Abstract: Detecting an output voltage of a switching power supply can include: acquiring a first branch current that changes with a first voltage at a first terminal of an inductor of the switching power supply; acquiring a second branch current that changes with a second voltage at a second terminal of the inductor; controlling the first and second branch currents to flow to a same detection terminal; and detecting the output voltage based on a first current flowing through the detection terminal during a first time period, and a second current flowing through the detection terminal during a second time period.

Abstract: Detecting an output voltage of a switching power supply can include: acquiring a first branch current that changes with a first voltage at a first terminal of an inductor of the switching power supply; acquiring a second branch current that changes with a second voltage at a second terminal of the inductor; controlling the first and second branch currents to flow to a same detection terminal; and detecting the output voltage based on a first current flowing through the detection terminal during a first time period, and a second current flowing through the detection terminal during a second time period.

Abstract: A method for operating an electromechanical steering system for a motor vehicle with variable chassis height, with a steering rack, which is driven by a servo motor through a recirculating ball screw drive, with a control unit, which receives input signals and generates output signals for driving the servo motor, the output signals being representative of an assist torque to be provided by the steering system, may be characterized in that, in operation, the control unit may receive or generate a chassis height signal that may indicate a current chassis height of the vehicle, and may limit the assist torque, on the basis of the chassis height signal, to an upper limit, wherein the upper limit may be decreased with an increase of the difference between the current chassis height and a mean chassis height.

Abstract: Charging at least one rechargeable battery includes regulating a voltage applied to the at least one rechargeable battery by coupling a circuit between an output of a rectifier circuit and the at least one rechargeable battery, limiting the charging current to be within a first predetermined range and when a predetermined battery charging voltage is reached, dropping the charging current to be within a second predetermined range.

Abstract: A system for determining motor speed of a brush DC motor in an apparatus, including a first filter for receiving a substantially DC component of the motor current and parameters corresponding to the brush DC motor, for calculating a speed estimate thereof; an adaptive bandpass filter having a center frequency corresponding to the speed estimate of the first filter, for receiving the motor current and substantially isolating a periodic current fluctuation thereof; a block for determining a frequency of the periodic current fluctuation, the current fluctuation corresponding to motor speed of the brush DC motor. The adaptive bandpass filter uses debounce filtering to reduce rapid filter passband switching, and a run-in period prior to passband switching to obviate transient effects of filter switching.

Abstract: A method for monitoring input power to an electronically commutated motor (ECM) is described. The method includes determining, with a processing device, an average input current to the motor, the average input current based on a voltage drop across a shunt resistor in series with the motor, measuring an average input voltage applied to the motor utilizing the processing device, multiplying the average input current by the average voltage to determine an approximate input power, and communicating the average input power to an external interface.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling an electric motor, in particular a machine tool drive, wherein during a sensorless open-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor the speed and the torque are determined from the motor current and the motor voltage, and the moment of inertia of the electric motor torque are determined from the determined motor current and the determined motor voltage, wherefrom then a control torque is determined, which is then associated with an open-loop torque control value and supplied as the torque setpoint value to a control element for setting the motor current and/or the motor voltage in the open-loop mode of operation. As long as the speed is below a minimum speed, the control element receives as input variable a control or pilot control torque generated from a predefined moment of inertia for a sensorless closed-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor.

Abstract: An angle calculator determines an angle of a rotor. An angular speed calculator determines an angular speed of the rotor. A command current calculator determines a command current defined on a dq-axis. An open loop controller determines a command voltage defined on the dq-axis in accordance with a circuit equation of a motor, based on the command current and the angular speed. A dq-axis/three-phase converter converts the command voltage into a three-phase command voltage. A resistance calculator and a ?-value calculator respectively determines circuit resistance including armature winding resistance and a number of armature winding linkages which are included in the circuit equation of the motor, based on temperature of the motor detected by a temperature sensor and with reference to a table or the like which is stored in advance.

Abstract: A robust method for detecting a relative position of a feedback device, such as an encoder or resolver, coupled to a shaft, such as a motor shaft, is provided. To detect the relative position, electrical commands are issued in an open loop mode to spin the motor shaft an amount greater than the apparent rotational angle between two consecutive markers of the position feedback device, such that the net mechanical rotation is equal to or greater than the total rotational angle between two consecutive markers.

Abstract: A robot including a controller and multiple servos, each acting as an actuator, and a supply voltage generator circuit connected to a transmission line between the controller, which controls using the RS485 communication protocol, and the servos. The reference voltage generator circuit maintains one of a pair of differential signals (or an inversion signal) at a constant potential between a high level and a low level. As a result, a TTL communication scheme servo can be mounted and controlled, along with a RS485 scheme servo. A supply voltage generator circuit is formed of a Zener diode and a voltage divider circuit. Without being limited to incorporation at some midpoint on the transmission path, the supply voltage generator circuit can be incorporated in a controller or a hub for splitting a transmission path.

Abstract: A motor driving circuit for adjusting speed of the motor by changing output voltage is disclosed. One end of the motor is coupled to a variable voltage source. The motor driving circuit includes a motor-driving unit, a control unit and a determining unit. The motor-driving unit includes a first end coupled to another end of the motor, a second end coupled to a ground and a third end, and is utilized for driving the motor. The control unit is utilized for controlling the voltage between the first end and the third end of the motor-driving unit. The determining unit is coupled between the variable voltage source and the control unit, and is utilized for controlling the control unit to adjust the voltage between the first end and the third end of the motor-driving unit according to magnitude of the voltage of the variable voltage source.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic control device for regulating the voltage across a high-side load, especially for regulating a fan in a motor vehicle, with a control voltage (V1) which is referenced to system ground and which is mirrored to the positive high-side supply voltage, wherein the control voltage (V1) is supplied to the base of a first transistor (Q1) operated in common-emitter connection, which transistor (Q1) has, in the emitter circuit, a first resistor (R1) and, in the collector circuit, a second resistor (R2) and, in series with the latter, the base-emitter diode of a second transistor (Q2). Compensation for temperature effects of the base-emitter voltage of the first transistor is performed by the base-emitter path of a second transistor of the same conductivity type in series with the first transistor.

Abstract: A method and a device for starting a diesel engine with no heater plugs, comprising pistons and cylinders defining combustion chambers into which gases intended to participate in combustion are admitted, in which method a strategy is adopted whereby the gases present in the chambers are heated up in such a way as to raise them to a minimum temperature within the entire volume defined by the chambers when the pistons are in the position of maximum compression or close to that position. The gases are heated by compressing the air in the cylinders using an electrical machine, or using a heating system in the intake.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic control device for regulating the voltage across a high-side load, especially for regulating a fan in a motor vehicle, with a control voltage (V1) which is referenced to system ground and which is mirrored to the positive high-side supply voltage, wherein the control voltage (V1) is supplied to the base of a first transistor (Q1) operated in common-emitter connection, which transistor (Q1) has, in the emitter circuit, a first resistor (R1) and, in the collector circuit, a second resistor (R2) and, in series with the latter, the base-emitter diode of a second transistor (Q2). The invention makes it possible to construct a control device, especially for a fan, using comparatively few discrete components. The control device is distinguished by having good regulating behaviour and an extremely small closed-circuit current consumption.

Abstract: A drive control device is provided with a determining section and a voltage increasing section. The determining section determines if the actual acceleration is deficient in comparison with the acceleration requested by the driver or if the generator output is deficient in comparison with the acceleration requested by the driver. The voltage increasing section increases the voltage supplied to the electric generator from a vehicle mounted electric power source when the determining section determines that the actual acceleration or the generator output is deficient. As a result, the generator output deficiency is eliminated and the required motor torque is produced, thereby enabling the vehicle to start into motion appropriately in accordance with the acceleration requested by the driver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit and a method for the speed control of a d.c. motor, particularly the speed control of a fan driven by this d.c. motor, which is used as part of an air distribution system in passenger and commercial motor vehicles. The circuit for the speed control of a d.c. motor includes, according to the invention, a d.c. motor and a supply voltage supplying this d.c. motor, a control module for the generation of PWM-signals and registration of measurement currents and measurement voltages, a number n of parallel-connected field effect transistors which are designed suppliable with PWM-signals in a cascade manner to switch the d.c. motor, and a number n?1 resistors which are designed each to be connected with one of the n field effect transistors which are designed each to be connected with one of the n field effect transistors, whereby n is at least 2.

Abstract: A method for determining an effective resistance of a voltage controlled DC motor having a nominal resistance includes driving the DC motor with a signal so that the DC motor has a targeted acceleration, and sensing an effective acceleration of the DC motor. The effective resistance of the DC motor is determined as a function of the nominal resistance, the targeted acceleration and the effective acceleration.

Abstract: A processor for controlling a sensorless, brushless DC motor is disclosed comprising a first output for providing a control signal to a potentiometer controlling the speed and voltage of the DC motor. The processor also includes a second input for receiving a back-EMF voltage from an open phase of a three phase winding. The processor determines a digital error signal from the back-EMF voltage and generates a control signal responsive to the digital error signal. The control signal decreases the speed of the motor when the digital error signal is in a first range. The processor decreases both the speed and voltage of the motor when the digital error signal is in a second range. The processor increases the speed of the motor when the digital error signal is in a third range. The processor increases both the speed and voltage of the motor when the digital error signal is in a fourth range.

Abstract: The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for measuring the current consumption of a transistor-controlled load, in particular of an electromotor, whereby a load current (IL) is detected by measuring the controlling current (IT2) of an output bipolar transistor (T1). The controlling current (IT2) is detected using the voltage drop across an internal measuring shunt (R1). As the controlling current (IT2) is substantially smaller than the load current, the power losses are negligible in comparison with a measuring shunt that is connected in series to the load. In addition, there is no need for a controlling unit input, to which an external measuring-circuit voltage is applied.

Abstract: The presence of an object in the path of an automotive vehicle window is detected. This is accomplished by sensing or observing a system variable, such as speed or motor current, and comparing this measured value to a predicted limit value of the system variable which is based upon the behavior of the system variable when there is no object present. The values are compared over predetermined time intervals and if the measured value falls out of the predicted limit value of the system variable in a direction that indicates an obstruction, then a control system detects the presence of an object and reacts accordingly by stopping or reversing the drive motor of the vehicle window.

Abstract: A method for the electronic monitoring and control of the opening and closing operation of electrically operated aggregates, particularly of window lifters and sunroofs in motor vehicles, is described. A regulating unit of the aggregate is connected to a vehicle electrical system. The regulating unit is directly influenceable via electrical operating control elements, i.e., via a control-electronics interfacing circuitry connected to the aggregate. The control electronics interfacing circuitry is supplied with a signal that is a function of an accelerative force acting on a motor-vehicle body. The signal which is a function of the accelerative force, is determined from a motor speed of the regulating unit.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for controlling an electric motor (36) having a plurality of motor phases includes a motor controller (32) that controls energization of each phase of the plurality of motor phases. A compensation circuit (56, 84, 104) is associated with each phase of the plurality of motor phases. The compensation circuit (56, 84) of one phase of the plurality of motor phases adjusts a control parameter of another phase of the plurality of motor phases an amount functionally related to an electrical characteristic of the one phase in response to determining a diminished operating characteristic of the one phase.

Abstract: A controller for energizing a power-operable element, such as a sunroof, window, door, vehicle seat, a component of a major appliance or of a machine or of a conveyor system. The disclosed controller senses both hard and soft obstructions and de-activates or otherwise alters operation of a motor that drives the element when an obstruction is detected. The controller can also be used to actuate a brake. The controller senses obstructions during start-up of the motor and regulates the speed of the power-operable element by pulse width modulating motor energization signals.

Abstract: An electric motor control for a series-wound DC motor for providing speed control and also for controlling regenerative braking. The regenerative braking is energized either when the accelerator pedal is released and/or when a brake pedal is depressed. In addition, the control circuit limits the total vehicle speed and brakes the vehicle if it is stopped and begins to roll due to gravity.

Abstract: In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, line dropout protection is provided for a d.c. motor wherein motor operation is prevented if power is applied at the time a main speed control device is not set in a zero position. Re-enabling motor operation is simply provided by resetting the motor speed control device to a zero position and reapplying power.In accordance with the second embodiment of the invention, line dropout protection is provided for a d.c. motor wherein predetermined excess motor acceleration is prevented when power is applied to the d.c. motor. The instant invention prevents motor start-up under unexpected conditions, thereby clearly enhancing safety during operation of any device controlled by the d.c. motor.

Abstract: A speed controller includes a housing adapted to be mounted in a radio controlled model car having a DC motor, a battery, and a receiver, and a control circuit for controlling the amount of votage supplied to the DC motor according to speed information supplied by the receiver. The control circuit is mounted in the housing and it is adapted to be electrically connected to the DC motor, the battery, and the receiver. It includes circuitry for producing an output signal related to the amount of current supplied to the motor and a test point arrangement for facilitating the connection of a separate readout device to the control circuit for purposes of reading the output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for flicker protection when a servo motor driven sewing machine starts utilizing comparators. Setting the original voltage as the reference voltage and the dropped voltage as the monitor voltage, the comparator compares the voltages and, if the difference exceeded more than the predetermined value, signals for setting the maximum electric current to the servo motor are attenuated such that the voltage drop of the electric source will be reduced.

Abstract: A control circuit for maintaining power output of a motor, irrespective of amplitude changes in line voltage. The output of an amplifier is indicative of the line voltage. A ramp generator generates a ramp voltage which is consistent and repetitive, irrespective of changes in the line voltage. A comparison is made between the ramp voltage and the amplifier output, causing a triac to fire when the two are equal. The equalization point is a point at which sufficient power can be derived from the remainder of the line voltage to assure consistent and repetitive operation.

Abstract: The motor-driven power steering unit according to the first aspect of the present invention is able to decrease the amount of current being applied to the motor if the steering force exceeds a predetermined level. The motor-driven power steering unit according to the second aspect of the present invention is able to decrease the amount of current being applied to the motor when the steering speed is less than a predetermined level.

Abstract: An electric switch system for a DC motor powered power tool, comprising: a moveable block which is adapted to be manually displaced between a first position and a second position for speed control of the motor; a fixed block arranged adjacent to the first moveable block; a manual selection lever pivotally attached to the fixed block and adapted to be manually rotated from a neutral middle position to either side for the selection of the rotational direction of the motor; a cam structure for permitting the manual rotation of the manual selection lever in either direction away from the middle neutral position only when the moveable block is at the first position and keeping the angularly displaced state of the manual selection lever when the moveable block is displaced away from the first position. Thus, the selection of the rotational direction of the motor and the speed control of the motor can be accomplished as a continuous single operation, and the convenience of the power tool is improved.

Abstract: A slow start motor control circuit for applications wherein extremely accurate speed control is required, such as, in a centrifugal blood separator application is disclosed. In a blood separator, the degree of separation of cellular components, such as red blood cells and platelets, from the blood plasma is a function of the rotational speed of the centrifuge and the spin time. The control circuit controls the spin time and the rotational speed of the drive motor by controlling the voltage applied to the motor. The control circuit allows the drive motor to start relatively slowly to avoid cell breakage which can contaminate the plasma. After the centrifuge attains its desired operational speed, the speed of the motor is regulated and is relatively uninfluenced by ambient temperature variations.