METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR REDUCING SIZE AND COSTS OF MOTOR CONTROLLERS FOR ELECTRIC MOTORS

An electric motor that includes an electronic motor controller is described. The electronic motor controller includes a motor management circuit and a power supply circuit physically separate from the motor management circuit. The motor management circuit includes an insulated metal substrate, driver components operably attached to the insulated metal substrate and operable to provide output signals for application to windings of the electric motor, at least one current sensor operable for sensing an amount of current applied to the windings of and electric motor, and at least one control device operably attached to the insulated metal substrate for controlling operation of the driver components. The power supply circuit includes a composite circuit card and power processing components operably attached to the circuit card and operable to convert an input voltage into at least one output voltage to be supplied to the motor management circuit.