Description:Complete Specification:

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention is related to a smart device for starting an induction motor.

Background of the invention

[0002] Currently DOL (Direct On Line) starters are mechanical switches used to start induction motors. DOL starter does not have current sensing or automatic disconnection of induction motor in case of overcurrent. We intend to redesign DOL starter from purely mechanical switch to a silicon smart switch with integrated current sensing and connectivity both for single phase induction motors and three phase induction motors.

[0003] An US9594360 patent discloses a motor starter comprising a manual motor starter (MMS) is provided. The MMS comprises an MMS status input unit to receive a status of the MMS, a magnetic contactor (MC) status input unit to receive a status of a magnetic contactor, a communication unit connected via a wired cable to communicate data with a monitoring control console, and a controller to transmit MMS information received from the MMS status input unit and MC information received from the MC status input unit to the monitoring control console and to control the magnetic contactor based on a control signal received from the monitoring control console and the MC information.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
[0004] Figure 1 illustrates a smart device for starting an induction motor, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0005] Figure 1 illustrates a smart device for starting an induction motor in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The smart device 10 comprises at least one voltage converter 14 adapted to power a controller 16 and a multi-phase switch 18 connected between the controller 16 and the induction motor 12. The device 10 further comprises at least one connectivity module 20 connected to the controller 16, adapted to transmit a working state of the induction motor 12 via a communication means 22.

[0006] Further the construction of the smart device 10 and the components of the smart device 10 and their working is explained in detail. The smart device 10 comprises two converts one being a first voltage converter 14(a) and a second voltage converter 14(b). The first voltage converter 14(a) is an AC to DC voltage converter and the second voltage converter 14 (b) is a DC-to-DC voltage converter. For instance, the first AC to DC converter 14(a) converts a 230V into 5V DC voltage and the second voltage converter 14(b) which is a DC-DC converter, converts the 5V DC voltage into 3.3V voltage. This converted DC-DC voltage is used to power the controller and the other components of the device 10.

[0007] By switching ON/OFF the multi-phase switch 18, the power to the induction motor 12 can be varied. The controller 16 adapted to continuously monitor voltage and current values at each phase of the induction motor 12 and operate the multi-phase switch 18 upon comparing the monitored values with a corresponding predefined value. The controller 16 comprises a memory where multiple predefined values of different voltages and currents for each phase are pre-stored during a calibration process. In the normal operating conditions, the controller 16 continuously monitors the voltage and current of the each phase of the induction motor 12 and will be compared with the corresponding predefined values. Upon detecting a variation from the pre-defined values, the controller 16 switches OFF the multi-phase switch , thus by disconnecting the power to the induction motor 12 from a main supply 30.

[0008] The smart device comprises the connectivity module 20 and a global system mobile (GSM) communication module 26 connected to the controller 12, for transmitting the working state of the induction motor 12. According to one embodiment of the invention, the connectivity module 20 is a wireless connectivity module, adapted to transmit the working state of the induction motor 12 to a communication device 28 via at least one communication means 22. The second voltage converter 14(b) provides power to the connectivity module 20 and the GSM communication module 26.

[0009] The connectivity module 20 uses any of the communication means 22 selected from a group of communication means 22 comprising a wireless communication, an infra-red communication, a Bluetooth communication, a wired communication and the like. However, it is to be noted that, the communication means 22 can be of any other type that is known in the state of the art, but not limited to the above mentioned one’s. The connectivity module 20 transmits the working state (switched ON/OFF) of the induction motor 12 to the communication device 28 of the user of the induction motor 12. The communication device 28 can be of any one of the device types following a smart phone, a laptop, a person digital assistant, a mobile phone, a computer and the like.

[0010] In addition to that, the controller 16 is made to receive a signal for switching ON or switching OFF the induction motor 12 from the communication device via the connectivity module 20, thus controlling the operation state of the induction motor 12 remotely. i.e., the induction motor 12 is made to operate via the connectivity module 20 and the communication device 28 remotely.

[0011] The GSM communication module 26 of the smart device 10 is adapted to transmit the working state of the induction motor 12 to a cloud repository for storage. The cloud repository will have the information regarding the operating state of the induction motor 12 at any given point of time and also the different faults (type of fault, variation in the voltage and current values during the fault) occurred in the normal operating state of the induction motor 12. This information helps in addressing the future occurring fault at a faster pace and more effectively.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the invention, multiple student smart devices are connected to a master smart device to form a hub for controlling a corresponding hub of induction motors. I.e.., multiple induction motors that are employed in a system are connected together to form a hub. Each of the induction motor comprises a smart device connected to it.

[0013] In the so-called formed Hub of induction motor 12, one is made to function as a master induction motor having a master smart device and the remaining induction motors are made as student induction motors having a corresponding student smart device. The controller 16 of each of the smart device 10 in the hub provides information on a working state of each of the induction motor 12 in the hub via the connectivity module 20 and the communication device 28.

[0014] A method of working of the smart device 12 connected to the induction motor that works as a starter is explained in follows. In a normal working state, the main supply 30 powers the induction motor 12 via the smart device 10 to operate. The multi-phase switch 18 is switched ON by the controller 16 of the smart device 10 for suppling the power to the induction motor 12. The controller 16 continuously monitors the power (voltage and current values) in each phase that is connected to the induction motor 12 and will be compared with the corresponding predefined values. Upon variation from the pre-defined values, the controller 12 of the smart device 10 provides a signal from the multi-phase switch 18 for discontinuing the power to the induction motor 12. Thus, the smart device 10 acts as a starter device for the induction motor 12 for switching on and switching off.

[0015] The connectivity module 20 present in the smart device 10 enables the operating of the induction motor 12 remotely via the communication device 28. Through the communication device 28 , the signal is transmitted to the controller 16 of the smart device 10 via the connectivity module 20 for switching on or switching OFF of the induction motor 12.

[0016] Even when connected in the hub, at least one induction motor 12 can be operated remotely, wherein the smart device 10 working as a starter for the induction motor 12 for switching ON or switching OFF the induction motor 12 via the connectivity module 20 and the communication device 28. The GSM module 26 present in the smart device 10 helps in storing the information regarding the various operating state of the at least one induction motor 12 at any given point of time.

[0017] With the above-mentioned smart device 10, the operating of the induction motor 12 can be achieved remotely. The device 10 provides an effective low-cost solution over the conventional devices available in the market. The above device 10 works as a retrofit solution thus, replacing the regular starter of the induction motor 12. It also helps in effectively controlling the current through the load. The maintenance of the above device 10 is also made minimal as it consumes a very less power consumption.

[0018] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We Claim:

1. A smart device (10) for starting an induction motor (12), said device (10) comprising :
- at least one voltage converter (14) adapted to power a controller (16);
- a multi-phase switch (18) connected between said controller (16) and said induction motor (12);
- at least one connectivity module (20) connected to said controller (16), adapted to transmit a working state of said induction motor (12) via a communication means (22).

2. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a first voltage converter (14(a)) and a second voltage converter (14(b)), said first voltage converter (14(a)) is an AC to DC voltage converter and said second voltage converter (14(b)) is a DC-to-DC voltage converter.

3. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said multi-phase switch (18) is a three-phase switch adapted to continue/discontinue power to said induction motor (12) based on a signal from said controller (16) .

4. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connectivity module (20) and a global system mobile (GSM) communication module (26) connected to said controller (16), for transmitting said working state of said induction motor (12).

5. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said connectivity module(20) is a wireless connectivity module, adapted to transmit said working state of said induction motor (12) to a communication device (28) via at least one communication means (22).
6. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said induction motor (12) is made to operate via said connectivity module (20) and said communication device (28) remotely.

7. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said GSM communication module (26) adapted to transmit said working state of said induction motor (12) to a cloud repository for storage.

8. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein controller (16) adapted to continuously monitor voltage and current values at each phase of said induction motor(16) and operate said multi-phase switch (18) upon comparing said monitored values with a corresponding predefined value.

9. The smart device (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein multiple student smart devices are connected to a master smart device to form a hub for controlling a corresponding hub of induction motors.

10. The smart device as claimed in claim 9, wherein a controller (16) of each of said smart device (10) in said hub provides information on a working state of each of said induction motor (12) in said hub via said connectivity module (20) and said communication device (28).