Abstract: A system for determining motor speed of a brush DC motor in an apparatus, including a first filter for receiving a substantially DC component of the motor current and parameters corresponding to the brush DC motor, for calculating a speed estimate thereof; an adaptive bandpass filter having a center frequency corresponding to the speed estimate of the first filter, for receiving the motor current and substantially isolating a periodic current fluctuation thereof; a block for determining a frequency of the periodic current fluctuation, the current fluctuation corresponding to motor speed of the brush DC motor. The adaptive bandpass filter uses debounce filtering to reduce rapid filter passband switching, and a run-in period prior to passband switching to obviate transient effects of filter switching.

Abstract: A motor control device comprises: an acceleration upper limit estimating unit; a target acceleration setting unit; a motor control unit; and a deficit calculating unit, wherein the target acceleration setting unit corrects the target acceleration based on the acceleration profile by an amount corresponding to the acceleration deficit within a range in which the target acceleration does not exceed the acceleration upper limit on the basis of the acceleration deficit calculated by the deficit calculating unit to set the target acceleration at each time.

Abstract: A variable speed power converter controls the speed of a load in a material handling system as a function of the torque required to move the load. While the power converter is running, the torque being produced in the motor is determined. The power converter then determines the maximum rotational speed of the motor as a function of the torque currently being produced and of the torque-speed curve of the motor. The power converter then commands the motor to rotate at this maximum rotational speed. The power converter periodically monitors the torque being produced and adjusts the maximum rotational speed of the motor throughout the run.

Abstract: A motor drive is provided that includes a control circuit or board and a one or more functional circuits or option boards coupled to the control board, and a profile that includes a configuration for the option board. A method of operating a motor drive that includes loading a profile for a option board coupled to a control board of the controller, wherein the profile comprises a configuration for the option board. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for generating a motion profile in real time includes a processor. The processor breaks a move into a first phase and a second phase. The first phase includes commanding the move toward a constant velocity segment, and the second phase includes monitoring the first phase to determine when during a move in progress it is necessary to implement a jerk value required to successfully reach end conditions. The processor also transmits command signals based upon the motion profile and calculates the point at which the second phase must take control of the move in progress to reach a target position. The system further includes at least one input/output module that receives command signals. A method for generating a motion profile in real time is also presented.

Abstract: In a control process and control device for motor vehicles with an unfoldable roof, in which at least one roof part or a lid is moved in at least one movement phase defined by a displacement path for the roof part or the lid, the displacement path is bounded by two end positions. By way of an electronic control device, the displacement device for the movement of the roof part or of the lid is actuated such that the speed at which the roof part or the lid is moved is smaller for a first path segment beginning the displacement path and for a second path segment ending the displacement path than the speed for the path segment between the first path segment and the second path segment.

Abstract: A motor control method/device is provided in which a speed change during a deceleration period is stabilized in performing a speed feedback control of a motor. In the motor control method/device, the speed feedback control is performed such that a speed of a body driven by the motor is consistent with a predetermined target speed. A deceleration directive corresponding to time elapsed since a predetermined deceleration control start timing is generated as the target speed using a deceleration function of the elapsed time, to perform the speed feedback control based on the deceleration directive, during a deceleration control period. The deceleration control period starts from the deceleration control start timing and ends when the driven body is stopped. The deceleration function monotonically decreases from the deceleration control start timing until the deceleration directive becomes zero (0) and its derivative is a monotonically decreasing or increasing function or a constant.

Abstract: A system of detecting position drift in the motor due to lost pulses. Due to imperfections in the motor, the timing of the commutation pulses is not uniform but forms a unique repeatable signature. The system identifies lost pulses by using a pattern recognition technique on the signature of the motor commutation pulse rate. By detecting when a pulse is lost, the system can apply a correction to the pulse count. Accordingly, the real time correction of the pulse count allows for the system to operate with significantly reduced mispositioning errors. In addition, the system requires far fewer calibrations.

Abstract: In an AC or DC motor operation and power generation system, a periodic transformation system reduces or prevents harmonic distortion, reduces resistance or impedance, and improves energy efficiency in a signal either consumed, such as in a motor, or produced, such as in a generator. In one embodiment, the TruScale Reactance Transformation System or the Eastern Modified TruScale Octave Transformation System are the periodic transform systems provided to prevent overtone collisions in current and voltage signals, in order to maximize energy spectral density, and to precondition either DC or AC signals.

Abstract: A power control device of an electric tool has a control or regulating device for adjusting a power output to an electric motor of the electric tool by means of a pulse width modulation, and a frequency transmitter that varies a frequency of the pulse width modulation in dependence on a required power output; also a method for power control in an electric tool, as well as an electric tool with a power control device are provided as well.

Abstract: At the start of driving a stepping motor, a CPU sets the switching widths of the first through eighth states in a pulse width setting register, sets the switching counts of the first through eighth states in a pulse switching count register, and sets the start of driving the stepping motor in a driving start register. A latch then outputs an excitation pulse, and the stepping motor is accelerated, driven at a constant speed, decelerated, and stopped. By setting the switching widths and switching counts of the first through eighth states at the start of driving and setting the start of driving, the CPU need not control the stepping motor, reducing the process burden on the CPU.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for controlling seats and for monitoring behavior of power-actuated seats. Certain embodiments permit seat occupancy data, e.g., whether the seat is occupied or a weight-dependent characteristic of the occupant of the seat, to be collected by moving a part of the seat with an actuator. This seat occupancy data may then be used to control other aspects of the seat operation, e.g., set an operational limit of the actuator or reduce auxiliary power to other systems associated with the seat if the seat is unoccupied. For example, part of the seat may be moved with a first actuator, including detecting a control parameter at which the part of the seat begins moving. This control parameter may be correlated to an actuator limit.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling movement of a body includes a position-based velocity profile, at least one mover, a data processor for calculating a next position of the at least one mover using data from the position-based velocity profile and passing a next position signal to the at least one mover, and an actuator for moving the mover to the next position.

Abstract: A method of reducing torque ripple and noise for an brushless DC machine comprising: determining a control frequency for the electric machine, the control frequency indicative of an existing current command to and a rotational velocity of the electric machine; multiplying the control frequency by a selected multiple and forming a modulating signal responsive thereto; and formulating a modified command profile. The method also includes: correlating and synchronizing the modified command profile with the existing current command and a rotor position for the electric machine; and generating a modulated current command to the electric machine.

Abstract: An arrangement having an electric motor (10) has a microcontroller (12) for influencing at least one motor function and a nonvolatile storage element (14) for storing at least one variable as a definition for that motor function. The arrangement also has an interface (13a) for a data line (13) for transferring the at least one variable, in particular a current limiting value (Iref) from or to a storage element (14) by way of the microcontroller (12), and optionally by way of an internal data bus (15). The invention also relates to use of the device in the context of batteries of fans, and program-controlled current limitation for startup of an electric motor (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a driving speed of a motor comprises a motor controller provided in the motor controlling apparatus detecting the motor driving speed in response to pulses outputted from an encoder. The motor controller adjusts a detection period for the pulses according to the motor driving speed, thereby measuring the motor driving speed. The motor controller sets the detection period so that a number of four-multiplied pulses can be a multiple of four. Although a phase difference between pulses outputted from an encoder is not constant, the motor controlling apparatus can obtain a desired response characteristic by excluding effects of a phase error between the pulses.

Abstract: Methods, devices and circuits for detecting malfunctions in stepper motors. A signal from a driver circuit to a stepper motor that is proportional to the current in the windings of the stepper motor is detected. This signal is then amplified and integrated for ease of comparison. The resulting signal is then compared to a specific entry in a table of values with each entry in the table corresponding to an operating profile of the stepper motor. If the resulting signal does not correspond to the operating profile for which the motor a configured, the stepper motor is jammed. A suitable alarm and a corresponding sequence of actions may then be triggered.

Abstract: A motor control system is provided for controlling at least one motor driven mechanical actuator. The control system drives the motor according to a function of the actuator position. The system is further arranged to modify the motor speed to ensure that a predetermined power limit is not exceeded.

Abstract: A drive circuit for a brushless DC motor controls at least one of a number of possible operation features of the motor. The drive circuit includes a driver stage for providing a current for a stator coil and varies which of the number of possible operation features of the motor are controlled. The operation features of the motor include inrush current limit control, PWM speed control, analog speed control, detecting a locked rotor condition, setting an alarm following detection of the locked rotor condition, restarting the motor following the locked rotor condition, detecting a low speed condition, and setting an alarm following detection of the low speed condition. Some of the operation features of the motor utilize at least one parameter that defines the desired operation of the feature. The drive circuit further varies the parameters of the operation features without changing the physical configuration of the brushless DC motor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for minimizing electrical machine vibration are described. In an exemplary embodiment of the method, power is applied to the motor under microprocessor control such that a pulse modulated current profile is applied to the motor which in turn controls the amount of torque generated by the motor. By adjusting current profiles, torque generation is controlled, and vibration and noise are eliminated.

Abstract: A movable barrier operator having improved safety and energy efficiency features automatically detects line voltage frequency and uses that information to set a worklight shut-off time. The operator automatically detects the type of door (single panel or segmented) and uses that information to set a maximum speed of door travel. The operator moves the door with a linearly variable speed from start of travel to stop for smooth and quiet performance. The operator provides for full door closure by driving the door into the floor when the DOWN limit is reached and no auto-reverse condition has been detected. The operator provides for user selection of a minimum stop speed for easy starting and stopping of sticky or binding doors.

Abstract: A pump control system and method employs a variable drive for controlling the speed of an AC electric motor driving a cyclic load. A real-time tuning of the frequency and voltage of the AC input to the motor allows a controlled variation of a cycle speed of the cyclic load. The control system and method adjusts motor speed according to a desired motor speed characteristic for different portions of a complete cycle and over multiple cycles of the cyclic load. The variable drive rectifies a poly-phase AC power input to provide a source of DC power on a DC bus and periodically samples the DC bus current and DC bus voltage across the DC bus to optimize the motor operation.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle door latch to avoid unnecessary sound emission, has its motor operated with pulse-width modulation so that, once a blockade time point is reached or prior thereto, the motor is energized with reduced power so that it generates a ramp characteristic running to a minimum. The torque and/or speed are thereby reduced along the ramp characteristic correspondingly.

Abstract: A speed control device for an electric motor fed by a direct voltage source, the device comprising a controlled switch by which the motor voltage is alternately switched on and off under the control of a modulated switching pulse sequence. The switching frequency is higher than the frequency corresponding to the time constant of the electric motor. The switched motor voltage is regulated to a voltage set value corresponding to a desired motor speed by influencing the modulated switching pulse sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides a controller for specifying a drive voltage for synchronous motors relative to a desired speed profile. The controller senses motor current and optionally senses motor rotational position. A motor torque reference is first determined to balance (a) an estimated motor load torque, (b) the reference speed profile, and (c) a filtered incremental friction. A reference torque is then determined for the operating speed, and a reference current is determined to produce the reference torque. A primary voltage module then determines a primary voltage as a function of the calculated motor torque and the reference motor current to create a reference current at the operating speed. An incremental voltage module determines an incremental voltage based on an incremental resistance and an incremental back EMF of the motor. The primary and incremental voltages are then summed specify the applied voltage to drive the motor to the reference speed profile.

Abstract: The torque characteristic of an electrically driven brushless motor may be optimized by driving the phase windings of the motor with predefined, digitized and stored current or voltage profiles. Appropriate sequences of digital samples of the predefined driving profile are sequentially read from a nonvolatile memory where they are permanently stored to drive, through a DAC, the relative winding of the motor in synchronism with a signal representative of the rotor position.

Abstract: Pre-defined driving profiles for the distinct phase-windings of an electronically controlled brushless motor are continuously reconstructed for each switching phase and forced in the form of a drive current or voltage on the respective windings, in synchronism with a signal indicative of the rotor position, from just a first complete sequence and at least a first sample of the successive sequence of a number of sequences, each of N samples, equal to the number of switching phases of the motor, in which is divided a complete digitized pre-defined profile. The digital samples are stored in a nonvolatile memory and that are scanned at a continuously regulated clock frequency and with varying order and direction of scanning for reconstructing the instantaneous driving profiles for all the windings.

Abstract: Draft inducer systems and methods for use with a furnace. A motor drives a fan in response to a motor control signal for inducing a draft which is a function of motor speed and motor torque. A processor defines a speed/torque operating curve having a minimum desired speed and a maximum desired speed between which the speed/torque operating curve is coincident with a pressure curve corresponding to a desired pressure drop across the furnace heat exchanger assembly caused by the draft induced by the fan. The speed/torque operating curve, for a given speed above the maximum desired speed, defines a torque less than the torque defined by the pressure curve for the given speed.

Abstract: A system which drives a component of a heating, ventilating, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system in response to a system control signal such as a temperature signal provided by a thermostat. The system includes a motor having a stationary assembly and a rotatable assembly. The rotatable assembly is in magnetic coupling relation to the stationary assembly and is in driving relation to the component. The motor drives the component in response to a control signal generated by a microprocessor. The microprocessor is responsive to parameters representative of the system and to the system control signal. The parameters are stored in a memory and are defined in response to a parameter select signal. The control signal provided by the microprocessor controls the speed and torque of the motor. The system further includes an instruction memory for storing instructions controlling the operation of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A method for calculating a speed estimated value in a speed control system, comprises the steps of: (a) storing the number of speed detection pulses obtained at each interval of a speed control process and time that the speed detection pulse was obtained; (b) calculating a detection speed from the number of latest speed detection pulses and its detection time, and the number of the previously stored speed detection pulses and its detection time; (c) executing an averaging process of motor model output corresponding to time that the detection speed was obtained; (d) obtaining a difference between an output obtained at said step (c) and the detection speed; (e) executing a calculation of a load torque estimation by multiplying the difference of the step (d) by an observer gain; (f) executing an estimation of a motor speed for next processing from the difference of the step (d) and a difference between the detection speed and the motor model output; (g) calculating an output of a speed amplifier by constituting

Abstract: A system (20) for controlling deceleration of a motor (22) during an abrupt power-off condition includes a processor (40), a motor control circuit (50), and a secondary power source (70). During normal power-on operation and based on currently prevailing operation parameters, processor (40) routinely generates a contingent motor-governing deceleration signal for potential use in governing motor (22) should the power-off condition occur. In response to the occurrence of a power-off condition, motor control circuit (50) controls motor (22) in accordance with the contingent motor-governing deceleration signal to achieve orderly deceleration. Secondary power supply circuit (70) provides power to motor control circuit (50) during the power-off condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for driving a printer carrier. One power source is connected via a constant current circuit to the carrier motor. Data storing means stores the current command data corresponding to the acceleration, constant speed printing and deceleration of the carrier motor. According to the method, the current command data from the data storing means is latched in synchronism with a clock signal. The latched data is converted to a current reference voltage. The output current of the constant current drive circuit is varied in accordance with the current reference voltage. Changing the current command data as desired makes it possible to adjust freely the torque of the carrier motor for acceleration and deceleration on a constant voltage from one power source.

Abstract: A blender is provided with a microprocessor for controlling energization of the blender drive motor, and a plurality of manually actuated switches for controlling the stepping of the microprocessor through a program which determines the mode and pattern of energization of the drive motor. There are N speed range selection switches, M speed selection switches and a pulse mode switch. Depending on the sequence in which these switches are actuated, the microprocessor controls the drive motor in a manual continuous mode at any one of N.times.M speeds, a manual pulse mode at any one of N.times.M speeds or an autopulse mode with any one of three patterns of energization. In the first pattern of energization the motor is energized to run at one of M constant speeds during intervals T1 which are separated by intervals T2 during which the motor is not energized.

Abstract: A velocity control device is disclosed having feedforward signal applied to a velocity servo loop. An actuator moves a laser beam spot to a desired track of an optical disk. A displacement of the laser beam spot outputted from the actuator is differentiated by a differentiator and converted to a signal corresponding to the velocity of the movement of the laser beam spot. A signal corresponding to a distance from the present position of the laser beam spot to the desired track is obtained from the displacement and a desired count value, and is inputted to a function generator to thus obtain a square root of the distance. The difference between the square root of the distance and the moving velocity is obtained by a substracter, and a feedforward signal is added to the difference. The feedforward signal is obtained by differentiating a velocity profile with respect to time with a differentiator.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the speed of a motor operating in an extremely low speed range and having a rotary pulse encoder which outputs a pulse whenever a rotation axle of the motor has rotated through a predetermined angle. The extremely low speed range is defined such that its pulse interval of the output pulses is longer than a speed control period of the system are disclosed, load torque estimated value observer is provided. The least order disturbance observer includes a first calculating block which calculates an estimated value of the motor speed n.sub.M ' (j) of a motor model on the basis of a torque command and a load torque estimated value: a second calculating block which calculates an average value of the motor speed at each pulse interval n.sub.M ' (j).

Abstract: For operating a plurality of mechanisms with a single motor, a motor control device is provided which is capable of stably operating one of the mechanisms while reducing influence of load imparted on the motor and attributed by an operation of remaining one of the mechanisms. A CPU suitably controls or selects electrical current level provisionally ranked and stored in a ROM to a printing motor which drives a print hammer for obtaining predetermined velocity of the hammer. If the print hammer reaches its decelerating position, the CPU determines offset electrical current level and current applying period to be applied to the printing motor on a basis of the rank of the electrical current at that phase.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for operating a vacuum cleaner in which by detecting a rotational speed of a variable speed fan motor adapted to give a suction force to the cleaner and its change range, the choking state of the filter and the state of the cleaned surface are discriminated, and a speed command of the fan motor is corrected on the basis of the result of the discrimination, and the comfortable cleaning can be performed by the optimum suction force.

Abstract: A method for controlling a speed of a motor includes the steps of setting an upper limit threshold level for the thresholding at an upper limit value of the set speed range and a lower limit threshold level for the thresholding at a lower limit value of the set range speed, providing a signal based on a parameter table having a plurality of different duty factors for stepwisely adjusting the speed of the motor so that, when the speed of the motor exceeds the upper limit value, an input of the motor is switched to a signal of a lower rank of duty factor within the parameter table, whereas when the speed of the motor lowers to a speed below the lower limit value, an input of the motor is switched to a signal having a higher rank of duty factor within the parameter table.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for operating a vacuum cleaner in which by detecting a rotational speed of a variable speed fan motor adapted to give a suction force to the cleaner and its change range, the choking state of the filter and the state of the cleaned surface are discriminated, and a speed command of the fan motor is corrected on the basis of the result of the discrimination, and the comfortable cleaning can be performed by the optimum suction force.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a blower motor composed of a brushless motor is operative to control the blower motor, in the pulse width modulation (PWM) mode, with a number of pulses which are inversely proportional to a setting speed so as to reduce the motor operation noise and power consumption. An appropriate selection of the waveform to be supplied to the blower motor or the disturbance of the exciting timing of an exciting coil of the blower motor is effective to prevent the occurrence of a resonance phenomenon caused by vibrations produced by the blower motor.

Abstract: There is disclosed a motor speed control system particularly applicable to control sewing machine operation, including an evaluator to compare a preset speed of revolution value and an actual speed of revolution value to output one signal representing a deviation between the two speeds and the other representing a rate of increase or decrease of the actual speed of revolution within a predetermined short interval. In response to these parameter signals, one of the stored fuzzy rules is selectively applied to output an appropriate control signal to change electric power supplied to a motor as needed to adjust the speed of revolution toward the preset revolution with quick responsivity and smooth transition.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus for a sewing machine includes an adjustable speed setter for generating a speed set signal. A first memory stores a plurality of reference values each defining a reference region into which the speed set signal can fall. A second memory stores speed setpoint values corresponding to the reference regions. A central processing unit selects one of the reference regions by comparing the speed set signal with the reference values and selects the corresponding speed setpoint value from the second memory. A motor is controlled to run at the selected speed setpoint value.

Abstract: An improved induction motor control system utilizes an inverter supplying a variable frequency AC voltage to drive the induction motor, and volt/frequency (V/F) control section controlling the inverter to produce a suitable voltage and frequency in a predetermined relationship therebetween. A power factor detecting section is included to detect a power factor phase angle between the motor current and the inverter output voltage as indicative of an amount of load imposed on the motor. The detected power factor phase angle is compared with a predetermined phase angle which is a frequency dependent angle indicative of a standard load at a given frequency, in order to provide a control output in response to which the V/F control section alters the inverter output voltage out of the predetermined relationship with the frequency for improving motor efficiency. Thus, the detected load (i.e.

Abstract: The mailing machine includes a print drum and shutter bar assemblies and a transport system for receiving seriately and assuming displacement control over envelopes from a feed means. The mailing machine drive control system is a microcomputer in control of a first stepper motor which is a driving communication with the transport system, a second motor in driving communication with the print drum assembly and a third motor in driving communication with the shutter bar assembly. A speed sensing means inform the microcomputer of the incoming velocity of an envelope and a trigger sensing means informs the microcomputer of the relative position of the envelope with respect to the transport system and printing station. The microcomputer is programmed to determine the peak drum speed relative to the speed of an incoming envelope and a preselected pitch distance between successive envelopes.

Abstract: There is provided a motor control device comprising a motor; an apparatus for entering the number of revolutions of the motor; a detector that detects the number of revolutions of the motor; and a microcomputer for entering the output from the detector and a controlling the motor according to predetermined programs, wherein the microcomputer comprises a counter to which a count value is set according to a circuit from the input to form a reference frequency signal and a circuit for forming a phase error signal according to the reference frequency signal and the output of the detector and outputs a signal for driving the motor based on the phase error signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a speed controller which detects the period of an AC signal containing information of the rotational speed of a motor and controls the rotational speed based on the detected period value and a reference speed value. More particularly, the speed controller computes the amount of the deviation of the AC signal based on continuously detected period values and the reference speed value, and then stores the computed deviation amount in a memory as a correction value. Using the correction value stored in the memory, the speed controller corrects the deviation of the period, and thus, the speed of the rotation of the motor can be controlled with extremely high precision.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of protecting a centrifuge from rotor overspeed and resultant mishap by computation of the rotor moment of inertia is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, a centrifuge is driven by a rotor mounted on a shaft which shaft is in turn driven by a constant current motor. A tachometer for detecting angular velocity of the drive shaft is used. A desired and ultimate centrifuge operating speed is selected by the operator. The times at which the rotor passes through discrete speeds are recorded and from the time difference the moment of inertia is computed. The moment of inertia can thereafter be utilized to discretely identify or "finger print" rotors to disqualify certain rotors from use in particular centrifuge protocols and establish gross limits of centrifuge operating speed.