Thermal Starting And Thermal Overload Protection Patents (Class 318/783)
  • Patent number: 11063420
    Abstract: Disclosed are an overload protection apparatus and method, and a storage medium, a compressor and an electric appliance. The apparatus includes: a first overload protection mechanism and a second overload protection mechanism, wherein the first overload protection mechanism is arranged to perform overload protection on the pressure of a compressor to be protected, and/or the second overload protection mechanism is arranged to perform overload protection on at least one of the temperature and the current of the compressor to be protected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: Gree Electric Appliance (Wuhan) Co., Ltd., Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai
    Inventors: Qihua Xu, Zhongliang Zhou, Jun Chen
  • Patent number: 10748668
    Abstract: The invention relates to a belt for measuring physical quantities of an object, comprising at least one measurement sensor, a strip and a device for clamping the strip around the object. According to the invention, the belt comprises a pressing device for pressing the measurement sensor in a first orientation toward the object, comprising a casing attached to the strip, an intermediate part and a constraining member to have the intermediate part assume a first low position in which it presses toward the sensor in the first orientation, a lifting member, for holding the intermediate part in a second lifting position above the first low position against the constraining member, the lifting member being actuable from the outside of the casing to have the intermediate part pass from the second lifting position to the first low position in which it presses toward the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Electricite de France
    Inventors: Marc Petit, Sylvain Blairon
  • Patent number: 10396653
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes an inductor device with an inductance value that is switched between a first inductance and a second inductance larger than the first inductance in a case where a load includes a first load and a second load heavier than the first load and a switching circuit electrically connected to the inductor device. The inductor device includes a first coil, a second coil, and a switching element with a resistance value that is controlled in accordance with the load. A circuit in which the second coil and the switching element are electrically connected in series and the first coil are electrically connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Koichiro Iijima
  • Patent number: 10162009
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a fault in an electronically commutated electric motor, in which at least one stator coil of the electric motor is connected in parallel in each motor phase, in which a motor phase is energized and the current flowing through this motor phase is measured. In a method in which a defect in the electric motor is identified reliably, the three motor phases are energized one after the other and the current occurring during this energization of the individual motor phases is measured, wherein the currents measured in the three motor phases are compared with one another and a defect in the electric motor is identified if the measured currents differ from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Schmaus, Markus Dietrich, Martin Zimmermann, Francis Moebs
  • Patent number: 9893672
    Abstract: An apparatus for temperature-dependent control of an electric motor includes a control device for adjusting the power output of the electric motor, and means for detecting the temperature of a component of the electric motor, wherein the control device reduces the power of the electric motor in the case of a component temperature above a temperature threshold, and wherein the temperature detection means distinguish between self-heating and external heating, wherein the control device counteracts only the self-heating by reducing the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: André Wesenberg, Mirko Reuter
  • Patent number: 9561738
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an electrically-driven vehicle controls an electrically-driven vehicle including a motor transmitting a drive force to wheels, an inverter driving the motor, and a battery supplying power to the inverter. The control apparatus includes battery storage amount estimation means for estimating a storage amount of the battery and motor rotation speed detection means for detecting a rotation speed of the motor. Output terminals of the inverter are short-circuited when the rotation speed of the motor reaches or exceeds a predetermined rotation speed while the storage amount estimated by the battery storage amount estimation means is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Yasufumi Ogawa, Keiichi Enoki, Takuya Tamura
  • Patent number: 8866428
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Yilu Zhang, Siwei Cheng
  • Patent number: 8604738
    Abstract: An electric vehicle employs an oil commonly used as a lubricating oil for gears and a coolant for a motor and is propelled by transmitting the rotational torque of the motor to wheels through the gears, the motor being partly immersed in the oil. It is determined whether the motor is in a state prior to being started or not. If it is judged that the motor is in the state prior to being started, coils of the motor are energized alternately with a first current supplied to the motor at an advanced angle for no torque to generate a magnetic flux, and a second current supplied to the motor at another advanced angle for no torque to generate a magnetic flux in a direction opposite to the magnetic flux generated by the first current, thereby heating the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Daijiro Takizawa
  • Publication number: 20130320909
    Abstract: A motor starter circuit particularly for compressors of refrigerators, comprising a starter device (1), adapted to be connected to a starter winding (3) and to a steady-state winding (2) of an asynchronous motor, the windings (2, 3) being in turn connected to a power supply line (4, 5), a capacitor (6) being connected in parallel to the starter device (1), and further comprising a heat-sensitive element (7), which is adapted to be connected between the starter device (1) and the capacitor (6) and the starter winding (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
    Inventors: Ermanno Pinotti, Ezio Puppin
  • Patent number: 8593094
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus of an electric vehicle includes: a power converter for driving an induction machine based on arbitrary d- and q-axis voltage commands Vd* and Vq*, and a control unit for controlling the power converter based on a power running command P and a brake command B from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kono, Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8590346
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1), the drum of the washer/dryer (1) is rotated by an electric motor (2), and over heating of the electric motor (2) is controlled by a thermal protector (8) that cuts off the current passing through it when the detected temperature exceeds a predetermined limit value. The thermal protector (8) is energized by the triac (7) that drives the door lock (6) and thereby is prevented from being subjected to high currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Kerem Erenay, Fehmi Sonmezoz
  • Patent number: 8384334
    Abstract: A first terminal of a protection element of a control unit is connected to a wire between a motor and a switching element, and a second terminal is directly connected to a ground-side wire shared by a controller and the switching element. The protection element has a normal-condition-OFF-type switch including a movable contact and a fixed contact. When an overheating caused by the switching element attains a predetermined temperature or higher, the movable contact and the fixed contact are closed to short-circuit the first terminal and the second terminal, and an electric current is branched to the protection element side to reduce an electric current flowing into the switching element, and the control unit is shifted to a temperature range safe from the overheating caused by the switching element without stopping a cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Uchiya Thermostat Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Takeda
  • Patent number: 8354813
    Abstract: A torque limit section that applies limit to a torque instruction value of an electric motor such that a switching elements temperature is restricted to no more than an element upper limiting temperature includes a torque restriction section that finds a torque restriction value for restricting the torque of the electric motor in accordance with the said switching elements temperature; a torque restriction mitigation section that finds a torque restriction mitigation value for mitigating the torque limit value in accordance with the integrated value of the deviation of the element upper limiting temperature and the switching elements temperature; a first subtractor that finds a torque restriction value by subtracting the torque restriction mitigation value from the torque limit value; and a second subtractor that finds a limited torque instruction value obtained by subtracting the torque limit value from the torque instruction value and outputs this to the gate generating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Ryuta Hasegawa, Ryuichi Morikawa, Toshiharu Oobu
  • Patent number: 7999502
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Edwards Limited
    Inventors: Laurent Marc Philippe, Anthony John Wilder
  • Patent number: 7936145
    Abstract: An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) features a stator (202), a short-circuit rotor (204), a controller (FOR 20) for field-oriented regulation of the motor (12), a sensor magnet (274) in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor (204), a rotor position sensor (14A; 18; 18?) arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from the sensor magnet (274) to generate an output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2) that is dependent upon the spatial orientation of the sensor magnet (274), and a temperature evaluation apparatus (CALC_T 44) configured to ascertain, during operation, from the sensor output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2), a temperature value (T) that characterizes a temperature (T_SM, T_S) in the motor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: EBM-Papst St. Georgen GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Harald Schmid
  • Patent number: 7878512
    Abstract: An alignment changing control device that includes: a motor drive section which adjusts electrical power supplied to a motor of the electric actuator according to an operation command and, when receiving an operation inhibiting signal, limits or stops supplying the electrical power to the motor; a motor temperature estimating section for calculating an estimated temperature of the motor from at least a current supplied to the motor, an outside air temperature and a vehicle speed, based on heat balance relationship; and a comparator which transmits the operation inhibiting signal to the motor drive section when the estimated temperature of the motor calculated by the motor temperature estimating section is higher than a predetermined temperature, which is equal to or lower than an operation allowable temperature of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Horiuchi, Nobuo Sugitani
  • Patent number: 7782008
    Abstract: A self-magnetizing motor incorporates a control circuit that starts the motor, controls a magnetizing unit, and then operates the motor. The control circuit can include relay, such as a bi-directional conductive power semiconductor device, and one or more PTC (Positive Temperature Coefficient) switches. This control circuit eliminates the need for a separate controller and the implementation costs can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Hak Choi, Sung-Ho Lee, Jin-Soo Park
  • Patent number: 7755311
    Abstract: When a fan drive current has become excessive, a fan drive device intercepts that current, waits for just a fixed time period T1, and thereafter flows that current for a second time. The fan power supply current flowed to the fan drive device is detected by a shunt resistor R. The value of the fan power supply current detected by the shunt resistor R is inputted to a controller, and the cause of any abnormality of the fan is decided upon by this controller, based upon the magnitude of the above described fan power supply current and the time period over which it has continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Isaya Morishita
  • Patent number: 7692399
    Abstract: A method of controlling a DC motor is presented. In a determining action, a thermal power dissipation is determined from a motor input and a motor velocity. In another determining action, a motor temperature is determined based on a thermal model using the thermal power dissipation. In an adjusting action, a usage of the motor is adjusted, taking the motor temperature into account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas L. Harriman, Michael Teong Seng Ewe, Robert D. Davis
  • Patent number: 7602137
    Abstract: A power tool having an electronically commutated DC motor capable of providing various operating modes ranging from a maximum efficiency operating mode to a maximum power operating mode. The motor has a rotor having permanent magnets mounted in recesses in a back iron of the rotor. In one embodiment the motor has three phase windings, each having at least a pair of coils. The phase windings are connected in either a delta or a wye configuration via electromechanical or electronic switching components, or a combination of both, by a controller within the tool. The coils in each phase winding can also be switched between series and parallel configurations to configure the motor to provide its various operating modes. In one embodiment a dual wound motor is disclosed that has its phase coils dynamically or statically switchable between series and parallel configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Hung T. Du, Uday S. Deshpande, Joshua D. West, Bhanuprasad V. Gorti, Shailesh Waikar
  • Patent number: 7583041
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritaka Yamaguchi, Yutaka Tamagawa
  • Patent number: 7573222
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for controlling an operation of an electric motor has an operational temperature estimator and an operation controller. The operational temperature estimator estimates an estimated temperature of the electric motor. The operation controller disables to start the operation of the electric motor while the estimated temperature is within a predetermined operation start disable range, and enables to continue the operation of the electric motor when the estimated temperature increases into the operation start disable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Sumiya, Tatsuya Suzuki, Hiroyuki Furukoshi
  • Patent number: 7541762
    Abstract: A control circuit for controlling rotational speed of a fan for an electronic device includes a temperature detecting unit for detecting an ambient temperature of the electronic device, and outputting a corresponding detection result; a control unit receiving the detection result from the temperature detecting unit, and outputting a corresponding control signal; and an operational unit receiving one or both of the control signal from the control unit and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal, and outputting a backup control signal for controlling the rotational speed of the fan, so that the fan can continue operating when needed, even if the PWM signal disappears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Zhu Chen, Ke Sun
  • Patent number: 7538508
    Abstract: A thermal overload protection for an electrical device, particularly an electric motor (M), measures a load current supplied to the electrical device (M), and calculates the thermal load on the electrical device on the basis of the measured load current, and shuts off (S2) a current supply (L1, L2, L3) when the thermal load reaches a given threshold level. The protection comprises a processor system employing X-bit, preferably X=32, fixed-point arithmetic, wherein the thermal load is calculated by a mathematic equation programmed into the microprocessor system structured such that a result or a provisional result never exceeds the X-bit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventors: Janne Kuivalainen, Peter Österback
  • Patent number: 7511446
    Abstract: A system and method for starting and regulating a wound rotor motor (320) including a phase-controlled SCR converter (350) and a drive circuit (330, 340) having a voltage source inverter (340) and a voltage source converter (330). The SCR converter (350) regulates power transmitted to the drive circuit from the rotor of the motor so that the ratings of the drive circuit are not exceeded. A shorting contactor (390) is employed in various embodiments to increase the efficiency of the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: TM GE Automation Systems LLC
    Inventor: Paul S. Bixel
  • Patent number: 7495400
    Abstract: A temperature control apparatus is suitable for use in devices such as consumer electronics devices having different thermal characteristics. According to an exemplary embodiment, the temperature control apparatus includes a fan having a field winding (F3) and a speed controller for providing a speed control signal to the field winding (F3) responsive to a first control signal to control a rotating speed of the fan. First and second terminals of the fan enable operating power to be provided to the field winding (F3) and the speed controller. At least one of the first and second terminals is operatively coupled to a first voltage source. A third terminal of the fan provides the first control signal to the speed controller, and is operatively coupled to a second voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: William John Testin
  • Patent number: 7456601
    Abstract: A system and method for starting and regulating a wound rotor motor especially during the period between inactivity and a speed determined by the voltage ratings of the drive system. In a first embodiment, a starting resistor and a starting bypass contactor are connected between the rotor of the motor and a low voltage source inverter. In an alternative embodiment, the arrangement of the first embodiment is altered by connecting a shorting contactor on one side to the junction of the voltage source inverter, the starting resistor and the starting bypass contactor so as to be short circuited on the opposite side of the shorting contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: TM GE Automation Systems LLC
    Inventor: Paul S. Bixel
  • Publication number: 20080225447
    Abstract: Motor start circuit for an induction motor, particularly a single-phase AC induction motor, with a main winding (4) and an auxiliary winding (5), which are supplied with current, particularly alternating current, via current supply connections (24, 25), and with a start switching device (15) serving the purpose of interrupting the current flow through the auxiliary winding (5) after the start of the motor, the start switching device (15) being connected to a control device (20) via a connector (18), the control device (20) being connected between the current supply connections (24, 25), and with a winding protection switch (28), which is normally closed and which opens on the occurrence of a fault. The invention is characterised in that the control device (20) is connected to the winding protection switch (28) via at least one further connector (22, 17), preferably via at least one further connector (22, 17) and the auxiliary winding (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: DANFOSS COMPRESSORS GMBH
    Inventors: Claus Schmidt, Hans Peter Kristensen
  • Patent number: 7414377
    Abstract: A motor controller system comprises solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A sensor senses AC line voltage. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit ramps switch current during a start mode and selectively holds switch current during the start mode if sensed voltage drops below a threshold amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Mayhew, Scott Wakefield, Daniel Zuzuly
  • Publication number: 20080191659
    Abstract: A submersible motor is provided for a submersible pump, the motor being configured as a single-phase asynchronous motor, which includes a main winding (6), an auxiliary winding (8), and a starting device (10, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22) for controlling the starting procedure of the submersible motor. The starting device for the control of the current feed of the auxiliary winding (8) includes at least one electronic switch (20) in the circuit of the auxiliary winding (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS MANAGEMENT A/S
    Inventors: Hakon Borsting, Bjarne Henriksen, Claus B. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7402976
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a compressor includes a controller for generating a control signal for selecting an operation mode of a compressor according to an operation load of the compressor; a first switching unit connected to a motor consisting of a main coil and a sub-coil and selecting the main coil or both the main coil and the sub-coil according to the control signal; first and second capacitors electrically connected with the first switching unit; and a second switching unit connected to the first capacitor and selectively connecting the first capacitor in parallel to the second capacitor according to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chel-Woong Lee, Chang-Oh Kim
  • Patent number: 7391179
    Abstract: An inductive contactless starter can be provided for single-phase AC motor, which can be designed to start a compressor motor with a starting capacitor or a common single-phase AC motor. The starter can comprise a current mutual-inductor composed of two primary coils and a secondary coil, a gate capacitor, a triac, and a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) resistor. By sampling relevant current signals with the current mutual-inductor, the starter can effectively control heat loss of the current sampling system down to milliwatt level (i.e., the starter is a “zero power loss” starter for single-phase AC motor), and thereby can improve energy efficiency greatly. Additionally, the starter can have a simple circuit and fewer components, and is reliable, improving reliability of the motor starting system while delivering motor starting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Changshu Tianyin Electromechanical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yunwen Zhao
  • Patent number: 7385368
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor includes a inductance increasing device connected to a motor of the reciprocating compressor, so that a surge current generated when power is applied to the reciprocating compressor at an initial stage is reduced and thus an initial stroke of the reciprocating compressor is reduced. Accordingly, operational efficiency of the reciprocating compressor is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eon-Pyo Hong, Kyeong-Bae Park, Tae-Hee Kwak, Ki-Chul Choi, Sung-Hyun Ki
  • Patent number: 7327110
    Abstract: A drive system with an electric motor is described, which includes an integrated armature short-circuit brake and a mechanical brake. If the electric motor cannot be controllably slowed down, a control signal is applied at an activation time to the integrated armature short-circuit brake and the mechanical brake, and the armature short-circuit brake is switched off when reaching a thermal load limit for the electric motor or the control electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ronald Hauf
  • Patent number: 7291995
    Abstract: An air fan rotation speed control method and a structure thereof aim to provide an automatic control mode and a manual control mode at the same time to control rotation speed regulation of an air fan to achieve instant heat dissipation for an environment and reduce temperature rising of the environment efficiently. The present invention has a rotation speed determination mechanism that adopts the higher rotation speed request at a higher priority to regulate the rotation speed of the air fan in either control mode. Hence the temperature of the environment can be reduced at the higher rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Tsung-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 7265515
    Abstract: The invention concerns a starter for a line start electric motor having at least one main winding (4) and at least one start winding (12) and which start winding is connected in series with a run capacitor (14) with which a start capacitor (17) and a PTC-thermistor (19) are connected in parallel. In order to make a simply constructed starter for a line start electric motor the start capacitor (17) and the PTC-thermistor (19) are connected in series with a switch mechanism (20). The series connected circuit made up of the start capacitor (17), the PTC-thermistor (19) and the switch mechanism (20) is connected in parallel with the run capacitor (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Danfoss Compressors GmbH
    Inventor: Niels Christian Weihrauch
  • Patent number: 7248009
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling motor temperature is based on computed motor power dissipation and a thermal model of the motor, rather than a measured motor temperature, in a control loop that limits the motor drive to prevent overheating. An ambient temperature sensor senses the ambient temperature near the motor, and a determination is made of the motor power dissipation. The motor winding temperature is estimated based on the sensed ambient temperature and the determined motor power dissipation. A maximum motor power dissipation that would raise the motor temperature to a predetermined maximum temperature value is determined based on the estimated temperature. The motor power dissipation is limited to a value that is below the determined maximum power dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Robert S. Sundquist
  • Patent number: 7222050
    Abstract: A temperature condition of a motor is estimated more accurately based on a drive amount of the motor. An apparatus for determining overheating of a motor, includes: an information obtaining section that obtains information about a drive amount of a motor and information about a stop time etc. between drive operations of the motor; a calculating section that executes a calculation of calculating an integrated value by successively adding up the drive amount of the motor based on the information about the drive amount obtained by the information obtaining section, and a calculation of subtracting, from the integrated value, a subtraction value corresponding to the stop time etc. that is obtained based on the information about the stop time etc. obtained by the information obtaining section; and a determining section that determines that the motor is in an overheated state when the subtracted integrated value obtained by the calculating section reaches a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyoshi Kakegawa, Tetsuji Takeishi
  • Patent number: 7157878
    Abstract: A method for controlling a voltage mode controlled electric machine comprising: receiving a torque value representative of a desired torque; obtaining a speed value indicative of a rotational velocity of the electric machine; acquiring a phase advance value indicative of a desired phase advance angle; generating a voltage command responsive to the torque value, the position value; the generating is responsive to the torque value, the speed value, and the phase advance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven James Collier-Hallman
  • Patent number: 7084599
    Abstract: A motor controller is capable of swiftly driving a motor at the initial stage and driving the motor with high efficiency and low power consumption after swiftly driving the motor at the initial stage by including a first capacitor connected in series with stator coils of the motor and a PTC thermistor (Positive Temperature Coefficient thermistor) connected in parallel with the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Do Han, Hyoun-Jeong Shin
  • Patent number: 7081732
    Abstract: A motor controller is capable of swiftly driving a motor at the initial stage and driving the motor with high efficiency and low power consumption after swiftly driving the motor at the initial stage by including a first capacitor connected in series with a common terminal to which the main coils and the sub-coils of the motor are connected and a PTC thermistor (Positive Temperature Coefficient thermistor) connected in parallel with the first capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Do Han, Hyoun-Jeong Shin
  • Patent number: 7071649
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating a temperature of an electric machine comprising obtaining a temperature value responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor, the temperature sensor is operatively connected to and transmitting the temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller. The controller executes a temperature estimation process; and is operatively connected to a switching device, where the switching device is operatively connected between the electric machine and a power source, the switching device being responsive to the controller. Also disclosed is a storage medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine. The storage medium includes instructions for causing controller to implement method for estimating an operating temperature of an electric machine as described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Shafer, Julie A. Kleinau, Jeffery A. Zuraski
  • Patent number: 7005827
    Abstract: A starting circuit for a single-phase induction motor includes a motor starting positive characteristic thermistor and a triac arranged in a series connection, and a triac control positive characteristic thermistor connected in parallel with the motor starting positive characteristic thermistor, and including one terminal thereof connected to a gate of the triac. The triac control positive characteristic thermistor has a volume in the range of about 4.5 mm3 to about 30 mm3. The relationship of (?2×V×sin 45°)/R?I is maintained with the triac control positive characteristic thermistor within an operating temperature range, where V represents a root-mean-square value of a power source voltage, R represents a resistance of the triac control positive characteristic thermistor, and I represents a gate turn-on current of the triac. The gate turn-on current I at an operating temperature of about 25° C. is about 20 mA or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Ikeda, Hiroki Tanaka, Toshiharu Hirota
  • Patent number: 6987370
    Abstract: A localized system for dissipating heat generated by an electronic component includes a controllable cooling element and a control system for controlling the cooling element. The control system adjusts a speed of operation of the cooling element in response to variations in power consumption of the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sachin Navin Chheda, Stephan Karl Barsun, Ricardo E. Epinoza-Ibarra
  • Patent number: 6930464
    Abstract: A driving circuit for improving starting of a hybrid induction motor and its method includes a capacitor for operation electrically connected between a main coil and a auxiliary-coil, and a starting and current cutting-off means electrically connected with the capacitor for operation, applying a high starting current to a motor in starting, and cutting off the starting current when the motor is operated at a synchronous speed after the starting, so that a satisfactory starting characteristic can be obtained by increasing output under a low voltage state in starting, and effective operation can be performed by decreasing output under a normal operation state after the starting is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong-Do Han, Jun-Ho Ahn, Hyoun-Jeong Shin
  • Patent number: 6924613
    Abstract: A motor controller system comprises solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A user input elements selects a current imbalance parameter. Current sensors sense current in each winding of the motor. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit compares the sensed currents with the selected imbalance parameter to determine if a fault condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregg Jonsson, Scott Mayhew, Scott Wakefield, Daniel Zuzuly
  • Patent number: 6900607
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller responsive to at least one of: a current sensor, and a temperature sensor. Where the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value, a torque command and the resultant of the parameter estimation process representing an estimated parameter of the electric machine. The parameter estimation includes a method for estimating a temperature of the electric machine comprising: a temperature sensor operatively connected to and transmitting a temperature signal corresponding to a measured temperature to a controller, which executes a temperature estimation process responsive to a temperature signal from a temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Julie A. Kleinau, Steven J. Collier-Hallman, Ashok Chandy, Ravindra P. Patankar, Daniel W. Shafer, Jeffery A. Zuraski
  • Patent number: 6873131
    Abstract: An electric motor selectively connectable to receive one of a plurality of supply voltages, the plurality of supply voltages comprising a low supply voltage and a high supply voltage. The motor can comprise a stator having a first winding and a second winding, a shaft rotatable about a motor axis, and a rotor supported by the shaft for rotation with the shaft relative to the stator. The motor can also comprise a voltage selection device, a first motor protector, and a second motor protector. The voltage selection device can include a first setting and a second setting and can be configured to connect the first winding in parallel with the second winding when set to the first setting and to connect the first winding in series with the second winding when set to the second setting. The first motor protector can be configured to limit current through the first winding and the second winding when an overload condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: A. O. Smith Corporation
    Inventor: William James Watkins
  • Patent number: 6861820
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an electric motor using real time predictions of motor capability based on thermal modeling and measurements is provided. The invention includes controllers for receiving and processing system input signals, strategies for: determining a maximum energy amount that can be put into the motor before the motor reaches a maximum allowable temperature; determining a motor power assist value that the motor can provide in a predetermined period of time before the motor reaches the maximum allowable temperature; determining a battery power assist value; determining a maximum power assist value that is the minimum of the motor power assist value and the battery power assist value; and comparing the maximum power assist value to a driver demand signal. Strategy outputs can be sent to a vehicle system controller and/or a power assist gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan Roy Gale, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 6847187
    Abstract: A thermal protection apparatus for an AC traction motor including a stator, a rotor, a blower fan and an inverter includes a method and apparatus for predicting the motor temperature assuming that the blower is operational. The method and apparatus also determines an estimated motor temperature by measuring the motor resistance or the rotor slip. The estimated motor temperatures compared to the predicted motor temperature to determine the condition of the motor cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar