Method and device for controlling movement of a large mass
OwnerPatrick Germain, Gerald Langreckinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device suitable for efficiently controlling movement of a large mass where frequent acceleration and deceleration occur and precise positioning is desired is provided. A plurality of servomotors with drive gears are engaged with a main gear. A master feedback signal based on the speed and position of the servomotors is received by a controller capable of sending individual control signals to each of the plurality of servomotors so as to adjust the speed and positioning of the large mass.
Claims15
A control mechanism for manipulating movement of large mass processing equipment, the control mechanism comprising:
- a frame;
- a main gear supported by the frame;
- a plurality of servomotors, each servomotor adapted to drive a shaft rigidly connected with a drive gear and further including a servomotor feedback device that references the motion of the shaft;
- each drive gear being meshed with the main gear so that movement of the drive gear drives the main gear, each drive gear operatively connected with a load such that each drive gear is adapted to transmit a force to move the load;
- and
- a controller operably connected to each of the servomotors and suitable for receiving a predetermined feedback signal and transmitting command signals to each of the servomotors.
A method for efficiently controlling movement of relatively large mass in a processing equipment, the method comprising:
- transmitting to a controller a feedback signal from feedback devices associated with a plurality of servomotors having a drive gear so that rotation of the drive gear drives the main gear;
- generating a master control signal based upon a received feedback signal;
- and
- transmitting the generated master control signal from the controller to each of the plurality of servomotors.
A control mechanism for manipulating the acceleration of a large mass load, the control device comprising:
- a frame supporting a main gear and a plurality of drive gears wherein the plurality of drive gears are mounted for engagement with the main gear;
- each of the plurality of drive gears is operatively connected to a servomotor;
- and
- a controller adapted to receive a predetermined feedback signal from at least one of the plurality of servomotors and to transmit a control signal to each of the plurality of servomotors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.