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:
Jun. 15, 2004
Filed:
Aug. 28, 2001
Fisher & Paykel Limited, Auckland, NZ;
Abstract
A spin tub of a washing machine is driven by an electronically commutated DC motor. The commutation devices are connected to a DC power supply and have free-wheeling diodes connected in parallel therewith. The washing machine includes other components having inductive windings. A controller terminates commutation of power to the motor windings. A voltage threshold detector monitors the voltage of the power supply. Switching structure connects the inductive winding of an unused component in the machine across the power supply when the detector detects that the voltage has exceeded a predetermined value and subsequently disconnects the inductive winding of the unused component from the power supply when the detector detects that the voltage has reduced below the pre-determined value.