Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a position of an electric dc brush motor (22, 24) including the steps of supplying drive current (104) to drive the electric motor and calculating (70, 108) a coast constant for the motor. Current through the motor is monitored (80) and motor speed (66) is determined in response to monitored motor current. Electrical current to the motor is interrupted (50) in response to the calculated coast constant (70, 106) and motor speed when it is desired to stop the electric motor so that a brush of the motor will come to rest at a location on a commutator segment of the motor (22, 24).

Abstract: A method (100) is provided for controlling torque of an electric motor (12) including the step (106) of supplying drive current to drive the electric motor. The speed of the electric motor is monitored (108) and from the monitored speed, it is determined (110) when the motor has reached a steady state condition. The supply current is turned off (118) if the monitored torque of the electric motor exceeds a predetermined value (114) after the electric motor has reached the steady state condition.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a position of an electric dc brush motor (22, 24) including the steps of supplying drive current (104) to drive the electric motor and calculating (70, 108) a coast constant for the motor. Current through the motor is monitored (80) and motor speed (66) is determined in response to monitored motor current. Electrical current to the motor is interrupted (50) in response to the calculated coast constant (70, 106) and motor speed when it is desired to stop the electric motor so that a brush of the motor will come to rest at a location on a commutator segment of the motor (22, 24).

Abstract: A method (100) is provided for controlling torque of an electric motor (12) including the step (106) of supplying drive current to drive the electric motor. The speed of the electric motor is monitored (108) and from the monitored speed, it is determined (110) when the motor has reached a steady state condition. The supply current is turned off (118) if the monitored torque of the electric motor exceeds a predetermined value (114) after the electric motor has reached the steady state condition.

Abstract: In operating a battery powered vehicle, a battery charger is located at a stationary location but the battery charger control circuit is mounted on the vehicle and powered from the DC battery of the vehicle. During a charging operation, a microprocessor within the battery charger control circuit detects that a charging operation is taking place and locks the vehicle in position and when the battery charger is disconnected, the battery charger is de-energized prior to disconnecting the electrical contact between it and the vehicle to avoid arcing. The microprocessor and its memory within the battery charger control circuit records information about the energy state of the battery and controls the battery both by measuring input and output power to the battery and by measuring the rate of change of charging current. It also controls operations such as trouble lights within the vehicle and may control a speed control circuit within the vehicle as well.

Abstract: In operating a battery powered vehicle, a battery charger is located at a stationary location but the battery charger control circuit is mounted on the vehicle and powered from the DC battery of the vehicle. During a charging operation, a microprocessor within the battery charger control circuit detects that a charging operation is taking place and locks the vehicle in position and when the battery charger is disconnected, the battery charger is de-energized prior to disconnecting the electrical contact between it and the vehicle to avoid arcing. The microprocessor and its memory within the battery charger control circuit records information about the energy state of the battery and controls the battery both by measuring input and output power to the battery and by measuring the rate of change of charging current. It also controls operations such as trouble lights within the vehicle and may control a speed control circuit within the vehicle as well.