Industrial electrical machine

An industrial electrical machine includes a stator; a rotor in magnetic communication with the stator; a plurality of windings disposed in the rotor and/or the stator; and an embedded solid state controller. The solid state controller is operative to control the operation of the industrial electrical machine. The solid state controller includes a power semiconductor switching device coupled to the plurality of windings, and includes a communication interface. The power semiconductor switching device is operative to provide switching during operation of the industrial electrical machine, and is operative to turn the electrical machine on and to turn the electrical machine off in response to a control input received by the communication interface.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to electrical machines, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to industrial electrical machines.

BACKGROUND

Electrical machines of various types remain an area of interest. Some existing systems have various shortcomings, drawbacks and disadvantages relative to certain applications. For example, in some industrial electrical machines, simplicity of installation may be improved. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention is a unique industrial electrical machine. Another embodiment is another unique industrial electrical machine. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for electrical machines. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1, some aspects of a non-limiting example of an electrical machine10in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention are schematically illustrated. In one form, electrical machine10is an industrial Direct-On-Line (DOL) induction motor. In other embodiments, electrical machine10may take other forms, e.g., a switched reluctance, synchronous reluctance, or permanent magnet assisted reluctance motor, a permanent magnet motor, or any other type of motor. In one form, electrical machine10is a 3-phase machine. In other embodiments, electrical machine10may be a single-phase machine or another multi-phase machine. In one form, electrical machine10is an industrial electrical machine, e.g., an industrial motor system. In other embodiments, electrical machine10may not be an industrial electrical machine. An industrial electrical machine is an electrical machine that is fixed in place, not handheld, and is used in industry for one or more of various industrial or other non-consumer oriented purposes, e.g., in industrial processes, in the fabrication of industrial or consumer chemicals, materials and goods, the provision of consumer and industrial services, manufacturing or other industrial facilities, municipalities, material handling and other industry, and is not an electrical machine used in consumer products, such as tools used around the home and in home workshops or home-like workshops, such as handheld or fixed electric drills, electric screwdrivers, electric saws and the like used in such workshops, home appliances, automobile accessory electrical machines, e.g., window motors, cabin heater or air conditioning fan motors or the like. Industrial electrical machines may operate in harsher environments, e.g., chemicals, solvents, contamination, etc., that consumer electrical machines are not subject to. An industrial electrical machine as that term is used herein includes electrical machines with power ratings from about 1 horsepower to about 30 hp in some embodiments, and in excess of 30 hp in other embodiments.

Electrical machine10includes a motor11with an embedded solid state motor controller12, referred to herein as solid state controller12or controller12. Controller12and its circuits and electronic components are considered embedded because they are incorporated into electrical machine10, affixed to electrical machine10, i.e., motor11, as a part or feature of electrical machine10. In one form, solid state controller12is removable from electrical machine10. Solid state controller12is operative to control the operation of electrical machine10/motor11. Solid state controller12is constructed to form a motor starter, e.g., a DOL motor starter, and includes power semiconductor switching devices in a power control circuit for performing switching to form a solid state contactor to start and stop electrical machine10, and performs switching to provide power control for operating electrical machine10. Solid state controller12is constructed to form a circuit breaker; and an electronic fuse. Solid state controller12is constructed to form an overload protection relay for electrical machine10; and is constructed to provide fault protection for electrical machine10. In some embodiments, solid state controller12includes a measurement circuit for measuring electrical machine10parameters, e.g., voltage and/or current for each phase, and in some embodiments, temperature measurement, for example, at one or more suitable locations in or on electrical machine10. Solid state controller12is constructed to provide diagnostics for electrical machine10, e.g., based on the measured parameters, and provides communications for sending communications to electrical machine10, e.g., commands, and for receiving communications from electrical machine10in some embodiments.

Solid state controller12includes a power input14and a control/communication input16. Power input14may be, for example, a 3-phase power line having wires14A,14B and14C, e.g., one electrical line for each phase. Power input14may include a greater or lesser number of electrical lines in other embodiments. Control/communication input16is an input in the form of a wired, wireless or optical communication link to permit reception of a control input signal for controlling the operation of electrical machine10, and in some embodiments to provide or exchange information, such as device status, current monitoring, diagnostic information, health information and other data. Control/communication input16is operative to receive control inputs to solid state controller12from input device18. In one form, control/communication input16is a wired communication link operative to receive low power signals from an input device18, e.g., a control voltage input in the range of 0-24V or a control current input in the range of 1-100 mA, e.g., for providing on/off (start/stop) commands to electrical machine10, providing forward/reverse (direction of rotation) signals and the like.

In some embodiments, control/communication input16may be a wired analog or digital link, a wireless analog or digital link, an optical link or an Internet or other network link, wired or wireless or optical. In some embodiments, control/communication input16may be subdivided into a control input for supplying control signals, and a communications input for receiving communications at solid state controller12via a wired, wireless or optical communication link. In other embodiments, control inputs and communications inputs may share a common control/communication input16link. In some embodiments, control/communication input16is operative to transmit data and communications from solid state controller12to input device18or another controller, computer or device, in addition to receiving data and communications from input device18. Input device18is an input or control device, which may be a programmable logic circuit (PLC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a computer, or other controller or device, and may employ any suitable communication protocol, including network communications protocols. Communications protocols/systems used by solid state controller12, control/communications input16and input device18may include, for example, Control Area Network (CAN) protocol, Modbus, Ethernet, profibus, fieldbus, SmartWire-DT, the Internet or a local area network, or one or more of various protocols or systems, e.g., CATS, just to name a few. In some embodiments, control/communication input16may be an Internet over power AC bus/power line link, and may be part of or coupled to power input14. In some embodiments, electrical machine10is an Internet of Things component. In other embodiments, communication/control link16may be a wireless transmitter and receiver for broadcasting data to input device18and receiving control or other input from input device18.

Solid state controller12in some embodiments provides for the direct connection of electrical machine10to the grid, i.e., power grid, such as a utility or local power grid, via power input14, and is directly controllable with a control signal or through a communication line, e.g., via input device18and control/communication input16. Because electrical machine10is directly connected to the grid and a control/communication channel, by way of embedded solid state controller12, the control electrical panels typically required in order to operate an industrial electrical machine, e.g., a DOL induction motor, are not required. For example, conventional contactors and associated enclosures, e.g., wall-mounted, control power panels, circuit breakers, relays, overload protection relay, and fuse holder are not required, since the functions performed by these devices are performed by solid state controller12. Electrical machine10is thus constructed to be directly connected to the power grid without any intervening contactors, e.g., for turning electrical machine10on or off, or circuit breakers, relays, overload relays or fuses. For example, solid state controller12is constructed to be, among other things, a motor starter, e.g., a DOL motor starter, including providing switching wherein solid state controller12operates as a contactor, a circuit breaker and an overload relay for motor11and electrical machine10. Solid state controller12is operative to turn on and off electrical machine10, provide an electrical machine10emergency stop, and in some embodiments, control power output of electrical machine10and/or control of electrical machine10speed and direction of rotation. In addition, solid state controller12provides remote control (e.g., via input device18and control communication link16), monitoring, remote measurement and diagnostics, and feedback. Solid state controller12is constructed to provide overload protection, short-circuit protection, power consumption monitoring, diagnostic monitoring, and remote reconfiguration of the controller12. The control platform of electrical machine10can be reconfigured to accept different type of control signals and communication protocols, including wired control signal, internet over power line, wireless broadcast or transmission, to name a few.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3in conjunction withFIG. 1, electrical machine10, in particular, motor11, includes a rotor20, a stator22, a frame24, a forward end bell26and an aft end bell28. Rotor20includes a shaft30protruding at each end, supported by rotor support bearings (not shown), e.g., mounted in or adjacent to end bells26and28. Located at each end of rotor20is a fan32having multiple blades34. Rotor20includes rotor electromagnets36in magnetic communication with stator22.

Stator22is mounted to and housed by frame24, and is in thermal communication with frame24. Frame24encloses rotor20and stator22. Stator22includes stator electromagnets38with a plurality of windings40disposed therein. Stator electromagnetics38are in magnetic communication with rotor electromagnets36. Frame24includes cooling fins42. Cooling fins42and fans32form a cooling system44constructed to cool motor11, e.g., stator22and rotor20. Cooling system44may include other cooling components and features not mentioned herein. In the process of cooling motor11, heat is transferred to frame24, e.g., from stator22and from air used to cool rotor22; and cooling fins42transfer heat from frame24to the ambient environment. Frame24includes an integral boss or mounting pad46for mounting embedded solid state controller12.

Solid state controller12is mounted, and in some embodiments in or partially in pad46. Solid state controller12includes cooling fins48, a heat sink50, and in some embodiments a cooling fan52. Cooling fins48, heat sink50and cooling fan52form a cooling system54constructed to provide cooling for solid state controller12. In other embodiments, cooling system54may include a greater or lesser number of cooling system components/features. Solid state controller12includes electrical plugs24(only one of which is shown inFIG. 1) for electrical connection to sockets26disposed in pad46for delivering power to windings40of electrical machine10.

In one form, cooling system44is optimized for cooling motor11, e.g., including rotor20and stator22; and cooling system54is optimized for cooling embedded solid state controller12. Some embodiments include a thermal interface system60constructed to thermally couple cooling system44and cooling system54, e.g., so that cooling system44can help share solid state controller12thermal loads, and so that cooling system54can help share motor11thermal loads, e.g., rotor20and stator22thermal loads and other electrical machine10thermal loads, e.g., depending upon the operating condition of electrical machine10.

In one form, thermal interface system60thermally couples cooling system44and cooling system54to each other by thermally coupling solid state controller22to frame24, e.g., to mounting pad46of frame24. Thermal interface system60may be, for example, a thermal paste or a thermal grease, and/or smooth, flat mating surface contact areas on solid state controller12and mounting pad46, which may in some embodiments include surface treatments to reduce or minimize thermal contact resistance. In other embodiments, thermal interface system60may include other components or features, e.g., one or more heat pipes or other heat transfer mechanisms or devices to transfer heat from solid state controller22to mounting pad46/frame24and/or heat pipes or other heat transfer mechanisms or devices to transfer heat from mounting pad46/frame24to solid state controller22. In some embodiments, cooling system44is constructed to provide cooling for solid state controller12in addition to cooling rotor20and stator22. In some embodiments, cooling system54is constructed to provide cooling for rotor20and stator22in addition to solid state controller12. In some embodiments, electrical machine10is optimized to provide cooling to both motor11and controller12.

Referring toFIG. 4, some aspects of a non-limiting example of an embedded solid state controller in an electrical machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, controller12(and hence, electrical machine10) is coupled to a grid62such as a utility or local power grid, and is coupled to input device18via control/communication input16. Controller12provides power, e.g., 3-phase power to motor11, in particular, to windings40for operating electrical machine10. In the embodiment ofFIG. 4, controller12includes control circuitry66, a gate driver circuit68, power semiconductor switching devices70(also referred to as power semiconductor devices70) and a current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72, each of which are embedded as part of controller12and electrical machine10.

In one form, control circuitry66is a microcontroller. In other embodiments, control circuitry66may be an analog control circuit, another form of a digital control circuit or controller, or any form of control circuitry or controller. Other examples of control circuitry66include a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete circuit, e.g., logic circuitry, a programmable logic controller (PLC), to name a few. Control circuitry66includes a communication interface74, which is a control and communication interface that is coupled to input device18via control/communication input16. Communication interface74is operative to receive control input and other communication input from input device18via control/communication input16for controlling the operation of electrical machine10, as well as to transmit communications to input device18from controller12, i.e., from control circuitry66. In some embodiments, communication interface74has an internet protocol (IP) address, and control/communication input16is an Internet link. In some embodiments control/communication input16may be an Internet over AC bus/power line communication link, e.g., and may be part of or coupled to power input14. Control circuit66is coupled to gate driver circuit68. Gate driver circuit68is coupled to power semiconductor devices70. Current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72is coupled to power semiconductor devices72and to control circuitry66.

Control circuitry66is operative to control the operation of electrical machine10, e.g., motor11, based on the output of communication interface74, for example, to control on/off or start/stop operations, emergency stop operations, and in some embodiments, speed control and/or torque control and/or forward/reverse rotational direction control, by controlling the output of gate driver circuit68. Gate driver circuit68is operative to provide gate drive signals to power semiconductors70under the control of control circuitry66.

Power semiconductor switching devices70are disposed in or on frame24, e.g., in or on pad46as part of controller12. Power semiconductor devices70are coupled to windings40and operative to control the flow of power to windings40by performing switching of the power supplied to electrical machine11from grid62during operation of electrical machine10. Power semiconductor devices70are also operative to perform switching to start/stop electrical machine10, i.e., to turn electrical machine10and to turn electrical machine10off in response to a control input received by communication interface74from input device18via control/communication input16. In addition, power semiconductors70are operative to perform switching in order to perform an emergency stop of electrical machine10, as well as to perform torque control, speed control and other desirable motor control functions, e.g., as mentioned herein.

In one form, power semiconductor devices70include one or more thyristor-type devices, and one or FET-type devices. In various embodiments, the thyristor type devices may be, for example and without limitation, one or more thyristors and/or SCRs and/or TRIACs. In some embodiments, one or more thyristors may be substituted with bipolar devices. Thyristor-type devices may also be or include one or more integrated gate-commutated thyristors (IGCTs), insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBTs), gate turn-off thyristors (GTOs), and MOS-controlled thyristors (MCTs).

The FET-type devices may be, for example and without limitation, SiC Junction gate Field Effect Transistors (JFETs), SiC JFETs in Cascode configuration with Si MOSFETs or GaN MOSFETs, SiC Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs), SiC Junction gate field-effect transistors with an anti parallel diode, SiC Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors with an anti parallel diode, a GaN four quadrant FET, a symmetrical normally-ON SiC JFET, or a dual-gate normally-ON GaN HEMT. FET-type devices may also be or include one or more of a GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistor (HEMT), GaN field-effect transistor (FET), a GaN Enhancement mode HEMT (E-HEMT), a Si Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET), a Si Junction gate field-effect transistor (JFET), a Si Super Junction MOSFET and Wide-Band Gap, SiC, GaN, Diamond semiconductor devices. Diodes, e.g., employed in the Cascode configuration, may include, for example and without limitation, one or more of a Pn diode, Schottky diode, an SiC Schottky diode, or one or more other diode types. Diodes may be used in conjunction with other FET-type devices as well, e.g., as freewheeling diodes.

Current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72is operative to measure the phase currents at power semiconductor devices70, and to condition the measured current signal. Current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72provides the conditioned measured current signal to control circuitry66for use in controlling the operation of gate driver circuit68and hence, the operation of power semiconductor devices70. In some embodiments, current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72is also operative to measure current, voltage and/or one or more motor11temperatures as part of diagnostic or fault detection or protection, which is performed by control circuitry66. For example, in some embodiments, control circuitry66is operative to perform diagnostic monitoring based on based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase and/or based on the measured temperature. In some embodiments, control circuitry66is operative to perform fault protection for electrical machine10, e.g., based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase. In some embodiments, control circuitry66is operative to provide overload protection for electrical machine10, e.g., based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase.

Referring toFIG. 5, some aspects of a non-limiting example of an embedded solid state controller in an electrical machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, controller12(and hence, electrical machine10) is coupled to grid62, and is coupled to input device18via control/communication input16. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, control/communication input16is subdivided into a control input or link16A and a communication input or link16B. Controller12provides power, e.g., 3-phase power to motor11, in particular, to windings40for operating electrical machine10.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 5, embedded controller12includes a communication interface78, a power supply80, a control, protection and diagnostic circuit82, as well as gate driver circuit68, power semiconductor devices70and current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72, e.g., as described above with respect to the embodiment ofFIG. 4, the foregoing of which are embedded as part of controller12and electrical machine10. Communication interface78includes a control input interface84and a communication interface86. Input device18is coupled to control input interface84via control input or link16A for providing control inputs to electrical machine10, e.g., start/stop (on/off) commands, emergency stop commands, and in some embodiments speed and/or torque and/or forward/reverse control commands. In other embodiments, other control inputs may be supplied from input device18to control input interface84via control input16A. Control input or link16A may be wired, wireless or optical, and may use any suitable low voltage or current control signal or any suitable communication protocol or system, e.g., mentioned herein regarding control/communication input16.

Input device18is coupled to communication interface84via communication input or link16B. In some embodiments, communication input or link16B is bidirectional, e.g., so that communication data can flow in both directions between input device18and embedded controller12, which may be used for exchanging communications between input device18and controller12, e.g., diagnostic data, health or condition monitoring, remote configuration changes to controller12control parameters, or other communications, e.g., described elsewhere herein. Communication input or link16B may be wired, wireless or optical, and may use any suitable communication protocol or system, e.g., mentioned herein regarding control/communication input16. In some embodiments, communication interface78(e.g., control input interface84and/or communication interface86) has an internet protocol (IP) address, and control input or link16A and/or communication input or link16B is an Internet link. In some embodiments, control input or link16A and or communication input or link16B may be an Internet over AC bus/power line communication link and may be part of or coupled to power input14.

Control input interface84and communication interface86are coupled to control, protection and diagnostic circuit82, and provide inputs into control, protection and diagnostic circuit82based on the control and communication inputs received from input device18. In one form, power supply80receives power from grid62. Power supply80is coupled to control, protection and diagnostic circuit82and gate driver circuit68, and converts the power from grid62to a suitable voltage and current for provision to and use by control, protection and diagnostic circuit82and gate driver circuit68. Gate driver circuit68is coupled to power semiconductor devices70. Current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72is coupled to power semiconductor devices70and to control, protection and diagnostic circuit82.

Control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to control the operation of electrical machine10, e.g., motor11, for example, to control on/off or start/stop operations, emergency stop operations, and in some embodiments, speed control and/or torque control and/or forward/reverse, by controlling the output of gate driver circuit68. Gate driver circuit68is operative to provide gate drive signals to power semiconductor devices70under the direction of control, protection and diagnostic circuit82. Power semiconductor switching devices70are operative to control the flow of power to windings40by performing switching, e.g., as described above with respect to the embodiment ofFIG. 4, in response to control inputs received via control input16A.

Current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72is operative to measure the phase currents at power semiconductor devices70, and to condition the measured current signal. Current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72provides the conditioned measured current signal to control, protection and diagnostic circuit82for use in controlling the operation of gate driver circuit68and hence, the operation of power semiconductor devices70. In some embodiments, current measurement and signal conditioning circuit72is also operative to measure current, voltage and/or one or more motor11temperatures as part of diagnostic or fault detection or protection, which is performed by control, protection and diagnostic circuit82. For example, in some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to perform diagnostic monitoring based on based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase and/or based on the measured temperature. In some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to perform fault protection for electrical machine10, e.g., based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase. In some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to provide overload protection for electrical machine10, e.g., based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase.

Referring toFIG. 6, some aspects of a non-limiting example of an embedded solid state controller in an electrical machine in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, controller12(and hence, electrical machine10) is coupled to grid62, and is coupled to input device18via control/communication input16. Controller12provides power, e.g., 3-phase power to motor11, in particular, to windings40for operating electrical machine10.

In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, embedded controller12includes a control/communication interface90, and a power supply80, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82, power semiconductor devices70, e.g., as described above with respect to the embodiment ofFIGS. 4 and 5, the foregoing of which are embedded as part of electrical machine10. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82also includes a gate driver circuit operative to provide gate drive signals to power semiconductor devices70.

Input device18is coupled to control/communication interface90via control/communication input or link16for providing control inputs to electrical machine10, e.g., start/stop (on/off) commands, emergency stop commands, and in some embodiments speed and/or torque control and/or forward/reverse commands. In some embodiments, communication input or link16B is bidirectional, e.g., so that communication data can flow in both directions between input device18and embedded controller12, which may be used for exchanging communications between input device18and controller12, e.g., diagnostic data, health or condition monitoring, remote configuration changes to controller12control parameters, or other communications, e.g., described elsewhere herein. Control/communication input or link16may be wired, wireless or optical, and may use any suitable low voltage or current control signal or any suitable communication protocol or system, e.g., mentioned elsewhere herein.

Control/communication interface90is coupled to control, protection and diagnostic circuit82, and provide inputs into control, protection and diagnostic circuit82based on the control and communication inputs received from input device18. In some embodiments, communication interface90has an internet protocol (IP) address, and control input or link16an Internet link. In some embodiments, control/communication input or link16may be an Internet over AC bus/power line communication link and may be part of or coupled to power input14.

In one form, power supply80receives power from grid62. Power supply80is coupled to control, protection and diagnostic circuit82, and converts the power from grid62to a suitable voltage and current for provision to and use by control, protection and diagnostic circuit82.

Control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to control the operation of electrical machine10, e.g., motor11, for example, as described above with respect to the embodiment ofFIG. 5, by controlling the gate drive signals sent to power semiconductor devices70. Power semiconductor switching devices70are operative to control the flow of power to windings40by performing switching, e.g., as previously described, in response to control inputs received via control/communication input16.

In some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82in the embodiment ofFIG. 6is operative to measure the phase currents and/or voltage at power semiconductor devices70, e.g., for use in generating gate drive signals to control the operation of power semiconductor devices70. In some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is also operative to measure current, voltage and/or one or more motor11temperatures as part of diagnostic or fault detection or protection. For example, in some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to perform diagnostic monitoring based on based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase and/or based on the measured temperature. In some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to perform fault protection for electrical machine10, e.g., based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase. In some embodiments, control, protection and diagnostic circuit82is operative to provide overload protection for electrical machine10, e.g., based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase.

Embodiments of the present invention include an industrial electrical machine, comprising: a stator; a rotor in magnetic communication with the stator; a plurality of windings disposed in the rotor and/or the stator; and an embedded solid state controller operative to control the operation of the industrial electrical machine, the solid state controller including a power semiconductor switching device coupled to the plurality of windings, and including a communication interface, wherein the power semiconductor switching device is operative to provide switching during operation of the industrial electrical machine, and is operative to turn the electrical machine on and to turn the electrical machine off in response to a control input received by the communication interface.

In a refinement, the industrial electrical machine further comprises a frame housing the stator and in thermal communication with the stator; a first cooling system operative to cool the stator and the rotor; and a thermal interface thermally coupling the controller and the frame, wherein the first cooling system is constructed to provide cooling for the solid state controller in addition to cooling the rotor and the stator.

In another refinement, the industrial electrical machine further comprises a second cooling system constructed to provide cooling for the solid state controller.

In yet another refinement, the industrial electrical machine is constructed to be directly connected to a power grid without any intervening contactors for turning the industrial electrical machine on or off.

In still another refinement, the industrial electrical machine is a three-phase machine; and wherein the solid state controller includes a measurement circuit operative to measure current and/or voltage for each phase and/or to measure a temperature of the industrial electrical machine.

In yet still another refinement, the solid state controller includes a circuit is operative to perform diagnostic monitoring based on the measured current and/or voltage for each phase and/or based on the measured temperature.

In a further refinement, the circuit is operative to provide fault protection for the industrial electrical machine.

In a yet further refinement, the circuit is operative to provide overload protection for the industrial electrical machine.

Embodiments of the present invention include an industrial electrical machine, comprising: a stator; a rotor in magnetic communication with the stator; a plurality of windings disposed in the rotor and/or the stator; a frame enclosing the stator and rotor; an embedded power semiconductor switching device disposed in or on the frame and coupled to the plurality of windings, wherein the power semiconductor switching device is operative to turn the electrical machine on and to turn the electrical machine off; an embedded communication interface disposed in or on the frame, wherein the communication interface is operative to receive a control input for controlling the operation of the industrial electrical machine; and an embedded control circuit operative to direct the operation of the power semiconductor switching device based on an output of the communication interface.

In a refinement, the industrial electrical machine is an industrial DOL (Direct On Line) motor.

In another refinement, the DOL motor is an induction motor.

In yet another refinement, the power semiconductor switching device operates as a solid state contactor operative to start and stop the industrial electrical machine.

In still another refinement, the industrial electrical machine further comprises an input device communicatively coupled to the communication interface via a communication link.

In yet still another refinement, the communication link is wireless.

In a further refinement, the communication interface has an IP address, and the communication link is an Internet link.

In a yet further refinement, the communication link is an Internet-over-power-line communication link.

In a still further refinement, the industrial electrical machine is an Internet of Things component.

Embodiments of the present invention include an industrial electrical machine, comprising: a stator; a rotor in magnetic communication with the stator; a plurality of windings disposed in the rotor and/or the stator; a frame enclosing the stator and rotor; and a solid state controller mounted to the frame and constructed as a motor starter, wherein the solid state controller is constructed as a contactor for starting and stopping the industrial electrical machine; is constructed as a circuit breaker for the industrial electrical machine; and constructed as an overload protection relay for the industrial electrical machine.

In a refinement, the solid state controller is constructed as a Direct-On-Line (DOL) motor starter.

In another refinement, the industrial electrical machine is an industrial DOL induction motor.