Abstract:
Electric motors and drive circuits therefor are described herein. The drive circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The drive circuit includes an inverter configured to regulate current to a first winding and a second winding of the electric motor in the first mode of operation and to only the first winding in the second mode of operation. The drive circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the second winding and configured to supply line frequency current to the second winding at a first node in the second mode of operation, and a second switch coupled to the second winding and configured to enable selection of regulating current to the second winding using the inverter in the first mode of operation or supplying the line frequency current directly to the second winding in the second mode of operation.
Abstract:
A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
Abstract:
A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
Abstract:
A controller configured to be coupled to an electric motor. The controller including a processor programmed to receive a signal indicating a stopping command of the electric motor, and control a current such that a capacitor coupled to the electric motor is not overcharged by regenerative energy when a stopping of the electric motor has commenced, wherein controlling the current includes one of the following: upon receiving the signal indicating the stopping command of the electric motor, ramping the current down below a threshold level, or upon receiving the signal indicating the stopping command of the electric motor, forcing the current to circulate in motor windings to prevent regeneration of energy in the capacitor.
Abstract:
A control system is provided for an electric motor configured to drive a fluid moving apparatus to generate a fluid-flow. The control system includes a drive circuit configured to regulate power supplied to a stator of the motor to turn a rotor and generate the fluid-flow, and a processor that computes a value proportional to at least one of a system resistance or a static pressure for the fluid moving apparatus based on a fixed set point for a first control parameter and a feedback parameter. The processor receives a fluid-flow rate demand and computes an operating set point for a second control parameter based on the fluid-flow rate demand and the value proportional to the system resistance or the static pressure. The processor controls the drive circuit based on the operating set point to supply power to the motor and operate the fluid moving apparatus to generate the fluid-flow.
Abstract:
A controller configured to be coupled to an electric motor. The controller including a processor programmed to receive a signal indicating a stopping command of the electric motor, and control a current such that a capacitor coupled to the electric motor is not overcharged by regenerative energy when a stopping of the electric motor has commenced, wherein controlling the current includes one of the following: upon receiving the signal indicating the stopping command of the electric motor, ramping the current down below a threshold level, or upon receiving the signal indicating the stopping command of the electric motor, forcing the current to circulate in motor windings to prevent regeneration of energy in the capacitor.
Abstract:
A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
Abstract:
A method for determining a direction of rotation for an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The motor is configured to rotate a blower and the method comprises rotating the blower using the ECM and determining if the resulting blower rotation is indicative of the desired direction of rotation for the blower.
Abstract:
Electric motors and drive circuits therefor are described herein. The drive circuit is configured to operate in a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation. The drive circuit includes an inverter configured to regulate current to a first winding and a second winding of the electric motor in the first mode of operation and to only the first winding in the second mode of operation. The drive circuit also includes a first switch coupled to the second winding and configured to supply line frequency current to the second winding at a first node in the second mode of operation, and a second switch coupled to the second winding and configured to enable selection of regulating current to the second winding using the inverter in the first mode of operation or supplying the line frequency current directly to the second winding in the second mode of operation.
Abstract:
An electric blower system is described. The blower system includes a blower, an airflow system, a sensor, and an electric motor. The electric motor includes a motor controller. The motor controller is configured to operate the motor at a first torque and a first speed to generate a first airflow, determine a first airflow value wherein the first airflow value, the first torque, and the first speed define a first benchmark data point. The motor controller is also configured to operate the motor at a second torque and a second speed to generate a second airflow and determine a second airflow value wherein the second airflow value, the second torque, and the second speed define a second benchmark data point. The motor controller is further configured to generate an operating profile for the blower system defining torque, speed, and airflow points for different system resistances.