SELF-SANITIZING ELECTRICAL MACHINE

• US 20190328914A1
• Filed: 07/12/2019
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Davison, James, Brown, Jerry, Garrison, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US16/509,795
• Publication Number:
  US 20190328914A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/02 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/025 Ultrasonics
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/04 Heat A61L2/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2202/14 Means for controlling sterilisation processes, data processing, presentation and storage means, e.g. sensors, controllers, programs
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/0071 by heating B08B7/0035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 7/02 by distortion, beating, or vibration of the surface to be cleaned B08B7/0007 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 15/125 Heating or drying of machines in operational state, e.g. standstill heating
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2213/03 Machines characterised by numerical values, ranges, mathematical expressions or similar information
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 29/62 for raising the temperature of the motor

Abstract

A method for sanitizing an electric motor is provided. The method includes setting operational parameters for the electric motor for destroying targeted microbes; and energizing the electric motor using the set operational parameters. Computer program products and an electric motor are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of sanitizing an electric machine, comprising:

providing a current amplitude to windings of the electric machine to heat a housing of the electric machine to a temperature at which targeted microbes are destroyed; and

providing a current waveform to windings of the electric machine to cause vibration at a frequency at which targeted microbes are destroyed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeted microbes are at least one of E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring current level and duration of heating of the housing.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of raising the temperature of the housing to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of monitoring vibration frequencies of the electric machine.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of varying frequencies of the current waveform to the windings of the electric machine.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of performing at least a threshold number of sweeps of a frequency range.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the frequencies are varied between about 10 Hz and about 1000 Hz.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the frequencies are varied between about 5 kHz and about 20 kHz.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a current waveform to windings of the electric machine dislodges particles or fibers from the housing of the electric machine.

15. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 1, wherein the vibration control module monitors vibration frequencies of the electric machine.

11. A self-sanitizing electric machine, comprising:

a housing including internal components configured to provide mechanical energy when supplied with an electric current; and

a controller for controlling the sanitization process, the controller including;

a temperature control module providing a current amplitude to windings of the electric machine to heat a housing of the electric machine to a temperature at which targeted microbes are destroyed; and

a vibration control module providing a current waveform to windings of the electric machine to cause vibration at a frequency at which targeted microbes are destroyed.

12. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 11, wherein the targeted microbes are at least one of E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria.

13. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 11, wherein the temperature control module monitors current level and duration of heating of the housing.

14. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 11, wherein temperature of the housing is raised to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

16. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 11, wherein the vibration control module varies frequencies of the current waveform to the windings of the electric machine.

17. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 16, wherein the vibration control module performs at least a threshold number of sweeps of a frequency range.

18. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 16, wherein the vibration control module varies the frequencies between about 10 Hz and about 1000 Hz.

19. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 16, wherein the vibration control module varies the frequencies between about 5 kHz and about 20 kHz.

20. The self-sanitizing electric machine of claim 11, wherein the vibration control module provides a current waveform to the windings of the electric machine to dislodge particles or fibers from the housing of the electric machine.