Motor drive with integrated server module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drive system that includes a module that operates as a server, where in at least some embodiments the module is at least one of directly integrated with another module that operates as a drive and fully integrated to include the drive. The server allows for communications with one or more terminals via an internet-type communications medium, while the drive is for controlling, monitoring and/or otherwise interacting with at least one motor, electromechanical machine, or other appropriate type of machine/process. In at least some embodiments, the server is capable of providing web pages, executable programs and/or other information including, for example, information in accordance with an FTP protocol onto the internet for receipt by the terminals. The terminals communicate commands and other information via the internet back to the server, which in turn can influence the drive and the controlled machine/process.

1 . A motor drive system, comprising:
 a housing;   a motor drive disposed within the housing;   a drive module integrated in the motor drive within the housing and comprising a plurality of power electronic switches that are switched in operation in response to control signals to control application of power to an electric motor;   drive control circuitry in the housing that generates the control signals in operation; and   an adapter disposed in the housing and communicatively coupled to the drive control circuitry, the adapter comprising a network server configured to communicate data for a web page relating to operation of the electric motor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive control circuitry further comprises at least one interface configured to communicate with a separate programmable controller, but the motor drive is configured for stand-alone operation for control of the electric motor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the integration of the server module and the drive module enables components of both the server module and the drive module to be configured together in a single operation and/or upgraded together in a single coordinated operation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the adapter is one of multiple add-on adapters coupled in the motor drive system. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises an electronic file. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises a code defining a web page. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the code references at least one Java class. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the web page comprises a drop down list of selectable programs or operations that a user can select form within the motor drive system. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the selectable programs comprise a startup application for aiding commissioning of the motor drive system. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises an interactive dialog screen. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the dialog screen allows selection of at least one of alarms, diagnostics, setup, utility and help pages. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data comprises a home page for the motor drive system. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the home page comprises link to documents internal to the motor drive system. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server comprises a plurality of sub-servers. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the sub-servers comprise at least one of an HTTP server, an FTP server, and an Ethernet/IP server. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a communications module in communication with the server and configured to output email messages when a fault occurs in the motor drive system. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server serves different data depending upon a user access level. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server comprises a file transfer server. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server permits exchange of data between the motor drive system and an external terminal for control of operation of the motor. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server permits downloading to the motor drive system of new motor drive code. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server permits initial configuration of the motor drive system during manufacture of the motor drive system. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the server comprises an Ethernet port. 
     
     
         23 . A motor drive system, comprising:
 a housing;   a motor drive disposed within the housing;   a drive module integrated in the motor drive within the housing and comprising a plurality of power electronic switches that are switched in operation in response to control signals to control application of power to an electric motor;   drive control circuitry in the housing that generates the control signals in operation; and   a plurality of add-on adapters disposed in the housing and communicatively coupled to the drive control circuitry, one of the adapter comprising a network server configured to communicate web page data relating to operation of the electric motor.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the web page comprises a drop down list of selectable programs or operations that a user can select form within the motor drive system. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the selectable programs comprise a startup application for aiding commissioning of the motor drive system. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the data comprises an interactive dialog screen. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the dialog screen allows selection of at least one of alarms, diagnostics, setup, utility and help pages. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the data comprises a home page for the motor drive system. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the home page comprises link to documents internal to the motor drive system. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23 , comprising a communications module in communication with the server and configured to output email messages when a fault occurs in the motor drive system. 
     
     
         31 . A motor drive system, comprising:
 a housing;   a motor drive disposed within the housing;   a drive module integrated in the motor drive within the housing and comprising a plurality of power electronic switches that are switched in operation in response to control signals to control application of power to an electric motor;   drive control circuitry in the housing that generates the control signals in operation;   an add-on adapter disposed in the housing and communicatively coupled to the drive control circuitry, the adapter comprising a network server configured to communicate web page data relating to operation of the electric motor; and   a communications module in communication with the server and configured to output email messages when a fault occurs in the motor drive system.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the web page comprises a drop down list of selectable programs or operations that a user can select form within the motor drive system. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the selectable programs comprise a startup application for aiding commissioning of the motor drive system. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the data comprises an interactive dialog screen. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , wherein the dialog screen allows selection of at least one of alarms, diagnostics, setup, utility and help pages.