Responsive To Change In Electrical Operating Characteristic Patents (Class 417/44.11)
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Patent number: 7857600Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLCInventor: Robert M. Koehl
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Patent number: 7854597Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump, a variable speed motor, and an arrangement for controlling the variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes an auxiliary device operably connected to the arrangement for controlling, and an arrangement for providing two-way communication between the arrangement for controlling and the auxiliary device. The arrangement for controlling is capable of receiving a parameter from the auxiliary device through the arrangement for providing two-way communication. In one example, the arrangement for controlling is capable of independently controlling the variable speed motor without receipt of a parameter from the auxiliary device. In addition or alternatively, the arrangement for controlling is operable to selectively alter operation of the motor based upon the parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power DrivesInventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Daniel J. Hruby, Kevin Murphy, Edward Brown, David MacCallum, Dennis Dunn, Kenneth N. Clack, Einar Kjartan Runarsson, Alberto Morando
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Patent number: 7845912Abstract: A driving controlling apparatus for a linear compressor, comprises: a storing unit for storing a reference phase difference to judge an overload state; and a controlling unit for judging an overload state based on a comparison result between the reference phase difference and a phase difference between a current and a stroke, and controlling a voltage or a current applied to a linear motor based on the judgement result.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ji-Woon Sung, Jae-Yoo Yoo, Chel-Woong Lee
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Patent number: 7845913Abstract: A pumping system for moving water of a swimming pool includes a water pump and a variable speed motor. The pumping system further includes means for determining a first motor speed of the motor, means for determining first and second performance values of the pumping system, and means for comparing the first and second performance values. The pumping system further includes means for determining an adjustment value based upon the comparison, means for determining a second motor speed based upon the adjustment value, and means for controlling the motor in response to the second motor speed. In one example, the pumping system includes means for determining a value indicative of a flow rate of water moved by the pump. In addition or alternatively, the pumping system includes a filter arrangement. A method of controlling the pumping system for moving the water of the swimming pool is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Peter Westermann-Rasmussen, Gert Kjaer, Florin Lungeanu
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Patent number: 7815420Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLCInventor: Robert M. Koehl
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Patent number: 7798782Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor are disclosed. The apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor includes: a TDC/BDC detecting unit for detecting a TDC and a BDC of the reciprocating compressor; and a controller for independently controlling the TDC and the BDC so as to fit each reference position based on the detected TDC and BDC. Efficiency of the reciprocating compressor can be enhanced by independently controlling a top dead center and a bottom dead center.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Kyung-Bum Heo
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Patent number: 7762080Abstract: A system and method for accurately supplying fuel flow to a gas turbine engine from a fuel metering pump regardless of variations in operating conditions of the fuel metering pump. The system determines an updated flow characteristic curve for an electrically powered positive displacement pump that is configured to supply fluid via a valve that is configured to open at a predetermined fluid inlet pressure. Electrical current is supplied to the pump to thereby cause the pump to supply the fluid to the valve. The electrical current supplied to the pump is monitored to determine when the valve opens, and one or more points on the updated flow characteristic curve are determined based on the determination of when the valve opens.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2006Date of Patent: July 27, 2010Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Bruce Anson, Mohamad Hanif Y. Vhora, Harvey B. Jansen
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Publication number: 20100172764Abstract: There is provided an electric compressor that can protect a component to be protected from heat damage according to a capability of the component. The electric compressor 10 includes a compression mechanism 11, an electric motor 12 that drives the compression mechanism 11, and a control portion 13 that controls to drive the electric motor 12, incorporated into a single casing, and further includes a temperature detector 14 that detects a temperature of one or more components that constitute one or both of the control portion 13 and the electric motor 12, and a current detector 15 that detects a current flowing through the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2008Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Koji Nakano, Takashi Nakagami, Hideto Noyama, Masahiko Asai, Makoto Hattori, Takayuki Takashige
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Publication number: 20100172765Abstract: Provided is a device for controlling power supply from an inverter having a semiconductor switching element to an electric compressor having a built-in motor. The device includes: means for calculating a starting current value required for starting the compressor from the pressure at the discharge side circuit of the compressor; means for calculating a permitted current value of the semiconductor switching element from the temperature of the inverter installation portion; and means for comparing the calculated compressor starting current value to the permitted current value of the semiconductor switching element so as todetermine whether to permit a start of the compressor. Thus, it is possible to appropriately start the electric compressor without using a semiconductor switching element requiring a greater current capacity than is necessary in the inverter. This reduces the size and the cost of the electric compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Makoto Shibuya, Daisuke Hirono
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Publication number: 20100166570Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: LITTLE GIANT PUMP COMPANYInventor: Steven W. Hampton
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Publication number: 20100166572Abstract: A braking controller of a three-phase permanent magnetic brushless DC motor for directly driving a screw pump includes a detection circuit for detecting power supply states of the three-phase permanent magnetic brushless DC motor and a braking circuit for controlling the braking startup according to the power supply states of the three-phase permanent magnetic brushless DC motor. When the motor is supplied with power, the braking circuit is cut off. When the motor is not supplied with power and the screw pump drives the motor to reverse, the braking circuit starts up.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2006Publication date: July 1, 2010Inventors: Jun Liu, Yongjian Tang, Hengli Cong
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Publication number: 20100143158Abstract: A variable speed air compressing system includes a compressor, a motor configured to actuate the compressor, and a rectifier configured to receive alternating current from a first power source and to provide rectified direct current having a first voltage. The system also includes an inverter configured to receive the rectified direct current and to receive direct current from a second power source having a second voltage. The inverter is configured to provide alternating current to the motor. The alternating current provided to the motor is based on the rectified direct current if the first voltage is greater than the second voltage and the alternating current is based on the direct current from the second power source if the second voltage is greater than the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: June 10, 2010Inventor: Gerald Allen Alston
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Patent number: 7731484Abstract: The present invention has an object of controlling power consumption by a vacuum pump by varying the number of revolutions of the vacuum pump in accordance with the operating state of a vacuum device. The condition setting part 4 sets the relationship between the operating state of the vacuum device 10 and the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 that evacuates the vacuum device 10. This relationship is set to an appropriate value so as to prevent the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 from becoming a higher rotational speed than is required. The control part 6, to which external signals S1 through Sn corresponding to the operating state of the vacuum device 10 are input, reads out from the condition setting part 4 and outputs the rotational speed of the vacuum pump 2 corresponding to the external signals. The inverter 8 controls the rotational speed of the vacuum pump based on the output of the control part 6.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hidemi Yamamoto, Kohji Tsuji
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Publication number: 20100111709Abstract: 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 (40) percent of peak locked rotor current.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2010Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Nagaraj Jayanth
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Publication number: 20100098555Abstract: A submersible water pump device is provided. The submersible water pump device includes a housing that contains a stator and windings and a control circuit. A rotor with curved impeller blades, which is contained within the stator attached to the windings, is inserted into the proximal end of the housing. A filter and volute, which cover the curved impeller blades of the rotor, are removably attached to the housing. The control circuit detects the polarity of the magnetic field of the rotor to control when to turn the motor on, so that the rotor only runs in one direction to increase the pump's efficiency using the curved impeller blades.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventor: Wen Hua He
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Publication number: 20100092308Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2009Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Robert W. Stiles, JR., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen
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Patent number: 7694525Abstract: A unitary control for operating at least the fan and compressor of a climate control apparatus in response to signals received from a thermostat, the unitary air conditioning control includes a circuit board, a microprocessor on the circuit board; a first relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts at least one of which is connected to the microprocessor; and a second relay on the circuit board operable by the microprocessor, to connect a fan connected thereto to line voltage, and having first and second contacts connected to the microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2008Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: William P. Butler, Dean A. Drake, Nagaraj B. Jayanth
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Patent number: 7695251Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic driving device (20) for turning on and off a synchronous pump, that is a pump (15) comprising a synchronous electric motor (1) with a permanent-magnet rotor (8), comprising:āat least a static power switch (17) inserted in series between the motor (1) and an AC electric power supply source (Vp); andāa processing unit (16) having at least an input receiving a synchronism signal (V) and a control output connected to said switch (17); characterized in that it is enabled by a signal emitted by a float level sensor (40) and includes an input receiving a signal (a) by a position sensor (21) detecting the rotor (8) polarity and position; the pump turn-on and off being regulated according to the signal emitted by said level sensor (40) and to a measured difference between a critical load angle (8) and a current load angle computed during different working conditions of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2004Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Askoll Holding S.r.l.Inventor: Elio Marioni
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Patent number: 7690897Abstract: A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a system includes determining a trip value for a parameter, floating the trip value, and monitoring the operation of the pump. Monitoring the operation of the pump includes determining a value for the parameter, comparing the value to the trip value, and determining whether the comparison indicates a condition of the pump. The method of controlling the motor also includes controlling the motor to operate the pump based on the condition of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: A.O. Smith CorporationInventors: Brian Thomas Branecky, William Louis Mehlhorn
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Publication number: 20100080714Abstract: A pump system. The pump system includes a pump, a motor coupled to the pump, a sensor coupled to a power source, and a controller. The motor operates the pump. The sensor detects an electrical characteristic of the power source. The controller executes a fault check, controls the motor, detects a change in the electrical characteristic, and suspends the execution of the fault check for a predetermined period of time when the detected change in the electrical characteristic is outside of a valid characteristic range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: A. O. SMITH CORPORATIONInventors: William L. Mehlhorn, Brian T. Branecky
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Patent number: 7686589Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignees: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc., Danfoss Low Power Drives, division of Danfoss Drives A/SInventors: Robert W. Stiles, Jr., Lars Hoffmann Berthelsen, Ronald B. Robol, Christopher R. Yahnker, Einar Kjartan Runarsson
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Patent number: 7686074Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention beneficially provide circuits and methods which isolate downhole electronics of a well pump assembly from a power surge. The pump assembly includes a motor and a housing, including head, base, and manifold plate. The head has a hollow interior and a shoulder. The head is mounted to the motor so that, in operation, oil from the motor fills the interior of the head. The base has an outside diameter to fit snugly inside the head. The manifold plate is located between an upper end of the base and the shoulder of the head so that the axis of the manifold plate is perpendicular to the axis of housing. A gauge circuit and an isolation circuit are mounted to the manifold plate. The isolation circuit includes active semiconductor elements to detect excessive voltage and to protect the gauge circuit from the excessive voltage.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2008Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Robert H. McCoy, James E. Layton, Larry J. Parmeter, Gordon Besser
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Patent number: 7665972Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor which can improve operational efficiency of the reciprocating compressor are provided. The apparatus for controlling the operation of the reciprocating compressor includes a resonance frequency operation unit for calculating a mechanical resonance frequency of the reciprocating compressor, an operating frequency reference value generation unit for comparing the calculated mechanical resonance frequency with a current operating frequency of the reciprocating compressor, and generating an operating frequency reference value according to the comparison result, and a controller for controlling a motor of the reciprocating compressor according to the generated operating frequency reference value.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2004Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jae-Yoo Yoo, Chel-Woong Lee, Ji-Won Sung, Hyung-Jin Kim
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Publication number: 20100037644Abstract: A condensate pump for an HVAC system includes a reservoir, a solenoid pump assembly with a solenoid pump, and a solenoid pump electronic control module for limiting the amount of energy delivered to the solenoid pump during one half cycle from an AC current source. The solenoid pump is mounted in the solenoid pump assembly by means of shock absorbing material, and the solenoid pump assembly is mounted on a support member with shock absorbing material interposed between the solenoid pump assembly and the support member.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventor: Charles Barry Ward
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Patent number: 7657161Abstract: A method of constant airflow control for a ventilation system is disclosed. The method includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant IĀ·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. This is because these controls use only intrinsic control variables which are electric current and rotational speed of the motor. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Inventor: Young-Chun Jeung
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Publication number: 20100014989Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a pump jack pump-off control method and a pump jack control apparatus in which, even when the speed of a pump jack is reduced due to generation of a pump-off condition, the pump jack is not caused to stop due to the motor overload abnormality or the coagulated crude oil and, even when the pump-off condition is generated, the reduction of the production capacity of the pump jack can be prevented as much as possible. On detecting the pump-off condition, while the pump jack is in operation with the speed thereof being reduced, or while the pump jack is in operation at the lowest speed, according to the overload warning signal of an ac electric motor, the pump jack is switched over to its intermittent operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2007Publication date: January 21, 2010Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKIInventors: Tatsumi Tsuruta, Yoichi Yamamoto, Koji Kawamoto, Tetsuo Kawano
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Patent number: 7648342Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a shell, a compressor housed within the shell, and a motor drivingly connected to the compressor. A printed circuit board supports at least one temperature sensor. Processing circuitry receives data from the printed circuit board to determine operating conditions of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: January 19, 2010Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Nagaraj Jayanth
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Patent number: 7645225Abstract: In a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) a rotodynamic blood pump (10) is powered by a brushless DC motor (12). A power supply (14) supplies power to the motor (12). Three feedback channels, one for each of voltage, current, and motor speed lead to a microcontroller or microprocessor (18). The three feedback waveforms are analyzed, and from these waveforms, motor input power, patient heart rate, current pump flow rate, and systemic pressure are determined. The microprocessor (18) then calculates a desired flow rate proportional to the patient heart rate. The microprocessor communicates a new power output to a commutation circuit (16), which regulates power to the motor (12). The pump (10) also includes safety checks that are prioritized over desired pump flow. These include prevention of ventricular suction, low pulsatility, minimum and maximum pump speed, minimum speed-relative pump flow, minimum absolute pump flow, minimum and maximum motor input power.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2001Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Inventors: Alexander Medvedev, Leonard A. R. Golding, Alexander Massiello
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Patent number: 7637723Abstract: Cavitation detection systems and methods include generating a signal representing the power factor of a motor driving a pump, analyzing the power factor signal and determining the presence of cavitation based on the analysis of the power factor signal. The power factor may be estimated using various estimation schemes. Analyzing the signal includes filtering the power factor signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Emerson Electric CoInventor: Vinodkumar Sadasivam
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Publication number: 20090301702Abstract: An air conditioning system for use in an over-the-road or off road vehicle is provided that provides a method of operation during both engine on and engine off conditions. The method operates the air conditioning system at one capacity when the engine is running, and at a second capacity when the engine is not running. The selection of these capacities is based on the power capacity of the source of electric power from which the air conditioning system is operated. When a storage battery is used to power the air conditioning system during engine off conditions, the second capacity is lower than the capacity at which the system is operated when the engine is running.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Bergstrom, Inc.Inventors: Terry Zeigler, Eric Elias
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Publication number: 20090304524Abstract: A pumping system has a motor (32) for driving a pumping mechanism (30). A variable frequency drive unit (36) has an input for receiving electrical energy of relatively high power and first, fixed frequency from a power supply, and an output coupled to an input (46) of the motor for supplying electrical energy of relatively low power and second, variable frequency to the motor. This second frequency preferably has a maximum value greater than the first frequency. A control circuit (50) is provided for selectively coupling the motor input (46) directly to the power supply for the supply of said relatively high power energy to the motor to maximise the torque that can be produced by the pumping mechanism. After a period of time the control circuit terminates the direct coupling of the motor input to the power supply for the supply of said relatively low power energy to the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2006Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: EDWARDS LIMITEDInventor: Anthony John Wilder
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Patent number: 7628591Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a compressor includes a stroke calculator for calculating a stroke estimate value of a compressor based on a value of a current applied to a motor of the compressor and a value of a voltage applied to the motor of the compressor; an operation frequency reference determining unit for integrating the stroke estimate value to output an integrated stroke value, detecting a mechanical resonance frequency of the compressor based on the integrated stroke estimate value and the current value, and determining the detected mechanical resonance frequency as an operation frequency reference value; and a controller for varying a current operation frequency of the compressor according to the determined operation frequency reference value.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jae-Yoo Yoo, Chel-Woong Lee, Ji-Won Sung
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Publication number: 20090297362Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2008Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: TXAM Pumps LLCInventors: Brady Gallwey, Roy Tilford Jackson, Duy D. Nguyen, C. Tom Brannon
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Publication number: 20090290991Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: William Louis Mehlhorn, Andrew William Phillips
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Patent number: 7621721Abstract: An oil mechanical vacuum pump, which is equipped with an electric motor comprises an electronic control device for supplying the electric motor with power. The electronic control device comprises a frequency converter for controlling the excitation frequency Fecc of the voltage signal SU by which the motor is powered as a function of at least one operating parameter of the pump and of at least one threshold value that can be modified depending on the operating conditions of the pump.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Varian, S.p.A.Inventors: Roberto Carboneri, Mario Busso
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Patent number: 7618243Abstract: A free-piston linear compressor (1) controlled to achieve high volumetric efficiency by a controller including an algorithm (116) for ramping up input power until piston-cylinder head collisions are detected using a detection algorithm (117/118) which then decrements power input whereupon input power is again ramped up by algorithm (116). Non-damaging low energy collisions are achieved by the controller including a perturbation algorithm (119) which perturbates the input power ramp with periodic transient pulses of power to ensure piston collisions are provoked during the transient power pulses.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Appliances LimitedInventors: Zhuang Tian, John H. Boyd, Jr.
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Publication number: 20090257886Abstract: An apparatus includes a pump; a gas pressure sensor; a microfluidic chip defining a microfluidic conduit; and a gas conduit providing fluid communication between the pump, the gas sensor and the microfluidic conduit; and a controller coupled to the pump and the gas pressure sensor, whereby the controller controls the pump, thereby controlling the gas pressure at the microfluidic conduit. An apparatus includes a microfluidic chip defining a microfluidic conduit extending from a microfluidic source electrode to a microfluidic ground electrode; a first resistor coupled to the microfluidic source electrode; a first and a second voltage divider, the first divider coupling a first power ground to a side of the first resistor opposite the microfluidic chip, the second divider coupling a second power ground to the lead between the first resistor and the microfluidic source electrode, and a first voltage sensor; and a second voltage sensor. Also included are methods of operating the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventors: Jacob Rosenstein, Anubhav Tripathi
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Patent number: 7588422Abstract: A pump driving apparatus has a characteristic changing section which receives a set pressure, a set flowing amount, a set horse power, and a DC voltage of the converter section as input, outputs modified values of pressure, flowing amount, and horse power, and supplies the modified values to the horse power command generation section. Therefore, the motor can be driven to suit the change in power voltage so that the motor capacity can be utilized sufficiently.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2003Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Daikin Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyuki Ochi, Tetsuo Nakata, Yasuto Yanagida
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Publication number: 20090220352Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling a hydraulic pump condition. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and device for monitoring and controlling a hydraulic actuated process indirectly by monitoring and controlling an electric motor driving a positive displacement hydraulic pump. This invention also relates to a precision hydraulic energy delivery system. Direct coupling of the pump to a primary mover (motor) and related motor control allows for complete motion control of a hydraulically driven machine without the use of any downstream devices. By employing motion control algorithms in the motor control, the hydraulic output at the pump head is controlled in a feed forward method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventor: Peter T. Carstensen
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Patent number: 7578658Abstract: A method of controlling a compressor turbine motor train including: receiving a control signal from a plant process controller; receiving a feedback signal indicative of a state of the electrical grid and adjusting an operational parameter of the compressor turbine motor train to stabilize at least one of a frequency and a voltage of the electrical grid.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Einar Vaughn Larsen
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Patent number: 7572108Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Assignee: Sta-Rite Industries, LLCInventor: Robert M. Koehl
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Publication number: 20090185914Abstract: A spa heater/control includes sensors and processors to monitor and display indicia of common failures. The heater/control includes voltage sensors and processing to measure proper power connections to the heater/control. The spa heater/control further monitors various voltages, currents, flow rates, and temperatures within the spa to provide diagnostic information which is easily obtained by a spa owner to provide to a spa dealer to reduce the time and cost of spa repairs. In particular, the heater/control compare a present current draw of a spa pump to the expected current draw. A difference exceeding a threshold, may indicate a draw blocked by, for example, a small child, and the pump is turned off.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventor: Joseph G. Elnar
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Patent number: 7547197Abstract: A driving controlling apparatus for a linear compressor, comprises a controlling unit for detecting a TDC by a phase difference inflection point between a stoke and a current with increasing the stroke by controlling the current applied to a linear motor, and for varying the current applied to the linear motor based on the detected TDC.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 16, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Ji-Woon Sung, Jae-Yoo Yoo, Chel-Woong Lee
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Publication number: 20090136360Abstract: A method of constant airflow control for a ventilation system is disclosed. The method includes various controls to accomplish a substantially constant airflow rate over a significant change of the static pressure in a ventilation duct. One control is a constant IĀ·RPM control, which is primarily used in a low static pressure range. Another control is a constant RPM control, which is primarily used in a high static pressure range. These controls requires neither a static pressure sensor nor an airflow rate sensor to accomplish substantially constant airflow rate while static pressure changes. This is because these controls use only intrinsic control variables which are electric current and rotational speed of the motor. Also, the method improves the accuracy of the control by correcting certain deviations that are caused by the motor's current-RPM characteristics. To compensate the deviation, the method adopts a test operation in a minimum static pressure condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Inventor: YOUNG-CHUN JEUNG
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Patent number: 7534096Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a progressing cavity pump to maintain the motor operating under power disturbance conditions. For a blackout condition, a backspin controller uses regenerative power to provide controlled deceleration of the pump, counteracting backspin and preventing backspinning freely. For a brownout condition, a power dip controller weakens the motor field to maximize pump production consistent with reduced input power availability. For a phase loss or voltage imbalance condition, a phase loss controller reduces motor power output to keep drive system output power at or below single phase capacity.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Unico, Inc.Inventor: Harry W. Schulz
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Patent number: 7520730Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a compressor includes: a back electromotive force calculator for calculating a back electromotive force of a compressor based on a value of a current applied to a motor of the compressor and a value of a voltage applied to the motor of the compressor; an operation frequency reference value determining unit for detecting a mechanical resonance frequency of the compressor based on the back electromotive force value and the current value and determining the detected mechanical resonance frequency as an operation frequency reference value; and a controller for varying an operation frequency of the compressor according to the determined operation frequency reference value.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jae-Yoo Yoo, Chel-Woong Lee, Ji-Won Sung
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Publication number: 20090097987Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor, includes: a control unit for detecting a current pushed amount of a piston when a TDC is detected as an inflection point of a phase difference between stroke and current, comparing the current pushed amount with a pushed amount reference value, and applying a DC voltage applied to a linear motor based on the comparison result. An AC voltage and a DC voltage are applied to the linear motor to increase the stroke, and when the TDC is detected, the current pushed amount is calculated and compared with the pushed amount reference value, and then, the DC voltage or a DC current applied to the linear motor is varied based on the comparison result, thereby obtaining a maximum compression volume without collision of the piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2007Publication date: April 16, 2009Inventors: Ji-Won Sung, Jae-Yoo Yoo, Kyung-Bum Heo
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Publication number: 20090081050Abstract: A pump system for a pressure sewer system, comprising a pump, a cutter and an electric motor configured to drive the pump and the cutter; the pump system comprises a current sensor that measures the electric current provided to the motor and the controller stops the operation of the motor if the current drawn by the electric motor exceeds the predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2008Publication date: March 26, 2009Applicant: MONO PUMPS LIMITEDInventors: Andrew Moore, Craig Wroth, Steve Watt
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Publication number: 20090047138Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of a linear compressor by detecting a phase difference inflection point at a time point when a phase difference between a current and a stroke is placed within a certain region, and by recognizing the phase difference infection point as a top dead center (TDC)=O.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Jae-Yoo Yoo, Ji-Won Sung, Chel-Woong Lee
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Publication number: 20090047137Abstract: A control system for controlling electromagnetic pumps, such as electromagnetic driven membrane pumps, has at least one microprocessor and at least one sensor, the microprocessor controlling the power supply to at least one electromagnet whose changes in emitted magnetic field causes at least one moving part, directly or indirectly, to perform an oscillating pumping movement. The control system has at least one positioning sensor which senses the moving part's position in the electromagnetic driven pump. By use of the positioning sensor's measurements, the pump can be controlled with great accuracy. A method for controlling electromagnetic pumps is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2006Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventor: Johan Stenberg