Patent ID: 6640372
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: D06F

Abstract:
In an appliance with a vessel for holding a supply of material, said vessel being rotatable by operation of an electric motor, a method comprising the steps:A. determining an amount of electrical current required by said motor to rotate said vessel at various predetermined speeds and at predetermined acceleration rates between said various predetermined speeds; B. calculating a separate threshold value above said determined amount of current for each of said predetermined speeds and acceleration rates; C. charging said vessel with said supply of material; D. then rotating said vessel about an axis at a first one of said predetermined speeds with said electric motor; E. then determining an amount of electrical current used by said motor to rotate said vessel at said first predetermined speed; F. then comparing said amount of electrical current with said calculated value for said first speed; G. then sending a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if said amount of current exceeds said calculated value; H. then accelerating said vessel for an acceleration period to a higher predetermined speed if said amount of current is below said calculated value; I. then determining an amount of electrical current used by said motor to accelerate said vessel to said next higher predetermined speed; J. then comparing said amount of electrical current with said calculated value for said acceleration period; K. then sending a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if said amount of current exceeds said calculated value for said acceleration period; L. then determining an amount of electrical current used by said motor to rotate said vessel at said next higher predetermined speed; M. then comparing said amount of electrical current with said calculated value for said next higher speed; N. then sending a signal indicative of an unbalance condition if said amount of current exceeds said calculated value for said next higher speed; and O. repeating steps H through N until either a signal indicative of an unbalance condition is sent or a maximum predetermined speed is achieved.