OPTIMIZATION OF MOTOR OPERATION USING A TEST CYCLE

• US 20090315494A1
• Filed: 06/23/2009
• Published: 12/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bluffton Motor Works LLC (Wpa Participações e Serviços SA)
• Original Assignee: Sail Sustainable Louisiana Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Jeung, Young-Chun, Cain, Thomas Earl
• Granted Patent: US 8,288,976 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/400.90
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/343 in operation
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 31/00 Arrangements for regulating or controlling electric motors not provided for in groups H02P1/00 - H02P5/00, H02P7/00 or H02P21/00 - H02P29/00

Abstract

An electronic control system for a motor uses a test cycle to select an optimum mode of operation from a plurality of available modes of operation. In some embodiments, the test cycle produces test data that is compared to information in a library of operating parameters relating to the available modes of operation. An algorithm uses the information in the library of operating parameters to choose an optimum mode of operation. In certain embodiments, the test cycle tries each of the available modes of operation, monitors operational parameters, and determines the best performing mode of operation.

Claims

1. A method for selecting a mode of operation for a motor, the method comprising:

performing an optimization test cycle on the motor;

measuring variations in motor operational parameters during the optimization test cycle; and

selecting a mode of operation from a plurality of available modes of operation, based on motor operational parameter measurements obtained during the optimization test cycle.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the optimization test cycle comprises operating the motor using one or more of the plurality of available modes of operation.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising collecting motor operational parameter measurements for each mode of operation in which the motor is operated during the optimization test cycle.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing a motor control system for controlling the operation of the motor, wherein the motor control system implements one or more of the plurality of available modes of operation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting a preferred mode of operation comprises comparing the operational parameter measurements to target values or ranges for the operational parameters.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning weightings for measured operational parameters.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising using the weightings to determine a score for each of the plurality of available modes of operation.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising loading the plurality of available modes of operation onto a memory device of the motor before performing the optimization test cycle.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising loading at least one of the plurality of available modes of operation onto a memory device of the motor when the optimization test cycle is performed.

10. A motor comprising:

a stator;

a rotor;

an electronic control system configured to control the operation of at least one of the stator or the rotor according to one or more modes of operation;

a user interface configured to allow a user to select a mode of operation for the motor;

an output device configured to indicate a selected mode of operation; and

a communications interface configured to provide information about the selected mode of operation to an external device.

11. The motor of claim 10, wherein the electronic control system comprises:

a processor;

a memory connected to the processor; and

program instructions executable by the processor and stored in the memory, wherein the program instructions are configured to;

initiate an optimization test cycle; and

collect operational data during the optimization test cycle.

12. The motor of claim 11, wherein the program instructions are further configured to:

compare the operational data collected to optimal values or ranges for motor operating parameters; and

select an optimum mode of operation based on the comparison of the operational data to the optimal values or ranges.

13. The motor of claim 10, wherein the electronic control system comprises a library of optimal values or ranges for one or more operational parameters.

14. The motor of claim 10, wherein the electronic control system comprises an operating mode module configured to implement the one or more modes of operation.

15. A system for performing a test operation, the system comprising:

a motor comprising;

a stator;

a rotor;

an electronic control system configured to control the operation of at least one of the stator or the rotor according to one or more modes of operation;

a user interface configured to allow a user to select a mode of operation for the motor;

an output device configured to indicate a selected mode of operation; and

a communications interface configured to provide information about the selected mode of operation to an external device.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising a test operation module configured to conduct a test cycle, wherein the test cycle is configured to operate the motor while changing a controlled operational parameter and to monitor variations in one or more affected operational parameters.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the test operation module is further configured to select an optimal mode of operation based on results of the test cycle.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the test operation module is further configured to set the value of the controlled operational parameter of the motor to an optimal value based on results of the test cycle.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the motor further comprises a sensor configured to measure a motor operational parameter.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor comprises a Hall-effect sensor configured to detect the position of the stator relative to the rotor.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the sensor is configured to detect a load on the motor.

22. The system of claim 15, further comprising a test operation device configured to operatively connect to the motor, wherein the test operation device provides functionality for performing a test cycle to the motor.