Disclosed is an electric motor (10) comprising a stator (12) and a rotor (14) with a shaft (87). The rotor (14) is provided with a sensor magnet (82) with a number SP of sensor poles (71, 72, 73, 74) for creating a predefined distribution of the magnetic flux density, wherein SP = 2, 4, 6, 8 etc. The motor further comprises at least two rotor position sensors (450, 455, 460, 465) for generating rotor position signals (B_S1, B_S2) which characterize the magnetic flux density. Said rotor position sensors (450, 455, 460, 465) are disposed in the region (30) of the circumference of the sensor magnet (82). The motor also comprises an evaluation device (32) that determines an absolute value (phi_el, phi_mech) for the rotational position of the rotor (14) from the rotor position signals (B_S1; B_S2). Also disclosed is a method for generating an absolute value for the rotational position of the rotor of an electric motor.

Absolute encoder and method for generating an absolute value for an angle of rotation

This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, a valve leakage test may be performed on a valve assembly including a valve body with a first valve and a second valve, where the valves may be positioned across a fluid path in the valve body with an intermediate volume between the valves. A pressure sensor may be in fluid communication with the intermediate volume and may sense a measure that is related to the pressure in the intermediate volume. The pressure sensor may communicate with a controller to determine a measure that is related to a pressure change in the intermediate volume and compare the measure that is related to a pressure change to a first and/or second threshold value. The controller may output a signal if the measure meets and/or exceeds the first and/or second threshold value.

Gas valve with valve leakage test

This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, a valve assembly may be configured to perform a valve proving test as part of an operational cycle of a combustion appliance coupled to the valve assembly. The valve assembly may include a valve body having a fluid path, first and second valve sealing members translatable between an opened position and a closed position, and one or more pressure sensors in fluid communication with an intermediate volume of the fluid path between the first and second valve sealing members. A valve controller may be in communication with the pressure sensor and may monitor a measure related to a pressure change rate in the intermediate volume. The valve controller may then output a signal if the measure related to a pressure change rate in the intermediate volume meets and/or exceeds a threshold value.

Gas valve with electronic valve proving system

This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one illustrative but non-limiting example, a valve assembly may include a valve body having an interior and an exterior, a valve or valve sealing member positioned in the valve body, a sensor element (e.g., a magnet and/or a ferrous core) secured relative to the valve sealing member and a sensor (e.g., a magnetic field sensor) positioned outside of the interior of the valve body. The valve sealing member may be movable between an opened position and a closed position, and the sense element may move with the valve sealing member. The sensor may be configured to detect a position of the valve sealing member and communicate that position to a valve controller.

Gas valve with electronic proof of closure system

This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, the valve assembly may include a valve body with an inlet port, an outlet port, and a fluid path extending between the inlet and outlet ports, one or more valves situated about the fluid path, one or more valve actuators for selectively moving respective valves, one or more sensors for sensing one or more parameters within the fluid path, and a controller secured relative to the valve body and in communication with the one or more sensors for determining one or more valve assembly conditions based on the one or more sensed parameters. Illustratively, the controller may be configured to communicate information from the valve assembly to a combustion appliance controller that is located remotely from the valve assembly through a communications interface of the controller and across a communications bus.

Gas valve with communication link

The invention relates to a method for operating an electric motor comprising a stator, an external rotor (40), the latter (40) having a sensor magnet (54) with a plurality of sensor poles (55), at least one rotor-position sensor (42, 44) that is connected to the stator and a rotor-position evaluation device. The method comprises the following steps: The rotor-position sensor(s) is/are used to generate at least one rotor-position signal that is dependent on the rotational position of the sensor magnet (54). The rotor-position signal or signals is/are fed to the rotor-position evaluation device, where it is or they are converted into at least one digital value with a resolution of at least 2 bits, whereby said signal or signals can also be converted into different digital values dependent on rotational positions inside the sector of the sensor pole. The invention also relates to an electric motor comprising a stator and an external rotor (40), the latter (40) having a sensor magnet (54) with a plurality SP of sensor poles (55), at least one rotor-position sensor (42, 44) for generating a rotor-position signal, a rotor-position evaluation device for generating an absolute value for the rotor position, said device comprising an A-D converter (144) with a resolution of at least 2 bits, the rotor-position sensor or sensors (42, 44) being connected to the A-D converter.

Rotor-position sensor assembly and method for detecting a rotor position

An improved drum motor, preferably electronically commutated, features a unitary stationary central shaft ( 18 ) supporting a stationary inner stator ( 52 ), and an external rotor ( 49 ), including permanent magnets ( 54 ), secured to an inner surface of a generally cylindrical rotatable casing part ( 18 ). This permits variable speed operation while avoiding any need for an internal gear linkage. Safety is improved by making sealing plates ( 76, 78 ) at respective axial ends of the casing ( 14 ) stationary, and providing an annular peripheral seal ( 90 ) around each sealing plate. Respective rolling bearings ( 24, 44 ) near each end of the casing ( 14 ) facilitate rotation of the external rotor ( 49 ) relative to the stator ( 52 ), and a clamping arrangement ( 30 ) minimizes noise from the bearings.

External-rotor motor having a stationary bearing shaft

The motor has a stator, and a rotor (14) that rotates about a rotation axis. Two analog rotor position sensors are produced for producing rotor position signals that characterize magnetic field density of magnetic flux acting on the sensors. The sensors are arranged at a distance in a printed circuit board (468) for producing sinusoidal signals. A signal generator produces a pulsed signal for the sinusoidal signals.

Electric motor for e.g. driving blower, has rotor position sensors that are arranged at distance in printed circuit board for producing sinusoidal signals, and signal generator produces pulsed signal for sinusoidal signals

A method for operating an electric motor with a stator and outer rotor (40) that has a multi-polar (55) sensor magnet (54) and at least one rotor position sensor (42, 44) attached to the stator. The method has the following steps: generation of a rotor position signal dependent on the rotation of the sensor and application to a position evaluation device and; conversion of a rotor position signal into a digital value with at least 2-bit resolution. An Independent claim is made for an electric motor with a sensor arrangement for output of digital position signals.

Rotor digital position measurement method for an electric motor, in which the rotor position signal is converted into a digital value with at least 2-bit resolution

The motor (12) has an inner stator (52) arranged on a stationary carrier part (18) and an outer rotor (49) associated with and rotatable relative to the inner stator and with a casing part (14) on whose inner side a permanent magnet arrangement (50) is mounted that interacts with the inner stator. The carrier part is essentially cylindrical with at least one attached closure element (76,78) with at least one element (90) sealing it against the inner stator.

Siegfried Schreiner

Papers

Rotor-position sensor assembly and method for detecting a rotor position

External-rotor motor having a stationary bearing shaft

Electric motor for e.g. driving blower, has rotor position sensors that are arranged at distance in printed circuit board for producing sinusoidal signals, and signal generator produces pulsed signal for sinusoidal signals

Rotor digital position measurement method for an electric motor, in which the rotor position signal is converted into a digital value with at least 2-bit resolution

Outer rotor motor with fixed spindle