Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for the selective operation of at least two electric machines (1, 2) that are each supplied via a plurality of phase lines, comprising:—one voltage protection module (5) for limiting an intermediate circuit voltage,—one switch arrangement (4) for selecting one of the electric machines by switching the phase lines;—first choke inductivities (8) in each of the plurality of phase lines between the circuit arrangement (4) and the voltage protection module (5), wherein one second choke inductivity (9?) each may be switched parallel to one or more first choke inductivities (8) as a function of the selected electric machine (1, 2), can be switched.

Abstract: A method of propelling a mobile machine is disclosed. The mobile machine may have a plurality of DC traction motors, including a first DC traction motor and a second DC traction motor. The method may include driving a first traction device with the first DC traction motor, the first DC traction motor including a first field coil and a first armature electrically connected in series. The method may also include driving a second DC traction device with the second DC traction motor electrically connected in series with the first DC traction motor, the second DC traction motor including a second field coil and a second armature electrically connected in series. Additionally, the method may include, in response to slippage of the first traction device, bypassing at least a portion of electric current flowing through the first field coil around the first armature. The method may also include directing at least a portion of the bypassed electric current through the second field coil and the second armature.

Abstract: An actuator system for assisting extension of a biological joint is provided with a motor assembly, a rotary-to-linear mechanism, and an extension stop. The rotary-to-linear mechanism includes a screw that accepts rotational output of the motor assembly, and a nut that cooperates with the screw to convert rotational movement of the screw to linear movement of the nut. The extension stop is driven by linear movement of the nut in an extension direction to cause extension of the biological joint. The motor assembly, the rotary-to-linear mechanism and the extension stop cooperate to allow unpowered flexion of the joint. The system is configured without a flexion stop, and is configured such that the nut cannot drive the joint in a flexion direction. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for an efficient hub motor. A stator is attached to a shaft. Coils are embedded in the stator in a circular pattern. Two rotors are rotatably coupled to the shaft with the stator between them. Permanent magnets are embedded in each rotor. Each permanent magnet and each core has a similar cross-sectional shape. The permanent magnets are positioned in a circular pattern corresponding to the coils. The permanent magnets are positioned so that when a coil aligns with a permanent magnet a next coil aligns between two magnets. Shorting bars connect exterior edges of the permanent magnets. A sequence control connects each coil so that current flows in a coil in one direction and the sequence control disconnects the coil and reconnects the coil with current flowing in the opposite direction in response to a set of permanent magnets aligning with a coil.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a motor drive is provided that includes a control board and one or more option boards coupled to the control board via one or more serial interfaces such that data from the one or more option boards is communicated via one or more synchronous interrupts on the one or more serial interfaces. A method of operating a motor drive that includes transmitting one or more signals from an option board to a control board via one or more synchronous interrupts, wherein the option board is coupled to the control board via a serial interface. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a motor drive system that is substantially more robust than those of the prior art. Generally, the motor drive system provides a redundant communication topology with the drives, thereby greatly reducing the chance of failure by a fault in the drive-to-drive communication link. Specifically, the motor drive system includes a plurality of motor drives joined by a communication media. Each motor drive has a motor control circuit configured to control the speed of an electric motor and a media access control unit having two communication modules. Each communications module includes a transmitter and a receiver joined to the communications media. A set of routing switches in the media access control unit joins the communication modules to connect the motor drives in an independent primary and a secondary ring communicating data for controlling the motor drives.

Abstract: A radiator blower, in particular for motor vehicles, is indicated that comprises a plurality of individual fans (11, 12), each having an electrical drive motor (13, 14), and a plurality of switches (S1, S2, S3), each capable of being switched over into two positions, by means of which the drive motors (13, 14) are capable of being turned on and back off individually or in a series or parallel connection. To prevent disturbing noises from developing when the individual fan (11, 12) comes to rest after being turned off, when the operating drive motor or motors (13, 14) is/are turned off, an electronic control unit (20) forces the switches (S1, S2, S3)—at least temporarily—over into switch positions that bring about a short-circuiting of the turned-off drive motor or motors (FIG. 1).

Abstract: A load in an electrical apparatus is driven by two motors M1, M2. Switching means (R1, R2) switches the motors M1, M2 between: a series configuration, in which the motors M1, M2 are connected in series across a power supply and driven with a dc supply; and a parallel configuration in which the motors M1, M2 are connected in parallel across the power supply and driven with an ac supply. In the series configuration, a bridge rectifier BR is switched across the ac supply to provide the dc supply for the motors M1, M2 and in the parallel configuration, the rectifier BR is removed from the circuit. The arrangement can be used to drive a drum of a washing machine or a load in some other kind of appliance.

Abstract: At least two motors share a common driving circuit. The armatures of the motor are connected in parallel between the terminals of the power supply. Limiting resistors and choke diodes are included to prevent imbalances caused by different loads on the respective armatures and to maintain similar operating characteristics in the motors. The parallel motors can include either a series field winding, or shunt or permanent magnet excitation.

Abstract: A method for starting and operating an electric motor such as the spindle motor of a disk drive assembly employs a segmented stator winding. On startup, the winding segments are connected in series in order to maximize torque. Motor speed is detected, and when a predetermined speed is reached, the segments are connected in parallel to reduce the effective number of winding turns and maintain a control voltage for motor speed control. Switching of the winding segments can be by active elements such as FETs or by passive reactive elements responding directly to motor speed. For more gradual motor torque constant control, the winding may have more than two segments.

Abstract: An integral series parallel changeover and power dynamic brake controller apparatus for a transit vehicle disclosed. The controller utilizes a single cam shaft to operate switches for the series parallel function and the power brake function. The apparatus includes a cam shaft return spring which is latched out during normal operation. Upon a power failure the spring is released. An escapement mechanism is provided to slow the rotation of the cam shaft upon the spring being released to provide for desirable sequential operation of the power circuit.

Abstract: A power supply in which a single variable voltage supply device is used as a power source for a plurality of motors which are simultaneously or successively rotated, in which each motor is subjected to constant current driving by a current control device connected to the motor, and in which the variable voltage supply device is controlled so as to produce a voltage which is the sum of the highest one of the voltages required for driving the motors and necessary and minimum voltage with which all the current control devices are operable.

Abstract: Two separately-excited d-c electric motors are used to drive the wheels of a traction vehicle. The magnitude of motor field current varies as a function of the value of a variable control signal, which value is representative of any deviation of the field current magnitude from a given reference magnitude. When electric braking of the vehicle is desired, the reference magnitude is normally determined by the difference (if any) between the actual rotational speed of the slower motor and a predetermined desired speed, whereby motor field current is varied as necessary to regulate the retard speed of the vehicle. Means is provided for automatically initiating the retard speed regulation mode of operation as the vehicle accelerates and the actual rotational speed of the faster motor approaches the aforesaid desired speed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an overspeed protective apparatus for an electric motor having pairs of stator windings normally connected in parallel, the apparatus having an actuating mechanism responsive to an overspeed condition of the motor and an electrical switching assembly normally connecting the stator windings in parallel but adapted upon actuation by the actuating mechanism to interrupt the parallel connection and connect pairs of windings in series.

Abstract: An electrically operated dual motor drive system of the type having differentially variable left and right traction motor circuits (10,12) including left and right variable duty cycle power switches (20,22) connecting the motors (14,16) independently to a power source (18), left and right auxiliary switches (28,36) in series with the traction motor circuits for complemental operation of same and a selectively operated shunt switch (64) which connects the power transistors (20,22) in parallel for high torque, low speed operating conditions.

Abstract: Power control system comprising an intermittent device for applying intermittent voltage between intermittent voltage terminals; the intermittent device having a DC input terminal and at least one pair of intermittent terminals; a plurality of pairs of reverse series connected devices comprising control electrical valves and other electrical valves; said connected devices being connected in parallel between the intermittent voltage terminals; and a plurality of loads which are respectively connected to the series junctions of the plurality of pairs of reverse series connected devices.