INTERFACE CORD AND SYSTEM INCLUDING AN INTERFACE CORD

• US 20090128067A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Regal Beloit Epc Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Mullin, Paul Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,067,912 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/400.10
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132

Abstract

An interface cord is operable to connect an external controller to an electrical machine. The interface cord includes a first connector having a first pin configuration, a cable coupled to the first connector, a second connector coupled to the cable and having a second pin configuration different from the first pin configuration, and a circuit board with a programmable electrically coupled in circuit between the first connector and the second connector.

Claims

1. An interface cord operable to upload data to an electrical machine, the interface cord comprising:

a first connector;

a cable coupled to the first connector;

a second connector coupled to the cable; and

a circuit board including a programmable device electrically coupled in circuit between the first connector and the second connector, the programmable device including a memory having data and being configurable to upload the data to the electrical machine.

2. The interface cord as claimed in claim 1, wherein the programmable device includes a microcontroller.

3. The interface cord as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circuit board includes the first connector in circuit with the programmable device.

4. The interface cord as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cable includes a first end directly coupled to the circuit board and a second end directly coupled to the second connector.

5. The interface cord as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrical machine includes

a motor assembly having a stator and a rotor, and

a motor controller connected to the motor assembly and having a third connector operable to receive the second connector of the interface cord.

6. The interface cord as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cable includes a power line to supply power from the electrical machine to the interface cord.

7. The interface cord as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a first pin configuration and the second connector includes a second pin configuration different from the first pin configuration.

8. The interface cord as claimed in claim 7, wherein the interface cord is configured to translate a first signal from the first connector to a second signal for the second connector.

9. The interface cord as claimed in claim 8, wherein the interface cord receives the first signal from the external controller and generates the second signal to the electrical machine.

10. The interface cord as claimed in claim 1, wherein the uploaded data includes characterization data for operating the machine.

11. A method of operating an electrical machine with an interface cord including

a first connector and a second connector,

a cable coupled to the first connector and the second connector, and

a circuit board including a programmable device having a memory, the programmable device electrically coupled in circuit between the first connector and the second connector, the memory including characterization data for operating the electrical machine, the method comprising:

coupling the second connector of the interface cord to the electrical machine; and

uploading the characterization data to the electrical machine.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the electrical machine includes a motor assembly and a motor controller with a third connector, wherein the method further includes engaging the third connector with the second connector of the interface cord.

13. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising operating a blower with the electrical machine as a result of uploading the characterization data.

14. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising

receiving a first signal having a first pin configuration,

translating the first signal to a second signal having a second pin configuration, and

generating the second signal to the electrical machine.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein receiving the first signal includes receiving the first signal from an external controller.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising downloading characterization data from the electrical machine to the programmable device.

17. An electrical machine assembly for an HVAC system including a blower and an external controller, the electrical machine assembly comprising:

an electrical machine coupled to the blower for moving the blower, the electrical machine including

a motor assembly having a stator and a rotor, and

a motor controller connected to the motor assembly and having a first connector;

a second connector coupled to the external controller;

a cable connected to the second connector;

a third connector coupled to the cable and engaging the first connector; and

a circuit board electrically coupled in circuit with the second connector, the cable, and the third connector, the circuit board including a processor and a memory, the memory including characterization data and being configurable to selectively upload characterization data to the motor controller.

18. The electrical machine assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the uploaded characterization data includes data related to a configuration of the HVAC system.

19. The electrical machine assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the circuit board is in circuit between the first and second connectors.

20. The electrical machine assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the cable includes a first end directly coupled to the circuit board.