Linear motor positioning device with position detent means
First Claim
1. A positioning device for the shifting of a load into any one of a series of predetermined positions, comprising:
- a plurality of coaxial annular electromagnets;
an armature mechanically coupled with the load, said armature being provided with core means attractable by said electromagnets upon selective energization thereof into any one of several operating positions corresponding to a desired load position;
bidirectionally effective electromagnetic detent means for positively retaining said armature in any selected operating position against displacement in either direction; and
electronic control means for said electromagnets and said detent means including switch means for selectively energizing said electromagnets and timing means in circuit with said switch means for temporarily deactivating said detent means just prior to energization of any electromagnet, the deactivation period of said detent means starting prior to the energization period of the electromagnet and continuing for a portion of the latter period sufficient to enable a displacement of the armature and the load to a new operating position prior to reactivation of said detent means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A positioning device for shifting a load into any one of a series of predetermined positions comprises a plurality of coaxial annular electromagnets acting upon a common armature through a like number of cores whose relative axial spacing is different from the axial separation of the electromagnets; thus, selective energization of any single electromagnet, or of a pair of adjoining electromagnets, attracts the associated core or cores into a relatively centered position corresponding to a desired operating position of the load entrained by the armature. The armature is indexed in any operating position by a bidirectionally effective detent which is electromagnetically controlled through a timing circuit in response to a selection signal for the actuation of any of the positioning electromagnets, such a signal being stored in an associated flipflop and causing the resetting of all other flip-flops set by a prior signal. The timing circuit comprises delay means, including a pair of monostable multivibrators tripped in staggered relationship by a pulse generator, which result in overlapping periods for the deactivation of the detent and the energization of the selected positioning magnet or magnets.
39 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A positioning device for the shifting of a load into any one of a series of predetermined positions, comprising:
- a plurality of coaxial annular electromagnets;
an armature mechanically coupled with the load, said armature being provided with core means attractable by said electromagnets upon selective energization thereof into any one of several operating positions corresponding to a desired load position;
bidirectionally effective electromagnetic detent means for positively retaining said armature in any selected operating position against displacement in either direction; and
electronic control means for said electromagnets and said detent means including switch means for selectively energizing said electromagnets and timing means in circuit with said switch means for temporarily deactivating said detent means just prior to energization of any electromagnet, the deactivation period of said detent means starting prior to the energization period of the electromagnet and continuing for a portion of the latter period sufficient to enable a displacement of the armature and the load to a new operating position prior to reactivation of said detent means.
- a plurality of coaxial annular electromagnets;
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2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said armature is provided with a plurality of serrated notches, said detent means comprising a member with a symmetrically beveled extremity engageable in any one of said notches for indexing said armature in a selected operating position.
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3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means comprises a plurality of flip-flops, one for each electromagnet, settable by respective selection signals, and logical circuitry responsive to any such selection signal for resetting any of said flip-flops previously set, said timing means being responsive to the setting of any of said flip-flops for temporarily deactivating said detent means and energizing the respective electromagnet in staggered relationship.
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4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said control means comprises a plurality of input leads for said selection signals connected to respective setting inputs of the corresponding flip-flops, and delay means in said input leads, said logical circuitry including OR circuit connected to said leads ahead of said delay means and working into respective resetting inputs of said flip-flops.
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5. A device as defined in claim 4 wherein said flip-flops are provided with output leads for the energization of the respective electromagnets and with gate means in said output leadS normally blocking such energization, said timing means including first pulsing means connected to said detent means and second pulsing means connected to said gate means.
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6. A device as defined in claim 5 wherein said timing means comprises a pulse generator connected to said output leads for triggering upon the setting of any of said flip-flops, said first and second pulsing means including a pair of monostable multivibrators respectively trippable by a leading edge and a trailing edge of an output pulse of said pulse generator.
Specification