Honeywell G.m.b.h.

Honeywell International Inc.

Other

William A Harris

Alton E Gansky

Kevin John Stalsberg

Mark W Weber

Max C Glenn

William P Platt

Jay R Goetz

Arthur N Pearman

Neil G W Hedtke

For use in a MEMS device having a suspended proof mass, a method and apparatus for securing the MEMS device during a period of high acceleration. The method may include applying a DC voltage between the proof mass and a non-suspended structure of the device. The non-suspended structure may be mounted on a substrate, and the substrate or the non-suspended structure may be electrically isolated from the proof mass by an insulating layer or by one or more islands. Applying the DC voltage creates an electrostatic force that moves the proof mass toward (or holds the proof mass near) the substrate. Movement of the proof mass may be limited by mechanical contact between the proof mass and the insulating layer, the one or more islands, or by a cage mounted on the substrate during the period of high acceleration.

High-G acceleration protection by caging

A method for reduces the sticking of proof masses in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices to sense plates in the MEMS device due to acceleration forces to which the MEMS device is subjected. The method includes determining a beginning of acceleration events which would cause proof masses to contact sense plates, reducing sense bias voltages to the sense plates, determining an end of the acceleration event, and increasing sense bias voltages to their former levels.

Methods and systems for reducing stick-down within MEMS structures

A circuit and method for assuring rapid initiation of resonant oscillation of an electromechanically oscillatory system driven by phase lock loop circuits. An open loop starting signal commences driving of the object at a starting frequency above the resonant frequency. The starting signal reduces the drive frequency until the resonant frequency of the system is reached and the starting signal is removed.

Quick start resonant circuit control

A multi-functional pack frame assembly which can be assembled and disassembled while selectively functioning as 1) a backpack support assembly; 2) an adjustable chair assembly; 3) a gun rest assembly; and 4) a table assembly. The multi-functional pack frame assembly includes 1) a pack and ground support assembly; 2) a table and gun rest assembly connected to the pack and ground support assembly; 3) a back rest support assembly connectable to the pack and ground support assembly when functioning as a backpack support cushion or chair support member; 4) an adjustable elevation support assembly connectable to the pack and ground support assembly to provide adjustable elevational support thereto; and 5) a shoulder connector and support assembly connected to the pack and ground support assembly for attachment to shoulder portions of a camper/hunter member for conveyance thereof. The pack and ground support assembly provides a seat cushion member for functioning as a chair support member or a backpack support cushion. The table and gun rest assembly is a combination gun rest assembly and table member usable in selected interconnected conditions. The adjustable elevation support assembly includes a main support rod member connected to a support foot member and selectively connected to the pack and ground support assembly to provide an adjustable height function for support by the support foot member on an irregular terrain support surface.

Multi-functional pack frame assembly

A pulse width modulation controller particularly useful for a variable speed variable torque electric motor. Inputs to the controller are a desired RPM signal, a motor electrical signal which is a function of the RPM of the rotor of the motor and its angular position relative to the stator, and a torque feed back signal derived from the power phase winding circuits of the motor. The controller produces pulse width modulated power drive signals which are applied to power switches of the power phase winding circuits of the motor to allow electric current to flow through the power phase winding circuits when power phase enable signals produced by the controller sequentially enable the power switch of a power phase winding circuit to do so. The duty cycle of the power drive signals is a function of the difference between the desired and actual RPM of the motor and the torque of the motor. The frequency of the power drive signals is a fixed integral multiple of the frequency of the power phase enable signals over the full operating range of RPMs of the motor.

Pulse width modulating motor controller

A circuit arrangement is provided to mitigate the parasitic capacitance that typically is associated with solid state switches which are designed to carry high current magnitudes. By disposing a capacitive component in series with a power switch which, in turn, is connected in series with an inductive component, the overall capacitance of the switch and capacitive component are significantly reduced. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the capacitive component is a diode with a voltage potential provided at the cathode of the diode so that the parasitic capacitance of the diode can be varied to tune the total circuit for the purpose of achieving a specific resonant frequency. In applications where high frequency signals are injected into the circuit for purposes of measuring a parameter, such as rotor position, the present invention is beneficial because of the ability to tune the frequency resulting from the residence of the series LC circuit which comprises a conductive component, such as a motor stator winding, and a capacitive component, such as a power switch which possesses an inherent parasitic capacitance. Another benefit of the present invention is the fact that it makes possible the use of smaller components in a snubber network associated with the inductive component because of the increase in resonant frequency achieved by the decrease in capacitance of the series LC circuit.

Circuit arrangement for mitigating power switch capacitance

A apparatus is provided for estimating the position of a rotor of a commutated brushless motor operating without a shaft position sensor. The apparatus includes a tank circuit that incorporates a phase winding of the motor. A low-power signal of a frequency F.sub.1 is injected into the tank circuit. The frequency F.sub.1 is much greater than the switching frequency F.sub.s of the phase winding. Because the effective inductance (L) of the phase winding incorporated into the tank circuit changes in a cyclic manner in response to changes in the mechanical angle .THETA. of the rotor, the characteristic resonant frequency F.sub.0 of the tank circuit varies between maximum and minimum values. The effect of the variation of the resonant frequency F.sub.0 on the output characteristics of the tank circuit are used by a detection circuit to resolve the mechanical angle .THETA. of the rotor and, thereby, control the timing of the phase firing sequence. The two illustrated embodiments detect changes to the amplitude and phase, respectively, of the signal from the tank circuit in response to the changing inductance of the phase winding incorporated into the tank circuit.

Switched reluctance motor position by resonant signal injection

Printing blanket mounting bar

A control circuit for a switched reluctance motor is provided with a connection between a second end of each stator winding and a first end of an associated other winding. The purpose of this connection is to permit the flow of current from a phase winding to an energy storage device following the disconnection of the phase winding from a primary power source. Because of the inductive characteristic of the phase windings in a switched reluctance motor, the current flow through the winding does not immediately cease when the winding is disconnected from the power source. Instead, the inductive characteristic resists the immediate cessation of current flow following the opening of an associated switch. That continued current flow is directed to an energy storage device, such as a capacitor, for the purpose of raising the voltage at the first, or input, end of another stator winding. This increased voltage potential at the first end of the other stator winding assists the initiation of current flow through that stator winding when its switch is later closed for the purpose of energizing the winding. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include the directing of the continued current flow to more than one other winding to permit bi-directional rotation of the motor rotor.

Switched reluctance motor control circuit with energy recovery capability

This invention relates to a colorhead printer mounting apparatus operable to be secured to a printing press and connectable to a colorhead printing assembly usable with the printing press. The colorhead printer mounting apparatus includes a main support jack assembly secured by an anchor bracket assembly to the printing press and having a colorhead support assembly mounted thereon which is operable to support the colorhead printing assembly thereon. The colorhead support assembly includes a mounting bar assembly secured to the colorhead printing assembly and having self-centering means for releasable connection to the colorhead printing assembly operable for raising, lowering, and pivotally moving to a non-use position for repair and maintenance thereon. A second embodiment of this invention utilizes a colorhead trolley support assembly having a mounting bar assembly connected to the colorhead printing assembly and a trolley support arm assembly operable through a trolley actuator assembly in order to move the mounting bar assembly and the interconnected colorhead printing assembly laterally before moving vertically in order to clear various obstacles between the colorhead printing assembly and the printing press. Numerous lock feature structures are provided for holding the colorhead printing assembly in a secure condition when in the usage condition and for securing the colorhead printing assembly to the lift arm assembly of the colorhead support assembly to prevent unintentional damage or dropping of the colorhead printing assembly when moving to the non-usage condition.

Colorhead printer mounting apparatus

A method and apparatus for interconnecting one or more groups of primary electric cells in which cells in each group are further divided into two series-connected subgroups which, in twin, are connected to a three-conductor transmission system having a positive, a negtive and a neutral or return conductor. One subgroup of each group is connected between the negative terminal and the neutral and the other subgroup is connected between the positive terminal and the neutral such that the line to line voltage is twice that of the line to neutral voltage similar to a three-wire traditional AC supply system.

Growing community of inventors

Coon Rapids, MN, United States of America

William A Harris