Back to results
US 10,833,625 B2Granted
Systems and methods for controlling fan motors with variable frequency drives
AssigneeJohnson Controls Technology Company
InventorsHarold J. Dubensky, James K. Spitzer, Roderick Ray Sentz, Kevin R. Stockton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A fan assembly is provided. The fan assembly includes a fan, a motor that is coupled to the fan, and a variable frequency drive (VFD) that is coupled to the motor. The motor includes a maximum rated speed that is greater than a maximum structural speed limit of the fan, and the VFD includes a current output limit configured to limit an operational speed of the motor to be less than or equal to the maximum structural speed limit of the fan.
Claims23
A fan assembly, comprising:
- a fan;
- a motor coupled to the fan;
- a variable frequency drive (VFD) coupled to the motor, wherein the motor comprises a maximum rated speed, the maximum rated speed is greater than a maximum structural speed limit of the fan;
- a user interface configured to receive a user input indicative of the maximum structural speed limit of the fan;
- and
- a controller configured to operate the VFD based on the user input, such that the VFD maintains an operational speed of the motor to be less than or equal to the maximum structural speed limit of the fan by altering an amount of current of electricity supplied to the motor during operation of the motor.
3 more elements
A fan assembly, comprising:
- a fan;
- a variable frequency drive (VFD) coupled to an AC induction motor, wherein the AC induction motor comprises a maximum rated speed, the maximum rated speed is greater than a maximum structural speed limit of the fan;
- and
- a controller comprising a user interface configured to receive a user input indicative of one or more operational settings of the fan assembly, the one or more operational settings comprises the maximum structural speed limit of the fan, and the controller is configured to operate the VFD based on the user input to maintain an operational speed of the AC induction motor to be less than or equal to the maximum structural speed limit of the fan by altering an amount of current of electricity supplied to the motor during operation of the motor.
1 more element
A method of operating a fan assembly, comprising:
- receiving, via a processor, user input indicative of at least one operational setting of the fan assembly, wherein the fan assembly comprises a fan and the at least one operational setting comprises a maximum structural speed limit of the fan;
- determining, via the processor, electrical power settings based on the user input;
- and
- sending, via the processor, a command to a variable frequency drive (VFD) to provide electricity with the electrical power settings to an alternating current (AC) induction motor, wherein the AC induction motor is coupled to the fan and comprises a maximum rated speed that is greater than the maximum structural speed limit of the fan, to operate the AC induction motor to maintain an operational speed of the AC induction motor to be less than or equal to the maximum structural speed limit of the fan by altering an amount of current of the electricity supplied to the AC induction motor during operation of the AC induction motor.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.