Plural Motor Drive Patents (Class 318/5)
  • Patent number: 11367951
    Abstract: The multi-frequency antenna transmission, including a drive gear, a gear train with parallel gear shafts, screw assemblies and a shifter. The transmission gears are connected to the stoppers of the screw assemblies one by one, the drive gear drives the various transmission gears to rotate, and all the stoppers rotate. The shifter pushes the stopper of one of the screw assemblies, such that the first elastic member disposed between the connection member and the stopper is compressed, and the connection member is connected to corresponding lead screw, thus the power of the stopper is transmitted to corresponding lead screw through the compressed first elastic member and the connection member, and drives the lead screw to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ZHAOWEI MACHINERY & ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ping Li, Weiqun Xie, Jiemo Li
  • Publication number: 20150077023
    Abstract: A controlled motion system having a plurality of movers controlled as they travel along both smart and simple sections of a track. The controlled motion system comprises a control system for controlling the speed of a mover as it travels along a simple section, and permits the pitch or distance between movers to increase or decrease as they travel along a simple section. In a preferred embodiment the controlled motion system includes at least one coupling feature having a driving feature on a simple section for engaging and operably driving a driven feature on each mover such that positive control of each mover is maintained throughout its transition from a smart section to a simple section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Glen C. Wernersbach, Keith G. Jacobs
  • Patent number: 8975847
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a first capacitor connected in parallel to a direct-current power supply, plural power converters that drive plural synchronous machines, a second capacitor connected in parallel to a direct-current side of power converters, a switching circuit inserted between the first and second capacitors, a switch-start instruction unit that controls starting of an operation of the power converters, and a control unit that controls the power converters based on a motor velocity and a voltage of the first capacitor. The switch-start instruction unit turns off the switching circuit while the power converters stop, turns off the switching circuit until a terminal voltage of each of the synchronous machines becomes equal to a predetermined value when each of the power converters starts operating, and turns on the switching circuit when the terminal voltage of each synchronous machine becomes equal to or smaller than the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Kono
  • Publication number: 20140333232
    Abstract: A control system for a bucket hoist includes a two-axis master switch configured to generate a first and a second command signal responsive to motion along each axis. Each command signal is provided to one of a pair of motor controllers configured to control one of a pair of motors. The two motors are controlled to raise/lower and open/close the load handling member. When the two-axis master switch is moved to the close position, the closing motor controller is commanded to control its respective motor to begin closing the load handling member. The holding motor controller is configured to generate a current to its respective motor to generate torque at a predefined level. The predefined level of torque is selected such that the load handling member lowers into the material in which it is digging as it is being closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Kurtis L. Verheyen
  • Patent number: 8860334
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the antenna control field, and discloses a device for remotely controlling a multi-band antenna and a multi-band antenna system. The device for remotely controlling a multi-band antenna includes an antenna panel 100, where the antenna panel 100 is disposed with a control board 101 and at least two motor modules 102; each of the motor modules 102 includes a connector 1022, each of the motor modules 102 electrically connects, via its connector 1022, to the control board 101 to receive a control command sent by the control board 101. In the embodiments of the present invention, an adjustment to a downtilt of a multi-band antenna may be implemented, and an occupied space of the antenna panel and a cost for adjusting a downtilt may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhixiong Zhao
  • Publication number: 20140303560
    Abstract: The invention is related to an apparatus comprising a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a motor component configured to receive a control signal, which control signal comprises a direction control signal, the motor component further configured to selectively drive the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft based on the received control signal, and further configured to drive the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft in a respective direction based on the direction control signal, such that a direction control signal for driving the first drive shaft in a first direction is a direction control signal for driving the second drive shaft in a direction opposite to the first direction. The invention is further related to a drug delivery device comprising an apparatus of the aforementioned kind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SANOFI-AVENTIS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventors: Barry Yates, Aidan Michael O'Hare, Brian Molyneux
  • Patent number: 8760102
    Abstract: In an impact driver, a link unit (a link sleeve and first and second elongated protrusions) is provided between the mode switching ring for selecting an operation mode and the slide button for selecting the rotation speed. With the link unit, a switching operation of a slide button to the high-speed side is performed in coordination with a selecting operation of a mode switching ring to an impact mode or a vibration drill mode and the rotation speed is held at high speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuo Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 8760088
    Abstract: A truckle for a mobile medical device is provided. The truckle includes at least one electromagnetism torque balancing motor mounted on the truckle and configured to balance out friction generated by the truckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Wei jiang Ding, Lihui Jiang
  • Publication number: 20140070733
    Abstract: A vehicle window opening and closing control device has a driver seat unit that is provided in a driver seat of a vehicle, and a sub-switch that is provided in a seat other than the driver seat. The driver seat unit includes a main switch that operates opening and closing of a first window of the driver seat and a second window of the seat other than the driver seat and a controller that controls a driver seat motor provided in the driver seat and an other-seat motor provided in the seat other than the driver seat to perform manual opening and closing and automatic opening and closing of the first and second windows based on the operation of the main switch. The sub-switch is a switch that performs only the manual opening and closing of the second window using the other-seat motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideyo Kakuno, Katsunori Kigoshi
  • Patent number: 8618754
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus that controls a DC motor includes a detection unit configured to detect angular speed of the DC motor, a driven member configured to be driven by the DC motor, and a control unit configured to increase, when starting to drive the DC motor, a control value for controlling driving of the DC motor from a first control value to a second control value at a predetermined increase rate, wherein the control unit detects a start-up characteristic of the DC motor based on a detection result of the detection unit, and corrects the first control value or the increase rate according to a result of comparing a detected start-up characteristic and a predetermined start-up characteristic such that the start-up characteristic of the DC motor becomes closer to the predetermined start-up characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoritsugu Maeda
  • Patent number: 8543276
    Abstract: An unmanned autonomous vehicle for substantially lateral displacement of feed lying on a ground, comprising two wheels separately drivable by separate drive units, a torque difference adjusting device for adjusting the torque difference between the wheels, a control unit for controlling the vehicle and moving it in a direction of travel by controlling at least one of the separate drive units, a feed displacing device for substantially lateral displacement of the feed, and an adjusting device which is arranged to adjust the height and/or the position of a lowest point of the feed displacing device. The adjusting device comprises a vehicle tilting device which is arranged in such a manner that the lowest point will be located at least substantially off the center line of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Lely Patent N.V.
    Inventor: Karel Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 8461782
    Abstract: A mechanism for assigning unique addresses to identical devices attached to a serial bus is presented. Each device has at least one output and is provided with a storage device to provide a configurable portion of a bus address having a fixed portion and a configurable portion. The device is further provided with circuitry, coupled to the storage device and the output, to determine a state of the output and use the state to configure the configurable portion. Once the configurable portion is configured, the bus address uniquely identifies the device. Such configuration allows more than one such device to be coupled to the same serial bus, e.g., an I2C bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Allegro Microsystems, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Ward, David J. Haas, William P. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20130127377
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the antenna control field, and discloses a device for remotely controlling a multi-band antenna and a multi-band antenna system. The device for remotely controlling a multi-band antenna includes an antenna panel 100, where the antenna panel 100 is disposed with a control board 101 and at least two motor modules 102; each of the motor modules 102 includes a connector 1022, each of the motor modules 102 electrically connects, via its connector 1022, to the control board 101 to receive a control command sent by the control board 101. In the embodiments of the present invention, an adjustment to a downtilt of a multi-band antenna may be implemented, and an occupied space of the antenna panel and a cost for adjusting a downtilt may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130115031
    Abstract: A method for controlling the advancement of a grain bin sweep into a grain pile in a grain bin comprises monitoring the amperage of the auger drive and controlling the sweep drive motor based on the amperage load of the auger drive. The speed and direction of the sweep is controlled to maintain the load on the auger drive in a desired range. Hence, the speed of the sweep is slowed if the amperage load on the auger drive exceeds a desired maximum set point by a first amount; the direction of the sweep is reversed if the load on the auger drive exceeds the maximum set point by a second amount which is greater than the first amount; and the forward speed of the sweep is increased if the load on the auger drive falls below a minimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: The GSI Group, LLC
    Inventor: The GSI Group, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130057839
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lithography system including an obtaining unit which obtains a transfer function describing a relationship between first vibration generated in one lithography apparatus of two lithography apparatuses among at least three lithography apparatuses, and second vibration generated in the other lithography apparatus upon transmission of the first vibration to the other lithography apparatus, and a calculator which calculates, based on the transfer function, an amount of vibration of a first lithography apparatus among the at least three lithography apparatuses due to vibration of lithography apparatuses, other than the first lithography apparatus, and a controller which controls the lithography apparatuses other than the first lithography apparatus, so that the amount of vibration calculated falls below a tolerance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Fumiaki Mizutani, Yutaka Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20120297819
    Abstract: A control system is described that includes a first rotating machine, a second rotating machine, and a motor controller physically mounted to and communicatively coupled with the first rotating machine and communicatively coupled with the second rotating machine. The motor controller includes a first PWM generator operable to generate a first set of pulse width modulated signals for application to the first rotating machine, and a second PWM generator operable to generate a second set of pulse modulated signals for application to the second rotating machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Roger Carlos Becerra, Ludovic Andre Chretien
  • Publication number: 20120139454
    Abstract: A device for actuating and diagnosing at least two stepper motors, wherein each of the stepper motors has at least two windings, each of the first windings of the stepper motors and the second windings of the stepper motors are connected in series by a first line and a second line respectively. At least one diagnosis unit is provided, by which electrical parameters and/or changes in the values thereof are measured in the first and/or second line, and the at least one diagnosis unit is implemented such that the function of the stepper motors is analyzed using the measured parameters and/or the changes in value thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: CONTI TEMIC MICROELECTRONIC GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Roessler, Werner Wolfrum
  • Patent number: 8185857
    Abstract: A signal converter device has a programmable logic circuit, wherein a number of binary input signals are being transmitted from the outside of the signal converter unit. The programmable logic circuit is programmed by a programming in such a way, as to detect binary output signals from a number of logic functions. The output signals are output by the signal converter device to the outside. The logic functions are designed in such a manner, that the output signals are determined exclusively by logic associations of the input signals. The output signals are at least partially transmitted to drives. Programming is in such a way, that for at least two drives, output signals to be emitted to the drives are determined uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Hahn, Jürgen Lange, Rolf-Dieter Pavlik
  • Patent number: 8130478
    Abstract: A power limiting system for multiple electric motors includes an electrical power generating component, such as an alternator, and a plurality of motor controllers connected to an electrical bus. Each motor controller compares the voltage on the bus to a specified minimum voltage and a specified maximum voltage, and reduces its electric power output if the voltage on the bus is less than the maximum voltage while continuing to operate the electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Clement Vanden Godbold, Patrick Wilson Cross
  • Publication number: 20120001002
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a machine that blends liquids and/or shaves ice. The machine includes a motor and a control system with an integrated power factor correction circuit and a drive circuit. The integrated power factor correction circuit receives input power from a mains power line, reduces noise transmitted to the mains power line, and provides a boosted, regulated output voltage. The drive circuit is connected to the motor and uses the regulated output voltage in order to control an effective voltage applied to the motor substantially independent of the voltage and frequency of the input power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Scott B. Donaldson, Ronald Flanary
  • Publication number: 20110161906
    Abstract: A signal converter device has a programmable logic circuit, wherein a number of binary input signals are being transmitted from the outside of the signal converter unit. The programmable logic circuit is programmed by a programming in such a way, as to detect binary output signals from a number of logic functions. The output signals are output by the signal converter device to the outside. The logic functions are designed in such a manner, that the output signals are determined exclusively by logic associations of the input signals. The output signals are at least partially transmitted to drives. Programming is in such a way, that for at least two drives, output signals to be emitted to the drives are determined uniformly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Inventors: Ulrich Hahn, Jürgen Lange, Rolf-Dieter Pavlik
  • Patent number: 7893647
    Abstract: In a method or system for driving a load element, a drive motor is provided on a drive shaft of the load element that establishes a drive rotation speed of the load element. A rotation torque sensor on the drive shaft emits a load torque signal proportional to a rotation torque. A rotation torque influencing device generates a supplementary torque when the load torque signal deviates from a desired load angle value present when a change has not occurred to a load created by the load element and acting on the drive motor, the supplementary torque being added to a drive torque generated by the drive motor such that a load angle of the drive motor remains substantially constant and uninfluenced by a change of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Oce Printing Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Scherdel, Manfred Viechter
  • Publication number: 20100220982
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus for controlling a DC motor includes a detection unit configured to detect an angular speed of the DC motor, and a control unit configured to, when the DC motor is accelerated, increase a control value that controls a driving of the DC motor at a constant rate from a first control value corresponding to an angular speed lower than a target angular speed up to a second control value corresponding to an angular speed higher than the target angular speed, and switch the control value that controls the driving of the DC motor to a control value corresponding to the target angular speed in response to the detection result of the detection unit reaching the target angular speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoritsugu Maeda
  • Publication number: 20100200177
    Abstract: Provided is a contour curtain driving apparatus which independently ascends and descends a contour curtain which is divided into a number of sub-curtains using a motor, respectively. The contour curtain driving apparatus includes a selector having a selection switch for selecting a driving mode of the contour curtain, an automatic controller controlling the location of the entire contour curtain according to the input of mode switches, a manual controller controlling the location of the contour curtain according to the input of a jog switch, and limit switches which are installed to mechanically change the position set by the automatic controller. Accordingly, the contour curtain is set up in various shapes. The contour curtain driving apparatus can be run immediately after recovery of the circuit out of order due to a momentary power failure or an overload trip. Maintenance and repair can be economically performed since the manipulation limit switches stand close together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Byung Doo Kim
  • Patent number: 7705548
    Abstract: Energy recovery during recirculation phases of the phase windings of a multiphase spindle motor is increased when all the MOSFETs of the output bridge stage associated therewith are turned off (tristated) for charging a hold capacitor. This is accomplished by allowing the recirculation of the motor currents through the same MOSFETs of the output bridge stage that are turned on during the current recirculation phases. Recirculation of the currents and the charging of the hold capacitor takes place through fully saturated power MOSFETs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.R.L.
    Inventor: Ezio Galbiati
  • Patent number: 7583036
    Abstract: In an electrically driven vehicle having a controller, the vehicle has a steering angle sensor for outputting a detected value of a steering angle of the vehicle, the controller includes a first torque order pattern along which a torque order for a first electric motor is determined and a second torque order pattern along which a torque order for a second electric motor is determined, and the first and second torque order pattern are modified on the basis of the detected value of the steering angle so that the torque order determined along the second torque order pattern is greater than the torque order determined along the first torque order pattern under the identical velocity when the vehicle turns to the left, and the torque order determined along the first torque order pattern is greater than the torque order determined along the second torque order pattern under the identical velocity when the vehicle turns to the right.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Kikuchi, Takashi Ikimi, Keizo Shimada, Naoshi Sugawara
  • Patent number: 7521880
    Abstract: A recording apparatus including: (a) a recording head unit for performing a dot recording operation by activation of the actuators; (b) a main circuit for outputting a plurality of sets of drive waveform signals; and (c) a head driver unit for receiving the sets of drive waveform signals outputted from the main circuit, generating a drive signal based on one of the drive waveform signals that is selected from among each of the received sets of drive waveform signals, and supplying the generated drive signal to each actuator of the recording head. The main circuit transmits a single set of waveform data signals containing data representative of the plurality of sets of drive waveform signals, to the head driver unit. The head driver unit includes a waveform signal retriever operable to retrieve the plurality of sets of drive waveform signals from the single set of waveform data signals, with reference to reference signals, so that the head driver unit receives the plurality of sets of drive waveform signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Isao Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20080303458
    Abstract: Energy recovery during recirculation phases of the phase windings of a multiphase spindle motor is increased when all the MOSFETs of the output bridge stage associated therewith are turned off (tristated) for charging a hold capacitor. This is accomplished by allowing the recirculation of the motor currents through the same MOSFETs of the output bridge stage that are turned on during the current recirculation phases. Recirculation of the currents and the charging of the hold capacitor takes place through fully saturated power MOSFETs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l
    Inventor: Ezio GALBIATI
  • Patent number: 7448795
    Abstract: An improved, dual-shaft preconditioner (10, 70) is provided having independent drive mechanism (18, 20, 78, 80) operatively coupled with a corresponding preconditioner shaft (14, 16, 74, 76) and permitting selective rotation of the shafts (14, 16, 74, 76) at rotational speeds and directions independent of each other. The mechanisms (18, 20, 78, 80) are operatively coupled with a digital controller (60) to allow rotational speed and direction control. Preferably, the preconditioner (10, 70) is supported on load cells (62, 100) also coupled with controller (60) to permit on-the-go changes in material retention time within the preconditioner (10, 70). The preconditioner (10, 70) is particularly useful for the preconditioning and partial gelatinization of starch-bearing feed or food materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Wenger Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: LaVon Wenger, Marc Wenger, Michael J. Strahm
  • Publication number: 20080115997
    Abstract: A driving mode switching apparatus for a four-wheel-drive vehicle, which switches driving modes of the four-wheel drive vehicle, includes a motor, a reduction mechanism being transmitted with a rotational force of the motor, an output rod connected to the reduction mechanism and switching the driving modes by being displaced, a housing housing the motor and the reduction mechanism, a temperature sensor arranged at a position away from the motor within the housing and detecting ambient temperature in the housing, and a controller varying an output property of the motor in response to a detected temperature by the temperature sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Banno, Kensaku Honda
  • Patent number: 7026780
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stabilizing the motion of an articulated chain of a chain block, especially to prevent the formation of resonance oscillation of the chain, in which an articulated chain is led across a polygonal chain wheel with non-uniform pitch, which is driven by an electric motor. In order to create a method to prevent the formation of a resonance oscillation of the articulated chain, it is proposed that a periodic and/or stochastic and dampening actuating variable is superimposed on the velocity of the chain wheel (4) and the dampening actuating variable produces a change in the chain velocity so as to prevent a formation of a resonance oscillation. The chain drive with reduced polygon effect is characterized in that an electronic damper (8) is hooked up in front of the electric motor (2), which produces a control of the electric motor (2) such that a formation of a resonance oscillation of the articulated chain (5) is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Demag Cranes & Components GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Schröder, Giuliano Persico
  • Patent number: 6815914
    Abstract: The invention concerns a light deflection device, and a control method for the light deflection device, which are rich in expandability of drive control. The light deflection device includes a polygon mirror to reflect the light beam; a rotor, having a magnet, to rotate the polygon mirror attached to the rotor; a stator on which a plurality of drive coils are fixed so as to generate a rotational force; and a plurality of connecting ports through which the plurality of drive coils are electronically coupled to a plurality of drive circuits, each of which drives the drive coils while controlling the rotational force to be generated between the magnet and drive coils. One of the drive circuits controls the rotational force during a start-up operation and a steady-rotating operation of the rotor, while another one controls the rotational force during a decelerating operation of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Kurosawa, Hiroshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 6759818
    Abstract: To realize structure simplification and reduction in manufacturing cost without lowering power transmission efficiency and reliability. The present invention includes a first motor 5 and a second motor 6, and a lead 2 of a ball screw 12 is disposed coaxially with a motor rotary shaft 5a on a first motor 5 side and a nut 3 of the ball screw 12 is disposed coaxially with a motor rotary shaft 6a on a second motor 6 side so that the first motor 5 and the second motor 6 are connected to each other via the ball screw 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitoshi Oyori
  • Patent number: 6680589
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the state of relay contacts is especially useful for controlling motor windings in air conditioning systems. When a first relay switch, which is operative to supply power to a first motor winding does not open as desired, a switch monitoring module responsively controls the second relay switch energization to prevent the second relay switch from being closed. This prevents power that would be supplied to a second motor winding from being also supplied to the first motor winding and causing potential damage to the first motor winding. A disclosed example includes an opto isolator that is energized only when the first relay switch is open as desired. The opto isolator controls an output signal to a second relay control portion, which only operates the second relay if the first relay has opened as required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: A-l Components, Corp.
    Inventors: David D. Neranjan, Mark O. Gerwig
  • Patent number: 6583590
    Abstract: A string drawing electrical device for a racquet has a casing, a string holder, an actuating device and a control unit. The string holder is rotatably attached to a panel of the casing. The actuating device is mounted in the casing and provides two functions, feeding and reversing, to the string holder. The control unit is mounted in the casing for controlling the actuating device to act. Accordingly, the string drawing electrical device can tighten and loosen the string, and the tensile force of the string of the racquet can be accurately controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Inventor: David Chu
  • Patent number: 6153988
    Abstract: An arrangement for operating a brake of a vehicle has a controllable operating electric motor and a conversion device for converting the rotational movement of the operating electric motor into a translational movement of one or several brake element(s) which are in an operative connection with the conversion device. At least one additional electric motor is provided which can be controlled separately of the operating electric motor and has at least one additional conversion device for converting the rotation of the at least one additional electric motor into a translational movement of the brake element(s) which is independent of the translational movement caused by the operating motor and its conversion device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Gregor Reimann, Karl-Heinz Roess
  • Patent number: 5895140
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a status detecting unit for detecting a status of each portion of the apparatus, a driving unit for driving each portion of the apparatus, an input unit having an input data storing unit for storing input data detected by the status detecting unit, an output unit having an output data storing unit for storing data to be output for driving the driving unit, a controlling unit connected to the input data storing unit and the output data storing unit for controlling the whole image forming operation of the apparatus including a control of the driving unit, in accordance with a status detected with the status detecting unit or a predetermined rule, a network for transferring data between the controlling unit and a plurality of the input or output units, and a timing control unit for controlling the timing of data transfer over the network, wherein the timing control unit includes a plurality of timing control modes and selects one of the timing control modes in accordance with
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shokyo Koh, Tokuharu Kaneko, Akimaro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5747950
    Abstract: A steering system for vehicles or ships is provided, with a steering handwheel and a steering element with no mechanical linkage line therebetween, with a steering handwheel sensor device, a steering element sensor device and a control arrangement which, in dependence on the output signals of the sensor devices, operates an electromechanical transducer, on the output side of which the steering element is arranged. It is desirable to increase the reliability of such a steering system For that purpose, the control arrangement comprises at least two independent control units, and a fault-monitoring device is provided which precludes a defective control unit from influencing the steering element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Welm Friedrichsen, Aksel Baag.o slashed. Jepsen
  • Patent number: 5491390
    Abstract: An electric propulsion system for a bicycle includes one or two electric motors secured to a mounting assembly attached to the bicycle, a drive roller that impinges on the front wheel of the bike, a battery pack secured to the frame of the bicycle, and a motor controller device operated by the bicycle rider. The mounting assembly is secured to the bicycle steerer tube and includes a laterally extending pivot shaft that is generally parallel to the axle of the adjacent front wheel. A pair of pivot arms are secured to opposed ends of the pivot shaft. A pair of electric motors are disposed face-to-face with their shafts in coaxial alignment and joined by a drive roller. Lower ends of the pivot arms are secured to respective electric motors. A main brace extends between the motors and includes an upper end adjustably secured to the pivot arms, and the lower end is also joined the electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventor: James R. McGreen
  • Patent number: 5481165
    Abstract: A drive device for a sewing machine comprises a high speed main motor having a power transmitting flywheel, and a low speed auxiliary motor having a power transmitting pulley. The power transmitting flywheel and the power transmitting pulley being mounted through a one-way clutch on the upper shaft of the sewing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventors: Akiyoshi Urano, Hiroaki Tsuboyama
  • Patent number: 5357177
    Abstract: An electrical adjustment device, in particular an electrical chain transfer device for bicycles is disclosed, comprising an adjusting element, a drive device for the adjusting element, a control unit for controlling the drive device and a presetting device connected with the control unit for presetting a plurality of set values, where each of these set values corresponds to an operational position of the adjusting element. In the adjustment device of the invention the adjusting element can be moved into respectively one set position corresponding to a desired operational position for fixing or, if required, correcting of the set values, and the resulting instantaneous value can be stored in the presetting device as the new set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Fichtel & Sachs AG
    Inventors: Rainer Fey, Albert Thein
  • Patent number: 4847543
    Abstract: A man to machine interface for the control of video or motion picture camera movement for use with a camera aiming system which can reproduce a specific camera movement any number of times. The interface moves the camera in the pan or tilt axis giving an operator a natural control feel while actually driving the camera movement with a motor drive. A shaft encoder detects the velocity of the motor drive and stores such information over time in a memory. The data stored in the memory may be read out at a later time and used by the motor drive to replicate the movement of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Ultimatte Corporation
    Inventor: David Fellinger
  • Patent number: 4712052
    Abstract: A digital servo-control system used for driving a machine with a plurality of drive shafts having a digital type multi-axis position control unit, provided in common to all of the drive shafts, for computing a torque command value for each drive shaft on the basis of a position detection value detected by a position detector provided for each drive shaft and a position command value for each drive shaft, and torque control units, respectively provided in correspondence to a plurality of motors adapted to drive the respective drive shafts, for controlling output torque of a corresponding motor in accordance with the computed torque command value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1987
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Omae, Sanshiro Obara, Kenji Kubo, Masahiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 4689527
    Abstract: This invention provides a double driving device which includes two motors, sharing a same common shaft or having their shafts linked together, and a control circuit. The two motors have different horse power and are used in machines, such as presses or shearing machines, which always use only one motor with less power to operate while the machines is not loaded but both of the motors while the machine is loaded so as to save the energy consumed unnecessarily during periods of no practical work. The control circuit is used to supply the intermittent operation of the motor with greater horse power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Inventor: Yao-Yu Wu
  • Patent number: 4651066
    Abstract: A drivetrain (48) for an electric passenger vehicle (10) includes a battery (40) for energizing a single-phase A.C. traction motor (18) which drives a ground engaging wheel (12) through a multi-speed transaxle (20). The motor is characterized by an external ferrite permanent magnet rotor (26) drivingly engaging an input shaft (32) of the transaxle. The motor is controlled by an inverter circuit (44) and a control circuit (46) which generates switch command signals to reciprocally actuate power transistors (56 and 62) within the inverter circuit as a function of operator demand, rotor position and rotor speed. The control circuit includes a motor positioning circuit (442) which toggles the motor current when the rotor speed falls below a predetermined level to dither the rotor about a park position for a predetermined period. A pre-start rotor positioner (224) is provided to mechanically lock the rotor in its park position to ensure the availability of a high electrical starting torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Gritter, Walter K. O'Neil, David Turner
  • Patent number: 4612485
    Abstract: Overhead doors operating apparatus uses a single motor power unit to operate a selected one of a plurality of overhead doors through a selectively energized coupling, such as an electromagnetic clutch, or if desired, all of the doors in unison by energizing all the couplings. Thus only one motor power unit, instead of a power unit for each door, is needed to operate selectively one or more of the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Inventor: Charles R. Suska
  • Patent number: 4491767
    Abstract: In the inching of a grinding mill or similar apparatus which is driven by a pair of synchronous motors through fluid actuated clutches, the motors must be angularly alined one with the other in order that the load be shared equally between the motors. The apparatus of the invention connects the field supply to both motor fields and then it connects a zero frequency supply (i.e. a DC supply) to the stator windings of both motors and ramps up or increases the amplitude of the supply. This brings the rotors into alinement without undue oscillation. When the amplitude of the low frequency supply reaches a predetermined level, the clutches are closed or locked and the motors are connected to the load with the rotors in angular coincidence or alinement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1985
    Assignee: Canadian General Electric Company Limited
    Inventors: Peter D. Eastcott, Ronald C. Trussler
  • Patent number: 4405883
    Abstract: An apparatus for rapidly and positively stopping the rotations of first and second tape reels which are driven independently, without introducing slack or damages to a recording medium of a tape form wound by the first and second tape reels. The control system for this apparatus uses digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Victor Company of Japan, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazutaka Ashida
  • Patent number: 4362975
    Abstract: This device for controlling the operation of a bidirectional DC motor comprises a pair of double-throw control reversing switches and a pair of ON-OFF switches, a solenoid-operated brake associated with the motor shaft, and two pairs of unidirectional elements consisting of diodes. The cathode or anode of each diode is connected directly to the common terminal of each control reversing switch associated therewith and the brake solenoid is connected in parallel with the motor induction windings. The terminals of the brake solenoid are disposed between the motor windings and one of the ON-OFF switches so that the brake is applied as long as its solenoid is deenergized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Etablissements Carpano & Pons
    Inventor: Jean-Vitus Orsini
  • Patent number: 4271379
    Abstract: A web fed press has at least one press unit including a first web driving means driven by a first motor. Downstream from the press unit is a second web driving means, such as nip rolls, driven by a second motor. Encoders are associated with the motors to produce pulse trains which are compared for motor speed relationship. If the relationship is not correct, the energization of the second motor is varied to correct the error. The relative web speed at the two locations is adjusted by effectively varying the number of pulses per revolution produced by the encoder for the second motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Edward H. Eckelmeyer