US 7,312,591 B2Granted

Powered panel moving system

AssigneeNPC, Inc.

InventorsJohn M. Washeleski, Stephen R. W. Cooper, Peter H. Strom, Todd R. Newman

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A powered panel moving system includes a motor, electronic drive circuitry, a mechanism, a coupler, and electronic function circuitry. The drive circuitry drives a rotor of the motor. The coupler couples rotational output of the rotor to the mechanism to drive the mechanism in order to move the panel. The function circuitry is integrated with the drive circuitry for providing additional functionality beyond driving the motor for panel movement. The drive circuitry includes a current sensor for determining rotor position based on motor current, a back emf sensor for determining rotor position based on back emf of the motor, and an impedance sensor for determining rotor position based on motor impedance. The function circuitry may include an analyzer to determine presence of an obstruction to the motion of the panel based on at least one of the rotor position, the motor current, and the back emf of the motor.

Claims40

Dependent claims

A powered panel moving system for moving a panel, the system comprising:

a motor having a rotor;
electronic drive means for driving the motor in order to rotate the rotor, wherein the rotor has a rotational output in response to being driven;
mechanical means for moving a panel upon being driven;
coupling means for coupling the rotational output of the rotor to the mechanical means in order to drive the mechanical means for the mechanical means to move the panel;
wherein the coupling means include rotational mechanical advantage means for matching speed and torque output of the rotor to a lower speed, higher torque output for the mechanical means to move the panel;
wherein the rotational mechanical advantage means includes a fluid coupling between an impeller mechanically coupled to the rotor and a turbine mechanically coupled to the mechanical means for moving the panel;
and
electronic function means integrated with the electronic drive means for providing additional functionality beyond driving the motor for movement of the panel.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/079,016Filed 11 Mar 2005
Published: US 2006/0202651 A114 Sep 2006
Granted: 25 Dec 2007
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

H02H 7/0851
Against excessive load: for motors actuating a movable member between two end positions, e.g. detecting an end position or obstruction by overload…
E05F 15/41
Safety devices, e.g. detection of obstructions or end positions: detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque ; Safety couplings with…
E05F 15/697
Specially adapted for vehicle windows: motor units therefor, e.g. geared motors
E05Y 2400/554
By using load sensors: sensing motor load