US 2012/0074876 A1Published application

Apparatus and method for optimizing current use during control of multiple motors

OwnerYesaiahu REDLERinventor

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Abstract

A method for is disclosed for using pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals in the control of a plurality of electric motors or of at least one electric motor with multiple windings. The method comprises steps of: measuring the current being drawn by each of said electric motors; transmitting signals corresponding to the current being drawn said plurality of motors to a central controller; transmitting from said central controller signals corresponding to the amount of current to be drawn by each motor, whereby the relative phases and durations of said signals are distributed according to a predetermined protocol; and repeating steps (a) through (c) while said electric motors are in operation. The distribution of PWM signals defines the total current drawn from said source of electricity as a function of time.

Claims31

Dependent claims

A method for using pulse-width modulated signals in the control of the electric current drawn from a source of electricity by a system comprising:

a central controller adapted to provide pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals;
a motor subsystem chosen from the group consisting of
a plurality of electric motors each of which has a single winding;
at least one electric motor with multiple windings;
and,
a plurality of electric motors, at least one of which has multiple windings;
in cases in which said motor subsystem comprises a plurality of electric motors:
measuring means for measuring the current being drawn by each of said plurality of electric motors;
current controlling means for controlling the current being drawn by each of said plurality of electric motors;
measuring means for measuring the current being drawn by each of said plurality of electric motors;
in cases in which said motor subsystem comprises at least one motor with multiple windings:
measuring means for measuring the current being drawn by each of said windings;
current controlling means for controlling the current being drawn by each of said windings;
measuring means for measuring the current being drawn by each of said windings;
and,
transmitting means for transferring signals between said central controller and said current controlling means;
wherein said method comprises:
measuring separately the current being drawn by each of said electric motors with a single winding and the current being drawn by each winding of said motors with multiple windings;
transmitting to said central controller, according to a predetermined sequence, a plurality of signals, each one of said plurality of signals corresponding to the current being drawn by one of said of motors with a single winding or to the current being drawn by one of the windings of each of said motors with multiple windings;
transmitting, according to a predetermined sequence, at least one PWM signal from said central controller to each of said current controlling means, each of said at least one PWM signals corresponding to the amount of current to be drawn by said motor or said winding, whereby the relative phases and durations of said at least one PWM signals are distributed according to a predetermined protocol;
and,
repeating the previous three steps while said motors are in operation;
whereby the distribution of PWM signals defines the total current drawn from said source of electricity as a function of time.

20 more elements

An apparatus for using pulse-width modulated (PWM) signals to provide control to a motor system, said apparatus connectable to a motor system comprising at least one of the group consisting of:

a plurality of electric motors each of which has a single winding;
at least one electric motor with multiple windings;
and,
a plurality of electric motors, at least one of which has multiple windings;
wherein said apparatus comprises, when said motor system comprises a plurality of motors, a multi-axis motor controller (MAMC), said MAMC comprising:
a synchronized pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller adapted for providing PWM signals to said plurality of electric motors;
and,
communications means adapted to transmit signals from said MAMC to said plurality of motors and to receive signals transmitted from said plurality of electric motors to said MAMC;
and further wherein said apparatus comprises, when said motor system comprises a motor with multiple windings, a logic bridge and driver, said logic bridge and driver comprising:
a synchronized pulse-width modulation (PWM) controller adapted for providing PWM signals to said plurality of electric motors;
and,
communications means adapted to transmit signals from said logic bridge and driver to said windings and to receive signals transmitted from said windings to said logic bridge and driver;
whereby the relative phases of said PWM signals are distributed according to a predetermined protocol.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 13/246,063Filed 27 Sep 2011
Priority: IL 2036421 Feb 2010
Published: 29 Mar 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification7 codes

H02P 5/52
For speed regulation of two or more dynamo-electric motors in relation to one another: additionally providing control of relative angular displacement
B60L 15/32
Methods, circuits, or devices for controlling the traction-motor speed of electrically-propelled vehicles: control or regulation of multiple-unit…
H02P 27/08
Using DC to AC converters or inverters: with pulse width modulation
Y02T 10/64
Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect: electric machine technologies in electromobility

Family

Application13/246,063Continuation in part
US 8,629,634 B2Related patent
US 2012/0074876 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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