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US4567414A
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Method and a device for controlling a brush-commutator assembly of an electric machine
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-07-11
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Granted: 1986-01-28
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Expires: 2003-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and a device for controlling a brush-commutator assembly of a machine under application of an electrical processing and control unit, by sensing one or more operating parameters of the electric machine, the sensing values being processed and converted into one or more control signals controlling the operation of the brush-commutator assembly to provide an optimal commutation process of the machine current. The machine current is sensed and the pressing exerted on the brushes is controlled by a fluid under pressure; the brush tracks, moreover, being engaged and disengaged upon increase and decrease of the machine current respectively in order to maintain an optimal current density in the brushes. One or more sensors for sensing operating parameters of the electric machine are used and a processing and control unit to process the signals sensed by the sensors and to supply control signals to one or more control means controlling the operation of the brush-commutator assembly. The control device comprises a fluid control circuit having an electrically controllable pressure system. The sensors are operable to detect the temperature of the cooling air and/or of the commutator, the humidity of the cooling air, the commutation noise on the machine current, the speed of revolutions, and extreme mechanical vibrations.
Inventors
- 👤 Josephus B. M. Berings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:20
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02K; H02K5/00; H02K5/04; H02K5/14; H02K5/143; H02K5/148; H01; H01R; H01R39/00; H01R39/02; H01R39/38; H01R39/381; H01R39/46; H02K11/00; H02K11/20; H02K11/25; H02K13/00; H02K13/10; H01R39/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S388/00; Y10S388/907; Y10S388/917; Y10S388/923; Y10S388/929; Y10S388/933; Y10S388/934
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for controlling a brush-commutator assembly of a commutator machine under application of an electrical processing and control unit, by sensing one or more operating parameters of the commutator machine; the sensing values being processed and converted into one or more control signals controlling the operation of the brush-commutator assembly to provide an optimal commutation process of the machine current, said brush-commutator assembly including two more brush tracks for the brushes, whereby the machine current is sensed and the pressure exerted on the brushes is continuously regulated by a fluid under pressure, the brush tracks being engaged and disengaged to redistribute the machine current--upon an increase and decrease of the machine current respectively--for maintaining an optimal current density in the brushes and to change over the brush tracks in a cyclical and preferential manner to provide equal brush wear.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
140 words
A method for controlling a brush-commutator assembly of a commutator machine under application of an electrical processing and control unit, by sensing one or more operating parameters of the commutator machine; the sensing values being processed and converted into one or more control signals controlling the operation of the brush-commutator assembly to provide an optimal commutation process of the machine current, said brush-commutator assembly including two more brush tracks for the brushes, whereby the machine current is sensed and the pressure exerted on the brushes is continuously regulated by a fluid under pressure, the brush tracks being engaged and disengaged to redistribute the machine current--upon an increase and decrease of the machine current respectively--for maintaining an optimal current density in the brushes and to change over the brush tracks in a cyclical and preferential manner to provide equal brush wear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that the humidity of the cooling air is sensed near the commutator in response to which humid air or gas is injected to the commutator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that the quality of commutation is sensed from the commutation noise on the machine current, the high frequency energy of said noise being measured with the use of a high-frequency filter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that the speed of revolutions of the commutator machine is sensed.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for controlling a brush-commutator assembly of a commutator machine, comprising one or more sensors, including a machine current sensor, for sensing operating parameters of the commutator machine, an electrical processing and control unit to process the signals sensed by the sensors and to supply control signals to one or more control means controlling the operation of the brush-commutator assembly for an optimal commutation process of the machine current, said brush-commutator assembly comprising sets of brush holders, divided into two or more brush tracks, whereby said device includes a fluid control circuit provided with an electrically controllable pressure system and a plurality, at least corresponding to the number of the brush tracks, of solonoid valves capable of continuously regulating the pressure exerted on the brushes in the brush holders and the engagement and disengagement of the brush tracks, to redistribute the machine current and to change over the brush tracks, by means of the fluid under pressure under the control of the electrical processing and control unit.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
168 words
A device for controlling a brush-commutator assembly of a commutator machine, comprising one or more sensors, including a machine current sensor, for sensing operating parameters of the commutator machine, an electrical processing and control unit to process the signals sensed by the sensors and to supply control signals to one or more control means controlling the operation of the brush-commutator assembly for an optimal commutation process of the machine current, said brush-commutator assembly comprising sets of brush holders, divided into two or more brush tracks, whereby said device includes a fluid control circuit provided with an electrically controllable pressure system and a plurality, at least corresponding to the number of the brush tracks, of solonoid valves capable of continuously regulating the pressure exerted on the brushes in the brush holders and the engagement and disengagement of the brush tracks, to redistribute the machine current and to change over the brush tracks, by means of the fluid under pressure under the control of the electrical processing and control unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
The control device according to claim 5 in which each one of the brush holders includes a brush box slidingly mounting the brush and in which a pressure body, having an air chamber and a flexible bellows therein, is fastened on the brush box through a pressing plate hermetically sealing the lower flange of the flexible bellows in the pressure body, whereas a pressing pin connected to the brush and running through an aperture in the pressing plate is fastened to the upper flange of the bellows, and in which in the wall of the pressure body there is provided a channel for supplying over or underpressure air in the space between bellows and wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
55 words
The control device according to claim 6 characterized in that the pressure body further comprises a sealing bush between pressure plate and lower flange of the flexible bellows and a second channel in the wall and through the lower flange of the bellows while debouching into the bellows for supplying overpressure air within the bellows.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control device according to claim 7 characterized in that the brush box includes a channel for supplying overpressure air or humid air.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control device according to claim 5 characterized by a sensor for sensing the speed of revolutions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control device according to claim 9 characterized by a sensor for sensing the humidity of the cooling air or the humidity of the air near the commutator.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The control device according to claim 5 characterized by a sensor followed by a high frequency filter for sensing the commutation quality.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control device according to claim 5 characterized in that the processing and control unit is embodied such that the pressing exerted on the brushes is determined as a function of the sensed machine current and the number of brush tracks being engaged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The control device according to claim 5 characterized in that the processing and control unit is constructed and arranged such that the order of engagement and disengagement of the brush tracks is changed cyclically and time dependently.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
64 words
The control device according to claim 13 characterized in that each one of the brush holders has an end signalling means in the brush box for signalling the close proximity of the end position of a worn brush to the processing and control unit, the latter transmitting a warning signal and/or marking the pertaining brush track as the least preferred in the track changing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The control device according to claim 14 characterized in that the end signalling means is a combination of a light emitting element and a light sensitive element in two opposite walls of the brush box.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The control device according to claim 14, characterized in that the end signalling means is a combination of a magnet within the brush and a reed element in the wall of the brush box.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control device according to claim 9 characterized in that the processing and control unit includes a microprocessor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-27 | 1989-07-29 | 1990-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-27 | 1993-07-29 | 1994-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-27 | 1997-07-29 | 1998-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |