With Variable Temperature Coefficient Resistor In Switch Control Circuit Patents (Class 318/788)
  • Patent number: 10859446
    Abstract: Temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of a member, the member including a component controlled by a control signal, active at most during at least one limited activity interval, and transmitted to the component via two wires, a temperature probe connected to the two wires, in parallel with the component, and a diode, connected between a terminal of the component and a terminal of the probe connected to the same wire, in order to allow the passage of a current in the component only in a first direction, the temperature measurement being performed by a current flowing in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, outside of the activity interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventors: Pascal Barbier, Jacques Rocher
  • Patent number: 9350276
    Abstract: Certain configurations of the present disclosure present a PTC starter. The PTC starter includes a housing, a first conductive terminal (6), a second conductive terminal (7), a control PTC thermistor (3), a start PTC thermistor (4) and a TRIAC (5), wherein the control PTC thermistor (3), the start PTC thermistor (4) and the TRIAC (5) being accommodated in the housing, the start PTC thermistor (4) being connected in series with the TRIAC (5), wherein one electrode of the control PTC thermistor (3) is connected with the gate (G) of the TRIAC (5), the control PTC thermistor (3) is connected in series with the start PTC thermistor (4), the volume of the control PTC thermistor (3) is less than 30 mm3, and the distance between the control PTC thermistor (3) and the start PTC thermistor (4) is less than 5 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Dropps, Leo Zhong, Changyin Wang, Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 9209717
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: ILLINOISE TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Ermanno Pinotti, Ezio Puppin
  • Publication number: 20150054446
    Abstract: Certain configurations of the present disclosure present a PTC starter. The PTC starter includes a housing, a first conductive terminal (6), a second conductive terminal (7), a control PTC thermistor (3), a start PTC thermistor (4) and a TRIAC (5), wherein the control PTC thermistor (3), the start PTC thermistor (4) and the TRIAC (5) being accommodated in the housing, the start PTC thermistor (4) being connected in series with the TRIAC (5), wherein one electrode of the control PTC thermistor (3) is connected with the gate (G) of the TRIAC (5), the control PTC thermistor (3) is connected in series with the start PTC thermistor (4), the volume of the control PTC thermistor (3) is less than 30 mm3, and the distance between the control PTC thermistor (3) and the start PTC thermistor (4) is less than 5 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin J. Dropps, Leo Zhong, Changyin Wang, Jian Chen
  • Patent number: 8786227
    Abstract: An electric compressor controller includes a compressor that compresses refrigerant of an air conditioning system; a motor that drives the compressor; an inverter that selectively control switching elements based on PWM pulse signals to supply drive power to the motor and heats the refrigerant by heat generated due to switching of the switching elements during a heating operation; temperature detectors each detects junction temperature of each of the switching elements; a drive controller that supplies the pulse signals to the inverter to control the inverter; and a slope varying unit that variably controls precipitous degree of rising/falling slope waveforms of the pulse signals based on the junction temperature detected by the temperature detectors. According to the electric compressor controller, efficiency for heating refrigerant is improved, so that its own heating ability is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Kubo
  • Patent number: 8378619
    Abstract: A motor start circuit for an induction motor includes a start switch device serving the purpose of interrupting the current or voltage flow through the start winding after the start of the motor. The motor includes a main winding and a start winding, which are supplied with alternating current or voltage from a mains power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Hendon Semi Conductors Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Phil Hancock, Phil Tracy, Justin Langman, Mark Potter
  • Patent number: 8258738
    Abstract: A low cost motor starter is shown having a PTC resistor 12 serially connected to a triac 14 and a bias resistor in turn adapted to be connected to the start winding of a single phase motor. A reed relay 16 having a sense coil 16a serially connected to the main winding in one preferred embodiment and in parallel with the main and start windings in a second preferred embodiment, is magnetically coupled to reed contacts 16b, 16c. Reed contact 16b is connected to a location intermediate the PTC resistor 12 and the triac 14 while reed contact 16c is connected to the gate of the triac. A gate signal phase shifting network comprising capacitor C1-R2 is also connected to reed contact 16c and the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Sensata Technologies Massachusetts, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Andrews, Jr., Russell P. Brodeur, Kevin J. Dropps
  • Patent number: 8253369
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a single phase induction motor, and more particularly, to a single phase induction motor, wherein a variable resistance element which can change a winding number of a main winding or an auxiliary winding capable of producing a magnetic field at the time of starting is connected in parallel to some portion of the main winding or the auxiliary winding. A single phase induction motor including a stator composed of a core, a main winding and an auxiliary winding, and a rotor rotated by a mutual electromagnetic force by the stator comprises a resistance variable element connected in parallel to some portion of the main winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: SeongKook Cho, Byung-Taek Kim, Kyeong-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8212510
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a controlling an electric motor that is at least partially disposed within a motor housing. The rotational speed and position of the electric motor are sensed, and a temperature of the electric motor is sensed. The sensor signals are converted to optical signals and are propagated in a fiber optic cable. The electric motor is controlled based, at least in part, on the propagated optical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Campbell, Jim R. Switzer, Steven E. Schulz
  • Patent number: 8093850
    Abstract: A fan control system includes a linear adjustor, an input/output controller, and a temperature sensor. A first terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a first power supply. A second terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a fan and grounded via a first resistor and a second resistor in series. A third terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a node between the first resistor and the second resistor. A first terminal of the input/output controller is connected to the third terminal of the linear adjustor via a third resistor. A second terminal of the input/output controller is connected to the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Zhao Huang
  • Patent number: 7983800
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a fan motor of an air conditioner comprises: a hybrid induction motor (HIM) for discharging warm air outwardly by a control signal; a temperature detecting unit for detecting a temperature of an evaporator; and a controlling unit for comparing the temperature of the evaporator with a preset temperature, and outputting a control signal to control the HIM based on a result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Suk Oh, Dong-Il Lee, Hyoun-Jeong Shin
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20100134063
    Abstract: A low cost motor starter is shown having a PTC resistor 12 serially connected to a triac 14 and a bias resistor in turn adapted to be connected to the start winding of a single phase motor. A reed relay 16 having a sense coil 16a serially connected to the main winding in one preferred embodiment and in parallel with the main and start windings in a second preferred embodiment, is magnetically coupled to reed contacts 16b, 16c. Reed contact 16b is connected to a location intermediate the PTC resistor 12 and the triac 14 while reed contact 16c is connected to the gate of the triac. A gate signal phase shifting network comprising capacitor C1-R2 is also connected to reed contact 16c and the gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Robert J. Andrews, JR., Russell P. Brodeur, Kevin J. Dropps
  • Patent number: 7663335
    Abstract: A single-phase induction motor comprises a power consumption prevention device, which includes a current signal transfer element and a switching element. The switching element is turned on/off according to the current signal received from the current signal transfer element. The power consumption prevention device prevents current flow to a start device when the motor runs in normal mode, and thus avoids unnecessary power consumption by the start device when the motor runs in normal mode, thereby preventing a reduction in the efficiency of the single-phase induction motor due to the unnecessary power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Soo Park, Byung Taek Kim, Sung Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7612519
    Abstract: Apparatus for driving a three-phase compressor assembly from a single-phase electrical power supply having first and second power lines, said three-phase compressor assembly comprising a compressor having a rotatable shaft, an electrical motor having a rotatable shaft coupled to the rotatable shaft of the compressor, the electrical motor having at least first, second and third motor windings and having at least first, second and third terminals connected to the first, second and third windings, means adapted to connect the first and second power lines of the single-phase power supply to the first and second terminals and a torque augmentation circuit for injecting current into the third terminal and including a capacitor and an electrical component in series with the capacitor, said electrical component having resistive characteristics and having means for essentially interrupting the current being injected into the third terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Otto J. M. Smith
  • 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: 7548039
    Abstract: A motor control unit including a rotational position detector detecting a rotational position of a brushless DC motor; a current detector detecting a current of the brushless DC motor; a coordinate transformer executing rotational coordinate transformation of the current by a control phase angle and obtaining a d-axis current and a q-axis current; a current controller generating a command d-axis voltage based on a d-axis current error, and generating a command q-axis voltage based on a q-axis current error; a coordinate transformer generating a three-phase command voltage by the control phase angle; a conductive signal generator; and a position controller that, when executing a positioning operation, maintains the command d-axis current at a constant value and the command q-axis current at zero, and that controls the control phase angle based on a difference between a target stop rotational position and a rotational position detected by the rotational position detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Naoki Oomura, Kazunobu Nagai, Shinichi Kominato, Yukihisa Hasegawa, Minoru Awazu
  • Patent number: 7498763
    Abstract: Current consumption during the starting process of a single-phase a.c. asynchronous motor is reduced by an apparatus including a thermistor which can be mounted in series with the main winding of the motor. A starting capacitor can be mounted in series with an auxiliary winding, and current and voltage peaks of the starting capacitor can be reduced by a posistor. The thermistor is mounted in series with the main winding at the beginning of the starting process, and can be bridged by a switch once the starting process is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Inventor: Roland Weigel
  • Patent number: 7459878
    Abstract: The method and circuit for controlling a sensorless single-phase BLDCM having a stator with a winding are proposed. The provided controlling circuit includes a power supply circuit, an inverter coupled to the winding and the power supply circuit, a BEMF detecting circuit coupled to the winding and the inverter and measuring a BEMF of the winding, and a controller coupled to the power supply circuit, the inverter and the BEMF detecting circuit and analyzing a status of the BEMF to control the BLDCM accordingly. The provided method is based on the motor winding time-sharing theory, and the controller controls the inverter to make the winding used as a driving element with loading current when the absolute value of the BEMF is relatively large and as a sensing element when the absolute value of the BEMF is relatively small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Weizi Wang, Zhigan Wu, Wanbing Jin, Jianping Ying, Shih-Ming Huang, Wen-Shi Huang
  • Patent number: 7408321
    Abstract: Apparatus for driving a three-phase compressor assembly from a single-phase electrical power supply having first and second power lines, said three-phase compressor assembly comprising a compressor having a rotatable shaft, an electrical motor having a rotatable shaft coupled to the rotatable shaft of the compressor, the electrical motor having at least first, second and third motor windings and having at least first, second and third terminals connected to the first, second and third windings, means adapted to connect the first and second power lines of the single-phase power supply to the first and second terminals and a torque augmentation circuit for injecting current into the third terminal and including a capacitor and an electrical component in series with the capacitor, said electrical component having resistive characteristics and having means for essentially interrupting the current being injected into the third terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Inventor: Otto J. M. Smith
  • 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: 7199549
    Abstract: A method and system for estimating a parameter of an electric machine, including a controller and a switching device, the controller executes a parameter estimation process, which is responsive to at least one of: a current value and 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: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc
    Inventors: Julie A. Kleinau, Steven J. Collier-Hallman, Ashok Chandy, Ravindra P. Patankar
  • 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: 7061204
    Abstract: A motor starter for use with a motor (20) having a main winding (M) and a start winding (S). The starter has a PTC thermistor (30) connected in series with the start winding (S). A triac (40) is connected between PTC thermistor (30) and a power source line. A control circuit (50) is connected to the power source line for providing a voltage for a gate terminal (G) of triac (40) and an overload relay (60) is connected between the power source (10) and the motor (20). The control circuit (50) preferably includes a current detecting circuit (52) for detecting the inrush current and a voltage generating circuit (54) for generating the voltage in response to the detected inrush current. At the startup of motor (20) the control circuit (50) allows triac (40) to turn on by providing the gate terminal (G) with the voltage based on the inrush current. According to this invention, the power consumption of the start winding S after the startup of the motor (20) can be almost zero thus providing low power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Mitsuru Unno
  • 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: 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: 6570359
    Abstract: A starting circuit for a single phase motor having a main winding and a starting winding has a triac in series with the starting winding, and a current sense device in series with the main winding. The current sense device is a NTC resistor or current transformer with a saturable core, and puts out a single to turn on the triac during starting, and removes the triac turn on signal when the main winding energization is sufficiently high to run the motor without the starter winding itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Umakant Dipa Dubhashi
  • Patent number: 6407530
    Abstract: A device and method for controlling a supply of a current and a static capacitance to a compressor are disclosed. The device includes a control signal generating part for controlling a current and a static capacitance provided to the compressor, such that the current and static capacitance differ in a starting period of the compressor versus an operative period of the compressor, after the starting period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soon Kwang Kwon, Sung Yeob Lim, Gyeong Yeol Noh, Chang Woong An, Kam Gyu Lee
  • Patent number: 6239523
    Abstract: A motor start switch includes a temperature responsive resistor element and a bimetal cutout switch electrically connected in series with a start winding of an electric motor. The cutout switch is operable between an open position disconnecting the temperature responsive resistor from the start winding, and a closed position electrically connecting the temperature responsive resistor to the start winding. The cutout switch transitions from the open position to the closed position due to current flowing through, and heating, a bimetal element in the cutout switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Janicek, Larry C. Fogel
  • Patent number: 6204628
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for disconnecting a starting winding of a single-phase motor during startup. The method includes the steps of disposing a heater element of a thermal switch in series with a main winding of the single-phase motor and disposing a set of contacts of the thermal switch in series with the starting winding of the single-phase motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric A. Depner, James A. Butcher
  • Patent number: 5973473
    Abstract: A control circuit that activates and deactivates a motor start winding at different motor rpm trip points provides improved accuracy in the trip points by automatically compensating for changes in motor current caused by variations in line voltage and motor winding temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason S. Anderson, John E. Durkee
  • Patent number: 5952811
    Abstract: A device for automatically shutting off a current is used in combination with a motor start-up component incorporated in a motor-driving circuit including an auxiliary coil which operates at a start-up time of a motor and a main coil for its steady-state operation. This motor start-up component includes a motor start-up thermistor with positive temperature characteristic having a first electrode and a second electrode, a first connector member having a first male terminal part and connected to the first electrode and a second connector member having a second male terminal part and connected to the second electrode. The motor start-up thermistor is connected in series to the auxiliary coil through the first electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hamatani
  • Patent number: 5898289
    Abstract: A motor start-up circuit is incorporated in a motor-driving circuit provided with an auxiliary coil which operates during a start-up time of the motor and a main coil for a steady-state operation of the motor. The start-up circuit in one form has a start-up thermistor with positive temperature characteristic and a Triac switch connected in series with the auxiliary coil and a triac-controlling thermistor with positive temperature characteristic connected in parallel to the start-up thermistor, and one of the terminals of the triac-controlling thermistor is connected to the gate of the Triac switch. The start-up circuit in another form has a Triac switch connected in series with the auxiliary coil and a triac-controlling thermistor with positive temperature characteristic connected in parallel to the auxiliary coil and the Triac switch and one of the terminals of the triac-controlling thermistor is connected to the gate of the Triac switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hamatani
  • Patent number: 5789897
    Abstract: A motor-driving circuit includes an auxiliary coil which functions at the time of the start-up of the motor and a main coil for its stead state operation. A component of a start-up circuit to be incorporated in such a motor-driving circuit includes a thermistor with positive temperature characteristic and a Triac switch which are to be connected in series with the auxiliary coil, a case which contains both the thermistor and the Triac switch, and a connector member having a planar contact portion, one of its principal surfaces contacting an electrode of the thermistor and the other of the principal surfaces contacting the inner wall surface of the case. The case may further contain therein another thermistor connected to the gate of the Triac switch for controlling the Triac switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hamatani
  • Patent number: 5617001
    Abstract: A starting circuit for use with single phase induction motors such as capacitor run and capacitor start, capacitor run motors is shown having a triggerable semiconductor (Q1, Q2 and Q3) serially connected to the auxiliary winding (AW) across the power supply (L1, L2). A resistor (RA) is serially connected at (J1) to the main winding (MW) to form a voltage divider to aid in providing triggering current to the triggerable semiconductor. A thermistor (PTC) is connected between the gate and the voltage divider junction (J1). The triggerabIe semiconductor is shown as a triac (Q1) in certain embodiments and as back to back SCRs (Q2 and Q3) in other embodiments. In high current motors the voltage divider resistor (RA) is shown thermally coupled to the thermistor (PTC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanley J. Nacewicz, Stephen P. Geishecker
  • Patent number: 5598080
    Abstract: The single-phase induction motor has a starting device which is activated during the start-up phase of the motor and exposes at least a part of the motor coil to a voltage which changes temporarily, the average value of the voltage formed during one period of oscillation not being equal to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Grundfos A/S
    Inventors: Niels D. Jensen, J.o slashed.rgen Daugbjerg
  • Patent number: 5451853
    Abstract: A starting device for a single phase induction motor can reduce the power consumption and restart in a short time. The starting device for the single phase induction motor having a main winding and a starting winding comprises a starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor connected in series with the starting winding, a bidirectional current control device connected in series with the starting winding and the starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor, and an auxiliary positive characteristic thermistor having a heat capacity smaller than that of the starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor connected in parallel with the starting positive temperature coefficient thermistor, a terminal of the auxiliary positive temperature coefficient thermistor being connected to a gate of the bidirectional current control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Yamada Electric Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Itoh
  • Patent number: 5391971
    Abstract: A circuit for starting a single-phase AC induction motor 11 having a main winding 12 and an auxiliary winding 13, which is so constructed that a PTC element 16 and a triac 17 are connected in series with the auxiliary winding 13 and a gate voltage of the triac 17 is reduced to turn a portion between main terminals of the triac 17 off after a predetermined time period has elapsed since the motor 11 was started, and can effectively lower the power consumption without degrading starting characteristics and can shorten return time required until the motor 11 is restarted and lengthen the life of the PTC element 16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamada, Shigehiro Ichida, Yuichi Takaoka
  • Patent number: 5212436
    Abstract: An autotransformer is used to replace the start capacitor in a split phase induction motor. The autotransformer windings are protected by a PTC resistor which also serves to effectively de-energize the auxiliary winding. In a preferred embodiment, efficiency of the motor in the run mode is enhanced by shunting the secondary of the autotransformer with an NTC element. In alternative embodiments a relay coil is placed in series with the auxiliary winding circuit to remove the PTC and the primary of the autotransformer from the circuit when the motor is in the run mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Stanley J. Nacewicz, William R. Manning
  • Patent number: 5192887
    Abstract: A multi-speed electric motor (1) has a main electrical winding (3) and an auxiliary electrical winding (5) connected in parallel. One additional electrical winding (21) is connected in series with the parallel connected main and auxiliary windings, and another additional electrical winding (23) is connected in series with this third winding. A temperature sensitive resistive element (25) is connected in parallel with at least one of the additional electrical windings. The resistive element improves the motor's starting torque when one or more additional windings are initially connected in the motor circuit as it is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Theis
  • Patent number: 4574229
    Abstract: A motor starter and protection circuit is disclosed wherein a bimetallic contact support supports moveable contacts which are electrically interconnected with stationary contacts during normal non-overload conditions. Current from the power support passes through the stationary moveable contact sets as well as the bimetallic contact support and through the main coil of the motor. A positive temperature coefficient resistance is mounted on the contact support in electrical interconnection therewith. Current passes through this resistance, a TRIAC, and the motor starting winding. Conduction of the TRIAC is controlled by sensing the current which passes through the main motor coil. Only when the current passing through the main coil is substantially greater than normal load current is the TRIAC gated into conduction. A phase control capacitance is interposed between the coil sensing current through the main coil of the motor and the TRIAC gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1986
    Inventor: In S. Kim
  • Patent number: 4467385
    Abstract: A supply and protection unit for a hermetic compressor of a thermostatically regulated refrigerator comprising an electrically insulating support body (3) adapted to be fixed to the casing of the compressor (P); said support body being provided with cavities (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d and 3e) opening at one of its faces intended to face towards the compressor for slidably and removably inserting therein of a pair of electrical devices (1, 2) and connection means thereof to be supported against the compressor casing, one of said devices being a thermally operated protection switch (1) and the other being a resistor (2) with a positive temperature coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Aspera S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fulvio Bandoli, Edoardo Chiarelli
  • Patent number: 4422120
    Abstract: A combination starter-protector device for a winding circuit of a dynamoelectric motor comprises a housing structure having a perforated wall dividing the interior of the housing structure into starter and protector compartments. The starter compartment accommodates therein a positive temperature coefficient thermistor while the protector compartment accommodates therein a bimetal switch. The housing structure has two sets of terminals, one set of the terminals being adapted to be connected to the winding circuit of the motor whereas the other set of the terminals are adapted to be connected to a power source. The distance between the thermistor and the bimetal switch may be adjustable by the employment of a spacer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kobayashi, Takashi Shikama, Tomoyuki Yamamoto, Atsuo Yokota
  • Patent number: 4408244
    Abstract: A circuit, safe against an overload, for incrementally varying the power to an electric blower motor used for heating, ventilating and conditioning vehicles, having a PTC resistor in series with other series resistors in the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1983
    Assignee: Suddeutsche Kuhlerfabrik Julius Fr. Behr GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Reinhold Weible
  • Patent number: 4387330
    Abstract: A single phase alternating current induction type motor is operative at more than one voltage level using the same winding circuitry. The motor has a main winding comprising two serially connected sections similarly formed and physically disposed in slots of a slotted stator core to define a number of primary magnetic poles. A second phase winding, such as a start winding, displaced in phase from the main winding sections, is connected in series with one of the main winding sections and in parallel with the other of the main winding sections. A thermistor is permanently connected in series with the start winding, the thermistor increasing in temperature in response to current flow therethrough to a preselected point where the effectiveness of the second phase winding becomes substantially less than during starting conditions regardless of the operating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert V. Zigler
  • Patent number: 4149236
    Abstract: A process for controlling or regulating analog machine elements utilizing electronic switches as the adjusting element is characterized by the on-off switching signals for the electronic switches being obtained in a digital computer in the form of digital signals which are then conducted directly to the electronic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1979
    Assignee: Messer Grieshiem GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Halbauer
  • Patent number: RE31367
    Abstract: A combination starting and protecting device particularly useful with split phase motors such as those used with refrigeration compressors is disclosed in which an element of material having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) of resistivity characteristic and a thermally responsive switch are disposed in the same housing. A thermal coupling of a preselected value between the PTC element and the thermally responsive switch is provided so that a desired reset or "off" time is obtained for the thermally responsive switch without affecting the "on" time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: John R. D'Entremont