Active Voltage Controller for Electric Motor Speed

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric motor systems face reduced controllability when the duty cycle is at 100%, limiting the ability to maintain or adjust speed beyond initial settings, especially under varying load conditions.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that identifies and applies the necessary voltage to maintain desired speed and torque by using a group of control laws, even at a duty cycle of 100%, through a voltage regulator circuit, allowing for efficient operation and adjustment of electric motor speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the duty cycle is set to 100% to achieve maximum torque and highest efficiency, then power efficiency is improved, but controllability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower efficiencyVSAvoidcontrollability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the voltage parameter dynamically while maintaining 100% duty cycle. By adjusting the voltage magnitude rather than the duty cycle, the system preserves both maximum power efficiency (100% duty cycle) and controllability (variable voltage levels). This resolves the contradiction by shifting control from duty cycle modulation to voltage magnitude modulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the duty cycle is set to 100% to operate at maximum torque, then efficiency is improved, but the ability to adjust speed deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveefficiencyVSAvoidspeed adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains 100% duty cycle for efficiency while introducing voltage magnitude as the control parameter for speed adjustment. By varying the voltage applied to the motor windings rather than the duty cycle, the patent enables continuous speed adjustment from zero to maximum while operating at peak efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the duty cycle is at 100% to maintain initial speed setting, then power conversion efficiency is improved, but responsiveness to load changes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower conversion efficiencyVSAvoidresponsiveness to load changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring motor speed and load conditions, then adjusting the voltage magnitude accordingly. This closed-loop approach maintains 100% duty cycle for efficiency while using voltage modulation to respond dynamically to load changes, preserving both efficiency and responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2808994B1Active voltage controller for an electric motor
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 THE BOEING CO
  • EP2808994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2808994B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2808994B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for controlling an electric motor. A desired speed is identified for the electric motor during operation of the electric motor. A voltage is identified to cause the electric motor to turn at the desired speed. The voltage is applied to the electric motor and actively controlled during operation of the electric motor.