US 12,441,552 B2
System and method for electric motor control in a manufacturing environment
John Leo Ditner, Cambridge (CA); and Albert Kleinikkink, Cambridge (CA)
Assigned to ATS CORPORATION, Cambridge (CA)
Filed by ATS CORPORATION, Cambridge (CA)
Filed on May 31, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/334,894.
Application 17/334,894 is a continuation of application No. PCT/CA2019/051724, filed on Dec. 2, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/773,631, filed on Nov. 30, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2021/0284461 A1, Sep. 16, 2021
Int. Cl. B65G 43/00 (2006.01); B25J 9/12 (2006.01); B25J 9/16 (2006.01); B65G 23/23 (2006.01); H02P 5/68 (2006.01)
CPC B65G 43/00 (2013.01) [B65G 23/23 (2013.01); H02P 5/68 (2013.01); B25J 9/126 (2013.01); B25J 9/1674 (2013.01); B65G 2203/0291 (2013.01); B65G 2203/047 (2013.01); B65G 2811/095 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A control system for an electric motor having a main power source configured to drive at least one moving element on a conveyor in a manufacturing environment, the control system comprising:
a safety relay; and
a power reduction circuit comprising at least one low power source that is different from the main power source,
wherein, when the safety relay is triggered, the power reduction circuit automatically switches to the low power source and reduces and limits power supplied to the electric motor to a predetermined non-zero level such that the electric motor continues to operate in a predetermined safe mode, in which the electric motor continues to drive the at least one moving element at lower power without coming to a stop, and in which it is safe for a human to be in proximity to the electric motor.