Seagate Technology Incorporated

Christopher E Mann

Michael W Null

Robert P Cloutier

An apparatus and process for detecting rotor position for improved motor start-up. The apparatus detects a target equilibrium position of the rotor using a fixed gain amplifier, window comparator and slope detector circuitry. The window comparator circuitry qualifies the peaks of the back EMF signal. Slope detector circuitry pinpoints the peak of the back EMF signal qualified by the window comparator. The technique utilizes the steps of energizing the phase windings of said motor, detecting the target equilibrium position, and then accelerating the motor through a commutation process.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Cruz, CA, United States of America

Christopher E Mann