Patent US5944635A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5944635A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Safety shutdown and latch off
Assignee: Digital Concepts of Missouri Inc
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Filing: 1998-01-28
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Granted: 1999-08-31
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Expires: 2018-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A motorized exercise apparatus energized by a power source. An electronically commutated motor drives the exercise apparatus. A commutation switch selectively connects the power source to the motor and conducts a switch current when the power supply is connected to the motor. A safety shutdown switch responds to a safety shutdown signal. The safety shutdown switch has a first mode wherein the power source is connected to the motor, and a second mode wherein the power source is disconnected from the motor. A threshold circuit associated with the commutation switch generates a switch current signal representative of switch current. The threshold circuit comprises a threshold detector responsive to the switch current signal for generating the safety shutdown signal and placing and maintaining the safety shutdown switch in the second mode when the switch current signal indicates the switch current is above a threshold.
Inventors
- 👤 James R. Butler, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:42
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B22/00; A63B22/02; A63B22/0235; A63B22/0242; A63B22/025; H; H02; H02H; H02H7/00; H02H7/08; H02H7/085; A63B71/00; A63B71/0054; A63B2071/0081; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S482/00; Y10S482/901; Y10S482/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A motorized exercise apparatus for use with a power source comprising: an exercise apparatus; an electronically commutated motor for driving the exercise apparatus; a commutation switch for selectively connecting the power source to the motor and conducting a switch current when the power supply is connected to the motor; a safety shutdown switch responsive to a safety shutdown signal, said safety shutdown switch having a first mode wherein the power source is connected to the motor and a second mode wherein the power source is disconnected from the motor; and a threshold circuit associated with the commutation switch for generating a switch current signal representative of switch current, said threshold circuit comprising a threshold detector responsive to the switch current signal for generating the safety shutdown signal and placing and maintaining the safety shutdown switch in the second mode when the switch current signal indicates the switch current is above a threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A motorized exercise apparatus for use with a power source comprising: an exercise apparatus; an electronically commutated motor for driving the exercise apparatus; a commutation switch for selectively connecting the power source to the motor and conducting a switch current when the power supply is connected to the motor; a safety shutdown switch responsive to a safety shutdown signal, said safety shutdown switch having a first mode wherein the power source is connected to the motor and a second mode wherein the power source is disconnected from the motor; and a threshold circuit associated with the commutation switch for generating a switch current signal representative of switch current, said threshold circuit comprising a threshold detector responsive to the switch current signal for generating the safety shutdown signal and placing and maintaining the safety shutdown switch in the second mode when the switch current signal indicates the switch current is above a threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the commutation switch comprises an IGBT or a MOSFET.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the threshold circuit further comprises a current sensing resistor connected to the commutation switch for generating the switch current signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a filter connected to the current sensing resistor for filtering out transients in the switch current signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the safety shutdown switch comprises a thyristor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the thyristor comprises a series switch between the power source and the motor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the threshold detector provides an open circuit when the switch current is below the threshold and maintains a ground after the switch current is at or above the threshold until the power source is deenergized.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the threshold circuit removes the safety shutdown signal when the safety shutdown switch is in the second mode and the power source is disconnected and reconnected to the exercise apparatus thereby causing the safety shutdown switch to change from the second mode to the first mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the safety shutdown switch is in series with the motor for selectively open-circuiting the motor and has a control terminal controlling its operation, and wherein the threshold detector comprises a first switch responsive to the switch current signal for selectively inhibiting closing of the safety shutdown switch when the safety shutdown switch is in an open circuit condition in the second mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein when the safety shutdown switch is in the second mode, the safety shutdown signal is removed when the power source is deenergized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
66 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a motor installed switch for latching off the safety shutdown switch when the commutation switch is shorted while the motor is running and the motor impedance is high, and said motor installed switch not latching off the safety shutdown switch when the commutation switch is shorted while the motor is running and the motor impedance is low.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The motorized exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a soft start circuit for selectively controlling application of a control signal to the safety shutdown switch during an initialization period, said control signal causing the safety shutdown switch to commutate power applied to the motor during the initialization period.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
136 words
A safety shutdown circuit and latch off for a motorized exercise apparatus having a power source, an electronically commutated motor, and a commutation switch having a switch current, the safety shutdown circuit comprising: a safety shutdown switch responsive to a safety shutdown signal, said safety shutdown switch having a first mode wherein the power source is connected to the motor and a second mode wherein the power source is disconnected from the motor; and a threshold circuit associated with the commutation switch for generating a switch current signal representative of switch current, said threshold circuit comprising a threshold detector responsive to the switch current signal for generating the safety shutdown signal and placing and maintaining the safety shutdown switch in the second mode when the switch current signal indicates the switch current is above a threshold.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
136 words
A safety shutdown circuit and latch off for a motorized exercise apparatus having a power source, an electronically commutated motor, and a commutation switch having a switch current, the safety shutdown circuit comprising: a safety shutdown switch responsive to a safety shutdown signal, said safety shutdown switch having a first mode wherein the power source is connected to the motor and a second mode wherein the power source is disconnected from the motor; and a threshold circuit associated with the commutation switch for generating a switch current signal representative of switch current, said threshold circuit comprising a threshold detector responsive to the switch current signal for generating the safety shutdown signal and placing and maintaining the safety shutdown switch in the second mode when the switch current signal indicates the switch current is above a threshold.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 wherein the commutation switch comprises an IGBT or a MOSFET.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 wherein the threshold circuit further comprises a current sensing resistor connected to the commutation switch for generating the switch current signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 15 further comprising a filter connected to the current sensing resistor for filtering out transients in the switch current signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 wherein the safety shutdown switch comprises a thyristor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 17 wherein the thyristor comprises a series switch between the power source and the motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 wherein the threshold detector provides an open circuit when the switch current is below the threshold and maintains a ground after the switch current is at or above the threshold until the power source is deenergized.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
54 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 wherein the threshold circuit removes the safety shutdown signal when the safety shutdown switch is in the second mode and the power source is disconnected and reconnected to the exercise apparatus thereby causing the safety shutdown switch to change from the second mode to the first mode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
64 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 wherein the safety shutdown switch is in series with the motor for selectively open-circuiting the motor and has a control terminal controlling its operation, and wherein the threshold detector comprises a first switch responsive to the switch current signal for selectively inhibiting closing of the safety shutdown switch in an open circuit condition in the second mode.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 21 wherein when the safety shutdown switch is in the second mode, the safety shutdown signal is removed when the power source is deenergized.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
66 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 further comprising a motor installed switch for latching off the safety shutdown switch when the commutation switch is shorted while the motor is running and the motor impedance is high, and said motor installed switch not latching off the safety shutdown switch when the commutation switch is shorted while the motor is running and the motor impedance is low.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The safety shutdown circuit of claim 13 further comprising a soft start circuit for selectively controlling application of a control signal to the safety shutdown switch during an initialization period, said control signal causing the safety shutdown switch to commutate power applied to the motor during the initialization period.
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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) | 2002-08-30 | 2003-03-01 | 2003-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-30 | 2007-03-01 | 2007-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-30 | 2011-03-01 | 2011-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |