Automatic In Response To Predetermined Position, Movement Or Condition In Or Of The Motor Or Driven Device Patents (Class 318/127)
  • Patent number: 11211888
    Abstract: A motor parameter tracking method, which can dynamically track motor parameters includes: exciting, with a voltage excitation signal, a motor to operate, and acquiring at least one actual voltage across two terminals of the motor and an actual current flowing through the motor in an operating state; modelling a voltage error of the motor based on the at least one actual voltage and the actual current to obtain a voltage error function of the motor; and performing iteration on at least one motor parameter based on the voltage error function and a preset iterative step. With the method, the difference between different batches of motors can be adaptively adjusted, and parameter changes caused by a motor temperature, a motor posture and the like can be dynamically tracked. All motor parameters are provided with a same step, which reduces the difficulty of parameter adjustment and the sensitivity of algorithms to parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: AAC Technologies Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tao Li, Xuan Guo, Zheng Xiang
  • Patent number: 10894590
    Abstract: The propulsion unit includes a frame construction having an upper portion forming a support arm protruding from a hull of the vessel and a lower portion forming a longitudinal compartment provided with a propeller shaft having at least one propeller attached thereto, and a first electric motor driving the propeller shaft. The method includes measuring vibrations of the propulsion unit with at least one measuring device, forming a first auxiliary torque control signal based on the measured vibration signal, adding the first auxiliary torque control signal to a first torque control signal produced by a first torque controller of the first electric motor. The first auxiliary torque signal acts against the measured vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Jari Toiva
  • Patent number: 10868486
    Abstract: An accelerometer and a linear resonant actuator (LRA) are mechanically coupled, such as by being mounted to the same circuit board. The output of the accelerometer is evaluated in order to select a drive frequency for the LRA. For example, the drive frequency may be varied while measuring the magnitude of acceleration induced by the LRA. The output of the accelerometer may further be used to perform a fitness tracking function, such as counting steps or detecting an activity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: AMBIQ MICRO, INC.
    Inventors: Yousof Mortazavi, Scott McLean Hanson
  • Patent number: 10528140
    Abstract: A haptic feedback system configured to apply an impact to an electronic device is provided. The haptic feedback system includes a haptic actuator that makes reciprocating motion, a drive circuit that applies to the haptic actuator a drive voltage composed of a predetermined number of basic pulse voltages for acceleration, and a controller that controls an average voltage of a subset of the basic pulse voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Yamazaki, Kazunori Yamamura, Jake Laurence Pat Santiago
  • Patent number: 10432121
    Abstract: A method identifies magnetic saturation parameters of an asynchronous electric motor. The method consists in a monitoring and identification sequence including one or several iterations. The method includes applying at the input of the control law of a reference voltage or a reference flux trajectory or a reference range in order to obtain a magnetization current, building a real profile of magnetic saturation including estimate magnetization flux and measures magnetization current, and determining magnetic saturation parameters corresponding to the real profile already obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER TOSHIBA INVERTER EUROPE SAS
    Inventors: Al Kassem Jebai, Francois Malrait, Thomas Devos, Alain Dutrey
  • Patent number: 10372045
    Abstract: A reluctance actuator assembly comprising a reluctance actuator, a flux sensor to measure a magnetic flux in a gap of the reluctance actuator, and a flux amplifier to drive an actuator coil of the reluctance actuator based on a flux set point and the flux measured by the flux sensor. A method comprising providing to the flux amplifier a flux setpoint, the flux setpoint comprising a time constant component and a sinusoidally varying component at an excitation frequency, measuring a force generated by the reluctance actuator in response to the flux setpoint, and calibrating the reluctance actuator assembly from the measured force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Antonius Gerardus Akkermans, Bas Pieter Lemmen, Sjoerd Martijn Huiberts, Joeri Lof, Petrus Theodorus Rutgers, Sven Antoin Johan Hol, Harmeet Singh, Peter Michel Silvester Maria Heijmans
  • Patent number: 10277152
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus operates in a first control mode in which the values of a torque current component and an excitation current component are controlled so that the difference between an instruction phase and a rotation phase is decreased and a second control mode in which constant current is supplied to a winding of a motor. The second control mode is switched to the first control mode if the rotation speed is varied from a value lower than a first threshold value to a value not lower than the first threshold value in the second control mode and the first control mode is kept even if the rotation speed is varied from a value not lower than the first threshold value to a value that is not lower than a second threshold value and that is lower than the first threshold value in the first control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuta Nito
  • Patent number: 10056841
    Abstract: An energy storage arrangement or configuration includes an energy store or storage device which can be connected to an electrical energy supply via a buck converter and a choke device. A boost converter is connected parallel with the energy store and the buck converter. The energy store is configured to be charged to a higher voltage level than the voltage level of the electrical energy supply. An energy storage system having multiple energy storage configurations and a method for operating an energy storage configuration are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rolf Fischperer, Michael Meinert
  • Patent number: 9513043
    Abstract: A refrigerator, a sealed refrigerant system, and method are provided where the refrigerator includes at least a refrigerated compartment and a sealed refrigerant system including an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, a controller, an evaporator fan, and a condenser fan. The method includes monitoring a frequency of the compressor, and identifying a fault condition in the at least one component of the refrigerant sealed system in response to the compressor frequency. The method may further comprise calculating a compressor frequency rate based upon the rate of change of the compressor frequency, wherein a fault in the condenser fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is positive and exceeds a condenser fan fault threshold rate, and wherein a fault in the evaporator fan is identified if the compressor frequency rate is negative and exceeds an evaporator fan fault threshold rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen L. Keres, Alberto Regio Gomes, Andrew D. Litch
  • Patent number: 9154061
    Abstract: A control system for a motor includes an angle determination module, a control module, an angle generation module, and an estimator module. The angle determination module generates an output rotor angle indicative of a desired angle of a rotor of the motor. The control module controls current supplied to the motor based on the output rotor angle. The angle generation module generates a commanded rotor angle in response to a commanded speed. The estimator module determines an estimated rotor angle of the motor. Upon startup of the motor, the angle determination module generates the output rotor angle based on the commanded rotor angle. Upon beginning of a transition period, the angle determination module generates the output rotor angle based on the commanded rotor angle and the estimated rotor angle. Upon ending of the transition period, the angle determination module generates the output rotor angle based on the estimated rotor angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Emerson Climate Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Green, Joseph G. Marcinkiewicz
  • Patent number: 8988018
    Abstract: An arrangement is provided having an oscillating motor, a control circuit for controlling the motor, a sensor arrangement for determining an electric characteristic of the motor at a predetermined measuring time or in a predetermined measuring position during an oscillation process, and a processor for determining a movement variable of the motor by means of at least the electric characteristic and a constant inductivity value of the motor. The control circuit in the operating state controls the motor as a function of the movement variable, and the measuring time or the measuring position is predetermined such that the inductivity of the motor remains approximately constant at least in a given current interval, even with different currents through the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Kris Lückel, Frank Stefan Skopp
  • Patent number: 8970158
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cryocooler drive circuit for a cryocooler motor is provided that includes: a first switching power converter configured to track a first sinusoidal input voltage signal to provide a first sinusoidal output voltage signal at a first output node; and a second switching power converter configured to track a second sinusoidal input voltage signal to provide a second sinusoidal output voltage signal at a second output node, wherein the second sinusoidal input voltage signal is an inverted version of the first sinusoidal input voltage signal such that the cryocooler motor is driven by an alternating current flowing between the first and second output nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis David Chowning
  • Patent number: 8963466
    Abstract: A fan array vibration control system may include a fan array having a plurality of fans, and a control unit operatively connected to the fans. The control unit is configured to operate the plurality of fans and detect a phase relationship among the plurality of fans. The control unit is configured to reduce the phase relationship among the plurality of fans in order to reduce vibrations within the fan array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Huntair, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence G. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 8841869
    Abstract: In summary, the present invention relates to a device, a method and a computer program enabling a rotating and translating movement by means of a single motor. An electric motor (102) for linear and rotary movement can comprise a stator (104) having a multi-phase coil arrangement including a number of coils or coil sets and a rotor (106) being movable along a direction of its rotational axis and having a number of poles respectively comprising at least one permanent magnet. A control unit (108) may determine currents based on at least the number of coils or coil sets, an angle of rotation of the rotor and a parameter depending on an axial position of the rotor, and supply the determined currents to the coils or coil sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Georgo Zorz Angelis, Hendrikus Martinus Wilhelmus Goossens
  • Patent number: 8829843
    Abstract: A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil with a nonconducting period inserted between conducting periods. A driver unit generates a drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to a coil. An induced voltage detector detects an induced voltage occurring in the coil during the nonconducting period. A zero-cross detecting unit detects the zero cross of the induced voltage detected by the induced voltage detector. The drive signal generator estimates the eigen frequency of the linear vibration motor based on a detected position of the zero cross, and the frequency of the drive signal is brought close to the estimated eigen frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8704465
    Abstract: A motor control of a motor has a DC circuit with a back-up capacitor and a switching device that can connect a motor to the back-up capacitor. A spring device applies a restoring force to the rotor of the motor when deflected from an idle position. When the DC Circuit feeds energy into the back-up capacitor from a power supply network, a control device activates switching elements of the switching device to adjust an actual deflection of the rotor to a required deflection. When the rotor is deflected from the idle position and the back-up capacitor receives no energy from the power supply network, the control device, supplied with energy by the back-up capacitor, sets the required deflection to the idle position and activates the switching elements such that the motor, upon being restored by the spring device, feeds energy into the back-up capacitor via the switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Adrian Huwiler, Ronald Reichmuth, Daniel Schoop
  • Patent number: 8698444
    Abstract: An aircraft electrical actuator arrangement includes a plurality of actuators and a master power converter to convert power from the electrical power distribution network for supply to each actuator. The actuators include an environmental control system actuator, an aileron actuator, a flap actuator, a slat actuator, a landing gear actuator, a thrust reverser actuator, a brake actuator and a taxiing actuator. A controller is coupled to the master power converter and is arranged to allow the supply of power from the master power converter to the environmental control system actuator during a first mode of operation of the aircraft. The controller is arranged to allow the supply of electrical power from the master power converter to at least one of the aileron, the flap, the slat, the landing gear, the thrust reverser, the brake actuator or the taxiing actuator during a second mode of operation of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Peter Malkin, David R Trainer
  • Patent number: 8698431
    Abstract: A drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal used to alternately deliver a positive current and a negative current to a coil. A driver unit generates the drive current in response to the drive signal generated by the drive signal generating unit and supplies the drive current to the coil. After the drive termination of a linear vibration motor, the drive signal generating unit generates a drive signal whose phase is opposite to the phase of the drive signal generated during the motor running. The driver unit quickens the stop of the linear vibration motor by supplying to the coil the drive current of opposite phase according to the drive signal of opposite phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Tsutomu Murata
  • Patent number: 8669723
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus of a vibration-type actuator for generating an elliptical motion of contact portions by a common alternating current signal including a frequency determining unit for setting a frequency of the alternating current signal. The frequency determining unit sets the frequency of the alternating current signal for changing an ellipticity of the elliptical motion, within a frequency range such that ellipticity changing frequency ranges set for the vibrators are overlapped, and the ellipticity changing frequency ranges are set for the vibrators as frequency ranges between an upper limit and a lower limit, such that the lower limit is a maximum resonant frequency at a time of changing the ellipticity, and the upper limit is larger than the lower limit and is a maximum frequency for the relative movement of the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinya Kudo
  • Patent number: 8653765
    Abstract: In a method and module for controlling rotation of a motorized spindle driven by a driving unit, a sensing unit senses vibration of the spindle and generates a voltage signal corresponding to the vibration of the spindle. A processing unit receives the voltage signal from the sensing unit, generates an adjusting ratio equal to a reference voltage corresponding to a predetermined vibration level of the spindle by the voltage signal upon detecting that the voltage signal is greater than the reference voltage and is less than a predetermined threshold voltage that is greater than the reference voltage, and outputs a control signal corresponding to the adjusting ratio to the driving unit such that the driving unit reduces a rotation speed of the spindle by the adjusting ratio in response to the control signal from the processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignees: Buffalo Machinery Co., Ltd, The Department of Electrical Engineering National Chang-Hua University of Education
    Inventors: Paul Chang, Tsair-Rong Chen, Jeen-Sheen Row, Chin-Sheng Lu
  • Publication number: 20130335737
    Abstract: Provided herein are devices, systems, and methods for electrically-augmented damping of an actuator and associated devices. In particular, electrically-augmented damping derived from measurement of voltage across an actuator and current flowing through an actuator is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: SMITHS DETECTION INC.
    Inventor: John T. Stein
  • Publication number: 20130307441
    Abstract: A system and method for driving a vibrator in an electronic device, as well as electronic device employing such a system or method, are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the system for driving the vibrator includes an integrated circuit having one or more input terminals, one or more output terminals, a vibrator driver amplifier circuit, and one or more additional circuit components. The system further includes at least one processing portion for providing one or more input signals to the one or more of the input terminals. The system is configurable such that one or more control signals to be provided to the vibrator will include one or more first signals if the vibrator is a first vibrator device of a first type, and one or more second signals if the vibrator is a second vibrator device of a second type different from the first type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian M. Schuster, Wayne W. Ballantyne, Matthew D. Mottier
  • Patent number: 8564227
    Abstract: In order to activate a control element (4) of a drive apparatus (1) for driving an object that can be moved between two end positions, the control element having a response delay (?tanspr) a parameter (Fakt) influenced by the drive apparatus (1) is monitored and compared with a specified threshold (FTh), upon the achievement of which a control signal is output to the control element (4); a pre-threshold (Fv) to be achieved before the achievement of the threshold (FTh) is defined, upon the achievement of which pre-threshold a pre-control signal is output to the control element (4) for the preparatory activation thereof, and afterwards further monitoring for the achievement of the actual threshold (FTh) is performed, wherein upon achievement of the actual threshold (FTh), the control element activation is retained, whereas if the actual threshold (FTh) is not achieved, the control element activation is rescinded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Stöger
  • Patent number: 8513906
    Abstract: A hybrid controller for a mechanical system includes an actuator configured to position a load. A vibration attenuation controller produces a vibration attenuation control signal in response to an input signal for the mechanical system. A tracking controller configured produces a tracking control signal in response to the input signal. In response to an output signal from the mechanical system, either the vibration attenuation control signal or the tracking control signal is switched as a control signal for the mechanical system to reduce both vibration in the mechanical system and improve tracking the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Shilpiekandula, Scott A. Bortoff
  • Patent number: 8436571
    Abstract: A linear actuator associated with an actuator system for a device includes a wire cable fabricated from an active material. The linear actuator couples to the device and to the moveable element. The active material induces strain in the linear actuator in response to an activation signal. The linear actuator translates the moveable element relative to the device in response to the induced strain. An activation controller electrically connects to the linear actuator and generates the activation signal. A position feedback sensor monitors a position of the moveable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Lei Hao, Chandra S. Namuduri, Kenneth J. Shoemaker, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Sanjeev M. Naik, Xiujie Gao, Paul W. Alexander, Richard J. Skurkis, Tony J. Deschutter
  • Publication number: 20130076276
    Abstract: A motor control of a motor has a DC circuit with a back-up capacitor and a switching device that can connect a motor to the back-up capacitor. A spring device applies a restoring force to the rotor of the motor when deflected from an idle position. When the DC Circuit feeds energy into the back-up capacitor from a power supply network, a control device activates switching elements of the switching device to adjust an actual deflection of the rotor to a required deflection. When the rotor is deflected from the idle position and the back-up capacitor receives no energy from the power supply network, the control device, supplied with energy by the back-up capacitor, sets the required deflection to the idle position and activates the switching elements such that the motor, upon being restored by the spring device, feeds energy into the back-up capacitor via the switching elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
  • Patent number: 8334669
    Abstract: In the multi-axis driver control method for transmitting a command from an external device to the drive-axis basis controller of the multi-axis driver to set operation and/or parameters of the drive-axis basis controller, the external device is connected to the multi-axis driver on a one-to-one basis, and the external interface is connected to the drive-axis basis controller via a multi-dropped connecting portion. The drive-axis basis controller determines whether the command is self-addressed or not and, if the command is self-addressed, the drive-axis basis controller executes the command and transmits response data corresponding to the command and a transmission permission flag to the multi-dropped connecting portion. The multi-dropped connecting portion opens a transmission port in response to the transmission permission flag and transmits the response data to the external device, and after transmission is finished, the multi-dropped connecting portion closes the transmission port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: THK Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Nagato
  • Publication number: 20120032618
    Abstract: In order to activate a control element (4) of a drive apparatus (1) for driving an object that can be moved between two end positions, the control element having a response delay (?tanspr) a parameter (Fakt) influenced by the drive apparatus (1) is monitored and compared with a specified threshold (FTh), upon the achievement of which a control signal is output to the control element (4); a pre-threshold (Fv) to be achieved before the achievement of the threshold (FTh) is defined, upon the achievement of which pre-threshold a pre-control signal is output to the control element (4) for the preparatory activation thereof, and afterwards further monitoring for the achievement of the actual threshold (FTh) is performed, wherein upon achievement of the actual threshold (FTh), the control element activation is retained, whereas if the actual threshold (FTh) is not achieved, the control element activation is rescinded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH
    Inventor: Christian Stöger
  • Patent number: 7865324
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the position of a magnetic shaft are provided. N field sensors are adjacently positioned at fixed locations relative to the shaft's periodic field, corresponding to 180/N relative phase shifts. A table provides N>2 predetermined signal models and a pre-identified position associated with each. An interpolator compares a representation of the N measured sensor signals to at least two predetermined models to generate a correction signal that provides another pre-identified position. The correction signal depends on N sensors for every position of the shaft. The correction signal is used to incrementally choose said another pre-identified position from the table as an approximate position of the shaft in an iterative process to find the minimum correction signal and identify the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Lindberg, Gary Schultze, Philip Hollingsworth
  • Publication number: 20100301783
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement having an oscillating motor (100), a control circuit (20) for controlling the motor (100), a sensor arrangement (5) for determining an electric characteristic of the motor (100) at a predetermined measuring time (t1, t2, t3) or in a predetermined measuring position (xM1, xM2 xM3) during an oscillation process, and a processor (21) for determining a movement variable of the motor (100) by means of at least the electric characteristic and a constant inductivity value (Lconst) of the motor (100), wherein the control circuit (20) in the operating state controls the motor (100) as a function of the movement variable, and the measuring time (t1, t2, t3) or the measuring position (xM1, xM2 xM3) is predetermined such that the inductivity (L) of the motor (100) remains approximately constant at least in a given current interval (I1, I2), even with different currents (I) through the motor (100).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Kris Lückel, Frank Stefan Skopp
  • Patent number: 7816873
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for controlling a linear compressor which can actively handle load and efficiently perform an operation, by synchronizing an operation frequency with a natural frequency of a movable member varied by the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bong-Jun Choi, Chang-Yong Jang, Man-Seok Cho, Shin-Hyun Park, Hyun Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Young-Hoan Jeon, Chul-Gi Roh
  • Patent number: 7805270
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for identifying the position of a magnetic shaft are provided. N field sensors are adjacently positioned at fixed locations relative to the shaft's periodic field, corresponding to 180/N relative phase shifts. A table provides N>2 predetermined signal models and a pre-identified position associated with each. An interpolator compares a representation of the N measured sensor signals to at least two predetermined models to generate a correction signal that provides another pre-identified position. The correction signal depends on N sensors for every position of the shaft. The correction signal is used to incrementally choose said another pre-identified position from the table as an approximate position of the shaft in an iterative process to find the minimum correction signal and identify the position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Lindberg, Gary Schultze, Philip Hollingsworth
  • Patent number: 7791247
    Abstract: An automatic focus camera Unit 10, comprises; a piezoelectric element 13a; a driving shaft 13b to be driven by the piezoelectric element 13a; a moving unit 13c to be moved with respect to the driving shaft 13b by a friction force caused by the driving shaft 13b; a microcomputer unit 24 for controlling power supply to the piezoelectric element 13a, and in which the microcomputer unit 24 assumes a preprocessing mode of calculating an amount of adjustment for a power supply time in accordance with a moving direction of the moving unit 13c, and a movement controlling mode of adjusting the supply time and controlling power supply based on the moving direction and the amount of adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Norihiko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Hirose
  • Patent number: 7638960
    Abstract: A positioning device for positioning a positioning element has a motor (18) that drives the positioning element (10) and has a measuring device that directly measures the positioning travel of the positioning element for controlling the motor (18). For this, a traction cable (32) is joined to the positioning element and is wound onto a drum (36). For measuring the positioning travel of the positioning element, the rotational position of the drum (36) is measured by means of an encoder (42).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Sick Stegmann GmbH
    Inventors: Josef Siraky, Rolf Hartlieb, Josef Maier
  • Patent number: 7622872
    Abstract: An actuator driving apparatus comprises the following. A start signal generator generates a start signal having a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the movable portion of an actuator. A rock detector detects rock of the movable portion. A drive timing signal generator generates a drive timing signal based on the output of the rock detector. A switch is connected to the start signal generator and drive timing signal generator for selectively transmitting their outputs to a section arranged in a subsequent stage. A drive signal generator generates a drive signal based on the output of the switch, and supplies it to the actuator. A superposition preventing section prevents a frequency component of a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency from being superposed upon the output of the rock detector. The apparatus performs driving according to the rocking state of the movable portion, by switching the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Nishio
  • Publication number: 20090243520
    Abstract: A linear vibration motor includes a stator formed of an electromagnet with a winding, a vibrator provided with a permanent magnet and a control unit for controlling a driving current supplied to the winding of the electromagnet. The linear vibration motor is configured to reciprocate the vibrator relative to the stator. A method for controlling operation of the linear vibration motor includes: providing a non-energization period during which no driving current flows through the winding of the electromagnet, the non-energization period being equal to greater than a ¼ cycle; detecting an electromotive voltage induced in the winding as the vibrator makes vibrating movement within the non-energization period; detecting the displacement, velocity or acceleration of the vibrator based on the electromotive voltage thus detected; and controlling the driving current supplied to the winding based on the displacement, velocity or acceleration of the vibrator thus detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Kashiwabara, Yasuo Ibuki
  • Publication number: 20090243519
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator includes a stator and a movable body. The stator includes a core provided with magnetic poles and a coil wound on at least one of the magnetic poles. The movable body includes a permanent magnet and supported in such a manner as to make reciprocating in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the permanent magnet opposes the magnetic poles. The movable body is reciprocated upon applying an alternating voltage to the coil. An electromagnetic actuator driving method for driving the electromagnetic actuator includes performing feedback control of the alternating voltage in which the alternating voltage is applied to the coil during a first half of a control period and in which an induced electromotive force generated in the coil during a second half of the control period is used as a control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Izumi, Yasuo Ibuki
  • Publication number: 20090232666
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a linear compressor in which a piston is driven by a linear motor and linearly reciprocated inside a cylinder to suck, compress and discharge refrigerants. Even though load is varied, the linear compressor performs the operation in a resonance state by estimating a natural frequency of the piston and synchronizing an operation frequency of the linear motor with the natural frequency of the piston, and efficiently handles the load by varying a compression capacity by changing a stroke of the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bong-Jun Choi, Hyun Kim, Jong-Min Shin, Chang-Yong Jang, Shin-Hyun Park, Young-Hoan Jeon, Chul-Gi Roh
  • Publication number: 20090206778
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a control apparatus for a linear compressor which can vary a cooling force and prevent an inrush current. The control apparatus for the linear compressor includes a coil winding body laminated on the linear compressor, a first capacitor connected in series to the coil winding body, a capacitance varying unit being formed in a parallel structure to the first capacitor, and having a capacitor switch, and a control unit for inducing an output change of the linear compressor, by varying the whole capacitance of the control apparatus by controlling the capacitor switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chulgi Roh, Jong-Kwon Kim, Jung-Wook Bae, Hee-Dong Kang
  • Publication number: 20090208347
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a controlling apparatus and method for a linear compressor which can provide an efficient control, by selectively performing an operation which is not affected by a capacitor and an operation which does not include a phase control according to a load. The controlling apparatus for the linear compressor includes an LC path (P1) composed of a coil winding portion (L) of the linear compressor and a capacitor (CP)1 a phase control path (P2) composed of the coil winding portion (L) and a phase control unit, and a switch means (62) for selectively applying power to one of the LC path (P1) and the phase control path (P2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Jung-wan Heo
  • Publication number: 20090091275
    Abstract: An adaptive system for a personal care appliance, such as a power toothbrush, having a workpiece which is driven through an amplitude of motion by a drive mechanism which includes a stator member includes a circuit (13) for measuring average electrical current through the stator member and stored information (19) in the personal care appliance which relates the average current values through the stator during operation of the device to corresponding amplitude of motion of the workpiece. A processor (17) utilizing a stored program adjusts the operating frequency to produce a stator current value which correlates to the desired amplitude of motion of the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Miller, Ari Lumbantobing, Meindert Lambertus Norg
  • Patent number: 7507007
    Abstract: A power-generating illumination device for the bicycle comprises comprising at least one permanent magnet disposed onto wheel spokes so as to form a rotor, an induction coil assembly mounted onto a fork for forming a stator, such that during the rotation of the rotor, the induction coil assembly may be cut by magnetic lines of force to generate electrical energy for being outputted to a light-emitting unit, characterized in between the induction coil assembly and the light-emitting unit is provided with a control unit at least including a wave detector, a wave filter, and a current limiting resistor so that the wave detector, the wave filter, and the current limiting resistor are connected together to form a loop, thereby detecting and filtering polarity of voltage of the generated electrical energy and lowering the resonating frequency to maintain the service life and illuminative brightness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Inventor: Yin Jhong Jhao
  • Publication number: 20090010766
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor are disclosed in which a frequency is variably controlled to uniformly maintain a phase difference between current and stroke, a load is determined with a size of frequency at a point of time when the phase difference between the current and the stroke is uniformly maintained, and capacity is varied according to the determined load, to thus improve an operation efficiency. The apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor includes: a control unit for detecting a phase difference between current and stroke and outputting a frequency variable signal or a frequency detect signal based on the detected phase difference; a load detecting unit for detecting a current operation load according to the frequency detect signal; and a stroke reference value determining unit for determining a stroke reference value corresponding to the detected load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jae-Yoo Yoo, Ji-Won Sung, Chel-Woong Lee
  • Patent number: 7456592
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling operations of a reciprocating compressor are disclosed. The apparatus includes a compressor control factor detecting unit for detecting a compressor control factor to detect a stroke value corresponding to a point where TDC (Top Dead Center)?0 on the basis of a stroke estimate value of a reciprocating compressor and values of a current and a voltage applied to a motor of the reciprocating compressor; a stroke reference value determining unit for determining a stroke reference value on the basis of the detected compressor control factor; and a controller for varying a voltage applied to the reciprocating compressor according to the determined stroke reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jae-Yoo Yoo, Chel-Woong Lee, Ji-Won Sung
  • Patent number: 7414374
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power device. The power device has a power source; timing circuitry powered by the power source for producing a current pulse output having a pulse width; a switch for triggering the current pulse output produced by the timing circuitry; an armature motor powered by the power source and in electrical communication with the timing circuitry for receiving the current pulse therefrom, the armature motor comprising: an electro-magnetic core; a first winding for carrying electric current to energize a magnetic field associated with the electro-magnetic core; a second winding for carrying current to reset the magnetic field associated with the electro-magnetic core, the first and second windings wound about the electro-magnetic core; and a swinging armature for providing movement in response to the energizing of the magnetic field about electro-magnetic core. The first winding and the second winding are bifilar wound together about the electro-magnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Panint Electronic Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan L. Watts, Timothy E. O'Connell, David Vergara
  • Patent number: 7405529
    Abstract: A system for controlling a linear compressor, generates freezing force as a piston reciprocates according to rotation of a motor which receives alternating current power through a triac. The system includes a controller which moves up or delays a trigger signal corresponding to an absorption cycle or a compression cycle, such that the center point of the piston reaches a resonant point when a current and a phase difference of the motor deviate from predetermined ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nam Su Kim, Ji Heon Lim, Sung Mo Lee
  • Patent number: 7352142
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of a reciprocating compressor includes a voltage detecting unit for detecting a positive half-wave voltage of an AC voltage applied to a motor of the reciprocating compressor; a current detecting unit for detecting a positive half-wave current of the AC current passing through the motor; a voltage and current estimating unit for estimating a negative half-wave voltage of the AC voltage applied to the motor and a negative half-wave current of the AC current passing through the motor based on the detected positive half-wave voltage and the detected positive half-wave current; a stroke estimating unit for estimating a stroke of the reciprocating compressor based on the detected positive half-wave voltage and the detected positive half-wave current and the negative half-wave voltage and the negative half-wave current which have been estimated by the voltage and the current estimating unit; a stroke controller for outputting a stroke control signal of the reciprocating com
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyung-Joo Kim, Kyung Bum Heo, Chel-Woong Lee
  • Patent number: 7298101
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a power device. The power device has a power source; timing circuitry powered by the power source for producing a current pulse output having a pulse width; a switch for triggering the current pulse output produced by the timing circuitry; an armature motor powered by the power source and in electrical communication with the timing circuitry for receiving the current pulse therefrom, the armature motor comprising: an electro-magnetic core; a first winding for carrying electric current to energize a magnetic field associated with the electro-magnetic core; a second winding for carrying current to reset the magnetic field associated with the electro-magnetic core, the first and second windings wound about the electro-magnetic core; and a swinging armature for providing movement in response to the energizing of the magnetic field about electromagnetic core. The first winding and the second winding are bifilar wound together about the electro-magnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Panint Electronic Ltd.
    Inventors: Dan L. Watts, Timothy E. O'Connell, David Vergara
  • Patent number: 7262567
    Abstract: An actuator driving apparatus comprises the following. A start signal generator generates a start signal having a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency of the movable portion of an actuator. A rock detector detects rock of the movable portion. A drive timing signal generator generates a drive timing signal based on the output of the rock detector. A switch is connected to the start signal generator and drive timing signal generator for selectively transmitting their outputs to a section arranged in a subsequent stage. A drive signal generator generates a drive signal based on the output of the switch, and supplies it to the actuator. A superposition preventing section prevents a frequency component of a frequency substantially equal to the resonance frequency from being superposed upon the output of the rock detector. The apparatus performs driving according to the rocking state of the movable portion, by switching the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Nishio
  • Patent number: 7005810
    Abstract: An apparatus for driving a linear vibration motor that employs a proper motor thrust constant value corresponding to each linear vibration motor at position calculation for obtaining the position of the mover of the linear vibration motor, thereby increasing the accuracy of the position calculation. This motor driving apparatus includes a motor driver for applying a DC voltage to the linear vibration motor, and a thrust detection unit for detecting a thrust of the mover, which is generated by the application of the DC voltage to the linear vibration motor, and calculates the thrust constant of the linear vibration motor according to an arithmetic operation of dividing the mover thrust detected by the thrust detection unit, by a value of a DC current that is supplied to the linear vibration motor due to the application of the DC voltage to the linear vibration motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Ueda, Hideki Nakata, Makoto Yoshida