INTERFACE CORD AND SYSTEM INCLUDING AN INTERFACE CORD

• US 20090128068A1
• Filed: 01/23/2009
• Published: 05/21/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Regal Beloit America, Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Regal Beloit Epc Inc. (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Mullin, Paul Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,067,911 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 module is operable to download data from an electrical machine. The interface module includes a cable for transferring data, the cable having a first connector at a first end thereof, a circuit board having a programmable device electrically coupled in circuit to the cable, and a memory connected to the circuit board and configured to store data related to the operating characteristics of the electrical machine.

Claims

1. An interface cord operable to receive data from 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 to store data and being configurable to receive the data from 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 9, wherein the received data includes characterization data for operating the electrical 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 method comprising:

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

downloading data from the electrical machine to the memory.

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:

decoupling the second connector with the electrical machine;

coupling the second connector with a second electrical machine; and

uploading the data to the second electrical machine.

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 14, wherein the downloaded data includes characterization data for operating the electrical machine.

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 receive characterization data from the motor controller.

18. The electrical machine assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the received 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.