Plural motor fan system with improved speed control

• US 4,988,930 A
• Filed: 04/25/1990
• Issued: 01/29/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Automotive Ltd (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Automotive Ltd (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Oberheide, George C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US07/514,238
• Time in Patent Office: 279 Days
• Field of Search: 318/41, 318/42, 318/49, 318/50, 318/59, 318/66, 318/67, 318/68, 318/79, 318/80, 318/82, 318/83, 318/111, 318/112, 318/113, 318/244, 318/245, 318/246, 318/249
• US Class Current: 318/82
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/048 using electrical drives
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 25/166 using fans
• CPC Class Codes: F04D 27/004 by varying driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 5/68 controlling two or more dc dynamo-electric motors H02P5/46, H02P5/60 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 5/685 electrically connected in series, i.e. carrying the same current
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

A two motor assembly for driving two fan blades to move air through a heat exchanger comprising a first two speed DC motor comprising magnets for establishing a fixed magnetic field, an armature rotor rotatable to drive a first fan blade, a multiplicity of armature coil turns on the armature rotor, a commutator assembly on the armature rotor, and sets of brushes including a tap brush cooperating with the commutator assembly to alternatively operate the two speed DC motor (1) is a first speed mode wherein (A) a system voltage is applied and distributed across all of the multiplicity of armature coil turns to produce a net total back EMF and armature reaction interacting with the magnetic field to cause the armature rotor to rotate in the first speed mode and (B) a tap voltage intermediate the system voltage reduced across a predetermined number of armature coil turns less than all of the multiplicity of armature coil turns is provided through the tap brush and (2) a different second speed mode. Circuitry is provided for alternatively (1) applying the tap voltage across the armature coil of a second DC motor so as to operate the second DC motor in a first speed mode when said first two speed DC motor is operated in the first speed mode thereof and (2) applying the system voltage across the armature coil of the second DC motor so as to operate the second DC motor in a second speed mode when the first two speed DC motor is operated in the second speed mode.

Claims

1. A two motor assembly for driving two fan blades to move air through a heat exchanger for an automotive engine comprising:

a first two speed DC motor comprising

means for establishing a first fixed magnetic motor field;

armature rotor means rotatable to drive a first fan blade;

a multiplicity of armature coil turns on said armature rotor means;

commutator means on said armature rotor means electrically connected with said multiplicity of armature coil turns and;

brush means including tap brush means cooperating with said commutator means to alternatively operate said first two speed DC motor (1) in a first speed mode wherein (A) a system voltage is applied and distributed across all of said multiplicity of armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force (EMF) and armature reaction interacting with said first magnetic field to cause said armature rotor means to rotate in said first speed mode and (B) a tap voltage intermediate the system voltage reduced across a predetermined number of armature coil turns less than all of the multiplicity of armature coil turns is provided through said tap brush means and (2) a different second speed mode;

a second DC motor including rotor means for driving a second fan blade and cooperating field means and armature coil means for rotating said rotor means;

and means for alternatively (1) applying said tap voltage across the armature coil means of said second DC motor so as to operate said second DC motor in a first speed mode when said first two speed DC motor is operated in the first speed mode thereof and (2) applying a system voltage across the armature coil means of said second DC motor so as to operate said second DC motor in a second speed mode when said first two speed DC motor is operated in said second speed mode.

2. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said commutator means includes two separate commutators, one of said two commutators being electrically connected to said predetermined number of armature coil turns, the other of said commutators being electrically connected with a remaining number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns which are not included in said predetermined number, said brush means including two sets of brushes, one set of which cooperates with said one commutator and includes one tap brush means, the other set of which cooperates with said other commutator and includes another tap brush means, said two sets of brushes being connected in series electrically through electrical connection of the tap brush means thereof, to apply the system voltage for distribution by said two commutators across all of said multiplicity of armature coil turns to cause said armature rotor means to rotate in said first speed mode with said tap brush means providing said tap voltage, said other set of brushes providing said different second speed mode by applying system voltage for distribution by said other commutator across said remaining number of armature coil turns to cause said armature rotor means to rotate in said second speed mode while said one set of brushes, said one commutator and said predetermined number of armature coil turns electrically connected thereto are electrically inoperable.

3. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said predetermined number of armature coil turns is less than one half of the total number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns.

4. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined number of armature coil turns is approximately one quarter of the total number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns.

5. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein said voltage applying means includes two switches, one of which is operable to cause said first and second DC motors to operate in their respective first speed modes and the other of which is operable to cause said first and second DC motors to operate in their respective second speed modes.

6. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 5 wherein said first two speed DC motor includes means for suppressing radio frequency interference originating from said first two speed DC motor, and operable to suppress radio frequency interference originating from said second DC motor so as to eliminate the need to provide redundant radio frequency suppressing means for suppressing radio frequency interference originating from said second DC motor.

7. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein said second DC motor comprises a second two speed DC motor, said field means being operable to establish a second fixed magnetic motor field, said rotor means comprising a second armature rotor means, said armature coil means comprising a multiplicity of second armature coil turns on said second armature rotor means, said alternative voltage applying means including two second commutators on said second armature rotor means, one of said two second commutators being electrically connected with a predetermined number of said second armature coil turns, the other of said two second commutators being electrically connected with a remaining number of said multiplicity of second armature coil turns which are not included in said predetermined number, and two sets of second brushes, one set of which cooperates with said one second commutator and the other set of which cooperates with said other second commutator to alternatively operate said second DC motor (1) in said first speed mode wherein said first mentioned tap voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes for distribution by said other second commutator across said remaining number of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in said first speed mode, (2) in said second speed mode wherein (A) the system voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes and distributed by said other second commutator across said remaining number of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in said second speed mode, said voltage applying means being operable to operate said first and second motors in third speed modes wherein (1) the system voltage is applied across said predetermined number of second armature coil turns, and all of said multiplicity of first mentioned armature coil turns through said first-mentioned brush means (A) so that the voltage distributed by said first-mentioned commutator means across all of said multiplicity of said first-mentioned armature coil turns produces a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said first magnetic field to cause said first mentioned armature rotor means to rotate in a third speed mode and (B) so that a second tap voltage intermediate the system voltage reduced across said predetermined number of said second armature coil turns and said predetermined number of said first mentioned armature coil turns is provided through said tap brush means and (2) said second tap voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes and distributed by said other second commutator across the remaining number of said multiplicity of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in a third speed mode.

8. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said predetermined number of armature coil turns is less than one half of the total number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns.

9. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 8 wherein said predetermined number of armature coil turns is approximately one quarter of the total number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns.

10. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said voltage applying means includes two switches, one of which is operable to cause said first and second DC motors to operate in their respective first speed modes and the other of which is operable to cause said first and second DC motors to operate in their respective second speed modes.

11. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said first two speed DC motor includes means for suppressing radio frequency interference originating from said first two speed DC motor, and operable to suppress radio frequency interference originating from said second DC motor so as to eliminate the need to provide separate radio frequency suppressing means for suppressing radio frequency interference originating from said second DC motor.

12. A two motor assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said second DC motor comprises a second two speed DC motor, said field means being operable to establish a second fixed magnetic motor field, said rotor means comprising a second armature rotor means, said armature coil means comprising a multiplicity of second armature coil turns on said second armature rotor means, said alternative voltage applying means including two second commutators on said second armature rotor means, one of said two second commutators being electrically connected with a predetermined number of said second armature coil turns, the other of said two second commutators being electrically connected with a remaining number of said multiplicity of second armature coil turns which are not included in said predetermined number, and two sets of second brushes, one set of which cooperates with said one second commutator and the other set of which cooperates with said other second commutator to alternatively operate said second DC motor (1) in said first speed mode wherein said first mentioned tap voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes for distribution by said other second commutator across said remaining number of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in said first speed mode, (2) in said second speed mode wherein (A) the system voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes and distributed by said other second commutator across said remaining number of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in said second speed mode, said voltage applying means being operable to operate said first and second motors in third speed modes wherein (1) the system voltage is applied across said predetermined number of second armature coil turns and all of said multiplicity of first mentioned armature coil turns through said first-mentioned brush means (A) so that the voltage distributed by said first-mentioned commutator means across all of said multiplicity of said first-mentioned armature coil turns produces a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said first magnetic field to cause said first mentioned armature rotor means to rotate in a third speed mode and (B) so that a second tap voltage intermediate the system voltage reduced across said predetermined number of said second armature coil turns and said predetermined number of said first mentioned armature coil turns is provided through said tap brush means and (2) said second tap voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes and distributed by said other second commutator across the remaining number of said multiplicity of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in a third speed mode.

13. A fan system for use in moving air through a heat exchanger for an automotive engine comprising

shroud means adapted to be operatively associated with the heat exchanger so as to receive air after it has passed through the heat exchanger,

said shroud means having air discharge opening means therein for allowing air received therein which has passed through the heat exchanger to be discharged therefrom,

separate first and second fan blade means mounted for separate rotational movement within said shroud means to cause air to flow into the shroud means through the heat exchanger and to flow out of the shroud means through the discharge opening means thereof,

a first two speed DC motor having armature rotor means rotatable to drive said first fan blade means, said first motor comprising

means for establishing a first fixed magnetic field;

a multiplicity of armature coil turns on said armature rotor means;

commutator means on said armature rotor means electrically connected with said multiplicity of armature coil turns and;

brush means including tap brush means cooperating with said commutator means to alternatively operate said first two speed DC motor (1) in a first speed mode wherein (A) a system voltage is applied and distributed across all of said multiplicity of armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said first magnetic field to cause said armature rotor means to rotate in said first speed mode and (B) a tap voltage intermediate the system voltage reduced across a predetermined number of armature coil turns less than the entire multiplicity of armature coil turns is produced through said tap brush means and (2) a different second speed mode;

a second DC motor including rotor means rotatable to drive said second fan blade means and cooperating field means and armature coil means for rotating said rotor means;

and means for alternatively (1) applying said tap voltage across the armature coil means of said second DC motor so as to operate said second DC motor in a first speed mode when said first two speed DC motor is operated in the first speed mode thereof and (2) applying a system voltage across the armature coil means of said second DC motor so as to operate said second DC motor in a second speed mode when said first two speed DC motor is operated in said second speed mode.

14. A fan system as defined in claim 13 wherein said commutator means includes two separate commutators, one of said two commutators being electrically connected to said predetermined number of armature coil turns, the other of said commutators being electrically connected with a remaining number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns which are not included in said predetermined number, said brush means including two sets of brushes, one set of which cooperates with said one commutator and includes one tap brush means, the other set of which cooperates with said other commutator and includes other tap brush means, said two sets of brushes being connected in series electrically through electrical connection of the tap brush means thereof to apply the system voltage for distribution by said two commutators across all of said multiplicity of armature coil turns to cause said armature rotor means to rotate in said first speed mode with the tap brush means providing said tap voltage, said other set of brushes providing said different second speed mode by applying system voltage for distribution by said other commutator across said remaining number of armature coil turns to cause said armature rotor means to rotate in said second speed mode while said one set of brushes, said one commutator and said predetermined number of armature coil turns electrically connected thereto are electrically inoperable.

15. A fan system as defined in claim 13 wherein said predetermined number of armature coil turns is less than one half of the total number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns.

16. A fan system as defined in claim 15 wherein said predetermined number of armature coil turns is approximately one quarter of the total number of said multiplicity of armature coil turns.

17. A fan system as defined in claim 13 wherein said voltage applying means includes two switches, one of which is operable to cause said first and second DC motors to operate in their respective first speed modes and the other of which is operable to cause said first and second DC motors to operate in their respective second speed modes.

18. A fan system as defined in claim 17 wherein said shroud means includes means for providing a first flow path within said shroud means for said first fan blade means and a separate second flow path within said shroud means for said second fan blade means, said voltage applying means including further switches for independently controlling the operation of said first and second DC motors separately.

19. A fan system as defined in claim 13 wherein said first two speed DC motor includes means for suppressing radio frequency interference originating from said first two speed DC motor, and operable to suppress radio frequency interference originating from said second DC motor so as to eliminate the need to provide separate radio frequency suppressing means for suppressing radio frequency interference originating from said second DC motor.

20. A fan system as defined in claim 13 wherein said second DC motor comprises a second two speed DC motor, said field means being operable to establish a second fixed magnetic motor field, said rotor means comprising a second armature rotor means, said second armature coil means comprising a multiplicity of second armature coil turns on said second armature rotor means, said alternative voltage applying means including two second commutators on said second armature rotor means, one of said two second commutators being electrically connected with a predetermined number of said second armature coil turns, the other of said two second commutators being electrically connected with a remaining number of said multiplicity of second armature coil turns which are not included in said predetermined number, and two sets of second brushes, one set of which cooperates with said one second commutator and the other set of which cooperates with said other second commutator to alternatively operate said second DC motor (1) in said first speed mode wherein said first mentioned tap voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes for distribution by said other second commutator across said remaining number of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in said first speed mode, (2) in said second speed mode wherein (A) the system voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes and distributed by said other second commutators across said remaining number of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in said second speed mode, said voltage applying means being operable to operate said first and second motors in third speed modes wherein (1) the system voltage is applied across said predetermined number of second armature coil turns, and all of said multiplicity of first mentioned armature coil turns through said first-mentioned brush means (A) so that the voltage distributed by said first-mentioned commutator means across all of said multiplicity of said first-mentioned armature coil turns produces a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said first magnetic field to cause said first mentioned armature rotor means to rotate in a third speed mode and (B) so that a second tap voltage intermediate the system voltage reduced across said predetermined number of said second armature coil turns and said predetermined number of said first mentioned armature coil turns is provided through said tap brush means and (2) said second tap voltage is applied through said other set of second brushes and distributed by said other second commutator across the remaining number of said multiplicity of second armature coil turns to produce a net total back electro-motive force and armature reaction interacting with said second magnetic field to cause said second armature rotor means to rotate in a third speed mode.