Process and a control device for a motor output suitable for being controlled through a communication bus

• US 6,294,889 B1
• Filed: 05/01/1998
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric SA (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric SA (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Briant, Joseph, Ganier, André, Gerard, Alain
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US09/070,722
• Time in Patent Office: 1,243 Days
• Field of Search: 318/473, 318/472, 318/798, 318/778, 318/806, 318/779, 318/16, 318/6, 318/7, 318/8, 318/434, 318/600, 361/20-33, 361/93, 361/94, 364/926.5, 364/926.9, 364/DIG.2, 370/449, 370/94.1, 370/475, 370/99, 370/85.1, 340/825.08, 706/904, 706/908, 706/28, 706/916
• US Class Current: 318/473
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/03 Application domotique, e.g. for house automation, bus connected switches, sensors, loads or intelligent wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/0822 Integrated protection, motor control centres
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 5/51 Direct ratio control
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 70/30 Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/14 Protecting elements, switches, relays or circuit breakers
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/20 End-user application control systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 706/916 Electronic or computer, internal or network, circuit

Abstract

This invention relates to a control device for a motor output (DM) comprising electrical control and protection switchgear (CD) for a motor (M) receiving contact information (a1, a2, a3) connected to the electrical switchgear (CD) and its output controlling at least one control device (KM) that controls starting or stopping the motor (M) and also receiving information from a remote sensor (C) and communicating with a “master” network controller (PLC) through a communication bus (B), characterized by the fact that the electronics (E) comprises means of locally controlling the control device (KM) stopping the motor (M) as soon as the remote sensor (C) is activated during an operating phase of the motor output and means of sending information corresponding to this stop on the bus (B) to the “master” module (PLC).

Claims

1. A process for controlling a motor, comprising:

locally controlling starting and stopping of a motor using a local control device remotely connected to a master controller;

monitoring said motor with a sensor which can be activated by an information condition of an automation system;

stopping the motor using the local control device when information from the sensor is received by the local control device indicating that the sensor is in an activated state;

stopping said local control device when the sensor is activated by the automation system;

sending stop information from the local control device to said master controller indicating the motor has stopped;

sending a command from the master controller, after receipt of the stop information, to the local controller for the local controller to unlock the local control device controlling the motor; and

sending a start command from the master controller to the local controller to start the motor and switching the sensor out of the activated state after sending the start command.

2. A process as recited in claim 1, comprising:

stopping said motor as soon as possible when the information from the sensor is received by the local control device indicating that the sensor is in the activated state.

3. A process as recited in claim 1, comprising:

controlling starting and stopping of the motor using switch equipment located between a power source for the motor and the motor;

stopping the motor using the switch equipment; and

waiting for the sensor to be switched out of the activated state; and

starting the motor after the waiting step.

4. A device for controlling a motor connected to a power source, comprising:

a local controller having a switching device adapted to be connected between the motor and the power supply;

electronics connected to said switching device and via a bus to a master controller;

wherein said electronics is adapted to receive input from a sensor monitoring said motor and from said switching device and monitor said switching device via an output in order to stop said motor and switching device upon receipt from said sensor of input indicating said sensor is in an active state, and to send information to said master controller located remote from said local controller indicating said motor is stopped and receive stop information from said master controller confirming said motor is stopped that enables said motor to be unlocked and to control said motor when it receives start information.

5. A device as recited in claim 4, wherein:

said switching device comprises a motor circuit breaker associated with a contactor.

6. A device as recited in claim 4, wherein said electronics is adapted to stop said motor as soon as possible when said input from said sensor is received indicating that said sensor is in said active state.

7. A device for controlling a motor connected to a power source, comprising:

a local controller controlling a switching device adapted to be connected between the motor and the power supply; and

electronics connected to said switch and comprising;

means for receiving input from a sensor monitoring said motor and from the switching device;

means for outputting to activate the switching device so as to stop said motor upon receipt from said sensor of input indicating said sensor is in an active state;

means for sending information to a master controller located remote from said local controller indicating said motor is stopped;

means for receiving stop information from said master controller confirming said motor is stopped;

means for unlocking said motor after receiving said stop information; and

means for starting said motor after receiving start information and input from said sensor indicating said sensor is not in said active state.

8. A device as recited in claim 7, wherein:

said means for stopping said motor and placing said motor in a locked condition comprises a motor circuit breaker associated with a contactor.

9. A device as recited in claim 7, wherein said electronics comprises:

means for stopping said motor as soon as possible when said input from said sensor is received indicating that said sensor is in said active state.