System monitor for a linear/rotary actuator

• US 6,518,682 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Systems, Machines, Automation Components Corporation
• Original Assignee: Systems, Machines, Automation Components Corporation
• Inventors: Huang, David, Vu, Toan, Neff, Edward A., Ferris, Michael A., Weaver, Randy
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramirez, Nestor
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, JUDSON
• Application Number:
  US09/730,377
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067081A1
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 310/12, 310/13, 310/14, 318/135, 318/685, 318/696
• US Class Current: 310/12.19
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/425 Teaching successive positions by numerical control, i.e. commands being entered to control the positioning servo of the tool head or end effector
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36401 Record play back, teach position and record it then play back
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41337 Linear drive motor, voice coil
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/41355 Electro magnetic coil actuator, voice coil
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 25/034 Voice coil motors voice coil motors driven by DC power H02P7/025

Abstract

A system for programming and controlling the movement of a probe of a voice coil actuator along a path includes a control module that is mounted on a voice coil actuator. Specifically, the control module is connected to a clock and to an encoder to selectively establish a plurality of sequential positions for the probe. Each position in this sequence is defined by a location on the path (translation and rotation), and a time at the location. More specifically, the control module includes a key pad for inputting data to identify each position and also, there is a display for providing a visual presentation of the data. In operation the plurality of sequential positions specify a work cycle for the probe and the voice coil actuator uses the input data to perform a series of work cycles.

Claims

1. A control system for a voice coil actuator which comprises:

a probe mounted on said actuator, said probe being moveable by said actuator along a path;

a clock;

an encoder mounted on said actuator to determine a location for said probe on said path; and

a control module mounted on said actuator, with said control module connected to said clock and to said encoder to selectively establish a plurality of sequential positions for said probe, each said position being defined by a location and a time at said location.

2. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said control module comprises:

a key pad for inputting data to identify said location and said time for each said position; and

a display for providing a visual presentation of said data.

3. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of sequential positions specify a work cycle for said probe and said actuator performs a series of said work cycles.

4. A control system as recited in claim 3 wherein said work cycle has a predetermined time duration and said control module further comprises:

means for establishing a base datum for said location; and

means for measuring said time at said location relative to said time duration of said work cycle.

5. A control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said encoder comprises:

a linear encoder for determining a translational location for said position; and

a rotary encoder for determining a rotational location for said position.

6. A control system as recited in claim 5 wherein each said position is defined by said translational location, a time at said translational location, said rotational location, and a time at said rotational location.

7. A controller for moving a probe of a voice coil actuator through a plurality of sequential positions in a work cycle for the probe which comprises:

means for establishing a position for said probe, said position being defined by a location on a path and a time at said location;

means for selectively establishing a plurality of sequential positions for said probe with said plurality of sequential positions specifying said work cycle;

means for defining a respective location and a respective time at said location for each of said plurality of sequential positions; and

means for moving said probe through said work cycle.

8. A controller as recited in claim 7 further comprising:

an encoder for determining said location for said probe for each said position; and

a clock for determining said time at each said location.

9. A controller as recited in claim 8 wherein said encoder comprises:

a linear encoder for determining a translational location for said position; and

a rotary encoder for determining a rotational location for said position.

10. A controller as recited in claim 9 wherein each said position is defined by said translational location, a time at said translational location, said rotational location, and a time at said rotational location.

11. A controller as recited in claim 7 wherein said defining means is a control module.

12. A controller as recited in claim 11 wherein said control module comprises:

a key pad for inputting data to identify said location and said time for each said position; and

a display for providing a visual presentation of said data.

13. A controller as recited in claim 7 further comprising means for performing a series of said work cycles.

14. A method for programming the movement of a probe of a voice coil actuator through a plurality of sequential positions in a work cycle for the probe which comprises the steps of:

establishing a position for said probe, said position being defined by a location on a path and a time at said location;

selectively establishing a plurality of sequential positions for said probe with said plurality of sequential positions specifying said work cycle;

defining a respective location and a respective time at said location for each of said plurality of sequential positions; and

moving said probe through said work cycle.

15. A method as recited in claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

inputting data to identify said location and said time for each said position; and

a display for providing a visual presentation of said data.

16. A method as recited in claim 14 further comprising the step of performing a series of said work cycles.

17. A method as recited in claim 14 wherein said work cycle has a predetermined time duration and said method further comprises the steps of:

establishing a base datum for said location; and

measuring said time at said location relative to said time duration of said work cycle.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 further comprises the steps of:

determining a translational location for said position; and

determining a rotational location for said position.