Method and apparatus for the improved control of motors and of motor-actuated work apparatus
AssigneeGerber Scientific Products, Inc.
InventorsLeonard G. Rich, Raymond Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is control circuitry for providing controlling a motor responsive to feedback signals. The control circuit includes a velocity sensor for coupling with the motor for providing a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor, and circuitry for providing a feedback signal responsive to a voltage associated with the motor, such as the back emf of a coil associated with the motor. The control circuitry can be used enhance the Z-axis control of a tool of a work apparatus for performing work operations on a work material, such as a cutting apparatus for cutting a sheet of vinyl having a releasable backing for generating graphic products.
Claims29
A control circuit for providing feedback for controlling of a motor responsive to feedback signals, comprising:
- a velocity sensor for coupling with the motor for providing a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor;
- and
- means for providing a second feedback signal responsive to the back emf of a coil associated with the motor.
A control system having a motor and controls therefore, said control system including a velocity sensor for providing velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of said motor, and wherein said control system includes a feedback path for feeding back to said motor a second feedback signal responsive to the back emf of a coil associated with said motor, whereas said motor is controlled responsive to said feedback signals.
A method for providing enhanced control of a motor, including
- providing to the motor a first feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor;
- and
- providing to the motor an additional feedback signal responsive to the back emf of a coil associated with the motor.
An apparatus for performing work operations with a tool on a work material responsive to an instruction signal and having improved control of the tool, comprising:
- a support structure having a support surface for supporting the work material;
- a work head mechanically coupled to the support structure and for mounting the tool;
- at least one motor for moving the tool toward and away from the work material for selectively engaging the work material for performing the work operations thereon;
- and
- control circuitry for providing a control signal to the motor responsive to the instruction signal and selected feedback signals, said circuitry including a velocity sensor for providing a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor and a summer for combining the velocity feedback signal with the instruction signal and with a second feedback signal responsive to a voltage associated with the motor to provide the control signal, whereby said motor is controlled responsive to said instruction signal for facilitating the performance of the work operations on the work material.
A method of performing work operations with a tool on a work material so as to have improved control of the tool, comprising:
- providing a support structure having at least one support surface for supporting the work material;
- providing a work head mechanically coupled to the support structure and for mounting the tool;
- providing at least one motor for moving the tool toward and away from the work material for selectively engaging the work material;
- providing the instruction signal representative of the desired movement of the motor;
- providing a velocity feedback signal responsive to the velocity of the motor;
- providing a second feedback signal responsive to a voltage associated with the motor;
- combining the feedback signals with the instruction signal to provide a control signal;
- and
- providing the control signal to the motor, whereby the motor is controlled to facilitate performing the work operations on the work material responsive to the instruction signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.