Rockwell Automation Technologies Incorporated

Magnemotion, Inc.

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

Mark R Cooper

Xikai Sun

Peter M Smit

Oliver C Haya

Nanwei Yao

David D Van Dorpe

Patrick E Ozimek

Shankernarayan Ramanarayanan

Mark Alan Gries

Zoran Vrankovic

John Floresta

Peter J Bruder

Rangarajan M Tallam

Robert H Schmidt

Garrett B Rodrigues

Jadav Das

Rongjun Huang

Sawyer J Desotelle

David M Brod

Shun Feng

Chao Chen

Wei Zhu

Jun Li

Yuhong Huang

Brian M Perreault

Paul Jerome Grosskreuz

Dayin Xu

Wei Qian

Zhenhuan Yuan

Linglai Li

Aderiano M Da Silva

Thomas Lundell

Kelly James Bronk

Eric J Wildi

Yi Yu

Manas Sawant

Edwin Xikai Sun

Systems and methods for synchronizing motion connection communication to time-aware network for industrial systems. One system includes an electronic processor configured to determine a controller Qbv configuration for an industrial controller included in a TSN. The electronic processor is also configured to determine, based at least in part on the controller Qbv configuration, a first start of a Qbv slot for isochronous traffic for an industrial device included in the TSN. The electronic processor is also configured to adjust, based at least in part on the first start of the Qbv slot for isochronous traffic for the industrial device, network scheduling for the industrial device. The electronic processor is also configured to deploy the adjusted network scheduling to the industrial device.

System and method to synchronize motion connection communication to time-sensitive networks for industrial systems

An independent cart system with safety functions prevents unintended motion independently within different sections of the track while permitting motion along other sections of the track. A safety controller receives one or more input signals corresponding to operating conditions along the track. A safety program executing in the safety controller monitors the state of the input signals to determine whether a safety function is to be executed. When a safety program is executed, the safety controller transmits an output signal to one or more segment controllers present in one section along the track. Each segment controller is responsible for regulating current flow to the coils mounted to the corresponding track segment. In response to the signal from the safety controller, each segment controller in the section controls the power output to the coils along that section of track to achieve the safe operation desired in that segment.

Section based safety functions for independent cart applications

A system and method for providing power to independent movers traveling along a track in a motion control system without requiring a fixed connection between the mover and a power source external to the mover. In one embodiment, a sliding transformer transfers power between the track and each mover. In another embodiment, an optical transmitter transfers power between the track and an optical receiver mounted on each mover. In yet another embodiment, a generator includes a drive wheel engaging the track as each mover travels along the track. A power converter on the mover receives the power generated on and/or transmitted to the mover to control an actuator or a sensor mounted on the mover or to activate drive coils mounted on the mover to interact with magnets mounted along the track and, thereby, control motion of each mover.

Method and system for contactless power transfer in a linear drive system

A method and system for motion control of movers in an independent cart system is disclosed. In one implementation, the independent cart system includes a plurality of track segments, each section having a respective controller. One of the controllers receives a motion command for a plurality of carts, respectively. The controller generates a force command for each of the plurality of carts and transmits the respective commands to the track segments commutating the plurality of carts.

Independent cart system and method of operating the same

Method and apparatus for power transfer to an independent moving cart during travel along a track

A system and method for wirelessly providing power to independent movers traveling along a track includes a sliding transformer to transfer power between the track and each mover. The sliding transformer includes a primary winding extending along the track and a secondary winding mounted to each mover. Each of the primary and secondary windings may be formed of a single coil or multiple coils. The primary and secondary windings are generally aligned with each other and extend along the track and along the mover in the direction of travel with an air gap present between the windings. A power converter on the mover may regulate the power supplied to the mover to control an actuator or a sensor mounted on the mover or to activate drive coils mounted on the mover to interact with magnets mounted along the track and, thereby, control motion of each mover.

Method and apparatus for wireless power transfer to an independent moving cart

A mover is configured to be electromagnetically propelled along a track in a linear motor track system with a force that is calculated to include compensation for gravity. A multi-axis accelerometer arranged in each segment of the track can detect an orientation or angle of the track segment for determining gravity with respect to the particular section. As a result, if the track is at an incline, such as a ramp, a desired force for moving a mover along the track can be compensated to include gravity due to the incline for achieving a desired motion result. In addition, the detected orientation of the track can be compared to an expected orientation stored by a control program to avoid a loss of performance due to physical changes in the track not matching an expected/programmed configuration of the track.

Linear motor track system with automatic gravity detection

A curvilinear encoder is provided in which an incremental or absolute position for a cart can be detected on a track by applying one or more excitation signals and receiving one or more pick up signals. Analogous to a transformer arrangement, an encoder mover can be placed on the cart moving along the track, and an encoder stator can be placed on the track separated by a gap. The one or more excitation signals can be applied to the one or more excitation coils on the mover or the stator to generate one or more magnetic fields, and the one or more pick up signals can be received by one or more pick up coils on the mover or the stator for sensing changes in the magnetic fields produced by motion of the mover on the track.

Curvilinear encoder system for position determination

A linear and curvilinear encoder is provided in which absolute mechanical position and high resolution position determination can be obtained using a cart having a mover with 'hybrid' teeth, configured in a curvilinear profile or shape, moving along a curvilinear track with a stator having teeth. The absolute mechanical position and high resolution position determination can be detected on the track by applying an excitation signal to a coil surrounding particular teeth of the stator to produce an electromagnetic (EM) field which can be influenced by the profile or shape of the teeth of the mover. A resulting pick-up signal can then be detected in a pick-up coil surrounding particular teeth of the stator with different harmonics in the pick-up signal corresponding to harmonics of the profile or shape of the teeth.

Hybrid encoder system for position determination

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Eden Prairie, MN, United States of America

Mark R Cooper