ELECTRIC MOTOR CONTROLLER

Abstract

Electric motor controllers including MOSFET transistors and Hall effect switches are described.

Claims

1. An electric motor controller comprising: an n-channel MOSFET connected to a first p-channel MOSFET, ground, and a first motor coil, wherein the first p-channel MOSFET is connected to a pulse width modulation signal, and a diode; a second p-channel MOSFET connected to the first p-Channel MOSFET via the diode, a second motor coil, and a positive voltage source; a directional switch; a first hall effect sensor connected to the first motor coil, the directional switch, and the second p-channel MOSFET; and a second hall effect sensor connected to the directional switch, the first motor coil, and the second p-channel MOSFET, wherein the first Hall effect sensor and the second Hall effect sensor are configured to detect a magnetic field of an electric motor, wherein the first motor coil is connected to ground and to the second p-channel MOSFET, and wherein the second motor coil is connected to the positive voltage source and the n-channel MOSFET.

2. The electric motor controller of claim 1, wherein the directional switch includes a manual switch.

3. The electric motor controller of claim 1, wherein the directional switch includes a relay.

4. The electric motor controller of claim 1, wherein the pulse width modulation signal is generated by a discrete signal generator.

5. The electric motor controller of claim 1, wherein the pulse width modulation signal is generated by a processor.

6. The electric motor controller of claim 1, wherein the second p-channel MOSFET and the n-channel MOSFET are connected to one or more additional MOSFET stages.

7. The electric motor controller of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is a permanent magnet electric motor.

8. The electric motor controller of claim 1, wherein the electric motor is an electromagnet magnet electric motor.

9. An electric motor controller comprising: an n-channel MOSFET connected to a first p-channel MOSFET, ground, and a first motor coil, wherein the first p-channel MOSFET is connected to a pulse width modulation signal, and a diode; a second p-channel MOSFET connected to the first p-Channel MOSFET via the diode, a second motor coil, and a positive voltage source; a directional switch; a first hall effect sensor connected to the first motor coil, the directional switch, and the second p-channel MOSFET; and a second hall effect sensor connected to the directional switch, the first motor coil, and the second p-channel MOSFET, wherein the first Hall effect sensor and the second Hall effect sensor are configured to detect a magnetic field of an electric motor, wherein the first motor coil is connected to ground and to the second p-channel MOSFET, and wherein the second motor coil is connected to the positive voltage source and the n-channel MOSFET.

10. The electric motor controller of claim 9, wherein the directional switch includes a manual switch.

11. The electric motor controller of claim 9, wherein the directional switch includes a relay.

12. The electric motor controller of claim 9, wherein the pulse width modulation signal is generated by a discrete signal generator.

13. The electric motor controller of claim 9, wherein the pulse width modulation signal is generated by a processor.

14. The electric motor controller of claim 9, wherein the electric motor is a permanent magnet electric motor.

15. The electric motor controller of claim 9, wherein the electric motor is an electromagnet magnet electric motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example motor controller in accordance with some implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an example electric motor controller 100 that includes an n-channel MOSFET Q1 connected to a first p-channel MOSFET Q2, ground, and a first motor coil, wherein the first p-channel MOSFET Q2 is connected to a pulse width modulation signal, and a diode D1. The motor controller also includes a second p-channel MOSFET Q3 connected to the first p-Channel MOSFET Q2 via the diode D1, a second motor coil, and a positive voltage source V+. The motor controller further includes a directional switch SW1, and a first hall effect sensor H1 connected to the first motor coil, the directional switch SW1, and the second p-channel MOSFET Q3. The motor controller also includes a second Hall effect sensor H2 connected to the directional switch SW1, the first motor coil, and the second p-channel MOSFET Q3.

[0013] In operation, the first Hall effect sensor H1 and the second Hall effect sensor H2 are configured to detect a magnetic field of the electric motor M1. For example, the magnets in the motor can include two semicircular magnets with two gaps between the two semicircular magnets (e.g., two semicircular magnets that have a gap between each pair of corresponding ends of the magnets). The Hall effect sensors can detect as each magnetic field passes the Hall effect sensors.

[0014] Some implementations can include two or more independent motor coils. The first motor coil is connected to ground and to the second p-channel MOSFET Q3. The second motor coil is connected to the positive voltage source and the n-channel MOSFET Q1.

[0015] In some implementations, the directional switch SW1 includes a manual switch or a relay. The switching function of SW1 could also be performed by a processor such as a microcontroller or the like.

[0016] In some implementations, the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal is generated by a discrete signal generator, or a processor.

[0017] In some implementations, the second p-channel MOSFET Q3 and the n-channel MOSFET Q1 can be connected to one or more additional MOSFET stages per motor coil. Use of the MOSFETs as arranged in FIG. 1 helps to avoid the use of the conventional H-bridge arrangement, which would require 4 MOSFETs per motor coil.

[0018] The electric motor M1 can be a permanent magnet electric motor or an electromagnet magnet electric motor. Further, the electric motor can be a brushed (e.g., using slip ring brushes or the like as opposed to commutated brushes) or brushless dc motor. Also, the electric motor can be a radial or axial electric motor.

[0019] While some example implementations have been described in terms of a general embodiment with several specific example modifications, it is recognized that other modifications and variations of the embodiments described above are within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. Applicant intends to embrace any and all such modifications, variations and embodiments.