Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.

Siemens Industry, Inc.

Scott Wakefield

Daniel Zuzuly

Scott M Mayhew

Gregg Jonsson

Scott Mayhew

Glenn Orin Ray

Glenn Owen Ray

An externally configurable soft starter system comprises a motor controller including solid state switches for controlling application of power to a motor. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit comprises a programmed processor for commanding operation of the solid state switches and a memory connected to the programmed processor storing parameters relating to operation of the solid state switches. An interface circuit is operatively connected to the programmed processor. An external device includes a memory for storing parameters relating to operation of the solid state switches and an interface for communication with the motor controller. A configuration program is operatively implemented in the programmed processor and the external configuration device for transferring a configuration database file between the controller memory and the external device memory. The configuration database file comprises a plurality of the stored parameters relating to operation of the solid state switches.

System and method for configuring a soft starter

A motor controller system comprises solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A sensor senses AC line voltage. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit ramps switch current during a start mode and selectively holds switch current during the start mode if sensed voltage drops below a threshold amount.

System and method for automatic current limit control

A soft starter system for monitoring and diagnosing electrical power system characteristics includes a motor controller including solid state switches for controlling application of power to a motor. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit includes a programmed processor for commanding operation of the solid state switches and for measuring electrical power system characteristics relating to operation of the solid state switches. A memory is connected to the programmed processor storing parameters of the measured electrical power system characteristics. An external monitoring and diagnostic device includes a memory for storing parameters of the measured electrical power system characteristics and an interface for communication with the motor controller. A monitoring and diagnostic program is operatively implemented in the external monitoring and diagnostic device for transferring parameters of the measured electrical power system characteristics from the control circuit to the external monitoring and diagnostic device to monitor electrical power system characteristics in real time.

System and method for providing electrical system monitoring and diagnosis

A motor starter system comprises solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A voltage sensor senses AC line voltage and the motor terminal voltage. Current sensors sense motor current. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit limits switch current during a start mode and detects a stall condition responsive to sensed AC line voltage and motor terminal voltage and selectively boosts motor current during the start mode if a stall condition is detected.

System and method for stall detection of a motor

A motor starter system comprises solid state switches for connection to an AC line for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A fault contactor has contacts. A motor wiring circuit operatively connects the solid state switches and fault contactor contacts with motor winding terminals. A voltage sensor senses AC line voltage and motor terminal voltage. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches and the fault contactor, including de-energizing the fault contactor in an off mode where AC line power is not supplied to the motor winding terminals. The control circuit detects AC line voltage and motor terminal voltage in the off mode and detect an error condition responsive to sensed AC line voltage being substantially different from motor terminal voltage in the off mode.

System and method for fault contactor detection

A motor controller comprises a plurality of solid state switches each for connection between an AC line and a motor winding terminal for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A plurality of voltage sensors, each associated with one of the solid state switches, sense voltage for an associated motor winding. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit adjusts firing to one of the solid state switches if the sensed voltage for the associated winding varies from a threshold voltage by a select amount.

System and method for individual phase motor over voltage protection

A remotely configurable motor controller system comprises a motor controller and a remote configuration device. The motor controller includes solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor and a control circuit for controlling operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit comprises a programmed processor for commanding operation of the solid state switches and a memory connected to the programmed processor storing configuration information relating to operation of the solid state switches. A wireless communication interface is operatively connected to the programmed processor. The remote configuration device includes a remote user interface for selecting parameters for the stored configuration information and a wireless communication interface for wireless communication with the motor controller so that the user interface is operable to configure the motor controller by updating the stored configuration information using the selected parameters.

System and method for configuring a motor controller with an external device

A motor controller system comprises solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A user input elements selects a current imbalance parameter. Current sensors sense current in each winding of the motor. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit compares the sensed currents with the selected imbalance parameter to determine if a fault condition exists.

System and method for monitoring current and providing motor protection

A configurable motor controller includes solid state switches for connection between an AC line and motor terminals for controlling application of AC power to the motor. A control circuit controls operation of the solid state switches. The control circuit comprises a programmed processor for commanding operation of the solid state switches. A memory is connected to the programmed processor storing configuration information relating to operation of the solid state switches. A user configuration device selects the values for the stored configuration information. The configuration information comprises adjustable values within a range. The configuration device is adapted to select any adjustable value within the range.

System and method for configurable motor controller settings

A motor controller for a motor operated by an AC line voltage includes solid-state switches connectable between an AC line and a motor terminal for controlling application of AC line voltage to the motor. A current sensor senses motor current. A control circuit is connected to the switches and the current sensor for varying relative duration of on time and off time during each cycle of line voltage to control motor voltage. The control circuit determines on time during each cycle of line voltage and compensates sensed motor current responsive to the sensed on time.

Growing community of inventors

Plano, IL, United States of America

Scott Wakefield