Patents by Inventor Anthony J. Sword

Anthony J. Sword has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Control and force-sensing method and apparatus for motors
    Patent number: 4631657
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a stepper motor and for force sensing and force control. Stepper motor drive waveforms are provided which are constructed of a sequence of stairsteps, the size and duration thereof being determined as a function of the desired rotational velocity of the stepper motor. Means and a method for accelerating the stepper motor by varying the step size and step duration of the stairsteps in the drive waveform are discussed. Additionally, means and a method are discussed for sensing and controlling the force applied by the stepper motor to a load by way of evaluating the displacement of the actual position of the stepper motor shaft from the commanded or desired position of the shaft. Means and a method for implementing a compliant function in a similar manner are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Microbot, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Hill, Anthony J. Sword
  • Control and force-sensing method and apparatus for motors
    Patent number: 4535405
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a stepper motor and for force sensing and force control. Stepper motor drive waveforms are provided which are constructed of a sequence of stairsteps, the size and duration thereof being determined as a function of the desired rotational velocity of the stepper motor. Means and a method for accelerating the stepper motor by varying the step size and step duration of the stairsteps in the drive waveform are discussed. Additionally, means and a method are discussed for sensing and controlling the force applied by the stepper motor to a load by way of evaluating the displacement of the actual position of the stepper motor shaft from the commanded or desired position of the shaft. Means and a method for implementing a compliant function in a similar manner are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1985
    Assignee: Microbot, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Hill, Anthony J. Sword