Device and method for sensing temperature of a rotating electromagnetic machine

A method of calculating a temperature calibration parameter for determining the temperature of a rotating electromagnetic machine, the machine including an energizable winding, the method comprising:

• waiting for the machine to be idle for a predetermined time period;
• determining a resistance value for the winding;
• determining a temperature of an object situated near the machine;
• calculating a temperature calibration parameter based on the resistance value and the temperature of the object.

A motor system, comprising:

• a motor having an energizable winding;
• a motor drive connected to the winding;
• a temperature measurement device connected to the motor drive to measure the temperature thereof;
• a processor programmed to determine a temperature calibration parameter based on the temperature of the motor drive and a first resistance value of the winding;
• and
• wherein the processor is further programmed to determine a temperature value of the motor based on the calibration parameter and a second resistance value of the winding.

A clothes washing machine system, comprising

• a cabinet;
• a drum situated to rotate inside the cabinet;
• a motor operably connected to the drum to rotate the drum, the motor including an energizable winding;
• a motor drive connected to the winding;
• a temperature measurement device connected to the motor drive to measure the temperature thereof;
• a processor programmed to determine a temperature calibration parameter based on the temperature of the motor drive and a first resistance value of the winding;
• and
• wherein the processor is further programmed to determine a temperature value of the motor based on the calibration parameter and a second resistance value of the winding.