The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 19, 1999
Filed:
Apr. 17, 1996
Scott E Blackburn, Temperance, MI (US);
Sergei F Kolomeitsev, Sylvania, OH (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling a switched reluctance machine changes the operating modes between a single-phase operating mode, and a multi-phase operating mode. The switched reluctance motor includes a rotatable rotor, a stator, and a plurality of stator windings defining a corresponding plurality of machine phases. When in the multi-phase mode, all of the plurality of stator windings corresponding to the plurality of machine phases are energized. When in the single-phase mode, stator windings corresponding to a single, selected machine phase are energized. The apparatus includes a logic circuit for sensing a speed of the rotor and generating a speed signal in response thereto, and a comparator circuit. The comparator circuit is responsive to the generated speed signal and is operative for changing the operating mode of the motor from the multi-phase mode to the single-phase mode when the rotor speed reaches a first predetermined level, and for changing the operating mode of the machine from the single-phase mode to the multi-phase mode when the rotor speed reaches a second predetermined level that is less than the first predetermined level. The first and second levels are offset and define a hysteresis operating band to prevent undesirable oscillation or 'hunting' between the single-phase mode, and the multi-phase mode. In the single-phase mode, the current reference used for the energized stator windings associated with the selected machine phase is higher, than the corresponding current reference in the multi-phase mode.