Abstract: An electric motor controller having a front face and a rear face, the front face carrying a plurality of AC output couplings and the controller carrying a converter configured to convert a received DC supply into an output AC supply for controlling an electric motor, the AC output couplings being disposed symmetrically about an axis of symmetry of the controller on the front face of the controller. Also described is an apparatus comprising: a DC series motor; and a first current supply configured to supply a first current to an armature of the DC series motor; a second current supply configured to supply a second current to a field winding of the DC series motor; and a controller configured to control the first current supply to supply the first current based on a required torque output for the motor, and to control the second current supply to supply the second current based on the first current.

Abstract: An electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of an electric motor. The unit comprises: an electric motor controller comprising a processor having at least one input and at least one output, wherein an output of the processor is coupled to a power provider for controlling power to an electric motor; a tilt accelerometer system comprising a tilt accelerometer for determining a measure of the tilt of the electric motor unit relative to a reference orientation, wherein the tilt accelerometer system comprises an output for providing a signal based on the determined measure of the tilt; wherein the output of the tilt accelerometer system is coupled to an input of the processor of the electric motor controller; wherein the power provider comprises a power output for controlling the operation of an electric motor based on the output of the tilt accelerometer system.

Abstract: An electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of an electric motor. The unit comprises: an electric motor controller comprising a processor having at least one input and at least one output, wherein an output of the processor is coupled to a power provider for controlling power to an electric motor; a tilt accelerometer system comprising a tilt accelerometer for determining a measure of the tilt of the electric motor unit relative to a reference orientation, wherein the tilt accelerometer system comprises an output for providing a signal based on the determined measure of the tilt; wherein the output of the tilt accelerometer system is coupled to an input of the processor of the electric motor controller; wherein the power provider comprises a power output for controlling the operation of an electric motor based on the output of the tilt accelerometer system.

Abstract: A short pitched switched reluctance motor control apparatus comprising a voltage provider comprising a first coupling and a second coupling configured to be coupled to a phase winding of the switched reluctance motor for applying a voltage to drive current in the winding between the first and second coupling is disclosed. The apparatus further comprises a controller configured to apply a first voltage pulse to the first coupling, and to apply a second voltage pulse to the second coupling, wherein the start of the second pulse is delayed with respect to the start of the first pulse, and the end of the first pulse is delayed with respect to the end of the second pulse.

Abstract: An electric motor control unit for controlling the operation of an electric motor. The unit comprises: an electric motor controller comprising a processor having at least one input and at least one output, wherein an output of the processor is coupled to a power provider for controlling power to an electric motor; a tilt accelerometer for determining a measure of the tilt of the electric motor unit relative to a reference orientation, wherein the tilt accelerometer system comprises an output for providing a signal based on the determined measure of the tilt; wherein the output of the tilt accelerometer system is coupled to an input of the processor of the electric motor controller; wherein the power provider comprises a power output for controlling the operation of an electric motor based on the output of the tilt accelerometer system.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an AC power supply for an electric motor, said AC power supply being derived from a DC voltage. The apparatus comprises a comparer configured to provide a comparison of a modulation index of a motor control signal with a reference value. This current data provider is configured to provide current data based on a torque demand signal; a speed signal indicating the speed of rotation of the AC motor; and an indication of the DC voltage modified on the comparison for control of the motor control signal which is based on the motor current data.

Abstract: An electric motor controller having a front face and a rear face, the front face carrying a plurality of AC output couplings and the controller carrying a converter configured to convert a received DC supply into an output AC supply for controlling an electric motor, the AC output couplings being disposed symmetrically about an axis of symmetry of the controller on the front face of the controller. Also described is an apparatus comprising: a DC series motor; and a first current supply configured to supply a first current to an armature of the DC series motor; a second current supply configured to supply a second current to a field winding of the DC series motor; and a controller configured to control the first current supply to supply the first current based on a required torque output for the motor, and to control the second current supply to supply the second current based on the first current.