Linear-movement Motors Patents (Class 318/135)
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Patent number: 10326398Abstract: A linear motor actuator includes a plurality of stators mounted stationary relative to one another along a common actuation axis. A translator rod is mounted to the stators for linear motion relative to the stators along the actuation axis, wherein each stator is magnetically coupled to the translator rod to drive motion of the translator rod along the actuation axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventor: Steven A. Avritch
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Patent number: 10316945Abstract: This invention relates to a linear actuator, comprising an electric motor (10), a worm gear (13, 14), a transmission (15, 16, 19), an outer tube (2) and a spindle (12), said spindle (12) being in connection with the transmission (15, 16, 19), a spindle nut (11) on the spindle (12), a thrust bearing (20) for supporting a shaft end (21) of the spindle (12), wherein the connection between the shaft end of the spindle (12) and the transmission (15, 16, 19) allows a mutual axial movement so that axial forces are only lead through the spindle (12) bypassing the transmission (15, 16, 19) and directly to the thrust bearing (20), wherein a support structure (17, 18, 24, 28) fixedly connects the outer tube (2) and a lower bracket (20, 22), wherein said worm gear (13, 14) drives a shaft (19) included in said transmission (15, 16, 19), which shaft (19) has a driving gear wheel (15) fixedly attached thereto, arranged to transmit torque to a driven gear wheel (16) fixedly attached to the spindle (12), wherein said transmisType: GrantFiled: February 10, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: REAC ABInventor: Johan Olsson
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Patent number: 10293398Abstract: The underlying invention relates in particular to a forming machine, having an electromagnetic linear motor with a linear mover and multiple coil units each with a predetermined coil pole pitch (S) which is measured in the direction of the movement axis. The linear mover includes, in an alternating arrangement along the longitudinal axis (L) thereof, first permanent magnets which are magnetized transversely to the longitudinal axis with a predetermined first magnetic pitch (T1) and second permanent magnets which are magnetized in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) with a predetermined second magnetic pitch (T2), wherein a ratio of coil width (S) to first magnetic pitch (T1) is 3:1, and wherein a ratio of first magnetic pitch (T1) to second magnetic pitch (T2) is 2:1.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Langenstein & Schemann GmbHInventor: Markus Otto
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Patent number: 10272789Abstract: A wireless power supply system is a wireless power supply system provided with a travel lane for wirelessly transmitting power to a moving body and includes a power transmitting coil that is disposed such that the axial direction of the coil is substantially parallel to the width direction of the travel lane, and electromagnetic shielding walls that are disposed on the respective sides of the travel lane in the extension direction of the travel lane.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: TDK CORPORATIONInventors: Noritaka Chiyo, Yasuhiro Terasaki, Mitsunari Suzuki
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Patent number: 10248102Abstract: A numerical controller for controlling a machine tool including a spindle motor formed of an induction motor includes: a storage unit that stores a maximum acceleration at which the spindle motor can operate when a magnetic flux amount of the spindle motor reaches its maximum; a magnetic flux amount acquisition unit that acquires a present magnetic flux amount of the spindle motor; and an acceleration change unit that changes an acceleration of a position command based on a maximum acceleration of the spindle motor stored in the storage unit according to a magnetic flux amount at the start of movement of the spindle motor acquired by the magnetic flux amount acquisition unit when the spindle motor is operated by position control using a position command.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: FANUC CORPORATIONInventors: Kouki Oikawa, Yuuki Morita, Tadashi Okita
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Patent number: 10247173Abstract: An actuator according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a fixed member and a free member. The free member is operatively engaged with the fixed member so that the free member is moveable with respect to the fixed member. The actuator also includes means for moving the free member with respect to the fixed member. An elastic element operatively associated with the free member and the fixed member is operable to store energy without a change in an overall length of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2015Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS, ACTING FOR AND ON BEHALF OF, NORTHERN ARIZONA UNIVERSITYInventors: Kiisa Nishikawa, Theodore A. Uyeno
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Patent number: 10243502Abstract: A system for monitoring a motor includes a movable component having a plurality of permanent magnets. The system also includes a plurality of stators having phase windings and surrounding the movable component. The system also includes a plurality of current sensors each configured to detect a detected current flowing to a corresponding stator of the plurality of stators. The system also includes a monitor configured to receive the detected current, perform a comparison of the detected current from each of the plurality of stators, and to identify a loss of redundancy of the motor based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATIONInventors: Steven A. Avritch, David F. Dickie
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Patent number: 10164555Abstract: A half-bridge inverter comprised of upper and lower switches can be placed in linear motor track sections to alternately connect a common point of all drive coils to a full-bus DC power rail (“full-bus”) and a DC reference, according to PWM command signals, functioning as a “virtual mid-bus” to allow bi-directional flow of a sum of currents of all drive coils in the section. Separate upper and lower drive switches of the half-bridge inverters that are also connected to drive the drive coils can then be controlled, according to separate PWM command signals, to synchronize their PWM cycles and duty cycle commands with respect to the virtual mid-bus at times when a mover is not present, resulting in zero voltage across the drive coils, or command different duty cycles with respect to the virtual mid-bus when a mover is present, resulting in a desired voltage across the drive coils. The desired voltage can produce a current in the drive coils to electromagnetically propel the mover.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2018Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: Rockwel Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Patrick E. Ozimek
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Patent number: 10154829Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a display, an actuator, a user interface, and a processing circuit. The actuator is configured to control at least one of a position or an orientation of the display. The user interface is configured to receive a user input. The processing circuit is configured to cause the actuator to adjust the at least one of the position or orientation of the display based on the user input.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2017Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: EDAN INSTRUMENTS, INC.Inventors: Richard Henderson, Sean Murphy
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Patent number: 10148945Abstract: A method for dynamically calibrating an image capture device comprises: a) determining a distance (DCRT, DEST) to an object within a scene; b) determining a first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for the determined distance; c) determining a second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) providing maximum sharpness for the object in a captured image of the scene; and d) storing the determined distance (DCRT, DEST) and the first and second lens actuator settings. These steps are repeated at a second determined distance separated from the first determined distance. A calibration correction (ERRNEARPLP, ERRFARPLP) for stored calibrated lens actuator settings (DACNEARPLP, DACFARPLP) is determined as a function of at least: respective differences between the second lens actuator setting (DACFOCUS) and the first lens actuator setting (DACINIT) for each of the first and second determined distances; and the stored calibrated lens actuator settings are adjusted according to the determined calibration corrections.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: FotoNation LimitedInventors: Alexandru Malaescu, Florin Nanu
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Patent number: 10103672Abstract: A stator segment for a linear motor-based transport system is developed to the effect that a transmitter for cyclic transmission of a control data record in a first clock cycle also transmits, in addition to transmitting the control data record, a position value in a clock-synchronized manner, wherein a plurality of positions are available as a sequence with a quantity of elements and an element with an index corresponds to a position, where the transmitter unit is configured such that, upon every first clock cycle, the index is incremented commencing from a starting value and an element is transmitted after the control data record, where the transmitter unit is furthermore configured to transmit all elements in one transmission interval, and where the transmission interval corresponds to a multiple of the first clock cycle.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignees: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Festo AG & Co. KGInventors: Fabian Albert, Marco Gierden, Ralf Hartramph, Michael Jaentsch, Sven Rothe, Carsten Spindler, Andreas Veit
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Patent number: 10056816Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide methods and systems for moving a plurality of movable stages relative to a stator. The stator comprises a plurality of coils shaped to provide pluralities of coil trace groups where each coil trace group comprises a corresponding plurality of generally linearly elongated coil traces which extend across a stator tile. Each movable stage comprises a plurality of magnet arrays. Methods and apparatus are provided for moving the movable stages relative to the stator, where a magnet array from a first movable stage and a magnet array from a second movable stage both overlap a shared group of coil traces. For at least a portion of the time that the magnet arrays from the first and second movable stages overlap the shared group of coil traces, currents are controllably driven in the shared coil trace group based on the positions of both the first and second movable stages. The positions of the first and second movable stages may be ascertained by feedback.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Inventor: Xiaodong Lu
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Patent number: 9862213Abstract: An inkjet printing apparatus includes an inkjet print head arranged to be moveable in a direction of movement along a guiding assembly. The guiding assembly includes a support structure; a strip mounted on the support structure, the strip being rigidly straight in a first direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement and mounted in such way that a straightness in the direction of movement is provided; and an air bearing system operatively coupled to the strip. The strip extends in a vertical plane, the vertical plane being substantially parallel to the direction of movement and being substantially parallel to the first direction. The air bearing system is configured to control a position of the inkjet print head in a horizontal plane relative to the strip during movement of the print head in the direction of movement, the horizontal plane being substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: OCE-TECHNOLOGIES B.V.Inventors: Brandon Rigio, Brian D. Otter, Michael P. Hoy
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Patent number: 9766054Abstract: A planar motor rotor displacement measuring device and its measuring method are provided. The motor is a moving-coil type planar motor. The device comprises probes, two sets of sine sensors, two sets of cosine sensors, a signal lead wire and a signal processing circuit. The method is arranging two sets of magnetic flux density sensors within a magnetic field pitch ? along two vertical movement directions in the rotor located in the sine magnetic field area. Sampled signals of the four sets of sensors are respectively processed with a frequency multiplication operation, four subdivision signals are obtained, the zero-crossing points of the four subdivision signals are detected, and then two sets of orthogonal pulse signals are generated. The pulse number of the orthogonal pulse signals is counted, and phase difference of the two sets of orthogonal pulse signals is respectively detected.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignees: SHANGHAI MICRO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Jinchun Hu, Yu Zhu, Wensheng Yin, Longmin Chen, Kaiming Yang, Ming Zhang, Dengfeng Xu, Haihua Mu, Chuxiong Hu, Zhao Liu
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Patent number: 9755468Abstract: Systems and methods for generating currents in a plurality of CTS that may be independently controlled by a microprocessor. In some cases, a DC power source (such as a battery) is connected to each inverter. In other cases, a rechargeable DC power source (such as a capacitor) is connected to each inverter. Multiple controllable, turn-less structures may be provided in a suitable configuration with a single, main control processor or alternatively, with both a main control processor and several intermediate level command modules, each intermediate level command module coupled to a respective one of the inverters to control currents through each conductor of the respective inverter.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Inventor: Oved Zucker
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Patent number: 9683643Abstract: A linear actuator assembly (30) having an inner sleeve (100) which moves in a first direction or in an opposite second direction relative to a fixed outer sleeve (90) between a fully extended position and a fully retracted position. The linear actuator assembly (30) also has an emitter (180) and a sensor (184) positioned near the emitter (180) that detect changes in an emitted signal resulting from the movement of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along a longitudinal axis and a controller (101) electrically coupled to the sensor (184) to determine the axial position of the inner sleeve (100) relative to the outer sleeve (90) along the longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: KONGSBERG AUTOMOTIVE ABInventors: Bengt Cyrén, Bengt Hermansson
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Patent number: 9673021Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a positioning apparatus and a positioning control device that may perform precise positioning by suppressing relative displacement of a movable point and positioning target objects. In a positioning apparatus including a movable stage, a stage position detector that detects a position of the movable stage, a control device that performs positioning of the movable stage, a positioning target object for positioning of the movable stage, and at least one or more sensors in a structure of the positioning target object or the movable stage, the control device includes an amount of relative displacement estimation unit that estimates an amount of relative displacement of the movable stage and the positioning target object using information of the sensor and information of the stage position detector, and a unit that controls the position of the stage using information calculated by the amount of relative displacement estimation unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Hironori Ogawa, Tomohiro Inoue, Masaki Odai
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Patent number: 9606072Abstract: In an X-ray inspecting apparatus, a rotational fluctuation amount of a stage is calculated around a power transmission part of the stage and a stage drive unit as a base point, i.e., the X-axis and Y-axis sliding parts, in accordance with detected positional information from a position detecting sensor. Then, a stage shift amount is calculated in accordance with the rotational fluctuation amount and a distance between the base point and an imaging position on the stage. Here, the stage shift amount corresponds to a positional deviation of the stage at the imaging position caused by an attitude variation of the stage in a yawing direction, and thus is an error in repeated positioning. Accordingly, a tomographic image with high resolution can be generated in consideration of the error in repeated positioning.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2015Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: SHIMADZU CORPORATIONInventors: Yusuke Tagawa, Hiroshi Oohara, Yoshihiro Ueno
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Patent number: 9577563Abstract: In a method for activating an electric machine having a rotor, a stator winding having multiple phases and a rectifier having multiple half-bridges corresponding to the number of phases, which each have active switching elements, alternating current signals, which are phase-offset to one another by switching the switching elements, are applied to the phases in a first motor operating mode in which the rotor rotates above a limiting speed, and in a second motor operating mode, in which the rotor rotates below the limiting speed, constant direct-current signals are at least partially applied to the phases by switching the switching elements as a function of an instantaneous angle position of the rotor, the direct-current signals being selected in such a way that a current flow does not exceed a predefined maximum current absolute value through any of the phases.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBHInventor: Julian Roesner
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Patent number: 9568819Abstract: A holding apparatus of the present invention for holding a mold, includes a chuck configured to attract the mold to hold the mold, including a plurality of holding units each of which is configured to hold the attracted mold, and including a support configured to support the plurality of holding units; and an actuator supported by the support and deforms the mold by applying a force. At least one of the holding units is supported by the support unit so as to be displaceable in the direction of the force applied by the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2012Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Hirotoshi Torii
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Patent number: 9554434Abstract: A light-emitting diode driver includes a power switch, a logic unit and a pulse adjustment signal generator. The power switch is used to control a charging level of a light-emitting diode voltage terminal, and controlled to be turned on or off by a pulse-width modulation signal. The logic unit is coupled to a control terminal of the power switch, and used to generate a frequency control signal. The pulse adjustment signal generator is coupled to the logic unit, and used to generate an operational wave according to the frequency control signal and update the pulse-width modulation signal according to the operational wave. When the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal is smaller than a pulse-width modulation threshold, the operational wave has a first frequency. When the duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal is larger than the pulse-width modulation threshold, the operational wave has a second frequency higher than the first frequency.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: AU OPTRONICS CORP.Inventors: Kuan-Cheng Chen, Yung-Hsu Lin
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Patent number: 9525319Abstract: An actuator includes a first stator with four first poles and a second stator with four second poles aligned with the four first poles. A permanent magnet is attached to the first stator and the second stator. Four moving armatures are positioned at terminal ends of the four first poles and the four second poles. Coils are wrapped around the first stator and the second stator. A controller selectively applies current to the coils to migrate flux created by the permanent magnet through selective poles of the first stator and the second stator and thereby alter the size of air gaps associated with the four moving armatures.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: QM Power, Inc.Inventor: Charles J. Flynn
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Patent number: 9465305Abstract: A method for determining a commutation offset for a mover (250A) of a mover assembly (220C) that moves and positions a stage (220A) relative to a stage base (220B) includes controlling the mover assembly (220C) in a closed loop fashion to maintain the position of the stage (220A) along a first axis and along a second axis with the stage (220A) levitated above the stage base (220B). The method also includes the steps of (i) directing current to a coil array (240) of the mover assembly (220C) so that the mover assembly (220C) imparts a disturbance on the stage (220A); and (ii) evaluating one or more forces generated by the mover assembly (220C) as a result of the disturbance on the stage (220A) created by the mover (250A). Further, a method for generating a compensation map (1402) includes sequentially directing a plurality of excitation signals to the control of the mover assembly (220C) and determining the control commands that result from the plurality of excitation signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: NIKON CORPORATIONInventors: Pai-Hsueh Yang, Scott Coakley, Michael B. Binnard, Kazuhiro Hirano, Bausan Yuan, Shiang-Lung Koo
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Patent number: 9397538Abstract: A linear motor with enhanced cooling performance, including: a stator including multiple magnetic force generating members provided in a row; a moving element including multiple coils provided in a row in an axis line direction of the stator and wound around an outside of the stator; and a heat transfer member dissipating heat generated by the coil which is between adjacent coils and along a side of the coils.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: FUJI MACHINE MFG. CO., LTD.Inventors: Jun-ichi Narita, Ryo Nagata, Masaki Kurono
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Patent number: 9325232Abstract: Embodiments of an electrical power generation device and methods of generating power are disclosed. One such method comprises creating magnetic flux forces generally transverse to a face of a magnet facing a center of a cylinder, moving a coil of wound conductive material partially through the center opening of the cylinder to produce the electric current and, routing resistive forces generated from the moving coil through an iron core, wherein the first coil is positioned concentrically about a first portion of the core, and further routing the resistive forces around the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Linear Labs, Inc.Inventor: Fred E. Hunstable
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Patent number: 9310782Abstract: A method for measuring the displacement of a planar motor rotor. The measuring method comprises: four magnetic induction intensity sensors are distributed on the planar motor rotor; sampled signals of the four distributed sensors are processed to obtain signals Bsx, Bcx, Bsy and Bcy and magnetic field reference values Bksx, Bkcx, Bksy and Bkcy; and X-direction displacement and Y-direction displacement can be measured respectively according to inequalities (I) and (II) by judgments, wherein ?x and ?y are X-direction displacement resolution and Y-direction displacement resolution respectively, and BM is the magnetic induction intensity amplitude of the magnetic field of said planar motor. The method provided by the invention is simple in calculation, can avoid calculation of a transcendental function and solve the quadrant judgment problem, is favorable to real-time high-speed operation and has a high engineering value.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignees: SHANGHAI MICRO ELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD., TSINGHUA UNIVERSITYInventors: Yu Zhu, Jinchun Hu, Dengfeng Xu, Yuting Sun, Wensheng Yin, Ming Zhang, Kaiming Yang, Haihua Mu
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Patent number: 9270156Abstract: A linear motor includes a stator and an armature that faces the stator with a gap therebetween. The stator has an elongated shape extending so as to cross a direction in which the stator faces the armature, and includes a plurality of salient poles that are arranged along a longitudinal direction of the stator and protrude toward the armature. The armature includes an armature core including a tooth that protrudes toward the stator, an armature winding wound around the tooth, a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on an end side of the tooth so as to be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the stator, and a magnetic-field sensor that detects a magnetic field which is generated by the plurality of permanent magnets and which passes through the plurality of salient poles.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKIInventors: Shogo Makino, Motomichi Ohto, Yuji Arinaga
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Patent number: 9194386Abstract: A linear compressor is provided that provides a greater power by changing a frequency at high load. The linear compressor includes a mechanical device having a fixed member, a movable member linearly reciprocated in the fixed member, one or more springs provided to elastically support the movable member, and a motor connected to the movable member, and an electric controller having a rectifier, an inverter that receives a DC voltage from the rectifier, converts the DC voltage to an AC voltage, and supplies the AC voltage to the motor, a voltage sensor that senses the DC voltage, a current sensor that senses a current, and a controller that calculates a required voltage for the motor, generates a control signal, and applies the control signal to the inverter, if the required voltage is greater than the DC voltage of the voltage sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jin Seok Hu, Shin Hyun Park, Yong Tae Kim, Hoon Bong Lee, Kye Lyong Kang
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Patent number: 9184684Abstract: A motor driving circuit for driving a motor includes: a driving-stage circuit, for converting an input voltage into a first output voltage and a second output voltage, and comprising a first transistor, a second transistor, a third transistor and a fourth transistor; an output stage circuit, for converting the first output voltage or the second output voltage into a motor speed signal; and a control unit, coupled to the first, the second, the third and the fourth transistors and the output stage circuit, for generating first, second, third and fourth transistor control signals to control the first, the second, the third and the fourth transistors respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Anpec Electronics CorporationInventors: Ming-Jung Tsai, Kun-Min Chen, Ching-Sheng Li
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Patent number: 9151217Abstract: An engine system comprises a first turbocharger including a first wastegate, first wastegate actuator, and first turbocharger sensor, a second turbocharger including a second wastegate, second wastegate actuator, and second turbocharger sensor, and a controller configured to adjust the first wastegate actuator so that a parameter of the first turbocharger matches a parameter of the second turbocharger, based on output from the first and second turbocharger sensors. In this way, turbocharger output between the two turbochargers may be balanced.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Alfred Hilditch, Julia Helen Buckland, Robert Andrew Wade
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Patent number: 9136749Abstract: An electrical power system for generating electrical power in a building is provided. The building has an elevator with the elevator having at least one elevator car and the at least one elevator car within an elevator shaft. The electrical power system comprises at least one magnet counterweight connected to the at least one elevator car and at least one coil mounted within the elevator shaft. The at least one magnet counterweight moves in a downward direction as the at least one elevator car moves in an upward direction and the at least one magnet counterweight moves in an upward direction as the at least one elevator car moves in a downward direction. The magnet counterweight passes through the at least one coil thereby generating electrical current.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Inventor: John M. Callier
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Patent number: 9130425Abstract: A pole piece structure is provided to be used as part of an active rotor structure for an electrical rotary machine, wherein the active rotor structure is circular comprising pole pieces and permanent magnets magnetized in the circumferential direction of the rotor structure, wherein the rotor pole piece structure is a single structure with at least two individually spaced pole pieces connected by an integration bridge. Further provided is a method of manufacturing a rotor pole piece structure and a rotor for an electrical machine with a rotor pole piece structure. The assembly of magnets to the pole pieces is significantly enhanced using these rotor pole piece structures as described.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: HOGANAS AB (PUBL)Inventors: Göran Nord, Lars-Olov Pennander, Alan G. Jack
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Patent number: 9093930Abstract: An embodiment linear actuator for an electrically adjustable piece of furniture includes a brushless DC motor arranged to effect a linear movement of the linear actuator, as well as a control device for controlling the motor.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: LOGICDATA Electronic & Software Entwicklungs GMBHInventors: Walter Koch, Siegfried Silber, Herbert Grabner, Peter Hutterer
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Patent number: 9065380Abstract: A method for calculating a motor constant of a permanent magnet type synchronous motor according to the present invention includes: a voltage applying step of applying a voltage obtained by compositing a DC component and an AC component to a permanent magnet type synchronous motor while varying a frequency of the AC component; a current detecting step of detecting a motor current flowing according to the applied voltage; a phase difference calculating step of calculating a difference in phase between the AC component of the applied voltage and an AC component of the motor current; and a motor constant calculating step of calculating a motor constant of the permanent magnet type synchronous motor. In addition, in the motor constant calculating step, the motor constant is calculated based on the applied voltage and the motor current when the difference in phase becomes nearly 45 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toru Tazawa, Masaru Nishizono
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Patent number: 9054627Abstract: A method for driving a Linear Resonant Actuator (LRA) is provided. During a first off interval, the back-emf of the LRA is measured. During a first off interval, a timer is started when the back-emf reaches a predetermined threshold, and after a predetermined delay has lapsed following the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the first off interval, the LRA is driven over a drive interval having a length and drive strength. A second off interval is entered following the drive interval, and during the second off interval, the back-emf of the LRA is measured. During the second off interval, the timer is stopped when the back-emf reaches the predetermined threshold. The value from the timer that corresponds to the duration between the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the first off interval and the back-emf reaching the predetermined threshold during the second off interval determines the length.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2012Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: Mayank Garg, David Hernandez-Garduno, Brandon J. Beckham, David J. Baldwin, Brett E. Forejt
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Patent number: 9049366Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for driving an under damped voice coil motor (VCM) actuator of a camera lens. In one embodiment, the device for driving an under damped VCM actuator comprises a first generator operable to read a first manufacture data from an image signal processor (ISP) and to generate a half natural period, ½ Td, of the VCM actuator by selecting a value approximate to the first data in a first table of the device, a second generator operable to read a second manufacture data from the ISP and to generate the maximum overshoot, K, of the VCM actuator by selecting a value approximate to the second data in a second table of the device, an input shaping signal generator operable to read an input signal corresponding to a desired camera lens moving distance from the ISP and to generate a shaping signal according to the value of the half natural period and the maximum overshoot.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: GIANTEC SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. INC.Inventors: Hong Zhang, Qing Yang, Hong Ru Xu, Cheng Zhang
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Publication number: 20150123576Abstract: When a motor drive control device is integrated in a semiconductor integrated circuit having a small chip area, calibration for improving the accuracy of detection of a counter electromotive voltage, which is for detecting the speed of a motor, is enabled. A first multiplier performs multiplication between a drive current detection signal and first gain information in a first register. A subtractor performs subtraction between a drive voltage command signal and a first multiplication result in the first multiplier. A second multiplier performs multiplication between a subtraction result in the subtractor and second gain information in a second register to generate counter electromotive voltage information as information on a second multiplication result. The drive voltage command signal in a control unit is set to a predetermined value to generate a condition which maintains the speed of the motor and a counter electromotive voltage at substantially zero.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Minoru KUROSAWA, Yuki MATSUYA
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Patent number: 9024548Abstract: In a linear motor used for a driving axis of a large-size machine tool having a very long driving stroke, pole position correction values at a plurality of stroke positions are stored in a memory. A pole position correction value corresponding to an actual stroke position of a slider is calculated based on the stored pole position correction value. A corrected electrical angle offset value derived based on the calculated pole position correction value is used to control the linear motor.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: OKUMA CorporationInventors: Fumiki Yamaoka, Yoichi Kawai
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Patent number: 9024487Abstract: Levitation devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes an array of magnetic elements that have differently oriented magnetic fields and an inductive component. The inductive component provides a levitation force by magnetic communication with the magnetic fields of the array of magnetic elements. The inductive component includes an array of inductive elements, with individual inductive elements having a looped circuit that provides the levitation force. The inductive component also includes one or more switch element that controls current flow in one or more of the looped circuits responsive to translational motion between the inductive component and the array of magnetic elements.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Eagle Eye Research, Inc.Inventor: John H. Reif
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Publication number: 20150115848Abstract: An electric linear actuator includes a linear array of poloidal electrical cods. The central openings of each of the coils are coaxially aligned to define a central bore for the linear array. A shaft is received within and is movable along the central bore of the linear array. Magnets are affixed at spaced intervals along the shaft. A power source provides power to each of the coils of the linear array. Position sensors are provided for determining the axial position of the shaft along the central bore. A control processor receives position data from the position sensors and controls the application of power from the power source to each of the coils in the linear array. The control processor selectively activates the electrical coils to cause variable application of force on the shaft through electro-magnet attraction or repulsion.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Patrick A. McFADDEN
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Patent number: 9018864Abstract: A Rebound-Effector is a mechanism which runs a weight forth and back, by high acceleration. As the weight accelerates, a rebound force is built up. This force is proportional to the product of the weight and the acceleration, and is in opposite direction to the acceleration vector. The Rebound-Effector has four operational phases. The energy inserts into the system, during the first phase, accelerates the weight to the same direction as the movement, being converted into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is taken back during the second phase, while slowing down the weight, and stored. During the third phase, the stored energy accelerates the weight to the same moving direction, being converted into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is taken back during the fourth phase, while slowing down the weight, and stored.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Inventor: Hadar Magali
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Patent number: 9018887Abstract: An ultrasonic electro-mechanical resonant system and instrument that provides improvements in the design and implementation of a feedback system. The disclosed configuration and orientation of coils enhance the motional or velocity feedback signals while minimizing the effects of transformer coupling. A two coil and a three coil approach is disclosed that takes advantage of non-homogeneous magnetic fields. An asymmetrical arrangement enables velocity signals to be coupled into the coils without requiring additional signal conditioning or capacitive elements.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Westdale Holdings, Inc.Inventor: Richard H. Paschke
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Patent number: 9013196Abstract: An electric machine includes a first active part, which has a plurality of active part segments disposed one behind the other in a direction of movement of the electric machine, with each of the active part segments including a position measuring device, and a second active part with a measuring device for identifying the respective position measuring device. Each position measuring device has at least one position measuring unit having a dielectric constant, wherein the dielectric constant of the position measuring unit in one of the active part segments is different than the dielectric constant in an adjacent one of the active part segments. The measuring device includes at least one measuring unit to determine the dielectric constant of the position measuring units.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Siemens AktiegesellschaftInventor: Roland Finkler
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Publication number: 20150103328Abstract: A lithography apparatus has a plurality of driving units each of which drives in synchronization within a specific period, a power source for supplying power required for driving to each driving unit, a plurality of capacitors capable of charging power from the power source, a plurality of switching units for switching whether or not power is supplied from the power source to the driving units and capacitors, and a controller configured to stop supplying the power to the driving units and the capacitors and to drive the driving unit with the power charged in the capacitor, in at least a part of a period of driving in synchronization concerning at least one of the plurality of the driving units, or in at least a part of a period of driving in asynchronization concerning another driving unit different from at least one of the driving unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Takeshi Motegi, Yasuhiro Motegi
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Publication number: 20150097498Abstract: A method for moving a stage includes coupling a stage mover to the stage, and directing current to the stage mover with a control system. The stage mover includes a magnet array and a conductor array positioned adjacent to the magnet array. The conductor array includes a first layer of coils and a second layer of coils, with the first layer of coils being closer to the magnet array than the second layer of coils. The control system directs current to the first layer of coils and the second layer of coils independently. Further, the control system directs more current to the first layer of coils than the second layer of coils during a movement step to reduce the power consumption.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Neyram Hemati, Michael Binnard
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Patent number: 9000692Abstract: A linear electrodynamic-type motor, for compressing a fluid circulating in a cryocooler notably using a Stirling cycle, includes a translationally movable induction coil; a power-supply circuit adapted to deliver, to at least one induction coil, an AC power-supply current; a movable mass adopting a translational movement; an induction coil arranged so as to move a respective movable mass between a first position and a second position where the movable mass can compress the fluid; and a secondary circuit arranged to connect the terminals of at least one induction coil in short-circuit. The secondary circuit comprises a compensation component for producing a phase shift between the power-supply voltage and the power-supply current, so as to reduce the phase difference that the inductance of the induction coil produces.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges ClaudeInventors: Gerald Aigouy, James Butterworth, Benoit Debray, Jean Christophe Rey
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Publication number: 20150091478Abstract: Systems and methods for energy storage and management may be useful for a variety of applications, including launch devices. A system can include a direct current (DC) bus configured to operate within a predetermined range of voltages. The system can also include an array comprising a plurality of ultra-capacitors connected to the DC bus and configured to supply the DC bus with energy. The system can further include an input configured to receive energy from a power grid, wherein the power grid is configured to supply fewer than 250 amps of power. The system can additionally include an output configured to supply more than 250 amps of power. The system can also include a controller configured to control charging and discharging of the array of ultra-capacitors and configured to control the DC bus to remain within the predetermined range of voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventor: Domenic P. MARZANO
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Patent number: 8994315Abstract: The present invention provides a motor controller for controlling a DC motor according to a reference signal. The motor controller includes a compensator, a pulse width modulation unit, and a motor driving unit. The compensator generates a control signal according to the reference signal and a sensing signal from the DC motor. The pulse width modulation unit generates a motor control signal by comparing the control signal and a ramp signal having a varying frequency. The motor driving unit receives the motor control signal and drives the DC motor according to the motor control signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Richtek Technology CorporationInventors: Wei-Hsu Chang, Jo-Yu Wang, Jen-Hung Chi
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Patent number: 8994298Abstract: A movement control apparatus includes: an actuator that causes a driven body connected to a driving coil to perform reciprocating movement; a signal generation unit that generates a velocity command signal which indicates a target velocity of the driven body; a driving unit that supplies electric current corresponding to a driving signal to the driving coil; a voltage detection unit that detects induced voltage generated in the driving coil, and outputs a voltage signal corresponding to the induced voltage; a signal correction unit that corrects, based on the driving signal and the voltage signal, the voltage signal to adjust a shift of a resistance value from a reference resistance value of the driving coil, thereby generating a velocity signal; and a control unit that generates the driving signal based on the velocity command signal and the velocity signal, and outputs the driving signal to the driving unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.Inventors: Toshio Inaji, Takeshi Shimamoto, Kozo Ezawa
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Patent number: 8981682Abstract: The disclosure relates to General Synchronized Vibration devices that provide haptic feedback to a user and improve the performance of existing vibratory devices. Different actuator types may be employed to provide synchronized vibration, including linear rotary actuators, rotating eccentric mass actuators including interleaved rotating mass actuators, and rocking mass actuators. A controller sends signals to one or more driver circuits to provide adjustment of vibration magnitude, frequency, and direction of the actuators. The system may apply forces onto an object, and a sensor measures a feature(s) of the object. This information is provided to a vibration device controller, which can then modify the vibration waveform to improve overall system performance. Fourier synthesis can be used to approximate arbitrarily shaped waveforms by controlling the phase and frequency of vibration actuators.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Coactive Drive CorporationInventors: Nathan Delson, John Houston, Gabe Graham