Generic motor control system
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a plurality of different motors used in a corresponding plurality of differing motor applications requiring different operational characteristics, said method comprising:
- using a single universal control module to store a generic non-application-specific control algorithm, the generic non-application-specific control algorithm having at least one programmable constant; and
programming the programmable constant to transform the generic control non-application-specific algorithm into an application-specific control algorithm, the programmable constant representing a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application.
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Abstract
A method for controlling the operation of a motor utilizing a generic motor control module. The method includes sampling at least one motor operating criterion during operation of the motor and executing a generic control algorithm at a predetermined periodic interval. Execution of the algorithm provides a firing angle, duty cycle, or other suitable control function solution for an electronic valve for each periodic interval, thereby controlling the behavior of the motor. Additionally, the method includes firing the electronic valve at the calculated timing during each periodic interval such that the motor functions in accordance with desired motor operational parameters.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a plurality of different motors used in a corresponding plurality of differing motor applications requiring different operational characteristics, said method comprising:
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using a single universal control module to store a generic non-application-specific control algorithm, the generic non-application-specific control algorithm having at least one programmable constant; and
programming the programmable constant to transform the generic control non-application-specific algorithm into an application-specific control algorithm, the programmable constant representing a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. The method of claim 3, wherein the programmable constant is soft-coded into the universal control module to enable re-programming of the universal module.
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4. A power tool comprising:
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a motor selected one of a plurality of different motors having at least one of a different size, a different operational rating and a different type tailored to meet the specific operational needs of the power tool;
a motor control module having stored therein a generic control algorithm executable to control operation the motor;
wherein the motor control module is programmed with at least one parameter utilized as constants during execution of the generic control algorithm to transform the generic control algorithm from a non-tool-specific format into a tool-specific format specifically suited for controlling the operation of the power tool and the motor. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A motor control module adapted to universally control any of a plurality of motors utilized in a plurality of differing implementations, said control module comprising:
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a first memory device adapted to store a generic control algorithm and at least one programmable variable utilized during execution of the generic control algorithm;
a second memory device adapted to store at least one programmable constant that represents a function parameter relating to a specific functionality of a specific, selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application; and
a processor adapted to execute the generic control algorithm implementing the variable and the constant to transform the generic control algorithm from a non-tool-specific format into a tool-specific format specifically suited for controlling the specific, selected motor used in the specific, selected motor application. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for controlling a motor utilizing a universal control module, said method comprising:
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storing a generic control algorithm in the universal control module, the control algorithm including at least one programmable constant;
electrically connecting the universal control module to a selected one of a plurality of different motors;
executing the control algorithm incorporating the programmable constant to;
transform the generic control algorithm from a non-application-specific format into an application-specific format specifically suited for controlling the selected motor used in a specific, selected motor application; and
generate a timing solution for controlling a flow of current through the selected motor so that operation of the selected motor is tailored in accordance with performance parameters of a specific, selected application of the motor;
wherein the constant comprises at least one of;
a non-motor function parameter relating to the specific application of the motor; and
a motor function parameter relating to an operational parameter of the specific motor used in the specific; and
operating an electronic valve in accordance with the timing solution to control the flow of current through the specific motor. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification