With Particular Motor Control System Responsive To The "actuating Signal" Patents (Class 318/671)
  • Publication number: 20100264868
    Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to couple an electro-pneumatic controller to a position transmitter in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a position transmitter having a first connection and having a second connection coupled to a power source, an electro-pneumatic controller including at least a first connection coupled to the first connection of the position transmitter, and a resistor coupled between the first connection and a second connection of the electro-pneumatic controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen George Seberger, Steven William Hagen, Lorin Dion Miller
  • Patent number: 7755317
    Abstract: This invention provides methods for electric vehicle motor control and rotor position detection and fault-tolerant processing. The rotor position signal sampled by the system is compared with the previous rotor position ?0. When there is a sudden change, the current position signal acquired is discarded. Instead, a fault-tolerant processing strategy for use during an error condition is employed where the previous sampled rotor position ?0 is used as a base to determine the corrected current rotor position angle ?1?. Then the correcting value is used to control the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Ming Yu, Xiaohua Tang, Nan Liu, Jian Gong, Yingwu Xu, Ting Luo, Kai Liu, Xianhong Jiang, Qiaoqiao Wu, Xuguang Zhou, Guangming Yang
  • Publication number: 20100132542
    Abstract: In an electro-pneumatic system for controlling a double-acting pneumatic actuator having first and second working chambers, first and second preliminary pneumatic control components generate first and second preliminary pneumatic control signals transferred to respective first and second main pneumatic control components having outputs connected to the respective first and second working chambers. An electronic splitter circuit precedes the first and second preliminary pneumatic control components for splitting and inverting an electrical control signal input to the splitter circuit around an electrical mean control value to create first and second mirror-inverted electrical control signals respectively connected to the respective first and second preliminary pneumatic control components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Stefan Kolbenschlag, Dirk Klee
  • Patent number: 7728543
    Abstract: A stepping motor controlling device according to the present invention includes lead angle computing means which computes a lead angle according to the load torque current deviation of the stepping motor, adding means which adds an angle command to the lead angle to determine a winding exciting angle and voltage applying means which applies a voltage according to the winding exciting angle to the stepping motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Takemori, Yoshifumi Kuwano, Hiroaki Taka, Yoshitaka Iwaji
  • Patent number: 7692396
    Abstract: An electromotive furniture drive for adjusting at least one movable component of a piece of furniture, has at least one electric motor for adjusting the movable component, at least one operating device with switching elements for actuating the electric motor, at least one control unit for controlling the at least one electric motor as a function of the operating device, and at least one power supply unit. At least one analyzing device has at least one actuating element for checking the function of the at least one electric motor, the at least one control unit, the at least one operating device and of the at least one power supply unit, and has at least one signaling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Dewert Antriebs-und Systemtechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Martin Ctvrtnicek
  • Patent number: 7688019
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for compensating for a position error of a step motor. A method for compensating for a position error of a step motor includes: sequentially inputting a predetermined number of a pulse as a rotator position command to a step motor driver; driving a step motor in a micro step method based on the rotator position command and a predetermined current command table; detecting an actual position of a rotator of the step motor while the step motor is being driven; calculating a position error by comparing the rotator position command and the detected actual position of the rotator; and compensating for the predetermined current command table based on the calculated position error. According to the present invention, a position error which may occur when the step motor is driven by a micro step method can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Convex Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Choong-Hyuk Yim
  • Publication number: 20100072940
    Abstract: A mechanical system includes a plurality of amplifier groups each having a common power source unit connected to a higher-level power source and a plurality of power supply units for supplying power to servo motors from the common power source unit. A servo motor drive control device of the mechanical system includes a plurality of amplifier group electric power detection units each determining an electric energy of the corresponding one of the amplifier groups.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Applicant: FANUC LTD
    Inventors: Yasusuke IWASHITA, Tadashi OKITA, Hiroyuki KAWAMURA, Yuuya UENO
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7626352
    Abstract: A control device for a stepping motor is provided that can reduce torque generated by a motor and control the expansion of a speed deviation when the rotational speed of a rotor exceeds a speed command. The control device includes first judging means (27) for judging whether a positional deviation of a rotor is within a predetermined range, second judging means (28) for judging whether a sign of the positional deviation and a sign of a speed deviation coincide with each other, and phase setting means (34 to 35) for setting a winding current command phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Oriental Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihiko Hoda
  • Patent number: 7613526
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a control system of the reciprocating object comprising a microprocessor (01), a reciprocating mode control circuit (02), a reciprocating travel control circuit (03), a power supply circuit (04) and a motor driving circuit (05), with the microprocessor (01) provided with matrix type on-off signal input-outputs. The reciprocating mode control circuit (02) consists of matrix column branches and matrix row branches, allowing the limited number of the on-off signal ports of the microprocessor (01) to be connected to a plurality of on-off controlling elements thereby realizing a multiple of control modes and diversifying the control modes. The circuit construction according to the present invention is relatively simple, which is helpful to a tidy wiring and layout of the elements and therefore the circuit is easy for manufacturing, assembling, trouble shooting and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Inventor: Chichun Wu
  • Patent number: 7598697
    Abstract: A motor and a method for serves finding the position of an armature in relation to a stator of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Christian Welk, Michael Apel, Ralf Hartramph
  • Patent number: 7589482
    Abstract: A system implementing a controller for linear motors is disclosed having a plurality of switches, a reorganization switch control detecting available hot spot sensors, encoder failures, and current sensor failures, and a storage storing a decision matrix having controller reorganization conditions. Upon detecting available hot spot sensors, encoder failures and recoveries, and current sensor failures and recoveries, the reorganization switch control reorganizes itself via configuring at least one of the switches based on information in said decision matrix to operate without available sensors and using available sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: Raymond B. Sepe, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7579793
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for driving one or more force coils. A system for driving force coils is provided including a PWM drive coupled to a first coil and a linear drive coupled to a second coil. The PWM drive efficiently drives the first coil to apply a first force. The linear drive drives the second coil to apply a second force that is substantially noise-free. The first force is greater than the second force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7504794
    Abstract: A common electrode plate formed on a common electrode base attached to the lower surface of the movable stage faces a split electrode plate formed on a split electrode base attached to the upper surface of a main base, which are apart from each other at a predetermined interval. A support mechanism formed of ball bearings, ball stoppers at the movable side, steel balls, ball stoppers at the fixed side, and ball bearings allows the movable stage to move in directions of the X-axis, Y-axis and turning. A linear actuator 19 is driven to move the movable stage in the directions of X-axis, Y-axis, and turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Chiba Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Sato, Kennosuke Kondo
  • Publication number: 20090058335
    Abstract: A control system for an electromagnetic rotary drive for bearingless motor-generators comprises a winding configuration comprising a plurality of individual pole pairs through which phase current flows, each phase current producing both a lateral force and a torque. A motor-generator comprises a stator, a rotor supported for movement relative to the stator, and a control system. The motor-generator comprises a winding configuration supported by the stator. The winding configuration comprises at least three pole pairs through which phase current flows resulting in three three-phase systems. Each phase system has a first rotor reference frame axis current that produces a levitating force with no average torque and a second rotor reference frame axis current that produces torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Peter E. Kascak, Ralph H. Jansen, Timothy P. Dever
  • Patent number: 7385370
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for moving an object. The apparatus includes a first actuator which drives the object in X and Y directions, a second actuator which drives a reaction force counter which receives a reaction force generated when the first actuator drives the object, and a controller which calculates X- and Y-direction reaction forces and a moment reaction force on the basis of X- and Y-direction positions of the object and X- and Y-direction accelerations of the object, which are to be received by the reaction force counter when the object is driven by the first actuator, and controls the second actuator so as to cancel the reaction forces and the moment reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7365511
    Abstract: A system and method for extracting estimated input voltage and input current values of an AC motor based on sensed power inverter output voltage and output current when the AC motor is connected to a front-end EMI filter and the EMI filter is connected to a power inverter. Where the system includes a current estimator portion, and a voltage estimator portion. The estimated input values are used by a feedback controller in the power inverter to control the motor. A second system and method for extracting estimated an input current of an AC motor based on the actual motor input voltage, and the output voltage of the power inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Vietson M. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7330009
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and program for driving a motor in a feedback control system, capable of suppressing oscillation of the motor rotational speed are disclosed. A motor drive controller includes a drive motor, a detector, and a motor drive controller. The drive motor drives a moving body around a target speed. The detector detects a current moving speed of the moving body and outputs it as a detector pulse signal. The controller calculates a difference between the current moving speed and the target moving speed, calculates a control value based on the difference, calculates a pulse rate of a drive pulse signal based on the control value after having controlled the control value to be within a predetermined value, and controls the drive motor based on the pulse rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Andoh, Tadashi Shinohara, Yuuji Matsuda, Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Nobuto Yokokawa, Masato Yokoyama, Yohhei Miura, Toshiyuki Takahashi, Jun Hosokawa
  • Patent number: 7224140
    Abstract: This invention detects a stall in a stepper motor by determining a motor winding current for each stepper pulse and determining if the winding current of a particular stepper pulse meets predetermined criteria. The motor winding current may be determined by measuring a voltage across an ON field effect transistor during a stepper pulse and calculating a winding current using an assumed ON field effect transistor resistance. The predetermined criteria may by a calculated motor winding current greater than a predetermined threshold, greater than prior pulse by more than a predetermined threshold or greater than a prior pulse by more than a predetermined factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Mohammed S. Arefeen, Jim D. Childers
  • Patent number: 7215095
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for moving an object. The apparatus includes a first actuator which drives the object in X and Y directions, a second actuator which drives a reaction force counter which receives a reaction force generated when the first actuator drives the object, and a controller which controls the second actuator on the basis of X- and Y-direction positions of the object and X- and Y-direction accelerations of the object so as to cancel, by the second actuator, the reaction force to be received by the reaction force counter when the object is driven by the first actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 7135827
    Abstract: A digitally controlled, integrated Sawyer motor forcer consists of a rigid mechanical housing containing one or more linear motor segments, integrated control electronics, cooling means, and optional feedback sensors. The integrated control electronics include digital processing circuits, an external host communication interface, power conditioning and supply circuits, forcer phase amplifiers, input/output circuits and optional feedback sensor circuits. The integrated controller also provides control, amplifier, input/output, and sensor circuits for additional external motor axes that may be attached to the forcer as needed for specialized machines. The forcer may be operated in an open-loop mode without feedback sensors, or in a closed-loop servo mode using integrated feedback sensors of various types. Cooling means are included in the forcer to reduce the temperature rise caused by power dissipation in the forcer coils and the integrated electronic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Inventor: Clark E. Lampson
  • Patent number: 7076322
    Abstract: A system and method for specifying and satisfying move constraints when performing a motion control sequence. One or more motion control operations may be included in a sequence in response to user input. User input specifying one or more move constraints for a first motion control operation in the sequence may be received to a graphical user interface. When the motion control sequence is subsequently performed, the first motion control operation may be performed in such a way that the one or more specified move constraints are satisfied. The specified move constraints preferably do not cause the trajectory of the first motion control operation to be altered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Sundeep Chandhoke
  • Patent number: 7068007
    Abstract: A stepping motor driving system and process according to the present invention controls a switching element in such a manner that motor supply current is passed through a motor coil until a coil current detection value reaches an upper limit set point, motor reflux current is passed through the motor coil until predetermined time elapses since the motor supply current begins to flow after the coil current detection value reached the upper limit set point, motor regeneration current is passed through the motor coil until the coil current detection value reaches a lower limit set point when predetermined time has passed, and motor reflux current is passed through the motor coil until predetermined time elapse since the motor regeneration current begins to flow after the coil current detection value reached the lower limit set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Charles Simson Silitonga
  • Patent number: 7019483
    Abstract: The position-controlled stopping of rotating components of shaftless drive mechanisms, in the case of a loss of voltage, is accomplished by the provision of an external connectable network. That external connectable network supplies the process power which is missing due to a loss of rotational power in the event of a voltage loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Nikolaus Markert
  • Patent number: 7005824
    Abstract: A shutter mechanism includes a drum (2), a stepping motor (5), a driver (20), a microcomputer (10), a memory (16), and a load magnitude detection circuit (30) that detects the magnitude of the load on the stepping motor (5) when an object such as a shutter (3) is either wound or unwound from the drum (2). The microcomputer (10) can set the upper and lower limit stopping positions of the shutter (3) by resetting the number of command pulses stored in the memory (16) when the load magnitude detection circuit (30) detects an increase in the load at the stepping motor (5), and storing the number of command pulses output to that point from the memory (16) when the load magnitude detection circuit (30) next detects an increase in the load at the stepping motor (5) after the outputting of the command pulses is next restarted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naotaka Akiwa
  • Patent number: 6909256
    Abstract: The present invention provides a control device of a position control motor for preventing step out of the position control motor, wherein the heat generated by the position control motor is small and the energy efficiency is good.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Oriental Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masanari Itabashi
  • Patent number: 6885925
    Abstract: A force pattern is formed by particular points in which forces to be supplied to a knob are set for a plurality of particular positions that are set in a movement range of the knob and prescribed functions connect each adjoining pair of particular positions. A storing section stores the particular points. A computing section determines in which region between the particular positions the knob is located, and calculates a control value to be supplied to an actuator on the basis of the prescribed function connecting the particular points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshio Sanpei, Noriyuki Fukushima, Hironori Kato
  • Patent number: 6865441
    Abstract: A system and method for performing trajectory generation, interpolation, and control for a motion control application, where the trajectory generation, interpolation, and control are performed in parallel with each other. In one embodiment, an FPGA in a motion control device may be configured to perform the trajectory generation, interpolation, and control in parallel. Performing trajectory generation, interpolation, and control in parallel on an FPGA may increase the efficiency of the motion control application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Sundeep Chandhoke
  • Patent number: 6861817
    Abstract: Stepped rotary motion is imparted to the rotor of a stepping motor by alternately driving at least first and second coils which interact with a plurality of magnetic poles on the rotor. When each of the coils transitions from a driven to a non-driven state, the continued motion of the rotor causes a back electro-motive force to be generated in the coil. The electro-motive forces produced by the coils are rectified, integrated, and then compared with a threshold to determine if a motor stall condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Pigott, Thomas Jeffrey Reiter
  • Patent number: 6853161
    Abstract: A motor control apparatus which can improve detection accuracy of control information and stabilize a control system includes a detector for detecting first pulse information which corresponds to the drive speed of a driven object and second pulse information out of phase with the first pulse information; edge detectors for detecting rising edges and falling edges of the detected first pulse information and second pulse information; edge interval measuring units for measuring edge-to-edge periods using the detected rising edges and falling edges; a calibrator for calibrating the measured edge-to-edge periods with a reference period for driving the driven object at constant speed; a corrector for correcting the first pulse information and second pulse information based on the calibration; and a controller for generating control commands to drive the driven object based on the corrected first pulse information and second pulse information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobutsune Kobayashi, Michiharu Shoji
  • Patent number: 6831433
    Abstract: A drive control apparatus comprises a drive signal supply unit for generating, when a power-supply voltage is supplied to the drive control apparatus, a drive signal, which is used for driving a load from this power-supply voltage, and for supplying this generated drive signal to an output port of a microcomputer, a drive signal stop unit for stopping, when the power-supply voltage has a value that is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the drive signal supply unit from supplying the drive signal, and a drive signal delay unit for delaying the drive signal outputted by the drive signal supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Furui
  • Patent number: 6819076
    Abstract: A motor drive including an input for alternating current, a rectifier circuit, an inverter, an output which provides the controlled alternating current to drive a motor; and an active EMI filter for eliminating common mode noise in the motor drive which employs a magneto-resistive sensor. In the filter, a pair of lead frame bars which are connectable to the current path of the motor drive and an MR sensor in the form of a Wheatstone bridge are fabricated on a semiconductor die, with the bridge in contact with and straddling the lead frame bars. The bridge elements are so oriented that opposed elements in the bridge are responsive to changes in magnetic flux in a first sense to exhibit an increase in resistance, and adjacent elements in the bridge are responsive to changes in magnetic flux in a second sense opposite to the first sense to exhibit an increase in resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6750625
    Abstract: A high accuracy stage supported in six degrees of freedom by electromagnetic bearings. Movements in the horizontal plane of the stage are controlled by variable reluctance actuators which are mounted between the high accuracy stage and a coarse stage so as not to distort the high accuracy stage during movements thereof. The high accuracy stage is supported in three vertical degrees of freedom by electromagnetic actuators disposed between the coarse stage and the high accuracy stage and aided by a supplemental vertical support disposed adjacent to the actuators. Preferably, the high accuracy stage is suspended from a bar supported by the supplemental vertical support, which is preferably air bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Binnard, Kazuya Ono, Andrew J. Hazelton
  • Publication number: 20040041534
    Abstract: A motor drive including an input for alternating current, a rectifier circuit, an inverter, an output which provides the controlled alternating current to drive a motor; and an active EMI filter for eliminating common mode noise in the motor drive which employs a magneto-resistive sensor. In the filter, a pair of lead frame bars which are connectable to the current path of the motor drive and an MR sensor in the form of a Wheatstone bridge are fabricated on a semiconductor die, with the bridge in contact with and straddling the lead frame bars. The bridge elements are so oriented that opposed elements in the bridge are responsive to changes in magnetic flux in a first sense to exhibit an increase in resistance, and adjacent elements in the bridge are responsive to changes in magnetic flux in a second sense opposite to the first sense to exhibit an increase in resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Toshio Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6697685
    Abstract: A flexible closed-loop controller capable of being quickly and easily configured for a broad range of applications. The controller contains a set of control elements that may be configured or reconfigured for any specific application. Built-in configuration management automates configuration of the control elements dependent on user commands or operating conditions. The controller is autonomous after initial configuration, although it may be used interactively. This flexible closed-loop controller is suitable for switching power supplies, linear amplifiers, AC inverters, battery chargers, electronic loads, temperature and pressure management, motor or actuator drives, as well as industrial automation, data acquisition, and automatic test equipment. The controller reduces development time and cost, reduces parts count and cost, and improves performance and reliability of real-time closed-loop systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: David J. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6683429
    Abstract: An electric positional actuator that includes a default device for positioning the actuated device in a default position. The actuator includes an electric motor that controls the rotational position of a shaft through a gear system. When the shaft rotates, it moves a link-bar that actuates the actuated device. A rotational sensor coupled to a printed circuit board detects the position of the shaft, and provide a feedback signal of the shaft's position. The default device includes a spring wrapped around the shaft. When the link bar is rotated away from its default position, one leg of the spring remains in contact with a housing spring boss while the other leg of the spring is in contact with the link bar opposing the movement and trying to return the link-bar to the default position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Hal Pringle, Robert Keefover, Michael Halsig, John Duddles
  • Publication number: 20030146728
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for position-controlled stopping of rotating components of shaftless drive mechanisms in the case of voltage loss, whereby the lacking process power arising from a lack of rotational power is supplied by means of an external connectable network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Publication date: August 7, 2003
    Inventor: Nikolaus Markert
  • Patent number: 6545441
    Abstract: An actuator system having a controller, a motor, and a feedback device, wherein an output shaft of the motor is connected to the feedback device. The controller directs the application of power to the motor and the feedback device produces a signal indicative of the position of the output shaft. Advantageously, the signal may be read by the controller when the motor is not in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin Grady
  • Patent number: 6541934
    Abstract: In a method for controlling an electric drive, a controlled variable is adjusted to a desired value. To protect the electric drive, the controlled variable is first adjusted to the desired value in a precise manner. Thereafter, the control operation is interrupted, AND the difference between the controlled variable and the desired value is check continuously to see whether it exceed a preset threshold. Interruption of the control operation is terminated when the threshold has been reached or exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Hirschfelder, Christian Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6498445
    Abstract: An oscillation apparatus includes an oscillation mechanism for reciprocating an oscillating roller which can be rotated in the circumferential direction and can be reciprocated along the axial direction; an oscillation-width adjustment mechanism for adjusting the oscillation width of the oscillating roller; an oscillation-mechanism drive motor for operating the oscillation mechanism; an oscillation-width adjustment motor for operating the oscillation-width adjustment mechanism; oscillation-width controller for controlling operation of the oscillation-width adjustment motor such that the oscillation width of the oscillating roller attains a designated value; and oscillation-number controller for controlling operation of the oscillation-mechanism drive motor, on the basis of the number of revolutions of the plate cylinder, such that the number of oscillations of the oscillating roller per unit number of revolutions of the plate cylinder attains a designated value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventors: Masaomi Fujiwara, Hideki Mori
  • Patent number: 6452360
    Abstract: A method for calculating a first and second gain for a controller circuit for a plant is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a reference model circuit with desired circuit characteristics, providing a reference model adaptive circuit, setting the second gain to zero, supplying a spectrally rich input signal to the reference model and to the controller circuit, determining the first gain by continuously adjusting the first gain until an output of the reference model and an output of the controller circuit are substantially equal, setting the first gain to the previously determined value, determining the second gain by continuously adjusting the second gain until an output of the reference model and an output of the controller circuit are substantially equal and setting the second gain to the previously determined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Square D. Company
    Inventor: Roy Stephen Colby
  • Patent number: 6316902
    Abstract: A step motor drive control circuit, which is suitably employed in an image scanner, reduces the uneven rotation characteristics of a step motor and improves the scanning quality in the image scanner. The step motor drive control circuit generates a phase signal for driving the step motor from a phase signal generator in accordance with a driving pulse signal. The step motor drive control circuit controls switching devices of a driver in accordance with the phase signal so as to perform bipolar driving of the step motor. The step motor drive control circuit includes at least two switching devices with different switching characteristics in order that bipolar driving of the step motor is performed. A constant-current signal from a constant-current signal generator is added to the switching devices, thereby setting switching characteristics of the switching devices to be uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shingo Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6271641
    Abstract: A step-motor-driving device includes (a) a step-motor having driving-windings in plurality of phases, (b) an exciter for supplying power to excite driving-windings, (c) a position detector for detecting a position of a mover of the motor and outputs a position-detecting-signal, and (d) an excitation-timing-controller for receiving a driving-instruction-signal and a position-detecting-signal, and outputs an exciting signal to the exciter responsive to an input of one of the driving-instruction-signal and the position-detecting-signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Yasohara, Masakazu Senoh
  • Patent number: 6259222
    Abstract: A device for controlling load on a first motor whose load is affected by a second motor, comprises a controller having a first input for being connected to a horsepower transducer connected to the first motor being monitored and an output for being connected to the second motor; and a program configured to receive the first input and generate the output responsive to the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Inventor: Alan K. Kira
  • Patent number: 6198175
    Abstract: A switching device and process for external force-actuated driving devices in a motor vehicle, especially windows and sliding roofs. Depending on the dynamics and/or degree of displacement of an actuating component, control signals are generated which code the displacement speed and travel, the position, the displacement duration and/or direction of the item to be displaced. The actuating component is preferably an unrestrictedly rotatable component which, during its rotation, generates control signals for an electronic control unit. The device and process give a user the greatest possible control over the displacement of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Roland Kalb, Günter Bittner
  • Patent number: 6163130
    Abstract: In an injection molding machine whose movable part is driven by an AC servo motor, d-phase current in a direction of magnetic flux produced by a field system and q-phase current orthogonal to the d-phase current are obtained through d-q conversion on the basis of drive current of the AC servo motor and a phase of a rotor. Control of current is made in DC mode on condition that the d-phase current is set to zero, and the q-phase current is adapted for a current command. Control of current in the DC mode as described above is designed to advance the phase of the q-phase current command, which is an effective component of a current command at the time of the occurrence of magnetic saturation, thereby preventing, the influence of magnetic saturation to lessen the fall of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Fanuc, Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Neko, Shunsuke Matsubara, Yasusuke Iwashita, Hiroyuki Kawamura
  • Patent number: 6144179
    Abstract: The method for determining the rotational speed and/or the angle of rotation of mechanically commutated d.c. motors from the variation with respect to time of the ripple of the motor current occurring during commutation is supplemented and checked by a motor state model that functions in parallel to it and is based on the electromechanical motor equations. A probable value of the actual speed is extrapolated from the motor current and the motor voltage and a permissible reference time range is determined for the next commutation. If no commutation time can be established in the reference time range, the extrapolated value is used. Otherwise, the current speed is determined precisely from the commutation time measured in the reference time range. The load-dependent motor constant for the motor state model can be preset as a fixed value or it can be adjusted to the actual speed after commutation processes have been detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Temic Telefunken microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Kessler, Wolfgang Schulter
  • Patent number: 6121744
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control apparatus for a position control motor, which allows the rotor of the motor to follow up to a command position without step out, can ensure highly reliable positioning, and is stable with respect to a variation in load. This position control apparatus comprises a position detecting section for detecting a rotor position of the position control motor, a control section for comparing an output signal of the position detecting section with a command position signal and outputting a signal corresponding to an electric current to flow in windings of the motor based on a deviation between the output signal and the command position signal, and a drive section for outputting an electric current to be supplied to the windings of the motor based on an output signal of the control section, and controls the position of the motor based on the command position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Oriental Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Hoda, Kazuo Abe
  • Patent number: 6049284
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a three-phase electric motor which has been disconnected from the electrical mains and is running down, one phase of the voltage generated by the motor being checked respectively in each of two channels for zero crossings and, if a zero crossing occurs, a signal being produced which, after DC-decoupling, is used to control the operation of a safety device. The safety devices are mutually interlocked and control signals therefor are produced only when the period between zero-crossings detected in both channels indicates that the motor output shaft has ceased rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: K. A. Schmersal GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Friedhelm Heuer
  • Patent number: 5959427
    Abstract: A stage assembly which includes a stage which moves on a base, where the base is suspended on a foundation, minimizes disturbance to the base caused by linear acceleration of the stage during its movement. Reaction cancellation forces are applied through the stage center of gravity, hence there is no uncancelled reaction moment and no disturbance of the base stability. The net reaction cancellation force is applied in line with the stage center of gravity and parallel to the stage direction of travel. Alternatively, the base is isolated from the reaction forces by a rigid linkage between the stage linear actuator and a foundation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Douglas C. Watson