Plural, Diverse Or Diversely Controlled Electric Motors Patents (Class 318/34)
  • Patent number: 7132809
    Abstract: A fan controlling system applicable in an electronic system having a plurality of fans is disclosed. The fan-controlling system includes a first signal generating module and a second signal generating module for generating a first and a second pulse width modulation (PWM) signals according to control instructions output by the electronic system. The fan-controlling system further includes a phase-inverting module and a delay module. Therefore, PWM signals, which are delayed with a time interval one another, can be generated by the fan controlling system, so as to respectively control a plurality of fans of the electronic system, thereby avoiding the peak value of the total power signals when the fans are run from increasing instantly, and power signal for supplying the electronic system from decreasing instantly, making the electronic system run abnormally, and its stability becomes worse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Chao-Huang Chang
  • Patent number: 7126309
    Abstract: The electric machine of the present invention comprises a first coil group containing a plurality of coils and a magnet group. The first coil group is classified into M phase sub coil groups, with the coils of the sub coil groups aligned one at a time in sequence at a specified sub coil group interval Dc from the first phase sub coil group to the M-th phase sub coil group. A sub coil group interval Dc is set to a value of K/M times a magnetic pole pitch Pm (K is a positive integer excluding an integral multiple of M) where the distance corresponding to an electrical angle of ? is defined as the magnetic pole pitch Pm. The adjacent sub coil groups are driven at a (K/M)? phase difference. Each coil have substantially no magnetic material core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kesatoshi Takeuchi, Takahiro Sagawa
  • Patent number: 7117042
    Abstract: A semiconductor device, which is controlled based on a control signal corresponding to control data includes: a control register in which the control data is set; a sequencer which performs read control of a first control command on a nonvolatile memory in which the first control command is stored; a first command bus to which the first control command read from the nonvolatile memory is output; and a first decoder which decodes the first control command of the first command bus. The sequencer cyclically performs read control of the first control command on the nonvolatile memory, and sets the control data corresponding to the first control command in the control register each time the first decoder decodes the first control command output to the first command bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Morita
  • Patent number: 7102303
    Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of a motor utilizing a universal motor control module. The method includes sampling at least one motor operating criterion during operation of the motor and executing a universal control algorithm at a predetermined periodic interval of an AC line signal. Execution of the algorithm provides a firing angle solution for an electronic valve for each periodic interval, thereby controlling the behavior of the motor. Additionally, the method includes firing the electronic valve at the calculated firing angle during each periodic interval such that the motor functions in accordance with desired operational parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Daniele C. Brotto
  • Patent number: 7098572
    Abstract: An apparatus to control displacement of a body spaced-apart from a surface includes a flexure system having a first flexure member defining a first axis of rotation and a second flexure member defining a second axis of rotation. A body is coupled to the flexure system to move about a plurality of axes. An actuation system is coupled to the flexure system to selectively constrain movement of the body along a subset of the plurality of axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Byung Jin Choi, Sidlgata V. Sreenivasan, Stephen C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7088061
    Abstract: A drive system powering a group of machines each fitted with a rectifying unit, wherein the inputs of the control devices of the machines' drive motors are interconnected by an electrical bus which implements a power exchange. The system enables swapping current from a power supply between motors of different machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Picanol N.V.
    Inventor: Walter Bilcke
  • Patent number: 7088062
    Abstract: A dual motor configuration 10 includes a primary brushless motor 18 electronically controlled to be driven at various speeds throughout a range of motor speeds. A secondary brush motor 24 electronically controlled be driven at various speeds throughout a range of motor speeds. The secondary brush motor includes an electronic switching device 26 associated therewith for receiving a pulse width modulated signal for controlling speed of the secondary brush motor. Thus, different combinations of speeds, throughout the ranges of motor speeds, of the first and second motors can be selectively chosen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: John E. Makaran
  • Patent number: 7081733
    Abstract: A speed control system of a fan motor of an air conditioner is disclosed. A speed control system of a fan motor of an air conditioner comprises: an inverter having a power output terminal connected to a single-phase power input terminal of the fan motor which has a single-phase stator including a main coil and a sub coil, an induction rotor and a permanent magnet rotor installed between the stator and the induction rotor; and a three-phase driving motor connected to the power output terminal of the inverter and driving a compressor of an air conditioner by power received from the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung-Do Han, Hyoun-Jeong Shin
  • Patent number: 7053566
    Abstract: A drive train for a hybrid electric vehicle has an engine, first and second motor/generators, a third motor, and a transmission in connecting relationships with the engine, the motor/generators, and the third motor. The transmission has planetary gear sets to be shifted among a plurality of running modes including a large driving force running mode. A controller controls surplus power caused by power balance between the first and second motor/generators to be supplied to the third motor when the surplus power is generated and the vehicle starts with the transmission being operated in the large driving force running mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Aizawa, Taiichi Onoyama
  • Patent number: 7049780
    Abstract: An auto-adjusting electric rear-view mirror includes at least two driving mechanisms for driving the rear-view mirror to deflect. The driving mechanisms are respectively coupled to servo control circuits that are further connected to sensor members. The servo control circuits are also coupled to a master control circuit that is further connected to an external controller. The sensor members can sense a positional variation of the rear-view mirror and send a feedback signal to the servo control circuits. The servo control circuits compare a signal from input ports thereof with the feedback signal, and output a control signal to the driving mechanisms according to the comparison result to drive position or negative rotation of the driving mechanisms, such that the rear-view mirror would automatically adjust its view angle to ensure driving safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Inventor: Chia Jung Chang
  • Patent number: 7042175
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling drive of a plurality of actuators is provided. The apparatus comprises a plurality of drive circuits respectively driving the actuators and respectively mounted on a plurality of circuit boards each formed as a module for driving each of the actuators. Each module is detachable to the apparatus. The apparatus comprises a plurality of capacitors each mounted on each of the circuit boards. The capacitors have capacitances different from each other. The apparatus also comprises a charging unit charging the capacitors, a measuring unit measuring a period of time during which a charging potential at each of the capacitors rises up to a predetermined potential, a module type determining unit determining a type of each of the modules in accordance with the period of time for each capacitor measured, and a unit for taking countermeasures depending on a determined result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: DENSO Wave Incorporated
    Inventor: Kazunori Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7042178
    Abstract: A motor driving apparatus including a regeneration control function and a power storage device for accumulating a regenerative current and for supplying an inverter section with electric power during acceleration. The inverter section is connected to a converter section by a DC link to which regeneration start detecting means and the power storage device are connected. When the regeneration start detecting means detects that a voltage at the DC link reaches a regeneration control start voltage, a controller controls switching elements and starts regeneration control. The regenerative current is accumulated in the capacitor through a diode. When a motor is in a power running state, the switching elements are turned on to apply the voltage at the power storage device to the DC link, and the charged power is utilized for motor acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Fanuc LTD
    Inventors: Yuuichi Yamada, Shigeki Hanyu, Mamoru Yaeshima
  • Patent number: 7038404
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided, which is capable of performing phase control of rotation bodies inexpensively and accurately and is capable of reducing time until completion of phase adjustment at the time of a print operation to prevent first print time from becoming long. This image forming apparatus includes a device for detecting a home position of rotation bodies, a motor, and a motor control device for controlling the motor by a software servo, in which said motor control device has a position control function with respect to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Kameyama
  • Patent number: 7034481
    Abstract: To provide a power transmission device that can increase the range of speed variation between an engine and a power output shaft and effectively achieve reduction in size and cost of the device arrangement. The speed reduction ratios from an engine 1 to first output shaft 4c, 5c of first and second power distributors 4, 5 are different from each other. A speed change unit 10 is provided between the first output shaft 4c of the first power distributor 4 and a power output shaft 11 linked with driving wheels 2, 2 of the vehicle, and rotation transmission therebetween is achieved at a plurality of stages of speed reduction ratio. The rotation transmission from the first output shaft 5c of the second power distributor 5 to the power output shaft 11 is achieved via gears 20, 15b or rotation transmission mechanisms 15, 14 of a speed change unit 10 at a plurality of stages of speed reduction ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Imai
  • Patent number: 7023151
    Abstract: A switching device for controlling at least two motors has a single converter, wherein the at least two motors are connected to the converter by a power line and a feedback line, respectively. At least one logic module is connected to the converter and evaluates signals received from the converter to generate a control signal for controlling the motors. The converter has an interface for selecting one of the motors to be controlled, wherein the interface is connected by a signal line to the at least one logic module. The power lines and the feedback lines each have a switch. The at least one logic module is adapted to switch with the control signal at least two of the switches for switching the respective power line and the respective feedback line of the motor to be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Stöber Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Tomas Kalender
  • Patent number: 7023152
    Abstract: A driving control device for an actuator comprises a driving device to drive an actuator having an electric motor (30) and a driving control device (50) to control the rotation of the electric motor (30) by controlling the driving device. The driving control device includes an H bridge circuit constructed by four switching semiconductor elements (Tr1 to Tr4), and rotates the electric motor in normal and reverse directions by turning on and turning off the switching semiconductor elements (Tr1 to Tr4). The driving control device (50) conducts to activate and to stop the electric motor (30) by applying a PWM signal to the switching semiconductor elements (Tr3 and Tr4) constructing the lower arm of the H bridge circuit (51).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventors: Hideki Sunaga, Kaoru Tanaka, Futoshi Araki, Eiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7023150
    Abstract: A hybrid drive apparatus includes an engine, a first electric motor for generating electric power by using at least a portion of its output and for controlling the speed of the engine and a control unit for controlling the engine and the first electric motor. The control unit performs a prepositioning control for positioning the engine being fuel-cut to a predetermined cranking start position such as a constant crank angle position or a constant cranking load position by the motoring of the first electric motor. As a result, the engine can always be started under identical conditions, and the torque vibrations to be outputted to a wheel have identical waveforms so that a simple torque correction can be made by outputting corresponding waveform data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin AW Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Hisada, Kazuo Aoki, Hiroyuki Kojima
  • Patent number: 6989640
    Abstract: A device, mounted on a hydraulic excavator, for allowing each of first and second electric motors (13), (14) to generate power by using electric power supplied from a power supply having a predetermined capacity, and actuating a boom cylinder (6), an arm cylinder (7), etc. using the generated power. Electric motor controllers (24), (25), respectively control power that is generated by the electric motors (13), (14) so that, in machine-operation, powers generated by the electric motors (13), (14) may be equal to or less than predetermined rated outputs, and the total amount of powers generated simultaneously by the electric motors (13), (14) correspond to the maximum capacity of the power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yoshimatsu
  • Patent number: 6987368
    Abstract: A motor controller includes a position sensing device having a position sensor that senses a magnetic pole of a motor, a driver for driving the motor, and a wiring section that feeds a power supply voltage from the driver to the position sensing device. The position sensing device is equipped with a superposed-wave transmitter coupled to a first end of the wiring section and a serial converter for converting a signal of the sensing device into a serial signal. The driver is equipped with a superposed-wave receiver coupled to a second end of the wiring section and a parallel converter for converting the serial signal into a parallel signal. The foregoing structure allows superposing the information about switching a phase-excitation for driving the motor onto the wiring section formed of a pair of cables, i.e. two cables, so that the information is transmitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Yamasaki, Koji Kameda
  • Patent number: 6984947
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for adjusting components of an optical system, the components including an adjustment device. An electric positioning motor can be engaged onto the adjustment device of the components. An electrical generator is electrically connected to the positioning motor. The generator can be manually operated using an operating element, thereby effecting an adjustment of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Leica Microsystems Wetzlar GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Sulik
  • Patent number: 6982530
    Abstract: Provided is a drive system of a motor structured from a combined arrangement of a plurality of motors capable of reducing losses resulting from mechanical loss during the process of the driving force behind the motor being transmitted. This system has a plurality of motors mutually arranged adjacently, and a drive control unit of this motor, wherein the drive control unit drives the magnetic rotor by sending an excitation signal to at least one motor, and the magnetic rotors of the other motors are synchronously driven by the magnetic coupling with the magnetic field generated from the excitation driven magnetic rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6971473
    Abstract: Steering apparatus for transmitting a driving force of a motor through a gear mechanism to a rack shaft of a steering system and applying the driving force to steering road wheels in a steering direction. The apparatus has first and second motors. In the transmission of driving forces from output shafts of the first and second motors to the rack shaft, the phases of the two motors are essentially staggered by 180 degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Furumi, Osamu Tsurumiya, Kazuhiko Inaba, Hisao Asaumi, Yoshio Kakizaki, Hirokazu Kitazawa, Tomoaki Sugano, Shinji Suto, Hiroaki Horii, Fumihiro Morishita, Junichi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6969961
    Abstract: A method for controlling the rotation speed of a slave drive is described, where a reference rotation speed and a reference position is provided to a controller. The controller determines an estimated acceleration curve for the slave drive based on an instantaneous rotation speed, an instantaneous position and a maximum rotation-speed-dependent acceleration of the slave drive. The estimated acceleration curve for the slave drive is hereby determined so that after a compensation time, the rotation speed of the slave drive is equal to the reference rotation speed and the position of the slave drive is also equal to an expected reference position, which is determined by the controller based on the reference position, the reference rotation speed and the compensation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Tom Tolkmitt, Heino De Levie
  • Patent number: 6969969
    Abstract: A large domestic appliance has main and auxiliary drives (17, 24) thereof supplied from the same dc voltage intermediate circuit (19) which is provided only once, by way of change-over switch sets (12), by half-bridge circuits (21, 21?). For that purpose a frequency converter (15) with its bridge circuit (21) for the main drive (17) is switched over in single-pole or multiple mode to the rotary field motor (23, 25) of the auxiliary drive (24) by way of a change-over switch set (12) connected in its output-side motor lines (13); or in the frequency converter (15) two half-bridge circuits (21, 211) which are associated with the main and the auxiliary drives (17, 24) are operated in parallel from the dc voltage intermediate circuit (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Weinmann
  • Patent number: 6956344
    Abstract: A fan motor assembly with integrated redundant availability is recited. The fan motor assembly can include a fan motor subassembly with a first fan motor and a second fan motor, and a fan motor selector mechanism coupled to the fan motor subassembly, so that the fan motor selector mechanism selectively couples the first fan motor or second fan motor to a fan. The fan motor assembly can also include a control unit coupled to the fan motor selector mechanism, wherein the control unit is configured to control the fan motor selector mechanism such that either of the first fan motor and second fan motor is selectively engaged to the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Naysen J. Robertson, Ricardo Ernesto Espinoza-Ibarra, Sachin Navin Chheda
  • Patent number: 6943521
    Abstract: In a motor drive device having a plurality of driver units for driving motors and a command generator for giving a command to the driver units which are connected in serial communication, there is a communication section for setting up the communication formats corresponding to each of the driver units having different communication formats including data transmission speed from one another. Communication among the plurality of driver units with the respective communication formats and the command generator is carried out on a single serial bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Kurokawa, Yoichi Tanaka, Seiichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 6936989
    Abstract: A pulse count motor control device that connects to a central control unit through a first interface and to at least one motor through a second interface. A microprocessor integrated into the motor control device then allows it to directly monitor and drive the motor or motors in accordance with pulse count technology methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Patrick Hogan
  • Patent number: 6936982
    Abstract: Device for actuating a plurality of actuators (1) in a transportation device, which has a plurality of output stages (2, 3, 4, 5) and a control circuit for actuating the output stages (2, 3, 4, 5), the output stages (2, 3, 4, 5) each connecting through the current in order to activate the actuators (1) and each output stage (2, 3, 4, 5) being connected in electrically conductive fashion to an actuator (1, 9). A plurality of output stages (2, 3, 4, 5) is additionally connected to in each case, one further actuator (1, 9) by the control circuit. The control circuit is actuated in such a way that an output stage (2, 3, 4, 5) can actuate either the first or the further actuator (1, 9) with the output stages (2, 3, 4, 5) being interconnected to one another and/or to the actuators (1, 9) in the manner of a matrix so that a plurality of row lines (6) and a plurality of column lines (7), at whose points of intersection (8) the actuators (1) are arranged, are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Stefan Diesner, Mirko Horaschek, Juergen Huertgen, Werner Kopmeier, Lorenz Slansky, Markus Thoben
  • Patent number: 6933687
    Abstract: A dual motor configuration 10 is provided for driving two fans for moving air to cool an engine. The dual motor configuration includes a primary brushless motor 18 constructed and arranged to be electronically controlled to drive a first fan 16 over a range of speeds. A secondary brush motor 24 is constructed and arranged to be electronically controlled to drive a second fan 22 over a range of speeds. The secondary brush motor includes an electronic switching device 26 associated therewith for receiving a pulse width modulated signal for controlling speed of the secondary brush motor. Thus, different combinations of speeds of the first and second motors can be selectively chosen to meet cooling requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: John Makaran, Erich Maier
  • Patent number: 6903522
    Abstract: A load-driving circuit capable of driving a plurality of loads based on a priority order endowed therewith is provided. The load-driving circuit comprises a first load 3, a first driving switch 1 for driving the first load, a second load 4, a second driving switch 2 for driving the second load, first switching means 5 being turned on when the first driving switch is switched to a position where the first load is driven, second switching means 6 being turned on when the second driving switch is switched to a position where the second load is driven, and third switching means 7 for disconnecting the first load from the grounding terminal when the first switching means 5 and the second switching means 6 are turned on at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Tamura
  • Patent number: 6897625
    Abstract: A conveyor system for transported goods which are transported with a preset transport speed and method for operating the conveyor system are described. The individual conveyers of the system are driven by asynchronous motors. Sensors associated with the conveyors measure the actual transport speed of the transported goods on conveyors to determine the dependence of the actual transport speed on the load, such as the weight of the transported goods. A controller adjusts the speed of the conveyors based on the signals received from the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Wolfgang Brixius, Dominik Gräfer, Albrecht Hoene, Gerhard Hoffmann, Rainer Junk, Günther Spitzer, Friedrich Trautner
  • Patent number: 6891341
    Abstract: An aligning apparatus for a semiconductor device test handler is provided which reduces semiconductor device loading and unloading time. An exchange unit of the handler includes a pair of aligners which operate independently to continuously transfer devices to a test site of the handler for test, and then away from the handler upon completion of the test. Both horizontal and vertical movement of each of the aligners facilitates the loading and unloading of semiconductor devices. This aligning apparatus provides for simplified design and operation of the aligners, and improves loading and unloading speed, thereby enhancing test efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventor: Jae Hyuk Cho
  • Patent number: 6882121
    Abstract: In order to improve a control device for operating a load circuit having at least one electric motor, this control device comprising a control stage which generates a pulse width modulated control signal, a power stage supplying the load circuit and having an electronic switch activated by the pulse width modulated control signal, a freewheeling element connected in parallel to the load circuit and a blocking monitoring means which generates a measurement switch-off interval by suppressing at least one switch-on interval of the pulse width modulated control signal, monitors the voltage in the load circuit during the measurement switch-off interval, compares it to a limit value and generates a blocking state signal in accordance with the comparison, in such a manner that a differentiated analysis of the voltages occurring in the measurement switch-off interval is possible it is suggested that for monitoring at least two electric motors connected in parallel in the load circuit the blocking monitoring means car
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Alcoa Fujikura Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung
    Inventors: Dirk Herke, Thomas Kanamueller
  • Patent number: 6879118
    Abstract: A method for steering a motor vehicle with a steer-by-wire steering system. A setpoint is for the position of the steered wheels is generated from the steering wheel angle. A controlled difference is then generated between the setpoint and the actual value of the position of the steered wheel and the position of the steered wheel is then adjusted in accordance with the controlled difference. The steering wheel torque is then adjusted based on the torque's and/or forces prevailing between the steered wheels and a steering controller or based on a performance graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Chi-Thuan Cao, Petral Blessing
  • Patent number: 6876162
    Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for controlling the powering of electric drive motors (8) of a group of at least two machines (2, 3, 4), the motors operating in periodic motions, wherein the periodic motions are mutually coordinated in a manner so as to control a parameter which is representative of the operations of the machines. Parameters may include one or more of the sum of the electric power applied to the drive motors, the magnitude of the noise level generated by the machines and machine-caused vibrations. The drive motors of one machine may be controlled as a function of the periodic motion of the drive motor of the other machine, and power applied to one drive motor may be applied as a function of a mutually related drive motion of the machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Picanol N.V.
    Inventor: Walter Bilcke
  • Patent number: 6856106
    Abstract: An apparatus has a first H-bridge having a first motor contact on a shared first side and a second motor contact on a second side. The apparatus also has a half H-bridge having a third motor contact on a third side, wherein the shared first side of the first H-bridge and the third side of the half H-bridge may be operated as a second H-bridge. Another apparatus has a first H-bridge having a first motor contact on a shared first side and a second motor contact on a second side. The other apparatus also has a switch coupled to a third motor contact, wherein the shared first side of the first H-bridge and the switch may be operated as a partial H-bridge. A method of operating an alternate H-bridge and a method of flexibly using an H-bridge circuit on an ASIC are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Paul D. Bliley, William S. Eaton
  • Patent number: 6841953
    Abstract: A control for DC motors, in particular actuators driven by a DC motor for adjustment of furniture, such as tables, beds, chairs, etc. includes a pseudomotor which is capable of supplying a voltage that corresponds to the motor speed on the basis of the current and voltage supplied to the motor. The voltage of the pseudomotor is supplied to an adjustable power supply, where it is compared with an internal reference voltage and adjusts the voltage difference down to the smallest possible difference between the voltage of the pseudomotor and the internal reference voltage. For greater accuracy, the control additionally includes a compensation circuit configured to evaluate a dominating frequency in the commutator noise. Thus, there is provided a simple and low cost control for parallel running of two or more actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Linak A/S
    Inventor: Jeppe Bastholm
  • Publication number: 20040245954
    Abstract: An electronic triggering device for a two-motor wiper system with two electric motors is proposed, in which the triggering device includes a parallel circuit of three half bridges; one of the three half bridges intended for triggering both electric motors in common. A method for triggering such a triggering device is also proposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jochen Moench, Hartmut Krueger
  • Patent number: 6825634
    Abstract: A motion control system comprises a motion unit having a motor connected to an encoder and an amplifier. The motion control system further comprises a scalable motion controller connected to the motion unit wherein the scalable motion controller receives signals from the encoder and outputs signals to the amplifier. The scalable motion controller comprises a plurality of dip sockets arranged for inserting and removing one or more motion control processors and a connector interface comprising a plurality of male and female connectors arranged for stacking a plurality of motion controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Lockeed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Tatar, Michael D. Senger, Robert V. Rycroft
  • Patent number: 6819017
    Abstract: A device is presented having a multiplicity of motors connected to a shaft. A multiplicity of motor control devices are connected to the motors. A multiplicity of bearings are connected to the motors and the shaft. The multiplicity of motors, the multiplicity of motor control devices and the multiplicity of bearings continue to control the shaft rotation speed upon failure of either one of the multiplicity of motors, the multiplicity of motor control devices, or the multiplicity of bearings. Also presented is a device having at least one motor connected to a shaft. At least one bearing is connected to the at least one motor and the shaft. The at least one bearing has a multiplicity of rotating sleeves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Casey R. Winkel, Donovan D. Van Sleet, Robert J. Fite, Tomm V. Aldridge, Eyran Eylon
  • Patent number: 6819065
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the controlled dynamic braking of a DC motor in a tape transport device are provided. A PWM state device includes a plurality of state transition paths, each path having an initial state, representative of a tape profile, including a predetermined range of tape velocities, relative amounts of tape on each reel and an initial tape tension, and at least one subsequent state. When a low power event is detected, one of the state transition paths is selected, based upon a current tape profile, and an associated PWM signal is transmitted to the motor. An energy storage device provides power to the PWM state device during the low power event. The PWM signals follow the selected transition path to modulate the current generated by the motion of the motor and thereby create a decelerating force while substantially maintaining the initial tape tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines, (IBM) Corporation
    Inventors: James J. Howarth, James M. Karp, John A. Koski, Randy C. Inch
  • Patent number: 6815915
    Abstract: A device for supplying energy by means of a first DC voltage source e.g. in the form of a DC voltage bus, a drive system comprising several electric motors is connected to said DC voltage bus. The electric motors are comprised e.g. in a number of yarn feeding devices co-acting with a weft insertion system in a shuttleless weaving machine for producing a woven fabric having a multi-colour pattern. The electric motors operate with energy consumption function phases (start and acceleration) and with energy generating function phases (deceleration or braking). The first DC voltage source is associated with at least one second DC voltage source via a variable voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Aros Electronics AB
    Inventor: Jerker Hellstroem
  • Patent number: 6809494
    Abstract: There are provided a drive unit 50 having a connection part 52 while driving a motor 61, a control unit 40 having a connection part 48 while receiving a command from a host controller 30 and sending a command to the drive unit 50, a rack for providing a back panel 80 having connected parts 84, 85 for removably making electrical connection to the connection parts 48, 52 while accommodating the control unit 40 and the drive unit 50, and a DC voltage conversion part 14 for converting a DC voltage into an output using an AC voltage as an input while being provided in the back panel 80, and the drive unit 50 is provided with a capacitor 58 while being connected to an output of the DC voltage conversion part 14, and an inverter 59 for converting the DC voltage into an AC voltage based on the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Hattori, Koki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6809497
    Abstract: A drive unit for a brushless fan motor capable of easily controlling the rational speed of the motor without using PWM control. A power control circuit is provided for controlling the rational speed of the rotor by controlling the on/off operation of power feed semiconductor switch. The actual rotational speed of the rotor is compared with the target rotational speed. Based on the compared values, the turn-off time of the power feed semiconductor switch is controlled so that the rotational speed of the rotor may reach the target rotational speed fast and smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naruhiko Kudo, Masato Murata
  • Patent number: 6809484
    Abstract: A cooling system includes multiple cooling fans, each driven by a corresponding fan motor controller. Each fan motor controller includes electronic commutation circuitry that is responsive to a modulated signal to control the speed of the associated motor and fan. The controller for one motor includes a microcontroller that receives a single control signal from an external control unit and translates that control signal into the modulated signals provided to all of the other motor controllers. In one embodiment, the microcontroller can adjust the duty cycle of the modulated control signals, and can stagger the on-off times of the signals to minimize conducted RFI emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Makaran, Dragan Radakiovic
  • Publication number: 20040207345
    Abstract: A switching device for controlling at least two motors has a single converter, wherein the at least two motors are connected to the converter by a power line and a feedback line, respectively. At least one logic module is connected to the converter and evaluates signals received from the converter to generate a control signal for controlling the motors. The converter has an interface for selecting one of the motors to be controlled, wherein the interface is connected by a signal line to the at least one logic module. The power lines and the feedback lines each have a switch. The at least one logic module is adapted to switch with the control signal at least two of the switches for switching the respective power line and the respective feedback line of the motor to be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Applicant: Stober Antriebstechnik GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Tomas Kalender
  • Patent number: 6794834
    Abstract: An electric vehicle driven by electric motors is provided. The vehicle is switched between forward travel, neutral and reverse travel by a directional speed lever which allows adjustment of the vehicle speed. When the directional speed lever passes through a neutral region at a high speed during forward travel of the vehicle, the vehicle is controlled to shift to normal reverse operation after a lapse of a predetermined period of time since the rotational speed of the electric motors becomes zero, thereby to avoid application of a heavy load to drive circuits for the electric motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tsutomu Wakitani
  • Patent number: 6784629
    Abstract: A dual function solid state relay for a motor control includes four solid state switches and 6 terminals, wherein a set of 2 switches are for up operation allowing a current flow through a load in one direction and the other set of 2 switches are for down operation allowing the current flow through the load in the opposite direction. Out of 2 switches during up operation, one switch connects V+ to one end of the load and the other switch connects a Ground to the other end of the load. During down operation mode, the operation is similar to the up operation except that the voltage polarities connected to the each end of the load is reversed. Out of 6 terminals, 2 are for up and down inputs and 2 are for the outputs to the load and the remaining 2 are for V+ connection and Ground connection. In another embodiment, with the addition of a input signal control circuit to the dual function solid state relay, only one input signal from a push button switch is required for the both, up and down, operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Sang J. Choi
  • Patent number: 6774587
    Abstract: A motor circuit includes a first brush-type motor, a second brush-type motor, a switch, and a pulse width modulation circuit. The first brush-type motor has a first voltage connection and a second voltage connection, the second voltage connection adapted to be coupled to a source of DC voltage. The second brush-type motor has a third voltage connection and a fourth voltage connection, the fourth voltage connection adapted to be coupled to the source of DC voltage. The switch has a control input, a first contact and a second contact, the first contact coupled to the source of DC voltage, and the second contact coupled to the first voltage connection and the third voltage connection. The switch is operable to selectively connect the first contact to the second contact based on a voltage at the control input. The pulse width modulation circuit is operable to generate a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Makaran, Dragan Radavcovic
  • Patent number: 6774600
    Abstract: A matrix-connected driver for multiple two-phase motors includes circuit rows and columns of input and output connections for the phases of networked two-phase motors. Phases of multiple motors share the same input line and phases of multiple motors share the same output line but no motor phase shares both the same input and the same output. Buffers that may be transistors power each input and output line. The input and output lines may be alternatively positively powered high or grounded low using the buffers. In this fashion individual phases may be singly powered using selected pairs of the buffers without causing the other phases to be powered whether high or low. A processor such as a microprocessor drives the buffers. The usage of common input and output lines or otherwise referred to as columns and rows allows the same number of motors to be single phase mode driven with much less wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Richard L. Weinbrenner