Dual state controller for brushless electric motors
AssigneeMcg A.S.
InventorsThomas C. Frick, Dennis R. Hipkins
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A controller is provided for use with electric motors which will achieve a two mode motor operation. In this operation, a first mode is utilized having a torque configuration thus more efficiently providing high torque outputs from the motor. However, a second configuration is also used which more efficiently accommodates high speed operations albeit at the expense of some output torque. The system accomplishes this two mode operation in a low cost manner so as to minimize the overall cost of products or devices utilizing this power control system.
Claims17
A controller for providing electrical power to a brushless motor such that speed and torque are optimized during motor operation wherein the motor has a plurality of motor connection configurations, comprising:
- sensing means for monitoring a connection configuration, a terminal voltage and a phase current in the brushless motor and outputting a configuration signal, a terminal voltage signal, and a phase current signal;
- calculation means for receiving the configuration signal, the terminal voltage signal and the phase current signal, and for calculating a corresponding motor speed;
- switching means for switching between a first motor connection configuration and a second motor connection configuration;
- controlling means for receiving the calculated motor speed and the configuration signal and controlling the switching between the two configurations so as to achieve efficient and optimum switching between the first motor connection configuration and a second motor connection configuration.
A controller for accommodating operation of an electric motor in a plurality of operating configurations, the controller comprising:
- a configuration selector having an output signal indicative of the appropriate operating configuration;
- a switching device attached to the motor to allow switching between the plurality of operating configurations;
- and
- a tachometer calculator attached to the electric motor to monitor a plurality of operating conditions of the motor and attached to the switching device for producing a calculated motor speed based upon the operating configuration and the operating conditions of the motor, the tachometer calculator having an output for producing a signal indicative of the calculated motor speed;
- and
- a switching controller attached to the tachometer calculator, the switching device, and the configuration selector for managing the switching operations of the controller, wherein the switching between configurations will occur only when the operating conditions and calculated speed are within a predetermined range.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.