Plural, Diverse Motor Controls Patents (Class 318/53)
  • Publication number: 20080309261
    Abstract: An electric drive fuel control system and method for controlling a total drive torque supplied to a fuel metering pump includes a first main drive motor, a second main drive motor, and a backup drive motor, all coupled to the fuel metering pump. The operability of a main motor control to control electric current supply to the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor is determined. If the main motor control is operable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from the backup motor and either the first main drive motor or the second main drive motor. If the main motor control is inoperable, the total drive torque to the fuel pump is supplied from only the backup drive motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Bruce Anson
  • Patent number: 7466087
    Abstract: A method and system for adaptively controlling a hybrid vehicle comprises a recorder for recording a historical load or duty cycle of vehicle during or after operation of the vehicle. A classifier classifies the historical load in accordance with a load category. A controller assigns at least one of a current control curve and a slew rate control curve associated with the load category for a defined time period after the recording of the historical load or if the vehicle is presently operating generally consistent with the load category. At least one of the current control curve and the slew rate control curve, or data representative thereof, are used to control an operation of an electric drive motor of the vehicle for the defined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: James William Musser
  • Patent number: 7429845
    Abstract: A stage assembly (220) that moves a work piece (200) a movement step (257) includes a first stage (238), a first mover assembly (242), a second stage (240), and a second mover assembly (244). The first mover assembly (242) moves the first stage (238) with a first acceleration profile (366) during the movement step (257) and the second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) with a second acceleration profile (368) during the movement step (257) that is different than the first acceleration profile. For example, the second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) during the movement step (257) with a higher maximum acceleration than the first mover assembly (242) moves the first stage (238) during the movement step (257). Further, the second mover assembly (244) moves the second stage (240) during the movement step (257) with a higher average acceleration than the first mover assembly (242) moves the first stage (238) during the movement step (257).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Binnard
  • Patent number: 7394629
    Abstract: A technique is provided for controlling operation of motors of different sized or ratings. Components used to apply and interrupt current to the motors may be shared in control devices for the different motors. The components may include contactors or circuit interrupters, and instantaneous trip devices. The components may be sized for the higher rated motors, and be oversized for the lower rated motors. Control circuitry permits the devices to be controlled in accordance with the characteristics of the particular motor to which the devices are applied, providing accurate circuit interruption while reducing the number of different components and component packages in a product family for the various motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Alan Plemmons, John Herman Blakely, Gregory A. Helton, Mark E. Innes, Ricky A. Hurley
  • Publication number: 20080018269
    Abstract: An electronic steering and control apparatus and related control methods for a pair of variable drive units. The variable drive units may be hydrostatic, continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), or other similar devices. The apparatus is shown in use with a vehicle that may include a mowing deck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Christopher K. Wyatt, Alan D. Goetzelmann, Ivan E. Fox, Andy Vogel, Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 7245100
    Abstract: A multiple axis servo control implements a multi-tasking PWM control unit to provide PWM signals for multiple axes in a single unit. A time slice mechanism provides axis selection signals based on a system clock signal to permit control parameters of the selected axis to be processed to control the selected motor drive axis. The single unit PWM control mechanism eliminates complex and costly multiple axis networks typically associated with independent servo motor controls for each axis in a multi-axis system. A single PWM unit implementation also permits the reduction of components for closed loop current control and closed loop velocity control in the multi-axis servo control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7230393
    Abstract: In response to detection of a skid of drive wheels based on an increase in angular acceleration ? of a rotating shaft of a motor, the control procedure of the invention refers to a map representing a variation in maximum torque Tmax against the angular acceleration ? and sets torque restriction of the motor to limit the torque level of the motor to the maximum torque Tmax corresponding to a peak value of the angular acceleration ?. When the torque restriction sufficiently lowers the angular acceleration ? to detect convergence of the skid, the control procedure cancels the torque restriction to a certain level of the maximum torque Tmax corresponding to a torque restoration limit ?1, which is set according to the degree of the skid. The torque restoration limit ?1 (that is, the maximum torque Tmax) is cancelled in a stepwise manner by a cancellation rate and a cancellation time corresponding to an additional accelerator depression relative to an accelerator opening at the time of detection of the skid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Hommi, Kiyotaka Hamajima, Mitsuhiro Nada
  • Patent number: 7208892
    Abstract: A floor care appliance is provided with an improved power management system for controlling the total amount of current provided to at least a first and a second load device of an appliance. The power management system is comprised of a microprocessor, an alternating current voltage source, a voltage regulating circuit, a clamping circuit, at least two load devices, and a MOC and a triac for each of the at least two load devices. The clamping circuit outputs a fixed voltage of 5.7 volts during the positive portion of the ac cycle and a fixed voltage of ?0.7 volts during the negative portion of the ac cycle. The fixed voltages are input to a microprocessor which utilizes these inputs to control the average voltage and the amount of time the current is turned on to each of the at least first and second load devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: The Hoover Company
    Inventors: Aaron P. Tondra, Evan A. Gordon, Adam C. Sclafani
  • Patent number: 7187142
    Abstract: A drive unit for controlling a motor includes a position feedback device and a velocity noise filter. The position feedback device is operable to generate a position signal relating to a position of the motor. The velocity noise filter is coupled to the position feedback device and operable to filter the position signal over a predetermined number of samples to generate a velocity feedback signal for the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas J. Rehm
  • Patent number: 7180253
    Abstract: A motion control system comprises control logic and a programming interface. The programming interface is configured to permit a user to specify a plurality of non-tangential path segments, and the control logic is configured to generate a plurality of additional connecting path segments substantially extending between and connecting the non-tangential path segments. The motion control system is configured to generate control signals to control operation of a plurality of motors to drive movement of a controlled element along a path defined by the non-tangential path segments and the additional connecting path segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen K. Weinhofer, Jatin P. Bhatt, William C. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 7173386
    Abstract: An apparatus for over current detection of a dual motor for use in a vehicle. This invention prevents each motor from burning out by more precisely detecting an over current of each motor in the dual motor within an overall drive area of the dual motor. This can be accomplished by setting, as an over current detection reference current, a predefined range between a normal current and a constraint current of each motor by drive input conditions of each use motor, detecting a current of each motor flowing in field effect transistor (FET) via a shunt resistor and a differential amplifier, and comparing the detected currents with the over current detection reference currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Halla, Ltd.
    Inventor: Young-Chang Jeon
  • Patent number: 7145300
    Abstract: A multiple axis servo control implements a multi-tasking PWM control unit to provide PWM signals for multiple axes in a single unit. A time slice mechanism provides axis selection signals based on a system clock signal to permit control parameters of the selected axis to be processed to control the selected motor drive axis. The single unit PWM control mechanism eliminates complex and costly multiple axis networks typically associated with independent servo motor controls for each axis in a multi-axis system. A single PWM unit implementation also permits the reduction of components for closed loop current control and closed loop velocity control in the multi-axis servo control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7145299
    Abstract: A master controller installed in a master controller box and slave controllers installed in car doors to open and close window glasses of a car are connected by a single wire to each of slave controllers for enabling to send control signals through such a single wire so that the master controller applies DOWN current signal, UP current signal and no flow of current to slave controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Noro, Toru Namiki, Kenji Shioiri
  • Patent number: 7132807
    Abstract: A model train on-board microprocessor provides basic lighting and motor operation and control. A socket provides a seamless instant remote control upgrade using industry standard remote control devices. The device provides new and useful functions and features for more prototypical operation by augmenting the industry standard remote control device capabilities. These new functions and features are made accessible from the remote control device companion transmitter with unique keypad sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Inventor: Jon F. Zahornacky
  • 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: 7069923
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method of automatically operating a fan motor when a grill is used in a downdraft gas range and, more particularly, an apparatus and method of enabling a user to arbitrarily adjust the wind during automatic fan motor operation. The present invention is configured to be able to adjust the speed of the fan motor by variously operating the state of the fan switch during the use of the grill. The downdraft gas range is capable of controlling the speed of the fan motor during the automatic operation by automatically operating the fan motor even when the fan switch is open during the use of the grill and enabling the user to select the speed of the fan motor during the use of the grill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Paseco Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yeon-Soo Seong
  • Patent number: 6992453
    Abstract: An actuator control system restrains hindrance to an object under control by an interfering substance that exists on its traveling path when the object is moved toward a target position on one axis while the object has been positioned at a target position on the other axis. A selection controller sets a switching function setting parameter (VPOLE_sl) so that a disturbance suppressing capability level is lower at a set value (VPOLE_sl_l) at time (t31˜) when a shift arm is moved in a shifting direction by a shift controller than at a set value (VPOLE_sl_h) at time (˜t31) when the shift arm is moved in a selecting direction to be set at a certain gearshift position (|VPOLE_sl_h|<|VPOLE_sl_l|).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Kanako Shimojo
  • Patent number: 6991051
    Abstract: An improved battery powered four wheel multi-speed all electric motor car, used to move personnel and powered by two multi-wound electric motors connected in tandem so that by engaging the controls three speeds may be achieved. The forward and reverse of the vehicle is accomplished by moving a forward and reverse switch before staring the vehicle by engaging the operating switch. The electrical supply for the vehicle is furnished by batteries charged by a standby rectifier when vehicle is not in use and with solar panel and fuel cell interfacing during daytime operation and the quick removable batteries and hydrogen tanks at exchange stations, if desired by the operator of the vehicle, adds to the uniqueness of our invention by adding to the art of unlimited speed and distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventors: Edward LeRoy Swindell, Stephen Galatti, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6815920
    Abstract: A controller for a motor is provided. The motor includes N redundant M-phase rotor/stator combinations (where N and M are both integers greater than 1). The controller includes N driver circuits each having M outputs. Each of the M outputs of a respective one of the N driver circuits provides pulse-width modulated (PWM) current pulses to a corresponding phase winding in a respective one of the redundant M-phase rotor/stator combinations. Furthermore, the controller includes a control unit operatively coupled to the N driver circuits for providing phase spacing between the N driver circuits. As a result, current pulses provided by the N driver circuits to a same phase winding in each of the redundant M-phase rotor/stator combinations are offset in phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Donald A. Neuhaus
  • Publication number: 20040217721
    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: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventor: Daniele C. Brotto
  • Publication number: 20040124794
    Abstract: A switch apparatus of the invention can avoid contact damage without inviting a drastic increase in a size even when applied to a high power source voltage and does not deteriorate return feeling to a neutral state. The switch apparatus includes a switch A for cutting off connection between one side driving input of a DC motor and a negative plate side power source, a switch B for cutting off connection between the other side driving input and the negative plate side power source, and a switch C for cutting off connection between the one side driving input and the positive plate side power source and connection between the other side driving input and the positive plate side power source, wherein the switch A and the switch B are normally-closed type switches and the switch C is a normally-open type switch. The switch C is opened at a predetermined time before the switch A or the switch B is closed, and cuts off in advance a power source route to avoid the occurrence of dead short-circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Keiichi Shimizu, Yasuhide Tanaka, Kiyotaka Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6724161
    Abstract: The invention concerns an improvement of a drive system of a color image forming apparatus. The color image-forming apparatus includes a plurality of image-forming elements; a plurality of first driving motors, each of which corresponds to each of the image-forming elements, to drive the plurality of image-forming elements; an intermediate transfer element that is disposed opposite the plurality of image-forming elements; a second driving motor to drive the intermediate transfer element; and a controlling section to control the plurality of first driving motors and the second driving motor. In the color image-forming apparatus, the controlling section controls the plurality of first driving motors and the second driving motor independently of each other, so that a first peripheral speed of each of the image-forming elements coincides with a second peripheral speed of the intermediate transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventors: Tadayuki Ueda, Hiroyuki Maruyama, Kenji Izumiya, Ryuji Okutomi, Eiji Nishikawa, Satoshi Ogata, Shinobu Kishi
  • Patent number: 6573671
    Abstract: A computer system or other electronic system includes a plurality of cooling fans configured to operate in parallel. The cooling fans are operated in a manner to decrease the operating time of a fan. The cooling fans can alternate in operation. Thus, operating time is more equally divided between the two cooling fans and the hours of operation and number of rotations of the fans is more nearly equal. In an embodiment to reduce noise, two fans run at a lower speed instead of one fan at a higher speed. In an embodiment, a fan operates with a reduced speed which maintains a desired operating temperature. In an embodiment a thermal table is stored in BIOS (basic/input output system).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Adolfo S. Montero, Hasnain Shabbir
  • Patent number: 6404150
    Abstract: An electric vehicle accessory motor drive power supply system (40) that utilizes a single power supply design to provide efficient variable speed motor control to both brushless and brush-type DC motors (42,44). The power supply system includes at least one of each type of motor along with a first DC-DC converter (46) that provides operating power to the brushless motor (42) and a second DC-DC converter (48) that provides operating power to the brush-type motor (44). Both converters (46,48) have a power input (52) connected to the electric vehicle's high voltage bus (50) and each includes a data input (54) for receiving a speed control signal (SC) indicative of desired motor speed, as well as an output (56) for providing a motor drive signal to its associated DC motor (42,44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Malakondaiah Naidu, Avoki Omekanda, Anita B. Rao, Lateef A. Kajouke, Mark M. Osugi
  • Patent number: 6288505
    Abstract: A method for controlling a motorized balancing transporter that has two wheels in contact with the ground in normal operation. A signal substantially proportional to the shaft velocity is produced, and, at a rate less than 200 times per second, a voltage is calculated based at least on the shaft velocity signal and a specified transporter velocity and a voltage is applied to the motor based on the calculated voltage. A method is also provided for yaw control of the motorized balancing transporter that includes calculating a command to a motor amplifier based on balancing requirements of the transporter and augmenting the command to the motor amplifier based on a specified direction of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Deka Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: John David Heinzmann, John B. Morrell, George B. Yundt
  • Patent number: 6281645
    Abstract: A motor control system includes a processor having a clock output terminal for outputting clock pulses in desired cycles, a plurality of motors, and a plurality of motor drivers which are provided one for each motor and drive the corresponding motors on the basis of the clock pulses input into the motor drivers through their respective clock input terminals. The clock input terminals of the motor drivers are connected to the clock output terminal of the processor in common with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Riso Kagaku Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichi Matsukawa
  • Patent number: 6252234
    Abstract: The present invention provides a structure for isolating the reaction forces generated by a planar motor. Specifically, the fixed portion of the reaction motor, which is subject to reaction forces, is structurally isolated from the rest of the system in which the planar motor is deployed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the fixed portion of the planar motor is separated from the rest of the system and coupled to ground. The rest of the system is isolated from ground by deploying vibration isolation means. Alternatively or in addition, the fixed portion of the planar motor may be structured to move (e.g., on bearings) in the presence of reaction forces, so as to absorb the reaction forces with its inertia. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the fixed portion of the planar motor and the article to be moved are supported by the same frame, with the fixed portion of the planar motor movable on bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew J. Hazelton, Keiichi Tanaka, Yutaka Hayashi, Nobukazu Ito
  • Patent number: 6118234
    Abstract: A double pole, double throw switching arrangement for effecting dynamic rotor braking of user controlled operation of a reversible direct current servo motor. Two columns of stationary center and oppositely disposed side contacts are disposed in spaced parallel arrangement on the switch base. One side contact in one column is connected to the opposite side contact in the other column and to the B+ supply. The remaining side contacts in each column are connected to a ground strap having a portion disposed for wiping contact. A pair of commonly user actuated moveable contact members are disposed for sliding contact with each column of contacts. The center contact in each column is connected to one end of a separate forward and reverse motor coil. In the neutral position both motor coil contacts are grounded. User movement of the common actuator in one direction simultaneously causes the moveable contact members to keep one motor coil grounded and connect the other motor coil to B+.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Michael T. Marcellus, Anthony J. Novelle, G. Scott Grafer
  • Patent number: 6069465
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control system (1) for light regulating devices such as blinds or shades. The control system comprises a control unit (6, 6') for connecting to a motor drive (7) of a light regulating device. The control unit comprises a first input (18) for receiving motor control data along a data supply line (9, 9"). A second input (17, 26, 26') is provided for receiving decentralized user commands for altering the position of the light regulating device. The control system is characterized in that the control unit (6, 6'), by means of an external command input (25') can be set into either a slave mode in which data can only be received or into a master mode in which data can be received and transmitted along the data supply line (9, 9'). Hereby any light regulating device can be selected as a master device for controlling the blinds in the same group. Preferably the command input of the control unit comprises a manually operatable switch such as a dip switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Hunter Douglas International N.V.
    Inventors: Karl de Boois, Nicolaas Simon Nootebos
  • Patent number: 5936375
    Abstract: A method for energy storage and recovery for load hoisting equipment driven by an inverter controlled first induction motor and having a second inverter controlling a second induction motor which drives a flywheel whereby, utilizing rest power such as reverse power from the first induction motor when lowering a load and unused power at small load or idle to accelerate rotation of a flywheel, whereby energy is stored, and the system is reversed when a load is lifted and power is consumed whereby the flywheel causes the second motor to generate power and deliver it to the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Paceco Corp.
    Inventor: Masamitsu Enoki
  • Patent number: 5896016
    Abstract: Ferries in particular may have identical drives at the bow and stern in order to avoid turning the ship when the direction of travel changes. Normally, when travelling, the rotation speed of the front screw is selected to be lower than the rotation speed of the rear screw. According to the invention, minimum-value regulation of the sum of the recorded real power levels of both drive systems is used for efficiency optimization. In the case of the associated arrangement, a regulator (10) is provided, with the real power levels of both drives as input variables, that rotation speed of the bow screw at which the sum of the real power levels is a minumum being determined in the regulator (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Bayer
  • Patent number: 5796220
    Abstract: An automated drafting system particularly suitable for drafting textile strands of sliver is provided. The automated drafting system includes a synchronous drive sliver drafting roller system utilizing toothed gears in the preferred embodiment operatively connecting a pair of drafting rollers with one of the rollers being directly driven by a motor to thereby cause identical rotation of both rollers. The automated drafting system also includes a system for securing and pressuring together upper and lower sliver drafting rollers wherein the lower roller of a pair of drafting rollers is preferably maintained in a fixed but rotational position while the upper roller of the pair is pressured towards the lower roller and controllably restricted as to both horizontal and vertical movement during the drafting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Timothy G. Clapp, Jon P. Rust, Carlos Farrington, Dale Thomas Bowen
  • Patent number: 5712540
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling motors of an air conditioner comprises a converter circuit having switching circuitry for converting AC power to DC power and setting an input voltage of an input alternating current waveform to a sine wave of the same phase as that of an input voltage, first and second brushless motors for driving a compressor and a blower, first and second inverter circuits for converting the converted DC power to AC power and supplying AC power to the first and second brushless motors, and a microcomputer for controlling the compressor and the blower of the air conditioner. The microcomputer is constructed in such a manner that input and output operations which are necessary to control the air conditioner are executed for input and output circuits, thereby controlling at least the compressor and the blower of the air conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Koichi Toda, Yoshio Ogawa
  • Patent number: 5559415
    Abstract: A redundant active hand controller system has first and second motors connected to a common shaft. A compensator which differentiates a motor command signal from a first proportional and integral controller, differentiates a motor command signal from a second proportional and integral controller and subtracts the first differentiated motor command signal from the second differentiated motor command signal to provide a correction signal. The correction signal is summed with the error signal into the first proportional and integral controller to correct for slight differences in the integral control function of the first and second proportional and integral controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: William W. Gregory, Wayne E. Lance, Jeffrey W. Hegg
  • Patent number: 5517092
    Abstract: In a drive arrangement of a motor vehicle in which the wheels of the motor vehicle are driven by separate electric motors and the electric motors are powered via a d.c. voltage intermediate circuit by a generator arrangement driven by an internal combustion engine, the speed of the internal combustion engine and individual wheels is sensed by speed sensing circuits which respond to pulse signals of commutator circuits of the generator arrangement and electric motors. The commutator circuits generate the pulse signals depending on position transmitters which are arranged at the generator arrangement and at the electric motors. In this way, the speeds can be sensed with great accuracy exclusively on the basis of already existing components of the drive arrangement. In particular, the speed sensing means cooperate with an antilock braking system (ABS) and a drive slip regulating system (ASR).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Adler, Hans-Jurgen Drexl, Dieter Lutz, Franz Nagler, Martin Ochs, Stefan Schiebold, Hans-Joachim Schmidt-Brucken, Wolfgang Thieler, Michael Wagner, Holger Westendorf, Rainer Wychnanek
  • Patent number: 5473225
    Abstract: An electric motor vehicle control apparatus has a control circuit which includes a slip/slide detection circuit. A minimum value among the wheel speeds is used to determine a slip condition whereas a maximum value is used to determine a slide condition. A control signal controlling each of the motors driving the wheels may thus be adjusted for the detected slip or slide condition. The control signal may also be generated based on different diameter wheels resulting from frictional induced diameter variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Akira Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 5420485
    Abstract: A system and method for initializing a plurality of mechanical elements of a machine includes a plurality of housings and an uncoordinated motion controller. The housings are coupled to the mechanical elements and include at least a motor controller electrically connected to a motor. Each of the motor controllers have an associated position sensing component for sensing the position of the associated mechanical element along one axis. The uncoordinated motion controller instructs the motor controllers to operate its associated motor until the associated mechanical element reaches an initialization position. The velocity and acceleration profile of the respective motors are independent of each other, such that each of the motors moves its associated mechanical element in uncoordinated motion until each mechanical element reaches its initialization position. A multi-node daisy chained data bus electrically connects the uncoordinated motion controlling means and the motor controllers in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Forcam Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Campbell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5410230
    Abstract: A system for conditioning air in a space by heating or cooling the air to change its temperature. A thermostat located within the space generates a two state temperature signal having a cyclic parameter which corresponds to the temperature of the air in the space as it rises and falls. A compressor supplies refrigerant to a heat exchanger by means of which changes are made in the temperature of the air. A variable speed motor drives the compressor in response to a motor control signal. A controller responds to the temperature signal and senses the cyclic parameter of the temperature signal. The controller generates the motor control signal as a function of the sensed cyclic parameter whereby the motor control signal is provided to the motor to control the torque or speed of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Warren F. Bessler, John M. Hooker, Rajendra K. Shah
  • Patent number: 5345155
    Abstract: An electric vehicle control system, according to the present invention, comprises at least two electric motors for independently driving left and right wheels of the vehicle, power supply unit for supplying power to the motors, unit for detecting command entered by a driver of the vehicle and driving operational amount provided for the vehicle, unit for detecting output torques of the two motors, unit for calculating a motor speed difference command signal for making the two output torques consistent with each other, unit for calculating a vehicle speed command signal for the vehicle on the basis of detected command and the driving operational amount, unit for calculating motor speed command signals for respective of the motors on the basis of calculated motor speed difference command signal and the vehicle speed command signal, unit for detecting actual speeds of the two motors, and control unit for voltage controlling supply power from the power supply unit to the motors so that the detected actual speeds o
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Automotive Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryoso Masaki, Yuusuke Takamoto, Sanshiro Obara, Hirohisa Yamamura, Hiroyuki Yamada
  • Patent number: 5248922
    Abstract: A motion controller, which is adaptable to a variety of different motors, provides motor control signals to the motors of a multi-axis coordinated system as a function of position and velocity commands from a host computer. The motion controller configures the motor control signals to be compatible to the particular motors being driven based upon motor identification instructions from the host computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Motion Control Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Saeid Meshkat
  • Patent number: 5241250
    Abstract: A servomotor control system for multi-axes in which a single servo-amplifier can operate m rotational speed control loops and m current control loops as well for m servomotors simultaneously, where m is a predetermined integer greater than unity, while a single positioning controller with a signal teaching box can handle n servo-amplifiers in parallel, where n is a predetermined integer greater than unity, thereby mn servomotors in total can be controlled by a single system. In the system of the invention, the multiple servomotors can be divided into groups each including up to six servomotors to be controlled as a group and independently from servomotors belonging to other groups. The system of the invention can easily be expanded by a minimum addition of servo-amplifiers and/or positioning controllers to include servomotors more than mn, in which addition of one or more teaching boxes is possible whenever they become necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiaki Nagasawa, Koichiro Chaen, Makoto Suzuki, Shigeo Kobayashi, Minoru Kobayashi, Hidenori Koga
  • Patent number: 5221880
    Abstract: An underground mining vehicle has a solid state electronic motor controller for controlling the operation of a brushless D.C. motor. A switching network is connected between a high voltage bus and portions of a stator winding for delivering current to portions of the stator winding. A first transducer produces a first group of feedback signals representative of the position and speed of the rotor. A second transducer produces a second group of feedback signals representative of the current delivered to the motor. A speed control is provided which produces an input signal representative of the desired speed of the vehicle. An electronic circuit, responsive to the input signal, the first group of feedback signals, and the second group of feedback signals, produces control signals. The control signals are input to the switching network to control the application of current to the portions of the stator winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Balco, Inc.
    Inventors: Jess Bartholow, Michael L. Bartholow
  • Patent number: 5167401
    Abstract: A hoist drive for a double hoist carrying member having a hold hoist drum, a hold rope connected to the hold hoist drum and from which the carrying member is suspended, and a hold motor for rotating the hold hoist drum to raise and lower the carrying member. The hoist drive further includes a close hoist drum, a close rope connected to the close hoist drum and from which the carrying member is suspended, and a close motor for rotating the close hoist drum to raise and lower the carrying member. During raising of the carrying member, the hold and close motors are each supplied with a.c. power at different preselected frequencies. The hold and close motors each operate along a first pair of intersecting frequency to torque curves during a raising operation in which the hold motor curve is steeper than the close motor curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Harnischfeger Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. James, Robert H. Reuss
  • Patent number: 5012165
    Abstract: A conveyance (10) is provided with automatic limiting (223) of the rate of change in power supplied to first (26a or 232a) and second (26b) motors, whether the motors are electrical or hydraulic; and dynamic braking of electric motors (26a and 26b) is achieved by shorting a motor winding (150a) during a portion (233a) of an interval (217a) between power pulses (207a) of a pulse-width-modulated driving voltage (209a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Inventors: Lloyd L. Lautzenhiser, John L. Lautzenhiser
  • Patent number: 5006766
    Abstract: A motorized window operator for opening and closing a window having a mechanical drive system including a rotatable drive axle. A housing contains a motor which is in operative engagement with a gear train having an output gear. The output gear is engageable with an engagement means mounted upon the drive axle of the window. For engaging the output gear train with the engagement means, operation of the motor will rotate the drive axle to either open or close the window according to desire. The gear train is dissengageable from the engagement means which at the same time dissengages power to the motor. The drive axle can then be manually operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1991
    Assignee: Rolscreen Company
    Inventors: Ralph G. Yuhas, William H. Birmingham
  • Patent number: 4956588
    Abstract: This invention relates to an attachable hand-operated/automatic dual usage venetian blind controller which can be attached to an existing venetian blind to set the blades of such a venetian blind together at any angle or to draw up the blades together to one side of the window by means of infrared remote control so as to regulate the light and air passing through. During power failure, the venetian blind can be controlled through hand operation without removing the controller. The controller of this invention is generally comprised of two DC motor and speed reducing gear set assemblies, two guide wheels, two pressure wheels, a beading cord driving wheel, a pull cord driving wheel, an infrared receiver control circuit, and an infrared transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Inventor: Nien Ming
  • Patent number: 4871953
    Abstract: A rear-view mirror system for a motor vehicle comprises a mirror housing, a reflective member mounted in the housing, electrically operated drive means for varying the orientation of the reflective member, a position sensor for producing a signal indicating the actual position of the reflective member, and a data processor comprising means for storing a value indicating a pre-selected orientation for the reflective member and means for comparing said value with the signal from the position sensor and producing a control signal for the drive means. The data processor includes a decoder and is located in the housing and is connected to an encoder at a central location, the encoder being arranged to send a multiplicity of data signals to the processor on a common data transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Britax Wingard Limited
    Inventor: Christopher J. Anstee
  • Patent number: 4841203
    Abstract: A permanent magnet direct-current gearhead motor is supported by a base member so that its output gear motion is transmitted to a splined steering shaft which descends and is attached to the electric trolling motor itself. The transmission of motion between the gearhead motor and the spline gear on the upper end of the steering shaft may utilize a larger intermediate gear so that limit switches can be installed thereon to limit the range of rotation of the gears, and thus of the trolling motor itself. The direction of the gearhead motor rotation is dependent on the polarity of the direct current applied; the desired polarity being established through by button-type switches connected through a double throw, double pole direct current relay which is housed on the base member, adjacent to the gearhead motor. The button switches may be positioned at a multiple number of different locations within the boat, wherever desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: David A. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 4829217
    Abstract: A safety device for use in a recording apparatus controls the on/off operation and prevents the malfunction of motors for driving a gear flange to rotate a light sensitive drum and for driving an actuating gear and other driving members in accordance with a signal indicative of the reference rotational frequency received from an oscillator and a signal indicative of the rotational frequency of each motor. A motor control circuit is used including motor drivers for controlling the operation of said motors and a fault detection circuit for detecting the malfunction of said motors by comparing an adder output indicative of said motors' rotational frequencies with threshold values in a comparator, thereby ascertaining the long-term use of the light sensitive drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Kameyama, Ken Miyagi
  • Patent number: 4667136
    Abstract: An improved drive circuit for steering a motorized wheelchair. A control mechanism produces right and left drive signals to respective right and left wheel drive motors. These right and left drive signals are amplified by right and left amplifiers to provide the necessary magnitude power signal to the motors. The input to the amplifiers are cross-coupled so that each amplifier will amplify its own input signal plus a portion of the cross-coupled input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1987
    Assignee: Gordon W. Rosenberg
    Inventor: John Bell