System and method for electric motor control

• US 20070046222A1
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Lindsey, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,282,875 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/400.10
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2005/125 Driving auxiliary pumps electrically
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/06 for determining flow
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2025/08 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/164 by varying pump speed
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5458 Monitor sensor; Alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/547 via DC power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2203/5483 using coupling circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 3/548 the power on the line being DC arrangements for feeding power H04L12/10; extracting feeding power from signals H04L25/02

Abstract

An electric motor control system includes a housing and a motor disposed within the housing. The electric motor control system also includes an actuator operatively coupled to the motor and configured to operate in response to an operation of the motor. The electric motor control system further includes a controller disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the motor. The electric motor control system also includes a first electric conductor communicatively coupling the motor to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to supply power to and communicate a data signal with the motor over the first electric conductor.

Claims

1. An electric motor control system, comprising:

a housing;

a motor disposed within the housing;

an actuator operatively coupled to the motor and configured to operate in response to an operation of the motor;

a controller disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the motor; and

a first electric conductor communicatively coupling the motor to the controller;

wherein the controller is configured to;

periodically provide a power signal to the motor over the first electric conductor; and

receive data indicative of a position of the rotor via the first electric conductor during a time period when the power signal is not provided over the first electric conductor.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes an impeller adapted to pressurize a cooling medium.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a fan adapted to rotate relative to the motor.

4. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured to control at least one operational aspect of the motor.

5. The control system of claim 1, further including a second electric conductor communicatively coupling the controller to an electronic control unit external to the housing.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to:

transmit a signal indicative of an operational aspect of the motor over the second electric conductor;

receive a control signal to regulate an operation of the motor over the second electric conductor; and

receive a power signal over the second electric conductor.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller further includes an electronic drive adapted to provide power over the first electric conductor.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the electronic drive is configured to sequentially energize a plurality of field conductors of the motor.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine a timing of an energizing sequence associated with the electronic drive;

communicate the data signal over the first electric conductor based upon the timing.

10. The control system of claim 9, wherein the electronic drive is further configured to provide positional feedback of a rotor associated with the motor for determining the timing of the energizing sequence.

11. A method for operating a motor, the method comprising:

periodically providing an electric power signal to the motor over a first electric conductor;

directing a control signal from a controller to the motor over the first electric conductor;

receiving data indicative of a position of a rotor of the motor via the first electric conductor during a time period when the power signal is not provided over the first electric conductor; and

adjusting at least one operational aspect of the motor in response to the received data.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein determination of the time period includes:

determining a desired angular velocity of a rotor of the motor;

calculating a switch speed based upon the desired angular velocity; and

establishing the time period for data communication based on the switch speed.

14. The method of claim 13, further including transmitting a control signal to the motor over the first electric conductor substantially during the established time period.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the determination of the time period includes:

monitoring a power signal in a field conductor of the motor;

monitoring the switch speed;

establishing the time period for data communication based on the monitored-power signal.

16. The method of claim 15, further including transmitting a control signal to the motor over the first electric conductor substantially during the established time period.

12. (canceled)

17. A cooling system, comprising:

a source of cooling medium;

a cooling circuit in fluid communication with the source of cooling medium;

an electric motor control system, comprising;

a housing;

a motor disposed within the housing;

an actuator operatively coupled to the motor and configured to operate in response to an operation of the motor;

a controller disposed within the housing and communicatively coupled to the motor; and

a first electric conductor communicatively coupling the motor to the controller;

wherein the controller is configured to;

periodically provide a power signal to the motor over the first electric conductor; and

receive data indicative of a position of the rotor over the first electric conductor during a time period when the power signal is not provided to the motor over the first electric conductor.

18. The cooling system of claim 17, further including a second electric conductor communicatively coupling the controller to an electronic control unit external to the housing.

19. The cooling system of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to:

transmit a signal indicative of an operational aspect of the electric motor control system over the second electric conductor;

receive a control signal to regulate an operation of the electric motor control system over the second electric conductor; and

receive a power signal over the second electric conductor.

20. The cooling system of claim 19, wherein the controller further includes an electronic drive adapted to provide power over the first electric conductor.

21. The cooling system of claim 20, wherein the electronic drive is configured to sequentially energize a plurality of field conductors of the motor.

22. The cooling system of claim 21, wherein the controller is further configured to:

determine a timing of an energizing sequence associated with the electronic drive;

communicate the data signal over the first electric conductor based upon the timing.

23. The cooling system of claim 22, wherein the electronic drive is further configured to provide positional feedback of a rotor associated with the motor for determining the timing of the energizing sequence.