Laundering apparatus, method of operating a laundry machine, control system for an electronically commutated motor, and method of operating an electronically commutated motor

• US 4,513,230 A
• Filed: 07/21/1982
• Issued: 04/23/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Erdman, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weldon, Ulysses
• Application Number:
  US06/400,206
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 318/138, 318/254, 318/317, 318/341, 318/345 F, 318/439
• US Class Current: 318/400.09
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2600/021 Inverters therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/085 in a bridge configuration

Abstract

A laundering apparatus includes a laundry machine having a spin tub and an agitator, and an electronically commutated motor is drivingly associated with the tub and agitator through a transmission. A system controls the energization of the electronically commutated motor to effect the laundering operations of the tub and the agitator in the laundry machine.

A method of operating a laundry machine, a control system for an electronically commutated motor, and a method of operating an electronically commutated motor are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A laundering apparatus comprising:

means operable generally in a washing mode for agitating water and fabrics to be laundered therein and operable generally in a spin mode for thereafter spinning the fabrics to effect centrifugal displacement of water from the fabrics;

an electronically commutated motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages associated therewith and adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with said stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with said winding stages for driving said agitating and spinning means in the washing mode operation and in the spin mode operation thereof upon the commutation of said winding stages, each of said winding stages having at least first and second terminals, said first terminals of each of said windng stages being connected at a first common point;

means for providing a plurality of first waveshapes;

means for selecting one of the first waveshapes;

means for selectively setting the maximum amplitude of the selected first waveshape, the selected first waveshape representing a profile of desired angular velocity of said rotatable means;

means for producing an effective voltage from a DC voltage in accordance with the selected first waveshape

and for commutating said winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence, including a plurality of switching means for connection in series with said winding stages, respectively, and means responsive to the angular position of said rotatable means for applying commutation signals in the at least one preselected sequence to said switching means to control their conductivity;

first diode means separately connected between said second terminal of eachof said winding stages and a second common point;

said plurality of switching means being connected between a third common point and said second terminal of each of said winding stages;

capacitor means connected between said first and second common points;

first impedance means and first transistor means for connection in series between said first and second common points;

voltage divider means and second transistor means for connection in series between said second and third common points, said voltage divider means including second and third impedance means for connection at a fourth common point coupled to said first transistor means so that the voltage at said fourth common point controls the conductivity of said first transistor means;

means for deriving a signal representative of the actual angular velocity of said rotatable means and for generating an error signal from the velocity signal and the selected first waveshape; and

means for decreasing the conductivity of said second transistor means when the error signal has a value corresponding to an excess of the actual angular velocity over the desired angular velocity determined by said selecting means and said maximum amplitude setting means, the decreased conductivity of said second transistor means being effective to increase the conductivity of said first transistor means.

2. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for determining the duration of the selected first waveshape in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

3. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising means for interrupting the commutation of said winding stages whenever the current therein exceeds a selected maximum amplitude.

4. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the DC voltage is a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage;

and

said effective voltage producing and commutating means further includes means for switching the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage to the first and third common points during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

5. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the DC voltage is a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage;

and

said effective voltage producing and commutating means further includes means for converting the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage into voltage pulses having a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and means for modulating the width of the voltage pulses.

6. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the laundering apparatus is adapted for connection with an AC source and further comprises rectifying means for converting the power from the AC source into a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage for use as the DC voltage;

said effective voltage producing and commutating means including filter means and means for applying the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage in pulses to said filter means only during a predetermined time interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, the initiating and terminating points respectively of each of the time intervals being spaced substantially equal phase angles away from the initiating and terminating zero crossovers respectively that define the corresponding half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, said filter means coupling said applying means to said winding stages and said switching means.

7. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising

means for controlling the production of the effective voltage by said effective voltage producing and commutating means in response to the error signal.

8. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein the signal representative of the actual angular velocity is derived from the effective voltage by said deriving and generating means.

9. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein

said commutation signal applying means includes means for applying the commutation signals to said switching means in a first and second preselected sequence alternately during successive time units of the washing mode;

and said means for selecting one of the first waveshapes includes means for making separate selections of the waveshapes for the first and second preselected sequences, respectively.

10. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said waveshape providing means includes means for providing the selected first waveshape repetitively in the spin mode.

11. A control system for an electronically commutated motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with the stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with the winding stages, each of the winding stages having at least first and second terminals, the first terminals of the winding stages being connected at a first common point, the control system comprising:

means for providing a plurality of first waveshapes;

means for selecting one of the first waveshapes;

means for selectively setting the maximum amplitude of the selected first waveshape, the selected first waveshape representing a waveshape of desired angular velocity of the rotatable means;

first diode means for separate connection between the second terminal of each of the winding stages and a second common point;

means for producing an effective voltage from a DC voltage in accordance with the selected first waveshape, and for commutating the winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence and including switching means for connection between a third common point and the second terminal of each of the winding stages;

means responsive to the angular position of the rotatable means for rendering said switching means conductive in the at least one preselected sequence;

capacitor means for connection between said first and second common points;

first impedance means and first transistor means for respective connection in series between said first and second common points;

voltage divider means and second transistor means for connection in series between said second and third common points, said voltage divider means including second and third impedance means for connection at a fourth common point coupled to said first transistor means so that the voltage at said fourth common point controls the conductivity of said first transistor means;

means for deriving a signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and for generating an error signal from the velocity signal and the selected first waveshape; and

means for decreasing the conductivity of said second transistor means when the error signal has a value corresponding to an excess of the actual angular velocity over the desired angular velocity determined by said selecting means and said maximum amplitude setting means, the decreased conductivity of said second transistor means being effective to increase the conductivity of said first transistor means.

12. The control system in accordance with claim 11 wherein further comprising third control means for determining the duration of the selected first waveshape in accordance with a time unit having a selectively defined length.

13. The control system as set forth in claim 11 further comprising means for interrupting the commutation of the winding stages whenever the current therein exceeds a selected maximum amplitude.

14. The control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the DC voltage is a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and said effective voltage producing and commutating means further includes means for switching the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage to the first and third common points during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

15. The control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the DC voltage is a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and said effective voltage producing and commutating means further includes means for converting the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage into voltage pulses having a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and means for modulating the width of the voltage pulses.

16. The control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein the system is adapted for connection with an AC source and further comprises rectifying means for converting the power from the AC source into a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage for use as the DC voltage,

said effective voltage producing and commutating means including filter means and means for applying the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage in pulses to said filter means only during a predetermined time interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, the initiating and terminating points respectively of each of the time intervals being spaced substantially equal phase angles away from the initiating and terminating zero crossovers respectively that define the corresponding half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, said filter means coupling said applying means to the winding stages and said switching means.

17. The control system as set forth in claim 11 further comprising means for controlling the production of the effective voltage by said effective voltage producing and commutating means in response to the error signal.

18. The control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said means for rendering said switching means conductive includes means for applying commutation signals to the switching means in a first and a second preselected sequence alternately during successive time units;

and said means for selecting one of the first waveshapes includes means for making separate selections of the waveshapes for the first and second preselected sequences, respectively.

19. The control system as set forth in claim 11 wherein said waveshape providing means includes means for providing the selected first waveshape repetitively.

20. A method of operating a laundry machine driven by an electronically commutated DC motor energized by a DC voltage provided across a pair of DC lines as a full wave rectified sinusoidal signal derived from an AC source, the laundry machine having a pair of rotatable components, and the motor having a stationary assembly including a plurality of winding stages and also having a rotatable assembly adapted to be selectively coupled to at least one of the rotatable components, the method comprising the steps of:

converting the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal into voltage pulses having a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal;

imposing a first control function on the operation of the laundry machine by modulating the width of the voltage pulses in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of first waveshapes to provide a resultant effective voltage to the motor;

imposing a second control function on the operation of the laundry machine through the pulse width modulation to selectively set the maximum amplitude of the effective voltage;

limiting the voltage pulses to a variable time interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal during which the amplitude thereof exceeds the amplitude of the effective voltage; and

commutating the winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in sequence;

whereby the first and second control functions jointly determine the angular velocity of the at least one rotatable component and the power factor reflected to the AC source is enhanced.

21. A method of operating a laundry machine driven by an electronically commutated DC motor responsive to a control circuit with the motor being energized by a DC voltage provided across a pair of DC lines as a full wave rectified sinusoidal signal derived from an AC source, the laundry machine having a pair of rotatable components, the motor having a stationary assembly with a plurality of winding stages and also having a rotatable assembly adapted to be selectively coupled to at least one of the rotatable components, and the control circuit having a plurality of current paths each including at least one of the winding stages, the method comprising the steps of:

converting the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal into voltage pulses having a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal;

imposing a first control function on the operation of the laundry machine by modulating the width of the voltage pulses in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of first waveshapes to provide a resultant effective voltage to the winding stages;

imposing a second control function on the operation of the laundry machine through the pulse width modulation to selectively set the maximum amplitude of the effective voltage;

commutating the winding stages by sequentially allowing the current paths to become conductive; and

controlling the conductivity of respective current paths with the voltage pulses when the current paths are sequentially rendered conductive;

whereby the first and second control functions jointly determine the angular velocity of the at least one rotatable component.

22. The method as set forth in claim 21 comprising the additional step of limiting the operation of the motor to a time interval when the ratio of the effective voltage to the peak voltage of the AC source falls within a selectively determined range;

whereby the power factor reflected to the AC source is enhanced.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22 comprising the additional step of imposing a third control function on the operation of the laundry machine by setting the duration of the selected first waveshape in accordance with a time unit of a selectively defined length.

24. The method as set forth in claim 21 comprising the additional step of interrupting the commutation of the winding stages whenever the current therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

25. The method as set forth in claim 21 comprising the additional steps of:

deriving a signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable assembly;

supplying a signal having the selected first waveshape;

comparing the representative signal with the signal having the selected first waveshape to provide an error signal; and

controlling the width modulation with the error signal.

26. The method as set forth in claim 21 wherein the operation of the laundry machine includes a wash cycle, and wherein the commutating step during the wash cycle includes causing the current paths to become conductive in a first and a second preselected sequence alternately during successive time units so as to produce oscillations of the at least one rotatable component having a period equal to two successive time units.

27. The method as set forth in claim 21 further comprising the step of providing the selected first waveshape repetitively and wherein the operation of the laundry machine includes a spin cycle and the commutating step during the spin cycle includes causing the current paths to become conductive in the same sequence during successive time units so as to produce unidirectional rotation of the at least one rotatable component.

28. A method of operating an electronically commutated DC motor energized by a DC voltage provided across a pair of DC lines as a full wave rectified sinusoidal signal derived from an AC source, the motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages, and a rotatable assembly adapted to apply torque and to impart angular motion to a load selectively coupled thereto, the method comprising:

converting the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal into voltage pulses having a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal;

imposing a first control function on the operation of the motor by modulating the width of the voltage pulses in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of first waveshapes to provide a resultant effective voltage of the motor;

imposing a second control function on the operation of the motor through the pulse width modulation to selectively set the maximum amplitude of the effective voltage; and

limiting the voltage pulses to a variable time interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal during which the amplitude of thereof exceeds the amplitude of the effective voltage; and

commutating the winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in sequence;

whereby the first and second control functions jointly determine the angular velocity of the rotatable assembly.

29. A method of operating an electronically commutated DC motor in response to a control circuit, the motor being energized by a DC voltage provided across a pair of DC lines as a full wave rectified sinusoidal signal derived from an AC source with the motor having a stationary assembly including a plurality of winding stages and a rotatable assembly adapted to apply torque and to impart angular motion to a load selectively coupled thereto, and the control circuit having a plurality of current paths each including at least one of the winding stages, the method comprising:

converting the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal into voltage pulses having a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal signal;

imposing a first control function on the operation of the motor by modulating the width of the voltage pulses in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of first waveshapes to provide a resultant effective voltage to the winding stages;

imposing a second control function on the operation of the motor through the pulse width modulation to selectively set the maximum amplitude of the effective voltage;

commutating the winding stages by sequentially allowing the current paths to become conductive; and

controlling the conductivity of respective current paths with the voltage pulses when the paths are sequentially rendered conductive;

whereby the first and second control functions jointly determine the angular velocity of the rotatable assembly.

30. The method as set forth in claim 29 comprising the additional step of limiting the operation of the motor to a time interval when the ratio of the effective voltage to a peak voltage of the AC source falls within a selectively determined range.

31. The method as set forth in claim 30 comprising the additional step of imposing a third control function on the operation of the motor by setting the duration of the selected first waveshape in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

32. The method as set forth in claim 29 comprising the additional step of interrupting the commutation of the winding stages whenever the current therein exceeds a predetermined limit.

33. The method as set forth in claim 29 comprising the additional steps of:

deriving a signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable assembly;

supplying a signal having the selected first waveshape;

comparing the representative signal with the signal having the selected first waveshape to provide an error signal; and

controlling the width modulation with the error signal.

34. The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the representative signal is derived from the effective voltage.

35. The method as set forth in claim 29 wherein the commutating step includes causing the current paths to become conductive in a first and a second preselected sequence alternately during successive time units so as to produce oscillations of the rotatable assembly having a period equal to two successive time units.

36. The method as set forth in claim 29 further comprising the step of providing the selected first waveshape repetitively and wherein the commutating step includes causing the current paths to become conductive in the same sequence during successive time units so as to produce unidirectional rotation of the rotatable assembly.

37. A system for controlling the energization of an electronically commutated motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with the stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with the winding stages, the system comprising:

means for providing a first signal representative of a preselected angular velocity of the rotatable means;

means for providing a second signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means;

means for comparing the first and second signals to provide a first error signal;

switching means including a first input, an output, and a control input;

means for applying a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage to said first input;

means responsive to the first error signal for applying a regulation signal to said control input to control the duration of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at said output of said switching means, said regulation signal applying means including means for initiating a ramp signal at a predetermined time after the beginning of each of a plurality of successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and means for comparing a sum of signals at least including the ramp signal and the first error signal in each of the successive half cycles with a reference voltage and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the regulation signal and thereby initiating switching by said switching means;

filter means for connection at said output of said switching means for producing an effective voltage which varies with the controlled duration of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at said output of said switching means; and

means responsive to the angular position of the rotatable means for applying the effective voltage from said switching means output in at least one preselected sequence to the winding stages to effect rotation of the rotatable means generally at the preselected angular velocity therefor.

38. A system as set forth in claim 37 wherein said ramp signal initiating means includes means operable generally for producing pulses of electric current having a duration equal to the length of each time interval when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage exceeds a preestablished value in each of the successive half cycles, and a cpacitor charged by said means for producing the current pulses so that the voltage across the capacitor is the ramp signal, said switching means comprising means for also limiting the controlled duration of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at said output of said switching means to a single continuous interval of conduction in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage by ending the single continuous interval when the effective voltage produced by said filter means exceeds the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

39. A system as set forth in claim 37 wherein said means for providing the first signal representative of the preselected angular velocity of waveshapes, means for selecting one of the waveshapes, means for deriving the first signal from the selected one waveshape and for applying it to said means for comparing the first and second signals.

40. A system as set forth in claim 39 wherein said function generating means includes means for providing a plurality of current waveshapes, each representative of an effective current in the winding stages corresponding to a preselected upper limit of torque of the rotatable means;

said system further comprising;

means for selecting one of the current waveshapes; and

means for deriving a third signal from the selected current waveshape;

means for deriving a fourth signal representative of the actual torque developed by the rotatable means; and

means for comparing the third and fourth signals to provide a second error signal to said comparing means in said regulation signal applying means.

41. A system as set forth in claim 37 wherein said effective voltage applying means includes means for applying the effective voltage to the winding stages in first and second preselected sequences alternately;

and

said means for providing the first signal includes means for providing a plurality of waveshapes representing profiles of angular velocity of the rotatable means, and means for selecting two of the waveshapes for use during the first and second preselected sequences respectively.

42. A system as set forth in claim 37 wherein said means for providing the first signal includes function generating means for selectively providing one of a plurality of waveshapes, which represent profiles of angular velocity of the rotatable means, repetitively.

43. A system as set forth in claim 37 wherein said means for providing the first signal comprises:

memory means for storing a plurality of waveshapes at different addresses thereof, each of the waveshapes representing a profile of angular velocity of the rotatable means and comprising a set of numbers stored in successive memory locations;

means for reading out the successive memory locations corresponding to a selected one of the waveshapes to retrieve the set of numbers as digital data; and

means for converting the digital data to an analog signal which constitutes the first signal.

44. A system for controlling the energization of an electronically commutated motor from a source of full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, the motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with the stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with the winding stages, the system comprising:

means for producing an effective voltage from the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage in response to a first signal and for commutating at least some of the winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence to rotate the rotatable means;

means for deriving a first error signal as a function of the difference between the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and a desired angular velocity;

means for initiating a ramp signal at a predetermined time after the beginning of each of a plurality of successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage; and

means for comparing a sum of signals at least including the ramp signal and the first error signal in each of the successive half cycles with a reference voltage and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal to control the effective voltage producing and commutating means in each of the successive half cycles.

45. A system as set forth in claim 44 wherein said ramp signal initiating means includes means for producing pulses of electric current having a duration substantially equal to the length of each time interval when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage exceeds a preestablished value, a capacitor charged by said means for producing the current pulses so that the voltage across said capacitor is the ramp signal, and means for discharging the capacitor during intervals between the current pulses.

46. A system as set forth in claim 44, wherein said comparing means includes a comparator fed by said ramp signal initiating means with the ramp signal and fed by said first error signal deriving means with the first error signal, said comparator also being fed with the reference voltage, said comparing means further including an oscillator for supplying the first signal to said effective voltage producing and commutating means, the oscillator being enabled by said comparator when the sum exceeds the reference voltage.

47. A system as set forth in claim 44 further comprising means for terminating the first signal when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage falls below a preestablished value during the same half cycle in which the first signal was initiated.

48. A system as set forth in claim 44 further comprising means for deriving a second error signal as a function of the difference between the actual current flowing in the electronically commutated motor and a maximum desired value of current therein, said comparing means also being fed with the second error signal and comprising means for comparing with the reference voltage in each of the successive half cycles a sum of the ramp signal and the first error signal less the second error signal and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal to control said effective voltage producing and commutating means in each of the successive half cycles.

49. A system as set forth in claim 48 wherein said means for deriving the second error signal includes second means for comparing a signal representing the actual current flowing in the motor with a signal representing the maximum desired value of motor current, and upon the actual motor current exceeding the maximum desired value, supplying at least one pulse, and means for coupling with fast rise and slow decay the at least one pulse to said first named comparing means.

50. A system as set forth in claim 49 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating means includes a plurality of switching means for connection in series with the winding stages respectively, and means responsive to the angular position of the rotatable means for applying commutation signals in the at least one preselected sequence to said switching means to control their conductivity, said commutation signal applying means being temporarily disabled by said at least one pulse from said second error signal deriving means.

51. A system as set forth in claim 44 wherein said ramp signal initiating means includes means for sensing the start and end of each time interval when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage exceeds a preestablished value in each of the successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and means responsive to the sensing means for generating the ramp signal commencing with an initial value thereof at the predetermined time which is the start of each time interval and terminating the ramp signal by resetting it to the initial value at the end of each time interval.

52. A system as set forth in claim 44 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating means includes means for commutating at least some of the winding stages during successive commutation periods in a first preselected sequence and then alternately commutating at least some of the winding stages during successive commutation periods in a second preselected sequence to drive the rotatable means in forward and reverse excursions of rotation, and said first error signal deriving means includes:

means for selectively generating as a first input signal, one of a plurality of electrically varying signals corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the excursions of rotation are to be selectively made to conform, each of the excursions of rotation having substantially the same duration as the first input signal, the first input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the effective voltage during any one of the commutation periods;

means for supplying a second input signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means; and

means for comparing the first and second input signals to provide the first error signal.

53. A system as set forth in claim 44 further comprising:

circuit means for dissipating energy generated by the commutation of the winding stages, said circuit being connected to one terminal of each of the winding stages and including a first energy dissipating branch with a first control terminal, a signal on said first control terminal governing the amount of energy dissipated in said first energy dissipating branch, the energy dissipation in said first energy dissipating branch exceeding the energy to be dissipated due to commutation for some range of magnitudes of the signal on said first control terminal, and a second energy dissipating branch with a second control terminal, a signal on said second control terminal governing the magnitude of the signal on said first control terminal; and

means for supplying the signal to said second control terminal as a function of the first error signal to govern the signal on said first control terminal to increase the energy dissipated in said first energy dissipating branch above that required due to commutation whenever the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means exceeds a predetermined limit, whereby a negative torque is applied to the rotatable means.

54. A system as set forth in claim 44 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating means includes:

means responsive to the angular position of the rotatable means for generating commutation signals;

switching means respectively connected to at least some of the winding stages and responsive to the commutation signals to render said switching means conductive in the at least one preselected sequence; and

means responsive to the first signal for applying the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage across said switching means and the winding stages during a single continuous interval in each of the successive half cycles, each such interval commencing when the first signal is initiated by said comparing means.

55. A system as set forth in claim 54 wherein said applying means comprises a silicon controlled rectifier connected in series with the source of full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and the winding stages and said switching means, said silicon controlled rectifier having a gate to which the first signal from said comparing means is coupled.

56. A system as set forth in claim 55 further comprising filter means connected to said silicon controlled rectifier so that the silicon controlled rectifier terminates each single continuous interval by ceasing conduction before the end of each of the successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

57. A laundering apparatus adapted to be energized by a source of full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, the laundering apparatus comprising:

means operable generally in a washing mode in strokes of agitation for agitating water and fabrics to be laundered therein and operable generally in a spin mode for thereafter spinning the fabrics to effect centrifugal displacement of water from the fabrics;

an electronically commutated motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages associated therewith and adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with said stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with said winding stages for driving said agitating and spinning means in the washing mode operation and in the spin mode operation thereof upon the commutation of said winding stages;

means for producing an effective voltage from the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage in response to a first signal and for commutating at least some of said winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence to rotate said rotatable means;

means for deriving a first error signal as a function of the difference between the actual angular velocity of said agitating and spinning means and a desired angular velocity;

means for initiating a ramp signal at a predetermined time after the beginning of each of a plurality of successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage; and

means for comparing a sum of signals at least including the ramp signal and the first error signal in each of the successive half cycles with a reference voltage and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal to control the effective voltage producing and commutating means in each of the successive half cycles.

58. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 57 wherein said ramp signal initiating means includes means for producing pulses of electric current having a duration substantially equal to the length of each time interval when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage exceeds a preestablished value, a capacitor charged by said means for producing the current pulses so that the voltage across said capacitor is the ramp signal, and means for discharging the capacitor during intervals between the current pulses.

59. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 57 wherein said comparing means includes a comparator fed by said ramp signal initiating means with the ramp signal and fed by said first error signal deriving means with the first error signal, said comparator also being fed with the reference voltage, said comparing means further including an oscillator for supplying the first signal to said effective voltage producing and commutating means, the oscillator being enabled by said comparator when the sum exceeds the reference voltage.

60. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 57 further comprising means for terminating the first signal when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage falls below a preestablished value during the same half cycle in which the first signal was initiated.

61. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 57 further comprising means for deriving a second error signal as a function of the difference between the actual torque developed in said agitating and spinning means and a maximum desired value of torque therein, said comparing means also being fed with the second error signal and comprising means for comparing with the reference voltage in each of the successive half cycles a sum of the ramp signal and the first error signal less the second error signal and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal to control said effective voltage producing and commutating means in each of the successive half cycles.

62. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 61 wherein said means for deriving the second error signal includes second means for comparing a signal representing the actual current flowing in said motor with a signal representing the maximum desired value of motor current corresponding to the maximum desired value of torque in the agitating and spinning means, and upon the actual motor current exceeding the maximum desired value, supplying at least one pulse, and means for coupling with fast rise and slow decay the at least one pulse to said first named comparing means.

63. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 62 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating means includes a plurality of switching means for connection in series with said winding stages respectively, and means responsive to the angular position of said rotatable means for applying commutation signals in the at least one preselected sequence to said switching means to control their conductivity, said commutation signal applying means being temporarily disabled by said at least one pulse from said second error signal deriving means.

64. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 57 wherein said ramp signal initiating means includes means for sensing the start and end of each time interval when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage exceeds a preestablished value in each of the successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and means responsive to the sensing means for generating the ramp signal commencing with an initial value thereof at the predetermined time which is the start of each time interval and terminating the ramp signal by resetting it to the initial value at the end of each time interval.

65. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 57 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating means includes means for commutating at least some of said winding stages during successive commutation periods in a first preselected sequence and then alternately commutating at least some of the winding stages during successive commutation periods in a second preselected sequence to drive the agitating and spinning means in the strokes of agitation, and said first error signal deriving means includes:

means for selectively generating as a first input signal, one of a plurality of electrically varying signals corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the strokes of agitation are to be selectively made to conform, each of the strokes of agitation having substantially the same duration as the first input signal, the first input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the effective voltage during any one of the commutation periods;

means for supplying a second input signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the agitating and spinning means; and

means for comparing the first and second input signals to provide the first error signal.

66. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 67 further comprising:

circuit means for dissipating energy generated by the commutation of said winding stages, said circuit being connected to one terminal of each of said winding stages and including a first energy dissipating branch with a first control terminal, a signal on said first control terminal governing the amount of energy dissipated in said first energy dissipating branch, the energy dissipation in said first energy dissipating branch exceeding the energy to be dissipated due to commutation for some range of magnitudes of the signal on said first control terminal, and a second energy dissipating branch with a second control terminal, a signal on said second control terminal governing the magnitude of the signal on said first control terminal; and

means for supplying the signal to said second control terminal as a function of the first error signal to govern the signal on said first control terminal to increase the energy dissipated in said first energy dissipating branch above that required due to commutation whenever the actual angular velocity of said rotatable means exceeds a predetermined limit, whereby a negative torque is applied to said rotatable means.

67. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 57 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating means includes:

means responsive to the angular position of said rotatable means for generating commutation signals;

switching means respectively connected to at least some of said winding stages and responsive to the commutation signals to render said switching means conductive in the at least one preselected sequence; and

means responsive to the first signal for applying the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage across said switching means and said winding stages during a single continuous interval in each of the successive half cycles, each such interval commencing when the first signal is initiated by said comprising means.

68. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 67 wherein said applying means comprises a silicon controlled rectifier connected in series with the source of full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and said winding stages and said switching means, said silicon controlled rectifier having a gate to which the first signal from said comparing means is coupled.

69. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 68 further comprising filter means connected to said silicon controlled rectifier so that the silicon controlled rectifier terminates each single continuous interval by ceasing conduction before the end of each of the successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

70. A method for controlling the energization of an electronically commutated motor from a source of full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, the motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with the stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with the winding stages, the method comprising the steps of:

producing an effective voltage from the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage in response to a first signal and commutating at least some of the winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence to rotate the rotatable means;

deriving a first error signal as a function of the difference between the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and a desired angular velocity;

initiating a ramp signal at a predetermined time after the beginning of each of a plurality of successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage; and

comparing a sum of signals at least including the ramp signal and the first error signal in each of the successive half cycles with a reference voltage and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal for the effective voltage producing and commutating step in each of the successive half cycles.

71. The method as set forth in claim 70 wherein said ramp signal initiating step includes the steps of producing pulses of electric current having a duration substantially equal to the length of each time interval when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage exceeds a preestablished value, charging a capacitor with the current pulses so that the voltage across the capacitor is the ramp signal, and discharging the capacitor during intervals between the current pulses.

72. The method as set forth in claim 70 wherein said comparing step includes the step of supplying the first signal from an oscillator for the effective voltage producing and commutating step when the sum exceeds the reference voltage.

73. The method as set forth in claim 70 further comprising the step of terminating the first signal when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage falls below a preestablished value during the same half cycle in which the first signal was initiated.

74. The method as set forth in claim 70 further comprising the step of deriving a second error signal as a function of the difference between the actual current flowing in the electronically commutated motor and a maximum desired value of current therein, and wherein the comparing step comprises comparing with the reference voltage in each of the successive half cycles a sum of the ramp signal and the first error signal less the second error signal and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal for the effective voltage producing and commutating step in each of the successive half cycles.

75. The method as set forth in claim 74 wherein the second error signal deriving step includes comparing a signal representing the actual current flowing in the motor with a signal representing the maximum desired value of motor current, and upon the actual motor current exceeding the maximum desired value, supplying at least one pulse with fast rise and slow decay as the second error signal.

76. The method as set forth in claim 70 wherein said ramp signal initiating step includes the steps of sensing the start and end of each time interval when the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage exceeds a preestablished value in each of the successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and generating the ramp signal commencing with an initial value thereof at the predetermined time which is the start of each time interval and terminating the ramp signal by resetting it to the initial value at the end of each time interval.

77. The method as set forth in claim 70 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating step includes commutating at least some of the winding stages during successive commutation periods in a first preselected sequence and then alternately commutating at least some of the winding stages during successive commutation periods in a second preselected sequence to drive the rotatable means in forward and reverse excursions of rotation, and said first error signal deriving step includes the steps of:

selectively generating as a first input signal, one of a plurality of electrically varying signals corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the excursions of rotation are to be selectively made to conform, each of the excursions of rotation having substantially the same duration as the first input signal, the first input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the effective voltage during any one of the commutation periods;

supplying a second input signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means; and

comparing the first and second input signals to provide the first error signal.

78. The method as set forth in claim 70 further comprising the steps of:

dissipating energy generated by the commutation of the winding stages under control of a signal governing the amount of energy dissipated, the energy dissipation exceeding the energy to be dissipated due to commutation for some range of magnitudes of the signal; and

supplying the governing signal as a function of the first error signal to increase the energy dissipated above that required due to commutation whenever the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means exceeds a predetermined limit, whereby a negative torque is applied to the rotatable means.

79. A method for operating laundering apparatus adapted to be energized by a source of full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and including means operable generally in a washing mode in strokes of agitation for agitating water and fabrics to be laundered therein and operable generally in a spin mode for thereafter spinning the fabrics to effect centrifugal displacement of water from the fabrics, and an electronically commutated motor including a stationary assembly having a plurality of winding stages associated therewith and adapted to be selectively commutated, and rotatable means associated with the stationary assembly in selective magnetic coupling relation with the winding stages for driving the agitating and spinning means in the washing mode operation and in the spin mode operation thereof upon the commutation of the winding stages, the method comprising the steps of:

producing an effective voltage from the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage in response to a first signal and commutating at least some of the winding stages by applying the effective voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence to rotate the rotatable means and drive the agitating and spinning means;

deriving a first error signal as a function of the difference between the actual angular velocity of the agitating and spinning means and a desired angular velocity;

initiating a ramp signal at a predetermined time after the beginning of each of a plurality of successive half cycles of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage; and

comparing a sum of signals at least including the ramp signal and the first error signal in each of the successive half cycles with a reference voltage and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal for the effective voltage producing and commutating step in each of the successive half cycles.

80. The method as set forth in claim 79 further comprising the step of deriving a second error signal as a function of the difference between the actual torque developed in said agitating and spinning means and a maximum desired value of torque therein, and wherein the comparing step comprises comparing with the reference voltage in each of the successive half cycles a sum of the ramp signal and the first error signal less the second error signal and, upon the sum exceeding the reference voltage, initiating the first signal for the effective voltage producing and commutating step in each of the successive half cycles.

81. The method as set forth in claim 79 wherein said effective voltage producing and commutating step includes commutating at least some of the winding stages during successive commutation periods in a first preselected sequence and then alternately commutating at least some of the winding stages during successive commutation periods in a second preselected sequence to drive the agitating and spinning means in forward and reverse strokes of agitation, and said first error signal deriving step includes the steps of:

selectively generating as a first input signal, one of a plurality of electrically varying signals corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the strokes of agitation are to be selectively made to conform, each of the strokes of agitation having substantially the same duration as the first input signal, the first input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the effective voltage during any one of the commutation periods;

supplying a second input signal representative of the actual angular velocity of the agitating and spinning means; and

comparing the first and second input signals to provide the first error signal.

82. The method as set forth in claim 79 further comprising the steps of:

dissipating energy generated by the commutation of the winding stages under control of a signal governing the amount of energy dissipated, the energy dissipation exceeding the energy to be dissipated due to commutation for some range of magnitudes of the signal; and

supplying the governing signal as a function of the first error signal to increase the energy dissipated above that required due to commutation whenever the actual angular velocity of the agitating and spinning means exceeds a predetermined limit, whereby a negative torque is applied to the agitating and spinning means.