Method and apparatus to control a variable speed motor
First Claim
1. A method for controlling an electronically commutated motor (ECM) using an air moving system, the system including a controller and an interface board, the interface board electrically coupled to the controller, the ECM electrically coupled to the interface board and including a motor controller having an ECM program, the interface board including a mode signal circuit and a tap signal circuit, said method comprising:
- transmitting control signals to the interface board;
providing the control signals as positive half-wave rectified 24 VAC signals to the interface board;
regulating the half-wave rectified 24 VAC control signals;
translating the control signals into signals for controlling the ECM; and
operating the ECM based on the translated signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling an electronically commutated motor (ECM) using an air moving system including a controller and an interface board, the interface board electrically coupled to the controller. The ECM electrically coupled to the interface board. The ECM includes a motor controller having an ECM program and the interface board includes a mode signal circuit and a tap signal circuit. The method includes transmitting control signals to the interface board, translating the signals into signals suitable for controlling the ECM, and operating the ECM based on the translated signals.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for controlling an electronically commutated motor (ECM) using an air moving system, the system including a controller and an interface board, the interface board electrically coupled to the controller, the ECM electrically coupled to the interface board and including a motor controller having an ECM program, the interface board including a mode signal circuit and a tap signal circuit, said method comprising:
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transmitting control signals to the interface board;
providing the control signals as positive half-wave rectified 24 VAC signals to the interface board;
regulating the half-wave rectified 24 VAC control signals;
translating the control signals into signals for controlling the ECM; and
operating the ECM based on the translated signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
transmitting signals from the thermostat to the controller; and
transmitting control signals from the controller to the interface board.
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3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein regulating the half-wave rectified 24 VAC control signals comprises:
providing continuous and stable voltage signals to the mode signal circuit.
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4. A method in accordance with claim 3 wherein translating the control signals further comprises:
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utilizing the mode signal circuit to translate the continuous and stable voltage signals into mode command signals; and
transmitting the mode command signals to the ECM.
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5. A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the tap signal circuit includes a switch including a plurality of dual-in-line package (DIP) switches, regulating the half-wave rectified 24 VAC control signals further comprises providing the continuous and stable signals to the switch.
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6. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein translating the control signals further comprises:
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utilizing the tap signal circuit to translate the continuous and stable signals into tap command signals based on a setting of the DIP switches; and
transmitting the tap command signals to the ECM.
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7. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein operating the ECM based on the translated signals comprises:
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utilizing the ECM program to interpret the mode command signals;
utilizing the ECM program to interpret the tap command signals; and
controlling a torque of the ECM based on the interpreted mode and tap signals.
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8. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the interface board further includes an auxiliary indicator circuit including a light emitting diode (LED), operating the ECM further comprises pulsing the LED to indicate a torque output of the ECM.
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9. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the system further includes a manual controller electrically coupled to the interface board, transmitting control signals to the interface board comprises transmitting control signals from the manual controller to the interface board.
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10. A system for controlling an electronically commutated motor (ECM), said system comprising:
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an air moving system controller;
an interface board electrically coupled to said controller, said interface board comprising a regulating circuit configured to regulate 24 VAC signals and provide continuous and stable signals to said interface board; and
an ECM electrically connected to said interface board. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23)
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21. An interface board for controlling an electronically commutated motor (ECM), said interface board electrically coupled to the ECM and a controller, said interface board comprising:
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a mode signal circuit;
a tap signal circuit; and
a regulating circuit electrically coupled to said mode signal circuit and said tap signal circuit, said tap signal circuit comprising a switch having a plurality of DIP switches, said regulating circuit configured to provide continuous and stable voltage signals to said switch. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification