Multi-lane motor circuits

A control circuit for use in combination with a dual lane permanent magnet synchronous motor comprising:

• a control circuit configured to selectively connect a first direct current power source to the motor phase windings of a first set of the motor phasing windings to form a first lane, and
• to selectively connect a second direct current power source to the motor phase windings of a second set of the motor phasing windings to form a second lane,
• wherein the control circuit is configured to cause current to flow in one or more of the two sets of phase windings that meets a current demand from a current demand circuit, and
• wherein the control circuit is adapted to apply current waveforms to one or more of the motor phases which cause energy to be transferred from the first direct current source of the first lane into a component of the second lane through transformer coupling between at least one winding of the first lane and at least one winding of the second lane, and
• wherein at least one operating mode may be initiated in the event that a fault associated with the second direct current source of the second lane is detected.

A method of controlling a multi-lane permanent magnet synchronous motor having at least two sets of phase windings, comprising

• selectively connecting a first direct current power source to the motor phase windings of a first set of the motor phasing windings to form a first lane,
• selectively connecting a second direct current power source to the motor phase windings of a second set of the motor phasing windings to form a second lane,
• whereby to cause current to flow in the motor that meets a current demand from a current demand circuit, the method further comprising during at least one mode of operation applying voltage waveforms to one or more of the motor phase windings which cause energy to be transferred from the first direct current source of the first lane into a component of the second lane through transformer coupling between at least one phase winding of the first lane and at least one phase winding of the second lane, and
• wherein the at least one operating mode may be initiated in the event that a fault associated with the second direct current source of the second lane is detected.