A closed-loop stepper motor control system, drive device and automation device, wherein the system comprises a microprocessor (1) compatible with EtherCAT communication protocol functions, an external interface circuit (2) connected to the said microprocessor (1) and communication interface unit (3); the said microprocessor (1) is also connected to a drive circuit (4), current testing circuit (5), as well as an encoder feedback circuit (6); the said communication interface unit (3) is mutually connected to the said microprocessor (1) through the physical layer communication circuit (31); the said microprocessor (1) is also mutually connected to the power supply circuit (7) that provides stable power supply voltage.

A stepper motor driver with brake drive, a drive device and an automation device are disclosed. The stepper motor driver comprises a microprocessor (1) embedded with a communication protocol, an external interface unit (3) mutually connected to the microprocessor (1) and a communication interface circuit (2); the microprocessor (1) is also connected to a drive control circuit (4) and a brake device (5), and the brake device (5) is mutually connected to the external interface unit (3); the microprocessor (1) is also mutually connected to a power supply circuit (13) that provides a stable power supply voltage. The stepper motor driver has such advantages as simple structure, high capacity to resist interference, high effectiveness, low cost, and ease in maintenance.

A stepper motor driver with brake drive, a drive device and an automation device are disclosed. The stepper motor driver comprises a microprocessor (1) embedded with a communication protocol, an external interface unit (3) mutually connected to the microprocessor (1) and a communication interface circuit (2); the microprocessor (1) is also connected to a drive control circuit (4) and a brake device (5), and the brake device (5) is mutually connected to the external interface unit (3); the microprocessor (1) is also mutually connected to a power supply circuit (13) that provides a stable power supply voltage. The stepper motor driver has such advantages as simple structure, high capacity to resist interference, high effectiveness, low cost, and ease in maintenance.

A textile machine and associated method are provided for operating the textile machine that includes a plurality of workstations, wherein each workstation includes at least one stepper motor configured to drive an element at the workstation. The method includes measuring a load variable, for example a load angle, of the stepper motor and detecting an approach of the element to an end position based on changes to the load variable.

A motor driving circuit includes a stepping motor driving circuit that controls driving of a stepping motor, a DC motor driving circuit that controls driving of a DC motor, and a control circuit that controls the stepping motor driving circuit and the DC motor driving circuit. The control circuit, upon accepting a driving instruction for driving the stepping motor in the middle of the DC motor driving circuit performing driving of the DC motor, stops driving of the DC motor by the DC motor driving circuit, and starts driving of the stepping motor by the stepping motor driving circuit.

A motor driving circuit includes a stepping motor driving circuit that controls driving of a stepping motor, a DC motor driving circuit that controls driving of a DC motor, and a control circuit that controls the stepping motor driving circuit and the DC motor driving circuit. The control circuit, upon accepting a driving instruction for driving the stepping motor in the middle of the DC motor driving circuit performing driving of the DC motor, stops driving of the DC motor by the DC motor driving circuit, and starts driving of the stepping motor by the stepping motor driving circuit.

A valve actuator (10) has a damping circuitry including a capacitive damping circuit (37), which is activated in the event of generator operation of the stepper motor (18). The damping circuitry, together with the motor winding (26), forms a resonance assembly LCR, which has the effect of stabilising and regulating rotational speed. The rotational speed of the stepper motor (18), running in generator operation, is held constant within limits, specifically without the control intervention of control circuitry. Therefore, the damping circuitry can operate even in the currentless state of the control system and is reliable regardless of external current supply. Fast closing is achieved, and excessively long post-running of the motor (18) is reliably prevented.

Examples relate to back electromotive force controllers for influencing movement of a carriage of a device in an unpowered state; the carriage being moveable by a motor responsive to a motor driver; the controller comprising: braking circuitry to couple power associated with a back electromotive force generated by displacement of the motor, due to carriage movement, to power the motor driver to urge the motor in a contrary direction to the displacement.

An automated luminaire and method are provided. The automated luminaire includes a stepper motor, a mechanism moved by the stepper motor, and a control system coupled to the stepper motor. The control system rotates the stepper motor, senses a current passing through a motor winding of the stepper motor, determines from a calculated characteristic of the sensed current that the mechanism has contacted an end stop, and in response, stores data relating to a current position of the stepper motor in a memory of the control system.

Examples relate to back electromotive force controllers for influencing movement of a carriage of a device in an unpowered state; the carriage being moveable by a motor responsive to a motor driver; the controller comprising: braking circuitry to couple power associated with a back electromotive force generated by displacement of the motor, due to carriage movement. to power the motor driver to urge the motor in a contrary direction to the displacement.