tor

Liquid ejection apparatus including curl reduction device, curl reduction method executed in the apparatus, and storage medium used for the apparatus

A liquid ejection apparatus includes: (a) a storage device for storing an image data set representing a plurality of images; (b) a liquid ejection head for performing an image formation on each recording medium; (c) a curl reduction device for reducing curl caused in each recording medium having the corresponding image formed thereon by the liquid ejection head; (d) an output tray for receiving each recording medium whose curl has been reduced by the curl reduction device, such that the received recording media are stacked on the output tray; and (e) a control device configured to control the curl reduction device, such that the curl caused in an earlier one of the recording media is reduced by a smaller degree than the curl caused in a later one of the recording media that has been subjected to the image formation later than the earlier one of the recording media.




tor

Substrate for inkjet head and inkjet head having protection layer including individual sections corresponding to heating resistors

There are provided a substrate for an inkjet head and an inkjet head wherein in a case where a protection layer of heating resistors is energized, an electrical connection with portions around the protection layer is more reliably cut. A first protection layer provided for the substrate for an inkjet head includes individual sections provided at positions corresponding to the plurality of heating resistors and a common section which commonly connects the plurality of individual sections. The individual sections and the common section are connected via connect sections which are eluted and connect in a case where an electrochemical reaction occurs between the connect sections and ink when electricity flow therethrough, so that an electrical connection between the individual sections and the common section is cut.




tor

Interrogator and system employing the same

An interrogator and system employing the same. In one embodiment, the interrogator includes a receiver configured to receive a return signal from a tag and a sensing module configured to provide a time associated with the return signal. The interrogator also includes a processor configured to employ synthetic aperture radar processing on the return signal in accordance with the time to locate a position of the tag.




tor

Method for monitoring the state of a fill level measuring device operating according to the radar principle

A method for monitoring the state of a fill level measuring device (1) operating according to the radar principle and such a fill level measuring device, wherein the fill level measuring device (1) has at least one transceiver unit (2) for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, and at least one antenna (3) for guiding, radiating and receiving electromagnetic signals. The antenna (3) has at least one interior space (4), and wherein the antenna (3) has a transmission characteristic with regard to the transmission of electromagnetic signals. Electromagnetic signals are emitted or directed at least partially in the direction of a wall section (5) of the interior space (4) of the antenna (3), the received electromagnetic signals are evaluated with respect to the transmission characteristic of the antenna (3), and the result of the evaluation is compared to at least one stored reference value.




tor

Portable biometric monitoring devices having location sensors

Assisted-GPS for a portable biometric monitoring device is provided. The portable biometric monitoring device may obtain updated ephemeris data from an associated secondary device via a short-range, low-power communication protocol. The secondary device may be a computing device such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Various rules may control when the ephemeris data is updated. The ephemeris data may be used in the calculation of the global position of the portable biometric monitoring device. Additionally, the portable biometric monitoring device may communicate downloaded position fixing data to the associated secondary device. The associated secondary device may then calculate the global position from the position fixing data.




tor

Vectorization approach to isolating local maxima in an N-dimensional dataset

Identification of maximum power scatters in an N-dimensional dataset generally requires two basic steps. The first step is to identify the max power scatters of the dataset and the second step removes neighboring power scatters (e.g., “hits”) of lower power. Current naïve approaches utilize an inefficient and computationally intensive brute force implementation which requires multiple comparisons of each initial “hit” power to all “hits” of lesser power. Such brute force implementations require 2×N×(M−1)! comparisons, where N is the number of dimensions and M is the number of “hits.” Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize vectorization to identify a plurality of neighboring hits for each max power scatter and removes the neighboring hits of lesser power that are within a predetermined isolation region. Advantageously, embodiments of the present invention perform M−1 comparisons.




tor

Target tracking apparatus, storage medium stored a target tracking program, target tracking system, and target tracking method

According to one embodiment, a target tracking apparatus acquires a first determination result by determining which combination of N-dimensional tracks is for the real target, acquires a second determination result by determining which combination of N-dimensional angular observation values is for the real target, selects the first determination result when an observation environment is an environment other than a dense environment, selects the second determination result when the observation environment is a dense environment, and calculates distance information to thereby generate an (N+1)-dimensional track for each target.




tor

System adapted for one or more electrically propellable vehicles (detector arrangement)

A detector arrangement related to a contact device in a system for driving an electrically propellable vehicle along a roadway. The system comprises a plurality of road sections subdividing the roadway, each one connected to one or more electric stations for charging a set of batteries of the vehicle and/or supplying the necessary power and energy for driving the vehicle forward. The contact device comprises displaceable current collectors disposed underneath the vehicle, which are moveable up and down and sideways. The current collectors are coordinated with control equipment to bring the current collector into mechanical and electrical contact with conducting rails arranged in a track in the roadway. The detector arrangement comprises one or more coils and is adapted to sense the variation of a magnetic field generated by additional electrical conductors disposed in the track.




tor

Elevator interior illumination

An elevator interior illumination assembly comprising a primary LED driver that provides conditioned DC power to primary and backup LEDs when AC power is available from a primary electric power source. The backup LEDs receive DC power from a backup electric power source when AC power is not available to the primary LED driver from the primary electric power source.




tor

Electric motor assembly rechargeable from an electrical mains system, and dedicated connection housing

An electric motor assembly includes a multi-phase electric motor, a battery of accumulators, an inverter configured to convert the direct current of the battery into multi-phase alternating current adapted to supply the motor, and a connection housing. The connection housing includes plugs allowing connection of motor phases, the battery terminals, and at least five connections to the inverter. The housing further includes a group of contacts allowing it to be connected to a single phase mains system, and a group of contacts allowing it to be connected a multi-phase mains system. The housing includes switches according to the position of which the system including the housing, the battery, the inverter, and the motor connected solely by its phases, alternatively allows the motor to be supplied from the battery, the battery to be recharged directly from a single-phase mains system, and the battery to be recharged from multi-phase mains system.




tor

Monitor fixing mechanism for fixing a monitor and display device therewith

A monitor fixing mechanism for fixing a monitor is disclosed. The monitor fixing structure includes a pivot plate and a support member. The pivot plate is detachably connected to the support plate so as to pivot the monitor relative to a stand. The support member includes a plate, at least one lateral guiding structure disposed on the plate for laterally constraining movement of the pivot plate as the pivot plate is sliding into the plate in a first direction, and at least one stopping structure disposed on the plate for stopping an end of the pivot plate as the pivot plate has slid into the plate in the first direction completely. The monitor fixing mechanism further includes a fastening module for fastening the pivot plate on the support member as the pivot plate has slid into the plate in the first direction completely.




tor

Insertion and removal assembly for installing and removing data storage drives in an enclosure

An insertion and removal assembly for installing and removing hard drives from an enclosure, such as a computer chassis, is provided. The insertion and removal assembly includes a sliding member configured to receive a hard drive, a lever handle rotatably connected to the sliding member and an attachment wall having a plurality of protrusions defining a plurality of slots, each slot configured to receive one sliding member. A user reveals a slot for accepting the installation of the hard drive in the enclosure by pushing a tab on the attachment wall near a distal portion of the lever handle to release the lever handle and then pulling the lever handle outward exposing the sliding member. A hard drive is inserted into the sliding member and pushed inwardly into the chassis. Conversely, the sliding member can contain a hard drive which is partially ejected by unlatching and subsequently pulling the lever.




tor

Power semiconductor module with asymmetrical lead spacing

A power semiconductor has power terminals arranged in a row at one side of the housing, with control terminals arranged in a row at the other side of the housing. The spacing between adjacent power terminals is greater than the spacing between adjacent control terminals.




tor

Stacked semiconductor packages

An apparatus includes a first substrate having a first land and a second substrate having a second land. A first molding compound is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A first semiconductor chip is disposed on the first substrate and in contact with the first molding portion. A first connector contacts the first land and a second connector contacts the second land. The second connector is disposed on the first connector. A volume of the second connector is greater than a volume of the first connector. A surface of the first semiconductor chip is exposed. The first molding compound is in contact with the second connector, and at least a portion of the second connector is surrounded by the first molding compound.




tor

Semiconductor device

A semiconductor device effectively suppress the problem of mutual interaction occurring between an inductor element and wires positioned above the inductor element formed over the same chip. A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate and a multi-wiring layer formed overlying that semiconductor substrate, and in which the multi-wiring layer includes: the inductor element and three successive wires and a fourth wire formed above the inductor element; and two shielded conductors at a fixed voltage potential and covering the inductor element as seen from a flat view, and formed between the inductor element and three successive wires and a fourth wire formed above the inductor element.




tor

Power inverter including a power semiconductor module

A power inverter includes a power semiconductor module that includes a power semiconductor device, a control circuit board that outputs a control signal used for controlling the power semiconductor device, a driver circuit board that outputs a driving signal used for driving the power semiconductor device, a conductive metal base plate arranged in a space between the driver circuit board and the control circuit board in which a fine and long opening portion is formed, wiring that connects the driver circuit board and the control circuit board through the opening portion and delivers the control signal to the driver circuit board, and an AC busbar that is arranged on a side opposite to the metal base plate through the driver circuit board and delivers an AC current output from the power semiconductor module to a drive motor. At least a portion of the AC busbar that faces the opening portion extends in a direction directly running in a longitudinal direction of the fine and long opening portion.




tor

Capacitor, and manufacturing method and manufacturing program thereof

A capacitor includes: an anode part that is drawn from an anode body of a capacitor element to an element end-face, to be formed over the element end-face; a cathode part that is drawn from a cathode body of the capacitor element to the element end-face, to be formed over the element end-face; an anode terminal member that is disposed in a sealing member; a cathode terminal member that is disposed in the sealing member; an anode current collector plate that is connected to the anode part, and is also connected to the anode terminal member; and a cathode current collector plate that is connected to the cathode part, and is also connected to the cathode terminal member.




tor

Portable USB mass storage device

A new type of portable USB mass storage gadget is disclosed which provides the user with upgradeable high speed mass storage and processing for use with portable computer appliances such as smart phones and tablets as well as standard desk top computers and laptops. Various modifications to the embodiment referred to as a UDRIVE are disclosed including a battery option, wireless connectivity, security, and additional internal electronics and external interfaces that allow processing of the data stored or sent to the portable gadget.




tor

Mounting structure of circuit board having multi-layered ceramic capacitor thereon

Disclosed herein is a mounting structure of a circuit board having a multi-layered ceramic capacitor thereon. The mounting structure of a circuit board having a multi-layered ceramic capacitor thereon, in which a dielectric layer on which inner electrodes are disposed is stacked and external electrode terminals connecting the inner electrodes in parallel are disposed on both ends thereof, wherein the inner electrodes of the multi-layered ceramic capacitor and the circuit board are disposed so as to be a horizontal direction to connect the external electrode terminals with a land on the circuit board by a conductive material and a ratio of a bonding area ASOLEDER of the conductive material to the area AMLCC of the external electrode terminals AMLCC is set to be less than 1.4, thereby remarkably reducing the vibration noise.




tor

Power factor correction capacitors

An apparatus includes a case capable of receiving a plurality of capacitive elements, each capacitor element having at least two capacitors, and each capacitor having a capacitive value. The apparatus also includes a cover assembly with a peripheral edge secured to the case. The cover assembly includes, for each of the plurality of capacitive elements, a cover terminal that extends upwardly from the cover assembly generally at a central region of the cover assembly. Each cover terminal is connected to one of the at least two capacitors of the respective one of the plurality of capacitive elements. The cover assembly also includes, for each of the plurality of capacitive elements, a cover terminal that extends upwardly from the cover assembly at a position spaced apart from the cover terminal generally at the central region of the cover assembly.




tor

Dual pressure control for a rotor brake actuator for vertical lift aircraft

In some aspects, a master cylinder assembly for vertical lift aircraft is configured to move pressurized fluid through a conduit in response to applied movement of an input lever. A low pressure relief valve can be connected to a first conduit to limit pressure to a low level. An isolation valve can be connected to the first conduit and configured to isolate the low pressure relief valve from the conduit when engaged. A high pressure relief valve can be connected to a second fluid conduit to limit pressure to a high level. In some aspects, a rotor brake actuator is fluidly connected to the first conduit and the second conduit and configured to engage a rotor brake in response to hydraulic fluid pressure.




tor

Method for operating a hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle and a hydraulic braking system

A method for operating a hydraulic brake system of a motor vehicle, comprising a pressure generating device used to build up additional brake pressure in a master brake cylinder or in addition to a master brake cylinder and in opposition to further pedal actuation wherein the additional pressure is a function of the pedal actuation travel distance. A method that reduces the limitations of a braking system's physical parameters on the build-up of additional braking pressure.




tor

Brake control system for motor vehicles

A brake control system for motor vehicles includes a stability system for stabilizing the vehicle from the standpoint of driving dynamics during braking, a triggering unit for the automatic output of a braking demand as a function of the traffic situation, a braking unit which converts the braking demand into a braking action, and a control unit for modifying the braking demand prior to its implementation as a function of the state of the stability system.




tor

Brake apparatus for motorcycle

A brake apparatus that can achieve front-rear distribution in accordance with a traveling environment variation. At an intermediate point from a start point of a second mode, first interval to an end point of a second mode, second interval, the increasing rate of braking force for a front wheel with respect to an operation amount is changed. The increasing rate of the operation amount prior to the intermediate point can be represented by a first inclination of a curve while the increasing rate of the operation amount after the intermediate point is represented by a second inclination of the curve. The first inclination is less than the second inclination. Setting the increasing rate after an intermediate point to be higher than the increasing rate before the intermediate point, the vehicle body generation deceleration can be caused to increase in a linear proportion to the operation amount.




tor

Method and system for diagnosing the operating status of an assisted start-up mode for a motor vehicle

A method and system for diagnosing an operating status of an assisted start-up mode for a motor vehicle. The system includes a driving engine, a transmission including a mechanism determining a piece of engine rotation speed information, a piece of information on a position of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle, a piece of information on a position of a transmission, and a piece of information on torque transmitted to wheels, a detection mechanism producing a malfunction signal for the assisted start-up using the information received, a plurality of encoding mechanisms to produce a follow-up signal for each piece of calculated information received, and a memory saving the follow-up signals.




tor

Brake system for a motor vehicle and method for operating a brake system

A brake system for a motor vehicle includes on at least one wheel, an electric-regenerative brake and a friction brake that can be hydraulically actuated by a first generator of brake pressure using a fluid, wherein the friction brake can be connected via an actuatable inlet valve to the first generator of brake pressure and via a first actuatable outlet valve to a pressure accumulator, so that a volume of fluid applied by the first generator of brake pressure can be diverted via the first outlet valve into the pressure accumulator. The first generator of brake pressure can be connected to the pressure accumulator via a further hydraulic connection having a second actuatable outlet valve. A method for operating a brake system is also disclosed.




tor

Motorcycle

A motorcycle with an ABS module disposed to make it hard to affect the layout of other components while suppressing the influence of vibration on the ABS module. A motorcycle includes rear frames joined to corresponding rear portions of the main frames and extending upwardly and rearwardly at a position below the corresponding seat frames. Front wheel braking members apply a braking force to a front wheel. An ABS module is connected to the front wheel braking means. A seat is supported on the upper portions of the seat frames. The ABS module has at least a portion disposed below the seat and between the seat frames and the rear frames as viewed from the side. The ABS module is suspended and supported by front and rear cross stays spanned between the pair of seat frames via a front elastic members and a rear elastic member.




tor

Pump housing for motor-vehicle hydraulic assemblies and the use thereof

In a pump housing of a motor-vehicle hydraulic assembly, on which at least two inlet-valve openings, at least two outlet-valve openings, at least one high-pressure control valve opening and at least one switchover-valve opening and a pressure-sensor connection are formed. The at least two inlet-valve openings are arranged in a first row, the at least two outlet-valve openings are arranged in a following second row, the pressure sensor connection is arranged in a further following third row, and the at least one high-pressure control valve opening and the at least one switchover valve opening are arranged in a further following fourth row. There are also five embodiments of arrangements of connecting lines and holes in a pump housing for the short connection of the valve openings and connections, and one embodiment with respect to the use of the pump housing according to one of the six embodiments.




tor

Accumulator

An accumulator of the invention is provided with a safety mechanism for an emergency which releases an internal pressure of the housing to the oil port side so as to prevent the housing from being exploded by the internal pressure of the housing which comes to a higher pressure in an emergency, for example, occurrence of fire disaster. The safety mechanism for the emergency has a taper portion in a corner portion between the tubular portion and the end surface portion of the stay. The taper portion is buckled at its root position in the emergency. In the case that the taper portion is buckled, a pressure releasing flow path is formed between the bellows cap or the retained member and the taper portion as well as the bellows cap or the retained member and the end surface portion come away. The stay can be manufactured only by press molding.




tor

Method for operation of a braking system for a motor vehicle

Disclosed is a method for operating an electromechanically operable parking brake for motor vehicles with a driving engine furnished with a mechanical gear box, being substantially composed of an operating element, an electronic control unit, to which are sent wheel rotational speed values from wheel rotational speed sensors, at least one unit for generating a brake application force, and brake devices on at least one axle being lockable by the unit, with the electronic control unit actuating the unit after detection of a starting maneuver of the motor vehicle in the sense of a release operation of the parking brake. In order to render a release operation of the parking brake as comfortable as possible after detection of a starting maneuver of the motor vehicle, the method at issued arranges that the electronic control unit (6) actuates the unit (1) in order to reduce the brake application force to an inclination-responsive holding force when a starting maneuver is detected and before the release operation of the parking brake is performed.




tor

Method and device for controlling an electric motor

A method and a device for controlling and/or regulating an electric motor. Such electric motors are used for example in motor vehicles in the form of pump motors. In general, the electric motor is supplied with electrical energy from a battery and/or using a generator. The controlling and regulation take place using a high-frequency pulse width modulation (PWM). When the electric motor is started, the PWM is used to continuously increase the motor current required for the operation of the electric motor, e.g. beginning from 0.




tor

Method and apparatus for load dependent speed control of a motor

A variable speed power converter controls the speed of a load in a material handling system as a function of the torque required to move the load. While the power converter is running, the torque being produced in the motor is determined. The power converter then determines the maximum rotational speed of the motor as a function of the torque currently being produced and of the torque-speed curve of the motor. The power converter then commands the motor to rotate at this maximum rotational speed. The power converter periodically monitors the torque being produced and adjusts the maximum rotational speed of the motor throughout the run.




tor

Motor control device

A motor control device comprises: an acceleration upper limit estimating unit; a target acceleration setting unit; a motor control unit; and a deficit calculating unit, wherein the target acceleration setting unit corrects the target acceleration based on the acceleration profile by an amount corresponding to the acceleration deficit within a range in which the target acceleration does not exceed the acceleration upper limit on the basis of the acceleration deficit calculated by the deficit calculating unit to set the target acceleration at each time.




tor

Method and apparatus for applying a commutation advance automatically in a brushless DC motor

To achieve peak acoustic and power performance, the coil or applied current should be in phase or substantially aligned with the back electromotive force (back-EMF) voltage. However, there are generally phase differences between the applied current and back-EMF voltage that are induced by the impedance of the brushless DC motor (which can vary based on conditions, such as temperature and motor speed). Traditionally, compensation for these phase differences was provided manually and on an as-needed basis. Here, however, a system and method are provided that automatically perform a commutation advance by incrementally adjusting a drive signal over successive commutation cycles when the applied current and back-EMF voltage are misaligned.




tor

Motor control apparatus and image forming apparatus

A motor control apparatus for controlling a DC motor includes a first detection unit configured to detect an angular velocity of the DC motor, a driven member configured to be driven by the DC motor, a control unit configured to perform, during start-up of the DC motor, feed forward control for changing a control value used for controlling drive of the DC motor from a first control value corresponding to an angular velocity smaller than a target angular velocity to a second control value corresponding to the target angular velocity, and to change the feed forward control to feedback control for controlling the control value based on a detection result by the first detection unit to keep the DC motor at the target angular velocity, and a second detection unit configured to detect whether the driven member has been replaced.




tor

Electric motor, and device for generating a signal for controlling the same

An electric motor, having a stator (465), a rotor (470), and an apparatus for evaluating a signal provided for controlling said motor (110), comprises a receiving unit (430, 440) for receiving a control signal (PWM_mod), which is a pulse width modulated signal (PWM) onto which a data signal (DIR, DATA) is modulated. An evaluation unit (440) is provided for evaluating the modulated control signal (PWM_mod). The unit is configured to extract, from the modulated control signal (PWM_mod), data provided for operation of the motor (110). The control apparatus includes a signal generator (450) configured to generate, on the basis of the extracted or ascertained data provided for operation of the motor (110), at least one control signal for the motor (110), such as a commanded direction of rotation. Piggybacking other control data onto the PWM power level signal reduces hardware investment, by permitting omission of a signal lead which would otherwise be required in the motor structure.




tor

Single-phase brushless motor drive circuit

A driving circuit for a single-phase-brushless motor includes a driving-signal-generating circuit to generate a driving signal for supplying, to a driving coil of the single-phase-brushless motor, first- and second-driving currents alternately with a de-energized period therebetween, an output circuit, and a zero-cross-detecting circuit. While measuring a driving cycle from a start of an energized period, during which the output circuit supplies the first- or the second-driving current to the driving coil, to a time when the zero-cross-detecting circuit detects a zero cross of an induced voltage, generated across the driving coil, during the de-energized period, the driving-signal-generating circuit determines a length of a subsequent energized period based on the measured driving cycle, when the zero-cross-detecting circuit detects the zero-cross, and the driving-signal-generating circuit determines a length of an immediately previous energized period as a length of a subsequent energized period, when the zero-cross-detecting circuit does not detect the zero-cross.




tor

System and method for determining the start position of a motor

A system and method for determining the start position of a motor. According to an embodiment, a voltage pulse signal may be generated across a pair of windings in a motor. A current response signal will be generated and based upon the position of the motor, the response signal will be greater in one pulse signal polarity as opposed to an opposite pulse signal polarity. The response signal may be compared for s specific duration of time or until a specific integration threshold has been reached. Further, the response signal may be converted into a digital signal such that a sigma-delta circuit may smooth out glitches more easily. In this manner, the position of the motor may be determined to within 60 electrical degrees during a startup.




tor

Brushless motor drive apparatus and drive method

The present invention relates to a drive apparatus and drive method for switching an energization mode when a voltage of a non-energized phase of a brushless motor crosses a threshold. In threshold learning, first, the brushless motor is stopped at an initial position. The brushless motor is then rotated by performing phase energization based on the energization mode from the stopped state. The voltage of the non-energized phase at an angular position of switching the energization mode is detected from a maximum value or a minimum value of the voltage of the non-energized phase during the rotation, and the threshold is learned based on the detected voltage. Alternatively, the brushless motor is positioned at the angular position of switching the energization mode by maintaining one energization mode, and then the energization mode is switched to the next energization mode. The voltage of the non-energized phase immediately after the switching to the energization mode is detected, and the detected voltage of the non-energized phase is learned as the threshold used to determine the timing of switching to the next energization mode.




tor

Circuit and method for speed monitoring of an electric motor

A circuit for speed monitoring of an electric motor comprises a circuit for generating a time-frame signal, a circuit for receiving a first signal from a chopper driver circuit designed to drive the electric motor, a circuit for detecting chopper pulses in the first signal, a pulse counter, and a circuit for at least one of outputting and evaluating a state of the pulse counter, after the inactive state of the time-frame has been indicated. The time-frame signal indicates when a time-frame of predefined length changes from an inactive state to an active state and indicates when the time-frame changes back from the active state to the inactive state. The pulse counter is designed to count the detected chopper pulses while the active state is indicated by the circuit for generating the time-frame signal.




tor

Permanent magnet motor system

A sensorless permanent magnet motor system that prevents negative torque caused by back EMF. The system determines the position of the rotating permanent magnet by monitoring back EMF generated on an inactive coil of the motor system. A snubber circuit is used to prevent the back EMF from causing negative torque on the motor. The voltage of back EMF used to power a logic circuit, such as a microcontroller, that controls the operation of the motor. The microcontroller controls the operation of the motor by detecting back EMF and is also partially powered by the back EMF.




tor

Method and apparatus for processing a motor signal, having current ripple, of a DC motor

In order to process a motor signal (Ia, Um) of a DC motor (4), in particular of an adjustment drive of a motor vehicle, the armature current (Ia) and the motor voltage (Um) of the DC motor (4) are detected and used for determining the back-emf (E) of the DC motor (4), wherein the determined back-emf (E) is used to generate a useful signal (Sf, SEFL), which is in particular speed-proportional, from the armature current signal (Ia) for position sensing or for evaluating an excess force limitation.




tor

Method and device for controlling an electric motor

A method and device for controlling an electric motor, in particular a machine tool drive, wherein during a sensorless open-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor the speed and the torque are determined from the motor current and the motor voltage, and the moment of inertia of the electric motor torque are determined from the determined motor current and the determined motor voltage, wherefrom then a control torque is determined, which is then associated with an open-loop torque control value and supplied as the torque setpoint value to a control element for setting the motor current and/or the motor voltage in the open-loop mode of operation. As long as the speed is below a minimum speed, the control element receives as input variable a control or pilot control torque generated from a predefined moment of inertia for a sensorless closed-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor.




tor

Voltage regulator for DC motors

A voltage regulator for a pair of electric motors has an input for a signal indicative of the desired speed for the motors and a pulse width modulation control circuit device. A control module provides a conditioning signal to the control circuit to output to the motors a square wave voltage having a duty-cycle which varies according to a predetermined function of the signal applied to the input of the regulator. The control circuit device has first and second electronic solid state switches associated with the motor and controlled by the control module.




tor

Motor drive unit

A switching element is switched off after having been switched on for only a short time interval called a first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on a mode of a change in a contact point potential (a regeneration voltage) between an electric motor and the switching element when the switching element as switched off, as to whether or not one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. Next, the switching element is switched on for a time interval called a second predetermined time interval, which is longer than the first predetermined time interval, and a determination is made, based on the magnitude of the contact point potential at that time, as to which one of the electric motor and the switching element has failed. It is thus possible for a failure of the switching element and electric motor to be detected.




tor

Methods and apparatus for electric motor controller protection

A method for monitoring input power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes determining, with a processing device, an average input current to the motor, the average input current based on a voltage drop across a shunt resistor in series with the motor, measuring an average input voltage applied to the motor utilizing the processing device, multiplying the average input current by the average voltage to determine an approximate input power, and communicating the average input power to an external interface.




tor

Method and device for detecting rotor position in a permanent magnet synchronous motor-driven washing machine

A device and method to determine the stopping rotor position of a washing machine motor includes an inverter, a permanent magnet synchronous motor, and an electronic motor controller. The controller determines the stopped rotor position of the motor by measuring induced currents in the stator field coils of the motor. While the motor is de-energized and slowly rotating, the controller directs the inverter to connect all of the stator field coils of the motor together. The stator field coils may be connected to a common D.C. rail, output from an A.C.-D.C. converter of the washing machine. In an embodiment, the controller determines the rotor position based on the polarities of current induced in the stator field coils. In another embodiment, the controller determines the rotor position based on the phase angle and angular frequency of the three phase currents, transformed into a stationary reference frame.




tor

Electric motor assembly, method for operating an electric motor, and motor control device

The invention relates to an electric motor assembly, particularly for driving a fan for an engine cooling system and/or an air conditioner of a motor vehicle, comprising an electric motor and a motor control device for activating the electric motor. According to the invention, the motor control device can be adjusted according to a characteristic curve (1,2,3,4) of the electric motor and/or of the fan, and thereby the power and/or rotational speed of the electric motor can be adjusted.




tor

System and method for temperature estimation in an integrated motor drive

A system to monitor the temperature of power electronic devices in a motor drive includes a base plate defining a planar surface on which the electronic devices and/or circuit boards within the motor drive may be mounted. The power electronic devices are mounted to the base plate through the direct bond copper (DBC). A circuit board is mounted to the base plate which includes a temperature sensor mounted on the circuit board proximate to the power electronic devices. The temperature sensor generates a digital signal corresponding to the temperature measured by the sensor. A copper pad is included between each layer of the circuit board and between the first layer of the circuit board and the sensor. The circuit board also includes vias extending through each layer of the board. The copper pads and vias establish a thermally conductive path between the temperature sensor and the base plate.




tor

Inhibiting compressor backspin via a condenser motor

Assemblies for HVAC systems and methods of operating HVAC systems are disclosed, including a method of operating an HVAC system having a compressor assembly and a condenser assembly. The compressor assembly includes a compressor having a compressor motor that is susceptible to backspinning and capable of generating electric power when backspinning. The condenser assembly includes a condenser motor operatively coupled to a fan. The condenser assembly is electrically coupled to the compressor assembly. The method includes using the condenser motor as an electric load to dissipate electric power generated by the compressor motor when the compressor motor backspins.