Regenerative stepper motors?

Petefagan

Hi, a dc motor acts as a motor when it is turned on, but can act as a generator when it is turned off and is physically turned.

Can a stepper motor act similarly? Can it generate current somehow?

I plan to use a motor with a 2 or 4 quadrant chopper so that when it is on it powers an engine but when it is turned off it generates current, similar to regenerative braking - but positional control is vital so a stepper would be ideal

gyppo

Worked a lot with stepper motors in the past, and from my knowledge, it wouldnt be possible.

ProfessorGuy

The A4983 Datasheet from Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. references a Dmos Microstepping Driver w/ Translator for Bipolar, Full-Step; Half-Step; Microstepping Motor with a feature of Dynamic Braking. A Google search can locate other dynamic braking drives available for stepping motors as well. It is clearly possible to use regenerative braking with stepping motors.

166man

Anyone else not have a clue what these lads are on about?:o:D

JerCotter7

166man wrote: »

Anyone else not have a clue what these lads are on about?:o:D

Stepper motors:rolleyes:

166man

JerCotter7 wrote: »

Stepper motors:rolleyes:

Yep I got that part, I just have no idea what a stepper motor is?:o

JerCotter7

166man wrote: »

Yep I got that part, I just have no idea what a stepper motor is?:o

I'm stuck there too.:D

Joe 90

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synchro ?

ProfessorGuy

An additional resource would be http://www.beam-wiki.org/wiki/Dynamic_Braking which discusses using dynamic braking with stepper motors. One can replace the braking resistor with more complicated circuitry to capture the energy rather than to dissipate it as heat, and redirect the captured energy to a battery or to the supply line to make it function regeneratively. It is simply a matter of design preference, considering cost and expediency, as to whether to make the dynamic braking resistive or regenerative, or some combination of the two.

Markcheese

Always wondered how much of the braking function could be done by electric motors, ? From a brake function point of view are u better generating current or not when stopping.? Does using the motors for braking adversely affect the life of the motors...