Motor controller for application in a motor controller network

• US 5,739,648 A
• Filed: 08/08/1996
• Issued: 04/14/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation (Regal Rexnord Corp.)
• Inventors: Lee, Gregory Robert, Ellis, George Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US08/694,366
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 318/101, 318/102, 318/103, 318/105, 318/111, 318/112, 318/113, 388/907.5
• US Class Current: 318/112
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4142 characterised by the use of a microprocessor G05B19/4141 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/4185 characterised by the network communication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23406 Programmer device, portable, handheld detachable programmer
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25067 Graphic configuration control system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25071 Synoptique display of system configuration, layout, evolution
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2667 Crane
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33147 Address peripheral, controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33166 Rs485 bus to control several modules, motors
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33176 Rs485, mpi multipoint, multidrop interface
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/33184 Rs232c to rs485 converter
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A motor controller that incorporates all of the advantages of RS-485, yet allows the user to interface with the controller through RS-232 without a separate RS-232 to RS-485 converter. The controller includes a port for receiving RS-232 compatible signals. The RS-232 signals are converted to RS-485 compatible signals which are, in turn, converted into logic level signals suitable for the motor controller. The RS-485 signals may be shared among a number of controllers, and an RS-485 port is provided for such a purpose. RS-485 ports can be interconnected via a common bus so that a number of motors can be separately controlled from a master controller (usually a personal computer) that is connected to any available RS-232 port.

Claims

1. A motor control network for separately controlling a plurality of electric motors through a plurality of motor controllers from a common master controller, comprising:

(1) a plurality of motor controllers each including

(a) an RS-232 port;

(b) an RS-485 port; and

(c) a logic level motor drive for energizing an associated electric motor according to logic level commands;

wherein

(i) each said RS-232 port is coupled to said RS-485 port via a converter; and

(ii) each said RS-485 port is coupled to said logic level motor drive via a converter to supply said logic level commands from signals at said RS-485 port;

(2) a master controller coupled to one of said RS-232 ports; and

(3) said motor controllers being interconnected via said RS-485 ports for control from said master controller.

2. A motor controller network according to claim 1, wherein said motor controllers are interconnected via a common RS-485 bus and commands from said master controller are selectively addressed to particular motor controllers.

3. A motor controller adapted for control of an electric motor from a master RS-232 source, comprising:

(a) an RS-232 port;

(b) an RS-485 port;

(c) said RS-232 port being coupled to said RS-485 port via a converter used for converting RS-232 signals to RS-485 signals;

(d) a logic level motor drive for generating motor drive signals according to logic level commands; and

(e) said RS-485 port being coupled to said logic level motor drive via a converter to supply said logic level commands.

4. A motor control network including:

a plurality of motor controllers each adapted for control of an electric motor from a master RS-232 source, and including

(a) an RS-232 port;

(b) an RS-485 port;

(c) said RS-232 port being coupled to said RS-485 port via a converter used for converting RS-232 signals to RS-485 signals;

(d) a logic level motor drive for generating motor drive signals according to logic level commands;

(e) said RS-485 port being coupled to said logic level motor drive via a converter to supply said logic level commands; and

(f) a master controller connected to one of said RS-232 ports; and

wherein said plurality of motor controllers are interconnected through said RS-485 ports.

5. A motor control network for separately controlling a plurality of electric motors through a plurality of motor controllers from a common master controller, comprising:

(1) a plurality of motor controllers each including

(a) a first port that supports single ended signaling;

(b) a second port that supports double ended signaling; and

(c) a logic level motor drive for energizing an associated electric motor according to logic level commands;

wherein

(i) each said first port is coupled to said second port via a converter; and

(ii) each said second port is coupled to said logic level motor drive via a converter to supply said logic level commands from signals at said second port;

(2) a master controller coupled to one of said first ports; and

(3) said motor controllers being interconnected via said second ports for control from said master controller.

6. A motor controller network according to claim 5, wherein said motor controllers are interconnected via a common double ended signaling bus and commands from said master controller are selectively addressed to particular motor controllers.

7. A motor controller adapted for control of an electric motor from a master single ended signaling source, comprising:

(a) a first port that supports single ended signaling;

(b) a second port that supports double ended signaling;

(c) said first port being coupled to said second port via a converter used for converting single ended signals to double ended signals;

(d) a logic level motor drive for generating motor drive signals according to logic level commands; and

(e) said second port being coupled to said logic level motor drive via a converter to supply said logic level commands.

8. A motor control network including

a plurality of motor controllers each adapted for control of an electric motor from a master single ended signaling source and including:

(a) a first port that supports single ended signaling;

(b) a second port that supports double ended signaling;

(c) said first port being coupled to said second port via a converter used for converting single ended signals to double ended signals;

(d) a logic level motor drive for generating motor drive signals according to logic level commands;

(e) said second port being coupled to said logic level motor drive via a converter to supply said logic level commands; and

(f) a master controller connected to one of said first ports; and

wherein said plurality of motor controllers are interconnected through said second ports.