Servo driven turret direction determination control for numerical control system

Claim 2

An optimum direction determining system for positioning a rotary turret at a plurality of turret positions around its path of rotary movement comprising a first counter for storing a number representative of a turret position, a source of a commanded new position number, means for comparing both of said aforementioned numbers and responsive to said comparison indicating a difference for initiating counting pulses to cause said first counter to count in a predetermined direction until said compared numbers are in agreement, a second counter, said second counter responsive to said counting pulses to cause said second counter to count in a predetermined direction, means responsive to the count in said second counter not exceeding a number representative of a first portion of the total number of said turret positions to indicate a first direction of rotary movement, and means responsive to the count in said second counter exceeding a number representative of a second portion of the total number of said turret positions to indicate a second direction of rotary movement.

Claim 3

A direction determining system for a rotary turret positionable at a plurality of turret positions around its path of rotary movement comprising a first counter for storing a number representative of a given turret position, a second counter, a source of a commanded pOsition signal, means responsive only to a difference in the positions represented by said number and said signal for initiating counting pulses to cause said first and second counters to count until the positions represented by said signal and stored number are in are agreement, means responsive to the count in said second counter not exceeding a given number to indicate a first direction of rotary movement, and means responsive to the count in said second counter exceeding a given number to indicate a second direction of rotary movement.

Claim 4

A direction determining system for a rotary turret positionable at a plurality of turret positions around its path of rotary movement comprising a first counter for storing a number representative of a given turret position, a second counter, a source of a commanded pOsition signal, means responsive only to a difference in the positions represented by said number and said signal for initiating counting pulses to cause said first and second counters to count until the positions represented by said signal and stored number are in are agreement, means responsive to the count in said second counter not exceeding a given number to indicate a first direction of rotary movement, and means responsive to the count in said second counter exceeding a given number to indicate a second direction of rotary movement.

Claim 5

An optimum direction determining system for positioning a rotary turret at a plurality of turret positions around its path of rotary movement comprising a first counter for storing a number representative of a turret position, a source of a commanded new position number, means for comparing both of said aforementioned numbers to obtain a comparison signal, means responsive to said comparison signal indicating a difference in said first-mentioned numbers for initiating counting pulses to cause said first counter to count in a predetermined direction until said compared numbers are in agreement, a second counter, said second counter normally being reset to a given state, said second counter also responsive to said counting pulses to cause said second counter to count in a predetermined direction in synchronism with the counting of said first counter, means responsive to the count in said second counter not exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate a first direction of rotary movement, and means responsive to the count in said second counter exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate the other direction of rotary movement.

Claim 6

An optimum direction determining system for positioning a rotary turret at a plurality of turret positions around its path of rotary movement comprising a first counter for storing a number representative of a turret position, a source of a commanded new position number, means for comparing both of said aforementioned numbers to obtain a comparison signal, means responsive to said comparison signal indicating a difference in said first-mentioned numbers for initiating counting pulses to cause said first counter to count in a predetermined direction until said compared numbers are in agreement, a second counter, said second counter normally being reset to a given state, said second counter also responsive to said counting pulses to cause said second counter to count in a predetermined direction in synchronism with the counting of said first counter, means responsive to the count in said second counter not exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate a first direction of rotary movement, and means responsive to the count in said second counter exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate the other direction of rotary movement.

Claim 7

An optimum direction determining system for positioning a rotary turret at a plurality of turret positions around its path of rotary movement comprising a first counter for continuously storing a number representative of a last turret position, a source of a commanded new turret position number, means for comparing both of said aforementioned numbers to obtain a comparison signal, means responsive to said comparison signal indicating a difference in said first-mentioned numbers for initiating counting pulses, said first counter responsive to said counting pulses to count in one direction until said compared numbers are in agreement, a second counter, said second counter also responsive to said counting pulses to cause said second counter to count in one direction in synchronism with the counting of said first counter, means responsive to the count in said second counter not exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate a first direction of rotary movement, means responsive to the count in said second counter exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate the other direction of rotary movement, and means for resetting said second counter to a zero state for the next comparison of numbers.

Claim 8

An optimum direction determining system for positioning a rotary turret at a plurality of turret positions around its path of rotary movement comprising a first counter for continuously storing a number representative of a last turret position, a source of a commanded new turret position number, means for comparing both of said aforementioned numbers to obtain a comparison signal, means responsive to said comparison signal indicating a difference in said first-mentioned numbers for initiating counting pulses, said first counter responsive to said counting pulses to count in one direction until said compared numbers are in agreement, a second counter, said second counter also responsive to said counting pulses to cause said second counter to count in one direction in synchronism with the counting of said first counter, means responsive to the count in said second counter not exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate a first direction of rotary movement, means responsive to the count in said second counter exceeding a number representative of half of the total number of said turret positions to indicate the other direction of rotary movement, and means for resetting said second counter to a zero state for the next comparison of numbers.

Claim 9

A direction determining control for a numerical control system of the type controlling an endless recirculated and reversible machine tool having a plurality of discrete working positions comprising machine tool position simulator counter means for simulating the plurality of discrete working positions of the machine tool, comparator means having a first input coupled to an output from said machine tool position simulator counter means which is representative of an existing working position of the machine tool, means for coupling input data command signals to a second input of said comparator means for supplying thereto input data command signals representative of a commanded new working position for the machine tool, said comparator means serving to compare a commanded new working position for the machine tool to the existing position as represented by the output from the machine tool position simulator counter meaNs and to derive output signals for use in driving the machine tool to the commanded new working position and for simultaneous application to the machine tool position simulator counter means for adjusting its count to simulate movement of the machine tool to the commanded new working position, resettable simulated stations moved counter means having a first input coupled to the output from the comparator means for recording the number of simulated stations to be moved as a consequence of each commanded change in working position of the machine tool, the resettable simulated stations moved counter means including logic circuit means for comparing the number of commanded work positions to be moved to the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool can be moved and for deriving a first directional output control signal for running the machine tool in a first direction where the number of o working positions to be moved is greater than one half the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool can be moved, and for deriving a second directional output control signal for running the machine tool in the opposite direction where the number of positions to be moved is less than one half the total number of discrete machine tool working positions, means for resetting the resettable simulated stations moved counter means to zero upon each placement of the machine tool into a new working position, said comparator means discontinuing the supply of count adjusting signals to the machine tool position simulator counter means and to the resettable simulated stations moved counter means upon the machine tool position simulator counter means being counted to a condition corresponding to the commanded new working position as determined by the input data command and concurrently deriving an output start enabling signal indicative of this condition for use in the further operation of the control, said output start enabling signal derived by the comparator means upon the count in the machine tool position simulator counter means corresponding to the commanded new position being supplied to the resettable simulated stations moved counter means as an indication to the logic circuit means comprising a part thereof that a direction determination is to be initiated, said direction determining control being digitally operable and further including means for supplying synchronizing clock signal pulses to the machine tool position simulator counter means, the comparator means and the simulated stations moved counter means for synchronizing the operation thereof with a digitally operable numerical control system with which the control is to be used.

Claim 10

A direction determining control for a numerical control system of the type controlling an endless recirculated and reversible machine tool having a plurality of discrete working positions comprising machine tool position simulator counter means for simulating the plurality of discrete working positions of the machine tool, comparator means having a first input coupled to an output from said machine tool position simulator counter means which is representative of an existing working position of the machine tool, means for coupling input data command signals to a second input of said comparator means for supplying thereto input data command signals representative of a commanded new working position for the machine tool, said comparator means serving to compare a commanded new working position for the machine tool to the existing position as represented by the output from the machine tool position simulator counter meaNs and to derive output signals for use in driving the machine tool to the commanded new working position and for simultaneous application to the machine tool position simulator counter means for adjusting its count to simulate movement of the machine tool to the commanded new working position, resettable simulated stations moved counter means having a first input coupled to the output from the comparator means for recording the number of simulated stations to be moved as a consequence of each commanded change in working position of the machine tool, the resettable simulated stations moved counter means including logic circuit means for comparing the number of commanded work positions to be moved to the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool can be moved and for deriving a first directional output control signal for running the machine tool in a first direction where the number of o working positions to be moved is greater than one half the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool can be moved, and for deriving a second directional output control signal for running the machine tool in the opposite direction where the number of positions to be moved is less than one half the total number of discrete machine tool working positions, means for resetting the resettable simulated stations moved counter means to zero upon each placement of the machine tool into a new working position, said comparator means discontinuing the supply of count adjusting signals to the machine tool position simulator counter means and to the resettable simulated stations moved counter means upon the machine tool position simulator counter means being counted to a condition corresponding to the commanded new working position as determined by the input data command and concurrently deriving an output start enabling signal indicative of this condition for use in the further operation of the control, said output start enabling signal derived by the comparator means upon the count in the machine tool position simulator counter means corresponding to the commanded new position being supplied to the resettable simulated stations moved counter means as an indication to the logic circuit means comprising a part thereof that a direction determination is to be initiated, said direction determining control being digitally operable and further including means for supplying synchronizing clock signal pulses to the machine tool position simulator counter means, the comparator means and the simulated stations moved counter means for synchronizing the operation thereof with a digitally operable numerical control system with which the control is to be used.

Claim 11

A numerical control system for a numerically controlled endless recirculated and directionally reversible machine tool turret of the type having a plurality of discrete working positions, said numerical control system comprising command data input equipment for reading in command data relating to new working positions for the numerically controlled machine tool turret, machine tool position comparator circuit means having a first input coupled to the output from the command data input equipment and having a second input supplied with signals representative of the last actual rotary position of the machine tool turret being controlled, the machine tool turret position comparator circuit means serving to compare the last actual position of the machine tool turret being controlled to a commanded new position and for deriving an output control signal indicative indicative of any difference, machine tool motor control circuit means having an input coupled to the output from the machine tool position comparator circuit means for controlling the position of the machine tool turret, direction determining control circuit means having an input coupled to an output from the command data input equipment for determining the optimum direction for running the machine tool turret in order to obtain a commanded new position with minimum movement and for deriving output directional control signals indicative of the direction to be moved, the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means being coupled to an input of the machine tool motor control circuit means for controlling the direction in which the machine tool turret is moved to a commanded new position, and delay means for delaying operation of the machine tool motor control circuit means in positioning the machine tool turret to a commanded new position for a period sufficient to allow the direction determining control circuit means to determine and set the direction in which the machine tool motor control circuit means controls movement of the machine tool turret to the commanded new position.

Claim 12

A numerical control system for a numerically controlled endless recirculated and directionally reversible machine tool turret of the type having a plurality of discrete working positions, said numerical control system comprising command data input equipment for reading in command data relating to new working positions for the numerically controlled machine tool turret, machine tool position comparator circuit means having a first input coupled to the output from the command data input equipment and having a second input supplied with signals representative of the last actual rotary position of the machine tool turret being controlled, the machine tool turret position comparator circuit means serving to compare the last actual position of the machine tool turret being controlled to a commanded new position and for deriving an output control signal indicative indicative of any difference, machine tool motor control circuit means having an input coupled to the output from the machine tool position comparator circuit means for controlling the position of the machine tool turret, direction determining control circuit means having an input coupled to an output from the command data input equipment for determining the optimum direction for running the machine tool turret in order to obtain a commanded new position with minimum movement and for deriving output directional control signals indicative of the direction to be moved, the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means being coupled to an input of the machine tool motor control circuit means for controlling the direction in which the machine tool turret is moved to a commanded new position, and delay means for delaying operation of the machine tool motor control circuit means in positioning the machine tool turret to a commanded new position for a period sufficient to allow the direction determining control circuit means to determine and set the direction in which the machine tool motor control circuit means controls movement of the machine tool turret to the commanded new position.

Claim 13

A numerical control system for a numerically controlled endless recirculated and directionally reversible machine tool turret of the type having a plurality of discrete working positions, said numerical control system comprising command data input equipment for reading in command data relating to new working positions for the numerically controlled machine tool turret, machine tool position comparator circuit means having a first input coupled to the output from the command data input equipment and having a second input supplied with signals representative of the last actual rotary position of the machine tool turret being controlled, the machine tool turret position comparator circuit means serving to compare the last actual position of the machine tool turret being controlled to a commanded new position and for deriving an output control signal indicative of any difference, machine tool motor control circuit means having an input coupled to the output from the machine tool position comparator circuit means for controlling the position of the machine tool turret, direction determining control circuit means having an input coupled to an output from the command data input equipment for determining the optimum direction for running the machine tool turret in order to obtain a commanded new position with minimum movement and for deriving output directional control signals indicative of the direction to be moved, the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means being coupled to an input of the machine tool motor control circuit means for controlling the direction in which the machine tool turret is moved to a commanded new position, said direction determining control circuit means comprising machine tool turret position simulator counter means for simulating the plurality of discrete working positions of the machine tool, direction determining comparator means having a first input coupled to an output from said machine tool turret position simulator counter means which is representative of an existing working position of the machine tool, means for coupling input data command signals to a second input of said direction determining comparator means for supplying thereto input data command signals representative of a commanded new working position for the machine tool turret, said direction determining comparator means serving to compare a commanded new working position for the machine tool turret to the existing position as represented by the output from the machine tool position simulator counter means and to derive output signals for use in driving the machine tool turret to the commanded new working position and for simultaneous application to the machine tool turret position simulator counter means for adjusting its count to simulate movement of the machine tool turret to the commanded new working position, resettable simulated stations moved counter means having a first input coupled to the output from the direction determining comparator means for recording the number of simulated stations to be moved as a consequence of each commanded change in working position of the machine tool turret, the resettable simulated stations moved counter means including logic circuiT means for comparing the number of commanded work positions to be moved to the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool turret can be moved and for deriving a first directional output control signal for running the machine tool turret in a first direction where the number of working positions to be moved is greater than one half the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool turret can be moved, and for deriving a second directional output control signal for running the machine tool turret in the opposite direction where the number of positions to be moved is less than one half the total number of discrete machine tool turret working positions, and means for resetting the resettable simulated stations moved counter means to zero upon each placement of the machine tool turret into a new working position.

Claim 14

A numerical control system for a numerically controlled endless recirculated and directionally reversible machine tool turret of the type having a plurality of discrete working positions, said numerical control system comprising command data input equipment for reading in command data relating to new working positions for the numerically controlled machine tool turret, machine tool position comparator circuit means having a first input coupled to the output from the command data input equipment and having a second input supplied with signals representative of the last actual rotary position of the machine tool turret being controlled, the machine tool turret position comparator circuit means serving to compare the last actual position of the machine tool turret being controlled to a commanded new position and for deriving an output control signal indicative of any difference, machine tool motor control circuit means having an input coupled to the output from the machine tool position comparator circuit means for controlling the position of the machine tool turret, direction determining control circuit means having an input coupled to an output from the command data input equipment for determining the optimum direction for running the machine tool turret in order to obtain a commanded new position with minimum movement and for deriving output directional control signals indicative of the direction to be moved, the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means being coupled to an input of the machine tool motor control circuit means for controlling the direction in which the machine tool turret is moved to a commanded new position, said direction determining control circuit means comprising machine tool turret position simulator counter means for simulating the plurality of discrete working positions of the machine tool, direction determining comparator means having a first input coupled to an output from said machine tool turret position simulator counter means which is representative of an existing working position of the machine tool, means for coupling input data command signals to a second input of said direction determining comparator means for supplying thereto input data command signals representative of a commanded new working position for the machine tool turret, said direction determining comparator means serving to compare a commanded new working position for the machine tool turret to the existing position as represented by the output from the machine tool position simulator counter means and to derive output signals for use in driving the machine tool turret to the commanded new working position and for simultaneous application to the machine tool turret position simulator counter means for adjusting its count to simulate movement of the machine tool turret to the commanded new working position, resettable simulated stations moved counter means having a first input coupled to the output from the direction determining comparator means for recording the number of simulated stations to be moved as a consequence of each commanded change in working position of the machine tool turret, the resettable simulated stations moved counter means including logic circuiT means for comparing the number of commanded work positions to be moved to the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool turret can be moved and for deriving a first directional output control signal for running the machine tool turret in a first direction where the number of working positions to be moved is greater than one half the total number of discrete working positions to which the machine tool turret can be moved, and for deriving a second directional output control signal for running the machine tool turret in the opposite direction where the number of positions to be moved is less than one half the total number of discrete machine tool turret working positions, and means for resetting the resettable simulated stations moved counter means to zero upon each placement of the machine tool turret into a new working position.

Claim 15

A numerical control system according to claim 7 further including delay means for delaying operation of the machine tool motor control circuit means in positioning the machine tool to a commanded new position for a period sufficient to allow the direction determining control circuit means to determine and set the direction in which the machine tool motor control circuit means controls movement of the machine tool to the commanded new position.

Claim 16

A numerical control system according to claim 8 wherein the direction determining comparator means in the direction determining control circuit means discontinues the supply of count adjusting signals to the machine tool position simulator counter means and to the resettable simulated stations moved counter means upon the machine tool position simulator counter means being counted to a condition corresponding to the commanded new working position as determined by the input data command and concurrently derives an output start enabling signal indicative of this condition, means for supplying the output start enabling signal derived by the direction determining comparator means to the resettable simulated stations moved counter means as an indication to the logic circuit means comprising a part thereof that a direction determination is to be initiated, and means for supplying the output start enabling signal derived by the direction determining comparator means through the delay means to the machine tool motor control circuit means to initiate its operation subsequent to the direction setting thereof by the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means.

Claim 17

A numerical control system according to claim 9 wherein the system is digitally operable and further including means for supplying synchronizing clock signal pulses to the constituent parts of the system for timing and synchronizing the operation thereof, and wherein an end of block signal is derived by the command data input equipment at the end of each block of input data to identify the completion of input data command instructions relating to each new commanded position for the machine tool, and means for supplying the end of block signal to the resettable simulated stations moved counter means as the means for resetting this counter to zero upon each placement of the machine tool into a new working position.

Claim 18

A numerical control system for a numerically controlled endless recirculated and reversible process of the type having a plurality of discrete working conditions, said numerical control system comprising command data input equipment for reading in command data relating to new working conditions for the numerically controlled process, process working condition comparator circuit means having a first input coupled to the output from the command data input equipment and having a second input supplied with signals representative of the actual condition of the process being controlled, the process working condition comparator circuit means serving to compare the condition of the process being controlled to a commanded new condition and for derivIng an output control signal indicative of any any difference, process control manipulator means having an input coupled to the output from the process working condition comparator circuit means for controlling the condition of the process, direction determining control circuit means having an input coupled to an output from the command data input equipment for determining the optimum direction for changing the process in order to obtain a commanded new condition with minimum change and for deriving output directional control signals indicative of the direction the process is to be changed, the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means being coupled to an input of the process control manipulator means for controlling the direction in which the process is changed to a commanded new condition, said direction determining control circuit means comprising process condition simulator counter means for simulating the plurality of discrete working conditions of the process, direction determining comparator means having a first input coupled to an output from said process condition simulator counter means which is representative of an existing working condition of the process, means for coupling input data command signals to a second input of said direction determining comparator means for supplying thereto input data command signals representative of a commanded new working condition for the process, said direction determining comparator means serving to compare a commanded new working condition for the process to the existing condition as represented by the output from the process condition simulator counter means and to derive output signals for use in controlling the process so that it assumes the commanded new working condition and for simultaneous application to the process condition simulator counter means for adjusting its count to simulate changes of the process to the commanded new working condition, resettable simulated conditions changed counter means having a first input coupled to the output from the direction determining comparator means for recording the number of simulated conditions to be changed as a consequence of each commanded change in working conditions of the process, the resettable simulated conditions changed counter means including logic circuit means for comparing the number of commanded working conditions to be changed to total number of discrete working conditions to which the process can be changed and for deriving a first directional output control signal for changing the process in a first direction where the number of working conditions to be changed is greater than one half the total number of discrete working conditions of which the process is capable, an and for deriving a second directional output control signal for changing the process in the opposite direction where the number of conditions to be changed is less than one half the total number of discrete process working conditions, and means for resetting the resettable simulated conditions changed counter means to zero upon each placement of the process into a new working condition.

Claim 19

A numerical control system for a numerically controlled endless recirculated and reversible process of the type having a plurality of discrete working conditions, said numerical control system comprising command data input equipment for reading in command data relating to new working conditions for the numerically controlled process, process working condition comparator circuit means having a first input coupled to the output from the command data input equipment and having a second input supplied with signals representative of the actual condition of the process being controlled, the process working condition comparator circuit means serving to compare the condition of the process being controlled to a commanded new condition and for derivIng an output control signal indicative of any any difference, process control manipulator means having an input coupled to the output from the process working condition comparator circuit means for controlling the condition of the process, direction determining control circuit means having an input coupled to an output from the command data input equipment for determining the optimum direction for changing the process in order to obtain a commanded new condition with minimum change and for deriving output directional control signals indicative of the direction the process is to be changed, the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means being coupled to an input of the process control manipulator means for controlling the direction in which the process is changed to a commanded new condition, said direction determining control circuit means comprising process condition simulator counter means for simulating the plurality of discrete working conditions of the process, direction determining comparator means having a first input coupled to an output from said process condition simulator counter means which is representative of an existing working condition of the process, means for coupling input data command signals to a second input of said direction determining comparator means for supplying thereto input data command signals representative of a commanded new working condition for the process, said direction determining comparator means serving to compare a commanded new working condition for the process to the existing condition as represented by the output from the process condition simulator counter means and to derive output signals for use in controlling the process so that it assumes the commanded new working condition and for simultaneous application to the process condition simulator counter means for adjusting its count to simulate changes of the process to the commanded new working condition, resettable simulated conditions changed counter means having a first input coupled to the output from the direction determining comparator means for recording the number of simulated conditions to be changed as a consequence of each commanded change in working conditions of the process, the resettable simulated conditions changed counter means including logic circuit means for comparing the number of commanded working conditions to be changed to total number of discrete working conditions to which the process can be changed and for deriving a first directional output control signal for changing the process in a first direction where the number of working conditions to be changed is greater than one half the total number of discrete working conditions of which the process is capable, an and for deriving a second directional output control signal for changing the process in the opposite direction where the number of conditions to be changed is less than one half the total number of discrete process working conditions, and means for resetting the resettable simulated conditions changed counter means to zero upon each placement of the process into a new working condition.

Claim 20

A numerical control system according to claim 11 further including delay means for delaying operation of the process control manipulator means in changing the process to a commanded new condition for a period sufficient to allow the direction determining control circuit means to determine and set the direction in which the process control manipulator means controls the change in condition to the commanded new condition.

Claim 21

A numerical control system according to claim 12 wherein the direction determining comparator means in the direction determining control circuit means discontinues the supply of count adjusting signals to the process condition simulator counter means and to the resettable simulated conditions changed counter means upon the process condition simulator counter means being counted to a condition corresponding to commanded new working coNdition as determined by the input data command and concurrently derives an output start enabling signal indicative of this condition, means for supplying the output start enabling signal derived by the direction determining comparator means to the resettable simulated conditions changed counter means as an indication to the logic circuit means comprising a part thereof that a direction determination is to be initiated, and means for supplying the output start enabling signal derived by the direction determining comparator means through the delay means to the process control manipulator means to initiate its operation subsequent to the direction setting thereof by the directional control signals derived by the direction determining control circuit means.