Method for controlling motor operation using information characterizing regions of motor operation

A method for controlling a motor, the method comprising:

• (a) estimating the motor's region of operation;
• (b) energizing a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• (c) determining whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated;
• (d) discontinuing the energization of the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant;
• (e) revising the estimate of the motor's region of operation to reflect a regeneration region of operation when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant;
• and
• (f) withholding energization of the phase winding during a period when the regeneration region of operation is estimated.

A method for controlling a motor, the method comprising:

• (a) estimating the motor's region of operation;
• (b) energizing a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• (c) determining whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated;
• (d) discontinuing the energization of the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant;
• (e) revising the estimate of the motor's region of operation to reflect a regeneration region of operation for the motor having a period that is half the period estimated for a combined motoring torque region of operation and regeneration region of operation;
• and
• (f) withholding energization of the phase winding during a period when the regeneration region of operation is estimated.

A method for controlling a motor, the method comprising:

• (a) estimating the motor's region of operation;
• (b) energizing a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• (c) determining whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated;
• and
• (d) discontinuing the energization of the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, wherein
• the motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errantly estimated if a negative change in estimates of the motor's flux-linkage or phase winding inductance occurs with time.

A method for controlling a motor, the method comprising:

• (a) estimating the motor's region of operation;
• (b) energizing a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• (c) determining whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated;
• and
• (d) discontinuing the energization of the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, wherein:
• the motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errantly estimated if an estimate of the motor's flux-linkage or phase winding inductance exceeds a reference value corresponding to:
• (i) an expected amount of current applied in the energization of the phase winding, or
• (ii) a monitored indication of the current flowing through the phase winding.

A method for controlling a motor, the method comprising:

• (a) estimating the motor's region of operation;
• (b) energizing a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• (c) determining whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated;
• and
• (d) discontinuing the energization of the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, wherein
• the motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errantly estimated if a change, with time, in estimates of the motor's rotor position with respect to the stator provides an indication that the motor's flux-linkage or phase winding inductance is decreasing.

A method for controlling a motor, the method comprising:

• (a) estimating the motor's region of operation;
• (b) energizing a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• (c) determining whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated;
• and
• (d) discontinuing the energization of the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, wherein
• the determination of whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated is based upon a comparison of:
• (1) a relationship between the energization applied to the motor phase winding and the motor's response to the applied energization and (2) an expected relationship between a particular energization applied to the motor phase winding and the motor's response to the particular energization for each of a plurality of different operating points defined by the motor's rotational speed, load, and operational environment.

A system for controlling a motor, the system comprising:

• an estimation component that estimates the motor's region of operation;
• an energization component that energizes a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• and
• a determination component that determines whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated, wherein:
• the energization component discontinues energizing the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, and
• the system components cooperate through repeated estimates of the motor's region of operation to improve the synchronization between the initial energization of the motor phase winding for a phase cycle and the motor rotor's earliest position for receiving motoring torque in the phase cycle.

A system for controlling a motor, the system comprising:

• an estimation component that estimates the motor's region of operation;
• an energization component that energizes a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• and
• a determination component that determines whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated, wherein:
• the energization component discontinues energizing the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, and
• the system components cooperate to:
• revise the estimate of the motor's region of operation to reflect a regeneration region of operation when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant;
• and
• withhold energization of the phase winding during a period when the regeneration region of operation is estimated.

A system for controlling a motor, the system comprising:

• an estimation component that estimates the motor's region of operation;
• an energization component that energizes a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• and
• a determination component that determines whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated, wherein:
• the energization component discontinues energizing the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, and
• the system components cooperate to:
• revise the estimate of the motor's region of operation to reflect a regeneration region of operation for the motor having a period that is half the period estimated for a combined motoring torque region of operation and regeneration region of operation;
• and
• withhold energization of the phase winding during a period when the regeneration region of operation is estimated.

A system for controlling a motor, the system comprising:

• an estimation component that estimates the motor's region of operation;
• an energization component that energizes a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• and
• a determination component that determines whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated, wherein:
• the energization component discontinues energizing the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, and
• the motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errantly estimated if a negative change in estimates of the motor's flux-linkage or phase winding inductance occurs with time.

A system for controlling a motor, the system comprising:

• an estimation component that estimates the motor's region of operation;
• an energization component that energizes a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• and
• a determination component that determines whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated, wherein:
• the energization component discontinues energizing the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, and
• the motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errantly estimated if an estimate of the motor's flux-linkage or phase winding inductance exceeds a reference value corresponding to:
• (i) an expected amount of current applied in the energization of the phase winding, or
• (ii) a monitored indication of the current flowing through the phase winding.

A system for controlling a motor, the system comprising:

• an estimation component that estimates the motor's region of operation;
• an energization component that energizes a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• and
• a determination component that determines whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated, wherein:
• the energization component discontinues energizing the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, and
• the motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errantly estimated if a change, with time, in estimates of the motor's rotor position with respect to the stator provides an indication that the motor's flux-linkage or phase winding inductance is decreasing.

A system for controlling a motor, the system comprising:

• an estimation component that estimates the motor's region of operation;
• an energization component that energizes a phase winding of the motor when the region of operation is estimated to be a region for applying motoring torque;
• and
• a determination component that determines whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated, wherein:
• the energization component discontinues energizing the motor phase winding when the estimated motoring torque region of operation is determined to be errant, and
• determination of whether the motoring torque region of operation has been errantly estimated is based upon a comparison of:
• (1) a relationship between the energization applied to the motor phase winding and the motor's response to the applied energization and (2) an expected relationship between a particular energization applied to the motor phase winding and the motor's response to the particular energization for each of a plurality of different operating points defined by the motor's rotational speed, load, and operational environment.