Programmable compact motor drive module
OwnerDavide Giacomini, Enrico Bianconiinventors
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Abstract
A modular power drive system includes a control module and a power module that are coupled together with standard connectors. The control module includes several interfaces for communication and a high speed processor to provide intelligent power control. The control module includes gate drivers, a power supply and current sense feedback circuitry for providing a closed loop power control. The power module includes power switches, power diodes and current sense resistors for driving a commanded output power level. The modular construction of the power driver permits separation of noise sources and noise sensitive components, and the construction of the control module board acts as a mechanical cover and electrical noise shield for the power module.
Claims20
A programmable inverter drive module, comprising:
- a processor programmable to accept inputs related to inverter operation and process the inputs to produce inverter control outputs for controlling the inverter;
- a communication interface coupled to the processor for transferring information to and from the processor;
- a current sense signal derived from current provided by the inverter under control of the processor;
- and
- a conditioning circuit for conditioning the current sense signal and providing the conditioned signal to the processor to provide a closed loop converter control.
A power control module, comprising:
- a control board including a signal processor, a communication interface coupled to the signal processor, circuitry for processing current sense signals indicative of output current and outputting the processed signals to the signal processor, a gate driver controlled by said signal processor and a power supply;
- and
- a power module removably coupled to the control board and including a power switch driven by the gate driver to switch power to a load, a power diode in parallel with the switch and a current sense resistor for providing the current sense signal indicative of output current.
A method for controlling a power inverter having a switch and an output power line with a current sense resistor comprising:
- deriving a switch control signal from a processor programmed to command a specific power output;
- applying the switch control signal to the switch to produce an output current through the current sense resistor;
- measuring a voltage across the current sense resistor;
- conditioning the measured voltage signal to provide a conditioned signal indicative of output current to the processor;
- and
- instructing the processor to adjust the switch control signal based on the conditioned signal to obtain a feedback control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.