US4752867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control circuitry for electric drives
Assignee: TURNMASTER CORP
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Filing: 1985-09-04
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Granted: 1988-06-21
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Expires: 2005-09-04
Abstract
Abstract A control system is provided for a hydraulic actuating system having a multi-phase stepping motor with a driver therefor which supplies and controls DC current through each of the motor windings such that no current is induced into the control winding from adjacent windings. The stepping motor precisely controls the rotation of an eccentric cam engaging an actuating plunger which actuates a control valve of the hydraulic actuating system. The driver receives control signals from a computer programmed to calculate, from user input command signals indicative of the desired system condition, and generate those control signals which most quickly achieve a rough approximation of the desired system condition. After this rough approximation is attained, the computer generates new control signals for the driver as a function of feedback signals and/or system component characteristics so as to precisely achieve the desired system condition. In a preferred embodiment, the computer comprises a master processor and a plurality of identical slave processors which are selectively addressed to control respective machine functions.
Inventors
- 👤 Bengt S. Backe
- 👤 LaMoyne W. Durham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:11
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/18; G05B19/19; G05B19/21; G05B19/23; G05B19/231; H; H02; H02P; H02P8/00; H02P8/14; G05B2219/00; G05B2219/30; G05B2219/41; G05B2219/41133; G05B2219/41309; G05B2219/41326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
Apparatus for controlling a plurality of machine tool functions, via a hydraulic system, comprising: a plurality of electric drive means for activating respective movable elements in said hydraulic system to control said machine tool functions; microprocessor means for receiving input commands from an external source and for generating command signals; data transmission means, connected to said microprocessor means, for receiving and transmitting command signals; sensor means for generating feedback signals indicative of an operating state of respective machine tool functions; and a plurality of control circuit means, connected between said data transmission means and said electric drive means, for controlling said drive means in response to said command signals and said feedback signals; wherein, each of said control circuit means includes means for receiving said feedback and command signals, memory means for storing a plurality of instruction sets, each of said instruction sets corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of machine tool functions; means for selecting one of said plurality of instruction sets for use in controlling a corresponding machine tool function; processing means for processing said feedback signals in accordance with said selected instruction set and for producing control signals; means for producing drive signals in response to said control signals; and means for selectively activating said processing means to control a selected one of said machine tool functions,
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
Apparatus for controlling a plurality of machine tool functions, via a hydraulic system, comprising: a plurality of electric drive means for activating respective movable elements in said hydraulic system to control said machine tool functions; microprocessor means for receiving input commands from an external source and for generating command signals; data transmission means, connected to said microprocessor means, for receiving and transmitting command signals; sensor means for generating feedback signals indicative of an operating state of respective machine tool functions; and a plurality of control circuit means, connected between said data transmission means and said electric drive means, for controlling said drive means in response to said command signals and said feedback signals; wherein, each of said control circuit means includes means for receiving said feedback and command signals, memory means for storing a plurality of instruction sets, each of said instruction sets corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of machine tool functions; means for selecting one of said plurality of instruction sets for use in controlling a corresponding machine tool function; processing means for processing said feedback signals in accordance with said selected instruction set and for producing control signals; means for producing drive signals in response to said control signals; and means for selectively activating said processing means to control a selected one of said machine tool functions,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing means, said memory means and said means for receiving external feedback signals for each of said plurality of control circuit means are substantially identical and are interchangeable among said plurality of control circuit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said processing means is a non-programmable microprocessor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said memory means is a read-only-memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means for receiving external feedback signals includes a pulse counting or timing device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for selectively activating said processing means includes decoder means responsive to coded command signals produced by said microprocessor means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for producing drive signals includes a D/A converter for receiving digital control signals from said processing means and for producing analog control signals, and a drive circuit for receiving said analog control signals and for producing drive signals for said drive means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for controlling a plurality of electric drive mechanisms, comprising: microprocessor means for receiving input commands from an external source and for generating command signals; sensor means for generating feedback signals indicative of an operating state of said electric drive mechanisms; a plurality of control circuit means, connected to respective ones of said electric drive mechanisms, for controlling said drive mechanisms in response to said command signals and said feedback signals; and means for communicating said command signals and feedback signals to said control circuits; wherein, each of said control circuit means includes means for receiving said feedback and command signals, memory means for storing a plurality of instruction sets, each of said instruction sets corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of electric drive mechanisms; means for selecting one of said plurality of instruction sets for use in controlling a corresponding electric drive mechanism; processing means for processing said feedback signals in accordance with said selected instruction sets and for producing control signals; means for producing drive signals for said electric drive mechanisms in response to said control signals; and means for selectively activating said processing means to control a selected one of said plurality of electric drive mechanisms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
201 words
Apparatus for controlling a plurality of electric drive mechanisms, comprising: microprocessor means for receiving input commands from an external source and for generating command signals; sensor means for generating feedback signals indicative of an operating state of said electric drive mechanisms; a plurality of control circuit means, connected to respective ones of said electric drive mechanisms, for controlling said drive mechanisms in response to said command signals and said feedback signals; and means for communicating said command signals and feedback signals to said control circuits; wherein, each of said control circuit means includes means for receiving said feedback and command signals, memory means for storing a plurality of instruction sets, each of said instruction sets corresponding to a respective one of said plurality of electric drive mechanisms; means for selecting one of said plurality of instruction sets for use in controlling a corresponding electric drive mechanism; processing means for processing said feedback signals in accordance with said selected instruction sets and for producing control signals; means for producing drive signals for said electric drive mechanisms in response to said control signals; and means for selectively activating said processing means to control a selected one of said plurality of electric drive mechanisms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said means for communicating command and feedback signals to said control circuits comprises a single data transmission link connecting said microprocessor means and said control circuit means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said means for selectively activating said processing means includes decoder means for receiving and decoding a coded command signal from said microprocessor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said means for producing drive signals includes a D/A converter for receiving digital control signals from said processing means and for producing analog control signals, and a drive circuit for receiving said analog control signals and for producing drive signals for said electric drive mechanism.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means for selectively activating said processing means includes decoder means for receiving and decoding a coded command signal from said 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) | 1991-06-21 | 1991-12-21 | 1992-06-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-21 | 1995-12-21 | 1996-06-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-21 | 1999-12-21 | 2000-06-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |