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

• US 4,532,459 A
• Filed: 07/21/1982
• Issued: 07/30/1985
• 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., Harms, Harold B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US06/400,319
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 318/138, 318/254, 318/439, 318/331, 318/342, 318/344
• US Class Current: 318/400.2
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 6/085 in a bridge configuration

Abstract

A method of operating a laundry machine. The machine has a pair of rotatable components and is driven by an electronically commutated 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. In this method, a DC voltage for application to the motor is received, and a first control function is imposed on the operation of the machine to control the application of the DC voltage in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of first waveshapes so as to provide a resultant effective voltage to the motor. A second control function is imposed on the operation of the machine through the controlled application of the DC voltage to selectively set the maximum amplitude of the effective voltage, and the winding stages are commutated by applying the effective voltage thereto in sequence whereby the first and second control function jointly determine the angular velocity of the at least one rotatable component.

A laundering apparatus, a control system for an electronically commutated motor, and a method of operating an electronically comutated motor are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A laundering apparatus comprising in combination:

at least one rotatable device for being driven in forward and reverse strokes of agitation;

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 and adapted for driving said at least one rotatable device upon the electronic commutation of said winding stages;

means for commutating said winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods;

means for controlling the voltage applied to said winding stages by said commutating means so that the applied voltage varies as a function of an input signal thereto; and

means for selectively generating 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, as the input signal to said controlling means, each of the strokes of agitation having substantially the same duration as the selectively generated one electrically varying signal, the input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

2. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also determining the duration of the selectively generated one electrically varying signal in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

3. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controlling means includes means for also decreasing the applied voltage to said winding stages whenever the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage exceeds a selected value.

4. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said controlling means includes power supply means for producing a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, means for producing the applied voltage by switching the rectified voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and means for varying the interval as a function of the input signal.

5. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said applied voltage producing means includes means for interrupting the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

6. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said power supply means comprises rectifying means adapted for connection with an AC source so as to provide the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage;

and

said applied voltage producing means further includes filter means connected between said interrupting means and said winding stages for providing the applied voltage at the output of said filter means.

7. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also selectively generating a second input signal for said controlling means, and said controlling means comprises:

means for deriving voltage and current values representative respectively of the actual angular velocity of said rotatable means and the actual torque developed thereby;

means for comparing the respective derived voltage and current values with the input signal and the second input signal respectively to provide respective voltage and current error signals; and

means for adjusting the applied voltage under control of the voltage error signal and the current error signal.

8. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the representative voltage and current values are derived from the applied voltage itself and current in said motor resulting from the applied voltage, respectively.

9. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laundering apparatus further comprises coupling means and has a wash cycle during which said rotatable device is selectively coupled to said rotatable means by said coupling means;

said commutating means including means for applying the voltage to said winding stages alternately in a first and a second preselected sequence respectively during successive time units of the wash cycle; and

said signal generating means comprising means for also initiating the first and second preselected sequences by the commutating means and for making separate selections of the input signal for the first and second preselected sequences respectively;

whereby the alternate sequencing of said winding stages produces forward and reverse strokes of agitation respectively conforming to separate selections of waveshapes.

10. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said rotatable device comprises a tub, and said laundering appatatus also has a spin cycle during which said tub is selectively coupled to said rotatable means by said coupling means;

said signal generating means initiating the same preselected sequence by said commutating means during successive time units of the spin cycle to produce unidirectional rotation of said tub.

11. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said commutating means includes:

a commutation circuit responsive to the angular position of said rotatable means to provide commutation signals;

a plurality of commutation switching means for connection in series with said winding stages, respectively; and

means for applying on command the commutation signals in forward and reverse preselected sequences to said commutation switching means to control the conductivity thereof.

12. The laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laundering apparatus further comprises means for electrically braking the rotation of said rotatable means so as to apply a negative torque to said rotatable device coupled thereto, said braking means including means for connecting a variable low impedance across said winding stages.

13. Laundering apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the plurality of waveshapes to which the strokes of agitation are to be selectively made to conform, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means.

14. A control system for 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, the control system comprising:

means for commutating the winding shapes by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to drive the rotatable means in forward and reverse excursions of rotation;

means for controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages by said commutating means so that the applied voltages varies as a function of an input signal thereto; and

means for selectively generating 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, as the input signal to said controlling means, each of the excursions of rotation having substantially the same duration as the selectively generated one electrically varying signal, the input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

15. The control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also determining the duration of the selectively generated one electrically varying signal in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

16. The control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said controlling means includes means for also decreasing the applied voltage to the winding stages whenever the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage exceeds a selected value.

17. The control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said controlling means includes power supply means for producing a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, means for producing the applied voltage by switching the rectified voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and means for varying the interval as a function of the input signal.

18. The control system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said applied voltage producing means includes means for interrupting the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

19. The control system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said power supply means comprises rectifying means adapted for connection with an AC source so as to provide the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage;

and

said applied voltage producing means further includes filter means connected between said interrupting means and the winding stages for providing the applied voltage at the output of said filter means.

20. The control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also selectively generating a second input signal for said controlling means, and said controlling means comprises:

means for deriving voltage values from the applied voltage representative of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means;

means for deriving current values from the current in the motor resulting from the applied voltage representative of the actual torque developed by the rotatable means;

means for comparing the representative derived voltage and current values with the input signal and the second input signal, respectively, to provide respective voltage and current error signals; and

means for adjusting the applied voltage under control of the voltage error signal and the current error signal.

21. The control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said commutating means includes means for also applying the voltage to the winding stages alternately in a first and a second preselected sequence, respectively, during successive time units;

and

said signal generating means comprising means for also initiating the first and second preselected sequences by the commutating means and for making separate selections of the input signal for the first and second preselected sequences, respectively;

whereby the alternate sequencing of the winding stages produces successive forward and reverse excursions of rotation respectively conforming to separate selections of waveshapes.

22. The control system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said signal generating means initiates the same preselected sequence by the commutating means during successive time units to produce undirectional rotation of the rotatable means.

23. The control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also selectively generating a second input signal for said controlling means, and said controlling means comprises means for also substantially limiting the current flowing in the winding stages to a value which is a function of the second input signal.

24. The control system as set forth in claim 14 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the plurality of waveshapes to which the excursions of rotation are to be selectively made to conform, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means.

25. A control system for 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, the control system comprising:

means for commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to produce a torque and drive the rotatable means in forward and reverse excursions of rotation;

means for controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages by said commutating means so that the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage varies as a function of an input signal thereto; and

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

26. The control system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also determining the duration of the selectively generated one electrically varying signal in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

27. The control system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said controlling means includes means for also decreasing the applied voltage to the winding stages whenever the applied voltage exceeds a selected value.

28. The control system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said controlling means includes power supply means for producing a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, means for producing the applied voltage by switching the rectified voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and means for varying the interval as a function of the input signal.

29. The control system as set forth in claim 28 wherein said applied voltage producing means includes means for interrupting the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

30. The control system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also selectively generating a second input signal for said controlling means, and said controlling means comprises:

means for deriving voltage and current values respresentative respectively of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and of the actual torque developed by the rotatable means;

means for comparing the respective derived current and voltage values with the input signal and the second input signal respectively to provide respective current and voltage error signals; and

means for adjusting the applied voltage under control of the current error signal and the voltage error signal.

31. The control system as set forth in claim 30 wherein the representative current values are derived from the current in the motor resulting from the applied voltage.

32. The control system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the plurality of waveshapes to which the torque during the excursions of rotation is to be selectively made to conform, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means.

33. A method of operating a laundry machine driven by an electronically commutated motor, the laundry machine including at least one rotatable device for being driven in forward and reverse strokes of agitation, and the 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 and adapted for driving the at least one rotatable device upon the electronic commutation of the winding stages, the method comprising the steps of:

commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods;

selectively generating 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 selectively generated one electrically varying signal; and

controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages in the commutating step so that the applied voltage varies as a function of the one electrically varying signal, the one electrically varying signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

34. The method as set forth in claim 33 comprising the additional step of setting the duration of the selectively generated one electrically varying signal in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

35. The method as set forth in claim 33 comprising the additional step of interrupting the applied voltage whenever the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage exceeds a predetermined limit.

36. The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the controlling step comprises applying a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and regulating the length of the interval in accordance with the selectively generated one electrically varying signal.

37. The method as set forth in claim 36 wherein the controlling step also includes producing the applied voltage by interrupting the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

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

selectively generating a second electrical signal;

deriving voltage and current values representative respectively of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and of the actual torque applied by it;

comparing the representative voltage and current values with the selectively generated one electrically varying signal and the selectively generated second electrical signal respectively to provide respective voltage and current error signals; and

the controlling step including adjusting the applied voltage under control of the error signals.

39. The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the laundry machine has a wash operation mode during which the commutating step includes applying the voltage to the winding stages alternately in a first and a second preselected sequence during successive time units so as to effect oscillations of the rotatable device having a period equal to two successive time units during the wash operating mode.

40. The method as set forth in claim 39 wherein the signal generating step includes selectively generating separate ones of the plurality of electrically varying signals during the first and second preselected sequence, respectively, whereby the alternate sequencing of the winding stages produces successive forward and reverse strokes of agitation respectively conforming to separate selections of waveshapes.

41. The method as set forth in claim 39 wherein the laundry machine also has a spin operating mode during which the commutating step further includes applying the voltage repetitively in the same preselected sequence to the winding stages during successive time units so as to effect unidirectional rotation of the rotatable device during the spin operating mode.

42. The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the laundry machine has a plurality of operating modes defining laundry conditions, and comprising the additional steps of:

selecting one of the operating modes; and

automatically imposing a predetermined combination of preselected sequence in the commutating step and of the selected one electrically varying signal in the signal generating step for the selected one operating mode.

43. The method as set forth in claim 33 wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:

electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the plurality of waveshapes to which the strokes of agitation are to be selectively made to conform;

selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values; and

successively supplying at a controlled rate the scaled values of the selected one set as the one electrically varying signal.

44. A method of operating a laundry machine driven by an electronically commutated motor, the laundry machine including at least one rotatable device for being driven by a torque in forward and reverse strokes of agitation, and the 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 and adapted for driving the at least one rotatable device upon the electronic commutation of the winding stages, the method comprising the steps of:

46. The method as set forth in claim 44 comprising the additional step of setting the duration of the selectively generated one electrically varying signal in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

47. The method as set forth in claim 44 comprising the additional step of reducing the applied voltage whenever the applied voltage exceeds a predetermined limit.

48. The method as set forth in claim 44 wherein the controlling step comprises producing the applied voltage by switching a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and regulating the length of the interval in accordance with the selectively generated one electrically varying signal.

49. The method as set forth in claim 44 wherein the controlling step comprises producing the applied voltage by interrupting a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

50. The method as set forth in claim 44 comprising the additional steps of

selectively generating a second electrical signal;

deriving voltage and current values representative respectively of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and of the actual torque applied by the rotatable means;

comparing the representative voltage and current values to the the selectively generated second electrical signal and the selectively generated one electrically varying signal respectively to provide voltage and current error signals; and

the controlling step including adjusting the applied voltage under control of the error signals.

51. The method as set forth in claim 44 wherein the laundry machine has a wash cycle during which the commutating step includes applying the voltage to the winding stages alternately in a first and a second preselected sequence during successive time units so as to effect oscillations of the rotatable device having a period equal to two successive time units during the wash cycle.

52. The method as set forth in claim 50 wherein the laundry machine also has a spin cycle during which the commutating step further includes applying the voltage repetitively in the same preselected sequence to the winding stages during successive time units so as to effect unidirectional rotation of the rotatable device.

53. The method as set forth in claim 44 wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:

electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the plurality of waveshapes to which the torque during the strokes of agitation is to be selectively made to conform;

selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values; and

successively supplying at a controlled rate the scaled values of the selected one set as the one electrically varying signal.

55. The method as set forth in in claim 53 comprising the additional step of setting the duration of the selectively generated one electrically varying signal in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

56. The method as set forth in claim 53 comprising the additional step of interrupting the applied voltage whenever the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage exceeds a predetermined limit.

57. The method as set forth in claim 53 wherein the controlling step includes applying a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and regulating the length of the interval in accordance with the selectively generated one electrically varying signal.

58. The method as set forth in claim 56 wherein the controlling step also comprises producing the applied voltage by interrupting the rectified sinusoidal voltage at a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

59. The method as set forth in claim 53 comprising the additional steps of:

selectively generating a second electrical signal;

deriving voltage and current values representative respectively of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and of the torque applied by it;

comparing the representative voltage and current values with the selectively generated one electrically varying signal and the selectively generated second electrical signal respectively to provide respective voltage and current error signals; and

the controlling step including adjusting the applied voltage under control of the error signals.

60. The method as set forth in claim 58 wherein the representative voltage and current values are derived from the applied voltage and the current flowing in the motor resulting from the applied voltage, respectively.

61. The method as set forth in claim 53 wherein the commutating step includes applying the voltage to the winding stages alternately in a first and a second preselected sequence respectively during successive time units so as to produce oscillations of the rotatable means having a period equal to two successive time units.

62. The method as set forth in claim 60 wherein the commutating step further includes applying the voltage repetitively in the same preselected sequence to the winding stages during successive time units so as to produce unidirectional rotation of the rotatable means.

63. The method as set forth in claim 53 wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:

electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the plurality of waveshapes to which the excursions of rotation are to be selectively made to conform;

selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values; and

successively supplying at a controlled rate the scaled values of the selected one set as the one electrically varying signal.

65. The method as set forth in claim 63 comprising the additional step of setting the duration of the selectively generated one electrically varying signal in accordance with a time unit of selectively defined length.

66. The method as set forth in claim 63 comprising the additional step of reducing the applied voltage whenever the applied voltage exceeds a predetermined limit.

67. The method as set forth in claim 63 wherein the controlling step comprises producing the applied voltage by switching a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage and regulating the length of the interval in accordance with the selectively generated one electrically varying signal.

68. The method as set forth in claim 63 wherein the controlling step includes producing the applied voltage by interrupting a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage at a frequency which is high with respect to the frequency of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage.

69. The method as set forth in claim 63 comprising the additional steps of

selectively generating a second electrical signal;

deriving voltage and current values representative respectively of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and of the actual torque applied by the rotatable means;

comparing the representative voltage and current values to the the selectively generated second electrical signal and the selectively generated one electrically varying signal respectively to provide voltage and current error signals; and

the controlling step including adjusting the applied voltage under control of the error signals.

70. The method as set forth in claim 63 wherein the commutating step includes applying the voltage to the winding stages alternately in a first preselected sequence and a second preselected sequence during successive time units so as to effect oscillations of the rotatable means having a period equal to two successive time units.

71. The method as set forth in claim 69 wherein the commutating step further includes applying the voltage repetitively in the same preselected sequence to the winding stages during successive time units so as to effect unidirectional rotation of the rotatable means.

72. The method as set forth in claim 63 wherein the generating step comprises the steps of:

electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the plurality of waveshapes to which the torque during the excursions of rotation is to be selectively made to conform;

selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values; and

successively supplying at a controlled rate the scaled values of the selected one set as the one electrically varying signal.

74. The laundry apparatus as set forth in claim 72 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the selected waveshapes, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means.

75. The laundry apparatus as set forth in claim 72 wherein said controlling means includes means for also decreasing the applied voltage to said winding stages whenever the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage exceeds a selected value.

76. The laundry apparatus as set forth in claim 72 wherein said controlling means includes power supply means for producing a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, means for producing the applied voltage by switching the rectified voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and means for varying the interval as a function of the input signal.

78. The apparatus as set forth in claim 76 wherein said at least one rotatable device comprises 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.

79. The apparatus as set forth in claim 76 wherein said commutating means includes:

a commutation circuit responsive to the angular position of said rotatable means to provide commutation signals;

a plurality of commutation switching means for connection in series with said winding stages, respectively; and

means for applying on command the commutation signals in forward and reverse preselected sequences to said commutation switching means to control the conductivity thereof.

80. The apparatus as set forth in claim 76 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the selected waveshapes, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means.

81. The apparatus as set forth in claim 76 wherein said controlling means includes means for also decreasing the applied voltage to said winding stages whenever the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage exceeds a selected value.

83. The control circuit as set forth in claim 81 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also selectively generating a second input signal for said controlling means, and said controlling means comprises:

means for deriving voltage and current values representative respectively of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and the actual torque developed thereby;

means for comparing the respective derived current and voltage values with the input signal and the second input signal respectively to provide respective current and voltage error signals; and

means for adjusting the applied voltage under control of the current error signal and the voltage error signal.

84. The control circuit as set forth in claim 81 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the selected waveshapes, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means.

86. The control circuit as set forth in claim 84 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for also selectively generating a second input signal for said controlling means, and said controlling means comprises:

means for deriving voltage and current values representative respectively of the actual angular velocity of the rotatable means and the actual torque developed thereby;

means for comparing the respective derived voltage and current values with the input signal and the second input signal respectively to provide respective voltage and current error signals; and

means for adjusting the applied voltage under control of the voltage error signal and the current error signal.

87. The control circuit as set forth in claim 84 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on the selected waveshapes, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means.

89. The control circuit as set forth in claim 87 wherein said controlling means includes means for also decreasing the applied voltage to said winding stages whenever the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage exceeds a selected value.

90. The control circuit as set forth in claim 87 wherein said controlling means includes power supply means for producing a full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, means for producing the applied voltage by switching the rectified voltage during a single continuous interval in each half cycle of the full wave rectified sinusoidal voltage, and means for varying the interval as a function of the input signal.

92. The electronically commutated motor system as set forth in claim 90 wherein said signal generating means comprises means for electrically storing set of values corresponding to points on the selected waveshapes, and for selecting two of the sets of values and scaling the values, and at a controlled rate successively supplying the scaled values of the selected two sets as the first and second input signals to said controlling means.

45. commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods;

selectively generating one of a plurality of electrically varying signals, corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the torque during the strokes of agitation is to be selectively made to conform, each of the strokes of agitation having substantially the same duration as the selectively generated one electrically varying signal; and

controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages in the commutating step so that the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage varies as a function of the one electrically varying signal, the one signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

54. A method of operating 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, the method comprising the steps of:

commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to drive the rotatable means in forward and reverse excusions of rotation;

selectively generating 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 selectively generated one electrically varying signal; and

controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages in the commutating step so that the applied voltage varies as a function of the one electrically varying signal, the one signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

64. A method of operating 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, the method comprising the steps of:

commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to produce a torque and drive the rotatable means in forward and reverse excursions of rotation;

selectively generating one of a plurality of electrically varying signals, corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the torque during the excursions of rotation is to be selectively made to conform, each of the excursions of rotation having substantially the same duration as the selectively generated one electrically varying signal; and

controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages in the commutating step so that the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage varies as a function of the one electrically varying signal, the one signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

73. A laundry 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, a multi-stage winding arrangement associated with said stationary assembly and having a plurality of winding stages adapted to be commutated in a plurality of preselected sequences, and rotatable means rotatably associated with said stationary assembly and arranged 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 commutating winding stages during successive commutation periods by applying a voltage thereto in one of the preselected sequences to effect the spin mode operation of the agitating and spinning means and by applying the voltage thereto in both the one preselected sequence and another preselected sequence to effect the washing mode operation of said agitating and spinning means;

means for controlling the voltage applied to said winding stages by said commutating means so that the applied voltage varies as a function of an input signal thereto; and

means for selectively generating one at a time of a plurality of electrically varying signals respectively corresponding to selected waveshapes to which the agitation and spinning of said agitating and spinning means are to be made to conform during the washing and spin mode operations thereof, as the input signal to said controlling means, the input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshapes substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during each of the commutation periods.

77. An apparatus comprising in combination:

at least one rotatable device for being driven in opposite directions;

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 and adapted for driving said at least one rotatable device upon the electronic commutation of said winding stages;

means for commutating said winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods;

means for controlling the voltage applied to said winding stages by said commutating means so that the applied voltage varies as a function of an input signal thereto; and

means for selectively generating one of a plurality of electrically varying signals corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which rotation of said at least one rotatable device is to be selectively made to conform in at least one direction, as the input signal to said controlling means, the rotation of said at least one rotatable device in that direction having substantially the same duration as the selectively generated one electrically varying signal, the input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

82. A control circuit for a system including an electronically commutated motor having 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, and further including means for commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to drive the rotatable means in oppositely directed excursions of rotation, the control circuit comprising:

means for controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages by the commutating means so that the current flowing in the winding stages as a result of the applied voltage varies as a function of an input signal to the controlling means; and

means for selectively generating one of a plurality of electrically varying signals, corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the current flowing in the winding stages during the excursions of rotation is to be selectively made to conform, as the input signal to said controlling means, the input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

85. A control circuit for a system including an electronically commutated motor having 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 and further including means for commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to drive the rotatable means in oppositely directed excursions of rotation, the control circuit comprising:

means for controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages by the commutating means so that the applied voltage varies as a function of an input signal thereto; and

means for selectively generating 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, as the input signal to said controlling means, the input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.

88. A control circuit for a system including an electronically commutated motor having 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 and further including means for commutating the winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to drive the rotatable means in oppositely directed excursions of rotation, the control circuit comprising:

means for controlling the voltage applied to the winding stages by the commutating means so that the applied voltage varies as a function of an input signal thereto;

means for providing a signal at a rate corresponding to angular velocity of the rotatable means to the commutation means to cause the commutation means to progress through the at least one preselected sequence; and

means for electrically storing sets of values corresponding to points on a plurality of waveshapes to which the excursions of rotation are to be selectively made to conform, and for selecting one of the sets of values and scaling the values, and successively supplying the scaled values of the selected one set as the input signal to said controlling means, the scaled values being supplied at a controlled rate independent of the angular velocity of the rotatable means.

91. An electronically commutated motor system comprising:

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;

means for commutating said winding stages by applying a voltage thereto in at least one preselected sequence during successive commutation periods thereby to drive said rotatable means in forward and reverse excursions of rotation;

means for providing a signal at a rate corresponding to angular velocity of the rotatable means to the commutation means to cause the commutation means to progress through the at least one preselected sequence;

means for controlling the voltage applied to said winding stages by the commutating means so that the applied voltage varies as a function of a first input signal and for also substantially limiting the maximum current flowing in the winding stages to a value which is a function of a second input signal; and

means for selectively generating two of a plurality of electrical signals as the first and second input signals to said controlling means, the first input signal corresponding to one of a plurality of waveshapes to which the excursions of rotation are to be selectively made to conform, the first input signal being variable over many commutation periods in accordance with the selected waveshape substantially independently from any variation of the applied voltage during any one of the commutation periods.