With Controlled Power Conversion Patents (Class 318/800)
  • Patent number: 8829826
    Abstract: A regenerative load electric power management system can include a system bus, an input filter coupled to the system bus, a first bidirectional solid state power controller coupled to the system bus, a motor drive inverter coupled to the input filter, a second bidirectional solid state power controller coupled to the motor drive inverter, a bidirectional direct current DC-DC converter coupled to the second bidirectional solid state power controller and an energy storage bus coupled to the bidirectional DC-DC converter, the energy storage bus providing access to an energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory I. Rozman, Steven J. Moss
  • Patent number: 8829830
    Abstract: A control command generator that generates an armature interlinkage flux command and a torque current command by a torque command, a rotation speed, and an operation target command, includes a first flux command generator generating a first flux command by the toque command or the torque current command, a second flux generator generating a second flux command by the torque command or the torque current command and the rotation speed of the synchronous machine, a command allocation setting unit setting an allocation coefficient equivalent to an allocation ratio of the two first and second flux commands by the operation target command, a flux command adjuster outputting an armature interlinkage flux command by the two flux commands and the allocation coefficient, and a torque current command generator generating the torque current command by the torque command and the armature interlinkage flux command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiko Kobayashi, Kiyoharu Anzai, Noriyuki Wada, Daiki Matsuura
  • Patent number: 8823296
    Abstract: The invention relates to a combined method and device for powering and charging, wherein said device comprises an AC motor (6), a converter (2), storage means (5), and switching means (4) either for enabling the powering of the motor (6) or for enabling the charging of the storage means (5) by the converter (2). The switching means (4) is integrated in the converter (2) and includes at least one H-shaped bridge structure (3) for each phase of the motor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle Moteur
    Inventors: Luis De Sousa, Boris Bouchez
  • Patent number: 8823302
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a switching circuit includes a controller, a target-rotational-speed acquiring device, a target-torque acquiring device, and an ON-time varying device. The controller is configured to turn on a bidirectional conduction switching device provided parallel to a reverse conducting device through which a commutation current flows. The target-rotational-speed acquiring device is configured to acquire a target rotational speed of an alternating current motor. The target-torque acquiring device is configured to acquire a target torque of the alternating current motor. The ON-time varying device is configured to vary, on a basis of the target rotational speed and the target torque, an ON time period during which the bidirectional conduction switching device provided parallel to the reverse conducting device through which a commutation current flows is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8816623
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a motor control apparatus and a method thereof. The operation efficiency of a compressor may be maintained by using a sensorless algorithm, sampling a current applied to a motor more than twice within a period of the triangular carrier wave for performing pulse width modulation to calculate a reference voltage, driving the motor according to the calculated reference voltage to improve control resolution, and performing a high-speed operation while reducing a volume of the compressor, without adding a separate hardware when controlling the operation of the motor provided in the compressor at a high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mingi Kim, Jongwon Heo, Kyunghoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8810170
    Abstract: A method for monitoring input power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes determining, with a processing device, an average input current to the motor, the average input current based on a voltage drop across a shunt resistor in series with the motor, measuring an average input voltage applied to the motor utilizing the processing device, multiplying the average input current by the average voltage to determine an approximate input power, and communicating the average input power to an external interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Brattoli, Guy Bonner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8796969
    Abstract: An switch array for use in a motor control circuit with a power source, controller and a motor includes a plurality of bidirectional switches positioned between the power source and the motor, wherein the bidirectional switches are PWM controlled by high speed control signals from the controller to provide power from the power source to the motor as desired, wherein the switch array is positioned substantially adjacent to the motor. The power source may be a three phase AC power source. The switches are preferably bidirectional gallium nitride (GaN) switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Jay Goetz
  • Patent number: 8779716
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi output inverter that is adapted to supply mains powered appliances 47-49 and/or poly-phase motors 50, 51.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Power Concepts NZ Limited
    Inventor: Christopher William Fotherby
  • Patent number: 8766587
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a motor control apparatus and a method thereof. A phase error of the reference voltage output corresponding to a time delay caused by digital control may be compensated to stably control a motor, thereby improving the stability of a system. The phase compensation unit may be provided therein to convert a reference voltage of the synchronous coordinate system into a reference voltage of the stationary coordinate system when controlling the high-speed operation of the motor, thereby compensating a phase error of the reference voltage output, and allowing the motor to be operated at a high speed while maintaining its efficiency and reducing a volume of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Mingi Kim, Oksun Yu, Kyunghoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8766589
    Abstract: In a motor control unit, a current-carrying failure detection unit determines a first determination condition and a second determination condition. The current-carrying failure detection unit measures a duration of a state where the first determination condition is satisfied, and a duration of a state where the second determination condition is satisfied. When the first or second duration exceeds a predetermined reference period, the current-carrying failure detection unit determines that a current-carrying failure has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiro Takahashi, Satoru Mikamo, Hiroshi Kawamura, Jun Hasegawa, Akihiro Tomita, Akira Nambu
  • Patent number: 8760105
    Abstract: A drive system includes an electric machine and a current source inverter (CSI). This integration of an electric machine and an inverter uses the machine's field excitation coil for not only flux generation in the machine but also for the CSI inductor. This integration of the two technologies, namely the U machine motor and the CSI, opens a new chapter for the component function integration instead of the traditional integration by simply placing separate machine and inverter components in the same housing. Elimination of the CSI inductor adds to the CSI volumetric reduction of capacitors and the elimination of PMs for the motor further improve the drive system cost, weight, and volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventor: John S. Hsu
  • Patent number: 8754599
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a power conversion unit which supplies drive power to a motor, a current detection unit which detects the value of a current flowing from the power conversion unit to the motor, a delta-sigma modulation AD converter to which the current value detected by the current detection unit is input as analog data, and which includes a modulator and a plurality of digital low-pass filters and outputs digital data in accordance with the filter characteristics of the respective digital low-pass filters, and a command generating unit which is connected to the digital low-pass filter to be used for motor drive control among the plurality of digital low-pass filters, and which generates a drive command to the power conversion unit by using the digital data output from the motor drive controlling digital low-pass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Taku Sasaki, Yasusuke Iwashita
  • Patent number: 8736218
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power supply device for an electric vehicle that allows highly efficient operation of a compressor inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 8736206
    Abstract: A power converting apparatus including a power converter that converts a DC voltage into an AC voltage and applies the AC voltage to an AC rotating machine and a control unit that controls the power converter based on an operation command from the outside is provided. The power converting apparatus includes: a first calculating unit that calculates and outputs, from a d-axis current detection value and a q-axis current detection value detected by the AC rotating machine and current command values based on the operation command, first voltage command values to the power converter, magnetic fluxes of the AC rotating machine, and an angular frequency; and a second calculating unit that sets, as an initial value, at least one of the magnetic fluxes and the angular frequency input from the first calculating unit and calculates and outputs second voltage command value to the power converter and an angular frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Masaki Kono, Keita Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 8736221
    Abstract: A direct-current to three-phase alternating-current inverter system includes a three-phase motor, a plurality of switching elements, an inverter circuit for the three-phase motor, a capacitor, a direct-current power source and a control circuit. The switching elements arranged in the inverter circuit serve as upper and lower arms for the respective three phases of the three-phase motor, respectively. The capacitor is connected in parallel to the respective pairs of the upper and lower arms. The direct-current power source is arranged between the neutral-point of the three-phase motor and the respective lower arms or the respective upper arms. The control circuit controls the switching elements such that at least the switching frequency of one pair of the switching elements for one phase through which the current having the greatest value flows is lower than the switching frequencies of the other pairs of the switching elements for the other phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Takuya Naruse, Kazuki Najima
  • Patent number: 8738208
    Abstract: In a configuration in which an auxiliary power supply is connected to an intermediate link circuit of a main conversion unit, intermediate link voltage as input voltage of the auxiliary power supply is set at higher voltage depending on the main conversion unit as a main unit, and loss generated in a main circuit element of the auxiliary power supply increases; therefore, a problem has occurred that a cooling unit has to be increased in size. The main conversion unit recognizes a low-speed and stop state by monitoring a vehicle speed, and varies the intermediate link voltage corresponding to the vehicle speed; thereby, the loss generated in the main circuit element of the auxiliary power supply is reduced at the low-speed and stop state where cooling ability is decreased; as a result, small sizing and light weighting of the cooling unit is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takeo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8729846
    Abstract: A motor drive system includes an inverter that supplies power to a three-phase motor, and a control unit that, when first stopping and then commencing supply of alternating current to three phases of the three-phase motor, switches from first control to third control and then to second control. The first control places switching elements in the inverter in a non-conduction state, the second control is a PWM control of the switching elements, and the third control places and keeps a switching element of each of an upper arm and a lower arm in the conduction state until commencement of the supply of current. The upper arm corresponds to a phase through which current flows in a direction entering the motor upon commencement of the supply, and the lower arm corresponds to a phase through which current flows in a direction exiting the motor upon commencement of the supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Nakata
  • Patent number: 8704482
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a converter-inverter controller for controlling a converter and an inverter. The power conversion device further includes a DC capacitor connected between the converter and the inverter and a DC capacitor voltage detector for detecting a DC capacitor voltage Efc between the connection ends of the DC capacitor. The converter-inverter controller provides variable control on the DC capacitor voltage Efc to the converter on the basis of the motor frequency of an AC motor, the DC capacitor voltage Efc, and a pulse mode. Within a predetermined range of motor frequencies, the converter-inverter controller fixes the PWM modulation factor of the inverter to a value m0 and provides operation control to the inverter, where the value m0 being to reduce a harmonic of a predetermined order included in the output voltage from the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takafumi Maruyama, Takeo Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8681457
    Abstract: Relays are inserted and connected between a battery and a boosting converter, and other relays are inserted and connected between another battery and another boosting converter. A controller outputs control signals that control opening/closing of the relays. When short-circuit of a switching element occurs in the boosting converters, the controller controls turning-off of the relays such that at least one of order and timing of turning off the relays is changed depending on which of the switching elements is short-circuited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinichiro Minegishi, Masashi Yoshimi
  • Patent number: 8669733
    Abstract: A power supply circuit for an electric motor, the circuit comprising a plurality of inverter bridge arms, each having means for connection to a respective winding of the motor, each inverter bridge arm comprising in series a first insulated gate bipolar transistor and a junction field effect transistor that are connected to a controller, the circuit including a second insulated gate bipolar transistor connected in series with each field effect transistor and connected to the controller, and a damping resistor connected in parallel with the second bipolar transistor. An aircraft flight control member including a movable airfoil associated with at least one drive motor connected to such a power supply circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: Roland Casimir, Tony Fourmont
  • Patent number: 8659248
    Abstract: A drive device has a break circuit. The break circuit inputs phase-current values transferred from phase-current sensors mounted on an electrical path of a motor generator. A power switching element is equipped with a freewheel diode connected in parallel with each other. An inverter has pairs of the power switching elements. In each pair, the power switching element in a high voltage side and the power switching element in a low voltage side are connected in series. It is detected for the freewheel diode to be in a freewheel mode when a forward current flows in the freewheel diode. The break circuit detects the freewheel mode where the current flows in the freewheel diode in a lower arm when the phase-current value is not less than a predetermined threshold value. The break circuit detects the freewheel mode where the current flows in the freewheel diode in an upper arm when the phase-current value is not more than the threshold current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Ryotaro Miura, Tsuneo Maebara, Yusuke Shindo, Junichi Fukuta, Junichi Nagata
  • Patent number: 8653841
    Abstract: A high-voltage discharge circuit diagnostic system includes a high voltage DC link with a positive DC link and a negative DC link, a first resistor selectably connectable between the positive DC link and the negative DC link, and a second resistor connected between the positive DC link and the negative DC link. A control module connects the first resistor between the positive DC link and the negative DC link until the high voltage DC link discharges to a first voltage after which the control module disconnects the first resistor from between the positive DC link and the negative DC link to permit continued discharge of the high voltage DC link through the second resistor to a second voltage through an elapsed time period. The control module diagnoses a fault in the second resistor based upon the first voltage, the second voltage, and the elapsed time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Li-Pen J. Ho, David P. Tasky
  • Patent number: 8648556
    Abstract: A permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) includes a stator and rotor powered by an inverter. A device to control the PMSM includes a sensor to sample a measurement ?m of the position of the rotor, a control unit to control an operating point of the PMSM according to the position of the rotor and settings, and an estimation unit to determine an estimate {circumflex over (?)} of the rotor position. The device also includes a malfunction detector to detect a malfunction of the sensor and a switch to connect the control unit to the sensor so that the control unit receives the measured position ?m of the rotor while the malfunction detector does not indicate any sensor malfunction, and otherwise to connect the control unit to the estimation unit so that the control unit receives the estimated position {circumflex over (?)} of the rotor when the malfunction detector indicates a sensor malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hispano Suiza
    Inventors: Guilhem Lejeune, Sebastien Vieillard
  • Patent number: 8633669
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for controlling electrical current through an inductive load. The electrical current is supplied by one of at least three selectable dual capacitor bank electrical circuits. The method includes storing electrical energy during a charge operating state in first and second capacitor banks of a first dual capacitor bank circuit. The stored electrical energy is then used to drive the inductive load when operating the first dual capacitor bank circuit in a drive operating state. After depleting the stored electrical energy from the first and second capacitor banks, the first dual capacitor bank transitions to a collection operating state that includes collecting electrical energy from the inductive load. A second and third dual capacitor circuits simultaneously transition among the charge operating state, the drive operating state, and the collection operating state during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Marc Henness
  • Patent number: 8624530
    Abstract: Systems and methods in which output power that would conventionally be provided by surface equipment to drive downhole equipment, is transformed to increase the voltage before transmitting the power over a power cable to downhole equipment. The downhole equipment includes a step-down transformer that receives power from the power cable at a voltage which is too high to drive the motor or other downhole equipment and reduces the voltage to a level that is suitable for use by the downhole equipment. The step-down transformer may utilize toroidal transformers that are positioned around other components of the system, such as the shaft that couples a motor to an electric submersible pump. The step-down transformer may be configured as a modular unit that can be inserted between components (e.g. motor and seal) that are manufactured using conventional designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Cameron K. Chung, Andrew K. Ball, Matthew D. Wisnewski
  • Patent number: 8614555
    Abstract: An actuator control system includes a controller and a buck-boost circuit. The controller is configured to direct power from a power source to an actuator. The actuator is coupled to a control device to apply a force related to operation of a vehicle. The buck-boost circuit is configured to direct excess power generated by the actuator to an energy storage device when an actuator power level satisfies an anticipated power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: James J. Sheahan, Jr., Thomas W. Omohundro, James L. Peck, Jr.
  • 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: 20130307463
    Abstract: A power conversion method including: receiving an input voltage which is a single-phase AC voltage; designating a first target voltage and a second target voltage respectively representing consecutive target values of a first-phase output voltage and a second-phase output voltage which form a two-phase AC voltage; cyclically connecting and disconnecting a pair of input terminals and a pair of first output terminals at a duty cycle corresponding to a ratio |ref1/in| during a time period in which an instantaneous absolute value of the input voltage is greater than an instantaneous absolute value of the first target voltage; and cyclically connecting and disconnecting the pair of the input terminals and a pair of second output terminals at a duty cycle corresponding to a ratio |ref2/in| during time periods in which the instantaneous absolute value of the input voltage is greater than an instantaneous absolute value of the second target voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuyuki OTSUKA, Yuji KUDOH, Toshimitsu MORIZANE
  • Patent number: 8587279
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes main circuits, in which switching elements are connected in parallel with diodes, respectively. An auxiliary circuit, which is formed of a series-connected second switching element and a capacitor, is connected in parallel with the diode operating as a freewheeling diode. The switching element of the main circuit, which is opposite to the auxiliary circuit, is set to turn on at a reference time. The second switching element of the auxiliary circuit is set to turn on in advance of the reference time by an interval of a discharging time period of the capacitor in a dead time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fan Wang, Tomonori Kimura, Atsushi Kobayashi, Hideaki Ishihara, Masakiyo Horie
  • Patent number: 8587249
    Abstract: A power unit for an electric vehicle includes: a first power source connected between a first node and a second node; a first switch connected between the second node and a third node; a second power source connected between the third node and a fourth node; a second switch connected between the first node and the third node; and a DC-DC converter, wherein the DC-DC converter adjusts an electric potential of the first node by changing an electric potential of the second node by making the first node connectable to the third node, or, by making the second node connectable to the third node; an output electric power obtained from between the first node and the fourth node is supplied to an electric motor; and the first power source or the second power source is a fuel cell stack and an another is a secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Sone
  • 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: 8587239
    Abstract: Identification of electrical equivalent circuit parameters (15) of a three-phase asynchronous motor (09) without a shaft encoder. The method comprises—Assumption of a standstill position of the rotor (11);—Equidirectional test signal infeed U1?, U1? in ? and ? in the stator axis direction of the asynchronous motor (09);—Measuring of a measuring signal I1?, I1? of the ? and ? axial direction of the asynchronous motor (09); and—Identification of equivalent circuit parameters of the asynchronous motor (09) on the basis of the test signal voltages U1?, U1? and of the measuring signal currents I1?, I1?; whereby the test signal feed allows the rotor (11) to remain torque-free. Determination of equivalent circuit parameters (15) of an asynchronous motor (09) as well relates to a motor control device (35), whereby the identified equivalent circuit parameters (15) can be used for the determination, optimization and monitoring of a motor control and for control of electrical drives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Baumuller Nurnberg GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Villwock, Heiko Zatocil
  • Patent number: 8581541
    Abstract: Motor drives, signal conditioning systems and configurable circuit boards are presented in which diode blocking circuits are provided for contemporaneous opening of programming fuses in multiple programmable impedance circuits using a single configuration input signal during manufacturing and for mitigating interference between impedance circuits during system operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Lemberg, Jeremiah Kopiness
  • Patent number: 8575884
    Abstract: A motor drive control system connected to an alternating current/direct current conversion circuit which converts alternating-current voltage or alternating current to direct-current voltage or direct current are provided. A control circuit controls supply or stop of the supply of the direct-current voltage or direct current from the alternating current/direct current conversion circuit to the first number of first direct current/alternating current conversion circuits and the second number of second direct current/alternating current conversion circuits while maintaining the total of the outputs of the first number of motors and the outputs of the second number of motors at a certain power not more than power which can be supplied from the alternating current/direct current conversion circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: FANUC Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Masuda, Kiichi Inaba
  • Patent number: 8575882
    Abstract: Solid state switches of inverters are controlled by timing signals computed in power layer interface circuitry for individual inverters. Multiple inverters may be placed in parallel with common three-phase output. Common control circuitry generates timing signals or data used to reconstruct the common signals and sends these signals to the power layer interface circuitry. A processor in a power layer interface circuitry used these signals to recomputed the timing signals. Excellent synchronicity may be provided between parallel inverters that each separately reconstruct the timing signals based upon the identical received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard H. Radosevich
  • Patent number: 8575885
    Abstract: To make it possible to avoid an unstable state with a simple configuration even one of the phases of the motor fails. A motor drive system in accordance with the present invention includes a motor to which a plurality of phase coils of five phases or more are connected in a star connection, an inverter connected to one end of each of the phase coils, the inverter being configured to convert a DC power into an AC power and supply the AC power to each phase of the motor, a power relay disposed at another end of each of the phase coils, the power relay being configured so as to be able to cut off a supply power to at least one phase coil among the plurality of phase coils of the motor by using a plurality of contact points interposed between the star-connected coils, and a control unit that generates a control signal for the inverter and thereby controls driving of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Okumatsu
  • Patent number: 8575883
    Abstract: A power unit for an electric vehicle includes: a first power source connected between a first node and a second node; a first switch connected between the second node and a third node; a second power source connected between the third node and a fourth node; a second switch connected between the first node and the third node; and a DC-DC converter connected to the second node, wherein the DC-DC converter changes an electric potential of the second node by making the second node connectable to the fourth node or the third node, and an output electric power obtained from between the first node and the fourth node is supplied to an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshihiro Sone
  • 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: 8553432
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an apparatus transmitting power between two electricity networks or between an electricity network and a polyphase electric machine), and including low-voltage power cells (C), which include a single-phase input/output connection (IN/OUT). The power cells are arranged into groups (G1-GN, GP1-GPN1, GS1-GSN2, G1??-GN??) such that at least one power cell per each phase of the electricity network or of the electric machine belongs to each group, and the input terminals (IN) of all the power cells belonging to the same group are connected to a common transformer, the transformer including its own separate winding that is galvanically isolated. The controllable power semiconductor switches connected to the input connectors (IN) of all the power cells supplying power to the same transformer are controlled cophasally with a 50% pulse ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vacon OYJ
    Inventors: Risto Komulainen, Hannu Sarén
  • Patent number: 8519663
    Abstract: A power supply system is provided. The power supply system includes a converter converting a direct input current into a polyphase alternating output current including a plurality M of phases. The converter includes two input terminals, is arranged at the input of the element and delivers the polyphase alternating current to element. The power supply system also includes a controller controlling the converter, a storage bank including at least one storage capacitor between the input terminals, a device protecting the element from over-voltages or over-currents of the polyphase alternating current, between the converter and element, including a plurality of switching arms between the respective phases of the polyphase alternating current. Each switching arm includes two thyristors connected head-to-tail and in parallel. The controller applies a negative voltage to the terminals of at least one thyristor during a period greater than a predetermined turn-off time of the thyristor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Converteam Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Jean-Michel Claude, Abdollah Mirzaian, Matthieu Urbain
  • Patent number: 8513911
    Abstract: A power converter that interfaces a motor requiring variable voltage/frequency to a supply network providing a nominally fixed voltage/frequency includes a first rectifier/inverter connected to a stator and a second rectifier/inverter. Both rectifier/inverters are interconnected by a dc link and include switching devices. A filter is connected between the second rectifier/inverter and the network. A first controller for the first rectifier/inverter uses a dc link voltage demand signal indicative of a desired dc link voltage to control the switching devices of the first rectifier/inverter. A second controller for the second rectifier/inverter uses a power demand signal indicative of the level of power to be transferred to the dc link from the network through the second rectifier/inverter, and a voltage demand signal indicative of the voltage to be achieved at network terminals of the filter to control the switching devices of the second rectifier/inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Converteam Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodney Jones, Christopher Newton
  • Patent number: 8508181
    Abstract: An adjustable frequency drive includes a base having a first portion and a second portion, and an active front end converter disposed on the base. The converter includes an input, an output, and a plurality of first electronic switches electrically connected between the input and the output. An inverter is disposed on the base and includes an input electrically connected to the output of the active front end converter, an output, a plurality of capacitors disposed on the first portion of the base and electrically connected to the input of the inverter, a plurality of second electronic switches disposed on the second portion of the base and electrically connected between the input and the output of the inverter, and a heat pipe assembly. The inverter is structured to provide a single, three-phase output structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Harry Broussard, Melvin L. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8487568
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement is provided for supplying an electric drive, to which at least two electric energy sources can be connected. At least one of the at least two electric energy sources supplies at least intermittently the electric drive by way of at least one actuating element. At least one electric energy source can be disconnected from the electric drive by way of a switch. Furthermore, a method for operating the circuit arrangement, as well as a motor vehicle including the circuit arrangement, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Torsten Franke
  • Patent number: 8487563
    Abstract: A drive motor control apparatus for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a motor and rotation detecting unit. In the apparatus, the first difference computing unit computes one of multiple first differences every time an actual detected angle of rotation of the motor becomes a corresponding representative angle during the one cycle. The first difference indicates an advancing amount of an estimated angle relative to the actual detected angle. The second difference computing unit computes multiple second differences based on the first differences of the one cycle. The second differences are adjusted in accordance with a degree of acceleration and deceleration of the motor. The adjusted second differences are used for correcting the actual detected angle of rotation of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichiro Kawakami, Shigenori Mori, Jyunji Miyachi
  • Patent number: 8482245
    Abstract: A power conversion device in which an inverter for controlling a load is connected to an alternating current power system, and arranged to perform an electric power assist by connecting a direct-current power assist device having a chopper and a charge device to a direct-current circuit of the inverter. The device including a setting section to set charge and discharge target values in accordance with a sensed value of the direct-current voltage of the inverter; a charge control section to perform a charge control based on the charge target value; a discharge control section to perform a discharge control based on the discharge target value; and an instantaneous-low high-speed-compensation section to estimate an electric power corresponding to a direct-current sensed voltage of the inverter, and to output a value to the discharge control section which is obtained by dividing the estimated value by the direct-current sensed voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Meidensha Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Kondo, Katsutoshi Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 8476862
    Abstract: In a system comprising a fuel and a rotating electrical machine, damage of a switching element is prevented when the rotating electrical machine becomes a locked state. In a power controller, it is monitored whether the rotating electrical machine is in the locked state or not. When the rotating electrical machines is judged to be in the locked state, a command for dropping output voltage is given to the fuel cell. Thus, inverter input voltage can be dropped, loss power of the switching element in the rotating electrical machine is dropped and damage can be suppressed. The rotating electrical machine is monitored to cancel the locked state or not while dropping of inverter input voltage is controlled. When the locked state is judged to be canceled, control of the fuel cell is returned to a state of regular operation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadaichi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8471518
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a power switching circuit that has a plurality of series circuits in each of which a switching element that operates as an upper arm and a switching element that operates as a lower arm are connected in series, and a control circuit that generates control signals for controlling the continuity or discontinuity of the switching elements, and, if the relationship between the state of a switching element in a control cycle and the state of the switching element in the next control cycle is a discontinuous relationship, that additionally performs control to make the switching element continuous or discontinuous on the basis of the state of the switching element in the control cycle and the state of the switching element in the next control cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Nishiguchi, Kimihisa Furukawa, Akinori Kamiya, Toshisada Mitsui, Kazuto Ooyama
  • Patent number: 8471519
    Abstract: A voltage command generation unit generates a voltage command value, based on a current deviation relative to a current command value. A dq-axis voltage filter generates a voltage command value subjected to a filtering process for smoothing a change of the voltage command value in a time axis direction. Then, the voltage command value subjected to the filter processing is subjected to a voltage amplitude correcting process and a dq inverse transformation coordinate converting process, so that a phase voltage command for an AC motor is generated. Thus, it is possible to prevent both an amplitude and a phase of the voltage command for the AC motor from being changed rapidly even at a time of control mode switchover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8456128
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi output inverter that is adapted to supply mains powered appliances (47-49) and/or poly-phase motors (50, 51). The inverter is also adapted to reduce ripple current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Power Concepts NZ Limited
    Inventor: Christopher William Fotherby
  • Patent number: 8456115
    Abstract: A data processor establishes a first range of rotational speeds of a rotor of the motor from a first lower limit to a first higher limit and a second range of rotational speeds from a second lower limit to a second higher limit. A hysteresis band or a rotational range of speeds is established such that during operation in the first range the first higher limit is adjusted (e.g., raised by a first amount to be greater than the second lower limit). A sensor detects or measures a rotational speed of a rotor of the motor. The data processor determines whether the measured rotational speed falls within the first range or the second range, as adjusted by the hysteresis band, to identify a selected speed range. A switching frequency of a pulse-width modulation signal is varied in accordance with the selected speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Long Wu, Robert Shaw