Reverse rotation of a motor configured for operation in a forward direction

1. In a motor initially configured to have a reluctance facilitating startup and efficient operation in a forward direction, while obstructing startup and resulting in substantially less efficient operation in a reverse direction, a method for use by a motor controller, said method comprising:

identifying an angular orientation of said motor;

applying a first drive signal to begin rotating said motor in said reverse direction, said first drive signal being applied for a predetermined period of time;

sensing a change in said angular orientation of said motor in said reverse direction;

applying a second drive signal to continue rotating said motor in said reverse direction based on said change in said angular orientation;

using a position sensor signal for said motor to control motor drive in said reverse direction when said motor reaches a predetermined reverse speed;

operating said motor in said reverse direction.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying said first drive signal is based on said angular orientation.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein sensing said change in said angular orientation occurs after applying said first drive signal.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second drive signal is applied for said predetermined period of time.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said motor is a single phase alternating current (AC) motor.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein using said position sensor signal to control motor drive in said reverse direction comprises phase shifting said position sensor signal to generate a motor control signal for driving said motor in said reverse direction.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said position sensor signal is phase shifted relative to said motor control signal.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein said phase shifting reduces motor current spikes caused by said reluctance.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein said position sensor signal comprises a Hall sensor signal.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein drive signals used to operate said motor in said reverse direction have a substantially constant duty cycle.

11. A system comprising:

a motor initially configured to have a reluctance facilitating startup and efficient operation in a forward direction, while obstructing startup and resulting in substantially less efficient operation in a reverse direction;

a motor controller coupled to said motor, said motor controller configured to:

identify an angular orientation of said motor;

apply a first drive signal to begin rotating said motor in said reverse direction, said first drive signal being applied for a predetermined period of time;

sense a change in said angular orientation of said motor in said reverse direction;

apply a second drive signal to continue rotating said motor in said reverse direction based on said change in said angular orientation;

use a position sensor signal for said motor to control motor drive in said reverse direction when said motor reaches a predetermined reverse speed, thereby operating said motor in said reverse direction.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein said motor controller is further configured to apply said first drive signal based on said angular orientation.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein said motor controller is further configured to sense said change in said angular orientation after application of said first drive signal.

14. The system of claim 11 , wherein said second drive signal is applied for said predetermined period of time.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein said motor is a single phase alternating current (AC) motor.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein said motor controller is implemented as an integrated circuit (IC).

17. The system of claim 11 , wherein said motor controller is further configured to phase shift said position sensor signal, thereby generating a motor control signal for controlling said motor drive in said reverse direction.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein said position sensor signal is phase shifted relative to said motor control signal.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein said phase shift reduces motor current spikes caused by said reluctance.

20. The system of claim 11 , wherein drive signals used to operate said motor in said reverse direction have a substantially constant duty cycle.