Counter electro-motoric force based functional status detection of an electro-motor
AssigneesAirbus Operations GmbH, Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
InventorsJürgen Kelnhofer, Thomas Scherer, Steffen Kalsow, Alvy Biccum, John Maljanian, David Leenhouts, Walter S. Hojnowski
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a circuit for detecting a functional status of an electro-motor. Typical electro-motors need additional components to identify the functional status of the motor. This means additional weight for such motors determining the functional status. According to the present invention, a circuit is provided using a part of a motor as a sensor for detecting the functional status of the electro-motor.
Claims10
Circuit for detecting a functional status of a stepper electro-motor, having a plurality of stator windings connected to a supply voltage, the circuit comprising:
- a sensor comprising one of the windings of the stator of the electro-motor;
- a detection unit comprising a differential amplifier;
- wherein the sensor is a part of the electro-motor;
- wherein the detection unit is adapted to detect the functional status of the electro-motor;
- wherein the winding is adapted such that a rotor of the electro-motor induces a counter electro-motoric force in the winding when it is turning;
- wherein the differential amplifier comprises a first and a second input;
- wherein the first input is connected to the supply voltage;
- wherein the second input is connected to a phase of the winding of the stator such that loading a current in the phase let flow a current from the supply voltage to the phase through the winding;
- wherein the functional status of the electro-motor is one of a turning functional status and a locking functional status.
Method for detecting a functional status of a stepper electro-motor, having a plurality of stator windings connected to a supply voltage, by means of a sensor, which is part of the electro-motor, wherein the sensor comprises one of the windings of the stator of the electro-motor, comprising the steps of:
- connecting a first input of a differential amplifier to the supply voltage;
- connecting a second input of the differential amplifier to a phase of the winding of the stator such that loading a current in the phase let flow a current from the supply voltage to the phase through the winding;
- turning a rotor of the electro-motor in a first direction;
- inducing a counter electro-motoric force in the winding;
- comparing the counter electro-motoric force with the supply voltage;
- detecting a functional status of an electro-motor;
- wherein the functional status of the electro-motor is one of a turning functional status and a locking functional status.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.