Control of multiple motors, including motorized pumping system and method
US5422550A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 6, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02P5/50
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A control system and method for a plurality of motors utilize one, and only one, motor drive unit that provides power to drive any one of the motors. The system and method also utilize a controller that controls which of the motors to energize. Power from the motor drive unit can be communicated to one of the motors selected by the controller, or power from a primary power source can be communicated to one or more of the motors selected by the controller. Sequencing of the motors to and from the motor drive unit and the primary power source, and between the two, is automatically controlled, such as based on how long each of the motors has been used. Accordingly, a method of controlling a plurality of motors comprises: defining a motor utilization criterion; sensing a parameter affected by the number of the motors that are operating; and sequentially starting and cumulatively operating ones of the motors selected in response to the motor utilization criterion and the sensed parameter.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.