Self-sanitizing electrical machine

1. A method for sanitizing an electric motor, the method comprising:

setting operational parameters for the electric motor for destroying targeted microbes, the operational parameters including a target temperature and a determined current level and duration of time required to reach the target temperature;

energizing the electric motor to the target temperature using the set operational parameters;

monitoring a temperature of the electric motor and the duration of time of heating;

adjusting a current supplied to the electric motor to reach the target temperature; and

comparing the monitored temperature of the electric motor with the target temperature.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein setting the operational parameters of the electric motor comprises setting a current amplitude supplied to windings of the electric motor sufficient to heat a housing of the electric motor to the target temperature at which the targeted microbes will be destroyed.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the temperature of the housing is raised to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein setting the operational parameters of the electric motor comprises providing a current waveform of varying frequency to windings of the electric motor to cause vibration at frequencies at which the targeted microbes will be destroyed.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the frequencies are within a range from about 10 Hz to about 20 kHz.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

restoring the operational parameters to a normal setting; and

returning the electric motor to normal operation.

7. The method as in claim 1 , further comprising:

monitoring at least one of temperature and vibration of the electric motor; and

returning the electric motor to normal operation according to a monitoring result.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein a housing of the electric motor is vibrated and heated simultaneously.