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:
Aug. 06, 2013
Filed:
Apr. 07, 2010
Maciej Kudanowski, Solihull, GB;
Andrew Mclean, Oldbury, GB;
Maciej Kudanowski, Solihull, GB;
Andrew McLean, Oldbury, GB;
TRW Automotive US LLC, Livonia, MI (US);
Abstract
A motor drive circuit includes a positive and a negative supply rail for connection to a battery (), a motor drive circuit including a plurality of motor drive subcircuits which each selectively permit current to flow into or out of a respective phase of a multi-phase motor () in response to control signals from a motor control circuit, and a switching means including at least one switch which is in series with a respective phase of the motor which is normally closed to permit the flow of current to and from the subcircuit to the respective motor phase. A fault signal detecting means () detects at least one fault condition and, in the event of a fault condition being detected, causes the at least one switch to open. A snubber circuit () is associated with the motor and is arranged so that following the opening of the switch, energy stored in the motor windings is diverted away from the switching means through the snubber circuit to the battery.