US 12,316,254 B2
Stator module for a linear transport system
Tim Kaulmann, Paderborn (DE); Dirk Otterpohl, Rietberg (DE); and Marc Hegselmann, Schloss Holte Stukenbrock (DE)
Assigned to Beckhoff Automation GmbH, Verl (DE)
Filed by Beckhoff Automation GmbH, Verl (DE)
Filed on Mar. 3, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/177,845.
Application 18/177,845 is a continuation of application No. PCT/EP2021/076583, filed on Sep. 28, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2020 125 396.6 (DE), filed on Sep. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0208335 A1, Jun. 29, 2023
Int. Cl. H02M 7/5395 (2006.01); H02P 25/064 (2016.01)
CPC H02P 25/064 (2016.02) 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A stator module of a linear transport system, comprising:
a plurality of drive coils,
wherein the drive coils are energizable and form part of a stator of a linear motor,
wherein the stator module further comprises actuation electronics, wherein the drive coils are actuatable via the actuation electronics,
wherein the actuation electronics comprise at least one actuation element, wherein the actuation element is configured to energize a number of drive coils,
wherein the actuation element has a number of half bridges, wherein the half bridges each comprise a first half-bridge connection, a second half-bridge connection, and a half-bridge center,
wherein the first half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another,
wherein the second half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another, and
wherein the half bridges and the drive coils form a chain, wherein half-bridge centers and drive coils are alternately arranged within the chain, wherein at least one half-bridge center is connected to two of said drive coils;
wherein the number of half bridges is identical to the number of drive coils.
 
10. A stator module of a linear transport system, comprising:
a plurality of drive coils,
wherein the drive coils are energizable and form part of a stator of a linear motor,
wherein the stator module further comprises actuation electronics, wherein the drive coils are actuatable via the actuation electronics,
wherein the actuation electronics comprise at least one actuation element, wherein the actuation element is configured to energize a number of drive coils,
wherein the actuation element has a number of half bridges, wherein the half bridges each comprise a first half-bridge connection, a second half-bridge connection, and a half-bridge center,
wherein the first half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another,
wherein the second half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another, and
wherein the half bridges and the drive coils form a chain, wherein half-bridge centers and drive coils are alternately arranged within the chain, wherein at least one half-bridge center is connected to two of said drive coils;
further comprising a communication input,
wherein the stator module is arranged to receive data regarding the actuation of the drive coils via the communication input and to switch the half bridges of the actuation element according to the data; and
further comprising a limiting controller,
wherein the data comprises current setpoints or voltage setpoints for the drive coils, and
wherein the limiting controller is configured to change the current setpoints or voltage setpoints, respectively, in such a way that a sum of voltages of the drive coils of an actuation element does not exceed a maximum voltage;
wherein the limiting controller is further configured to:
calculate a cumulative sum of a time curve of the voltage to be applied to the drive coils of an actuation element,
determine a maximum value and a minimum value of the cumulative sum, and
check whether a difference of the maximum value and the minimum value exceeds a design voltage; and
in a case that the difference exceeds the design voltage, to reduce the voltage setpoints in such a manner that the difference no longer exceeds the design voltage when the calculation steps are repeated.
 
11. A linear transport system comprising:
at least one stator module, the stator module comprising:
a plurality of drive coils,
wherein the drive coils are energizable and form part of a stator of a linear motor,
wherein the stator module further comprises actuation electronics, wherein the drive coils are actuatable via the actuation electronics,
wherein the actuation electronics comprise at least one actuation element, wherein the actuation element is configured to energize a number of drive coils,
wherein the actuation element has a number of half bridges, wherein the half bridges each comprise a first half-bridge connection, a second half-bridge connection, and a half-bridge center,
wherein the first half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another,
wherein the second half-bridge connections of the half bridges are connected to one another, and
wherein the half bridges and the drive coils form a chain, wherein half-bridge centers and drive coils are alternately arranged within the chain, wherein at least one half-bridge center is connected to two of said drive coils;
further comprising:
at least one slide, and
at least a controller,
wherein the controller is configured to forward data to a communication input of the stator module via a communication output, and
wherein the data comprises current setpoints or voltage setpoints for the drive coils of the stator module;
wherein the controller comprises a limiter, wherein the limiter is configured to change the current setpoints or voltage setpoints in such a way that a sum of voltages of the drive coils of an actuation element does not exceed a maximum voltage.