Patent ID: 8022656

Claim:
An electric brake circuit for holding an alternating current induction motor rotor stationary comprising: an AC power source; an AC induction motor having a stator having at least one pole and a rotor connected to a motor shaft, said rotor having at least one groove formed therein positioned for alignment with said at least one motor pole; an AC to DC converter coupled to said AC source for converting AC to DC, said AC to DC converter being coupled to said AC induction motor; a brake actuator coupled between said AC power source and said AC induction motor for applying an alternating current to said AC induction motor in one position and to said AC to DC converter in a second position for braking and holding said AC induction motor rotor with each said rotor groove aligned with one said stator pole; whereby an AC induction motor has a DC holding brake for holding the rotor in a predetermined stationary position.