Abstract: An electrical stepper motor system is provided in which a microcomputer controlled driver monitors the real time operating parameters of the stepper motor. The driver is controlled by the microcomputer to keep the real time operating parameters of the motor in a range that is governed by limiting parameters. The limiting parameters are determined by the microcomputer on a moment by moment basis in response to changes in certain conditions occurring within the stepper motor, as well as in the outside operating environment. The microcomputer compares the microcomputer determined safe operating parameters with any user stipulated operating parameters, stored in the storage means of the microcomputer, to determine limiting parameters on a moment by moment basis. An encoder senses the position and velocity of the motor and provides appropriate status signals to enable the driver to compensate for position and velocity errors of the stepper motor.

Abstract: An electrical motor system is provided in which driver means position the motor, control the speed of the motor and control the current delivered to the windings of the motor. The operating parameters of the system are sensed on a moment by moment basis and data concerning these operating parameters is provided to a memory. A user has the ability to provide a plurality of user-stipulated operating parameters during use of the motor system. The user-stipulated operating parameters are sensed on a moment by moment basis and data concerning the user-stipulated operating parameters is provided to the memory. The memory contains limiting parameters, sensed operating parameters and user-stipulated operating parameters and a set of adaptive programs for determining the relationship between these parameters. The various parameters are fed to a computer which operates with them, via the adaptive programs, to create, on a moment by moment basis, a new set of operational limiting parameters.