electric current undetectable phase corresponding to the relevant FET (blind estimation). When electric current detection is performed in the blind estimation, motor control signals are output, by which the switching state of the switching arm of the electric current undetectable phase is maintained and the power loss caused by the switching operation of the FETs in the two phases other than the electric current undetectable phase is compensated for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Mikamo, Atsuo Sakai
  • Patent number: 8294395
    Abstract: A storage section stores three-phase detection currents and outputs them as three-phase storage detection currents and also stores three-phase voltage commands and outputs them as three-phase storage voltage commands. A second voltage command calculating section outputs three-phase voltage commands on the basis of the three-phase storage detection currents and the three-phase storage voltage commands, which are acquired from the storage section, and the three-phase detection currents acquired from a current detecting means. A voltage command output means outputs, to a voltage application means, three-phase voltage commands acquired on the basis of the three-phase voltage commands from the storage section and the three-phase voltage commands from the second voltage command calculating section. The voltage application means applies a voltage to an AC rotary machine on the basis of the three-phase voltage commands from the voltage command output means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kimpara, Seiji Sawada, Takayuki Kifuku
  • Publication number: 20120249044
    Abstract: A driving inverter for a multi-phase electric motor includes an alternating current (AC) generator, at least one AC sensor, a power supply line, a current sensor, an input, and a controller. The AC delivers current to a terminal block that is connectable to the phases of the electric motor. The at least one AC sensor is arranged on a certain phase or certain phases powering the electric motor. The current sensor is arranged on the power supply line and senses a current thereon. The input receives information that includes a torque demand setpoint and at least one limit current value of a power source. The controller drives phase currents of the electric motor according to the torque demand setpoint and by keeping the current of the power supply line at an acceptable value according to the at least one limit current value of the power source. With the arrangement of the driving inverter, a maximum current can always be imposed on the power source with no risk of degrading it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicants: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A., COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Linda, Pierre Alain Magne, Cédric Savio
  • Publication number: 20120249043
    Abstract: In an aspect, in general, a method for pulse width modulation control of a multiple phase drive includes identifying a set of at least one phase from the plurality of phases for the drive as eligible for clamping to one of a plurality of extreme power supply voltages, including excluding from the set of eligible phases those phases with intermediate control signal levels and excluding phases according to a proximity criterion on the control signal levels. A phase is selected from the set of eligible phases. A first offset signal is determined as a difference between a control signal level for the selected phase and an extreme control signal level associated with one of the plurality of extreme power supply voltages. A modified control signal is determined for each of the phases for the drive, by forming a combination of the first offset signal and a control signal level for each phase to determine the modified control signal for each phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: Bose Corporation
    Inventor: Manoel Soares
  • Patent number: 8279639
    Abstract: A control section controls a current-source converter in a state in which a switch is in conduction, and performs voltage doubler rectification on a voltage between a neutral phase input line and any of input lines to provide for charging of clamp capacitors. Accordingly, the clamp capacitors are charged through a resistor, which prevents an inrush current from flowing therethrough. In addition, a voltage between both ends of a pair of the clamp capacitors is higher than, for example, a voltage between both ends of a pair of capacitors. Accordingly, even if the clamp capacitors and, for example, the capacitors are electrically connected to each other in a normal operation, it is possible to prevent the inrush current from flowing from the capacitors to the clamp capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Sakakibara
  • Publication number: 20120235622
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for monitoring current in an electric motor. An electrical system includes a (DC) interface, an electric motor, an inverter module coupled between the DC interface and the electric motor, a first current sensor between a first phase leg of the inverter module and a first phase of the electric motor to measure a first current flowing through the first phase of the electric motor, a second current sensor between the first phase leg and the DC interface to measure a second current flowing through the first phase leg, and a control module coupled to the first current sensor and the second current sensor. The control module is configured to initiate remedial action based at least in part on a difference between the first current measured by the first current sensor and the second current measured by the second current sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Brian A. WELCHKO, Silva HITI, Ronald W. YOUNG, David TANG, Gregory S. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20120187893
    Abstract: An electric motor system including: a rotor (9); a stator (8); the rotor and the stator being mounted for movement relative to one another; the rotor having multiple magnetic poles (11); the stator having multiple salient poles (12) facing the magnetic poles; a first coil set (1A) and a second coil set (1B); the first coil set having three phases, each of the phases comprising a first coil (u1, v1, w1) and a second coil (u1 v1?, w1?) connected in series and wrapped around different of the salient poles in different directions relative to the rotor; the second coil set having three phases, each of the phases comprising a first coil (u2, v2, w2) and a second coil (u2?, v2?, w2?) connected in series and wrapped around different of the salient poles in different directions relative to the rotor; a driver (2) configured to drive the first coil set with a first three-phase voltage (U1, V1, W1) and to drive the second coil set with a second three-phase voltage (U2, V2, W2); the driver configured to drive the first p
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: MOOG JAPAN LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Baba, Kenji Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 8228019
    Abstract: An output filter includes a polyphase common-mode filter having a polyphase common-mode choke connected to an output of a power converter at one end, a first polyphase capacitor connected to the other end of the polyphase common-mode choke at one end, and a neutral-point detecting transformer connected to the other end of the first polyphase capacitor at one end; a capacitor/resistor series-connected body connected to a frame ground of the power converter at one end and connected to the other end of the neutral-point detecting transformer at the other end; and a polyphase normal-mode filter having a polyphase normal-mode choke connected to the other end of the polyphase common-mode choke at one end, and a second polyphase capacitor connected to the other end of the polyphase normal-mode choke at one end and having the other ends connected together and further connected to the one end of the capacitor/resistor series-connected body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Higuchi, Kenji Yamada
  • Patent number: 8222857
    Abstract: In a controlling device for a permanent magnet synchronous motor, an asynchronous pulse mode is switched to a synchronous pulse mode in a situation where a modulation factor has become equal to or larger than a first set value or in a situation where an inverter output frequency has become equal to or higher than a second set value. The synchronous pulse mode is switched to the asynchronous pulse mode in a situation where the modulation factor has become smaller than the first set value, and also, the inverter output frequency has become lower than the second set value. By setting the second set value so that the number of pulses included in a half cycle of an output voltage fundamental wave of the inverter is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, it is possible to inhibit current oscillations and torque ripples from occurring in the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Kitanaka
  • Patent number: 8222856
    Abstract: A control system for a motor, including a first detector providing signals indicative of the sign and zero-crossings of a supply voltage, and a second detector providing signals indicative of the sign and the zero-crossings of BEMF developed in the stator winding. A switch is driven to cause a first current pulse through the winding at a first delay relative to the zero-crossing of the supply voltage. The system checks if the BEMF has a first zero-crossing within a predetermined period of time preceding a third zero-crossing of the voltage, and if so, causes an opposite second current pulse through the winding with a second delay relative to the third zero-crossing of the supply. If not, the first current pulse is repeated, reducing or increasing the duration of the first delay if the first zero-crossing of the BEMF took place after or before the predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Askoll P&C S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sebastiano Acquaviva, Piergiorgio Ricco
  • Patent number: 8217617
    Abstract: A power supply appliance of a transport system is provided. The appliance includes a power rectifier of the motor, an AC voltage circuit, a control voltage circuit, a power supply circuit of the safety devices, an AC/DC transformer fitted between the AC voltage circuit and the control voltage circuit to supply power from the AC voltage circuit to the control voltage circuit, and a power shaping circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Jahkonen
  • Patent number: 8188695
    Abstract: A hybrid drive device includes a first motor; an operative mechanism that drivingly connects the first motor to an engine of a vehicle; a second motor that is drivingly connected to a drive wheel; an engine rotation speed sensor that detects a rotation speed of the engine; a magnetic pole position sensor that detects a magnetic pole position of the second motor; a current sensor that detects a current flowing to the first motor; a sensorless motor control device that estimates a magnetic pole position of the first motor based on the current detected by the current sensor, and drivingly controls the first motor; and a second motor control device that drivingly controls the second motor based on the magnetic pole position detected by the magnetic pole position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhiqian Chen, Keisuke Nishimura