Electric motor control strategies
First Claim
1. An electric start system, comprisingan electric motor operably associated with a device, the electric motor providing movement for starting the device;
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(A) providing a starting torque signal for driving the motor during an initial start up of the device, the starting torque signal ramping up from a zero value to a selected value and remaining constant at the selected value until the controller determines that the motor has reached a chosen threshold speed;
(B) determining when an acceleration rate of the motor is outside of a selected range and automatically altering the acceleration rate to continue operating the motor using an altered acceleration rate resulting from the altering; and
(C) determining when the motor is disengaged from the device and changing a motor torque reference signal from a present signal value corresponding to a present motor speed to a higher value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electric start system (20) includes a controller (40) that controls operation of a motor (22) used to start a device such as a gas turbine engine (24). In one example, the controller (40) determines when an acceleration rate of the motor (22) is outside of a desired range and dynamically controls the acceleration rate. In another example, the controller (40) determines when the motor (22) is disengaged from the engine (24) and controls a torque reference value to facilitate smoother reengagement. In another example, the controller (40) provides an initial starting torque value that allows for soft starting capabilities of the motor (22).
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electric start system, comprising
an electric motor operably associated with a device, the electric motor providing movement for starting the device; - and
a controller that controls movement of the electric motor and performs at least one of; (A) providing a starting torque signal for driving the motor during an initial start up of the device, the starting torque signal ramping up from a zero value to a selected value and remaining constant at the selected value until the controller determines that the motor has reached a chosen threshold speed; (B) determining when an acceleration rate of the motor is outside of a selected range and automatically altering the acceleration rate to continue operating the motor using an altered acceleration rate resulting from the altering; and (C) determining when the motor is disengaged from the device and changing a motor torque reference signal from a present signal value corresponding to a present motor speed to a higher value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of controlling an electric motor in a electric start system where the motor is used to start a device, comprising operably associating the motor with the device for starting the device and comprising at least one of:
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(A) providing a starting torque signal for driving the motor during an initial start up of the device, the starting torque signal ramping up from a zero value to a selected value and using the selected value when the motor reaches a selected threshold speed; (B) determining when an acceleration rate of the motor is outside of a selected range and automatically altering the acceleration rate to continue operating the motor using the altered acceleration rate; and (C) determining when the motor is disengaged from the device and changing a motor torque reference signal from a present signal value corresponding to a present motor speed to a higher value. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An electric start system, comprising:
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an electric motor adapted to be coupled to a device for starting the device; and a controller that controls movement of the electric motor by providing a starting torque signal for driving the motor during an initial start up of the device, the starting torque signal ramping up from a zero value to a selected value and remaining constant at the selected value until the controller determines that the motor has reached a chosen threshold speed. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An electric start system, comprising:
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an electric motor operably associated with a device for providing movement for starting the device; and a controller that controls movement of the electric motor and determines when the motor is disengaged from the device and changes a motor torque reference signal from a present signal value corresponding to a present motor speed to a higher value. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. An electric start system, comprising:
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an electric motor adapted to be coupled to a device for starting the device; and a controller that controls movement of the electric motor and determines when an acceleration rate of the motor is outside of a selected range by determining at least one of a rate of change of a torque reference signal or a level of input power to the motor, the controller automatically alters the acceleration rate if the acceleration rate is outside of the selected range. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification