US 4,631,463 A · Linear controller for electrochemical device and method

Abstract

An apparatus for and method of generating and linearly controlling periodic bipolar drive signals to drive an electromechanical device, such as a DC motor. The apparatus comprises side-by-side coaxial primary and secondary cylindrical commutators electrically connected together by a pair of diametrically opposed motor-driven brushes riding on the exterior surface of the commutators, each commutator having matched half-cylinder conductive sections separated by insulation at the common joints. The rotational position of the secondary commutator is adjustable relative to the primary commutator by a stepper motor mechanically coupled to it. A DC source is connected across the primary commutator and the electromechanical load is connected across the secondary commutator. Power of adjustable polarity duty cycle is commutated from the DC source to the load by the pair of rotating brushes. The relative duty cycle of positive going portion relative to negative going portion of the bipolar signal is controlled by causing the stepper motor to adjust the rotational position of the secondary commutator relative to the primary commutator.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An apparatus for generating and linearly controlling periodic bipolar drive signals from a DC power source having supply voltage and reference terminals to drive an electromechanical device, said apparatus comprising:

a base;
a primary commutator having conductive first and second sections insulated from each other connected to said supply voltage and reference terminals, respectively;
a secondary commutator adjustable in rotational position coaxial with said primary commutator having conductive third and fourth sections insulated from each other, said electromechanical device connected between said third and fourth sections;
means attached to said base insulatively supporting said primary commutator;
a pair of diametrically opposed conductive brushes, each brush for electrically connecting one section of said primary commutator to one positionally related section of said secondary commutator;
means attached to said base for insulatively supporting and rotating at a given fixed rate said pair of brushes in electrical contact with said sections of said primary and secondary commutators;
and
means for insulatively supporting and adjustably setting the rotational position of said secondary commutator relative to said primary commutator to linearly control the periodic bipolar drive signal applied to said electromechanical device corresponding to said rotational position of said secondary commutator as said pair of brushes rotates simultaneously about said primary and secondary commutators.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Linear controller for electrochemical device and method

Life of this patent

Linear controller for electrochemical device and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9