Abstract: A brushless DC motor system, includes a single coil brushless DC motor and a driver for driving the single coil brushless DC motor. The brushless DC motor system has a maximum time constant ?max. The driver comprises a control unit which is adapted for driving the brushless DC motor at a constant speed and at a variable speed by applying a PWM driving signal to the coil of the brushless DC motor with a PWM frequency larger than a ratio defined by a constant/?max wherein the ratio is such that a current through the coil is always bigger than a pre-defined undercurrent limit.

Abstract: A method for braking a single coil BLDC motor includes iterating a plurality of times through a sequence of: a braking state which lasts a braking period; and a high impedance state which lasts a cool down period. The current runs through the single coil during the braking state and no current runs through the single coil during the high impedance state. The transiting from the braking state to the high impedance state is done when the motor operates in generator mode.

Abstract: A motor driver for driving a rotor of a single coil motor in a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation direction concerning a stator of the single coil motor is adapted for generating a position signal which is representative for the angular position of the rotor regarding the stator and comprises a controller which comprises a direction input to define the rotation direction of the rotor, and which is adapted for generating a driving signal for rotating the rotor in the defined rotation direction, wherein the driving signal is based on the position signal and is based on a signal indicative for an electrical lead angle wherein the signal indicative for the electrical lead angle is set such that the total lead angle is positive in both rotation directions of the rotor.

Abstract: A motor driver for driving a single coil motor, the motor driver includes: a bridge driver configured for applying a driving signal to the single coil by commuting a motor voltage (Vmot) or a motor current (Imot), supplied to the bridge driver, between terminals (OUT1, OUT2) of the single coil; a controller configured for controlling the commuting of the bridge driver and for setting a preferred value of the motor voltage in function of a preferred operating point; a first voltage regulator configured for regulating the motor voltage or the motor current to the preferred value.

Abstract: A Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor controller comprises a first terminal for applying a first voltage and a second terminal for applying a second voltage to obtain a driving current for driving a BLDC motor. The BLDC motor controller comprises a remote control unit which is adapted for monitoring a signal which is indicative for a current through at least the first or the second terminal. The BLDC motor controller is adapted for increasing the monitored current by applying an additional current. The additional current is different from zero if the motor is rotating. The BLDC motor controller is adapted for determining whether the motor is rotating or not, based on the monitored signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a single coil BLDC motor having an electrical time constant, the method includes EHP sequences having a pulse train with at least two driving pulses of a same polarity, each driving pulse comprises: applying a driving signal during a torque generating period (TGP), followed by a non-torque generating period (NTGP); monitoring the phase current, wherein the sensing window lasts at least during a time constant, which is the electrical time constant or an approximation thereof, if the sensing window is during the TGP, and wherein the sensing window minimally lasts until the phase current has reduced to less than half the maximum phase current which was generated during the TGP if the sensing window is during the NTGP; determining parameters for the ongoing EHP, and/or for at least one next EHP sequence based on the obtained phase current information.

Abstract: A method for braking a single coil BLDC motor includes iterating a plurality of times through a sequence of: a braking state which lasts a braking period; and a high impedance state which lasts a cool down period. The current runs through the single coil during the braking state and no current runs through the single coil during the high impedance state. The transiting from the braking state to the high impedance state is done when the motor operates in generator mode.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor system, includes a single coil brushless DC motor and a driver for driving the single coil brushless DC motor. The brushless DC motor system has a maximum time constant ?max. The driver comprises a control unit which is adapted for driving the brushless DC motor at a constant speed and at a variable speed by applying a PWM driving signal to the coil of the brushless DC motor with a PWM frequency larger than a ratio defined by a constant/?max wherein the ratio is such that a current through the coil is always bigger than a pre-defined undercurrent limit.

Abstract: A motor driver for driving a rotor of a single coil motor in a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation direction concerning a stator of the single coil motor is adapted for generating a position signal which is representative for the angular position of the rotor regarding the stator and comprises a controller which comprises a direction input to define the rotation direction of the rotor, and which is adapted for generating a driving signal for rotating the rotor in the defined rotation direction, wherein the driving signal is based on the position signal and is based on a signal indicative for an electrical lead angle wherein the signal indicative for the electrical lead angle is set such that the total lead angle is positive in both rotation directions of the rotor.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor driver for driving a brushless DC motor which comprises at least one coil wherein the control unit is adapted for applying a PWM driving signal to the at least one coil of the brushless DC motor such that a current through the at least one coil is always bigger than a pre-defined undercurrent limit.

Abstract: A Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor controller comprises a first terminal for applying a first voltage and a second terminal for applying a second voltage to obtain a driving current for driving a BLDC motor. The BLDC motor controller comprises a remote control unit which is adapted for monitoring a signal which is indicative for a current through at least the first or the second terminal. The BLDC motor controller is adapted for increasing the monitored current by applying an additional current. The additional current is different from zero if the motor is rotating. The BLDC motor controller is adapted for determining whether the motor is rotating or not, based on the monitored signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a single coil brushless DC motor, the method comprising at least a first EHP sequence which comprises: driving the motor using a driving signal during a torque generating period, to accelerate the motor, such that during a subsequent generator mode period a phase current goes in generator mode; driving the motor during the generator mode period using a generator mode signal, which allows the phase current to be in generator mode; monitoring the phase current during the generator mode period thereby obtaining phase current information; and determining parameters of a next EHP sequence based on the obtained phase current information.

Abstract: A method for controlling a single-coil BLDC motor, the method comprising: monitoring a signal indicative of a time derivative of a phase current through the coil of the BLDC motor during at least one commutation cycle; determining a first moment of the at least one commutation cycle such that at the first moment the absolute value of the time derivative of the phase current is smaller than or equal to a slope threshold; determining a rising edge of a driving signal in a commutation cycle, based on the first moment of that commutation cycle and/or based on the first moment of at least one earlier commutation cycle, and/or determining a falling edge of the driving signal in that commutation cycle based on the first moment of at least one earlier commutation cycle; driving the single-coil BLDC motor using the driving signal.

Abstract: A single phase motor drive circuit for driving a single phase motor, comprising: a timer unit for receiving a sensor signal indicative of an angular position of a rotor, and for providing a timing signal in phase with the sensor signal; a waveform generator for generating an waveform for energizing the motor, the waveform generator being adapted for receiving the timing signal and at least one configurable setting (Soff), and for generating the waveform based thereon; a configuration unit adapted for receiving a first input signal indicative of a desired motor speed and a second input signal (Vbat) indicative of the supply voltage, and for determining the configurable setting based on the input signals, and for providing the setting to the waveform generator to dynamically configure the waveform generator. A method of driving a single phase motor.

Abstract: A brushless DC motor driver for driving a brushless DC motor which comprises at least one coil wherein the control unit is adapted for applying a PWM driving signal to the at least one coil of the brushless DC motor such that a current through the at least one coil is always bigger than a pre-defined undercurrent limit.

Abstract: An electronic device mountable in an electrical motor, comprising: a printed circuit board with a hole for mounting a semiconductor package which comprises an integrated magnetic sensing device, the semiconductor package comprising leads; and reinforcement material; wherein the semiconductor package is mounted in the hole with the leads soldered to the printed circuit board, and wherein a gap is present between the semiconductor package and the printed circuit board, wherein the reinforcement material is at least covering part of the leads and at least part of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A motordriver for controlling a brushless DC motor, comprises: an output driver for controlling phase commutation of a power stage; the motordriver can be powered in a pulsed way having a PWM ON and OFF period; a position module for monitoring a position and/or speed of a rotor; at least a part of the position module remains active during the PWM OFF period; a power module configured for powering the active part during the PWM OFF period, comprising an energy storage medium and a blocking module configured such that during the PWM ON period the energy storage medium can be charged by the power supply, and such that the blocking module can block current flowing back to the power supply and block current flowing from the energy storage medium to the motor during the PWM OFF period.

Abstract: A method of starting and/or driving a fan assembly, the fan assembly comprising a BLDC motor having one or more coils, and a bearing comprising a lubricant. The method comprises performing a special action for intentionally heating up the one or more coils and thereby indirectly heating up the lubricant. The method may comprise measuring a temperature of the bearing, or measuring a value related to said temperature, and performing the special action only if said temperature is below a certain threshold temperature. Performing the special action comprises setting an off-time to a first predefined value and setting an on-time to a second predefined value, the first and second predefined value having a first ratio. Starting the motor comprises setting the off-time to a third value and setting the on-time to a fourth predefined value, the third and fourth predefined value having a second ratio larger than the first ratio.

Abstract: Method of driving a single-coil motor having a stator and a rotor and a coil, comprising the steps of: monitoring a position signal and determining when said signal passes a first threshold; b) providing control signals for energizing the coil; c) a predefined period later, providing control signals for stopping or reducing the energization of the coil; d) monitoring a second signal indicative of the coil current, and determining a third time when said signal passes a second threshold level; and monitoring the first signal, and determining a fourth time when said signal passes a third threshold level; e) updating the prediction period; f) repeating steps b) to e). A driver circuit adapted for performing such method. A system comprising such driver circuit.

Abstract: A method for controlling a single coil brushless DC motor, the method comprising at least a first EHP sequence which comprises: driving the motor using a driving signal during a torque generating period, to accelerate the motor, such that during a subsequent generator mode period a phase current goes in generator mode; driving the motor during the generator mode period using a generator mode signal, which allows the phase current to be in generator mode; monitoring the phase current during the generator mode period thereby obtaining phase current information; and determining parameters of a next EHP sequence based on the obtained phase current information.