With Magnetic Field Measuring Instruments Patents (Class 318/647)
  • Patent number: 11686610
    Abstract: A condition monitoring device for monitoring machinery includes a combination of on-board sensors and a condition monitoring module. The on-board sensors include modules for non-contact temperature, magnetic flux and 3-axis vibration sensing of the machinery. The condition monitoring module provides a condition monitoring signal containing information about an operating condition of the machinery, based upon a data synthesis condition monitoring technique that synthesizes non-contact temperature, magnetic flux and 3-axis vibration sensed data received from the combination of on-board sensors, determines a current operating condition of the machinery, and compares the current operating condition and the baseline operating condition of the machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: FLUID HANDLING LLC
    Inventors: James J. Gu, Florin Rosca, Tomm V. Aldridge, Stephen Clark, Damien Galzin
  • Patent number: 11636752
    Abstract: A method for derivation of a machine signature includes receiving sensor information from a primary sensor, where the primary sensor is positioned to receive information from a portion of an industrial operation, and receiving sensor information from one or more secondary sensors. The secondary sensors are arranged to provide additional information about the industrial operation indicative of current operating conditions of the industrial operation. The method includes using the sensor information from the secondary sensors and machine learning to determine if the portion of the industrial operation is operating in a normal condition and, in response to determining that the portion of the industrial operation is operating normally, using sensor information from the primary sensor during the normal operating condition to derive a primary sensor signature for the sensor information from the primary sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Yongyao Cai, Suresh R. Nair, Lee A. Lane, Brian J. Taylor, Burt Sacherski, Ashley M. Killian, Kevin Zomchek, Michelle L. Poublon, Linxi Gao, Timothy P. Wolfe, Rebecca R. Jaeger, Wayne R. Foster
  • Patent number: 11360287
    Abstract: An embodiment includes: a housing including an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface located at the side opposite to the inner surface; a bobbin accommodated in the housing; a first coil disposed at an outer surface of the bobbin; a first magnet disposed at the outer surface of the housing; a second magnet disposed in the housing so as to be spaced apart from the first magnet; and a first position sensor disposed at the outer surface of the bobbin, wherein a first part of the housing is positioned between the second magnet and the inner surface of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sang Ok Park, Sang Jun Min, Kyoung Ho Yoo, Hyune O Yoo
  • Patent number: 11196363
    Abstract: An apparatus controls a system of a plurality of motor units, which are operated by way of output-stage units. Fewer output-stage units than motor units are provided. The apparatus has a switching unit, which is configured to switch the one or more output-stage units between the motor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Geis-Esser, Jochen Retter
  • Patent number: 11092464
    Abstract: A system for determining an amplitude of a sinusoidal output waveform from a sensor includes a controller configured to provide a sample signal having a sample frequency that is four times a frequency of a sinusoidal excitation waveform provided to the sensor. The sensor has inductively-coupled primary and secondary windings that produce the sinusoidal output waveform from the secondary winding when the excitation waveform is provided to the primary winding. An analog-to-digital converter measures a first and second voltage of the sensor waveform separated in time by the period of the sample frequency, and the system calculates the amplitude based on the measurements of the first and second voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary L. Hess, Michael A. Wilson
  • Patent number: 11078047
    Abstract: Methods and devices detect a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in an elevator suspension member arrangement having several suspension members, such as belts, including electrically conductive cords incorporated into an elastomer material. Deterioration is determined by applying alternating electric voltages to the cords included in legs of a circuitry. Phase shifts between the alternating voltages, for example by determining sum voltages and/or differential voltages, provide valuable information about a condition of the belt. A fixation arrangement of the suspension member arrangement is adapted to enable or simplify the proposed measurements. Furthermore, counting a number of performed bending cycles provides further information to be taken into account for determining the current deterioration state of the belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Vincent Robibero, Kurt Heinz, Urs Lindegger, Philippe Henneau
  • Patent number: 9134108
    Abstract: Provided is an angle detection device capable of detecting the angle with high sensitivity by a very simple assembly process without requiring complicated processing. The angle detection device is provided with: a rotor (5) which is formed by a disk plate body produced from a magnetic substance having uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, the disk plate body rotating around a center point within the disk plate surface; a stator (3) which is provided to face the plate surface of the disk plate body of the rotor (5), has approximately the same external shape as that of the rotor, and is divided into a plurality of fan-shaped regions, and in which an exciting coil or a detection coil is wound along the outer periphery of each of the divided regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Kyushu University, National University Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Sasada
  • Publication number: 20140076656
    Abstract: A permanent magnet includes magnetic poles that are arranged so as to alternate in polarity in the circumferential direction of the axis of rotation. The magnet is attached to one of a pair of rotatable members. The rotatable members are relatively rotatable about an axis of rotation. A magnetic flux inducing ring, including an annular ring body and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the ring body, is attached to the other rotatable member. A plurality of magnetic sensors is arranged adjacent to the ring body. A first facing portion and a second facing portion, each for inducing a part of a magnetic flux of the ring body, are provided and do not rotate with the permanent magnet and the magnetic flux inducing ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroshi TANAKA, Kazuto NAKAMURA
  • Publication number: 20130293179
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an actuator in a camera module is provided. The apparatus includes a position controller for producing a control voltage to move a lens of the camera module, a hall sensor for detecting an amount of change in magnetic lines of force generated by a magnet as a hall voltage, a voice coil motor for moving the lens according to a current applied thereto, and a current controller for using a voltage applied to the voice coil motor to detect an interference voltage created by the current applied to the voice coil motor, for generating an interference-eliminated hall voltage by removing the interference voltage from the hall voltage, and for controlling the current applied to the voice coil motor based on the control voltage and the interference-eliminated hall voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Yong-Gu Lee
  • Patent number: 8552675
    Abstract: A motor includes a sensor magnet having a non-circular contour and a magnet cover fixed to an end portion of a shaft to cover the end portion of the shaft. The magnet cover includes a support portion positioned outside the end surface of the end portion of the shaft. In the support portion, a magnet hole having a non-circular cross section as the sensor magnet and extending in the direction of the rotation axis is provided. The sensor magnet is inserted into the magnet hole and fixed to the magnet hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventors: Kyohei Asahi, Eiji Furutachi
  • Patent number: 8456127
    Abstract: Provided is a method of obtaining an image of a disc, in which the method obtains an image of an analysis or test result object of a disc by minimizing a difference between the positionings of a magnet of the disc and a magnet of a feeding unit, and an apparatus for driving a disc, wherein the apparatus performs the method. The method includes: fixing a positioning of a disc by using magnetic attraction between a first magnet installed on the disc and a second magnet installed on a feeding unit; minimizing a difference between the positionings of the first and second magnets; and obtaining an image of an analysis or test result object of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong-cheol Kim, Chung-ung Kim, Ki-ju Lee, Jong-jin Park, Dong-hwi Cho, Su-bong Bae
  • Publication number: 20130055575
    Abstract: A device for controlling the positioning of two elements, one of which is stationary while the other is mobile and driven by a geared motor member, the position of the mobile element being controlled by that of a trigger, includes: a circuit; a first stationary Hall effect sensor connected and, together with a magnet borne by the mobile element, providing a negative or zero clearance positioning of the two elements; and a second Hall effect sensor connected to the control circuit and, together with a magnet borne by the mobile element, providing the maximum clearance positioning of the two elements. The magnet is positioned such that its north-south axis is perpendicular to the trajectory of same and the first sensor is disposed in an area where the field vector of the magnet has a component perpendicular to the north-south axis, the sensitive face of the first sensor being parallel thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: INFACO SAS
    Inventor: Daniel Delmas
  • Publication number: 20120313565
    Abstract: A sensor system for providing control of an electric motor having an inductive angle sensor system including a first inductive coil configured for affixation to a rotor shaft of the electric motor wherein rotation of the rotor shaft causes corresponding rotation of the first inductive coil. A second inductive coil fixedly mounted in spaced relationship to the first inductive coil. An evaluation circuit coupled to the second inductive coil and to the electric motor operative to determine a rotor shaft angle for the rotor shaft of the electric motor through evaluation of an induced magnetic field between the first and second inductive coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: Simmonds Precision Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Ortman, William L. Kenly, V
  • Publication number: 20120014682
    Abstract: A linear motion control device for use in a linear control system is presented. The linear motion control device includes a coil driver to drive a coil that, when driven, effects a linear movement by a motion device having a magnet. The linear motion control device also includes a magnetic field sensor to detect a magnetic field associated with the linear movement and an interface to connect an output of the magnetic field sensor and an input of the coil driver to an external controller. The interface includes a feedback loop to relate the magnetic field sensor output signal to the coil driver input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: Allegro Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul David, Shaun D. Milano
  • Patent number: 8058834
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission includes a current detecting unit for detecting motor current. The current detecting unit has a counter for counting variation number of a rotational position signal output from a rotational position detecting unit for detecting the rotational position of a motor, and an electrical angle 180° judging unit for judging rotation of electrical angle 180° of the motor. A voltage occurring in a current detecting resistor is sampled at a timing of each integral multiple of the electrical angle of 180° judged in the electrical angle 180° judging unit, and rotation of the motor is controlled in accordance with the difference between motor target current calculated in the motor target current calculating unit and motor current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takeru Okabe, Shiro Yonezawa, Nozomu Kamioka, Tomohisa Shoda, Masaki Horii, Yasufumi Ogawa, Osamu Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7835839
    Abstract: An ECU controls a starter relay. Output angle detector detects a rotational angle of an output shaft in a rotary actuator. The ECU stores a first rotational angle which is detected by the output angle detector when a starting switch is OFF. When the starting switch is ON and when the difference between a second rotational angle detected at that time by the output angle detector and the first rotational angle already stored is not within a certain value, the ECU inhibits the operation of the starter relay to inhibit engine start.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.
    Inventors: Masashi Hori, Masaaki Shinojima, Kiyoshi Kimura, Haruki Matsuzaki, Tomoyuki Kashiwagi
  • Publication number: 20100254238
    Abstract: Provided is a method of obtaining an image of a disc, in which the method obtains an image of an analysis or test result object of a disc by minimizing a difference between the positionings of a magnet of the disc and a magnet of a feeding unit, and an apparatus for driving a disc, wherein the apparatus performs the method. The method includes: fixing a positioning of a disc by using magnetic attraction between a first magnet installed on the disc and a second magnet installed on a feeding unit; minimizing a difference between the positionings of the first and second magnets; and obtaining an image of an analysis or test result object of the disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jong-cheol KIM, Chung-ung KIM, Ki-ju LEE, Jong-jin PARK, Dong-hwi CHO, Su-bong BAE
  • Publication number: 20100171459
    Abstract: Provided is a position detection system which is inexpensive and does not need to control the accuracy of mounting a sensor strictly. The position detection system according to the present invention includes; a linear motor having a rod 1 in which magnetic poles of N pole and S pole are arranged alternately in an axial direction and a plurality of coils 4 surrounding the rod 1; a magnetic sensor 12 for detecting change in the direction of the magnetic field of the rod 1 caused by linear movement of the rod 1 relative to the coils 4 to output a sine wave signal and a cosine wave signal which are 90° phase shifted to each other; and a position detecting circuit 13 for detecting a position of the rod 1 relative to the coils 4. As the magnetic sensor 12 detects the change in the direction of the magnetic field of the rod 1, the sine wave signal and the cosine wave signal output from the magnetic sensor 12 hardly vary eve when the distance between the rod 1 and the magnetic sensor is changed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Applicant: THK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Aso, Shuhei Yamanaka, Toshiro Tojo
  • Patent number: 7638958
    Abstract: A powered surgical tool with a housing that contains a power generating unit such as a motor. A control module is disposed in a shell that is mounted in the housing. The control module contains a control circuit for regulating the actuation of the power generating unit. The power generating unit emits a signal representative of the operating state of the unit that is transmitted through the structural material forming the shell. Also internal to the control module shell is a sensor that monitors the signal emitted by the power generating unit. This signal output by the sensor is applied to the control circuit. The control circuit, based on the sensor signal regulates actuation of the power generating unit. Wherein the power generating unit is a motor, the signal emitted is the magnetic field that varies with rotor position. The sensor monitors the strength of this field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Philipp, Don Malackowski
  • Publication number: 20090289593
    Abstract: A control device for an automatic transmission includes a current detecting unit for detecting motor current. The current detecting unit has a counter for counting variation number of a rotational position signal output from a rotational position detecting unit for detecting the rotational position of a motor, and an electrical angle 180° judging unit for judging rotation of electrical angle 180° of the motor. A voltage occurring in a current detecting resistor is sampled at a timing of each integral multiple of the electrical angle of 180° judged in the electrical angle 180° judging unit, and rotation of the motor is controlled in accordance with the difference between motor target current calculated in the motor target current calculating unit and motor current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takeru OKABE, Shiro YONEZAWA, Nozomu KAMIOKA, Tomohisa SHODA, Masaki HORII, Yasufumi OGAWA, Osamu ISHIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20090033270
    Abstract: A position feedback device for a motor comprises a driven member and a sensing device. The driven member is indirectly connected to the motor and driven by it. The sensing device detects the travel length of the motor by sensing the driven member. With the method of indirectly sensing the motor, the measurement error, production cost can be reduced, and the assembling position is flexible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Hsin-An CHIANG, Chia-Chun WEI
  • Publication number: 20080203961
    Abstract: A controller for a motor driving apparatus switches a direction of electricity flowing through a first coil according to a first lead angle signal obtained based on a first magnetic pole detecting signal and a second magnetic pole detecting signal. The controller switches a direction of electricity flowing through a second coil according to a second lead angle signal obtained based on the first magnetic pole detecting signal and the second magnetic pole detecting signal. Thus, a motor driving apparatus can be configured such that the angle of the rotation center of the rotor with respect to two magnetically sensitive poles can freely be selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiromu Yasuda
  • Patent number: 7274166
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for correcting a position of a mobile robot includes a position notifying unit, installed at a predetermined position, that generates and transmits a signal indicative of the predetermined position. The mobile robot includes a position signal detector, installed at a predetermined position of the mobile robot, that detects a signal; and a control unit, installed at a predetermined position of the mobile robot, that corrects a position of the mobile robot on the basis of pre-stored position information corresponding to the detected position signal, so that a position error that is generated when the mobile robot moves is corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Gie Kim
  • Patent number: 7129665
    Abstract: A control apparatus for a machine that can be operated at high precision in a stable control state is provided by driving a movable body with control parameters suited to the mechanical state. A control parameter calculation circuit is provided to obtain control parameters for a drive apparatus control circuit for driving actuators in accordance with the conditions of actuator rotational velocity, the orientation of the movable body, and the position of the movable body, and a control parameter K for the drive apparatus control circuit is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: OKUMA Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoharu Ando
  • Patent number: 7057369
    Abstract: A system for detecting the position of a component drivable by a control element drive, the system comprising: a position sensor housed in a position regulator housing, a movable motion representative to be driven by an actuating motion of the component, via which motion representative of a position motion of the component is transferred into the position regulator housing to the position sensor, which sensor detects the position of the component via the position of the motion representative wherein a drive for transferring and/or redirecting the actuating motion of the component to the motion representative transmits actuating motion forces from the component to the motion representative without contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Samson Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heinfried Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 6859257
    Abstract: A stage system includes a movable stage, a force applying mechanism for applying, by use of an electromagnet, a force to the stage in a direction of a magnetic flux generated by the electromagnet, a moving mechanism for moving the electromagnet in the direction, and a controller for controlling one of the magnetic force of the electromagnet and a generated force thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Nobushige Korenaga
  • Publication number: 20040257024
    Abstract: A system may include a tachometer reading unit and a PWM (Pulse Width Modulated) signal generator configured to generate a PWM signal. The tachometer reading unit may be configured to obtain a tachometer reading from a tachometer signal generated by a device powered by the PWM signal. The tachometer reading unit includes a register configured to store a value indicative of a maximum stretching duration. The tachometer reading unit is configured to update the register in response to receiving a new value of the maximum stretching duration. The tachometer reading unit may be configured to control the PWM signal generator to stretch a pulse in the PWM signal and to not stretch the pulse longer than the maximum stretching duration indicated by the register. The tachometer reading unit is configured to obtain the tachometer reading during the stretched pulse in the PWM signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Inventors: Eileen M. Marando, Robert W. Schoepflin, Richard E. Wahler
  • Patent number: 6781337
    Abstract: In an industrial robot having a plurality of arms, each arm is coupled with other elements, such as a mounting base, another arm, a robotic hand, and revolved by a motion of the revolvable joint. The revolvable joint has a rotary electric connecting structure such as a slip ring or a rotary transformer which can be rotated endlessly. Electric powers for driving motors by which the arms are revolved and control signals for controlling the driving of the motors are supplied or transmitted through the rotary electric connecting structure, so that the arms can be rotated endlessly without twisting or breaking of electric cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignees: Japan Servo Co., Ltd., Tazmo Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masafumi Sakamoto, Kaoru Endo, Katsuhiro Yamazoe, Takahiro Kobiki
  • Patent number: 6713981
    Abstract: A pole position detector correctly detects a pole position of a permanent magnet motor. Each magnetic sensor (27) provides an electric signal in response to leakage flux from a magnet rotor (17). A computation unit (2) detects a change in the output of the magnetic sensor as a base pole position &thgr;, corrects the base pole position by &Dgr;&thgr; according to the base pole position, the magnitude of each stat or current (IU, IV, IW), and a current phase, and calculates correct rotation angles &thgr;re and &thgr;re′ accordingly. With low-cost magnetic sensors (27), the pole position detector corrects the outputs of the magnetic sensors affected by stat or current and provides a correct pole position or a correct rotor rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 6433503
    Abstract: Hall ICs 23u, 23v and 23w are provided to detect the magnetic fields of magnetic regions 8 of a rotor 9 and are offset in position by an electrical angle of 30° from central positions of a U-phase stator pole 1, V-phase stator pole 6 and W-phase stator pole 2. A driving circuit 21 controls the timing of rotor driving signals that are supplied to respective stator coils for respective phases based upon rotor position signals outputted from the Hall ICs 23u through 23w. For example, in order to rotate the rotor in a forward direction, the driving circuit 21 controls the timing of the rotor driving signals according to a first logic. Similarly, in order to rotate the rotor in a reverse direction, the driving circuit 21 controls the timing of the rotor driving signals according to a second logic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tatsuya Uematsu, Norimoto Minoshima
  • Patent number: 6114823
    Abstract: A circuit and apparatus for magnetically sensing fluid flow through a conduit. The circuit includes a sensor and a sensor magnet for biasing the sensor in an on condition. A second magnet indicative of the relative position of a conduit valve substantially neutralizes the sensor magnet when the valve is closed to prevent fluid flow, and does not substantially neutralize the sensor magnet when the valve is open to permit fluid flow. The sensor can be a Hall effect sensor, and the sensing of fluid flow causes an indication current to flow. Circuitry is provided to apply a voltage to a load in response to the indication current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: AGF Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas O. Doner, George J. McHugh
  • Patent number: 6087796
    Abstract: A programmable apparatus is used to determine the running speed of an ac induction motor based on vibration and flux measurements. A first analysis is performed on at least one of the vibration and flux signals according to a first criterion to determine candidate speeds and whether speed will be determined based on the first analysis or whether a second analysis is required. A second analysis is selectively performed if required by the first analysis. In the first analysis, vibration signals (for example) are transformed to the frequency domain, such as by Fast Fourier Transform, and vibration amplitude peaks contained in the resulting spectrum are analyzed to identify candidate peaks. If only one candidate peak is identified, the frequency at which the candidate peak occurs is used to determine motor running speed. If two or more candidate peaks are identified and the motor is a two-pole motor, the candidate peak having the maximum amplitude is used to determine running speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: CSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Canada, Eugene F. Pardue, David M. Smith, Paul Z. D. Wolfensberger
  • Patent number: 5926001
    Abstract: A wear monitoring device for a motor employs pairs of coils on each end of a motor stator. The coils face the rotor and are sensitive to the gap between the rotor and the stator. Each pair of coils is interconnected in series to generate a differential output. Each pair of coils is positioned opposite the other of the pair so that when, as a result of bearing wear, the gap increases between one coil of a pair and the rotor and decreases between the other coil of the pair, a signal is generated on the output. Since the coils are positioned at a separation of 180 degrees and interconnected to produce a differential output, the fundamental-harmonic voltage is canceled out in the differential signal. The differential signal corresponding to pairs of coils located on opposite axial ends of the stator are applied in parallel through respective diodes to a voltage indicator. Thus the voltage indicator is responsive to bearing wear causing the rotor axis to tilt with respect to the stator axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Nikkiso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Eguchi
  • Patent number: 5841255
    Abstract: An ac machine monitor, particularly applicable to ac induction motors, provides information for ascertaining the health and condition of the motor. The monitor is self-contained, having its own internal power source, electronics, and sensor suite, and attaches directly to the outer frame of the motor. Sensors disposed within the monitor include a motor frame temperature sensor, flux sensor, vibration sensor, and clock. The flux sensor includes a substantially planar substrate onto which a conductive trace is attached as the flux sensing element. Sensor outputs are processed and analyzed by monitor electronics to determine various life history parameters, including motor speed and load, which are stored in electronic memory. A communications port enables a peripheral device, such as a notebook computer or portable data collector, to communicate with the monitor and download the life history parameters stored in memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: CSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Canada, Eugene F. Pardue, James C. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5668456
    Abstract: The invention provides a servo motor encoder in which signals are output via signal lines and output terminals which are used in common. Incremental signals A, B, and Z and servo motor magnetic pole position detection signals UE, VE, and WE are switched by a multiplexer so as to output these signals via a common line driver. Alternatively, two line drivers are selectively activated and inactivated so that incremental signals and servo motor magnetic pole position detection signals are output via common signal lines. In any modes, signals can be carried via a less number of signal lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Tamagawa Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomio Nakata, Kenji Shiroshita
  • Patent number: 5659230
    Abstract: A brushless motor drive circuit which can suppress switching pulses without using capacitors or other external components is provided. The brushless motor drive circuit has a hall element for generating two sinusoidal signals of opposite phase and a switching circuit which separates the two sinusoidal signals and cuts off the negative portion to produce two half cycle signals. The two half cycle signals are combined in the switching circuit, and the combined signal is applied to an automatic gain control circuit for providing a stable current to the hall element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiaki Fukuoka
  • Patent number: 5545961
    Abstract: An electric motor drive having a first section and a second section offset with respect to the first section. A control arrangement and an evaluation arrangement are arranged in the first section, and an electric motor and a sensor arrangement are arranged in the second section. The control arrangement is connected to the electric motor via two connecting lines. A signal is transmitted from the sensor arrangement to the evaluation arrangement via a third line. The electric energy for the sensor arrangement is transmitted via at least one of the two connecting lines and via the third line, or only via the two lines. The electric motor drive according to the invention is suitable for use in actuators which may be arranged in a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 13, 1996
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Cornelius Peter, Hartmut Seiler, Volker Aab, Guenter Haderer
  • Patent number: 5285142
    Abstract: An electromagnetic sub-stage and an electromagnetic monolithic stage coupled such that one follows the other having a single reference surface positioned therebetween. A sub-stage having linear motors for movement in the X-Y direction is mounted by a U bracket to a monolithic stage. The monolithic stage is suspended by flat electromagnetic coils providing precise motion of the body of the monolithic stage in X, Y, Z, and rotation about the Z axis or .theta.. Follow control means links or tracks the movement of the monolithic stage to the sub-stage such that the monolithic stage positioning coils are centered in their respective magnetic structure. Adjustable mechanical stops attached the monolithic stage in combination with air bearings riding on the reference surface limit travel of the monolithic stage in the focus or Z direction. The single reference surface extends over the entire range of motion of the monolithic stage. This improves position accuracy, and cleaning and servicing of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: SVG Lithography Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Galburt, Geoffrey O'Connor
  • Patent number: 5150115
    Abstract: An inductive-type rotary encoder includes a stator having at least one conductive pattern on one side thereof, and a rotor having another conductive pattern on one side thereof which faces the at least one conductive pattern of the stator. The conductive patterns are inductively coupled to one another so as to generate an output signal indicative of the angular position of the rotor relative to the stator. In order to reduce the overall size and number of parts required, the circuitry for energizing the stator conductive pattern(s) and for generating the output signal can be provided on a printed circuit board, the opposite side of which contains the at least one stator conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joannes N. M. deJong, Meng H. Lean, Barry Wolf, John J. Ricciardelli, Stuart A. Schweid, Robert M. Lofthus
  • Patent number: 5055757
    Abstract: A toroid turns counter for a toroid with at least one winding with turns to be counted by electric counting device connected to said winding having a test winding with an opening for receiving the toroid, a movable contact arm for electrically closing the opening after the toroid has been received in the opening, an activating arrangement which is coupled to the contact arm, and controls coupled to the activating arrangement for controlling the closure of the contact arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: Edward Cammarata
  • Patent number: 4952858
    Abstract: This invention is directed to electro-magnetic alignment apparatus which includes a monolithic stage, a sub-stage, an isolated reference structure, force actuators interposed between the monolithic stage and the sub-stage for suspending and positioning the monolithic stage in space, sensors for sensing the position of the monolithic stage and outputting a signal to control circuitry, which compares the sensed position with a commanded stage position and outputs an error signal to the force actuator, and actuators for controlling the position of the sub-stage to follow the approximate position of the monolithic stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Daniel N. Galburt
  • Patent number: 4677381
    Abstract: An electrical drive dircuit for a flux-gate magnetic sensor used in a digital compass for a vehicle provides signals for application to the primary of a flux-gate sensor to assure the core is saturated at a predetermined time during each cycle of the drive signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Assignee: Prince Corporation
    Inventor: Steven L. Geerlings
  • Patent number: 4600883
    Abstract: Orthogonal components of electromagnetic field perturbations due to objects characterized by electric or magnetic dipoles are measured along orthogonal axes in a plane. The components are proportional with (3 cos.sup.2 .theta.-1) and (3 cos .theta. sin .theta.), where .theta. is the bearing of the dipole center relative to the device for measuring the field components. .theta. is readily determined from these equations and the range of the object can also be determined from knowledge of the dipole moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1986
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventors: Werner H. Egli, James E. Lenz
  • Patent number: 4409529
    Abstract: A prosthesis comprising:(a) a gripping member;(b) an operating lever mounted to pivot about a pivot axis and operatively connected to the gripping member;(c) a power unit including an electric motor, and a drive shaft rotatable by said electric motor;(d) means connecting the drive shaft to the operating lever at a region spaced from the said pivot axis of the operating lever, said connecting means being constructed so that when the drive shaft rotates the connecting means (and also the region of the operating lever connected to the shaft) travels axially along the shaft thereby causing the operating lever to pivot about its pivot axis; and(e) means pivotally mounting said power unit to allow the connecting means to move along an arcuate path about the pivot axis during pivoting of the operating lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Assignee: Hugh Steeper Limited
    Inventors: Robert Basford, David Hart, David Hawkins, David Knight, Roger Sidey
  • Patent number: 4321520
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece includes a stepping motor having a stator, a drive coil and a rotor which is driven in one of at least two different states. The state of the driving motor is changed in response to a change in the load of the motor or in response to the locating of the motor in an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Makoto Ueda, Akira Torisawa, Shuji Otawa, Masaaki Mandai, Masaharu Shida, Katsuhiko Sato
  • Patent number: 4321521
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece has a stepping motor comprised of a stator, rotor and driving coil. A wave shaping circuit produces normal driving pulses and correction driving pulses having a longer pulse width than the normal driving pulses. A rotor rotation detection device detects rotation and non-rotation of the rotor after normal driving pulses are applied to the driving coil and in response to detection of a non-rotation condition, a correction driving pulse is applied to the driving coil. A magnetic field detection device detects the presence and absence of an external alternating magnetic field and in response to detection of a magnetic field, a driving pulse of longer pulse width than the correction driving pulses is applied to the driving coil to effect rotor rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Makoto Ueda, Akira Torisawa, Shuji Otawa, Masaaki Mandai, Masaharu Shida, Katsuhiko Sato
  • Patent number: 4321519
    Abstract: An electronic timepiece of the type having a frequency dividing circuit, and a drive circuit for driving a motor having a rotor, a stator and a driving coil, is provided with a magnetic field detection device comprised of a low impedance closed loop including a low resistance element and the driving coil and a high impedance closed loop including a high resistance element and the driving coil. The driving coil develops an induced voltage when placed in an external alternating magnetic field and also functions to drive the rotor. The strength of the alternating magnetic field is measured by the voltage level developed across the high resistance element and the measuring sensitivity is improved by alternately switching between the low impedance closed loop and the high impedance closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha
    Inventors: Makoto Ueda, Akira Torisawa, Shuji Otawa, Masaaki Mandai, Masaharu Shida, Katsuhiko Sato
  • Patent number: 4232451
    Abstract: A detector to detect angular positions of a rotatable magnet, i.e., a magnetic compass, having one or more flux-sensitive components, namely Hall-elements. The detector includes a substantially flat and circular carrying body to be mounted on the top or bottom of a compass. On the carrying body the Hall-elements are mounted parallel to and close to the flat surface and positioned on diameters perpendicular to axes of symmetry of the flat surface. The carrying body can be rotatably fastened on the compass case and locked in desired predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1980
    Inventor: Ib Thomsen
  • Patent number: 4112755
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for compensating a "strapdown" induction compass transmitter to eliminate heading errors during turns, and during climbing and diving maneuvers which are due to the vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field as well as those due to the horizontal component of the Earth's magnetic field perpendicular to the axis of tilt. Instabilities and anomalies such as "Northerly Turning Error" which are due to the vertical field are thus eliminated or minimized as is two cycle error which is due to the Earth's horizontal field during these same maneuvers. The vertical field compensating signal during turns is proportional to the product of the Earth's magnetic field, M the sine of the dip angle D and the sine of the bank or roll angle .phi.. The vertical field pitch compensating signal while climbing or diving is proportional to the product of the sine of the pitch angle .theta., the Earth's magnetic field M and the sine of the magnetic dip angle D.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Inventor: Gerald Leslie Sullivan
  • Patent number: RE47723
    Abstract: Provided is an angle detection device capable of detecting the angle with high sensitivity by a very simple assembly process without requiring complicated processing. The angle detection device is provided with: a rotor (5) which is formed by a disk plate body produced from a magnetic substance having uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, the disk plate body rotating around a center point within the disk plate surface; a stator (3) which is provided to face the plate surface of the disk plate body of the rotor (5), has approximately the same external shape as that of the rotor, and is divided into a plurality of fan-shaped regions, and in which an exciting coil or a detection coil is wound along the outer periphery of each of the divided regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kyushu University, National University Corporation
    Inventor: Ichiro Sasada