Self-sanitizing electrical machine

• US 10,383,962 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2016
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Davison, James, Brown, Jerry, Garrison, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Yoo, Regina M
• Application Number:
  US15/248,312
• Publication Number:
  US 20170056537A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/02 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/025 Ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/04 Heat A61L2/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0071 by heating B08B7/0035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/02 by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned B08B7/0007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 15/125 Heating or drying of machines in operational state, e.g. standstill heating
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2213/03 Machines characterised by numerical values, ranges, mathematical expressions or similar information
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/62 for raising the temperature of the motor

Abstract

A method for sanitizing an electric motor is provided. The method includes setting operational parameters for the electric motor for destroying targeted microbes; and energizing the electric motor using the set operational parameters. Computer program products and an electric motor are disclosed.

Claims

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.