Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120065745 | METHOD TO IMPROVE WASHER MOTOR EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE - The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for controlling operation of a washing machine motor. Different control algorithms may be used during different time periods of operation of the motor where each algorithm is configured to provide different operating characteristics of the motor based on the needs of the washing machine system. The method and apparatus both provide for changing from one motor control algorithm to another algorithm while the motor is spinning. For certain type motors, a time period may be established between operation of the motor under a first or second control algorithms where no energy is supplied to the motor but the motor is permitted to continue to spin. During this period of time for these type motors, magnetic fields in the motor are permitted to subside prior to application of the second control algorithm. | 03-15-2012 |
20120065806 | METHOD FOR MEASURING ENERGY USAGE IN AN APPLIANCE - The present subject matter relates to methods and apparatus for measuring energy usage in an appliance, particularly a washing appliance. A display, that may be a home energy monitor, is associated with the appliance. The appliance may include an AC-DC power supply and a controllable inverter configured to supply power to a motor associated with the appliance. Real power consumption is calculated by a controller that may also be used to control the inverter and other operational aspects of the appliance and causes the calculated real power to be displayed on the display. | 03-15-2012 |
20120111065 | WASHING MACHINE WITH IMPROVED BRAKING METHOD - A method of braking a washing machine from an operational speed to a zero speed is provided (as well as a washing machine incorporating the method) for a washing machine driven by one of a synchronous or asynchronous motor. Upon receipt of a stop signal, collapsing the motor rotating magnetic fields are collapsed for a predefined time period. After the predefined time period, DC braking voltage is applied to the motor stator windings at a controlled ramp-up rate to a fixed amplitude to generate a controlled ramped braking torque on the motor. The braking torque is applied until the motor is stopped. | 05-10-2012 |
20120112683 | WASHING MACHINE WITH IMPROVED METHOD OF BRAKING TO A NON-ZERO SPEED - A method of braking a washing machine from an operational speed to a reduced non-zero speed is provided (as well as a washing machine incorporating the method) for a washing machine driven by one of a synchronous or asynchronous motor. Upon receipt of a speed reduction signal, the motor rotating magnetic fields are collapsed for a defined time period. After the defined time period, DC braking voltage is applied to the motor stator windings at a controlled ramp-up rate to an amplitude to generate a controlled ramped braking torque on the motor until the motor has slowed to a defined reduced speed. Thereafter, the amplitude of the DC braking voltage is set to 0V and the motor is soft started to an amplitude and reduced frequency needed to maintain the defined reduced speed. | 05-10-2012 |
20120291496 | STATIC BASKET WASHING MACHINE - A washing machine appliance, such as a consumer washing machine, includes a casing, and a tub disposed within the casing. A wash basket is received within the tub and is configured for receipt of articles to be washed. A diffuser plate defines a continuous bottom of the wash basket and includes a plurality of passages defined therethrough. An impeller system is operably configured within the tub below the diffuser plate and includes at least one impeller that is rotationally driven during a wash cycle to direct high velocity wash water through the passages with sufficient energy to move and wash articles within the wash basket. | 11-22-2012 |
20130186199 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING IMBALANCE IN A WASHING MACHINE - Systems and methods for detecting an out of balance condition for a washing machine are disclosed. The wash basket of the washing machine is rotated at a constant predetermined rotational speed. If the washing machine has an unbalanced load, the wash tub will strike the cabinet as the basket rotates in the wash tub. The tub strikes cause the wash basket to lose momentum. The inverter drive control system causes the inverter to provide more current through the motor phases to the motor to maintain constant speed. From the value of the current, the severity of the tub strikes during a test period can be determined. An out of balance condition can be detected and measured based at least in part on the severity of the tub strikes. | 07-25-2013 |
20150052687 | METHOD FOR OPERATING A WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCE - A method for operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes determining a power delivered to a motor of the washing machine appliance while an angular velocity of a drum of the washing machine appliance is increasing. The method also includes establishing a slope of the power delivered to the motor. The slope of the power delivered to the motor is monitored in order to establish if the slope of the power delivered to the motor exceeds a threshold value. | 02-26-2015 |
20150059416 | Systems and Methods for Detecting an Imbalanced Load in a Washing Machine Appliance Having a Balancing Apparatus - An exemplary washing machine appliance includes a cabinet, a tub positioned within the cabinet, a drum rotatably mounted within the tub, a balancing apparatus configured to offset an imbalance created by articles in the drum, and a motor in mechanical communication with the drum. The motor is configured for selectively rotating the drum within the tub. The washing machine appliance includes a controller configured to perform operations. The operations include receiving a signal indicative of a speed of the motor. The operations include determining a deviation of the speed of the motor from a target motor speed and comparing the deviation to one or more threshold values. The operations include determining whether to perform a rebalancing process or a spin out process based on the comparison of the deviation to the one or more threshold values. | 03-05-2015 |
20150074918 | WASHING MACHINE APPLIANCE AND A METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - The present subject matter provides a washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance. The method includes determining an average power delivered to a motor of the washing machine appliance while a basket is rotating at a first angular velocity, establishing a plurality of instantaneous powers delivered to the motor while the basket is accelerating from the first angular velocity, and calculating a load score of articles within a wash chamber of the basket based at least in part on the average power delivered to the motor and the plurality of instantaneous powers delivered to the motor. The load score can correspond to a mass of articles within the wash chamber of the basket. | 03-19-2015 |