Patent ID: 8773055

Claim:
An electronically commutated one-phase motor ( 20 ) comprising: a stator having a permanent-magnet rotor ( 22 ) and two winding strands ( 30 , 32 ), each of which is connected in series with a respective associated semiconductor switch ( 34 , 44 ), thereby forming first and second series circuits ( 40 , 50 ) having, upstream from them, a third semiconductor switch ( 60 ) which, when blocked, interrupts current delivery from a DC power source ( 63 ) to the motor ( 20 ), at least one of the two winding strands having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to a supply lead ( 58 ) for supplying an operating voltage from said DC power source ( 63 ), the second end being connected to an associated semiconductor switch ( 34 , 44 ), wherein the at least one permanent-magnet rotor ( 22 ) induces, as it rotates, a voltage (u ind ) in said at least one of the two winding strands ( 30 , 32 ); an electronic calculation device ( 26 ) which is configured to execute, during operation, the steps of: a) measuring an analog instantaneous operating voltage (Ub) of the motor and deriving therefrom a digital voltage value characterizing said instantaneous operating voltage; b) specifying a time duration (T ON ) of a switch-on current pulse (i 30 ) applied to the motor, based upon at least one motor operating parameter, including as a parameter said digital voltage value; c) switching space on said third semiconductor switch ( 60 ) for said time duration (T ON ) to apply said switch-on current pulse (i 30 ) to a predetermined winding strand ( 30 ) of the motor, to cause a current flow in said predetermined winding strand ( 30 ); d) after said time duration (T ON ) has elapsed, interrupting energy delivery to the motor so that, as a result of magnetic energy stored in the motor ( 20 ), a current (I*) is briefly generated, that loops in the motor and flows through the predetermined winding strand ( 30 ), which current is referred to hereinafter as a loop current; e) monitoring as to whether or not an induced voltage occurs after the end of the loop current (I*); f) if no induced voltage is detected, extending the time duration (T ON ) of the switch-on current pulse (i 30 ), and repeating, during that extended time duration, a starting operation; g) if an induced voltage does occur after the end of the loop current (I*), making a check as to whether said voltage is occurring at the predetermined winding strand ( 30 ); h) if No, shortening the time duration (T ON ) of the switch-on current pulse, and using that shortened time duration, repeating a starting operation; I) if Yes, executing a transition to normal commutation of the motor ( 20 ).