Systems and methods of monitoring a motor load
AssigneeRobert Bosch GmbH
InventorMark Bilodeau
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods of detecting an overload condition. In one embodiment, a method of monitoring a load of a DC motor includes intermittently de-energizing the motor; monitoring a first voltage; and measuring a first interval of time between a starting time and an ending time, wherein the starting time comprises the time at which the motor is de-energized and the ending time comprises a time at which the first voltage and a reference voltage have substantially similar values.
Claims35
A method of monitoring a load of a DC motor having a plurality of leads, the method comprising:
- initially energizing the motor, and
- performing repetitively a sequence of actions, each sequence of actions being separated by a first interval of time, each sequence of actions comprising:
- de-energizing the motor by interrupting a flow of current through one of the plurality of leads;
- monitoring a first voltage;
- and
- measuring a second interval of time between a starting time and an ending time, wherein the starting time comprises the time at which the motor is de-energized and the ending time comprises a time at which the first voltage and a reference voltage have substantially similar values.
A motor load monitoring system configured to monitor a DC motor having a first motor lead and a second motor lead, the first and second motor leads configured to be coupled to a power supply, the system comprising:
- a switch configured to be coupled between the power supply and the first motor lead;
- a fly-back current path between the first motor lead and the second motor lead;
- and
- a controller configured to be coupled to the switch, to receive a monitored voltage, to intermittently de-energize the motor by controlling the switch, and to measure an interval of time between a starting time and an ending time, wherein the starting time comprises a time at which the motor is de-energized and the ending time comprises a time at which the monitored voltage and a reference voltage have substantially similar values.
An automotive, engine-cooling system comprising:
- a motor having a first motor lead and a second motor lead, the first and second motor leads configured to be coupled to a power supply;
- a switch configured to be coupled between the power supply and the first motor lead;
- a fly-back current path between the first motor lead and the second motor lead;
- and
- a controller configured to be coupled to the switch, to receive a monitored voltage, to intermittently de-energize the motor by controlling the switch, and to measure an interval of time between a starting time and an ending time, wherein the starting time comprises a time at which the motor is de-energized and the ending time comprises a time at which the monitored voltage and a reference voltage have substantially similar values.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.