Whirlpool Corporation

Qiang Mei

Biao He

Kevin J Fitzpatrick

Ying Xiao

Fabio E Rosa

Feiting Han

Jinming Sun

A method and circuit for controlling or starting a U-shape single phase synchronous permanent magnetic motor (U-SPSPM motor) having a rotor and a stator and coupled to a single phase alternating current (AC) power source through a switch, including estimating back electromotive force (back-EMF) of the motor based on an observer model with inputs indicative of the measured signals, and triggering the switch to supply power to the motor based on the estimates of the back-EMF.

Method and circuit for controlling or starting a U-shape single phase synchronous permanent magnet motors

A drain pump for an appliance includes a single, self-starting, single-phase synchronous motor and a pump chamber having an inlet and first and second outlets. The first outlet is a drain outlet and the second outlet is a recirculation outlet. An impeller is disposed within the pump chamber and is selectively and bi-directionally driven by the single-phase synchronous motor. Rotation of the impeller in a first direction directs fluid from the inlet toward the drain outlet and away from the recirculation outlet. Rotation of the impeller in the second direction directs the fluid from the inlet toward the recirculation outlet and away from the drain outlet.

Multi-outlet fluid flow system for an appliance incorporating a bi-directional motor

Method and circuit for controlling or starting a u-shape single phase synchronous permanent magnet motors

A method for controlling a U-shape single phase synchronous permanent magnetic motor having a rotor and a stator and coupled to a single phase alternating current (AC) power source through a switch includes estimating back-electromotive force and the position of the rotor based on a voltage feedback signal, a current feedback signal, and a phase feedback signal indicative of a zero-crossing of the single phase AC power source. Once the speed and position of the rotor are determined, a controller can trigger a switch to supply power to the motor.

Observer based sensorless control for U-shape single phase synchronous permanent magnet motors

A method of operating a laundry treating appliance to control a rotational speed of a drum to move the laundry within the drum according to a predetermined category of movement.

Apparatus and method of braking applied in a laundry treating appliance

A device and method to determine the stopping rotor position of a washing machine motor includes an inverter, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, and an electronic motor controller. The controller determines the stopped rotor position of the motor by measuring induced currents in the stator field coils of the motor. While the motor is de-energized and slowly rotating, the controller directs the inverter to connect all of the stator field coils of the motor together. The stator field coils may be connected to a common D.C. rail, output from an A.C.-D.C. converter of the washing machine. In an embodiment, the controller determines the rotor position based on the polarities of current induced in the stator field coils. In another embodiment, the controller determines the rotor position based on the phase angle and angular frequency of the three phase currents, transformed into a stationary reference frame.

Growing community of inventors

Stevensville, MI, United States of America

Qiang Mei