IP Library Granted Patent US 8,659,249
Granted Patent B2
US 8,659,249 · App. 13/425,292 · Granted Feb 25, 2014

Method of controlling a motor

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,659,249
App. No.
13/425,292
Granted
Feb 25, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide methods of controlling a motor, such as a servo motor. One method can include monitoring a current temperature of the motor and a power stage of the motor substantially continuously and substantially in real-time. This method can include determining optimum settings for a first time interval to remove power and the second time interval to provide power in order to deliver maximum output while remaining below the maximum rated temperature of the motor. One method can include pulsing power to the motor for a second time interval after a first time interval has elapsed and tailoring pulse shapes of the power provided to the motor for the second time interval. One method can include calculating a maximum phase current based on the rotor shaft torque for each real-time speed of the motor that correlates to the maximum allowable current draw from the power supply.

Claims (20)

1. A method of controlling a motor, the motor connected to a power supply, the method comprising:

determining a maximum allowable current draw allowed from the power supply;

monitoring a real-time speed of the motor substantially continuously;

monitoring a rotor shaft torque of the motor substantially continuously; and

calculating a maximum phase current based on the rotor shaft torque for each real-time speed of the motor that correlates to the maximum allowable current draw from the power supply.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the rotor shaft torque is evaluated with the real-time phase current of the motor.

3. The method of claim 1 , and further comprising factoring in system efficiencies to calculate the maximum phase current.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motor is a servo motor.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motor is a permanent magnet brushless motor.

6. A method of controlling a motor, the motor powered by an alternating current power supply, the method comprising:

providing a rectification bridge including at least two transistors, the rectification bridge being connected to the alternating power supply, the at least two transistor each including a intrinsic diode;

sensing an incoming current;

determining whether the incoming current exceeds a threshold current;

rectifying the incoming current input using the intrinsic diodes if the incoming current is below the threshold current; and

rectifying the incoming current input using the at least two transistors if the incoming current is above the threshold current.

7. The method of claim 6 , and further comprising adjusting the threshold current in order to minimize power losses of the rectification bridge.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the power losses are limited to less than about 30 Watts.

9. The method of claim 6 , and further comprising providing hysteresis for the threshold current in order to increase a noise immunity.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the motor is a servo motor.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the motor is a permanent magnet brushless motor.

Assignments (3)
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS Recorded Jul 21, 2016
From: MOOG INC.
To: HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 039421/0294 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2013
From: HOFFMAN ENCLOSURES INC.
To: MOOG INC.
Reel/Frame 030460/0164 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2013
From: ASPEN MOTION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: HOFFMAN ENCLOSURES, INC.
Reel/Frame 029703/0478 →