US 11,949,354 B2
Systems and methods for controlling a switching device for an electric motor with selective flux stator
Frederick L. Hoadley, Mequon, WI (US); Hoat V. Phung, Oak Creek, WI (US); Timothy S. Collins, Fountain Inn, SC (US); and Robert F. McElveen, Jr., Anderson, SC (US)
Assigned to ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed by ABB Schweiz AG, Baden (CH)
Filed on Feb. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/665,908.
Prior Publication US 2023/0253901 A1, Aug. 10, 2023
Int. Cl. H02P 21/12 (2016.01); H02P 21/22 (2016.01); H02P 21/34 (2016.01)
CPC H02P 21/12 (2013.01) [H02P 21/22 (2016.02); H02P 21/34 (2016.02); H02P 2207/05 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a synchronous three-phase electric motor, comprising:
a rotor;
a stator concentrically disposed about the rotor;
a plurality of coils formed from conductive windings each wound around one or more of a plurality of stator teeth of the stator, wherein the plurality of coils comprises a plurality of permanent coils and a plurality of bypass coils, the plurality of permanent coils comprising a first set of permanent coils for a first phase of the synchronous three-phase electric motor, the plurality of bypass coils comprising a first set of bypass coils for the first phase; and
a plurality of switching devices configured to selectively switch between a tapped position and a primary position, wherein the primary position electrically communicates power to only the plurality of permanent coils, and wherein the tapped position communicates power to both the plurality of permanent coils and the plurality of bypass coils, the plurality of switching devices comprising a first set of switching devices for the first phase, wherein the first set of permanent coils, the first set of bypass coils, and the first set of switching devices are in series with each other, and wherein the first set of switching devices comprises a first electrical contactor and a second electrical contactor; and
a plurality of reactor or resistor devices, wherein a reactor or resistor device, of the plurality of reactor or resistor devices, is in parallel with the first electrical contactor of the first set of switching devices, and wherein the reactor or resistor device is configured to communicate power to the first set of permanent coils and the first set of bypass coils based on the first electrical contactor and the second electrical contactor being in an open state; and
a controller configured to:
provide a first switching command to the plurality of switching devices to switch from the primary position to the tapped position based on a transition signal, wherein the transition signal is based on comparing an electrical characteristic with a threshold value, wherein the electrical characteristic is generated based on using one or more input currents to the plurality of switching devices and using control circuitry.