Abstract: A battery pack and transport coupler for enabling the battery pack to reduce the pack power capacity. The battery pack include a plurality of strings of battery cells and a switching network for coupling and decoupling the strings of battery cells from each other. When the plurality of strings of battery cells are coupled together in a default configuration the transport coupler includes a decoupler for decoupling the strings of battery cells and when the plurality of strings of battery cells are not coupled together in a default configuration the transport coupler includes a coupler for coupling the strings of battery cells for operation with an electronic device such as a power tool.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for controlling a motor is disclosed. The system has a driver circuit configured to drive a motor, a current sensing impedance coupled to the driver circuit, and an overload detection circuit coupled to the current sending impedance that has a transistor and a detection output node.

Abstract: The present invention includes techniques for configuring an electric drive module designed for various multi-axis drive system configurations. Embodiments include techniques for integrating a three phase dual converter with a diode bridge and drive controller within a single drive module. Further integrating the diode bridge directly within the drive module may result in an integrated, modular building block for multiple electric drive system configurations. In some embodiments, multiple electric drive modules are connected by a DC bus to form a system configured for higher energy efficiency.

Abstract: A circuit configuration includes an output stage having at least one inductive load and a switching transistor configuration for switching the at least one inductive load. A supply voltage has a first supply potential and a second supply potential for feeding the supply voltage to the output stage. A registering device registers a particular instance when a potential at a specific circuit node of the output stage is outside a potential range defined by the first and second supply potentials.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit includes a switching circuit having an input node that receives a drive signal and a control node that receives a control signal. The switching circuit couples the input node to an output node responsive to the control signal. A bias element receives an input signal and is coupled to the output node of the switching circuit. The bias element automatically develops a bias voltage on the output responsive to the input signal. The drive circuit may be used, for example, in a motor control system to control the speed of a DC motor, such as in a power supply for a computer system.

Abstract: In an electric or hybrid electric vehicle, a voltage monitor (102) is directly coupled to a traction motor (38) and/or generator motor (30) to detect a permanent magnet induced voltage within the motor at a predetermined speed and no load condition (300). A controller (100) compares the detected permanent magnet induced voltage with an expected reference voltage that represents an expected permanent magnet induced voltage at full magnetization and the predetermined speed (302). The controller produces an indication of magnetization based on the reference voltage, the detected permanent magnet induced voltage, and the predetermined speed. If the indication of magnetism reaches a predetermined threshold, the motor is made inoperable and/or a current to the motor is limited to prevent damage to components (306, 308, 310, 312, 314). Preferably, a user of the vehicle is made aware of these actions by an audible and/or visual indicator (308, 314).

Abstract: A battery pack includes a plurality of electrochemical cells and a control circuit. The battery pack provides power to a tool in the form of a pulse width modulated waveform. The plurality of electrochemical cells provide a total output voltage. The control circuit is coupled to the plurality of electrochemical cells and receives a trigger signal from the tool. In response to the trigger signal, the control circuit determines whether a pulse width of the pulse width modulated waveform requires adjustment. Additionally, the control circuit can be configured to receive an indication of the total output voltage. In this case, the control circuit determines whether the pulse width of the pulse width modulated waveform requires adjustment based on the level of the total output voltage.

Abstract: A motive power generating apparatus using magnetic flux from permanent magnets providing higher efficiency and torque is disclosed. An apparatus of one embodiment according to the present invention comprises a ring-shaped stator (10) formed of magnetic material, a rotor (20) including at least one permanent magnet (22a), and a current control circuit (40). The stator (10) further includes twelve stator poles (12) provided along the inner periphery thereof at intervals of fifteen degrees. Each of the stator poles (12) has a pole piece (12a) and a winding (14). The rotor (20) contains twelve sets of rotor poles (22) disposed around the outer periphery thereof corresponding to the above stator poles (12). Each of the rotor poles (22) has a permanent magnet (22a) and a pole piece (22b) arranged at the outer end portion of the same. An extending portion (22b1) is provided with each of the pole pieces (22b) at one tip end in rotational direction thereof.

Abstract: A limited angle torque motor and control circuit are adapted to convert an electrical demand signal of varying magnitude into a motor shaft position relating to the magnitude of the demand signal. More particularly, a bidirectional motor is provided having two stator coils wound in phase opposition, so that the torques produced by the currents in the opposedly wound coils are summed such that the coil having the greater current controls the direction of rotor rotation. A position sensor provides feedback of the present shaft position; the magnitude of the feedback signal being indicative of motor shaft position. Finally, an electronic control circuit which is responsive to both the demand signal and the shaft position signal is provided and has two outputs for simultaneously driving the current in each respective stator coil. A summing means is included in the control circuit for combining the shaft position signal and demand signal so as to produce an error signal.