Apparatus and method for energy efficient motor drive standby operation

摘要

Motor drive apparatus and methods are presented in which a standby controller uses at least one switching device to power an inverter in a normal mode and to remove power from the inverter and other motor drive components during a standby mode for improved energy efficiency.

主权项

1. A motor drive operative in a normal mode and a standby mode, the motor drive, comprising:
a drive input receiving electrical input power from a power source; an inverter comprising a DC input coupled with first and second DC current paths, an AC output with a plurality of AC output nodes for supplying power to a motor, and an inverter switching network comprising a plurality of inverter switching devices individually coupled between one of the DC current paths and one of the AC output nodes; at least one switching device coupled between the drive input and the DC input of the inverter, the at least one switching device operative in a first mode to allow input power to flow from the power source to the inverter and in a second mode to prevent input power from flowing from the power source to the inverter; and a standby controller operatively coupled with the at least one switching device to place the at least one switching device in the first mode when the motor drive is in the normal operating mode and to place the at least one switching device in the second mode while maintaining power to at least one control component of the motor drive when the motor drive is in the standby operating mode.