Digital Or Numerical Systems Patents (Class 318/600)
  • Publication number: 20100123422
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a motor drive is provided that includes a control board and one or more option boards coupled to the control board via one or more serial interfaces such that data from the one or more option boards is communicated via one or more synchronous interrupts on the one or more serial interfaces. A method of operating a motor drive that includes transmitting one or more signals from an option board to a control board via one or more synchronous interrupts, wherein the option board is coupled to the control board via a serial interface. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Campbell, John Howard Stuedemann, John Michael Keller, Calvin C. Steinweg, Paul Thomas Krause, Peter John Halpin
  • Publication number: 20100123424
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a motor drive is provided that includes a control board and a plurality of option boards configured to communicate with the control board via one or more serial interfaces, wherein the one or more serial interfaces are configured to transfer one or more synchronized signals from each option board. A method of operating a motor drive that includes transferring data between a control board and a plurality of option boards over one or more serial interfaces, wherein the transfer of data from each option board is synchronized with the plurality of option boards. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alan J. Campbell, John Howard Stuedemann
  • Publication number: 20100123423
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a motor drive is provided that includes a control board and an option board coupled to the control board via a serial interface, wherein the option board includes a configurable data transfer rate. A method of operating a motor drive that includes configuring a transfer rate of an option board coupled to a control board via a serial interface. A tangible machine-readable medium implementing the method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Campbell, John Howard Stuedemann, John Michael Keller
  • Publication number: 20100123425
    Abstract: Multiple motor drives are synchronized to permit complex coordination in operation. Each motor drive includes a control circuit coupled to functional circuits that are separately supported and linked to the control circuit via dedicated serial interfaces. The control circuit generates interrupts for coordinated transfer and collection of data from all functional circuits. Each drive includes a synchronization counter, and all synchronization counters are linked via a network link. The synchronization counters synchronized clocks of each control circuit. The interrupts, and consequent data transfer and collection are thus synchronized between all drives based on the synchronization of the clocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan J. Campbell, John Howard Stuedemann, John Michael Keller
  • Patent number: 7710060
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing systems provided with redundant actuators of the type comprising at least a first system operating according to a first set of variables, representative of a physical quantity to be controlled and a second system operating according to a second set of said variables, representative of a physical quantity to be controlled, said first set of variables and second set of variables identifying one or more redundant variables. The method comprises the operations of commanding the actuators of the system through a numeric control unit and a servo control module to follow trajectories of the variables as a function of a set sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignees: Prima Industrie S.p.A., Sintesi ScpA
    Inventors: Matteo Cardinale, Emanuele Carpanzano, Massimiliano Carracoi, Michele De Chirico, Antonella Lacasella, Saverio Masotti, Ernesto Mininno
  • Patent number: 7696712
    Abstract: A motor controller employs absolute encoder signals to periodically assess the existence of cumulative error in a position signal derived from an incremental encoder signal. In one embodiment the absolute encoder signals are extracted from commutation switches of the motor eliminating the need for a separate absolute encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark R. Cooper, Thomas D. Lundell
  • Publication number: 20090309532
    Abstract: A displacement detecting method of the present invention includes the steps of driving a moving part 3 using a drive unit 1, detecting a displacement amount 6 (detected angle ?m?) of the moving part 3 using a displacement detector 5, correcting the displacement amount 6 (detected angle ?m?) using a displacement correction table so that a displacement velocity (d?m?/dt) of the displacement amount 6 (detected angle ?m?) detected by the displacement detector 5 is constant, and detecting a displacement amount (detected angle ?m?) corrected by the displacement correction table as the displacement amount of the moving part 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinji Ueda
  • Patent number: 7620462
    Abstract: A robust digital controller is equipped with a high degree of approximation and is able to incorporate a novel two-degree-of-freedom robust digital control system without substantially considering the magnitude of the control inputs and there is provided its designing device. A control compensating means is configured as an integral type control system in which a discrete transfer function Wry (z) between a target value r and a controlled variable y is approximated to a higher-approximate quadratic approximate model transfer function Wm (z) and an arithmetic processing can be performed within the digital controller based on the model transfer function Wm (z). Further, the designing device automatically calculates parameters constituting the control system. Consequently, a robust digital controller can be easily realized that is equipped with a high degree of approximation as compared with a conventional approximate digital control system for realizing a first-order model and is robust against output noises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignees: University of Electro-Communications, Kabushiki Kaisha Campuscreate, TDK-Lambda Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Higuchi, Kazushi Nakano, Tatsuyoshi Kajikawa, Eiji Takegami, Kazushi Watanabe, Satoshi Tomioka
  • Publication number: 20090232333
    Abstract: An audio output apparatus is provided. The audio output apparatus includes: a vibration member, a vibrator, a vibrator positioning unit, and a vibrator-depth positioning unit. The vibration member vibrates to output a sound. The vibrator is in contact with the vibration member and detachably attached thereto to allow the vibration member to vibrate in response to an input audio signal. The vibrator positioning unit controls a contact position between the vibrator and the vibration member. The vibrator-depth positioning unit adjusts a position of the vibrator in the direction of being pressed against the vibration member and brought into contact with the vibration member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro KONDO, Akihiko ARIMITSU, Junichi SHIMA, Takuro EMA
  • Publication number: 20090218979
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an optical head moving control apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention includes a stepping motor configured to be rotationally driven by a two-phase excitation scheme to move an optical head in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and a motor driver configured to control stop and resumption of rotational driving of the stepping motor at a plurality of electrical angles different from a plurality of electrical angles corresponding to a plurality of two-phase excitation points at which the absolute values of driving voltages of two phases supplied to the stepping motor are equal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Hideo YAMASAKI, Masanori KOSAKI
  • Publication number: 20090195206
    Abstract: A table containing correspondence between “n” and “m” is set in a control circuit of a servo control system so that the current command data in the m-th (m=1, 2, 3 . . . ) current command register is assigned to the n-th (n=1, 2, 3 . . . ) servo amplifier. When data is specified in this table to satisfy “n=m”, the current command data in the n-th current command register is passed to the n-th servo amplifier. When “m=1” is set for “n=1” and “m=1” is set for “n=2” in this table, the current command data stored in the first current command register is passed to the first and second servo amplifiers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Kazunari AOYAMA, Kunitaka KOMAKI, Yasuharu AIZAWA
  • Patent number: 7570006
    Abstract: A computer (20) that determines a sequence of control vectors (16) using predetermined functional instructions. Each vector includes a number of vector elements (17). Each vector element (17) is designed for a maximum of one final drive unit (2 to 4) of a machine (1). Each control vector (16) comprises at least one vector element (17) for each final drive unit (2 to 4) of the machine (1). There is at least one positioning element (s*) for each final drive unit (2 to 4). The computer (20) stores the determined sequence of control vectors (16) as a control file (11). Once the file has been transmitted to a control unit (6) of the machine (1), the control unit retrieves the control file (11) and executes the stored sequence of control vectors (16). The control unit staggers the execution of successive control vectors (16) by a predetermined clock interval (delta t).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Jochen Bretschneider
  • Patent number: 7564208
    Abstract: A system for controlling an electric motor comprises, in one embodiment, an encoder; a central processor in communication with said encoder; a module processor in communication with said central processor; feedback circuitry in communication with said module processor, wherein said encoder is an electronic device that provides rotor and stator positional information to said central processor, and further comprising a user interface in communication with said central processor, wherein said user interface enables a user to select preferred operational parameters for an electric motor. Another embodiment comprises a method for controlling an electric motor, comprising: determining rotor position based on data received from an encoder; determining how to energize stator coils; directing a power module to provide appropriate current to appropriate coils; and monitoring rotor response, wherein determining how to energize stator coils comprises consulting a look-up table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Xidem, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Bailey, Kyle J. Bunch
  • Patent number: 7560889
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for a digital servo system with moving average filter (Amovavf 1, Amovavf 2),which is used as an input filter for a digital signal processor of the servo system to shorten processing delay, which improves the stability of the control loop and/or allow a fast servo signal processing, which improve the overall servo signal control performance. Said input filter provides average values of samples provided from an analog digital converter (ADC) at a frequency corresponding to a sample frequency (fADC) of the analog digital converter (ADC) and has an adjustable filter length (n), which is determined according to a quality of detector signals indicating a deviation from a target of servo means of the servo system. The invention is e.g. applicable for a fast digital servo system in an optical disc drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Stefan Kimmelmann
  • Patent number: 7525277
    Abstract: The command-transmitting device comprises control buttons (11, 12) and a movable control element (2b) movable in two directions along a theoretical axis of operation (D1), these control buttons and this movable control element being arranged on a first face (24) of the transmitting device, in which device the buttons (11, 12) are positioned outside of an exclusion zone (A) defined by two straight lines (C1, C2) intersecting in the center of the movable element and forming an angle (?) of 60°, the bisector of which is parallel to the theoretical axis of operation, and by a circle (21) whose center is on the center of the movable element and whose circumference is separated from the latter by a distance (d) of 20 mm, and the buttons (11, 12) controlling the movements of the slats in opposite directions are arranged on either side of the movable element (2b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Somfy SAS
    Inventors: Alain Bejean, Norbert Dupielet, Olivier Poulet
  • Patent number: 7501779
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a turret servo control device with an overriding function and control method thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae Jung Seong, Nak Won Choi, Hong Cheol Sin, Myoung Soo Oh
  • Patent number: 7480541
    Abstract: A numerical controller capable of operating an auxiliary function at a target time or spindle position in performing operation based on table format data. An auxiliary function table is stored with auxiliary function commands M to be outputted corresponding to commanded reference times Lc and their corresponding operation delay times D. A reference time L is updated based in accordance with an override value. An auxiliary function command M and its corresponding operation delay time D are read from the auxiliary function table. The delay time D is corrected with the override value, and a reference time prior to a commanded reference time Lc by a margin equivalent to the corrected delay time is set as a command time Lr. If an override is entered, the delay time is corrected for the override amount and modified into an overridden reference time unit, and a command time for an auxiliary function is obtained and outputted based on the reference time unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Takahiko Endo, Yasushi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7477965
    Abstract: A twisted wire actuator, whereby the shortening of the length of a wire or a bundle of wires, as it is twisted, is used to control the motion of an actuated element, achieving sub-micron motion resolution. The control can be performed robotically. The high resolution can be achieved without the use of gears, sliders, or high precision lead screws, thus enabling a simplified actuation system and eliminating sources of friction. The use of wires operating in opposing directions and having oppositely directed rotations significantly reduces the non-linearity effect inherent in twisted wire actuation, resulting in a system having a good level of motion linearity as a function of control input impulse. The use of multiple twisted wires attached to the actuated element at different angles, enables the implementation of robotic systems with multiple degrees of freedom. Several experimental actuators verify these results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Moshe Soham
  • Publication number: 20090009126
    Abstract: Initial speeds in the move commands for respective control axes at servo-on are determined according to parameter setting, or the comparative relationship or difference in speed among the actual speeds of the control axes so that difference in position between the control axes does not increase as the move commands are executed after the servo-on. The actual speeds of the control axes are set as initial speeds in the move commands, and a target axis is specified on the basis of the comparative relationship among their actual speeds and the other control axes are accelerated or decelerated at the acceleration or deceleration rate specified in the move commands to attain the position and speed of the target axis, so that differences in position and speed among the control axes are gradually decreased as the move commands are executed after the servo-on, thereby preventing abrupt speed changes and suppressing mechanical shocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Tetsuo HISHIKAWA, Takashi Idei
  • Patent number: 7468593
    Abstract: In industrial complexes and power stations a main source of power is connected to a motor bus to which motors and other loads are connected. In such systems an auxiliary source of power is provided to alternatively provide electric energy to the motor bus should the main source of power be interrupted. In the prior art digital system, samples are taken of the motor bus and auxiliary system voltage waveform with a fixed time window to predict the proper time for closing the breaker. The present invention improves on the prior art by applying the concept of an adaptive time window wherein the number of samples taken during each cycle to obtain the operating parameters is increased as the frequency decreases. This provides more accurate parameters for calculating the point for closing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Beckwith Electric Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Murty V. V. S. Yalla, Chengbin Hou
  • Publication number: 20080309277
    Abstract: In a system for driving a mobile robot having a body, a plurality of legs each comprising a thigh link and a shank link, a first electric motor and a second motor for driving the thigh link in a forwarding direction, a power line connecting a power source to the first and the second motors, and a motor driver that supplies drive voltage to the first and second motors, a booster that boosts the drive voltage to be supplied to the first and second motors is provided such that the booster and the motor driver are installed in the thigh link where the first and second motors are installed, thereby enabling to satisfy both the low-voltage demand and high-voltage demand and to supply drive voltage to the motors effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Tsukasa Sugino, Masakazu Kawai, Kenro Udono
  • Publication number: 20080303474
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for controlling the movement of a limited rotation motor. The control system includes a computer system and a closed-loop motor controller. The computer system is for generating command digital data including digital input commands for controlling the movement of the limited rotation motor. The closed-loop motor controller includes an input circuit for receiving the command digital data synchronous with a data input signal, a digital control system for processing the command digital data, an output circuit for providing a motor drive signal to the limited rotation motor, and a feedback circuit for providing digital feedback data to said digital control processing circuit. The digital control processing circuit providing closed-loop motor control calculations on a computation cycle that is synchronous with the data input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: GSI GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventor: Adam I. Pinard
  • Patent number: 7459872
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for generating digital electrical signals which are representative of the angular position and rotational velocity of a rotatable shaft or similar movable mechanical component in a servomechanism. In particular, the present invention utilizes oversampling techniques to create an accurate, flexible and responsive method for determining shaft position on a high speed motor. The present invention also includes methods for overcoming deadtime losses and velocity lag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: BAE Systems Land & Armaments L.P.
    Inventors: Lane L. Woodland, Stephen M. Stocker, David J. Badzinski, Jeffrey W. Shoemaker, Keith A. Walters
  • Patent number: 7446497
    Abstract: A fixed-position stop control apparatus (10) includes: a move-instruction generating means (22) for generating a move instruction for each control cycle; a position loop control means (25) for position controlling a rotation shaft (61) for each control cycle according to the move instruction generated by the move-instruction generating means; and a speed loop control means (35) for speed controlling the rotation shaft according to one of a speed instruction generated by a higher level control apparatus (45) and a predetermined speed instruction, thereby switching the speed control of the rotation shaft by the speed loop control means to the position control of the rotation shaft by the position loop control means. In this fixed-position stop control apparatus, the move instruction generated by the move-instruction generating means has acceleration smaller than the acceleration corresponding to the acceleration and deceleration ability of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Takahiro Akiyama, Masakazu Niwa
  • Publication number: 20080265825
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-current high-resolution driving circuit comprising a controller, a digital-to-analog converter and a voltage-to-current converter. The controller is provided for receiving a control signal for operating a load and outputting a digital signal corresponding to the control signal. The digital-to-analog converter is provided for generating an analog voltage signal corresponding to the digital signal. The voltage-to-current converter is provided for generating a current signal corresponding to the analog voltage signal and transmitting the current signal to the load in order to drive the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventor: Alex Yu-Kwen Su
  • Patent number: 7443118
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for triggering an electric motor, in particular, an electrically conducting motor with a rotor, where an emergency run is performed as a function of the presence of at least one erroneous sensor signal. The invention also relates to a method for the correction of the counting of the increments in the course of an incremental path measurement to determine the position of a servo component that can be driven by the electric motor as a function of the presence of at least one erroneous sensor signal. The invention also relates to a device containing an electric motor with a rotor and with electronic sensors to acquire the position and direction of rotation of the rotor, whereby the electric motor can be triggered according to the disclosed method whereby the electric motor can be triggered as a function of the presence of at least one sensor signal error in the course of an emergency run.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Sven-Jostein Kro
  • Patent number: 7423404
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an anti-collision device used for a sample-loading system. This device may include a code plate, an optical coupler, a location signal-detecting unit, a drive pulse counting unit and a drive pulse-sending unit. The optical coupler detects the code plate during the relative movement between the optical coupler and the code plate and outputs detection signals. The location signal detecting unit determines whether to output location signals to the drive pulse counting unit. The drive pulse counting unit judges whether collisions occur to the sample-loading system. Some embodiments of the present invention provide an anti-collision method and a sample-loading system comprising the anti-collision device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yanwen Weng, Jiankun Hu, Xingcai Zhu
  • Patent number: 7421308
    Abstract: A limited rotation motor optical scanning system is disclosed that includes a limited rotation motor scanner, a digital controller servo system, a position feedback unit, a wide angle compensation unit, a digital processor, and an adjustment unit. The limited rotation motor scanner element is adapted for directing an energy beam to at least one location within a field of view. The digital controlled servo system is adapted for controlling motion of the limited rotation motor scanner element in accordance with a servo command waveform. The position feedback unit is for providing a position feedback signal indicative of a rotational position of the limited rotation motor scanner element. The wide angle compensation unit is for receiving the position feedback signal and for providing a boost signal that is representative of a boost factor that compensates for torque constant variation with the rotational position of said limited rotation motor scanner element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: GSI Group Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B. Nussbaum, Michael R. Shannon, Frederick A. Stewart
  • Patent number: 7420349
    Abstract: A device controller system incorporates an inexpensive Hall element to detect motion of a brushless DC motor. A magnet, which is part of a motor rotor, passes by the Hall element producing a Hall voltage each rotation. The Hall voltage is coupled through an interface port to a comparator within a process controller. A microprocessor within the process controller calculates a control response based on a comparator output signal. The interface port is rapidly reconfigured to provide signals produced from the control response as output to device drivers on the same input-output pins that receive the Hall voltage. The device drivers produce a current through fan coils producing an update in the magnetic field of each motor phase which updates the speed of the fan according to programming within the process controller. Rapid configuring and reconfiguring of the interface port allows all necessary components of the controller system to be used with a single rotational commutation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Atmel Corporation
    Inventor: Marvin L. Kausch
  • Publication number: 20080203956
    Abstract: The predictive apparatus and method for preventive maintenance of rotating CNC machinery for application to a multi motor machine tooling operating under computer numerical control with provisions for a program control using the computer (22) and a multiplexing device (24) with steps for measuring the constant load momentum of inertia while running each motor and load alone from start to f speed and to the inertia idled stop while recording the performance factors and calculating a plurality of relationships with steps for setting the allowed limits to the recorded relationships and displaying the details of any relationship which falls outside the allowed limits and predicating the timely required preventative maintained schedule for the equipment (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2006
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: M.E.A. Testing Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Menachem Cohen
  • Patent number: 7362070
    Abstract: A system for controlling an electric motor includes a controller and a position indicator that provides position information regarding at least one motor component to the controller. The controller utilizes phase relationships indicative of the position information to determine the actual position of the component of interest. The phase information in one example is derived from the output of a resolver that provides two output signals corresponding to sin (?) and cos (?), where ? is the angular position. Utilizing the phase relationship simplifies the task of determining accurate position information that is useful to modify motor control signals to compensate for latency when making position determinations, velocity calculations or both. The inventive system makes it possible to use less expensive electronics to arrive at more reliable results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Games, Howard Simmons
  • Publication number: 20080074010
    Abstract: A fan (100) has an electronically commutated drive motor (ECM 52) with a stator (50) connected to a bearing tube (54) and a rotor (22) on a shaft (34). The shaft (34) is journaled in the tube (54) using passive radial magnetic bearings (16, 18) to minimize friction and wear, is axially displaceable with respect to the tube (54), and is drivingly connected to a rotor magnet (44) forming a first magnetic yoke (46). A second magnetic yoke (27) is connected to the shaft (34), and has an inner surface (59) defining a substantially cylindrical air gap (57) through which, during operation, a radial magnetic flux (55?) extends. A plunger coil (64) extends into the air gap (57) and is mechanically connected to the tube (54) so that, upon axial displacement of the plunger coil (64), the position of the shaft (34) with respect to the tube (54) changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Gerald JUNGMAYR, Wolfgang Amrhein
  • Patent number: 7345448
    Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention implement techniques for modifying the command trajectory, the architecture of a servomechanism control system, or both, to reduce the servo error during and/or after the command trajectory. An iterative refinement procedure generates for use by the servomechanism control system a corrective input, du, which significantly reduces the error between the desired and actual servomechanism control system outputs. In one embodiment, a uniquely identified plant model is employed in the iterative refinement procedure to compute an approximate gradient that improves the performance and reliability of the refinement procedure. In another embodiment, the actual plant response is used in place of the identified model in the iterative refinement procedure. This is accomplished by time-reversing the stored error signal from a training run, before applying it to the plant to generate an update to the corrective input signal du.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David Watt, Mehmet Alpay, Mark Unrath, John Wen, Ben Potsaid
  • Patent number: 7342376
    Abstract: A machine for operating on a glass bottle. A carriage is displaceable by a servo motor having three lead lines. The rotation of the servo motor is stopped when power has been removed by shorting regenerative resistors to the three motor leads. The stopped servo motor is held at its stopped position by connecting a direct current power supply to two of the three servo motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Emhart Glass SA
    Inventor: Henry F. Raupp
  • Patent number: 7332886
    Abstract: An integrated control and power driving system moves a read/write head carrying arm over the surface of a disk. The integrated control and power driving system is applicable to a spindle motor, a mass storage disk drive and a voice-coil motor, for example, and includes a first chip and a second chip. The first chip integrates the output power stages driving the motors, and has an interface for outputting feedback signals representing functioning conditions of the voice-coil motor and of the spindle motor, and for receiving digital control signals of the output power stages. The second chip integrates logic drive and control circuitries of the power stages and an interface for receiving the feedback signals output by the first chip, and for transmitting to the first chip the digital control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Maiocchi, Michele Boscolo, Roberto Bardelli
  • Patent number: 7332887
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a stepping motor that drives a rotor by rotating in accordance with an input of a drive pulse, a drive pulse profile storage portion that stores the drive pulse profiles corresponding to temporal changes of the drive pulse inputted in the stepping motor at starting, the drive pulse profile storage portion storing at least a first load profile corresponding to the first drive pulse profile for a first load driving the rotor and a second load profile corresponding to the second drive pulse profile for a second load driving the rotor, which is larger than the first load and a profile setting portion that sets the drive pulse profile in accordance with the load for driving the rotor, as the drive pulse profile of pulses inputted into the stepping motor, among the drive pulse profiles stored in the drive pulse profile storage portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Teruyo Ryuzaki
  • Patent number: 7319910
    Abstract: A method and device for controlling a movement of a movable machine element of a machine tool or production machine with at least two drive axles are disclosed. At least one mechanical characteristic frequency is determined for each drive axle of the machine, and the lowest mechanical characteristic frequency is selected from the determined mechanical characteristic frequencies. For each drive axle of the machine, desired values are supplied to a control unit associated with the drive axle, whereby the desired values of the drive axles having a mechanical characteristic frequency higher than the lowest mechanical characteristic frequency are time-delayed. The disclosed method and device modify a method referred to as “Input Shaping” so that geometrically linked drive axles can be operated simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Wolfgang Papiernik
  • Patent number: 7317293
    Abstract: Provided is a motor control circuit in which the circuit structure is not complicated, which has a favorable response to the phase difference signal, and in which the signal variation caused by heat is small. This rotation control circuit of a motor includes: a PWM control circuit of the motor; a rotational speed sensor of the motor; a reference signal generation circuit 10; a phase comparing circuit; and a divider for dividing the detected rotational speed signal of the motor; wherein the phase difference between the signal from the divider and the signal based on the reference signal is sought with the phase comparing unit, and this phase difference signal is supplied to the PWM control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Kesatoshi Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7282883
    Abstract: A system for moving a barrier between limit positions, includes an operator motor assembly mounted proximate to the barrier, wherein at least a portion of the motor assembly is movable between an operating position and a locking position with the motor assembly blocking movement of the barrier. A bias assembly biases the motor assembly in the operating position and allows the motor assembly to move toward the locking position when either a predetermined force overcomes a biasing force or when the barrier is moved to a closed limit position or when forced entry is imposed on the barrier. The biasing force may be adjusted by moving posts on the motor assembly that are engaged by the bias assembly. A disengagement feature may also be provided that allows pivotable movement of the motor assembly even when in a locking position. And the pivoting motor assembly may be used as a secondary entrapment input to an operator controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corp.
    Inventors: Willis J. Mullet, Paul J. VanDrunen
  • Patent number: 7274165
    Abstract: A numerical controller capable of mitigating mechanical shock caused by tool compensation while a machine tool is operated according to table data. X- and Z-axis path tables Tx, Tz store X- and Z-axis positions corresponding to reference positions (time or spindle position). A tool compensation table Tt stores X- and Z-axis compensation amounts (tool compensation numbers) associated with the respective reference positions. At every predetermined period, X- and Z-axis path table interpolators read command positions from the path tables Tx, Tz based on the reference position, and obtain command motion amounts by interpolation. X- and Z-axis tool interpolators read compensation amounts from the tool compensation table Tt based on the reference position, and obtain compensation motion amounts by interpolation. Adders add up the command motion amounts and the respective compensation motion amounts to drive respective motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: FANUC Ltd
    Inventors: Yasushi Takeuchi, Takahiko Endo
  • Patent number: 7253579
    Abstract: A tuning method for a motion simulator embarking a payload. The simulator includes a mechanical device, a mobile plate of which is capable of carrying a payload, and a control unit including a controller capable of position feedback controlling said plate. The method enables an automatic tuning of the controller in order to feedback control the system embarking a given payload.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Societe Nouvelle Wuilfert
    Inventor: Bernard Vau
  • 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: 7245101
    Abstract: The invention provides for the monitoring and control of a system, such as a linear electro-mechanical transducer, e.g. a linear electric motor, particularly when driven in a reciprocating manner. A dynamic model of the linear motor and its load is used to calculate from the input drive to the motor a predicted response of the motor. The predicted response is compared to a measured response and the model parameters are varied by global optimisation until the two match as closely as desired. The drive may be the voltage input to the electrical motor and the response may be the electrical current in the motor coils. The parameters and variables of the model, after optimisation, can be taken as good estimates of the actual operating parameters and variables of the linear motor. This gives a measurement of such quantities as the stoke and offset of the linear motor. The invention is particularly applicable to the use of linear motors to drive compressors, for instance in Stirling cycle coolers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: ISIS Innovation Limited
    Inventor: Michael William Dadd
  • Patent number: 7208901
    Abstract: A control method for controlling a speed of a movable machine element of a numerically controlled industrial processing machine with jerk limitation is described. The processing machine can be, for example, a machine tool, a production machine and/or a robot. A travel path of the movable machine element is first decomposed into a plurality of sequentially arranged, interpolatable travel sections. Jerk profiles are then determined for the interpolatable travel sections, which are modified with a parameter-dependent shape function. The modified jerk profiles provide a filter action that can be represented by bandpass filters having blocking frequencies. The blocking frequencies of the bandpass filters are selected so as to substantially correspond to characteristic frequencies of the machine element. The control method significantly improves the machine dynamics without sacrificing accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Uwe Ladra, Elmar Schäfers
  • Patent number: 7208902
    Abstract: A digital speed controlling apparatus includes: a target speed calculator that calculates a target speed of a driven conveyor belt, based on a sampling time; a current speed calculator that calculates a current speed of the conveyor belt, based on displacement and a difference of a sampling time; a target speed determining unit that determines whether a target speed is smaller than a predetermined value; a speed corrector that replaces the current speed with a set value, when the target speed is smaller than the predetermined value and also when the current speed is the minimum unit displacement per the sampling cycle; a speed error calculator that calculates an error between a replaced set value and the target speed; and an automatic controller that controls the drive motor based on a speed error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Yamane
  • Patent number: 7200464
    Abstract: An improved servo system for galvanometers, scanners and similar devices which uses digital processing to increase the dynamic range and provide greater effective resolution. The system provides digital control of a reference point that directly influences the excitation, which in turn directly influences the gain of the circuit. A high and low resolution switching path is provided to optimize dynamic range. Wide angle torque compensation improves uniformity of response at large angular deflections from zero. Improved thermal protection allows safe operation near system thermal limits. A graphical user interface allows adjustments and changes response on the fly for tuning due to input conditions or user control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: GSI Group Corporation
    Inventors: Michael B Nussbaum, Michael R Shannon, Fredrick A Stewart
  • Patent number: 7190144
    Abstract: An adjustment system is disclosed for adjusting a proportional, integral, derivative controller in a limited rotation motor system. The adjustment system includes a first transform unit, a second transform unit, a model identification unit, and a PID adjustment unit. The first transform unit is for receiving a first digital signal that is representative of a motor control signal, and is for providing a first frequency domain sequence that is representative of a frequency domain representation of the motor control signal. The second transform unit is for receiving a second digital signal that is representative of a position detection signal, and is for providing a second frequency domain sequence that is representative of a frequency domain representation of the position detection signal. The model identification unit is for identifying a representation of a ratio of the first and second frequency domain sequences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: GSI Group Corporation
    Inventor: Yuhong Huang
  • Patent number: 7183739
    Abstract: There is provided a synchronous control device for driving the same control object with two servomotors. The synchronous control device detects the physical quantity that represents the difference between the forces on the two servomotors, and, on the basis of the detected value, reduces the force that acts between the two servomotors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fanuc Ltd
    Inventors: Yasusuke Iwashita, Hiroyuki Kawamura, Zhiwei Tang
  • Patent number: 7183735
    Abstract: A drive unit for controlling drives of machine tools or production machines includes a signal electronics unit, a startup/diagnostic unit, and an interface between the signal electronics unit and the startup/diagnostic unit. The interface has a data line for data exchange between the signal electronics unit and the startup/diagnostic unit, and an electric power line independent of the data line. A switch can be provided that disconnects the signal electronics unit from a power mains or from an additional power supply, when a power failure is detected, and connects the signal electronics unit to the startup/diagnostic unit via the electric power line. This provides a simple and cost-effective approach for supplying electric power to the signal electronics in the event of a power failure or malfunction of the main power feed to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Gerhard Heinemann
  • Patent number: 7180255
    Abstract: A method for controlling the release of a brush motor which has applied a load includes several steps. One step includes applying a release current to the brush motor to rotate the brush motor in a direction toward releasing the applied load of the brush motor. Another step includes sensing the commutator bar ripple current of the brush motor. Another step includes determining when to remove the release current using at least the sensed commutator bar ripple current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Fulks, Douglas E. Poole