HUMAN INTERFACE MODULE FOR MOTOR DRIVE

• US 20100079096A1
• Filed: 09/30/2008
• Published: 04/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated (Allen-Bradley Co., Inc.)
• Inventors: Miller, Wanda J., Braun, Scott D., Steinweg, Calvin C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,282,285 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/494
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/409 characterised by using manual data input [MDI] or by using control panel, e.g. controlling functions with the panel; characterised by control panel details or by setting parameters G05B19/408, G05B19/4093 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23409 Portable, detachable programmer has emulation for fixed control panel
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0246 in block erasable memory, e.g. flash memory

Abstract

A power electronics device with an improved human interface module (HIM) is provided. More specifically, a motor drive is provided that includes a HIM with a portable memory device that stores the programming configuration of the motor drive. The improved HIM with portable memory enables improved techniques for quickly and efficiently updating the programming configuration of one or several motor drives.

Claims

1. A motor drive, comprising:

a controller configured to output an output power waveform for driving a motor;

a human interface module communicatively coupled to the controller and configured to allow an operator of the motor drive to monitor and control the motor drive, the human interface module including a memory port configured to receive a portable memory; and

a portable memory receivable in the memory port for storing a programming configuration of the motor drive.

2. The motor drive of claim 1, wherein the programming configuration includes parameter settings for an operating parameter pertaining to the performance of a peripheral device communicatively coupled to the motor drive.

3. The motor drive of claim 1, wherein the programming configuration includes parameter customization data comprising a custom parameter name associated with a parameter setting.

4. The motor drive of claim 1, wherein the programming configuration includes parameter settings for multiple operating parameters pertaining to the performance of the drive.

5. The motor drive of claim 4, wherein the operating parameters are defined by firmware included in the controller.

6. The motor drive of claim 1, wherein the programming configuration includes firmware applicable to the controller or the human interface module or a peripheral device communicatively couple to the motor drive.

7. The motor drive of claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a storage memory, and wherein the human interface module is configured to transfer the programming configuration from the portable memory to the storage memory or a storage memory of a peripheral device communicatively couple to the motor drive.

8. A method of updating a programming configuration of a motor drive, comprising:

acquiring a programming configuration file of the motor drive;

storing the programming configuration file on a portable memory;

coupling the portable memory to a human interface module configured to provide operator control of the motor drive; and

communicatively coupling the human interface module to the motor drive.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the portable memory is communicatively coupled to a workstation and wherein storing the programming configuration file on the portable memory comprises transferring the programming configuration file from the workstation to the portable memory.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein acquiring the programming configuration file comprises generating the programming configuration file on the workstation.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the workstation is communicatively coupled through a communications network to a service provider, and wherein acquiring the programming configuration file comprises receiving the programming configuration from the service provider.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein acquiring the programming configuration file comprises decoupling a second portable memory from a second drive, communicatively coupling the second portable memory to the workstation, and transferring the programming configuration file from the second portable memory to the workstation.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the portable memory is configured to store a plurality of programming configuration files, and wherein a plurality of motor drives may be updated from the portable memory.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the programming configuration comprises a firmware program and/or operating parameter settings.

15. A method of acquiring data from a motor drive, comprising

sending electrical signals to an inverter module, the electrical signals configured to generate a power waveform for driving a motor;

receiving feedback from the inverter module or the motor, the feedback representing an operating characteristic of the inverter module or the motor; and

storing a value representative of the feedback on a portable memory communicatively coupled to the motor drive.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the portable memory is configured to be removable from the motor drive and communicatively coupled to a workstation configured to receive the value.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the portable memory is communicatively coupled to a human interface module and configured to allow user selection of an operating characteristic to be stored.

18. A method of updating a programming configuration of a motor drive, comprising:

removing a portable memory from a first human interface module associated with a first drive, the portable memory including data defining a programming configuration of the first drive and/or the first human interface module;

installing the portable memory into a second human interface module; and

and communicatively coupling the second human interface module to a second drive;

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the programming configuration comprises operating parameter settings and/or firmware.

20. The method of claim 18, comprising activating the motor drive and selecting one of a plurality of programming configurations.