Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap current input node, having a pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap connection, and a plurality of pairs of switches for connection, each pair being arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair having a connection node between each switch of each pair, connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising; commutating said plurality of pairs of switches to operate in a dual coil mode during a start-up time; and after the start-up time, selectively commutating said plurality of pairs of switches to operate in a uni-coil mode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap current input node, having a pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap connection, and a plurality of pairs of switches for connection, each pair being arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair having a connection node between each switch of each pair, connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising; commutating said plurality of pairs of switches to operate in a dual coil mode during a start-up time; and after the start-up time, selectively commutating said plurality of pairs of switches to operate in a uni-coil mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein each of said switches is a MOSFET.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said polyphase dc motor is a three-phase dc motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of driving coils comprise a wye connected set of driving coils.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said motor has a two pole rotor.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
434 words
A method for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap current input node, having a pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap connection, and a plurality of pairs of switches for connection, each pair being arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair having a connection node between each switch of each pair, connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising; operating said switches during an initial start-up time to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected pairs of said driving coils in accordance with the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-B C ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Phase
A-C B ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
2
Phase
B-C A OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
3
Phase
B-A C OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
4
Phase
C-A B OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
5
Phase
C-B A OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
6
__________________________________________________________________________ and after start-up, between only single ones of said driving coils and the center tap according to the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-C.sub.tap
B&C ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
A+
Phase
C.sub.tap -C
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
C-
Phase
B-C.sub.tap
A&C OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
B+
Phase
C.sub.tap -A
B&C OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
A-
Phase
C-C.sub.tap
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON
C+
Phase
C.sub.tap -B
A&C OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
B-
__________________________________________________________________________ in which: the center tap is denoted C tap ; each coil is denoted respectively A, B, and C; each high side switch is denoted respectively uA, uB, uC, uC tap ; each low side switch is denoted respectively 1A, 1B, 1C, 1C tap ; each phase is denoted (+) if current flows into the designated coil to the center tap and (-) if current flows out of the designated coil from the center tap; and an open switch is denoted OFF, and a closed switch is denoted "ON".
Claim 8
Independent Claim
434 words
A method for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap current input node, having a pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap connection, and a plurality of pairs of switches for connection, each pair being arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair having a connection node between each switch of each pair, connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising; operating said switches during an initial start-up time to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected pairs of said driving coils in accordance with the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-B C ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Phase
A-C B ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
2
Phase
B-C A OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
3
Phase
B-A C OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
4
Phase
C-A B OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
5
Phase
C-B A OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
6
__________________________________________________________________________ and after start-up, between only single ones of said driving coils and the center tap according to the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-C.sub.tap
B&C ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
A+
Phase
C.sub.tap -C
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
C-
Phase
B-C.sub.tap
A&C OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
B+
Phase
C.sub.tap -A
B&C OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
A-
Phase
C-C.sub.tap
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON
C+
Phase
C.sub.tap -B
A&C OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
B-
__________________________________________________________________________ in which: the center tap is denoted C tap ; each coil is denoted respectively A, B, and C; each high side switch is denoted respectively uA, uB, uC, uC tap ; each low side switch is denoted respectively 1A, 1B, 1C, 1C tap ; each phase is denoted (+) if current flows into the designated coil to the center tap and (-) if current flows out of the designated coil from the center tap; and an open switch is denoted OFF, and a closed switch is denoted "ON".
Claim 9
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap current input node, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap connection, and a plurality of pairs of switches for connection, each pair being arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair having a connection node between each switch of each pair, connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising; providing an additional pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap; operating said switches to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected pairs of said driving coils for an initial start-up time; after the initial start-up time, operating said switches to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected only single ones of said driving coils and said center tap current input node; and establishing a predetermined first delay between a zero crossing of a bemf signal of a floating coil and a commutation of driving signals to said coils on the dual-coil mode and establishing a second predetermined delay in uni-coil mode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap current input node, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap connection, and a plurality of pairs of switches for connection, each pair being arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair having a connection node between each switch of each pair, connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising; providing an additional pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap; operating said switches to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected pairs of said driving coils for an initial start-up time; after the initial start-up time, operating said switches to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected only single ones of said driving coils and said center tap current input node; and establishing a predetermined first delay between a zero crossing of a bemf signal of a floating coil and a commutation of driving signals to said coils on the dual-coil mode and establishing a second predetermined delay in uni-coil mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said second predetermined delay is essentially zero.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
426 words
Apparatus for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap, and a plurality of switch pairs, each switch pair arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each switch pair having a node between each switch connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising: an additional pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap; a sequencing circuit for individually operating said switches during said start-up to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected pairs of said driving coils in accordance with the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-B C ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Phase
A-C B ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
2
Phase
B-C A OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
3
Phase
B-A C OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
4
Phase
C-A B OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
5
Phase
C-B A OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
6
__________________________________________________________________________ and after start-up, between only single ones of said driving coils and the center tap according to the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-C.sub.tap
B&C ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
A+
Phase
C.sub.tap -C
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
C-
Phase
B-C.sub.tap
A&C OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
B+
Phase
C.sub.tap -A
B&C OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
A-
Phase
C-C.sub.tap
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON
C+
Phase
C.sub.tap -B
A&C OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
B-
__________________________________________________________________________ in which: the center tap is denoted C tap ; each coil is denoted respectively A, B, and C; each high side switch is denoted respectively uA, uB, uC, uC tap ; each low side switch is denoted respectively 1A, 1B, 1C, 1C tap ; each phase is denoted (+) if current flows into the designated coil to the center tap and (-) if current flows out of the designated coil from the center tap; and an open switch is denoted OFF, and a closed switch is denoted "ON".
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
426 words
Apparatus for operating a polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of driving coils connected together at a center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap, and a plurality of switch pairs, each switch pair arranged for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each switch pair having a node between each switch connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes comprising: an additional pair of switches arranged for connection in series across the power supply voltage and having a connection node between each switch connected to the center tap; a sequencing circuit for individually operating said switches during said start-up to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected pairs of said driving coils in accordance with the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-B C ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Phase
A-C B ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
2
Phase
B-C A OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
3
Phase
B-A C OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
4
Phase
C-A B OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
5
Phase
C-B A OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
6
__________________________________________________________________________ and after start-up, between only single ones of said driving coils and the center tap according to the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA 1A uB 1B uC 1C uC.sub.tap
1C.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-C.sub.tap
B&C ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
A+
Phase
C.sub.tap -C
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
C-
Phase
B-C.sub.tap
A&C OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
B+
Phase
C.sub.tap -A
B&C OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
A-
Phase
C-C.sub.tap
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON
C+
Phase
C.sub.tap -B
A&C OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
B-
__________________________________________________________________________ in which: the center tap is denoted C tap ; each coil is denoted respectively A, B, and C; each high side switch is denoted respectively uA, uB, uC, uC tap ; each low side switch is denoted respectively 1A, 1B, 1C, 1C tap ; each phase is denoted (+) if current flows into the designated coil to the center tap and (-) if current flows out of the designated coil from the center tap; and an open switch is denoted OFF, and a closed switch is denoted "ON".
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for operating a three-phase polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of wye connected driving coils connected together at a center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap, and a four pairs of transistor switches for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair of transistor switches having a node respectively connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes and said center tap, comprising: a switch commutating circuit to operate said switches in a dual-coil mode; a switch commutating to operate said switches in a uni-coil mode; and. a circuit to selectively connect one of said switch operating circuits to change between dual-coil mode and uni-coil mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for operating a three-phase polyphase dc motor of the type having a plurality of wye connected driving coils connected together at a center tap, each driving coil having a coil current input node at an end opposite said center tap, and a four pairs of transistor switches for connection in series across a power supply voltage, each pair of transistor switches having a node respectively connected to a respective one of said coil current input nodes and said center tap, comprising: a switch commutating circuit to operate said switches in a dual-coil mode; a switch commutating to operate said switches in a uni-coil mode; and. a circuit to selectively connect one of said switch operating circuits to change between dual-coil mode and uni-coil mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of said transistors switches is a MOSFET.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said motor is a sensorless three-phase dc motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said motor has a two pole rotor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
334 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a sequencing circuit for individually operating said switches during said start-up to cause a driving current to be passed between sequentially selected pairs of said driving coils and said center tap current input node in accordance with the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA lA uB lB uC lC uC.sub.tap
lC.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-B C ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
Phase
A-C B ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
2
Phase
B-C A OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
3
Phase
B-A C OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
4
Phase
C-A B OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
5
Phase
C-B A OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
OFF
OFF
6
__________________________________________________________________________ and after startup, between only single ones of said driving coils and the center tap according to the following table: __________________________________________________________________________
Current
flows Floating
from-to Coils
uA lA uB lB uC lC uC.sub.tap
lC.sub.tap
__________________________________________________________________________
Phase
A-C.sub.tap
B&C ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
A+
Phase
C.sub.tap -C
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON ON OFF
C-
Phase
B-C.sub.tap
A&C OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON
B+
Phase
C.sub.tap -A
B&C OFF
ON OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
A-
Phase
C-C.sub.tap
A&B OFF
OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON
C+
Phase
C.sub.tap -B
A&C OFF
OFF
OFF
ON OFF
OFF
ON OFF
B-
__________________________________________________________________________ in which: the center tap is denoted C tap ; each coil is denoted respectively A, B, and C; each high side switch is denoted respectively uA, uB, uC, UC tap ; each low side switch is denoted respectively 1A, 1B, 1C, 1C tap ; each phase is denoted (+) if current flows into the designated coil to the center tap and (-) if current flows out of the designated coil from the center tap; and an open switch is denoted OFF, and a closed switch is denoted "ON".
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a circuit to select said circuit to operate said switches in a dual-coil mode for an initial start-up time and to select said a circuit to operate said switches after the initial start-up time in a uni-coil mode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 10 further comprising a circuit for detecting a zero crossing of a bemf signal of a floating one of the driving coils; a delay circuit for establishing a delay between a zero crossing and a commutation of driving signals to said coils; and a circuit for operating said delay circuit to provide a first predetermined delay in dual-coil mode and a second predetermined delay in uni-coil mode.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said second predetermined delay is essentially zero.