Auto-protected power modules and methods
First Claim
1. A variable speed, electric motor power module comprising:
- driver circuitry that is configured to receive a variable input signal and comprises;
a voltage-controlled current source for driving a motor responsive to variations in the input signal; and
temperature protection circuitry arranged to protect the voltage-controlled current source from operating when the current source has a temperature above a certain thermal shut down temperature; and
locked-rotor protection circuitry comprising analog circuit components that are configured in an arrangement that blocks the input signal to the driver circuitry for a set period of time in response to an electrical condition that is caused as a result of a locked rotor condition in the motor, wherein the electrical condition is a reverse voltage spike and the locked-rotor protection circuitry is configured to be triggered by the reverse voltage spike to prevent the driver circuitry from operating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A linear power controller system may be implemented that includes locked-rotor protection circuitry that is primarily assembled using analog circuit components. The locked rotor protection circuitry may be part of a power module in the system. The power module may be a switched power source that includes temperature circuit. A control loop may be established in the system to maintain the voltage across a motor that is driver by the power module. Circuitry for establishing a close loop with a motor may be positioned in a control head in the system or in a power module in the system. Temperature protection circuitry may be integrated into a current source in the power module to provide automatic thermal shutdown of the current source. The linear power module may specifically include analog circuitry that is arranged to establish a control loop with the motor.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A variable speed, electric motor power module comprising:
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driver circuitry that is configured to receive a variable input signal and comprises; a voltage-controlled current source for driving a motor responsive to variations in the input signal; and temperature protection circuitry arranged to protect the voltage-controlled current source from operating when the current source has a temperature above a certain thermal shut down temperature; and locked-rotor protection circuitry comprising analog circuit components that are configured in an arrangement that blocks the input signal to the driver circuitry for a set period of time in response to an electrical condition that is caused as a result of a locked rotor condition in the motor, wherein the electrical condition is a reverse voltage spike and the locked-rotor protection circuitry is configured to be triggered by the reverse voltage spike to prevent the driver circuitry from operating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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- 4. The power module of claim wherein the driver circuitry includes an auto-protected power semiconductor device that contains the voltage- controlled current source and the thermal protection circuitry for thermal protection of the current source integrated therein.
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8. The power module of claim wherein the current source and the temperature protection circuitry are arranged to have the current source operate when the temperature of the current source is below the specified thermal shutdown temperature following a shut down of the current source for being above the specified thermal shutdown temperature.
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13. A variable speed, electric motor power module comprising:
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driver circuitry that is configured to receive a variable input signal and comprises a voltage-controlled current source for driving a motor responsive to variations in the input signal; and locked-rotor protection circuitry comprising analog circuit components that are configured in an arrangement that blocks the input signal to the driver circuitry for a set period of time in response to an electrical condition that is caused as a result of a locked rotor condition in the motor wherein the driver circuitry comprises thermal protection circuitry arranged to protect the voltage controlled current source from operating when the current source has a temperature above a specified thermal shut down temperature, and the locked-rotor protection circuitry is configured to include a differential amplifier that is configured to have an output signal in response to the electrical condition and to have the differential amplifier generate the output signal in response to a reverse voltage spike across the current source.
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26. A variable speed, electric motor power module comprising:
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driver circuitry that is configured to receive a variable input signal and comprises a voltage-controlled current source for driving a motor responsive to variations in the input signal; locked-rotor protection circuitry comprising analog circuit components that are configured in an arrangement that blocks the input signal to the driver circuitry for a set period of time in response to an electrical condition that is caused as a result of a locked rotor condition in the motor; and control loop circuitry implemented using analog circuitry to establish a control loop with the motor. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification