Abstract: A method for controlling a multi-phase motor includes withholding energization of a first phase of the motor for a non-zero period when the first phase's dwell time begins. Energization of the first phase is activated upon the expiration of the non-zero period. Energization of the first phase is deactivated for the remainder of the dwell time at a deactivation time occurring before or at the expiration of the dwell time.

Abstract: A power factor correction system includes a rectifier that rectifies the voltage of an alternating current (ac) power source to produce a voltage waveform that transitions, in a half sinusoid, from a minimum amplitude to a maximum amplitude and back to the minimum amplitude twice in the period of the ac power source. A phase winding of a motor conveys current induced by the voltage waveform, and a regulator regulates the flow of the current conveyed by the phase winding for storage as energy in a storage component.

Abstract: An improved single-switch control circuit for use in a multi-phase switched reluctance machine is provided. The control circuit includes at least first and second phase windings, a switch, a capacitor, and a diode. The capacitor may have a polarity opposite that of a power source in the control circuit. The first winding may be connected in series with the switch and connected in parallel with a circuit block comprising the second winding. The second winding may be connected in parallel with the capacitor and in series with the diode. In operation, the switch may be used to redirect current from the first winding to the second winding. The capacitor can become charged by the redirected current until it eventually stores enough energy to essentially discontinue current flow in the first winding. Then, the capacitor can discharge its stored energy as a current through the second winding. In this manner, substantially all of the energy from the first winding can be transferred to the second winding.