Other

Delphi Technologies, Inc.

Delco Electronics Corporation

Paul M Werking

Kenneth George Draves

Gregory J Manlove

Wayne A Madsen

James L Kohler

Improved motor position detection circuitry based on commutation pulse counting, including a pulse recognition circuit, a pulse counting circuit, and a start pulse rejection circuit for rendering the position detection circuitry insensitive to start-up pulses associated with motor turn-on. The start pulse rejection circuit detects an off-to-on transition of a motor controller, and renders the position detection circuitry insensitive to start-up pulses generated in a predefined time window coinciding with the detected off-to-on transition. In a first mechanization, the start pulse rejection circuit maintains a nominal bias voltage at an input of the pulse recognition circuit for the duration of the predefined time window. In a second mechanization, the start pulse rejection circuit renders the pulse counting circuit insensitive to pulses produced by the pulse recognition circuit for the duration of the predefined time window.

Start pulse rejection for a motor commutation pulse detection circuit

An improved motor commutation pulse detection circuit for comparing a filtered motor current signal to a threshold value, where the circuit is responsive to the actual or expected amplitude of the commutation pulses for adjusting the motor current signal or the threshold value so that the compared threshold value is substantially equal in amplitude to minimum amplitude commutation pulses in the compared motor current signal. In one circuit, the threshold value is varied in accordance with the average current flowing through the motor at the time of the commutation event. In another circuit, the threshold is effectively switched between a high value and a low value depending on the mode of operation of the motor. A motor run detection threshold is activated during motor running periods, while a motor brake detection threshold is activated during motor braking. The run time detection threshold is set to a relatively high value to detect the relatively high amplitude commutation pulses that occur during motor running, while the brake detection threshold is set to a relatively low value to detect the relatively low amplitude commutation pulses that occur during motor braking. The threshold can effectively be changed by attenuating the commutation signal by a predetermined factor during motor run periods.

Variable threshold motor commutation pulse detection circuit

This invention relates to source-coupled logic (SCL) which is a functional derivative of emitter-coupled logic (ECL). ECL is widely recognized as having the characteristics of high speed (low propagation delay) and low power supply noise generation. The SCL of the prior art succeeds at maintaining and improving the low noise characteristics of this architecture but does not fulfill the promise of high speed that one would expect from a current-mode logic. In addition, it uses a differential form of logic that is not as flexible and easy-to-use as a reference controlled or &ldquo;single-ended&rdquo; logic. The SCL disclosed here has the desired high speed properties and maintains the ease of use that is a property of reference controlled ECL. In addition, the reference controlled SCL of this invention provides new capabilities that make it even more flexible than ECL in generating logical switching functions.

Source-coupled logic with reference controlled inputs

Circuitry (100, 100') for determining actuator position includes four MOS transistors (T1-T4) connected to each side of a bi-directional motor (10). The current flowing through the motor (10) at any given time is proportional to voltages developed across the internal impedances of the transistors (T1-T4). The resulting motor voltages are amplified and high-pass filtered to remove any DC offsets due to the signal amplification. The conditioned motor voltages are then compared to one or more threshold voltages and passed through a one shot circuit (120) to provide detectable pulses for each motor commutation event. Circuitry (106,107) is provided for counting pulses provided by the one shot circuit (120) and, based on a desired motor position, for providing a number of digital control signals to a digital control circuit (104). Digital control circuit (104) is responsive to the number of digital control signals to control the gate voltages of the four transistors (T1-T4) to thereby control the position of the motor (10).

Circuitry for determining actuator position

This invention relates to source-coupled logic (SCL) which is a functional derivative of emitter-coupled logic (ECL). ECL is widely recognized as having the characteristics of high speed (low propagation delay) and low power supply noise generation. The SCL of the prior art succeeds at maintaining and improving the low noise characteristics of this architecture but does not fulfill the promise of high speed that one would expect from a current-mode logic. In addition, it uses a differential form of logic that is not as flexible and easy-to-use as a reference controlled or 'single-ended' logic. The SCL disclosed here has the desired high speed properties and maintains the ease of use that is a property of reference controlled ECL. In addition, the reference controlled SCL of this invention provides new capabilities that make it even more flexible than ECL in generating logical switching functions.

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Tipton, IN, United States of America

Paul M Werking