MOTOR CONTROLLER WITH INTEGRATED METERING FUNCTION
First Claim
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1. A method of determining performance of a controller for an alternating current (AC) motor, the method comprising:
- installing a controller between an AC power source and the AC motor, the controller having a control algorithm to control operation of the AC motor;
executing a first algorithm to obtain a first data set relating to the operation of the AC motor, the step of executing a first algorithm comprising;
closing a relay in the controller to provide AC power directly to the AC motor from the AC power source;
measuring data relating to the AC motor in response to the relay being in a closed position; and
storing in the first data set the measured data relating to the AC motor in response to the relay being in a closed position;
executing a second algorithm to obtain a second data set relating to the operation of the AC motor, the step of executing a second algorithm comprising;
opening the relay in the controller to prevent direct transfer of AC power from the AC power source to the AC motor;
controlling activation of a power switch in the controller with the control algorithm to control the AC power provided to the AC motor;
measuring data relating to the AC motor in response to controlling activation of the power switch in the controller with the control algorithm; and
storing in the second data set the measured data relating to the AC motor in response to controlling activation of the power switch in the controller with the control algorithm;
comparing the second data set to the first data set to calculate a difference between the second data set and the first data set; and
communicating the difference to a user, wherein the communicated difference is representative of a change in performance of the AC motor resulting from executing the control algorithm.
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Abstract
A motor controller is provided with integrated metering and data logger functions to measure, store and report information suitable to verify the controller'"'"'s energy saving performance. The integrated functions in the controller can be used to establish an AC motor'"'"'s baseline electrical power and energy profile and to monitor continuously the power and energy reduction performance of the controller without requiring a separate meter and logger.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of determining performance of a controller for an alternating current (AC) motor, the method comprising:
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installing a controller between an AC power source and the AC motor, the controller having a control algorithm to control operation of the AC motor; executing a first algorithm to obtain a first data set relating to the operation of the AC motor, the step of executing a first algorithm comprising; closing a relay in the controller to provide AC power directly to the AC motor from the AC power source; measuring data relating to the AC motor in response to the relay being in a closed position; and storing in the first data set the measured data relating to the AC motor in response to the relay being in a closed position; executing a second algorithm to obtain a second data set relating to the operation of the AC motor, the step of executing a second algorithm comprising; opening the relay in the controller to prevent direct transfer of AC power from the AC power source to the AC motor; controlling activation of a power switch in the controller with the control algorithm to control the AC power provided to the AC motor; measuring data relating to the AC motor in response to controlling activation of the power switch in the controller with the control algorithm; and storing in the second data set the measured data relating to the AC motor in response to controlling activation of the power switch in the controller with the control algorithm; comparing the second data set to the first data set to calculate a difference between the second data set and the first data set; and communicating the difference to a user, wherein the communicated difference is representative of a change in performance of the AC motor resulting from executing the control algorithm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A controller for an alternating current (AC) motor comprising:
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an input connection to receive AC power from an AC power source; an output connection to provide AC power to an AC motor; a power switch connected to the input connection and the output connection; a relay electrically connected in parallel with the power switch; a controller circuit configured to activate the power switch and to open and close the relay; the power switch being configured to permit transfer of AC power from the input connection to the output connection in response to being activated by the controller circuit; the relay being configured to bypass the power switch when in a closed position to permit transfer of AC power between the input connection and the output connection; a memory device storing a control algorithm executable by the controller circuit, the control algorithm being configured to control activation of the power switch by the controller circuit, and the memory device being configured to store performance data on the AC motor; the controller circuit being configured to obtain performance data on the AC motor by collecting and comparing performance data on the AC motor in response to the AC power to the AC motor being controlled by the relay and in response to the AC power to the motor being controlled by the power switch. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification