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:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
May. 06, 1999
Ramani R Kalpathi, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A method for detecting a change in motor load and/or motor speed is provided. The method includes the step of measuring the number of transitions (i.e., state changes) of a phase control signal in a motor phase of the motor. The method also includes the step of comparing the number of transitions to a predetermined number that is indicative of a predetermined motor load and/or motor speed. The predetermined number may comprise the number of transitions in a prior phase control signal of the motor. A method for controlling a motor responsive to a change in motor load and/or motor speed is also provided. The method includes the above-described steps for detecting a change in motor load and/or motor speed and further includes the step of selecting one of a plurality of operating modes for the motor responsive to a comparison value obtained by comparing the measured transition number with the predetermined transition number.