Abstract: A vehicle comprising a rotatable wheel (e.g., three rotatable wheels), a forward drive mechanism including a forward drive motor (e.g., an internal combustion engine), and a reverse drive mechanism. The reverse drive mechanism includes a reverse drive motor (e.g., an electric motor) adapted to move the chassis in the rearward direction, and a reverse drive control programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive mechanism when the forward drive motor is off. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a battery for operating the reverse drive motor, and the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the motor when a characteristic of the battery (e.g., an output voltage) falls below a threshold. The vehicle can further include a temperature sensor for the reverse drive motor. In this embodiment, the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive motor when the temperature of the motor exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: The device is provided with an electric power conversion circuit including switching elements for converting a DC electric power to an AC electric power, a load connected to an output side of the electric power conversion circuit, means for detecting a current flowing through a DC side in the electric power conversion circuit, a voltage command value preparing means for controlling the operation of the switching elements in the electric power conversion circuit and a wire breaking detecting means. The wire breaking detection means judges a wire breaking in the load or an abnormality of any of the switching elements in the electric power conversion circuit by making use of a DC current detection value in a period when a current of maximum voltage phase or of voltage minimum phase of the electric power conversion circuit is flowing in a DC current.

Abstract: A fire or smoke barrier 1 has a curtain 2 deployed from a motorised roller 3 mounted in a head box 4. Remote from the head box and connected to the motor via a cable 5 is a motor controller circuit 6. A short circuit protection circuit 9 is connected to the motor within the roller at the motor end of the cable 5. On the motor side of the circuit 9 is a retarder circuit 10 connected across the motor terminals. The short circuit circuit comprises a pair of relays 11, 12, arranged with their normally open contacts 111,121 arranged in parallel. A drive voltage one 11 of the relays has its winding 112 across the input lines 14 of the circuit and the emf one 12 of the relays has its winding 122 across the output lines 15 of the circuit. The input lines 14 are connected to the cable lines 51,52 and the output lines 15 are connected to the motor terminals 16, via the retarder 10.

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor starter circuit for an induction motor, particularly a single-phase AC induction motor, with a main winding (4) and an auxiliary winding (5) supplied with current, particularly AC, via current supply connections (24, 25), and with a starter switch arrangement (15), which serves the purpose of interrupting the current flow through the auxiliary winding (5) after the start of the motor, the starter switch arrangement (15) interacting with a measuring arrangement serving the purpose of measuring the voltage across the auxiliary winding (5).

Abstract: A method, apparatus or computer program implements an overload prevention approach involving monitoring a speed of a motor; detecting an overload condition of the motor based on the monitored speed; and controlling an operation of the motor according to the detected overload condition.

Abstract: A method and a device for switching off an inductive load in a failsafe manner are proposed. According to one aspect of the invention, the method and the device are configured such that a predefined inductive voltage is generated during switch-off. The predefined inductive voltage is monitored by means of a monitoring circuit. In a preferred embodiment, the inductive voltage is set by means of threshold switches and the inductive voltage also is monitored by means of these threshold switches.

Abstract: An electric power steering device that can estimate an ambient temperature and apply current limiting without using ambient temperature detecting means is provided. The electric power steering device includes a motor that supplements the driver's steering force, a controller that determines and controls the quantity of current passed to the motor, and vehicle speed detecting means. The electric power steering device includes ambient temperature estimating means provided with a vehicle speed signal input from the vehicle speed detecting means and limits the quantity of current passed to the motor according to an output from the ambient temperature estimating means.

Abstract: A clothes dryer includes a motor adapted to be mounted on a frame of the dryer for driving a dryer belt to rotate a drum of the dryer. The motor includes a rotor adapted to rotate the belt, at least one winding energizable to cause rotation of the rotor, and a first switch operable to control energization of the winding. A second switch has a sensor for sensing belt breakage. The second switch is mounted on the first switch and is electrically connected to the winding so that when the belt is no longer sensed, the second switch stops operation of the winding and thereby stops rotation of the rotor.

Abstract: A power supply device and a method for controlling the power supply device in which a fusion checking process for the cathode side relay and the anode side relay is easily performed within a short period of time. A battery ECU (controller) measures a first voltage between a high potential output terminal and an anode terminal of the rechargeable battery when a cathode side relay arranged between the high potential output terminal and a cathode terminal of the rechargeable battery and an anode side relay arranged between a low potential output terminal and the anode terminal of the rechargeable battery are open to determine whether or not a cathode side relay is fused. The battery ECU also measures a second voltage between the low potential output terminal and the cathode terminal of the rechargeable battery to determine whether or not the anode side relay is fused.

Abstract: A motor controller automatically determines a motor input power setting based upon manually entered motor output values. The motor controller includes an interface and an input power determining module that determines the motor input power setting from the entered motor output values. A display portion provides a visual display of the determined motor input power setting to facilitate using the determined setting to control motor operation.

Abstract: To provide a motor control apparatus, including a rotational number detecting means for detecting the rotational number of a motor; a current detecting means for detecting a motor current; a voltage detecting means for detecting an impressed voltage to be supplied to a motor; a temperature estimating means for obtaining a motor temperature from the rotational number of a motor, the motor current, and the impressed voltage; and a protection signal generating means for generating an operational signal in order to protect the motor when the obtained motor temperature exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A High Voltage Interlock Loop (HVIL) system and Control Strategy is provided for an alternative fuel vehicle including an electric, a hybrid electric, or a fuel cell vehicle. Generally, the HVIL system having associated logic including an HVIL circuit is provided to allow the vehicle to operate in either a high voltage (HV) or power mode powered by a power source or a HVIL interrupt mode based on an operational state of the HVIL system. When HVIL circuit fails shorted high, low or open, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is set and the Service Soon Lamp is illuminated to indicate to a service technician that additional safety precautions need to be taken when servicing the HV system. The HV contactors may or may not be activated providing HV to the vehicle when HV is not expected to be present at connectors and HV devices.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting excessive current flow through a switching element derives an electrical quantity relating to a condition of the switching element and correlated with the current level, and compares the magnitude of that electrical condition quantity with a threshold value corresponding to the maximum allowable level of current. A temperature detection signal indicative of the switching element temperature is converted to a compensation signal having a temperature characteristic which is modified from that of the temperature detection signal, and which is utilized to compensate the magnitude comparison operation against inaccuracy caused by a temperature dependency of the electrical condition quantity.

Abstract: A vehicle ground fault detection system for detecting a ground fault includes a fault detection circuit having a resistance element. The resistance element has one side connected to a supply voltage. An electrical switching circuit is connected to the resistance element for selectably coupling the other side of the resistance element to a secondary ground. The fault detection circuit further includes a fault detection sense line connected to a junction between the other side of the resistance element and the electrical switching circuit. A controller selectably couples the resistance element to the secondary ground. The controller is coupled to the fault detection sense line to receive a voltage signal for detecting the ground fault prior to a start-up of the AC step-up power transformation. The controller determines a ground fault based on a comparison responsive to the voltage signal and a predetermined comparative value.

Abstract: A counting unit counts a current supplying duration for a component which determines a life of a device. A prediction unit predicts the device life based on an integrated current supplying duration integrated by the counting unit and a lifetime of the component. A monitoring unit monitors an efficient operating condition of the device based on a prediction signal outputted from the life prediction unit. The counting unit and the life prediction unit is provided at a short-life fan and a long-life component respectively, and the life prediction unit predicts the life of the device based on information on the short-life fan and the long-life component.

Abstract: A switch monitoring circuit includes a switch arranged to be turned ON/OFF in response to an operation, a capacitor connected to both ends of the switch, a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the switch in response to a command, a voltage detecting unit that detects the voltage applied to the switch and a diode connected to the switch and the capacitor. The diode prevents an electric charge stored in the capacitor from being emitted.

Abstract: An intelligent automatic bypass for a motor control device determines if a fault that is occurring is a restricted or non-restricted fault. A restricted fault is one that may damage or destroy the motor if an automatic switch to bypass is allowed to occur for all faults. The intelligent automatic bypass allows the automatic switch to bypass only if the fault is a non-restricted fault and blocks the automatic switch to bypass if the fault is a restricted fault.

Abstract: A motor control module designed to control operation of a plurality of different motors in a plurality of different tools a power tool uses an electronic clutch in the module in conjunction with a mechanical clutch in the tool to protect the tool against an overload event. The module is adapted to implement methods to provide aural and/or tactile feedback to a tool user as a warning of an impending or current fault condition in the tool. The module can prevent power from inadvertently turning on either after an overload event has cleared with the tool plugged in and its power switch on, or after plugging in the tool within the power switch on. The control module is adapted to provide torque control for the power tool, to estimate tool motor temperature and to inform a tool user when a servicing need in the tool is required.

Abstract: The invention includes an electric alternator/motor having a rotor, stator and at least one winding in the stator adapted to conduct a current, the machine also having and first and second magnetic circuits, one of which includes a saturable portion in which saturation may be controlled to permit control of the machine.

Abstract: In controlling a seatbelt retracting device having a mechanism for retracting a seatbelt with a motor, a current flowing to the motor is detected, and a rate of increase in the current is calculated. The motor is stopped when the rate of increase in the electricity exceeds a predetermined rate and when the electricity exceeds a predetermined value, respectively.

Abstract: A linear power controller system may be implemented that includes locked-rotor protection circuitry that is primarily assembled using analog circuit components. The locked rotor protection circuitry may be part of a power module in the system. The power module may be a switched power source that includes temperature circuit. A control loop may be established in the system to maintain the voltage across a motor that is driver by the power module. Circuitry for establishing a close loop with a motor may be positioned in a control head in the system or in a power module in the system. Temperature protection circuitry may be integrated into a current source in the power module to provide automatic thermal shutdown of the current source. The linear power module may specifically include analog circuitry that is arranged to establish a control loop with the motor.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for protecting an induction motor are disclosed. The exemplary system may have a module for determining the current drawn by the motor and a module for determining the state of the motor. The system may calculate a used thermal capacity based on a first formula when the motor is in an active state. The system also calculates the used thermal capacity based on a second formula when the motor is in an inactive state. When the used thermal capacity attains a threshold, the relay is tripped thus removing current to the motor and preventing motor from overheating. A method to derive thermal time constants from desired trip time limits (such as those defined by IEC standards or the thermal limit curves provided by motor manufacturers) is also presented. For example, the thermal time constants can then be used in tacking motor used thermal capacity throughout various motor states.

Abstract: Overspeed protection of sensorless electric drives is needed in the aerospace industry. Methods for overspeed protection may include software implementations, hardware implementations or combinations thereof. Typical high-speed rotating machinery is designed to sustain overspeed operation of up to 50% beyond maximum normal operation. This requirement leads to substantial penalties in weight and volume. The methods of the present invention may allow for an opportunity to reduce this overspeed design to about 5 to 15%, typically about 7%.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for controlling a motor of a disk drive. The method is used to stably control the startup current of a motor by considering a voltage drop and the disk drive uses the method. The method includes managing power-on reset retry information generated during the startup of the motor and determining the startup current of the motor that corresponds to a power-on reset retry count included in the power-on reset retry information.

Abstract: A motor protection device includes a detection unit for detecting an operating state of a motor and outputting a detection signal; a reference unit for generating a variable reference signal; a discriminating unit for comparing the detection signal with the variable reference signal to discriminate whether the motor is in an abnormal condition; and a protection unit that receives a result of discrimination from the discriminating unit and limits a driving current for the motor when the motor is in an abnormal condition. The motor protection device is characterized in that the reference unit adjusts the variable reference signal according to a motor rotation detection signal, so that the motor rotation detection signal and the detection signal are used synchronously in discriminating whether the motor is in an abnormal condition, and the motor in an abnormal condition may be doubly protected.

Abstract: A control device for soft starting and protecting overload of a motor in a power tool is disclosed. The control device comprises a power switch, a varistor, several diodes, several resistors, several capacitors, a relay, a transistor, a triac, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is embedded with program such that, after the power switch is turned on, the microcontroller generates a smooth soft start voltage to drive the power tool. With the characteristics of power-control device, the voltage sent to motor is increased from low to full range. When the speed of motor is increased from low to the maximum, the microcontroller turns off the power-control device and turns on a relay.

Abstract: A method of protecting an electromechanical power transfer system from excessive peak electrical potentials, the power transfer system comprising a prime mover, a dynamoelectric machine coupled to the prime mover for generating multiphase alternating current (AC) power, and at least one multiphase AC electrical load coupled to the dynamoelectric machine by way of a multiphase AC power bus, the dynamoelectric machine having a control coil responsive to control current for varying power supplied to the electrical load, comprises the steps of: analysing electrical potentials on the power bus to generate analysed power bus characteristics; comparing the analysed power bus characteristics to predetermined power bus characteristics; simultaneously shunting power across the power bus and reducing control current to the control coil for the dynamoelectric machine when the analysed power bus characteristics approximate the predetermined power bus characteristics to reduce the measured electrical potentials; and simult

Abstract: A shift-by-wire shift switching device and shift switching method that switch a shift range of an automatic transmission using an electric motor. The shift switching device includes a controller that determines whether a fault has occurred in a current supply line of each phase of the electric motor on a phase-by-phase basis, executes an open-loop control of the electric motor using only the phases in which it has been determined that a fault has not occurred, and determines whether a fault has occurred in the current supply line by detecting an activation state of the electric motor when the open-loop control of the electric motor is executed. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether a fault in the motor is a short-circuit fault or a break fault, without addition of a part such as a short-circuit detection sensor.

Abstract: According to the present invention, the operation of a diagnostic circuit within a load drive circuit, which has been built into an electronic control device, is checked without modifying the electronic control device or the like. The load drive circuit, which drives a load such as a solenoid using a DC power supply as a power supply, includes a drive circuit and a diagnostic circuit which is independently provided within the drive circuit. Upon input of a drive-stop signal from a control circuit that controls the drive circuit, the operation of at least the drive circuit stops, so that whether the diagnostic circuit, which diagnoses the condition of the load, is normally operating or not is checked in a condition in which the load drive circuit has been built into the electronic control device.

Abstract: A multi-phase AC motor driving device in which occurrence of failure is not erroneously determined is provided. In a multi-phase AC motor driving device including an inverter circuit; current detecting resistances Ru, Rv, and Rw, respectively arranged on lower arm of the respective phase of the inverter circuit, for detecting phase current of the motor; and a control portion and a PWM circuit for controlling ON/OFF operation of switching devices of the inverter circuit, the determination on the occurrence of failure based on the current values detected by the current detecting resistances is not made if the ON-duty ratios of the switching devices on the upper arms of the inverter circuit are not smaller than a predetermined value.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling a control circuit, which comprises a step in which a variation in a control parameter for the control circuit is effected, said variation being determined so that at least one emission characteristic of an unfavorable electromagnetic radiation is reduced.

Abstract: A system for sensing short circuits and open circuits prior to operation of a motor (i.e., while the motor is in a static state), thereby sparing the electrical system from destructive effects of these electrical problems. In addition, the system may detect a short circuit during operation of the motor (i.e., while the motor is in a dynamic state). Still yet, the system may detect an open circuit at the motor. The motor may be any electromechanical motor, such as a direct current (DC) motor, used in a vehicle or otherwise for controlling motion of a mechanical device.

Abstract: A protective device for a controlling system of a sewage pump has a protective circuit to protect a start capacitor and to avoid the start capacitor from burnout when an overload is occurred by actuating power source (ON status) or a transient voltage is occurred by malfunction of a controlling circuit. Therefore, the start capacitor is certainly protected and significantly improved in lifespan.

Abstract: A speed control and stall protection system 10 for an electric DC brush motor includes a DC brush motor M. At least one relay K3 is connected between the motor and a power supply. A speed sensing circuit 20 is constructed and arranged to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the motor. A motor control and protection circuit 116 is constructed and arranged to receive 1) the signal from the speed sensing circuit and 2) a control signal input for operating the at least one relay to control operation of the motor. When a stall condition is determined based on the signal from the speed sensing circuit, the motor control and protection circuit is constructed and arranged to control the at least one relay to disconnect power to the motor.

Abstract: An actuator for a clutch or gear mechanism in a motor vehicle comprises an electric motor and an incremental encoder. The encoder comprises a position measurement signal output at which a position measurement signal can be output which has a number of different signal states, each of which is assigned to a relative position between a primary part and a secondary part of the electric motor. For the commutation of the electric motor, the position measurement signal output is connected to a position measurement signal input of a control device for a motor winding of the electric motor. The control device comprises a device for checking the plausibility of the position measurement signal and is designed in such a manner that on the occurrence of an implausible signal state the power supply to the electric motor is disconnected and/or the power of the electric motor is limited.

Abstract: A vehicle alternator control device in which, when a signal detection portion detects a determined input signal, an operating mode of an overvoltage warning portion is switched to a detection operating mode by an overvoltage warning operating mode switching portion. In the detection operating mode, the overvoltage warning portion is activated when a voltage below a determined voltage has continued for a time that is less than a determined time. Accordingly, checks related to the operation of the overvoltage warning portion can be completed in a short time at a plant or the like.

Abstract: A torque detection portion includes a first arm having a detection coil L1 and a resistor R1, and a second arm having a detection coil L2 and a resistor R2. When a test mode is set, a reference voltage Vref having an abnormal value is outputted to a monitoring portion 13. An abnormal condition is intentionally caused in the monitoring portion 13. A main torque signal Vtm is compared with a sub torque signal Vts in the monitoring portion 13. When the reference voltage Vref set in the monitoring portion 13 has the abnormal value, a sub torque signal Vts having a level of 0 (Vts=0) is forcibly outputted in a normal condition. Then the signal Vtm is equal to the signal Vts, the monitoring portion 13 determines that a shortcircuit occurs between a main torque signal line and a sub torque signal line.

Abstract: Both a method and a use by this method of an apparatus for detecting blocking of a direct current motor (10), in particular a direct current motor (10) for a blower of a motor vehicle, is presented. The direct current motor (10) is deactivated by a computer unit (20) with the aid of a switching means (18) for a defined time period (Toff). Within the defined time period (Toff), at least one subsequent time (ta, tb), an induced voltage (U) of the direct current motor (10) is measured and forwarded to the computer unit (20). The direct current motor (10) remains deactivated if the induced voltage (U) undershoots a predetermined threshold value (Uth), or the direct current motor (10) is reactivated if the induced voltage (U) of the direct current motor (10) does not undershoot the predetermined threshold value (Uth).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus that permit the measurement of the motor average current directly from the output of the amplifier and filter stage used for instantaneous dc-link overcurrent protection. As such, only one amplifier and filter stage is sufficient to provide both the motor average current and instantaneous dc-link overcurrent protection. The invention permits the suppression of the amplifier and filter stage that is typically used to derive the motor average current directly from the dc-link current.

Abstract: The hybrid induction motor includes a housing; a stator installed in the housing and having a stator core portion and a stator coil portion; a rotor coupling body having a rotary shaft rotatably installed in at the housing, a cage rotor portion rotating integrally with the rotary shaft, and a permanent magnet rotor portion coupled to a circumference of the cage rotor portion with a certain air gap so as to rotate freely with respect to the rotary shaft; and a reverse rotation preventing switch, when the rotary shaft rotates reversibly, coming in contact with the permanent magnet rotor portion which is moved along the shaft by thrust generated by the rotor coupling body and cutting off power being supplied to the stator coil portion.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to improve safety of a motor by instantaneously detecting the abnormality of a PWM signal. To achieve the object, provided is a motor control microcomputer for outputting PWM signals to a motor drive circuit driving a motor, which includes an abnormal signal detection circuit and a PWM signal stop circuit. The abnormal signal detection circuit receives inputs of positive-phase and negative-phase signals of the PWM signals, detects that both of the positive-phase and negative-phase signals are at the H level, and then outputs detection signals. The PWM signal stop circuit receives the detection signals from the abnormal signal detection circuit, and stops the outputs of the PWM signals.

Abstract: A drive system for an electrical machine is provided. The system includes a control unit and a monitoring unit, which is independent of the control unit. The control unit includes a device that converts one or more incoming operating parameters of the electrical machine to an output value. The monitoring unit includes a device that converts the operating parameters to a comparison value, with the conversion being carried out more quickly in the control unit than in the monitoring unit. A comparator compares the output value or an intermediate value of the output value with the comparison value of the output value or of the intermediate value.

Abstract: A specially designed rotation speed controller for fans, in addition to basic components like variable resistor, the controller has also been equipped with special components such as TRIAC, micro limit switch, and glass tube fuse, which allows said controller to precisely control the on/off status and the rotation speed of the fan, and the controller also provides power-off protection against power overload.

Abstract: A current detector (60) samples a motor current (MCRT_A) from a controlling sensor and a motor current (MCRT_B) from a monitoring sensor, and holds respective motor current maximum values (MCRT_Amax, MCRT_Bmax) at each prescribed operation cycle. An abnormality determiner (62a) detects that the motor current maximum value (MCRT_Amax) is in GND short-circuiting range and that the current difference between the maximum values exceeds a prescribed threshold value at each of successive operation cycles, to thereby determine an abnormality of the controlling sensor. Then, the abnormality determiner (62a) generates a detect signal (DET) specifying the current sensor abnormality and outputs it to a relay driver (64) and an alarm (66). Relay driver (64) receives the detect signal (DET) and generates a signal (SE) to turn off a system relay. The alarm (66) generates a signal (AL) and outputs it to display means arranged outside a power supply apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for intelligent power management of actuators such as those used in papermaking. Multiple power supply units are connected to a common power bus. The power bus is connected at predetermined locations to a communications bus. The communications bus is connected in series with all of the actuators. The actuators are arranged in predetermined groups. A computing device determines if electrical power can be supplied to some or all of the actuators that are requesting simultaneous movement and if there is insufficient power for all such actuators the computing device issues permission for actuators to move based on a preselected criteria.

Abstract: A device for protecting the bearing of an electrical machine against the damaging passage of current, wherein the electrical machine comprises a stator and a rotor pivotally mounted relative to the stator by the bearing. The device is provided with a compensation circuit which produces a compensation current which compensates for a parasitic current formed during operation of the electrical machine by the bearing and a coupling element for directly or indirectly coupling the compensation current into the bearing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling a system comprising at least one electric motor. The system includes aspects which permit, among other things, electromagnetically disconnecting a failed permanent magnet motor from said system, weight savings in motor control electronics, controllability benefits and other benefits.

Abstract: Control apparatus for an actuating device in a motor vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle seat actuating device, having a sensor for determination of an actual speed of a drive movement of a drive for the actuating device, having a computation unit which is connected to the sensor, and having a power driver for passing current through the drive as a function of the control signal, with the computation unit being designed and configured to regulate the actuating speed of the drive movement as a function of the actual speed and of a predeterminable set speed by means of a control signal, and to stop or to reverse the drive movement as a function of an evaluation, associated with trapping, of the control signal.

Abstract: The following invention is an electromechanical system (1) that is to be connected to an electricity supply (7), comprising: an electric machine (2) that can operate as an independent generator with a rotating shaft, and a switching system (9) allowing i) in the first configuration, the electric machine to operate as a motor in the case where the connected device (4) is normally driven or as a generator in the case where the coupled device is normally driving, and ii) in the second configuration, the electric machine to operate as an independent generator, the electrical energy generated by the electric machine (2; 22) being dissipated in the machine and in a dissipative load (13).

Abstract: A ceiling fan motor control module includes a digital core controller coupled to a brushless motor for computing, processing, transmitting and controlling signals and providing a soft start and stop function, a back stage output device for receiving signals from the digital core controller and modulating the voltage to a predetermine operating value for driving the brushless motor, a protection control device for receiving and detecting signals from each power supply, back stage output device and brushless motor to effectively provide an automatic tripping protection, a signal indication module for receiving signals from the digital core controller to indicate the current status of the digital core controller, and an interface processing device installed between each power supply and the digital core controller for receiving a feedback signal and a control command of the digital core controller, such that the protection control device can automatically and effectively disconnect the output and stop the operat