One embodiment describes a motor starter including a first single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power from a first winding of a motor; a second single pole switching device that closes after the first switching device opens to connect power to the first winding; a third single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power from a second winding of the motor; a fourth single pole switching device that closes after the third single pole switching device opens to connect power to the second winding; a fifth single pole switching device that opens to disconnect power form a third winding of the motor; and a sixth single pole switching device closes after the fifth single pole switching device opens to connect power to the third winding.

One embodiment describes a method that includes determining a desired torque level of a motor actuated by a motor starter; determining, using a control system, a configuration of the motor starter to achieve the desired torque level, in which determining the configuration includes determining which of a plurality of switching devices in the motor starter should be opened and which should be closed; and instructing, using the control system, the motor starter to implement the determined configuration by opening or closing one or more of the plurality of switching devices.

One embodiment describes a method that includes determining a desired torque level of a motor actuated by a motor starter; determining, using a control system, a configuration of the motor starter to achieve the desired torque level, in which determining the configuration includes determining which of a plurality of switching devices in the motor starter should be opened and which should be closed; and instructing, using the control system, the motor starter to implement the determined configuration by opening or closing one or more of the plurality of switching devices.

Motor drives and drive systems are provided. A motor drive of the subject invention can be an asymmetrical, multi-lane, multi-phase motor drive. The motor drive can include a master lane and slave lane having fewer phases than the master lane has. Each lane can be powered by a single direct current link.

An actuator control apparatus includes: a drive circuit configured to apply a current for causing an actuator to drive a driven body; a constant current circuit and configured to control a current value of the current applied to the actuator by the drive circuit; a sense resistance connectable to the drive circuit and in which the current passing through the actuator flows; a change-over switch configured to switch a connection destination of the drive circuit from the constant current circuit to the sense resistance in a predetermined period in a current application period in which the current is applied to the actuator by the drive circuit; and an FPGA configured to detect a resistance value of predetermined circuits including the actuator through which the current passes, based on the current flowing in the sense resistance, and configured to detect an abnormality of the actuator based on the detection result.

A method and apparatus using electromagnetic switching in a two-step connection process is provided to minimize surge currents and torque oscillations in three-phase motors during starts.

A method and apparatus using electromagnetic switching in a two-step connection process is provided to minimize surge currents and torque oscillations in three-phase motors during starts.

A switching device, for a wye-delta switch in a multiphase motor each phase having one motor winding having a connection pair and contact device (CD), has an electromagnetic drive for drive axle movement between three axial positions, the CD having first and second motor winding connection contacts (MWCC), phase connection contact (PCC), and movable contact bridge (MCB) coupled to the drive axle and movable thereby into the three positions. In position-1, axially between positions-2/3, the MCB is openno CC is connected to another CC by the MCB; in position-2, the MCB is in wye contact positionthe MCB connects the PCC to the first MWCC, and the second MWCC is connected to the second MWCC of all other CDs using the wye coupled to the drive axle; and in position-3, the MCB is in a delta contact positionthe MCB connects the FCC to the first and second MWCC.

Control systems and methods for starting an induction motor. The control system includes a plurality of wye switches, a plurality of delta switches, an AC power supply, and a soft-starter. The plurality of wye switches are connected between three phase stator windings of the induction motor such that closure of the plurality of wye switches causes the three phase stator windings to be connected in a wye connection. The plurality of delta switches are connected between the three phase stator windings such that closure of the plurality of delta switches causes the three phase stator windings to be connected in a delta configuration. The soft-starter is connected between three phase supply lines of the AC power supply and the three phase stator windings to control a supply of energy to the induction motor from the AC power supply.

Control systems and methods for starting an induction motor. The control system includes a plurality of wye switches, a plurality of delta switches, an AC power supply, and a soft-starter. The plurality of wye switches are connected between three phase stator windings of the induction motor such that closure of the plurality of wye switches causes the three phase stator windings to be connected in a wye connection. The plurality of delta switches are connected between the three phase stator windings such that closure of the plurality of delta switches causes the three phase stator windings to be connected in a delta configuration. The soft-starter is connected between three phase supply lines of the AC power supply and the three phase stator windings to control a supply of energy to the induction motor from the AC power supply.