General Electric Company

Regal Beloit America, Inc.

Essex Group, Inc.

Glen C Young

Roger Carlos Becerra

Ludovic Andre Chretien

Dennis P Bobay

Yao Da

Brian Lee Beifus

Peter Bruff Lytle

David Allen Clendenen

James R Kiefer

Kamron Mark Wright

Guy Bonner, Jr

Robert K Hollenbeck

Charles Michael Stephens

Harold B Harms

Mark A Brattoli

Paul Michael Szczesny

Eric Duane Schneider

Thomas M Jahns

Ming Li

Michael W Henry

Eric R Benedict

Louis Sulfstede

Michael B Durant

Steven P Richardville

Scott Coorod

Mark L Schmidt

Austars R Schnore

A motor controller coupled to a motor is provided. The motor controller includes a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, a first input coupled to the processor, wherein the first input is associated with a first mode of operation, and a second input coupled to the processor, wherein the second input is associated with a calibration mode. The motor controller is configured to receive, through the first input, a first activation signal, operate the motor in the first mode of operation in response to receiving the first activation signal, while operating the motor in the first mode of operation, receive, through the second input, a second activation signal, in response to receiving the first activation signal and the second activation signal, adjust a value of a parameter associated with the first mode of operation, and store the value of the parameter in the memory.

System and method for adjusting an operation of a motor

Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor are provided. An electric motor controller is configured to be coupled to an electric motor. The controller includes a rectifier, an inverter coupled to the rectifier, and a control unit coupled to the inverter. The rectifier is configured to rectify an alternating current (AC) input voltage to produce a pulsed direct current (DC) voltage that drops to approximately zero during each cycle when the AC input voltage transits zero. Energy is stored on a load coupled to the motor when AC input voltage is available. The inverter is configured to receive the DC voltage and to provide a conditioned output voltage to the motor. The control unit is configured to manage energy transfer between the motor and the load such that the motor generates positive torque when the DC voltage supplied to the inverter has approximately 100% voltage ripple.

Methods and systems for controlling an electric motor

Methods and systems for programming an electric motor are provided. An electric motor controller configured to be coupled to an electric motor is configured to control the electric motor to produce torque when direct current (DC) link voltage has up to 100% voltage ripple. The controller includes a first power input, a second power input, and a third power input, an energized line detection device, and a microprocessor. Each power input is configured to receive power from an alternating current (AC) power source. The energized line detection device is configured to sense which power input has received power from the AC power source and output an isolated signal. The microprocessor is coupled downstream from the energized line detection device and is configured to determine an operating profile for the electric motor based on the isolated signal.

Methods and systems for programming an electric motor

Protection of an electric motor drive controller from a transient voltage is described herein. The transient voltage is provided by an alternating current (AC) power line that includes a line conductor, a neutral conductor, and a ground conductor. The transient voltage protection system includes a first stage protection device coupled to an input of a rectifier of the motor drive controller. The first stage protection device is configured to suppress the transient voltage to prevent damage to the motor drive controller. The transient voltage protection system also includes a second stage protection device coupled between the rectifier and an inverter of the motor drive controller. The second stage protection device is configured to further suppress the transient voltage to prevent damage to the inverter.

Methods and systems for transient voltage protection

An electric motor controller is configured to be coupled to an electric motor. The controller includes an inverter and a control unit coupled to the inverter. The inverter is configured to receive an input voltage and to provide a conditioned output voltage to the electric motor. The control unit is configured to control the electric motor to produce positive torque when direct current (DC) link voltage has a 100% voltage ripple. Methods for controlling an electric motor using the electric motor controller are also provided.

A control system for a motor includes an inverter coupled to the motor. The control system further includes a microcontroller coupled to the inverter. The microcontroller includes a processor programmed to measure an input voltage and acquire a back EMF voltage of the motor. The processor is also programmed to control the inverter to regulate the motor voltage based on the input voltage and the back EMF voltage to facilitate controlling the motor.

Methods and systems for controlling a motor

A motor assembly includes a control sub-assembly configured to be mounted either remotely or integrally to a motor. The control sub-assembly includes a control housing, a control housing cover, electronic control components, and at least one sensing wire connected to the motor. The control housing cover includes a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion. The first attachment portion attaches the control housing cover to the control housing and the second attachment portion attaches the control housing cover to the motor. If the control sub-assembly is to be mounted remotely from the motor, the second attachment portion is not connected to the motor.

Method and apparatus for mounting electronic motor controls

An electronically commutated motor assembly permits a user to select discrete operating speed options to operate an electronically commutated motor. The assembly includes a motor, an input/output unit electrically connected to the motor, a connector and board and a microprocessor. The connector and board includes an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a plurality of low voltage signal connections for programming the EEPROM, and a plurality of speed signal connections for selecting an operating speed for the electronically commutated motor. The low voltage signal connections permit the EEPROM to be programmed with speed tables containing schedules of operating speeds.

Methods and apparatus for selecting an electronically commutated motor speed

An electrical circuit for controlling the activation of a fan includes optically coupled isolators. The circuit is electrically connected in series to a thermostat including a bimetal actuated contact with an anticipator across the contact. Power to the circuit is provided by voltage developed across the system relay coil in series with the thermostat. A zener diode establishes a threshold voltage consistent with the operation of the system relay coil and the thermostat. The optically coupled isolators provide the required electrical isolation needed to protect the thermostat from a power control circuit of an electronically controlled fan.

Method and apparatus optically coupling thermostat to control a fan

A rotor position sensor mounting assembly includes a housing, a hall effect device, a printed circuit board, a plurality of leads, and a cable tie. The housing includes two pairs of guides that fixedly attach the housing to a stator end cap and a plurality of stator laminations. The second pair of housing guides extend substantially flush with the top wall. A gap extends between the first pair of housing guides and the second pair of housing guides and the first pair of housing guides has a wedge shape. In addition, a pair of internal guides extend from the second side walls into the cavity such that the internal guides form the cavity into a substantially inverted T at a first end of the housing to precisely locate the hall effect device.

Sensor mounting assembly and method

A method for assembling an inside out motor includes the step of stacking a plurality of laminations together to form a pole member. A stator is molded around the pole member so that an end of the pole member is located adjacent an exterior surface of the molded stator. An electrically conductive magnet wire is wound around the molded stator adjacent the pole member to form a winding of the motor.

Method for assembly of motor with external rotor

A control board enclosure includes an opening extending through a side wall to permit moisture to drain from the enclosure and a potting compound to protect the control board. A plug is sized to fit in sealable contact with the opening. The potting material is placed within the enclosure to cover the control board and a portion of the plug. A drainage channel is formed and extends to the opening through the potting compound when the plug is removed from the enclosure.

Methods and apparatus for removing moisture from an enclosure

An inside out electric motor includes a rotor having an interior surface defining an interior space and a magnetic element mounted on the rotor. The motor also includes a stator having a bobbin. The bobbin has a bearing positioned at a central axis of the bobbin. The bearing rotatably engages the rotor to permit the rotor to freely rotate with respect to the stator. The bobbin also has a pole member molded into the bobbin so that an end of the pole member is spaced radially inward from and at least partially aligned with the magnetic element, and a winding wound around the bobbin so that the winding passes adjacent the pole member.

Motor with external rotor

A motor system having a stationary assembly including a winding and a rotatable assembly in magnetic coupling relation to the stationary assembly. A power supply link having upper and lower rails supplied by a power supply provides power to the motor winding. The power supply link has power switches responsive to a motor control signal for selectively connecting the rails to the winding to energize the winding with a motor current whereby an electromagnetic field is produced for rotating the rotatable assembly. The power switches include a set of upper power switches and a set of lower power switches. Each of the power switches has a conducting state and a nonconducting state. The system includes a disable circuit for selectively generating a disable signal and a control circuit for generating the motor control signal to control the power switches. The control circuit is responsive to the disable signal for controlling the power switches so that the lower power switches become conducting and the upper power switches become nonconducting, or vice-versa, thereby de-energizing the winding to disable the motor. Other features are also disclosed including circuitry for commutating the motor in advance of zero crossings of the back electromotive force, correcting asymmetries in the commutation intervals and reversing the motor.

Single phase motor for laundering apparatus

A system for controlling circulating currents in a motor. A power supply link having upper and lower rails supplied by a power supply provides power to the motor windings. The power supply link also has power switches responsive to a motor control signal for selectively connecting the rails to the windings in alternating on and off intervals. The system includes a first resistive shunt in the upper rail of the power supply link between the power supply and the power switches and a second resistive shunt in the lower rail of the power supply link between the power supply and the power switches. The power supply link routes current circulating in the power supply link and windings through either the first or second resistive shunt for continuously sensing current in the rails. The system also includes a current regulation circuit which generates an overcurrent signal as a function of the current sensed in either the first or second resistive shunt exceeding a maximum current level. A control circuit responsive to the overcurrent signal causes each of the power switches to become nonconducting thereby to prevent excessive current from circulating in the motor.

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Fort Wayne, IN, United States of America

Glen C Young