Responsive To Change In Electrical Operating Characteristic Patents (Class 417/44.11)
  • Publication number: 20140112801
    Abstract: A motor driving device comprises: an inverter having a plurality of switching elements for driving a motor; an arithmetic section for calculating a rotational speed and a magnetic pole electric angle of a motor rotor based on information about a motor phase voltage and information about a motor phase current; a delay correcting section for correcting a phase delay of the magnetic pole electric angle calculated by the arithmetic section so as to generate corrected magnetic pole electric angle; a driving command generating section for generating a sinusoidal wave driving command based on a difference between the rotational speed and a target rotational speed and the corrected magnetic pole electric angle; and a PWM signal generating section for generating a PWM control signal for controlling on/off of the plurality of switching elements based on the sinusoidal wave driving command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Junichiro KOZAKI
  • Publication number: 20140105755
    Abstract: An electric submersible progressing cavity pump (ESPCP) assembly that restricts reverse rotation of the pump motor and provides for efficient motor shutdown in the event of reverse rotation is disclosed. When the ESPCP rotates in a reverse direction, components associated with the rotating motor shaft stop rotation of the shaft to increase the torque and current of the motor, and the increased torque/current on the motor actuates a torque or current limit switch to shut off the motor. Also, particle and gas separation mechanisms are disclosed, which separate particulates and gas from the fluid flowing into the pump so that the fluid that reaches the rotor and stator assembly has a higher proportion of liquid than the resident well fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventor: Russell Bookout
  • Publication number: 20140105758
    Abstract: A closed loop control system for a fuel pump based on characteristics of speed, pressure, and current. The pressure generated by the pump system is increased at the point in time when the pump system is working against a dead head system (i.e., coasting) to a level that a calibration valve is opened to a determined working point. By measuring the characteristic phase current as a function of the speed, the characteristic is able to be compared, with the pre-calibrated value of the hardware to perform an error compensation algorithm. The error compensation is overlaid with the standard pressure characteristic as a function of speed and phase current, and uses the pre-calibrated opening pressure value (i.e., the inflection point) of the calibration valve and/or in addition the change of the speed to the initial (first calibration), or to a sliding average therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Sausner, Marc Völker
  • Patent number: 8690549
    Abstract: The invention relates to a centrifugal pump assembly with an electric drive motor and with a control device having a frequency converter, for the control of the rotational speed of the drive motor, wherein the control device is designed in a manner such that in at least one control region, a field weakening is produced in the drive motor, by way of which the rotational speed of the drive motor is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Grundfos Management a/s
    Inventors: Jan Caroe Aarestrup, Keld Folsach Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8690542
    Abstract: A method and arrangement for soft start up of a pump system, that includes a pump for generating a liquid flow, an electrical drive disposed to actuate the pump, and a pressure sensor disposed to measure a liquid pressure at a flow output of the pump. The rate of change of rotation speed of the pump during a start up phase is dependent on a rate of change of measured liquid pressure, wherein the rate of change of the rotation speed is a descending function of the rate of change of the measured liquid pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Mikael Holmberg
  • Publication number: 20140093394
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, an interface associated with the pump designed to receive input instructions from a user, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines a blockage condition based on a power consumption value of the motor, and further includes an auto-restart function that is designed to allow the pump to automatically restart after detection of the blockage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 8674652
    Abstract: A motor control device includes an inverter circuit including a plurality of switching elements connected into a three-phase bridge configuration and converting a direct current into a three-phase alternate current, a current detecting element connected to a direct current side of the inverter circuit, thereby generating a signal corresponding to a current value, a PWM signal generating unit which determines a rotor position based on phase currents of the motor and generates a three-phase PWM signal pattern so that the signal pattern follows the rotor position, and a current detecting unit detecting phase currents based on the signal generated by the current detecting element and the PWM signal pattern. The PWM signal generating unit generates the three-phase PWM signal pattern so that the current detecting unit is capable of detecting two phase currents in synchronization with advent of two fixed time-points within a carrier period of the PWM signal respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Sari Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8672641
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump contains an AC permanent magnet motor having three or more phases A, B, C and has a drive circuit for supplying varying drive signals to all the phases of the motor at the same time. Each drive signal is constituted by a cyclically smoothly varying voltage applied to the corresponding motor phase during driving of the motor. The circuit includes switches (902, 903) for each motor phase, a control arrangement for turning the switches (902, 903) on and off at a frequency greater than the frequency of the cyclically smoothly varying voltages, and a filter (907, 908) for filtering the output voltages of the switches (902, 903) to produce the cyclically smoothly varying voltages. Such a drive circuit drives all the phases of the motor continuously such that damaging transients will not arise and without requiring the motor emf or drive signals to be sinusoidal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Oilfield Equipment Development Center Limited
    Inventor: Michael Andrew Yuratich
  • Publication number: 20140064986
    Abstract: System and methods for driving a blower motor of a vehicle such as a mining truck or locomotive are provided. A drive system includes a blower drive circuit configured to receive power from an alternator and use the power from the alternator to drive the blower motor. The blower drive circuit is further configured to receive power from at least one fraction motor of the vehicle during a retarding operation of the vehicle and use the power from the at least one traction motor to drive the blower motor. The drive system further includes a bypass circuit configured to electrically isolate the blower motor from the blower drive circuit when a fault is detected in the blower drive circuit and to provide power from the alternator to the blower motor such that the blower motor remains operable without use of the blower drive circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Saeid Mirzaei
  • Patent number: 8657587
    Abstract: Detection of end of stroke for an electromagnetic pump may be performed using, for example, a calculated first flux derivative. Further, inductance of a coil that can be energized to produce a pump stroke may be calculated (e.g., the pump may include an actuator moveable in response to the energization of the coil). For example, the inductance may be calculated as a function of sense coil current and source electrical potential when the actuator is not moving for use in determining position of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Sarkinen, James M. Haase, Ronald L. Mezera, Christian Michel Peclat
  • Patent number: 8657585
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for driving a compressor of an air conditioner are disclosed. When compensating for load torque of a compressor (e.g., a single-rotary compressor) of an air conditioner, a method for providing a compensation torque using an optimum phase compensation angle is used. In relation to a phase current or a frequency of a given motor, an optimum phase compensation angle causing a minimum speed ripple is measured, and the measured optimum phase compensation angle is stored in the form of a table. In the actual driving of the motor, the method applies a compensation torque having an optimum phase compensation angle to the motor by referring to the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Youngho Hong, Yangkwang Choi, Wonseok Kim
  • Patent number: 8657586
    Abstract: A piston-type fuel pump is provided. The fuel pump includes a housing bounding an internal cavity with a cylindrical tube disposed in the internal cavity. The cylindrical tube provides a bore extending along an axis and a piston is disposed in the bore. A spring is configured to bias the piston in a first direction along the axis. A coil is disposed about the cylindrical tube and a control circuit is disposed in the internal cavity. The control circuit is configured in electrical communication with the coil. The voltage supplied to the control circuit can be varied, with the control circuit compensating for the variable supply voltage to regulate the actuation of the coil from a de-energized state to an energized state. The piston is biased in a second direction opposite the first direction in response to the coil being actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Carter Fuel Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Kyle Achor
  • Patent number: 8651823
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide pumps with features to reduce form factor and increase reliability and serviceability. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention provide features for gentle fluid handling characteristics. Embodiments of the present invention can include a pump having a motor driven feed stage pump and a motor driven dispense stage pump. The feed stage motor and the feed stage motor can include various types of motors and the pumps can be rolling diaphragm or other pumps. According to one embodiment, a dispense block defining the pump chambers and various flow passages can be formed out of a single piece of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Entegris, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cedrone, George Gonnella, Iraj Gashgaee
  • Publication number: 20140044564
    Abstract: A pump control system which detects a fluid condition in a pump is disclosed. The pump control system may include a control event based on the fluid condition in the pump. The pump control system may detect a fluid condition in the pump by monitoring the frequency response of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Patent number: 8636476
    Abstract: A system is provided for the feeding of an inductive load, with electric power of continuous current, generated from an energy source and, more in particular, to a feeding system for a vibratory pump from solar or aeolic energy, which processes the electric power of continuous current supplied by a bank of solar cells or aeolic generator, in a compatible form, using a circuit of electronic command by digital micro controller, for the control and actuation of vibratory pump, independent of the electric power variations supplied by the sources as solar cells, due to the alterations in the level of solar radiation; or in aeolic generator, due to wind speed variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Industria de Motores Anauger S.A.
    Inventors: Hermes Gaddini, Marco Aurelio Gimenez, Aurélio Antonio Pastori
  • Patent number: 8628310
    Abstract: A fan system includes: two circuit breakers, a control module for controlling two circuit breakers, two electric motors to which their operating voltage UB is supplied via the circuit breakers, and at least one temperature sensor on a board on which the circuit breakers are located. The control module evaluates a signal TNTC from the temperature sensor, and sets the pulse duty factors TV1, TV2 of pulsed control voltages at the circuit breakers, while taking into account this signal as well as a requested fan power, in such a way that no power loss PV exceeding a specified value occurs at any circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Koch, Patric Kahles, Volker Lurk
  • Patent number: 8622713
    Abstract: A pump control system which detects a fluid condition in a pump is disclosed. The pump control system may include a control event based on the fluid condition in the pump. The pump control system may detect a fluid condition in the pump by monitoring the frequency response of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Little Giant Pump Company
    Inventor: Steven W. Hampton
  • Patent number: 8602743
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a safety vacuum release system (SVRS) with a controller for a pump including a motor. The method can include measuring an actual power consumption of the motor necessary to pump water and overcome losses. The method can include triggering the SVRS when a dynamic suction blockage is identified in order to shut down the pump substantially immediately. The SVRS can also be triggered when a dead head condition is identified based on the actual power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen
  • Patent number: 8602745
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system including a pump, a motor, and a controller. The controller establishes a baseline value of power consumption during a deadhead condition, increases a counter when a current value decreases below the baseline value, and determines a deadhead condition when the counter exceeds a limit. The controller also compares a current value to an immediately previous power consumption value to determine an entrapment condition indicated by a sudden decrease in power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 8602746
    Abstract: In at least some embodiments, an electrical system for a pump includes a power supply and a controller coupled to the power supply, the controller supporting a plurality of pump cycle levels. If a voltage of the power supply drops below a first threshold, the controller automatically causes the pump to operate at a lower pump cycle level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: TXAM Pumps, LLC
    Inventors: Brady Gallwey, Roy Tilford Jackson, Duy D. Nguyen, C. Tom Brannon
  • Patent number: 8602747
    Abstract: Having a correlative relation indicator for indicating a correlative relation so that the supply current to be supplied to an inverter circuit may be varied proportionally to the voltage applied to the inverter circuit, a supply current value controller controls the average current to be supplied to the inverter circuit so as to be equal to the value of the supply current indicated by the correlative relation indicator, and therefore if the pressure loss or the static pressure is changed, a wind volume-static pressure of high precision extremely small in the changing amount of wind volume is realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Masayuki Takada
  • Patent number: 8596987
    Abstract: A device controls power supplied from an inverter having a semiconductor switching element to an electric compressor having an external drive source or a built-in motor. The device includes: an apparatus for calculating a starting current value required for starting the compressor from the pressure at the discharge side circuit of the compressor; an apparatus for calculating a permitted current value of the semiconductor switching element from the temperature of the inverter installation portion; and an apparatus for comparing the calculated compressor starting current value to the permitted current value of the semiconductor switching element so as to determine whether to permit a start of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Shibuya, Daisuke Hirono
  • Patent number: 8573952
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines an actual power consumption of the motor and compares the actual power consumption to a reference power consumption. The controller also determines that the pump is in an unprimed condition if the actual power consumption is less than the reference power consumption and that the pump is in a primed condition if the actual power consumption is at least equal to the reference power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Patent number: 8571798
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a condition of a downhole electrical submersible pump (ESP) assembly is disclosed. The system includes: a downhole assembly configured to be disposed in a wellbore in an earth formation; the ESP assembly connected to the downhole assembly and including a motor and a pump, the ESP assembly in electrical communication with a surface electrical source via a conductor; a power gauge unit configured to measure the electrical power supplied to the ESP assembly; and a processor configured to receive data from the power gauge unit and calculate a flowrate of the ESP assembly based on at least the electrical power supplied to the ESP assembly. Also disclosed is a method of monitoring a condition of a downhole ESP assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Eric Atherton
  • Patent number: 8562304
    Abstract: An electrical motor activation method for an electric motor including a rotor, connected to a motor shaft, and a stator having brushes. The stator comprises multiple commutator laminations for the commutation of windings disposed on the rotor and is activated by a pulsed or linearly controllable power source. The motor shaft is connected to a radially driven load, in particular a pump, which has a nonlinear torque curve via a motor revolution. A waviness signal is obtained from a voltage potential applied to the motor and/or from the motor current and rotor position information is obtained from the curve of said waviness signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Dieter Barthel, Ralf Hartmann, Andreas Heise, Christian Bitsch, Daniel Schmitz, Andreas Richter
  • Publication number: 20130272899
    Abstract: A drive system of a synchronous electrical motor includes a synchronous electrical motor; a power converter that is connected to the motor with a plurality of switching elements; a controller that outputs a voltage instruction to the power converter; a voltage detection unit for open phases upon application of respective positive and negative pulse voltages between respective two phases out of three-phase windings of the motor; an induced voltage difference for calculating an induced voltage difference that is a difference between an induced voltage detected by the voltage detection unit at each of the open phases upon application of the positive voltage pulse between the corresponding two phases and an induced voltage detected by the voltage detection unit at the open phase upon application of the negative voltage pulse between the two phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Ryoichi TAKAHATA, Yoshitaka IWAJI, Shigehisa AOYAGI, Kazuaki TOBARI
  • Patent number: 8556593
    Abstract: A counter-rotating axial-flow fan may be controlled to improve both cooling efficiency and operating efficiency. A first motor and a second motor are started in a given starting mode. Then, if the temperature of an object to be cooled is higher than a given reference temperature, the rotational speed of the first motor and the rotational speed of the second motor are controlled in a predetermined cooling efficiency mode that gives priority to cooling the object to be cooled over the operating efficiency of the counter-rotating axial-flow fan. If the temperature of the object to be cooled is equal to or lower than the given reference temperature, the rotational speeds of the first and second motors are controlled in a predetermined operating efficiency mode that maintains the object to be cooled at a temperature equal to or lower than the given reference temperature and reduces the power consumption of the counter-rotating axial-flow fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Honami Osawa, Naruhiko Kudo, Yoshihiko Aizawa
  • Patent number: 8550218
    Abstract: A brake actuator has a motor that provides input rotation in first and second directions. A reducer couples to the motor and reduces the input rotation into an output rotation to be applied to a brake screw of a progressive cavity pump drive. A sensor measures rotational speed of the drive shaft. In manual operation, an operator can view an indication of the rotational speed and can manually operate the motor accordingly to control rotation of the shaft. In automated operation, a controller automatically controls the motor based on the rotational speed measured by the sensor. The controller can also use a torque sensor to detect the torque applied to the brake screw, a displacement sensor to detect displacement of the brake screw, and/or a current sensor to detect the current consumption of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford Industria e Comecio Ltda.
    Inventors: Jorge Robles Villa, Eduardo Perdomini Lara
  • Patent number: 8550789
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a linear compressor which makes it possible to precisely operate a voltage using a current without having a high-capacity capacitor connected in series to a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Seok Hu, Shin Hyun Park, Young Geul Kim, Kyo Lyong Kang
  • Patent number: 8540493
    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-calibration 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Koehl
  • Patent number: 8535015
    Abstract: A method of operating a rinsing pump, for example, a peristaltic roller pump for use in endoscopy, which involves reducing a rinsing fluid flow rate to a safe flow rate when a detected electrical current exceeds a first predetermined current value, in which the first predetermined current value corresponds to a first predetermined limiting rinsing pressure. The method in part prevents an excessively high pressure in case of an unintended stenosis, e.g., kinking of the supply tube, or also intended stenoses, e.g., insertion of a narrow rinsing probe, by detecting an electrical current received by the pump by a current-measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Baur
  • Patent number: 8500413
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool, including a water pump and a variable speed motor. In one example, a target volume amount of water and an operational time period is provided, and the operational time period is altered based upon a volume of water moved. In another example, operation of the motor is altered based upon the volume of water moved. In addition or alternatively, a target flow rate of water to be moved by the water pump is determined based upon the target volume amount and a time period. In addition or alternatively, a plurality of operations are performed on the water, and a total volume of water moved by the pump is determined. In addition or alternatively, an optimized flow rate value is determined based upon power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives A/S
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Einar Kjartan Runarsson
  • Patent number: 8480376
    Abstract: A system for determining whether a motor in an electrical submersible pump is backspinning is described herein. The system comprises a sensor mounted in a well bore proximate to a ground surface, the sensor outputting a backspin signal; a communication link connected to the sensor, the communications link communicating the backspin signal; and a controller receiving the backspin signal from the communications link and processing the backspin signal to determine whether the motor is backspinning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Dick L Knox, Jerald R Rider, Robert D Allen, William Carter, Robert H McCoy
  • Patent number: 8480373
    Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and a filter arrangement in fluid communication with the pump. The pumping system can also include means for determining a load value indicative of an unclogged filter that permits movement of water through the filter arrangement, means for determining a load value indicative of a clogged filter that inhibits movement of water through the filter arrangement, and means for determining a performance value of the pumping system. The pumping system also includes means for determining a relative loading value of the filter arrangement, means for displaying the relative loading value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the relative loading value. In one example, the load values and performance value can include flow pressure values. A method of moving water of a swimming pool is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Gert Kjaer, Einar Kjartan Runarsson
  • Patent number: 8475137
    Abstract: In an electric-motor-driven oil pump unit with automatic engine-stop system interaction, in which an electric-motor-driven oil pump is driven by an electric motor for hydraulic pressure supply to a transmission of an automotive vehicle employing an automatic engine-stop system, at least in a stopped state of a mechanical oil pump driven by the engine, a motor current/speed detector is provided for detecting a motor current and/or a motor speed of the electric motor. Also provided is a controller configured to output an inhibiting signal to the automatic engine-stop system for inhibiting a mode shift to an automatic engine-stop mode, when a change in the motor current and/or the motor speed during a preliminary operation of the electric-motor-driven oil pump executed from a point of time when an automatic engine-stop condition of the vehicle becomes satisfied, is out of a specified characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Hisatake Ikada
  • Patent number: 8475136
    Abstract: A compressor includes at least one current sensor and processing circuitry in communication with the at least one current sensor. The processing circuitry declares a locked rotor condition when current drawn by the compressor is at least forty percent of peak locked rotor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Nagaraj Jayanth
  • Patent number: 8469674
    Abstract: Disclosed are an operation control device of a compressor, which can reduce motor loss by applying an AC power to a motor of the compressor without a switching operation of a control unit, and a method thereof. The operation control device of the compressor comprises: a capacitor electrically connected to a motor of the compressor and having a predetermined capacitance; a control unit connected in series to the motor of the compressor and applying an AC power to the motor of the compressor according to a control signal; and a controller detecting a load variation amount on the basis of a current and voltage applied to the motor of the compressor and controlling on/off of the control unit according to the detected load variation amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Gyoo-Jong Bae, Yang-Jun Kang, Kyeong-Bae Park, Chul-Gi Roh, Ki-Chul Choi, Eon-Pye Hong
  • Patent number: 8469675
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pumping system for at least one aquatic application. The pumping system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, and a controller in communication with the motor. The controller determines an actual power consumption of the motor and compares the actual power consumption to a reference power consumption. The controller also determines that the pump is in an unprimed condition if the actual power consumption is less than the reference power consumption and that the pump is in a primed condition if the actual power consumption is at least equal to the reference power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives
    Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
  • Publication number: 20130156607
    Abstract: A compressor diagnostic device is provided and includes at least one of a temperature sensor and a current sensor. The current sensor measures a first current flow through a motor of a refrigerant compressor. The temperature sensor is disposed within and sensing a temperature of a measurement region of an electrical conductor that is configured to close and open to allow and prevent current flow to the motor, respectively. The compressor diagnostic device also includes a controller in communication with the at least one of the current sensor and the temperature sensor. The controller is operable to control the electrical conductor based on a comparison of a second current flow through the motor and a maximum current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: EMERSON CLIMATE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
  • Patent number: 8465263
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system includes a pump operably coupleable to a source of fluid. A reciprocating electromagnetic actuator is coupled to the pump and has a coil that when energized causes the actuator to drive the pump. Coil current sensing circuitry is configured to provide an indication of current flowing in the coil. A controller is coupled to the coil current sensing circuitry and is configured to calculate a coil drive parameter based upon a plurality of coil current indications from the coil current sensing circuitry. Coil drive circuitry is coupled to the controller and is configured to supply current to the coil based on the coil drive parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Wagner Spray Tech Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Jones, Gregory Wayne Parkhurst, Timothy Woodward Zeigler
  • Patent number: 8444394
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Robert M. Koehl
  • Patent number: 8430642
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a controlling apparatus and method for a linear compressor which can provide an efficient control, by selectively performing an operation which is not affected by a capacitor and an operation which does not include a phase control according to a load. The controlling apparatus for the linear compressor includes an LC path (P1) composed of a coil winding portion (L) of the linear compressor and a capacitor (CP)1 a phase control path (P2) composed of the coil winding portion (L) and a phase control unit, and a switch means (62) for selectively applying power to one of the LC path (P1) and the phase control path (P2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jung-wan Heo
  • Publication number: 20130101439
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of controlling and/or regulating a metering pump comprising a drive motor having a shaft driven by the motor and a displacement member arranged in a metering head, in which the rotary movement of the shaft is converted into an oscillating movement of the displacement member, wherein the displacement member, interacting with an outlet and inlet valve in alternate sequence, leads to a pump stroke (pressure stroke) and an intake stroke and thus to delivery of a medium to be metered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Thomas Freudenberger, Yves Drexlmeier
  • Patent number: 8425202
    Abstract: A universal controller (16) for an electric motorized pump (18) having a mechanical switch (19) for turning on and off electrical power to the pump, and method of operation of same. The controller controls output pressure of the pump based on controlling the speed of the pump (for example by applying voltage over a greater portion of a duty cycle), so as to provide an optimal operating pressure derived from an automatically determined value for the pressure at which the mechanical switch opens and disrupts electrical power to the pump. It is manufactured as a standalone assembly, not attached to a pump. It can be operated so as to automatically seek and determine a switch-opening pressure for the switch (19), at which the pump pressure switch opens and so interrupts electrical power to the motor, and to then choose an operating pressure below the switch-opening pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Xylem IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: James C. Walls
  • Publication number: 20130094973
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method that comprises, based upon receipt of a mode command, changing an operating mode of a fan motor controller of a fan to a serial port communication protocol, programming a memory of the fan motor controller with an operating parameter of the fan, and based upon receipt of a serial port command, changing the operating mode of the fan motor controller from the serial port communication protocol to another protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: MARVELL WORLD TRADE LTD.
    Inventor: Marvell World Trade Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130045113
    Abstract: A system for operating a compressor. The system includes a motor, an inverter bridge, a voltage detection circuit, and a controller. The motor has a stator and a rotor. The inverter bridge is configured to provide a voltage to the stator, and includes a first switch connected in a series-type relationship with a second switch, a first diode coupled across the first switch, and a second diode coupled across the second switch. The voltage detection circuit is configured to detect a back EMF voltage in the winding. The controller is coupled to the inverter bridge and the voltage detection circuit. The controller is configured to control the first switch and the second switch to drive the motor, and to receive an indication of the back EMF voltage in the winding from the voltage detection circuit. The controller is also configured to determine a fault has occurred, and to drive one of the first switch and the second switch when a fault has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: TRANE INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: David M. Foye, Victor R. Stefanovic
  • Patent number: 8371824
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a linear compressor with an inverter unit. In the apparatus and method, a capacitor is connected between a driving motor and an inverter unit that applies a voltage to the driving motor according to an output frequency thereof, thereby preventing a jump phenomenon due to an inductance of the motor coil. Furthermore, the linear compressor is precisely controlled through the inverter unit, thereby enhancing stability of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Sub Jeong, Jae-Yoo Yoo, Jung-Hwan Kang, Sung-Ho Park, Hyuk Lee
  • Patent number: 8356983
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an air distribution system by controlling the speed of a motor associated with a blower to maintain a rate of air flow in the system at substantially a target air flow rate. The apparatus comprises means for controlling a supplied frequency to the motor; means for providing a speed signal representative of the speed of motor; means for providing a frequency signal representative of the supplied frequency from a controller to the motor; means for providing a load signal representative of the load of the motor; means for calculating an air flow rate signal based on the speed signal and the load signal; means for controlling a supplied frequency in response to the target air flow rate signal and the calculated air flow rate signal. The apparatus can apply three different types of algorithm for controlling and compensating the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: OYL Research and Development Centre Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Otaki Shizuo, Kok Keong Thoo
  • Patent number: 8353678
    Abstract: A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes the acts of controlling the motor to operate the pump and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump. The method further includes the act of controlling the motor to cease operation of the pump when the determination indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump and zero or more other conditions exist.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Regal Beloit EPC Inc.
    Inventors: William Louis Mehlhorn, Andrew William Phillips
  • Patent number: 8348624
    Abstract: A method for controlling the motor of an air handling system to provide a desired output of flowing air therefrom while minimizing the power used by the motor, including operationally connecting a switched reluctance electric motor to a blower, operationally connecting an electronic controller to the switched reluctance electric motor, operationally connecting at least one sensor to the electronic controller, measuring at least one environmental parameter with the at least one sensor, inputting the desired air flow into the electronic controller, calculating the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow, and sending a control signal from the electronic controller to the motor to control the motor to the minimum motor speed necessary to provide the desired air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Universal Blower Pac, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Carl Frey, Andrew Martin Placek