Abstract: A motor control device includes a motor, a control portion controlling the motor, estimating a heating temperature of the motor on the basis of an electric current value and an energizing time period or a stopping time period of the motor, and restricting an electrification of the motor in a case where the estimated heating temperature becomes equal to or greater than a limit value, and a temperature sensing device for detecting a temperature of a predetermined portion of a vehicle, wherein the control portion estimates an initial temperature of the motor when an engine is started on the basis of a temperature signal outputted from the temperature sensing device and determines the limit value on the basis of the estimated initial temperature.

Abstract: A test bench encompasses a load device and a blower device for cooling the load device. With the help of one or more temperature sensors, it is possible to identify the temperature in or on the load device and to adjust the speed of a blower motor of the blower device accordingly. For instance, provision is made for changing the blower speed in a predetermined range linearly with the temperature change in the load device. In the event that one of the temperature sensors determines that a predetermined limit value is exceeded, the blower is set to maximum speed. In response to the exceeding of a further, higher temperature limit value, the load device is turned off.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide methods of controlling a motor, such as a servo motor. One method can include monitoring a current temperature of the motor and a power stage of the motor substantially continuously and substantially in real-time. This method can include determining optimum settings for a first time interval to remove power and the second time interval to provide power in order to deliver maximum output while remaining below the maximum rated temperature of the motor. One method can include pulsing power to the motor for a second time interval after a first time interval has elapsed and tailoring pulse shapes of the power provided to the motor for the second time interval. One method can include calculating a maximum phase current based on the rotor shaft torque for each real-time speed of the motor that correlates to the maximum allowable current draw from the power supply.

Abstract: A control circuit includes a current sensing circuit, an analog digital converter (ADC), an amplifying circuit, a processor, and a switching circuit. The current sensing circuit senses current supplied to an electronic device by a power supply and outputs a first voltage signal. The amplifying circuit amplifies the first voltage signal output from the current sensing circuit to a second voltage signal. The ADC converts the second voltage signal to a digital signal. The processor outputs pulse width modulation (PWM) signals according to the digital signal. The switching circuit receives the PWM signals to control a fan of the electronic device according to the PWM signals.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling fan speed in a power supply. The apparatus measures input power to the power supply and measures the output power provided by the power supply over an interval. The apparatus determines values for the input power and output power and, using the two, determines how much power has been dissipated in the power supply. Power dissipation values are associated with particular fan speeds, and the apparatus adjusts the speed of the fan in the power supply based on how much power was dissipated during the interval. Increasing levels of power dissipation increases the fan speed, and decreasing levels of power dissipation decrease the fan speed.

Abstract: A sealed electric compressor having a normally-off type pressure switch and a fuse element. The pressure switch is placed in a sealed housing, connected parallel to a main winding of an electric motor, and, when the pressure of refrigerant in the sealed housing is abnormally high, activates to short-circuit the main winding. The fuse element is connected in series to the main winding and an auxiliary winding of the electric motor and interrupts conduction of electricity to the electric motor when an excess current that is produced when the pressure switch short-circuits the main winding flows.

Abstract: An electric drive has at least one electric motor and a power converter feeding electrical motor current thereto. A current desired-value emitter generates a reference signal. An additional circuit is coupled to the current desired-value emitter so as to receive the reference signal and generates a current desired-value signal. A current regulator is coupled to the additional circuit so as to receive the current desired-value signal. The current regulator generates a control signal to the power converter so as to regulate the motor current as a function of the current desired-value signal. The additional circuit has a first mode wherein the current desired-value signal corresponds to the reference signal and a second mode wherein the current desired-value signal is a pulsed signal.

Abstract: A power electronics device with an improved IGBT protection mechanism is provided. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for reducing the switching frequency of an inverter module based on the junction temperature variation of the IGBT.

Abstract: A motor control system for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) applications is described. The motor control system includes a thermostat and an electronically commutated motor (ECM) coupled to the thermostat. The ECM is configured to retrofit an existing non-ECM electric motor included in an HVAC application and to operate in one of a plurality of HVAC modes. The HVAC modes include at least one of a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a continuous fan mode. The HVAC mode is determined based at least partially on outputs provided by the thermostat.

Abstract: A motor-drive circuit includes: an output transistor configured to supply a drive current to a motor for a cooling fan; a switching-control circuit configured to control switching of the output transistor so that the motor rotates in a first direction, or rotates in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and a switching circuit configured to, when a first time has elapsed since start of rotation of the motor in the first direction, cause the switching-control circuit to start switching control so that the motor stops rotating in the first direction and thereafter rotates in the second direction, and configured to, when a second time has elapsed since start of rotation of the motor in the second direction, cause the switching-control circuit to start switching control so that the motor stops rotating in the second direction and thereafter rotates in the first direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor controller for an air conditioner and a motor control method. The motor controller including a converter converting AC utility power into DC power and an inverter having a plurality of switching elements, the inverter receiving the DC power, converting the received DC power into AC power by switching operations of the switching elements, and supplies the AC power to a motor, the motor controller further including: a current detector detecting a current flowing in the motor controller; a temperature detector detecting a temperature in the motor controller or a temperature ambient to the motor controller; and a controller calculating a loading based on at least one of room temperature, setup temperature, and inner unit capacity and setting up a final target frequency for driving the motor based on the calculated loading and at least one of the detected current and the detected temperature.

Abstract: A cooling system (100) for a retarding grid (118) having a plurality of resistors (120) and insulators (122) is provided. The cooling system (100) may include a blower (130) configured to actively cool the retarding grid (118) and a controller (134) configured to selectively enable the blower (130). The controller (134) may enable the blower (130) based on thermal characteristics of the resistors (120) and the insulators (122) of the retarding grid (118). The thermal characteristics may include a current resistor temperature and a projected insulator temperature.

Abstract: A drive system for a multi-phase electric machine with a permanent magnet rotor, the drive system may comprise conduction paths for each phase. Detectors on each of the conduction paths may determine electrical condition of the conduction path. At least one selectable interconnection path may be present between all of the conduction paths and at least one selectable interconnection path may be operable to connect all of the conduction paths together responsively to at least one of the detectors determining that the electrical condition of its respective electrical path is representative of a predetermined electrical fault condition so that heating of the rotor during continued rotation of the rotor is prevented.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to automated shade systems. An automated shade system comprises one or more motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use one or more algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures; shadow information; reflectance information; lighting and radiation information; ASHRAE clear sky algorithms; log information related to manual overrides; occupant preference information; motion information; real-time sky conditions; solar radiation on a building; a total foot-candle load on a structure; brightness overrides; actual and/or calculated BTU load; time-of-year information; and microclimate analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for fault tolerant cooling in a redundant power system. The apparatus receives power from a common power bus to power one or more power supply fans. The apparatus detects a non-functioning redundant power supply. The apparatus receives a fan control signal within a non-functioning redundant power supply. In addition, the apparatus uses the received fan control signal to synchronize a fan speed of a power supply fan within the non-functioning redundant power supply. The fan speed is synchronized with at least one fan control signal of a power supply fan within a functioning redundant power supply. Thus, the power supply fans of a non-functioning power supply continue to operate and are synchronized with power supply fans in functioning power supplies.

Abstract: A heat dissipation device has a main controller and a fan module having a motor coil, a connection interface, a PWM driving circuit and a fan monitor chip. The connection interface has a control pin, an error report pin, a power supply pin and a ground pin. The control pin receiving a control signal. The PWM driving circuit adjusts current magnitude and current direction of the motor coil to drive the fan module. The fan monitor chip is connected to the connection interface and the PWM driving circuit, receives the control signal, generates and sends PWM signals to the PWM driving circuit according to the control signal and sends an acknowledgement signal via the control pin after receiving the control signal. The main controller can check if the control signal is correctly received based on the acknowledge signal.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a pump jack pump-off control method and a pump jack control apparatus in which, even when the speed of a pump jack is reduced due to generation of a pump-off condition, the pump jack is not caused to stop due to the motor overload abnormality or the coagulated crude oil and, even when the pump-off condition is generated, the reduction of the production capacity of the pump jack can be prevented as much as possible. On detecting the pump-off condition, while the pump jack is in operation with the speed thereof being reduced, or while the pump jack is in operation at the lowest speed, according to the overload warning signal of an ac electric motor, the pump jack is switched over to its intermittent operation.

Abstract: A fan control system includes a linear adjustor, an input/output controller, and a temperature sensor. A first terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a first power supply. A second terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a fan and grounded via a first resistor and a second resistor in series. A third terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a node between the first resistor and the second resistor. A first terminal of the input/output controller is connected to the third terminal of the linear adjustor via a third resistor. A second terminal of the input/output controller is connected to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A motor control device has a plurality of drive circuits that are respectively provided on arms of an inverter circuit that supplies current to an AC motor, the plurality of drive circuits driving respectively a plurality of switching elements included on the arms; a power source control circuit that performs a control of a plurality of power supply circuits that supply power respectively to the plurality of drive circuits; a low-voltage circuit area that includes the power source control circuit; a plurality of high-voltage circuit areas, each high-voltage circuit area including a drive circuit from the plurality of drive circuits; and a plurality of transformers that serve as the plurality of power supply circuits and respectively join the low-voltage circuit area and the plurality of high-voltage circuit areas in an insulated state.

Abstract: A computer-based method for adjusting pulse width modulation (PWM) signals according to temperatures of one or more computer components includes setting a frequency formula for a fan in a computer. The method further includes reading current temperatures of one or more components in the computer from a temperature measuring device. Furthermore, the method includes computing a frequency according to the frequency formula and the current temperatures, and sending the computed frequency to a PWM signal manager for generating an adjustment PWM signal to control the rotational speed of the fan in the computer.

Abstract: In a rechargeable electric power tool, upon changeover of a trigger switch, a microcomputer determines the magnitude relation between the detected temperature outputted from the first thermistor and the first temperature threshold value, the second temperature threshold value and the third temperature threshold value, and the magnitude relation between the first calculated temperature increase rate and the first preset temperature increase rate. If the detected temperature is determined to be greater than the first temperature threshold value or if the first calculated temperature increase rate is determined to be greater than the first preset temperature increase rate after the detected temperature has been determined to be greater than the second temperature threshold value, the microcomputer is set in a limited operation mode in which the revolution number of the motor is limited to a predetermined value or less.

Abstract: An HVAC actuator configured to function in cold environments by providing a supplemental current component to an HVAC actuator in order to generate supplemental heat to warm the HVAC actuator.

Abstract: A method for testing an electric motor which is connected to a valve element by at least one component comprises starting the motor, measuring a movement parameter of at least one of the motor and the component without moving the valve element, and stopping the motor when the measured movement parameter indicates that the valve element is about to move.

Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine and a motor determines whether a BLDC motor is in a normal state in software without hardware and a user is notified of an abnormal state of the BLDC motor if the BLDC motor is in an abnormal state, thereby ensuring safety. When the motor is rotated, the state of the motor is determined by applying harmonics to a voltage that is applied to a motor and analyzing an output frequency characteristic. When the motor is stopped, the state of the motor is determined by estimating the temperature of the motor.

Abstract: A circuit breaker with overload and short-circuit protection functions for a motor, on which is mounted a thermally actuated overload tripping device including an adjustment dial to set a value corresponding to a rated current value of the motor on a scale. The dial has a standard setting pointer mark and a correction setting pointer mark side-by-side along a perimeter. The standard setting pointer mark applies to using the circuit breaker as a single item. The correction setting pointer mark applies to using a number of circuit breakers arranged in a line in close contact with each other. By setting a mark selected according to the arrangement of the circuit breaker at the rated current value, the steady state current value of the tripping device can be adequately set to correspond to the rated current value of the motor.

Abstract: A fan motor speed control circuit includes: a driving circuit configured to drive a fan motor so as to run at a rotation speed corresponding to a drive signal; a comparison circuit configured to output a comparison signal for matching a rotation speed of the fan motor with a target rotation speed, based on a reference signal corresponding to the target rotation speed of the fan motor and a speed signal corresponding to the rotation speed of the fan motor; and a selection circuit configured to output to the driving circuit the drive signal corresponding to one signal out of the reference signal and the comparison signal, the one signal being a signal by which the fan motor is driven at a higher rotation speed.

Abstract: A control device converts a torque instruction value of an AC motor into a current instruction of AC motor, and employs current control in which feedback is performed by PI control to match an actual current value with the current instruction. Further, the control device sets a target flow rate of cooling water flowing through a coolant passage based on the converted current instruction, produces a signal for driving a water pump to circulate the cooling water at the target flow rate thus set and provides the signal to the water pump. A revolution speed of the water pump is restricted according to a signal of the control device such that the cooling water circulates through the coolant passage at the flow rate matching with the target flow rate.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a system for controlling one or more pulse width modulated (PWM) fans. The system can include a control system configured to provide a voltage control signal corresponding to a DC output voltage for the one or more PWM fans. A variable DC voltage source is configured to supply the DC output voltage to the plurality of fans at one of at least two different DC voltages based on the voltage control signal. The DC output voltage from the variable DC voltage source is separate from a PWM control signal that is also supplied to the PWM fans.

Abstract: A motor protection device includes a detection unit for detecting an operating state of a motor and outputting a detection signal; a reference unit for generating a variable reference signal; a discriminating unit for comparing the detection signal with the variable reference signal to discriminate whether the motor is in an abnormal condition; and a protection unit that receives a result of discrimination from the discriminating unit and limits a driving current for the motor when the motor is in an abnormal condition. The motor protection device is characterized in that the reference unit adjusts the variable reference signal according to a motor rotation detection signal, so that the motor rotation detection signal and the detection signal are used synchronously in discriminating whether the motor is in an abnormal condition, and the motor in an abnormal condition may be doubly protected.

Abstract: A fan control system includes a host device including a detecting unit for detecting a component so as to generate a detecting signal. The host device further includes BIOS for storing relationship information between the detecting signal and a rotational speed of a fan and for generating a rotational signal according to the detecting signal and the relationship information. The fan control system further includes a fan device including a fan and a fan driving unit for driving the fan. The fan device further includes a rotational speed modulating unit for controlling the fan driving unit to drive the fan to rotate at a second rotational speed outside a first range when a first rotational speed corresponding to the rotational signal according to the relationship information is within the first range.

Abstract: A device comprising a fan controller, an encoder, a driver, a resistor/capacitor filter, and a baseboard management controller. The fan controller is configured to output a cooling fan status signal, and to output a cooling fan information data signal. The encoder is configured to encode the cooling fan status signal and the cooling fan information data signal together into a combined signal. The driver is configured to invert the combined signal and to output an inverted signal. The resistor/capacitor filter is configured to filter out the cooling fan information data signal from the inverted signal, and to output a filtered signal. The baseboard management controller is configured to determine a status of a cooling fan in response to the filtered signal, and to output a control signal to the fan controller module for the cooling fan based on the cooling fan information data signal within the inverted signal.

Abstract: The apparatus for controlling an inverter is disclosed which detects a rotation angle of a load using a current supplied to the load when the inverter utilizes a voltage/frequency control to control the driving of the load, and accurately drives the load using the detected rotation angle, where the current supplied to the load by the inverter is detected by a current sensor, and a rotation speed of the load is estimated by the detected current to be used for the driving of the load.

Abstract: A vacuum pump capable of accurately detecting a rotor temperature based on a change in permeability of a magnetic material. Two targets are fixed to a nut opposed to a gap sensor. The nut is made of pure iron, and a surface of the nut opposed to the gap sensor serves as a target. The target has a Curie temperature greater than a temperature monitoring range, and each of the targets has a Curie temperature falling within the temperature monitoring range. When the targets become opposed to the gap sensor in turn according to rotation of a rotor, three types of signals are output from the gap sensor. The difference-signal generation means generates a difference signal of each the targets, on the basis of a signal of the target. The difference signal is compared with a reference signal V0 for detecting the Curie temperatures to detect a rotor temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air-fuel ratio control boiler using a air pressure sensor and method for controlling the air-fuel ratio thereof. The boiler is comprised of a fan, the air pressure sensor, a air pressure sensor voltage measurement unit, a air pressure sensor voltage compensation unit, and a controller, and previously compensates for noise factors caused by deviation (error) of a component property, a constituent, of the air pressure sensor so as to be matched to initial reference voltage prior to operating the fan, thereby maximizing the effectiveness of the air-fuel ratio. Further, the boiler makes it possible not only to exert an optimal fuel efficiency effect due to the maximization of combustion efficiency, but also to minimize discharge of harmful gases, thereby preventing environmental pollution in advance, and thus improving the reliability of products.

Abstract: A P-range side delimiting position of a movable range of a range change mechanism is learned by rotating a motor to a corresponding rotational position, which corresponds to the P-range side delimiting position. A climb correction amount is set for a learning value of the P-range side delimiting position to correct the learning value of the P-range side delimiting position in view of presence of a relatively small angle of rotation of the motor beyond the corresponding rotational position, which corresponds to the P-range side delimiting position. The climb correction amount is set according to motor temperature information, which is one of a temperature of the motor and a temperature that relates to the temperature of the motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for variation of a rated current which is specific of a motor by providing a rated current basic value signal (2) depending on a rated current basic value of the motor Irated, and by detecting an actual temperature Tact, providing a corresponding temperature signal (4), determining an actual rated current Iact depending on the rated current basic value signal (2) and the temperature signal (4), and providing a corresponding rated current signal (6). Additionally, the inventive method allows to determine the actual rated current depending on the speed of the motor. The invention also relates to a device for varying the rated current of a motor depending on a temperature and optionally depending on a speed of the motor. The inventive device can be used in a measuring system for determining the utilization rate and for monitoring the temperature of a motor.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising a rotatable wheel (e.g., three rotatable wheels), a forward drive mechanism including a forward drive motor (e.g., an internal combustion engine), and a reverse drive mechanism. The reverse drive mechanism includes a reverse drive motor (e.g., an electric motor) adapted to move the chassis in the rearward direction, and a reverse drive control programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive mechanism when the forward drive motor is off. In one embodiment, the vehicle includes a battery for operating the reverse drive motor, and the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the motor when a characteristic of the battery (e.g., an output voltage) falls below a threshold. The vehicle can further include a temperature sensor for the reverse drive motor. In this embodiment, the reverse drive control is programmed to inhibit operation of the reverse drive motor when the temperature of the motor exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A system comprising a chassis that includes a plurality of modules and a fan assembly disposed in a distal end of the chassis for drawing air in parallel pathways through the plurality of modules. At least one of the modules is a compute module having a thermal sensor disposed to sense the temperature of air flowing across a processor mounted on a motherboard. The system further comprises a fan controller receiving output from the thermal sensor, wherein the fan controller operates the fan assembly to cool the plurality of modules and maintain the thermal sensor output within an operating temperature range. The fan controller controls the fan speed according to predetermined thermal profile settings associated with one of the compute modules received in the chassis. For example, the predetermined thermal profile settings may include a minimum fan speed, a maximum fan speed, and control loop feedback settings.

Abstract: Windshield wiper device (10), particularly for a motor vehicle, having at least an electric motor drive (24) is proposed. This comprises an electric motor drive, which can be driven with at least one first speed (V1) and one second speed (V2). According to the invention, a temperature detection means (40) for detecting the operating temperature of the drive (24) and at least one switching means (50) are provided, which, when operating the drive (24) at the second speed (V2), switches the drive (24) from the second speed (V2) to the first speed (V1) when a predetermined operating temperature (T1) is exceeded.

Abstract: A motor speed control circuit includes: a voltage generating circuit configured to change either a reference voltage corresponding to a target rotation speed of a motor or a speed voltage corresponding to a rotation speed of the motor, according to a temperature, and output the reference voltage and the speed voltage, either one of which is changed; a comparison circuit configured to compare the speed voltage output from the voltage generating circuit with the reference voltage output from the voltage generating circuit; and a driving circuit configured to drive the motor so as to match a level of the speed voltage to a level of the reference voltage, based on a comparison result from the comparison circuit.

Abstract: A motor driver system includes an excess current sensing device configured to compensate a sensing value depending on a temperature of a motor, and to output the compensated sensing value, the sensing value being obtained from a current value associated with the motor; and a controller configured to stop the motor when the compensated sensing value exceeds a preset excess value.

Abstract: An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) features a stator (202), a short-circuit rotor (204), a controller (FOR 20) for field-oriented regulation of the motor (12), a sensor magnet (274) in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor (204), a rotor position sensor (14A; 18; 18?) arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from the sensor magnet (274) to generate an output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2) that is dependent upon the spatial orientation of the sensor magnet (274), and a temperature evaluation apparatus (CALC_T 44) configured to ascertain, during operation, from the sensor output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2), a temperature value (T) that characterizes a temperature (T_SM, T_S) in the motor (12).

Abstract: A system includes two counter-rotating electric fans. A cooling controller is configured to run the fans at first and second operating points responsive to a measured value of a parameter. The first and second operating points correspond to first and second different required volumes per unit time of air flow. Rotational speeds of the fans at the first and second operating points define first and second different rotational speed offsets.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus suppresses heat generation from a plurality of motors and a control circuit for controlling the motors without stopping operation of the motors entirely. When copy operation starts, an internal temperature of a facsimile apparatus 1 is detected. If the detected temperature is lower than a threshold value 1, an MPU section 10 instructs a motor control section 33 to operate a scanner motor 23, a CR motor 34, and a PF motor 35 at the same time. If the detected temperature is not lower than the threshold value 1 and is lower than a threshold value 2, the MPU section 10 instructs the control section 22 to operate the motors in a time-sharing mode, such that the scanner motor 23 and the CR motor 34, or alternatively, the scanner motor 23 and the PF motor 35, simultaneously operate in combination.

Abstract: Thermistor monitoring arrangement of an alternating-current electric motor controlled by a power transformer, such as a frequency converter, for at least one thermistor monitoring the temperature of the motor, in which is a power transformer (200), in which is a power stage (203) and a control unit (204), controlling an alternating-current electric motor (201) provided with a thermistor (202), and into which power transformer, such as a frequency converter, an input circuit connected to a thermistor located in the motor is integrated, to which input circuit a safety circuit (a so-called Safe Stop circuit) that prevents unexpected starting or ensures safe stopping of the frequency converter is connected.

Abstract: A single-pin multifunctional device and method for input and output in controlling a direct-current fan use a control chip to control an operation of the fan, thereby protecting issues generated by too high a temperature. The control chip uses a value of a temperature induction unit to determine a range of protection and maintains the fan at an idle speed operation through an idle speed regulation unit. Meanwhile, the temperature induction unit notifies an over-temperature protection unit to switch from the idle speed regulation unit to the over-temperature protection unit. Therefore, the fan is controlled through a single pin to input and output simultaneously.

Abstract: A fan control system includes a linear adjustor, an input/output controller, and a temperature sensor. A first terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a first power supply. A second terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a fan and grounded via a first resistor and a second resistor in series. A third terminal of the linear adjustor is connected to a node between the first resistor and the second resistor. A first terminal of the input/output controller is connected to the third terminal of the linear adjustor via a third resistor. A second terminal of the input/output controller is connected to the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A driving device is provided for controlling rotation of a motor. The driving device comprises an inputting module, a comparing module and a processing module. The inputting module includes a first current source, a first voltage source and a first capacitance. The first capacitance is coupled between the first current source and the first voltage source for charging/discharging and generating a voltage signal. The comparing module is coupled to the inputting module for comparing a selecting signal with the voltage signal and generating a comparing signal. The processing module is coupled to the comparing module and generates a control signal according to a clock signal and the comparing signal, wherein the driving device controls the rotation of the motor by the control signal.

Abstract: A method of operating a vehicle powertrain system where the powertrain system includes a fuel controlled engine, an electric motor, and a battery, the fuel, controlled engine and the electric motor capable of powering the powertrain system. The powertrain system is capable of operating in a plurality of operational modes. The method includes detecting a current value representative of a current flowing through a portion of the battery, calculating a first value representative of the current over a predetermined amount of time, and de-rating at least one of the plurality of operational modes in response to the calculated first value.

Abstract: A control circuit for a motor includes a voltage regulator having a thermal shutdown apparatus that turns off the voltage regulator while retaining power to a micro-controller preventing an automatic restart of the motor absent a recycling of power when the temperature of the control circuit rises above a pre-determined threshold level, wherein the voltage regulator is used to provide power to a plurality of insulated gate bipolar transistors controlling a plurality of stator windings of the motor. Thus the voltage regulator prevents the control circuit and the various components on the control circuit from being damaged from overheating. An embodiment of the control circuit is adapted to generate an error code in response to the shutdown of the voltage regulator and to monitor the operation of the motor to ensure that the motor has been turned off and then on before turning on the power supply to a plurality of phase windings.