System and method to distribute power to both an inertial device and a voltage sensitive device from a single current limited power source
First Claim
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1. A method for increasing a voltage potential available to a controller sharing a power source with a motor, the method comprising:
- producing transient high voltage surges in the output of the power source by repeatedly having a motor driver connected in series between the power source and the motor cut off power to the motor during predetermined spaced apart time periods, the motor driver being controlled by the controller;
storing, in an energy reservoir connected between the controller and the power source, energy during said surges;
releasing, by the energy reservoir, said stored energy to the controller while the motor is receiving power from the power source when a voltage output of said power source falls below a threshold voltage;
testing, by a voltage sensor, a voltage input to the controller;
receiving, by the controller, a result of the testing from the voltage sensor; and
adjusting, by the controller, the cutting off of power by the motor driver to the motor based on the result of the testing in order to maintain the input voltage to the controller at or above the threshold voltage.
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Abstract
A system may regulate voltage supplied from a power source to an integrated circuit and/or an inertial device. A minimal voltage may be maintained in the integrated circuit by temporarily cutting off current to the inertial device to supply surges of voltage to the controller. Optionally voltage may be smoothed between said surges for example by adding capacitance and/or a current restrictor.
66 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for increasing a voltage potential available to a controller sharing a power source with a motor, the method comprising:
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producing transient high voltage surges in the output of the power source by repeatedly having a motor driver connected in series between the power source and the motor cut off power to the motor during predetermined spaced apart time periods, the motor driver being controlled by the controller; storing, in an energy reservoir connected between the controller and the power source, energy during said surges; releasing, by the energy reservoir, said stored energy to the controller while the motor is receiving power from the power source when a voltage output of said power source falls below a threshold voltage; testing, by a voltage sensor, a voltage input to the controller; receiving, by the controller, a result of the testing from the voltage sensor; and adjusting, by the controller, the cutting off of power by the motor driver to the motor based on the result of the testing in order to maintain the input voltage to the controller at or above the threshold voltage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for distributing power among a plurality components of a portable device, the system comprising:
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a power source; a motor; a controller connected to the power source; and a motor driver connected in series between the power source and the motor, the motor driver being controlled by the controller and being configured to; supply to said motor, higher current pulses of power from said power source having sufficient energy to power said motor, and at least partially cut off power to said motor between said pulses to produce voltage surges having sufficient energy to power said controller at a higher voltage potential than the potential of said higher current pulses; and a voltage sensor configured to measure an input voltage to the controller, the controller being configured to receive output from the voltage sensor and to adjust the motor driver in response to the output of the voltage sensor to maintain the input voltage to the controller to be greater than a threshold value, wherein power is supplied by the power source to the controller during and between the pulses. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification