Patent · US Expired

Sensorless detection of a locked rotor in a switched reluctance motor

US6011368A · kind A · utility

65Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 30, 1999
Grant dateJan 4, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH02P29/0241
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A method and circuit for detecting a locked rotor in a switched reluctance motor are provided. The method includes the step of measuring, at a predetermined frequency, the time required for a current in the motor to rise or fall between predetermined current levels to thereby obtain a plurality of sample rise or fall times. The method further includes the step of comparing first and second sample times of the plurality of sample times to obtain a time comparison value that is indicative of a change in position of the rotor. Because current rise and fall times are indicative of, and vary with, rotor position, a comparison of multiple rise or fall times may be used to indicate a change in position of the rotor and, therefore, whether the rotor is in motion or is locked. The method may finally include the step of comparing the time comparison value to a predetermined reference value that is indicative of a locked rotor.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.