Abstract: A motor commutation testing circuit is provided. When a commutation testing circuit determines that the motor commutation testing circuit enters a test mode, a selector circuit selects a commutation signal generating circuit and provides a simulated commutation signal generated by the commutation signal generating circuit to a control circuit. When the testing circuit determines that the motor commutation testing circuit enters a rotation detection mode, the selector circuit selects a motor rotation detecting circuit and provides a commutation signal of a motor that is detected by the motor rotation detecting circuit to the control circuit.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and control system are described for operating a multiphase motor drive system including a rotary electric machine and an inverter. An AC choke filter is arranged proximal to output leads from the inverter. A reference temperature associated with the AC choke filter is determined along with an operating point of the electric machine. Operation of the inverter is controlled based upon a temperature of the AC choke filter, the reference temperature, and an operating point of the electric machine. This includes modifying a switching frequency and a PWM type in a manner that reduces the AC choke filter temperature by reducing the occurrence of switching events to protect the AC choke filter based on temperature feedback.

Abstract: An electric circuit for an electric motor. The electric motor having has at least one stator with at least three coils and a rotor with at least two magnetic poles. The motor is operable by the electric circuit at least in the following two states: a) in a first state, the coils can each be energized with different currents of a three-phase system and the rotor can be set into rotation about an axis of rotation; b) in a second state, the coils can be energized with an in-phase alternating current.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drivetrain of an electric vehicle during DC-charging of a traction battery. A corresponding charging circuit includes at least partially a traction inverter unit and at least partially an electric machine. The method includes controlling the traction inverter unit such that it operates as a DC-DC converter. Furthermore, a position of a rotor of the electric machine is received and based thereon, a number out of the phases of the electric machine is selected as components of the charging circuit. Additionally, the traction inverter unit is controlled such that the selected number of the phases forms part of the charging circuit. Moreover, a data processing device having means for carrying out the steps of the above method is presented. Additionally, a drivetrain and an electric vehicle are explained.

Abstract: A control device executes: controlling a voltage in a d-axis direction and a voltage in a q-axis direction applied to a rotating electric machine driven by an electric power supplied from an inverter, to which a magnetic pole position detector for detecting a magnetic pole position of the rotor is attached, and which includes a stator for generating a magnetic field using a winding; acquiring q-axis current data indicating a component in the q-axis direction of a current flowing through the rotating electric machine when a component in the d-axis direction of the voltage applied to the rotating electric machine is equal to or less than a predetermined voltage; and determining, based on the q-axis current data, a correction amount of the magnetic pole position satisfying a condition that a current indicated by the q-axis current data is equal to or less than a predetermined current and correcting the magnetic pole position based on the correction amount.

Abstract: A power conversion device is configured to acquire, from a current detector at a timing A, a first phase current detection value in a first phase being a phase corresponding to a phase voltage command to be compared to a first carrier wave signal, calculate a first phase current calculation value corresponding to the first phase based on an acquisition result, acquire, from the current detector at a timing B, a second phase current detection value in a second phase being a phase corresponding to a phase voltage command to be compared to a second carrier wave signal, and to calculate a second phase current calculation value corresponding to the second phase based on an acquisition result.

Abstract: A process for controlling an electric motor includes providing a functional relationship, which associates a first and a second quantity, indicative of a torque delivered by the electric motor and of the supply voltage respectively, with a speed parameter of the electric motor, determining a pair of values of the first and of the second quantity, determining a value of a third quantity indicative of an output speed of the electric motor, determining a value of the speed parameter corresponding to the pair of values determined through the functional relationship, determining a value of a fourth quantity indicative of a difference between the value of the speed parameter and the value of the third quantity, determining a target value for the first quantity as a function of the value of the fourth quantity, and controlling the electric motor according to the determined target value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptive rectification for preventing current inversion in motor windings are provided. In the method and apparatus, first and second half bridges of a plurality of half bridges are operated to synchronously rectify and permit passage of current, through the windings of the motor, in a first direction. A change of direction of the current from the first direction to a second direction opposite the first direction is detected. In response to detecting that the current changed direction to the second direction, the first and second half bridges of the plurality of half bridges are operated to quasi-synchronously rectify and block passage of the current through the windings in the second direction.

Abstract: A drive system for a hybrid or electric vehicle includes an electrical energy source; an electric machine, a switching device linked to the electric machine and selectively switchable between a first configuration, and a second configuration, an adjusting device linked to the electric machine and configured to vary its operating parameters, and a control unit. The first electrical configuration includes a first number of conductors in series by phase supplying a first driving torque with a first knee speed and a first no-load operation speed. The second electrical configuration includes a second number of conductors in series by phase supplying a second driving torque, lower than the first driving torque, and a second knee speed higher than the first knee speed. A ratio between the first no-load operation speed and the second knee speed is between 0.7 and 1.3.

Abstract: Reduced computation time for model predictive control (MPC) of a five level dual T-type drive considering the DC link capacitor balancing, the common-mode voltage (CMV) along with torque control of an open-ends induction motor based on determining a reduced set of switching states for the MPC. The reduced set of switching states are determined by considering either CMV reduction (CMVR) or CMV elimination (CMVE). Cost function minimization generates a voltage vector, which is used to produce gating signals for the converter switches. The reduced switching state MPC significantly reduces computation time and improves MPC performance.

Abstract: An integrated electronic switch includes an input unit and a circuit board. The input unit is configured to receive a drive signal output by a user. A sensing module for sensing the drive signal transmitted from the input unit, and a control module electrically connected to the sensing module are disposed on the circuit board, where the sensing module and the control module are disposed on a first side surface of the circuit board.

Abstract: A motor flux weakening control method with data map creation is provided. The method estimates a phase angle between a dq electric current vector and a d-axis based on a speed of the motor; estimates an input direct current; repeats the estimating of the phase angle and the direct current while decreasing a magnitude of the dq electric current vector based on a difference between the estimated direct current and a preset direct current limitation value; and interrupts the repeating of the estimating of the phase angle and the estimating of the direct current when the direct current and the preset direct current limitation value are equal, and stores a relationship between the speed of the motor, the direct current voltage, the phase angle, and the magnitude of the dq electric current vector, when the estimated direct current and the preset direct current limitation value are equal.

Abstract: To provide a motor controller which can suppress occurrence of a torque difference between systems, even if a DC voltage difference occurs between systems, in the case where each system is provided with a DC power source. A motor controller is provided with a first controller that controls so that the first q-axis current detection value approaches the second q-axis current detection value or the second q-axis current command value obtained from the second controller, when determining that the first DC voltage is higher than the second DC voltage; and a second controller that controls so that the second q-axis current detection value approaches the first q-axis current detection value or the first q-axis current command value obtained from the first controller, when determining that the second DC voltage is higher than the first DC voltage.

Abstract: A drive controller controls an electric drive of an electric machine receiving electric energy via a converter. The drive controller has a normal operating mode and a special operating mode. In the special operating mode, the drive controller determines control signals for the converter and rotates the rotor shaft first at a starting rotational speed. The rotor shaft then coasts without an applied external force, with the drive controller determining from raw signals continuously received from a position sensor raw positions of the rotor shaft, and determining therefrom correction variables for use in the normal operating mode. In the normal operating mode, the drive controller determines from continuously received raw signals in combination with the correction variables determined in the special operating mode an actual position of the rotor shaft and controls the converter with control signals based on the actual position or rotational speed of the electrical machine.

Abstract: Braking a power tool motor based on a phase voltage of the motor. The power tool includes a motor and a power source providing operating power to the motor. A power switching network is between the power source and the motor to drive the motor. An actuator is operable to provide an input. An electronic controller is connected to the actuator and the power switching network. The electronic controller is configured to receive an indication related to initiating braking of the motor, control the power switching network to allow the motor to coast, monitor a phase voltage of the motor, determine whether the phase voltage of the motor is equal to or less than a phase voltage threshold, and control, in response to the phase voltage of the motor being equal to or less than the phase voltage threshold, the power switching network to brake the motor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and techniques for audio and lighting control in a bus system. For example, in some embodiments, a bus system may be configured for operation as a light organ and/or to generate sound effects based on accelerometer data.

Abstract: A radial flux electric machine includes an inner stator and an outer rotor configured to rotate about the stator. The outer rotor may include a rotor base and a plurality of annularly arranged permanent magnets axially extending from the rotor base parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor. A cylindrical core may extend from the rotor base encircling the plurality of permanent magnets. The core may be formed of a Soft Magnetic Composite (SMC). A sleeve may encircle the rotor. The sleeve may support the cylindrical core and the cylindrical core may support the plurality of permanent magnets. The cylindrical core may be positioned radially between the sleeve and the plurality of permanent magnets.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor to optimize system efficiency of an electric motor operable in a pulsed mode and a continuous mode is disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a requested torque for the electric motor, calculating a pulsed system efficiency, calculating a continuous system efficiency, and operating the electric motor in the pulsed mode when the pulsed system efficiency is greater than the continuous system efficiency. The pulsed system efficiency is calculated for delivering the requested torque from the electric motor in a plurality of torque pulses greater than the requested torque. The continuous system efficiency is calculated for delivering the requested torque from the electric motor as a continuous torque. The system efficiency may be at least partially based on a battery efficiency and a motor efficiency.

Abstract: A system for increasing a temperature of a battery includes an inverter including a plurality of legs each including one pair of switching devices connected in series to each other between opposite ends of the battery and corresponding to a plurality of phases, respectively, a motor including a plurality of coils corresponding to the plurality of phases, respectively, where one end of each of the plurality of coils is connected to a connection node between one pair of switching devices included in a corresponding leg and other ends of the coils are connected to each other, and a controller configured to select two phases of the plurality of phases, and to alternately control an on/off state of switching devices included in two legs in the inverter, corresponding to the two selected phases, at a preset switching frequency to generate alternating current (AC) supplied to the battery.

Abstract: In a method for determining a flux of an asynchronous machine, the flux is adjusted according to a loss of the asynchronous machine. Therefore, an apparatus for determining the flux of the asynchronous machine is provided with a model for calculating a loss of the asynchronous machine according to the flux of the asynchronous machine. A selection facility selects a flux according to the loss.

Abstract: An inverter system, including a pre-conversion circuit, a post-conversion circuit, and a control circuit; the pre-conversion circuit is configured to convert a voltage of a power supply into a DC voltage and output the DC voltage to the post-conversion circuit; a voltage between the pre-conversion circuit and the post-conversion circuit is a DC bus voltage; the post-conversion circuit is configured to output an alternating current; the control circuit is configured to detect a DC component of an output terminal of the post-conversion circuit, calculate a difference value of a zero value and the DC component to obtain a DC component deviation value, and perform PI adjustment on the DC component deviation value to obtain a voltage compensation value; the voltage compensation value is used to adjust the DC bus voltage.

Abstract: A motor controller includes: a rotation speed measurement portion that measures a rotation speed of a motor; and an energization method switching portion that switches an energization method so that the motor is driven by a 120-degree energization method when a rotation speed of the motor measured by the rotation speed measurement portion is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and the motor is driven by a 150-degree energization method when a rotation speed of the motor measured by the rotation speed measurement portion exceeds the predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: Modulating a gate drive current supplied to an output drive switch coupled to an electric motor by performing at least the following: obtain a gate drive current modulation profile, supply, based on the gate drive current modulation profile, a first gate drive current level as the gate drive current when the output drive switch is operating within a first region, drop the first gate drive current level to a second gate drive current level when the output drive switch transitions from the first region to operating within a Miller region, increase the second gate drive current level to a third gate drive current level within the Miller region, and set the gate drive current to a fourth gate drive current level when the output drive switch transitions from the Miller region to operating within a third region.

Abstract: A drive apparatus is provided for driving a rotating electric machine having first and second multi-phase coils. The drive apparatus includes first and second inverters, first and second shift switches, and first and second energization controllers. The first energization controller is configured to turn on and off, for each of phase windings of the first and second multi-phase coils, one corresponding pair of upper-arm and lower-arm switches of the first and second inverters while keeping the first and second shift switches in an OFF state. The second energization controller is configured to turn on and off, for each corresponding pair of the phase windings of the first and second multi-phase coils, one corresponding upper-arm switch of the first inverter and one corresponding lower-arm switch of the second inverter respectively for first energization periods and second energization periods that are alternately set while keeping the shift switches in an ON state.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus, includes: a voltage control unit configured to control a voltage to apply to a plurality of coils in order to cause a rotor of a motor that includes the plurality of coils to rotate; a holding unit configured to hold information that indicates a magnitude of a load of the motor; and a detection unit configured to, based on the information that indicates the magnitude of the load that is held by the holding unit, set a detection condition for a stop position of the rotor, and perform detection processing of the stop position of the rotor in accordance with the set detection condition.

Abstract: A power tool includes a three-phase DC motor, a power switching network, a power source, and an electronic processor. A first phase of the motor is connected between a first low side electronic switch and a power source electronic switch, and connected to the power source via a first high side electronic switch in parallel with a diode. The electronic processor is configured to receive an indication to stop the motor during operation of the motor and activate the first low side electronic switch and a second low side electronic switch for a first predetermined time responsive to receiving the indication such that a back-electromagnetic force generated by the motor is stored in the first phase. The electronic processor is configured to deactivate the second low side electronic switch after the first predetermined time such that a first regenerative current is provided to the power source via the diode.

Abstract: A brushless motor includes: a motor rotor; a stator coil section which has a plurality of energization phases, which includes a first stator coil and a second stator coil that are provided to each phase, and which is arranged to generate a magnetic field, and thereby rotate the motor rotor; and a connection switching section configured to switch a connection of the first stator coil and the second stator coil from a serial connection to a parallel connection, or from the parallel connection to the serial connection.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a brushless direct current (BLDC) motor overload detection apparatus. The BLDC motor overload detection apparatus includes a measurer for measuring a 3-phase current value applied to the BLDC motor to derive a sector value matched with the 3-phase current value, a determiner for determining whether the sector value is normal by comparing the sector value derived by the measurer with a previous sector value that is previously measured, and a driving controller for controlling driving of the BLDC motor according to whether the BLDC motor has a fault, determined by the determiner.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine including: a main body having a laundry inlet in the front portion; a tub disposed in the inside of the main body, and configured to store water; a drum rotatably disposed in the inside of the tub; a pulsator disposed in the inside of the drum, and configured to be rotatable relative to the drum; a motor configured to provide a driving force to the pulsator; and a controller configured to control a current flowing to the motor on the basis of revolution per minute (rpm) of the pulsator rotating by a movement of laundry contained in the drum, and to start controlling the motor on the basis of rpm of the drum.

Abstract: A control system for driving a motor of a compressor includes a microcontroller and a programmable logic device. The microcontroller is configured to generate a reference current value for a power factor correction (PFC) converter. The programmable logic device is configured to receive control messages from the microcontroller and, in response to data in a first control message, set a value into a timing register. The programmable logic device is configured to reverse a state of a power switch of the PFC converter between an on state and an off state in response to receiving a comparison signal indicating that a measured current in the PFC converter crossed the reference current value. The programmable logic device is configured to, subsequent to reversing the state of the power switch, wait for a period of time determined by the timing register and reverse the state of the power switch.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes: a voltage control unit configured to control a voltage applied to a plurality of coils in a motor to supply an exciting current; a current detection unit configured to detect an exciting current having flown through the plurality of coils; and a detection unit configured to detect a stop position of a rotor of the motor by performing a detection process, in which the exciting current to at least a first coil of the plurality of coils is supplied by the voltage control unit, and the exciting current is detected by the current detection unit. The detection process includes a first period in which a first voltage of a first polarity is applied to the first coil, and a second period in which a second voltage of a second polarity is applied to the first coil.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes: a current detection unit configured to detect currents flowing through a plurality of coils of a motor, and includes a first detection unit that detects a current flowing through a first coil of the plurality of coils, and a second detection unit that detects a current flowing through a second coil of the plurality of coils; a determination unit configured to perform determination processing for determining a stopping position of a rotor of the motor based on a detection result of the current detection unit; and a calibration unit configured to calibrate the second detection unit based on a detection result of the first detection unit and a detection result of the second detection unit when a current is flowing in a series connection of the first coil and the second coil in the determination processing.

Abstract: A housing device for a hand-held power tool includes at least one receiving interface configured to receive a battery unit. The at least one receiving interface is further configured to receive a mains power connection unit as an alternative to the battery unit.

Abstract: A motor control apparatus includes a current estimation unit configured to output a detected current value corresponding to each of the three-phase AC currents based on the measured current value and rotor rotation angle information of the motor. The current estimation unit defines a phase whose duty ratio of a driving pulse supplied to an inverter circuit, which generates the three-phase AC currents, becomes more than or equal to an operation switching threshold as an estimation target phase, calculates, for the estimation target phase, an estimated current value based on a coefficient value, which is calculated from the measured current value by the current measurement unit in a period in which the duty ratio of the driving pulse is lower than the operation switching threshold, and the rotor rotation angle information, and outputs the calculated estimated current value as the detected current value of the estimation target phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensorless control system for a permanent magnet synchronous machine. The sensorless control system includes a counter electromotive force estimation unit configured to estimate a counter electromotive force using a phase voltage reference applied to an inverter and a phase current applied from the inverter to the permanent magnet synchronous machine, and a speed estimation unit configured to estimate an angular velocity and an electrical angle of a rotor of the permanent magnet synchronous machine, and the counter electromotive force estimation unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may maintain robust performance at a low speed by modifying some portion of a conventional Luenberger observer.

Abstract: Systems and method for retrofitting heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with a variable speed electronically commutated motor (ECM) are provided. A speed setting controller is adapted to be connected with a furnace main control board and a motor controller, and provides detecting, speed setting, and control functions that are required to operate the ECM.

Abstract: Systems and method for retrofitting heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with a variable speed electronically commutated motor (ECM) are provided. A speed setting controller is adapted to be connected with a furnace main control board and a motor controller, and provides detecting, speed setting, and control functions that are required to operate the ECM.

Abstract: Systems and method for retrofitting heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems with a variable speed electronically commutated motor (ECM) are provided. A speed setting controller is adapted to be connected with a furnace main control board and a motor controller, and provides detecting, speed setting, and control functions that are required to operate the ECM.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power circuit of an inverter for an electric vehicle, and, more specifically, to a power circuit supplying a high voltage direct current from a high voltage power source to a drive circuit for driving an AC motor for the electric vehicle. In one case, the present invention provides a method of detecting an IGBT short circuit failure or an IGBT open circuit failure during electric vehicle key ON and charging conditions. The method includes the steps of: a) receiving information that a vehicle key has been turned on; b) detecting whether there is an IGBT short circuit failure; c) initiating vehicle failure action if an IGBT short circuit failure is detected, but detecting whether there is an IGBT open circuit failure if IGBT short failure is not detected; d) determining that the vehicle is ready to drive if IGBT short failure was not detected.

Abstract: A method of determining angular position (?) of a rotor of an N-phase permanent magnet motor (PMM). A processor having an associated stored angular position determination (APD) algorithm is programmed to implement the algorithm to cause an associated motor controller to execute steps including forcing one vector at a time a phase vector set of current or voltage vectors to stator terminals of windings for the N-phases a positive and negative magnitude vector, wherein the vector magnitude is sufficiently small to not move the rotor, and a time duration for the forcing current or voltage vectors is essentially constant. The resulting stator current or voltage levels are measured for each current or voltage vector. An N-dimension current vector or voltage vector is generated from superposition of the resulting stator current levels or resulting stator voltage levels. The N-dimension current vector or voltage vector is used to determine angular position.

Abstract: When an AC rotary machine having a rotor structure for generating saliency, and including first three-phase windings and second three-phase windings is controlled, a first position estimation command to be superimposed on a voltage command or a current command directed to each of the first three-phase windings and a second position estimation command to be superimposed on a voltage command or a current command directed to each of the second three-phase windings are set to have the same frequency, and caused to have a phase difference, thereby increasing an estimation accuracy of a rotation position of the AC rotary machine.

Abstract: Provided herein is a domestic appliance for washing goods that may include a washing compartment for receiving goods to be washed, and a heat pump arrangement, adapted to heat washing liquid to be used in the washing compartment. The heat pump arrangement may include an evaporator arranged to collect heat from ambient air, and a condenser arranged to dissipate heat to the washing liquid to thereby heat the washing liquid. The heat pump arrangement may further include a variable speed fan arranged to force the ambient air through the evaporator.

Abstract: A mechatronic assembly drives a member intended to be linked to a DC electrical power source and to an ECU control unit. The ECU includes a computer for executing a feedback control algorithm delivering an item of direction and torque information. The assembly includes an actuator formed by a brushless polyphase electric motor having N phases, binary detection probes for detecting the position of the rotor of the motor, an electronic circuit comprising a power bridge for powering the N phases of the motor. It further includes an onboard electronic control circuit without a microcontroller, computer and memory of which the input receives the item of direction and torque information from the ECU and of which the output controls the power bridge directly modulating the current of the DC electrical power source applied to each of the phases of the motor, and the torque and direction information provided by the ECU is separate from the power signal delivered only by the power source.

Abstract: A control apparatus comprises a time predictor configured to count a clock signal as a second count value when a timer unit has an abnormality, to stop counting the clock signal when any sub-process is performed by a sub-processor, and to predict time using the second count value; and a processing time storage unit configured to correlate each sub-process to a specified processing time of the sub-process and to store the correlation as a processing time list. When the timer unit has an abnormality, a main controller periodically performs a main process by using the time predicted by the time predictor. The time predictor predicts the time using a time corresponding to the second count value and a specified processing time of a sub-process performed by the sub-processor in the processing time list.

Abstract: A charging device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a battery adapted and configured to store a DC voltage, first and second motors adapted and configured to operate as a motor or a generator, first and second inverters adapted and configured to operate the first and second motors, a voltage transformer adapted and configured to boost the DC voltage of the battery to supply it to the first and second inverters and boosts the DC voltage of the inverter to supply it to the battery, and a charging controller adapted and configured to operate the first and second inverters as a booster or operate the voltage transformer as a buck booster according to a voltage that is input through a neutral point of the first and second motors and the voltage of the battery.

Abstract: A method of determining the angular position (?) of a rotor of an N-phase permanent magnet motor (PMM) includes providing a processor having an associated memory, wherein the memory stores an angular position determination (APD) equation or hardware is included implementing the APD equation. The APD equation determines the angular position from N-phase measurements obtained from the stator windings associated with each of the N-phases. A voltage or a current is forced upon the stator terminals of the stator windings for each of the N-phases, a resulting stator current or stator voltage is sensed to provide the N-phase measurements responsive to the forcing of the voltage or current, and the APD equation is used to determine the angular position from the N-phase measurements.

Abstract: A motor drive apparatus includes: a stage determination part that determines a position of the rotor based on a combination of states of a plurality of the output signals; and a power distribution timing determination part which determines that a power distribution timing when power is distributed to the coil is a timing obtained by advancing an angle by an amount that corresponds to a predetermined electric angle in a startup time of the motor, wherein, when a rotation speed of the motor becomes a predetermined rotation speed or more, the power distribution timing determination part determines that a timing when a predetermined period of time elapses since a position of the rotor arrives at a position of an electric angle that corresponds to a displacement amount of an electric angle which is arbitrarily advanced with respect to a predetermined electric angle that is advanced in the startup time is a power distribution timing.

Abstract: An actuation system is proposed for an optical system, comprising a voice coil motor for actuating the optical system, the voice coil motor comprising a magnet and an electric coil, a position measuring unit for measuring the position of the electric coil and providing a position feedback signal, and a control unit for closed loop control of the position of the optical system based on a target position and the position feedback signal, used for generating a drive signal for the electric coil. According to the disclosure, a ferromagnetic element is arranged in proximity to the electric coil so that the inductance of the electric coil depends on its position. Further, the position-measuring unit measures the inductance of the electric coil and determines the position of the electric coil based on the determined inductance.

Abstract: A brushless direct current electric motor for a wiping system. The brushless direct current electric motor includes a rotor, a stator, a Hall effect sensor to detect control magnet angular position of the rotor, and a control unit to determine rotor angular positions in relation to the stator from the signals Hall effect sensor signals and to generate control signals to electromagnetic excitation coils of the rotor as a function of the determined angular position of the rotor. The control unit includes a clock configured to: estimate the angular position of the rotor at predetermined instants lying between two changes of state of the Hall effect sensor, determine values of the control voltages associated with the angular positions of the rotor estimated for the predetermined instants, and generate a substantially sinusoidal control signal from the determined voltage values.

Abstract: A brushless direct current (BLDC) motor that generates electrical energy (AC voltage) while operating as a motor. The motor is configured with a dual purpose stator assembly wherein one segment of the stator assembly includes coil windings to produce the rotary force (torque) in the rotor and the other segment of the stator assembly includes coil windings to generate electrical energy. The stator windings for producing torque are electrically connected through commutation control circuitry to a DC supply source, and the stator windings for generating electrical energy are connected to a load or to an energy storage system. Thus, the embodiment offers a novel means for generating electrical energy in the conventional BLDC motors. Because the motor can generate electrical energy while operating as a motor, it can effectively serve as a powertrain in electric vehicles, whereby the electrical energy it generates can be used to extend the vehicles' drive range.