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US 11,881,801 B2Granted
Hybrid drive circuit for variable speed induction motor system and methods of control
AssigneeRegal Beloit America, Inc.
InventorsLudovic Andre Chretien, Roger Carlos Becerra, Kamron Mark Wright, Lester Benjamin Manz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Controllers for controlling hybrid motor drive circuits configured to drive a motor are provided herein. A controller is configured to drive the motor using an inverter when a motor commanded frequency is not within a predetermined range of line input power frequencies, and couple line input power to an output of the inverter using a first switch device when the motor commanded frequency is within the predetermined range of line input power frequencies.
Claims30
A system for controlling a capacity of a compressor, the system comprising:
- a motor of a compressor including a main winding connected at a connection point to a start winding;
- a drive configured to control a speed of the motor;
- a first switch configured to selectively couple the main winding to either (a) a first line voltage or (b) a first output of the drive;
- a second switch configured to selectively connect the connection point to either (a) a second line voltage or (b) a second output of the drive;
- a third switch configured to selectively connect the start winding to either (a) a capacitor or (b) a third output of the drive;
- and
- a control module configured to control the drive, the first switch, the second switch, and the third switch by:
- in response to receiving a demand in a first state:
- switching the first switch to connect the main winding to the first output of the drive;
- switching the second switch to connect the connection point to the second output of the drive;
- and
- switching the third switch to connect the start winding to the third output of the drive;
- in response to receiving the demand in a second state:
- switching the first switch to connect the main winding to the first line voltage;
- switching the second switch to connect the connection point to the second line voltage;
- and
- switching the third switch to connect the start winding to the capacitor.
14 more elements
A method for controlling a capacity of a compressor, the method comprising:
- in response to a demand indicating a first state:
- switching, via a control module, a first switch to connect a main winding to a first output of a drive;
- switching, via the control module, a second switch to connect a connection point to a second output of the drive;
- and
- switching, via the control module, a third switch to connect a start winding to a third output of the drive,
- wherein a motor of a compressor includes the main winding connected at the connection point to the start winding,
- wherein the drive is configured to control a speed of the motor;
- in response to the demand indicating a second state:
- switching, via the control module, the first switch to connect the main winding to a first line voltage;
- switching, via the control module, the second switch to connect the connection point to a second line voltage;
- and
- switching, via the control module, the third switch to connect the start winding to a capacitor.
9 more elements
A control system comprising:
- a first alternating current (AC) voltage terminal and a second alternating current (AC) voltage terminal;
- a motor having a main winding and a start winding, the main winding and the start winding connected to a common node;
- a motor-drive circuit and a control module configured to control a speed of the motor;
- a first switch configured to selectively couple the main winding to the first AC voltage terminal or the motor-drive circuit;
- a second switch configured to selectively couple the common node of the main winding and the start winding to the second AC voltage terminal or the motor-drive circuit;
- and
- a third switch configured to selectively couple the start winding to a capacitor or the motor-drive circuit.
4 more elements
A control system comprising:
- a line-voltage terminal configured to receive an alternating current (AC) voltage;
- a motor having a main winding and a start winding, the main winding and the start winding connected to a common node;
- a motor-drive circuit and a control module configured to control a speed of the motor;
- a first switch configured to selectively couple the main winding to the line-voltage terminal or the motor-drive circuit;
- a second switch configured to selectively couple the common node of the main winding and the start winding to the line-voltage terminal or the motor-drive circuit;
- and
- a third switch configured to selectively couple the start winding to a capacitor or the motor-drive circuit.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.