The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 25, 2000
Filed:
Feb. 02, 1994
Scott W Cameron, Milpitas, CA (US);
STMicroelectronics, Inc., Carrollton, TX (US);
Abstract
A method and integrated circuit for providing drive signals to a polyphase dc motor. The integrated circuit is fabricated on a semiconductor substrate for providing drive signals to a polyphase dc motor. The circuit includes a coil drive circuit for connection to drive coils of the motor to selectively supply drive currents thereto in a predetermined sequence. A sequencer circuit commutatively selects the drive coils to which the drive currents are selectively supplied, and a motor, speed controlling circuit controls the speed of the motor by controlling the speed of commutation. A temperature sensing element, such as a diode, is fabricated in the substrate to indicate the temperature of the substrate, and a temperature measuring circuit is connected to the temperature sensing element and to the motor speed controlling circuit to operate the motor speed controlling circuit to slow the speed of the motor when the temperature of the substrate exceeds a first predetermined temperature. If desired, temperature measuring circuit can include a circuit for measuring a second temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature to operate a shut down circuit to turn off the motor if the substrate temperature is too high.