Abstract: A switching device for a high-voltage circuit breaker includes at least two switches for ascertaining states of apparatuses of the switching device via a monitoring system. The at least two switches are connected together in series and/or in parallel and can be connected together to exactly one input of the monitoring system. A high-voltage circuit breaker includes the switching device and the monitoring system, which is and/or includes a data acquisition, data processing, data storage and/or data transmission unit, in particular with digital-analog and/or analog-digital converters. A method for operating the switching device provides the at least two switches connected in series and/or in parallel, and forwards the state of the apparatuses via an input, in particular via exactly one input of the monitoring system, in the form of electric variables, in particular a voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of batteries, first and second relays, a relay control module, and a welding indication module. The batteries are electrically connected and collectively output power for an electric motor via first and second nodes. The first relay is connected between a first output of the batteries and the first node. The second relay is connected between a second output of the batteries and the second node. The relay control module controls the first and second relays. The welding indication module commands the relay control module to open the first relay during a diagnosis period, commands the relay control module to close the second relay during the diagnosis period, and indicates whether the first relay is welded closed based on a voltage between the first and second nodes during the diagnosis period.

Abstract: A power device possesses a built-in fuse function and can continue to normally operate after a short circuit failure. The power device includes a plurality of output cells, a plurality of bonding wires provided corresponding to the output cells, and a control terminal driving circuit. Each of the output cells includes an output transistor. First side electrodes of the output transistors are commonly coupled to a first power source. Each of second side electrodes of the output transistors is coupled to an output terminal through the corresponding bonding wire. The control terminal driving circuit supplies a drive signal to the control terminals of the individual output transistors to control the output transistors. Each of the bonding wires is designed to be fused and cut if the output transistor included in the corresponding output cell fails and is shorted.

Abstract: Based on the operation of a motor driver (16), a counter (13) makes an addition to and a subtraction from a heat generation counter value which is stored in a storage (14) and represents the temperature variation of a motor (7) and/or the motor driver (16). Once a switching decider (12) decides that a shift has been made from a normal operation mode, in which operating power is supplied, to a sleep mode which has a lower power consumption than that in the normal operation mode, a power source controller (15) refers to the heat generation counter value; and, when the heat generation counter value is equal to or more than a specified threshold value, the power source controller (15) stands by until the counter (13) makes a subtraction from the heat generation counter value to the threshold value and then shifts to the sleep mode.

Abstract: The system has a driving circuit for the motor of the electric fan, coupled to the electrical system of a motor vehicle and having a plurality of controlled electronic switches, and an electronic control unit arranged to control the driving circuit in such a way as to cause the flow in the motor of a variable average current capable of producing a required speed of rotation, in accordance with a predetermined relationship or function. The control unit is designed to store a predetermined threshold of rotation speed, and to control the motor through the associated driving circuit in such a way that when the rotational speed of the motor exceeds the threshold the driving circuit causes electrical braking of the motor.

Abstract: A safety control apparatus includes: control means that controls a control object; control monitoring means that monitors the control means, and upon determination that the control means is abnormal, outputs an abnormal signal; delay means that generates a delay signal and outputs the delay signal, the delay signal being obtained by delaying the abnormal signal output from the control monitoring means for a predetermined period of time; and stop means that stops the control object according to the delay signal output from the delay means. The control monitoring means may output the abnormal signal of pulse form to the delay means upon determination that the control means is abnormal, and the delay means may output the delay signal with pulse interval wider than that of the abnormal signal.

Abstract: A modular form factor power module system with monitoring and control functions is disclosed. The power module system is configured to power, monitor and/or control telecommunications equipment at the circuit level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a pump control system. One or more embodiments of the invention include a pump controller that can perform a self-calibrating procedure, can provide precise motor speed control, can provide a limp mode before shutting down the motor when system parameters are exceeded and/or fault conditions occur, can detect fault conditions, and can store fault conditions for later retrieval.

Abstract: A motor driving circuit receives a control pulse signal pulse-width modulated according to a target rotational speed, and drives a fan motor. A start pulse signal generating unit generates a start pulse signal having a predetermined duty ratio. A driving unit drives the fan motor by pulse width modulation according to the driving pulse signal received from a control unit. When the duty ratio of the control pulse signal is switched from zero to a nonzero value when the fan motor is in the stopped state, the control unit commences the driving operation for the fan motor. The control unit outputs, as the driving pulse signal, the start pulse signal, in a predetermined start period Ts from the commencement of the driving operation. After the start period elapses, the control unit outputs the control pulse signal as the driving pulse signal.

Abstract: A modular control assembly is provided for on-machine control of a desired machine. One embodiment has a machine mountable base and a replaceable control unit, wherein the machine mountable base has a machine protection device. In various embodiments of the machine mountable base, the machine protection device may have a short-circuit protective device and a disconnect device. In addition, various embodiments of the replaceable control unit may have a variable frequency drive, a soft start device, or an adjustable overload protection device.

Abstract: A motor controller is provided. The motor controller includes a motor drive unit that drives a plurality of motors; a thermal shutdown unit that is provided in the motor drive unit and that stops the plurality of motors in the case of an overload; a lock signal generation unit that generates a lock signal corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of motors when a rotational speed of the respective motor reaches a threshold speed set for the respective motor; and an operation determination unit which, when the lock signal generation unit interrupts lock signals for all of the plurality of motors, determines that thermal shutdown unit has operated.

Abstract: An inverter system having a semiconductor device, and a railway vehicle using this inverter, provide a more accurate determination of whether an abnormal heat generation from the inverter is associated with an error of the inverter system or is due to other causes, by use of a plurality of temperature detecting elements at a plurality of sites associated with the semiconductor device. An error detection section applies inputs from the temperature detecting elements, captures a trend of the differential value based on the plurality of temperature inputs using period sampling wherein an error associated with the semiconductor device, and not from some other condition such as outside environment temperature, is determined based on differences from, or a change in, the initial trend.

Abstract: A motor-drive circuit comprising: a current-passage-control circuit to perform ON/OFF control of a drive transistor connected to a motor coil to pass current through the motor coil; an overcurrent-state-detection circuit to detect whether current passing through the drive transistor is in an overcurrent state where the current exceeds a predetermined threshold value; a charging and discharging circuit to start charging a capacitor in response to detecting the overcurrent state by the overcurrent-state-detection circuit and subsequently discharge the capacitor in response to not detecting the overcurrent state; and an overcurrent-protection-control circuit to stop the ON/OFF control to turn off the drive transistor, for an elapsed charging period for a charging voltage of the capacitor at a predetermined voltage to exceed a threshold voltage, and determine whether to perform such an overcurrent-protection-control as to turn off the drive transistor by detection of the overcurrent state, after the charging peri

Abstract: Provision is made for a switch-state monitoring device that not only monitors the state of a switch but also prevents a motor burnout. A switch-state monitoring device for a switch that opens and closes a main circuit by use of a motor is provided with an operating time measuring unit for detecting an operating time for the motor when the switch is opened or closed; a first determination unit for comparing an operating time for the motor detected by the operating time measuring unit with an continuous-operating-capable setting time for the motor and determining whether or not the operating time for the motor has exceeded the continuous-operating-capable setting time; a protection device for halting energization of the motor in the case where, based on an output of the first determination unit, it is determined that the operating time for the motor has exceeded the continuous-operating-capable setting time.

Abstract: A cooling system is provided with a motor drive device, a fan motor, and a Hall element. The motor drive device includes a lock protection circuit and a lock controller. When a control signal instructing rotation of the fan motor that is to be driven instructs stoppage of the motor for a predetermined time-period or longer, the lock controller has the lock protection circuit inactive. At an occasion when the control signal has continued to instruct stoppage of the fan motor for a first time-period or longer, a standby controller starts time measurement, and after a further predetermined second time-period has elapsed, makes at least a part of the motor drive device transition to a standby mode.

Abstract: An electrical power control system for use with a recreational vehicle or similar load to selectively control power thereto from either a utility power source or a generator power source comprising a power control stage coupled to the utility power source and the generator power source by a power supply stage to operate the electrical power control system and a utility/generator switch arrangement to selectively direct the power from either the utility power source or the generator power source to the recreational vehicle and wherein the power control stage monitors polarity, phase and voltage levels and controls the utility/generator switch arrangement to selectively feed power from either the utility power source or the generator power source to the recreational vehicle under a predetermined plurality of operating parameters or conditions and fault conditions.

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: Provision is made for a switch-state monitoring device that not only monitors the state of a switch but also prevents a motor burnout. A switch-state monitoring device for a switch that opens and closes a main circuit by use of a motor is provided with an operating time measuring unit for detecting an operating time for the motor when the switch is opened or closed; a first determination unit for comparing an operating time for the motor detected by the operating time measuring unit with an continuous-operating-capable setting time for the motor and determining whether or not the operating time for the motor has exceeded the continuous-operating-capable setting time; a protection device for halting energization of the motor in the case where, based on an output of the first determination unit, it is determined that the operating time for the motor has exceeded the continuous-operating-capable setting time.

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 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 method for starting a battery driven motor, wherein an input voltage is measured continuously. In case the input voltage becomes smaller than a predefined minimum voltage the attempt to start the motor is stopped and the maximum permitted current level to be supplied from the battery to an electronic unit of the motor is lowered before the next attempt. This is repeated until the input voltage is larger than the minimum voltage and the motor is no longer in start-up mode. The method protects the battery from collapsing. The method is suitable for starting battery driven motors for driving compressors. The number of attempted start-up sequences may be counted and on the basis of this it may be determined that the battery is weak or that the wiring is misdimensioned. Furthermore, a control system for controlling starting of a motor.

Abstract: A method of identifying an electrical fault in an electrical system may include coupling an electronic service tool to an electronic control module. The method may also include instructing the electronic control module to disable an enable condition and modify a trip condition set by the electronic control module. The method may further include monitoring the electrical system as a user wiggles a component of the electrical system. The method may further include providing the electronic control module with electrical system data, and generating a fault code when the electrical system data fulfills the modified trip condition. The method may further include communicating the fault code to the user.

Abstract: Resistance of the coil of a DC motor is calculated by using the motor current and the motor voltage, and the coil temperature is estimated by using the resistance-temperature characteristics of the coil.

Abstract: An operational check of the safety unit or the safety circuit takes place within the delay time of the relay, assigned to each motor, caused by the pick-up delay or the release delay. Also, the control unit can be equipped such with at least one safety component and/or safety circuit for controlling the control unit that an operational check of the control unit takes place between the operation of an operating element of the hand switch and the starting of the motor or motors. The operating time and the release time of the relay may be delayed by a suitable component so that sufficient time is available for the operational check.

Abstract: A motor starter. The motor starter comprises a motor; start, run, shorting and transition contactors operably associated with the motor; and run, start, shorting and transition auxiliary contactors. The transition auxiliary contactor operably controls the operation of a shorting contactor, and the shorting auxiliary operatively controls the operation of the run contactor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an electric motor pump. The method includes the acts of providing an AC power signal having a positive half cycle and a negative half cycle, measuring the voltage of the AC power signal and generating a first two-state output signal that is in a logic high state when the measured voltage is on the positive half cycle and that is in a logic low state when the measured voltage is on the negative half cycle, and measuring the current of the AC power signal and generating a second two-state output signal that is in logic high state when the measured current is on the positive half cycle and that is in a logic low state when the measured current is on the negative half cycle.

Abstract: In a device for controlling the power supply of the electric motor of a starter of a motor vehicle, and of an automobile in particular, a power switch is connected in series with the electric motor to control the motor power. The switch consists of an electronic power unit capable of being controlled.

Abstract: In an electromagnetic operating system having a coil for electromagnetically controlling a mechanical operating member for operating the processing of objects in response to an alteration in an electrical voltage condition, the control system is arranged for generating test command pulses of different magnitude, for registering a command code in accordance with a smallest magnitude test command pulse causing the operating member to move, and for subsequently correcting alterations in the voltage condition for controlling the operating member in accordance with the registered command code. The control system is responsive for effecting the corrections in the alterations of the voltage condition in accordance with the registered command code. This enables simple correction for differences in the response delay among different electromagnetic operating systems.

Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerator including a power supply unit, an inverter applying three-phase power to a compressor is disclosed. The compressor is driven initially for a predetermined period of time. If the RPM of the compressor is not within the range between a maximum and a minimum RPM, a controller determines a malfunction of the compressor or a disconnection between the inverter and compressor during the predetermined period of time. The controller increases the number of the malfunction by one whenever the malfunction is determined. If the increased number is greater than a given number, the controller stops the compressor and alerts user to the malfunction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a speed control device for a ceiling fan which comprises a MOSFET, a signal generator and an overload protector. The MOSFET is connected to the ceiling fan and power source via a bridge rectifier for controlling power supplied to said ceiling fan. The signal generator provides a control signal to the MOSFET, wherein the control signal is a cyclic signal whose voltage level is progressively increased and then decreased when it reaches a predetermined level whereby the MOSFET is cyclically and progressively turned on and turned off. The overload protector is connected between the drain and gate of said MOSFET for detecting an abnormally large current flow through said MOSFET to cut off said MOSFET thereby preventing the ceiling fan from possible damage.

Abstract: Backward movement of a heavy motorcycle is assisted by a starter motor for cranking an engine of the motorcycle. A backward drive control system includes a pulse width modulation circuit for supplying operating current to the starter motor in a controlled manner and a device for estimating operating temperature of the starter motor based on the current supplied to the starter motor. When the estimated temperature reaches a predetermined maximum temperature, the operation of the starter motor is compulsorily stopped and prohibited for a certain period or until the starter motor is cooled down to a certain temperature level. Overheating of the starter motor is effectively prevented without using a temperature sensor for measuring the operating temperature.Moreover, chattering of the starter motor does not occur because its operation is prohibited for a certain period after the starter motor is once compulsorily stopped.

Abstract: A multi-function protection system (8) for protecting electrical equipment such as a screw compressor motor is shown having a housing (10, 20) mounting current sensing toroids (CT1, CT2, CT3) and associated circuitry as well as associated circuitry for temperature sensing PTC resistors (S1, S2, S3) adapted to be placed in heat conductive relation with respective windings of the motor. The circuitry is connected to an analog-to-digital converter or ADC (U6) which provides a binary coded input to a micro-controller (U5). The micro-controller performs protection sub-routines to control an output switch (Q4) which in turn controls the state of energization of a relay (K1) coupled to the screw compressor motor.

Abstract: A home appliance such as an air conditioner, refrigerator, television, or tape recorder, includes a drive element, a controller for controlling the drive element, and a manual input panel for enabling a user to input a drive signal for driving the drive element. A counter counts a time interval following the inputting of a drive signal to delay driving of the drive element until a predetermined time period has elapsed. If no counter signal is input driving the predetermined time period, the drive element is driven.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling temperature of a motor by estimation. The temperature apparatus includes an initial setting circuit for setting an initial value of a temperature representative variable .theta., a temperature rise estimating circuit for calculating .theta.+A (where A is an incremental parameter reflecting a temperature rise under driving of the motor) for renewal of .theta. when the motor is driven, a temperature drop estimating circuit for calculating .theta.-.theta./S (where S is decremental parameter reflecting a temperature drop by heat dissipation of the motor) for renewal of .theta. periodically at a predetermined time interval while the temperature control apparatus is operating, and a power supply prevention circuit for preventing power supply to the motor when .theta. becomes no less than .theta.max (which is an upper limit parameter reflecting an upper tolerable limit temperature of the motor) and until .theta. becomes lower than .theta.max.

Abstract: Starting power supply to starter windings is interrupted whenever a power contact for the starter is still open after a predetermined time delay from initiation of the power supply to the starter. The invention also provides apparatus for controlling a contactor of a motor vehicle starter, said contactor including at least one winding and a power contact which, on being closed, serves to supply power to the starter, the apparatus including circuitry detecting the open or closed state of the power contact and for interrupting or reducing starting power supply to the winding(s) in the event the power contact is still open at the end of a predetermined time delay from initiation of power supply to the starter.

Abstract: A starter comprising a contactor with an overcurrent relay provides an appropriate cooling interval for each of multiple classes of a load, such as a motor. An analog equivalent of a digital I.sup.2 t value calculated by a microcomputer in the overload relay is maintained by an external capacitor. When the microcomputer loses power following a trip, the capacitor discharges through a resistor at a rate selected to mimic cooling of the associated class of the load. Restart of the load is prevented until the appropriate interval, represented by the time required for the voltage on the capacitor to decay to a common reset value, has expired. The capacitor is charged to a voltage proportional to the I.sup.2 t trip value for the particular class of the load, which for all classes is below the forward drop of the clamping diodes on the microcomputer inputs to prevent discontinuities in the timing.

Abstract: The driving apparatus for a power antenna, e.g. an extensible-retractable automotive radio antenna, is provided with stability function which controls the operation of the motor driving the power antenna until the power antenna is varied into a state for performing normal operation, and provides hysteresis to prevent a state of the controlling signal from being varied too often by a voltage drop generated in rotation of the motor.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the opening and closing process in a system having at least one component moved by electric motor is described.

Abstract: A method for fault correction in a power converter circuit arrangement. The power converter circuit arrangement has a plurality of switch modules which consist, for their part, of a parallel circuit of semiconductor chips. The semiconductor chips are interconnected via connecting wires, preferably bonding wires. If, because of a defect, a chip forms a short circuit, the connecting wires of chip are severed by specific current pulses. The advantage resides in that a short circuit of an individual chip does not put the entire circuit arrangement out of operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for controlling a mechanism driven by at least one electric motor (11, 12), said device comprising a circuit (20, 38) for detecting the power consumption of the mechanism and for comparing the detected value with at least one current threshold, with confirmation during a defined time and a circuit (54) for controlling the stopping of the mechanism for a given time, as a function of the result of said comparison.Application more particularly to the field of high-capacity or wide-body aircraft, for the generation of pressure in their hydraulic circuits.

Abstract: An electronic motor protection system is shown having a power supply usable with multivoltage supplies and providing protection from over-temperature conditions caused by various fault conditions. The system also has optional features of a time delay for re-energization and for low voltage protection. The system is mounted on a circuit board and encased in potting material which also locks the two housing parts together. A miswiring feature is also provided to prevent connecting line voltage to the control circuit or sensor terminals.

Abstract: A motor starter includes separable contacts interconnected between an alternating current (AC) power source and an AC motor for switching an AC load current which flows from the power source and through the separable contacts; a dual-slope analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion circuit for sensing the load current and generating a current value; and a microcomputer with a coil drive circuit for selectively opening the separable contacts as a predetermined function of the current value. The dual-slope A/D conversion circuit includes current transformers for sensing the AC load current and for selectively providing a received current therefrom, a current reference for selectively providing a reference current, a multiplexer for multiplexing the currents, and a class B preamplifier for amplifying and rectifying the multiplexed AC current.

Abstract: A fault detection circuit monitors voltage drops associated with phase windings of a brushed or brushless reversible multi-phase motor and compares them with reference voltages to determine if the motor is out of normal operating range parameters and if a valid fault condition exists. The fault detection circuit-is included in a motor control circuit and is configurable for use with a wide variety of motors having a broad range of load characteristics. The fault detection circuit includes a programmable clock generator which generates time delays for masking faults detected during start-up and during motor phase sequencing. The fault detection circuit thereby avoids transient and spurious faults and prevents the unnecessary termination of motor operation. The length of the mask time delay required for effective fault detection operation depends on the load characteristics of the selected motor.

Abstract: The status of a power supply is monitored to control operation of on-time and off-time counters respectively producing a power restart time count and measuring the duration of power interruptions. The restart time is computed as a function of the measured duration of the power interruptions by programmed time delay control and comparator components operative through a latch circuit to control relay operation of a power output circuit through which operation of electronic equipment is regulated to safely accommodate power disturbances with minimum shutdown time.

Abstract: A device for measuring energy delivered by a motor to a load is adapted to be connected to the motor which is coupled to the load and connected to a power source through first and second power supply lines. The device includes a line voltage sensing circuit for sensing the voltage across the power supply lines, a line current sensing circuit for sensing the current flowing through the motor and a pulse width modulator which modulates the sensed voltage to produce a pulse width modulated first electrical signal. The device also includes a first switch, responsive to the pulse width modulated first electrical signal which modulates an output of the line current sensing circuit to produce a power waveform and an integrator which integrates the power waveform to produce an output signal indicative of the energy delivered by the motor to the load.

Abstract: A controller apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a power supply, a power converting section for converting power supplied from the power supply, a motor which receives an output from the power converting section to drive the electric vehicle; an accelerator opening detector for detecting an accelerator opening; a controller section for controlling said power converting section in response to a detected output from said accelerator opening detector; a current detector for detecting the current supplied to the motor from the power supply; and failure decider for deciding that the controller suffers a failure when the output from the current detector is not smaller than the reference value previously determined in accordance with the accelerator opening, thereby stopping the drive of the motor. In such a structure, the torque not smaller than that required by a driver is produced so that it is possible to prevent the electric vehicle from running away.

Abstract: A delay-on-break circuit adaptable for A.C. or D.C. applications utilizes a timer and a pair of comparators to prevent a load from being re-energized until at least a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the most recent deenergization of the load. A feedback element, such as a zener diode, connected between the output of one of the comparators and a feedback input thereof provides reliable latching of the load through zero crossings of the line in A.C. applications without use of a latching capacitor while simultaneously providing brownout protection capable of rapidly deenergizing the load in the event of an undesired decrease in line voltage.

Abstract: A solid state power controller is automatically reset if an overload trip occurs during a start-up delay period. If an overload trip occurs during load starting, the SSPC remains tripped for a reset delay period, and thereafter the SSPC is automatically reset, thereby allowing the starting process to continue by heating a lamp filament, accelerating a motor, etc., without indicating a system fault to an operator. At the expiration of the start-up delay period, the SSPC no longer automatically resets in response to an overload condition.

Abstract: In order to drive the stepper motor of a floppy disk drive with practically constant current in the face of fluctuations in supply voltage fed from a host system, a power control pulse generator circuit is provided which produces a series of power control pulses having a duty ratio dependent upon fluctuating supply voltage. The power control pulses are used for interrupting the excitation of the stepper motor windings during track seek operation. The power control pulses are generated by first repeatedly counting clock pulses from the host system to a predetermined number to provide periodically varying digital data, then translating the digital data into a triangular wave having an amplitude dependent upon the supply voltage, and then comparing the triangular wave with a reference voltage.

Abstract: An overload control circuit and method of operation for protecting a three-phase motor from damage due to overload includes monitors reading the load on each phase of the motor and circuitry for combining the three separate phase signals into a single combined load signal which triggers the overload circuit. The gain on the combined load signal and the overload trip delay time may be calibrated and monitored by an external meter to provide for accurate and inexpensive calibration to accommodate specific operating characteristics of the motor being monitored. The circuit provides visual readouts of the mode of operation, including: (1) operating mode; (2) overload onset; (3) shut down initiated; and (4) delay to restart.