Integrated skid with multiple-motor controller

• US 7,733,037 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2004
• Issued: 06/08/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Original Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation (Raytheon Technologies Corporation d/b/a RTX)
• Inventors: Marks, Kenneth, Parsons, Douglas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro; Bentsu
• Assistant Examiner(s): GLASS, ERICK DAVID
• Application Number:
  US10/816,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20050218841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,259 Days
• Field of Search: 318 34-113
• US Class Current: 318/59
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/042 using digital processors G05B19/05 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25254 DSP digital signal processor

Abstract

An integrated skid system integrates the functions of multiple skids into a single skid to reduce the skid footprint and the complexity of the overall system. A multi-motor controller monitors the devices on the integrated skid to maintain proper temperature, pressure and current draw in the devices. Base on this information, the multi-motor controller can make decisions on faults and fault accommodation and communicate with a main controller regarding the operating states of the skid devices via a single serial or Ethernet-type connection.

Claims

1. A controller for controlling a plurality of motors in a fluid handling system, comprising:

a connector input/output port that communicates with at least one sensor in the fluid handling system to obtain sensor data;

at least one digital signal processor (DSP) and gate driver interface that evaluates the sensor data and generates a control signal based on the sensor data;

at least one commutation module in communication with said at least one DSP and gate driver interface, wherein said at least one commutation module controls at least one motor based on the control signal;

said at least one motor receiving AC power under normal conditions;

a local power supply that selectively powers the motors; and

the local power supply is a DC backup power supply, and wherein said at least one DSP and gate driver switches to the DC backup power supply to supply power to said at least one motor in the event of a main power failure.

2. The controller of claim 1, wherein each DSP and gate driver interface has a corresponding commutation module.

3. The controller of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of motors has a corresponding DSP and gate driver interface and a corresponding commutation module.

4. The controller of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of motors shares one DSP and gate driver interface and one motor commutation module.

5. The controller of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of motors is a binary-function motor, and wherein the controller further comprises a card to control said at least one binary-function motor.

6. The controller of claim 5, wherein at least one of said plurality of motors is a variable speed motor, and wherein said at least one commutation module controls at least one variable-speed motor.