Control system for electric fluid moving systems

A method of characterizing a fluid moving apparatus, said method comprising:

• operating an electric motor coupled to the fluid moving apparatus at a first speed and a first torque corresponding to a system resistance;
• receiving, at a control system for the electric motor, a first fluid flow rate value corresponding to the first speed and the first torque;
• operating the electric motor at a second speed and a second torque corresponding to the system resistance;
• determine, by the control system, a second fluid flow rate value based on a ratio of the first fluid flow rate value to the first speed, and corresponding to the second speed and the second torque;
• defining an algorithm, in a memory for the control system, based on the first speed, the first torque, the first fluid flow rate value, the second speed, the second torque, and the second fluid flow rate value;
• computing an operating set point for a demanded fluid flow rate using the algorithm;
• and
• controlling a drive circuit of the control system based on the operating set point to supply electrical power to the electric motor and to operate the fluid moving apparatus to generate a fluid flow.

An electric motor for a constant fluid flow system, said electric motor comprising:

• a rotor coupled to a fluid moving apparatus configured to generate a fluid flow upon rotation of said rotor;
• a stator;
• a drive circuit configured to regulate electrical power supplied to said stator to turn said rotor;
• and
• a processor coupled to said drive circuit and configured to:
• control said drive circuit to turn said rotor at a first speed and a first torque, and at a second speed and a second torque;
• receive a first fluid flow rate value corresponding to the first speed and the first torque;
• determine a second fluid flow rate value based on a ratio of the first fluid flow rate value to the first speed, and corresponding to the second speed and the second torque;
• define an algorithm, in a memory coupled to the processor, based on the first speed, the first torque, the first fluid flow rate value, the second speed, the second torque, and the second fluid flow rate value;
• compute an operating set point for a demanded fluid flow rate using the algorithm;
• and
• control said drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply electrical power to said stator and to operate the fluid moving apparatus to generate the fluid flow.