Methods and apparatus for robust and efficient stepper motor BEMF measurement
US10063170B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 9, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 9, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH02P6/182
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a described example an apparatus includes: an FET driver circuit configured to supply current to a coil in a stepper motor, the FET driver circuit configured to regulate the current to the coil using a fixed delta current; a current chopper pulse width modulated circuit coupled to the FET driver circuit configured to supply pulses corresponding to a step control signal and a direction control signal; a back electromotive force (BEMF) monitor coupled to the current chopper circuit configured to measure an off time pulse and to output a BEMF monitor signal; and a controller coupled to the current chopper pulse width modulated circuit to supply the step and direction control signals and coupled to receive the BEMF monitor signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.