Path arrangement for a multi-track linear motor system and method to control same
AssigneeAnorad Corporation
InventorsMichael H. Backman, Frederick A. Sommerhalter, Jr., Mustansir A. Faizullabhoy, Anwar Chitayat
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A path for a linear motor system includes routing system between a trunk of the path and two or more branches. The routing system is operative to couple the trunk with a selected branch to enable a stage to travel between the trunk and the selected branch. The routing system includes armature windings that may be energized to effect movement of the stage in a desired direction between the trunk and the selected branch.
Claims27
A path for a linear motor, comprising:
- a first path portion having a plurality of armature windings;
- at least two branch path portions spaced in a direction of travel from the first path portion, each of the at least two branch path portions including a plurality of armature windings;
- and
- a routing system that has at least one armature winding, positioned between the first path portion and the at least two branch path portions, the routing system effects movement of a stage between the first path portion and a selected branch path portion of the at least two branch path portions.
A linear motor system, comprising:
- a path comprising:
- a plurality of armature windings arranged along the path,
- a first path portion, and
- at least two branch path portions spaced in a direction of travel from the first path portion;
- a stage moveable along the path;
- and
- a router interposed between the first path portion and the at least two branch path portions, the router has armature windings operative to effect movement of the stage between the first path portion and a selected one of the at least two branch path portions.
A path for a linear motor system, comprising:
- first path means having field means for providing an electric field relative to a first direction of travel;
- second path means having field means for providing an electric field relative to a second direction of travel;
- third path means having field means for providing an electric field relative to a third direction of travel;
- and
- means for routing a stage, which is moveable along the path, between the first means and a selected one of the second and third path means, the means for routing a stage having a plurality of armature windings disposed therein.
A linear motor system, comprising:
- first path means having field means for providing an electric field relative to a first direction of travel,
- at least second and third path means having field means for providing an electric field relative to respective second and third directions of travel;
- stage means positioned for movement along the path means;
- and
- means for bridging a juncture having at least one armature winding disposed therein between the first path means and a selected one of the at least second and third path means to enable movement of the stage means between the first path means the selected one of the at least second and third path means.
A method to facilitate movement of at least one stage along a path in a linear motor system that includes a juncture having at least two branch path portions and a trunk path portion, the method comprising:
- detecting the position of the at least one stage relative to the path;
- selecting a route for the at least one stage through the juncture;
- operatively associating the trunk path portion with one of the at least two branch path portions according to the selected route to enable movement of the at least one stage along the selected route;
- and
- selectively energizing armature windings disposed in the juncture between the trunk path and the at least two branch paths to effectuate movement of the at least one stage along the selected route.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.