Remote controller for controlling apparatus by diverting feedback signal from native controller to the remote controller and methods for same
AssigneeImflux Inc.
InventorsBrian Matthew Burns, Gene Michael Altonen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A remote controller can be provided on any apparatus that employs feedback control from a native controller to add functionality to the apparatus where the native controller is not capable of providing such functionality independently.
Claims15
A method of manipulating a feedback signal for a native feedback controller of an apparatus, the apparatus further comprising a remote controller configured via a retrofitting to the native controller, wherein the native controller prior to the retrofitting is configured to control an operation of an actuation unit of the apparatus via a first control algorithm based upon the feedback signal, and the method comprising:
- sensing a controlled variable of a molding process of the apparatus at a sensor;
- generating a feedback signal by the sensor based upon the controlled variable;
- at the remote controller:
- receiving the feedback signal;
- generating a control signal via a second control algorithm based upon the feedback signal;
- combining the control signal and the feedback signal into a modified feedback signal;
- and
- transmitting the modified feedback signal to the native controller in lieu of the feedback signal;
- and
- at the native controller, controlling the operation of the actuation unit of the apparatus via the first control algorithm based at least in part upon the modified feedback signal, to thereby modify the control of the operation of the actuation unit performed at the native controller.
An injection molding apparatus comprising:
- a heated barrel;
- an injection shaft disposed in the heated barrel and configured to rotate with respect to the heated barrel;
- an actuation unit operably coupled with the injection shaft and configured to facilitate an operation of the injection shaft with respect to the heated barrel;
- a clamping unit for a mold, the clamping unit being associated with the heated barrel;
- a nozzle disposed at one end of the heated barrel and configured to distribute contents of the heated barrel to the clamping unit;
- a native controller in communication with the actuation unit and configured to facilitate the operation of the injection shaft;
- a remote controller in communication with the native controller via a retrofitting of the remote controller to the native controller, wherein the native controller prior to the retrofitting is configured to control the operation of the injection shaft via a first control algorithm based upon a controlled variable of a molding process;
- a sensor in communication with the remote controller and configured to sense the controlled variable of the molding process;
- wherein the remote controller is configured to:
- detect the controlled variable from the sensor;
- compare the controlled variable to a desired controlled variable setpoint;
- generate a control signal via a second control algorithm based upon the controlled variable and the desired controlled variable setpoint;
- combine the control signal and the controlled variable into a modified feedback signal;
- and
- transmit the modified feedback signal to the native controller in lieu of the controlled variable;
- wherein the native controller is configured to control the operation of the injection shaft via the first control algorithm based at least in part upon the modified feedback signal, to thereby modify the control of the operation of the injection shaft performed at the native controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.