SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A MOTOR

• US 20140210321A1
• Filed: 01/21/2014
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shaw Dixon, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shaw Dixon, LLC
• Inventors: Dixon, Randy J., Lee, Townes
• Granted Patent: US 9,337,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/68.R
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/0094 Structural association with other electrical or electronic devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/22 Optical devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/28 Manual switches
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/33 Drive circuits, e.g. power electronics H02K11/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/35 Devices for recording or transmitting machine parameters, e.g. memory chips or radio transmitters for diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2213/09 Machines characterised by the presence of elements which are subject to variation, e.g. adjustable bearings, reconfigurable windings, variable pitch ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/12 specially adapted for operating in liquid or gas combined with cooling arrangements H02K9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/136 explosion-proof
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 27/06 using dc to ac converters or inverters H02P27/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/06 Arrangements for speed regulation of a single motor wherein the motor speed is measured and compared with a given physical value so as to adjust the motor speed

Abstract

Mechanisms are provided to control the operation of a motor. In particular, a variable frequency drive motor controller is described which resides within a motor housing. Additionally, the speed at which the motor operates is based on a signal received from a Hall Effect switch or from a communication device in communication with a remote interface. The Hall Effect switch is also described; in particular, the Hall Effect switch features a magnet rotatably connected with one side of a motor housing. A Hall Effect sensor, located on the opposite side of the motor housing, detects the position of the magnet and outputs a signal to the motor controller, located within the motor housing, indicating the detected magnet position. Additional operating features are described relating to the safe operation and control of the motor in potentially hazardous environments.

Claims

1. A motor and control system comprising:

a motor housing enclosing at least a portion of a motor; and

a motor control circuit disposed within the motor housing.

2. The motor and control system of claim 1, wherein the motor control circuit comprises a variable frequency drive controller.

3. The motor and control system of claim 2, wherein the motor and control circuit provides at least one drive signal to the motor based on at least one received indication relating to the operation of the motor and the control system.

4. The motor and control system of claim 3, wherein the at least one indication relating to the operation of the motor and the control system is one of temperature, current, voltage, and revolutions per minute (rpm).

5. The motor and control system of claim 4, wherein the indication relating to the operation of the motor and the control system is compared to at least one predetermined threshold;

and

wherein the at least one drive signal is altered in response to the indication relating to the operation of the motor and the control system being greater than the at least one predetermined threshold.

6. The motor and control system of claim 5, wherein the at least one threshold is adjustable and the at least one threshold is provided as part of a selected system operating profile comprising one or more thresholds, the at least one system operating profile being selectable.

7. The motor and control system of claim 4, wherein the motor housing comprises at least one of aluminum, copper, plastic, carbon fiber, and non-magnetic stainless steel.

8. A motor and control system comprising:

a motor housing enclosing at least a portion of a motor;

a motor control circuit operable to receive at least one operating parameter relating to the operation of the motor and control system and provide at least one drive signal to the motor based on the at least one received operating parameter, wherein the motor control circuit is a variable frequency drive controller and the variable frequency drive controller is located within the housing.

9. The motor and control system of claim 8, wherein the motor is an electric direct current brushless motor.

10. The motor and control system of claim 8, wherein the motor housing comprises at least one of aluminum, copper, plastic, carbon fiber, and non-magnetic stainless steel.

11. The motor and control system of claim 8, wherein the at least one operating parameter relating to the operation of the motor control system is one of temperature, current, voltage, and revolutions per minute (rpm).

12. The motor and control system of claim 11, wherein the at least one operating parameter relating to the operation of the motor and control system is compared to at least one predetermined threshold;

and

wherein the at least one drive signal is altered in response to the at least one operating parameter relating to the operation of the motor and control system being greater than the at least one predetermined threshold.

13. The motor and control system of claim 12, wherein the at least one threshold is adjustable and is provided as part of a selected system operating profile comprising one or more thresholds.

14. The motor and control system of claim 8, further comprising a communication device in communication with the motor control circuit, wherein the motor control circuit receives the at least one operating parameter from the communication device.

15. The motor and control system of claim 8, further comprising a server in communication with the motor control circuit, wherein the motor control circuit receives the at least one operating parameter from the server.

16. The motor and control system of claim 8, wherein the housing is cylindrical and the variable frequency drive controller resides within the cylindrical housing.

17. The motor control system of claim 16, wherein the housing is formed from a single piece of material.

18. The motor control system of claim 8, wherein the motor and control system comprises an explosion-proof motor.

19. The motor control system of claim 8, wherein the motor and control system comprises a non-explosion-proof motor.

20. A method of controlling a motor comprising:

providing a motor housing, the motor housing enclosing at least a portion of a motor;

providing a motor control circuit operable to receive at least one operating parameter relating to the operation of the motor, the motor control circuit further operable to provide at least one drive signal to the motor based on the at least one received operating parameter, wherein the motor control circuit is a variable frequency drive controller and the variable frequency drive controller is located within the housing.

21. The method of controlling a motor according to claim 20, wherein the motor is an electric direct current brushless motor and the motor housing comprises at least one of aluminum, copper, plastic, carbon fiber, and non-magnetic stainless steel.