US 2013/0154522 A1 · Method and Apparatus for Calibrating and Testing Brake Holding Torque

Abstract

A system and method for determining the holding torque of a brake in a material handling system is disclosed. The material handling system may include a bridge, a trolley, and a hoist, each driven along a different axis by a motor. A brake is operatively coupled to the motor to prevent unwanted motion of the motor. A motor controller is coupled to each motor which controls operation of the motor and its corresponding brake. The motor controller generates a torque command to the motor while keeping the brake set. The initial torque command is less than the holding torque of the brake. The torque command is incremented until motion is detected on the motor. The torque value when motion is detected is stored in the motor controller and displayed to an operator.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of testing the holding torque of a brake in a material handling system, the method comprising the steps of:

setting the brake to operatively engage a shaft rotated by an electric motor;
determining an initial value for a torque reference to be supplied to the electric motor;
enabling a motor controller configured to control rotation of the electric motor;
supplying a current to the electric motor from the motor controller corresponding to the torque reference;
monitoring a feedback signal with the motor controller to detect rotation of the shaft;
and
if rotation of the shaft is not detected, increasing the value of the torque reference and repeating the steps of supplying the current to the electric motor and monitoring the feedback signal, but
if rotation of the shaft is detected, storing a value of torque at which rotation was detected and completing the test.

5 more elements

An apparatus for determining a level of holding torque for a brake operatively coupled to a drive train of an axis in a material handling system, the apparatus comprising:

a frame including at least one member movable along an axis;
a motor operatively connected to one of the moveable members to drive the movable member;
a drive train operatively coupled between the motor and the member to move the member along the axis;
a brake operatively coupled to one of the motor and the drive train to prevent movement of the member along the axis;
a position feedback device operatively coupled to the motor to generate a signal corresponding to rotation of the motor;
and
a motor controller operatively coupled to the motor to control rotation of the motor, the motor controller including:
an input receiving power from a power source;
an output providing a controlled voltage and current to the motor;
a memory device storing a series of processor executable instructions;
and
a processor in communication with the memory device, wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to:
provide an initial current to the motor generating a torque having a magnitude less than a rated holding torque of the brake,
incrementally increase the level of the current supplied to the motor,
monitor the signal from the position feedback device to detect rotation of the motor, and
store a value corresponding to the torque supplied to the motor if rotation of the motor is detected.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and Apparatus for Calibrating and Testing Brake Holding Torque

Life of this patent

Method and Apparatus for Calibrating and Testing Brake Holding Torque

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20