Abstract: In a normal operating mode, a motor controller provides motor drive current to windings of a motor based on sensor signals to drive the windings in a normal commutation sequence, and monitors for occurrence of a motor stall condition. Upon detecting the motor stall condition in a given commutation state, then in a first driving step, the windings are momentarily driven according to an advanced commutation state, and during the first driving step, a reverse transition of the sensor signals to a state corresponding to a preceding commutation state is detected.

Abstract: A system has a sensor assembly mounted adjacent to a moving magnetic member such as a motor rotor to sense its position. The sensor assembly includes Hall-effect sensors each having a binary output, configured such that distinct positions of the moving magnetic member correspond to distinct digital patterns of the outputs of the Hall-effect sensors. Encoding circuitry is coupled to the outputs of the Hall-effect sensors to generate a multi-valued analog output, distinct values of the multi-valued analog output representing corresponding distinct digital patterns of the outputs of the Hall-effect sensors. The encoding circuitry may employ a ladder network with weighted-value resistors contributing different components of an analog current sensed by the controller. The sensed current can be converted to digital position information using suitable analog-to-digital conversion circuitry.

Abstract: A device has built-in inductive load testing capabilities. The device includes a device housing, an inductive load disposed within the device housing; and test circuitry disposed within the device housing. The test circuitry is constructed and arranged to effectuate application of a modulated test signal to the inductive load, and obtain a result signal in response to the application of the modulated test signal to the inductive load. The test circuitry is further constructed and arranged to generate an output signal indicating that the inductive load is in one of (i) a shorted inductive load state, (ii) a normal inductive load state, and (iii) an abnormally high inductive load state, based on the result signal. Such test circuitry is well-suited for testing a variety of devices having inductors/coils which are susceptible to defects (e.g., a solenoid, a motor winding, various actuator components, etc.).

Abstract: A device has built-in inductive load testing capabilities. The device includes a device housing, an inductive load disposed within the device housing; and test circuitry disposed within the device housing. The test circuitry is constructed and arranged to effectuate application of a modulated test signal to the inductive load, and obtain a result signal in response to the application of the modulated test signal to the inductive load. The test circuitry is further constructed and arranged to generate an output signal indicating that the inductive load is in one of (i) a shorted inductive load state, (ii) a normal inductive load state, and (iii) an abnormally high inductive load state, based on the result signal. Such test circuitry is well-suited for testing a variety of devices having inductors/coils which are susceptible to defects (e.g., a solenoid, a motor winding, various actuator components, etc.).

Abstract: A technique can recover from motor stalls caused by misalignment of motor position sensors such as Hall-effect sensors. In a normal operating mode, a motor controller provides motor drive current to the motor windings based on the sensor signals according to a normal commutation sequence, and monitors for occurrence of a motor stall condition. Upon detecting the motor stall condition, the motor controller first momentarily drives the windings according to one of an advanced commutation state and a delayed commutation state each adjacent to the given commutation state in the normal commutation sequence, and determines whether the motor stall condition persists. If the stall condition persists, then the motor controller next momentarily drives the windings according to the other of the advanced commutation state and the delayed commutation state.

Abstract: In a normal operating mode, a motor controller provides motor drive current to windings of a motor based on sensor signals to drive the windings in a normal commutation sequence, and monitors for occurrence of a motor stall condition. Upon detecting the motor stall condition in a given commutation state, then in a first driving step, the windings are momentarily driven according to an advanced commutation state, and during the first driving step, a reverse transition of the sensor signals to a state corresponding to a preceding commutation state is detected.

Abstract: A technique can recover from motor stalls caused by misalignment of motor position sensors such as Hall-effect sensors. In a normal operating mode, a motor controller provides motor drive current to the motor windings based on the sensor signals according to a normal commutation sequence, and monitors for occurrence of a motor stall condition. Upon detecting the motor stall condition, the motor controller first momentarily drives the windings according to one of an advanced commutation state and a delayed commutation state each adjacent to the given commutation state in the normal commutation sequence, and determines whether the motor stall condition persists. If the stall condition persists, then the motor controller next momentarily drives the windings according to the other of the advanced commutation state and the delayed commutation state.

Abstract: A system has a sensor assembly mounted adjacent to a moving magnetic member such as a motor rotor to sense its position. The sensor assembly includes Hall-effect sensors each having a binary output, configured such that distinct positions of the moving magnetic member correspond to distinct digital patterns of the outputs of the Hall-effect sensors. Encoding circuitry is coupled to the outputs of the Hall-effect sensors to generate a multi-valued analog output, distinct values of the multi-valued analog output representing corresponding distinct digital patterns of the outputs of the Hall-effect sensors. The encoding circuitry may employ a ladder network with weighted-value resistors contributing different components of an analog current sensed by the controller. The sensed current can be converted to digital position information using suitable analog-to-digital conversion circuitry.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for error-compensated counting of Hall states for motor position feedback and/or commutation. An indicated Hall state is detected by digital Hall state sensors and a duration of the Hall state is compared to a specified time period. When the duration exceeds the specified time period, the indicated Hall state is compared to one or more valid Hall states and a position counter is changed for valid states. When the indicated Hall state is invalid, the position counter is not changed. The Hall state sensors may be connected to logic means and may detect the position of a rotor of a permanent magnet motor relative to a stator. When noise induces a change in an indicated Hall state, corresponding noise-induced effects on the position counter may be may be removed through error-compensated counting.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for error-compensated counting of Hall states for motor position feedback and/or commutation. An indicated Hall state is detected by digital Hall state sensors and a duration of the Hall state is compared to a specified time period. When the duration exceeds the specified time period, the indicated Hall state is compared to one or more valid Hall states and a position counter is changed for valid states. When the indicated Hall state is invalid, the position counter is not changed. The Hall state sensors may be connected to logic means and may detect the position of a rotor of a permanent magnet motor relative to a stator. When noise induces a change in an indicated Hall state, corresponding noise-induced effects on the position counter may be may be removed through error-compensated counting.