Patent ID: 7800327

Claim:
A method of operating a motor system, the system having at least a motor, a commutation apparatus, a rotor position detecting apparatus and a source of electricity, the motor having at least a rotor and a stator and the stator comprising at least two multiphase winding sets; the method comprising: electrically isolating the at least two multiphase winding sets from one another; providing electricity from the commutation apparatus to at least a first winding set of said at least two winding sets to thereby continuously drive rotor rotation with said at least first winding set; leaving at least a second winding set of said at least two winding sets continuously unenergized such that said rotor rotation induces electricity in the second winding set; providing said induced electricity to the rotor position detecting apparatus to produce rotor position information; and providing said rotor position information to the commutation apparatus for at least one of verifying and adjusting a commutation process conducted by the commutation apparatus.