Self-sanitizing electrical machine

Abstract

A method for sanitizing an electric motor is provided. The method includes setting operational parameters for the electric motor for destroying targeted microbes; and energizing the electric motor using the set operational parameters. Computer program products and an electric motor are disclosed.

1 . A method of sanitizing an electric machine, comprising:
 providing a current amplitude to windings of the electric machine to heat a housing of the electric machine to a temperature at which targeted microbes are destroyed; and   providing a current waveform to windings of the electric machine to cause vibration at a frequency at which targeted microbes are destroyed.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the targeted microbes are at least one of  E. coli, Salmonella  and  Listeria.    
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring current level and duration of heating of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of raising the temperature of the housing to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of monitoring vibration frequencies of the electric machine. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of varying frequencies of the current waveform to the windings of the electric machine. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the step of performing at least a threshold number of sweeps of a frequency range. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the frequencies are varied between about 10 Hz and about 1000 Hz. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the frequencies are varied between about 5 kHz and about 20 kHz. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a current waveform to windings of the electric machine dislodges particles or fibers from the housing of the electric machine. 
     
     
         11 . A self-sanitizing electric machine, comprising:
 a housing including internal components configured to provide mechanical energy when supplied with an electric current; and   a controller for controlling the sanitization process, the controller including:   a temperature control module providing a current amplitude to windings of the electric machine to heat a housing of the electric machine to a temperature at which targeted microbes are destroyed; and   a vibration control module providing a current waveform to windings of the electric machine to cause vibration at a frequency at which targeted microbes are destroyed.   
     
     
         12 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 11 , wherein the targeted microbes are at least one of  E. coli, Salmonella  and  Listeria.    
     
     
         13 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature control module monitors current level and duration of heating of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 11 , wherein temperature of the housing is raised to at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         15 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration control module monitors vibration frequencies of the electric machine. 
     
     
         16 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 11 , wherein the vibration control module varies frequencies of the current waveform to the windings of the electric machine. 
     
     
         17 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 16 , wherein the vibration control module performs at least a threshold number of sweeps of a frequency range. 
     
     
         18 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 16 , wherein the vibration control module varies the frequencies between about 10 Hz and about 1000 Hz. 
     
     
         19 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 16 , wherein the vibration control module varies the frequencies between about 5 kHz and about 20 kHz. 
     
     
         20 . The self-sanitizing electric machine of  claim 11 , wherein the vibration control module provides a current waveform to the windings of the electric machine to dislodge particles or fibers from the housing of the electric machine.