Unique systems, methods, techniques and apparatuses of motor starters are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment is a synchronous machine including a plurality of stator phase windings, a rotor, a motor starter, and a controller. The motor starter includes a plurality of wye semiconductor switches and a plurality of delta semiconductor switches. The controller is structured to operate the plurality of wye semiconductor switches and the plurality of delta semiconductor switches so as to couple the plurality of stator phase windings in a delta configuration while an angular speed of the rotor is less than a synchronous speed, and structured to operate the plurality of wye semiconductor switches and the plurality of delta semiconductor switches so as to couple the plurality of stator phase windings in a wye configuration in response to the angular speed of the rotor being equal to the synchronous speed.

A DC motor drive comprises an AC to DC exchange system, a circuit protection system and a motor start system connected to a DC motor. The AC to DC exchange system is connected to an AC power supply and is configured to convert AC power to DC power. The circuit protection system is connected to the AC to DC exchange system. The circuit protection system includes a resistor connected in series with a diode. The motor start system includes a first switch and a second switch. The first switch is connected across the DC motor and the second switch connected in series with the DC motor. When the AC supply is applied to the DC motor drive of the auto lift, the AC to DC exchange system converts the AC power to DC power which starts the DC motor by means of the motor start system.

An output-torque estimation unit obtains a value of a current input to a motor, from a power converter, and calculates an estimated output torque value which is an estimated value of output torque of the motor, from the obtained value of the current. A load estimation unit estimates a load value of a hanging cargo based on the estimated output torque value which is calculated by the output-torque estimation unit, a speed reduction ratio of a speed reducer, an effective radius of a winch drum, and the winding number which is set by the number setting unit.

A starter system for start up of a combined heat and power unit comprising a generator which is connectable to the grid. The starter system comprises a variable frequency drive, VFD, operable to receive power from the grid. The VFD reduces the frequency of the power, and provides the reduced-frequency power to the generator to start the generator. The starter system further comprises a bypass relay configured to bypass the VFD. The bypass relay allows direct connection between the grid and the generator after the generator has started. The variable frequency drive is configured to operate temporarily during start up of the combined heat and power unit.

A motor assembly and method for measuring brake backlash using onboard components of the motor assembly. The method includes engaging a brake of the motor assembly, applying torque to an output shaft of the motor assembly in first and second rotational directions and measuring a difference in angular position of the output shaft using a position feedback device of the motor to calculate brake backlash.

A rotor for an LSIPM comprises a plurality of permanent magnets defining a number of poles (P) of the LSIPM, and a plurality of rotor bars spaced about the rotor defining a rotor bar area (BA). The rotor bars are formed of a conductive material having an associated conductivity (?.sub.RB). End members are disposed on axial opposite ends of the rotor core. The end members are in electrical contact with the rotor bars. The end members are formed from a material having an associated conductivity (?.sub.EM). Each end ring member has a minimum geometric cross sectional area (ERA) and outer diameter that generally corresponds to the rotor core outer diameter. The ERA is greater than 0.5 times the rotor bar area per the number of poles (BA/P) times a ratio of the rotor bar material conductivity to the end member material conductivity (?.sub.RB/?.sub.EM).

An assembly for starting an engine comprises a starter to supply a required starting torque to the engine to start the engine in a starting phase, the starter being subject to dispersions varying the value of the torque supplied, an electronic starting device linked to the starter to supply an electrical current to the starter to electrically power it in the starting phase. The starter comprises a device for characterizing the dispersions of the starter, the electronic starting device is configured to cooperate with the device for characterizing the dispersions of the starter so as to determine the dispersions of the starter, and the electronic starting device is configured to adjust the electrical current supplied to the starter as a function of the determined dispersions to compensate the dispersions of the starter, so that the starter supplies the required starting torque to the engine.

A rotor for an LSIPM comprises a plurality of permanent magnets defining a number of poles (P) of the LSIPM, and a plurality of rotor bars spaced about the rotor defining a rotor bar area (BA). The rotor bars are formed of a conductive material having an associated conductivity (?.sub.RB). End members are disposed on axial opposite ends of the rotor core. The end members are in electrical contact with the rotor bars. The end members are formed from a material having an associated conductivity (?.sub.EM). Each end ring member has a minimum geometric cross sectional area (ERA) and outer diameter that generally corresponds to the rotor core outer diameter. The ERA is greater than 0.5 times the rotor bar area per the number of poles (BA/P) times a ratio of the rotor bar material conductivity to the end member material conductivity (?.sub.RB/?.sub.EM).

In a motor driving system, a motor driving system is provided which simplifies the system by ceasing ON/OFF control of a commercial driving command, and by performing commercial synchronous transfer and capture control based on a drive speed reference. A system controller performs synchronization control so as to make a drive output coincident with a phase/amplitude of a commercial AC power source when a rotation speed of a motor exceeds a drive speed reference n2, and when a prescribed requirement is satisfied, the commercial AC power source is synchronously transferred, and the motor is driven by the commercial AC power source. In addition, when the drive speed reference is set to n1, and a drive output side switch is closed, the drive output is connected to the commercial AC power source, and when a prescribed requirement is satisfied, the motor is started to be driven at a variable speed (t7), and thereby the synchronous capture is performed.

A starter system for start up of a combined heat and power unit comprising a generator which is connectable to the grid. The starter system comprises a variable frequency drive, VFD, operable to receive power from the grid. The VFD reduces the frequency of the power, and provides the reduced-frequency power to the generator to start the generator. The starter system further comprises a bypass relay configured to bypass the VFD. The bypass relay allows direct connection between the grid and the generator after the generator has started. The variable frequency drive is configured to operate temporarily during start up of the combined heat and power unit.