Solar Motor Controller is an electronic device with DC power input terminals that may connect directly to solar PV panels, and output terminals that may connect directly to single or multiphase phase AC electric motors without requiring an energy storage subsystem. The Controller runs electric motors of many frequencies and is capable of interfacing to multiple voltages of solar PV panels with or without maximum power point tracking. The Controller may drive motors in water pumping, HVAC, refrigeration, compressors operation, blowers, machine tools, and many other applications; some controller applications may operate at motor speeds adjusted to conform to power available from attached solar panels.

A drive circuit for a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor includes an inverter, a solid state switch, and a contactor coupled in parallel with the solid state switch. The inverter is configured to supply variable frequency current to the PSC motor over a first duration. The solid state switch is configured to supply line frequency current to the PSC motor at the expiration of the first duration. The contactor is configured to supply the line frequency current to the PSC motor over a second duration beginning when the contactor closes after expiration of the first duration.

A system in which the operation of an electric motor is controlled by electronically controlled switches. The system includes the motor having a run winding and a start winding, a heating component, and a motor control subsystem. A control unit closes a first switch to energize the run winding, closes a second switch to energize the start winding, determines based on an amplitude and a lag time of a current flowing through the motor whether the motor has started and is running normally, and if so, opens the second switch to de-energize the start winding and closes a third switch to activate the heating component. The control unit determines whether the motor has started and is running normally by comparing the real time amplitude and lag time of the current to a plurality of stored amplitudes and lag times associated with different operating conditions.

A system in which the operation of an electric motor is controlled by electronically controlled switches. The system includes the motor having a run winding and a start winding, a heating component, and a motor control subsystem. A control unit closes a first switch to energize the run winding, closes a second switch to energize the start winding, determines based on an amplitude and a lag time of a current flowing through the motor whether the motor has started and is running normally, and if so, opens the second switch to de-energize the start winding and closes a third switch to activate the heating component. The control unit determines whether the motor has started and is running normally by comparing the real time amplitude and lag time of the current to a plurality of stored amplitudes and lag times associated with different operating conditions.

A system and method for controlling a speed of a permanent magnet AC motor (38) based on a delay angle of a triac-controlled AC voltage signal (66) from a triac (34). A simulated load (54) connected to the triac (34) enables a load current and creates the signal (66). A first detector (48) detects a zero-crossing point of the AC voltage signal, and a second detector (50) detects a subsequent turn-on instance of the triac (34). A speed command generator (52) measures an interval between the zero-crossing point and the subsequent turn-on instance, and converts the delay angle to a speed command for controlling the speed of the motor (38). The simulated load (54) may include resistors (70) having a resistance which causes the load current to be below a holding current rating of the triac (34), thereby causing the triac (34) to turn off after the interval has been measured.

A device, system and method for starting a single-phase induction motor. The method includes: i) energizing the start winding (50b) and continuously estimating an operating rotation (R.sub.1) of the motor throughout its operation; ii) measuring a first phase shift level (D.sub.1) between at least two electrical quantities along a first stability stage (E.sub.1); iii) monitoring the variation of the first phase shift level (D.sub.1) according to the increase of the operating rotation of the motor along the first stability stage; iv) detecting an inflection stage (E.sub.inf) from the first phase shift level to a second phase shift level (D.sub.2), when the operating rotation is close to a regime rotation (R.sub.2); v) measuring the second phase shift level (D.sub.2) between at least two electrical quantities of the motor along a first stability stage (E.sub.2); and vi) de-energizing the start winding when the operating rotation reaches the regime rotation.

A device, system and method for starting a single-phase induction motor. The method includes: i) energizing the start winding (50b) and continuously estimating an operating rotation (R.sub.1) of the motor throughout its operation; ii) measuring a first phase shift level (D.sub.1) between at least two electrical quantities along a first stability stage (E.sub.1); iii) monitoring the variation of the first phase shift level (D.sub.1) according to the increase of the operating rotation of the motor along the first stability stage; iv) detecting an inflection stage (E.sub.inf) from the first phase shift level to a second phase shift level (D.sub.2), when the operating rotation is close to a regime rotation (R.sub.2); v) measuring the second phase shift level (D.sub.2) between at least two electrical quantities of the motor along a first stability stage (E.sub.2); and vi) de-energizing the start winding when the operating rotation reaches the regime rotation.

A device, system and method for starting a single-phase induction motor. The method includes: i) energizing the start winding (50b) and continuously estimating an operating rotation (R.sub.1) of the motor throughout its operation; ii) measuring a first phase shift level (D.sub.1) between at least two electrical quantities along a first stability stage (E.sub.1); iii) monitoring the variation of the first phase shift level (D.sub.1) according to the increase of the operating rotation of the motor along the first stability stage; iv) detecting an inflection stage (E.sub.inf) from the first phase shift level to a second phase shift level (D.sub.2), when the operating rotation is close to a regime rotation (R.sub.2); v) measuring the second phase shift level (D.sub.2) between at least two electrical quantities of the motor along a first stability stage (E.sub.2); and vi) de-energizing the start winding when the operating rotation reaches the regime rotation.

A device, system and method for starting a single-phase induction motor. The method includes: i) energizing the start winding (50b) and continuously estimating an operating rotation (R.sub.1) of the motor throughout its operation; ii) measuring a first phase shift level (D.sub.1) between at least two electrical quantities along a first stability stage (E.sub.1); iii) monitoring the variation of the first phase shift level (D.sub.1) according to the increase of the operating rotation of the motor along the first stability stage; iv) detecting an inflection stage (E.sub.inf) from the first phase shift level to a second phase shift level (D.sub.2), when the operating rotation is close to a regime rotation (R.sub.2); v) measuring the second phase shift level (D.sub.2) between at least two electrical quantities of the motor along a first stability stage (E.sub.2); and vi) de-energizing the start winding when the operating rotation reaches the regime rotation.

Starter system for an electric motor (M) supplied by an electrical network (1), the starter system comprising an electronic control circuit (7) and an electronic switch (10) for controlling one phase of the motor (M), the electronic switch (10) being controlled by the control circuit (7). The starter system comprises a sensor (3) intended to deliver an analog signal (4) that is representative of the derivative of a current flowing through the phase of the motor (M), a detection board (5) comprising means for transforming said analog signal (4) into a binary signal (6) that is representative of the changes in sign of said analog signal, and comprising means for transmitting said binary signal to the control circuit (7), so as to optimize the control of the electronic switch (10).