Active impact force/torque control for an electromechanical actuator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016072425-A1
Application number	US-201414780344-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 29, 2014
Priority date	May 30, 2013
Publication date	Mar 10, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system that improves on known systems for reducing output torque by a motor in the event of a jam may include an electromechanical actuator (EMA), a motor configured to drive the EMA and a controller. The controller may be coupled to the motor and configured to receive a speed of the EMA and a position of the EMA. The controller may be further configured to determine whether a jam of the EMA is imminent or is occurring according to the EMA speed, EMA position, and a known range of motion of the EMA, and to provide an input signal to the motor to reduce a torque of the motor if a jam of the EMA is imminent or is occurring.

First claim

What is claimed:

1 . A method for controlling a motor coupled with an electromechanical actuator (EMA), comprising:
receiving, from one or more sensors coupled with said motor or said EMA, an indication of a speed of said EMA and a position of said EMA; determining whether a jam of said EMA is imminent or is occurring according to the EMA speed, EMA position, and a known range of motion of said EMA; and providing an input signal to said motor to reduce a torque of the motor if a jam of said EMA is imminent or is occurring.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing the input signal to said motor to maintain the output torque of said motor under about 7.4 inch-pounds.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising altering the input signal to said motor to maintain the force of said EMA below about 14,300 pounds.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving an indication of an electrical current of said motor, wherein the determining is performed further according to the electrical current.

5 . A system for controlling a motor coupled with an electromechanical actuator (EMA), comprising:
a controller, configured to be coupled with a motor, the motor coupled with an EMA, the controller configured to:
receive, from one or more sensors coupled with said motor or said EMA, an indication of a speed of said EMA and a position of said EMA;
determine whether a jam of said EMA is imminent or is occurring according to the EMA speed, EMA position, and a known range of motion of said EMA; and
provide an input signal to said motor to reduce a torque of said motor if a jam of said EMA is imminent or is occurring.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to provide said input signal to said motor to maintain the output torque of said motor under about 7.4 inch-pounds.

7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to alter said input signal to said motor to maintain the force of said EMA below about 14,300 pounds.

8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive an indication of an electrical current of said motor, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether a jam of said EMA is imminent or is occurring further according to the indication of the electrical current.

9 . A system comprising:
an electromechanical actuator (EMA); a motor configured to drive the EMA; and a controller, coupled to the motor, configured to receive a speed of the EMA and a position of the EMA, to determine whether a jam of the EMA is imminent or is occurring according to the EMA speed, EMA position, and a known range of motion of the EMA, and to provide an input signal to the motor to reduce a torque of the motor if a jam of the EMA is imminent or is occurring.

10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the EMA is coupled to an aircraft flap.

11 . The system of claim 9 , further comprising one or more sensors configured to detect, and to provide for the controller, the EMA speed and EMA position.

12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the sensors are coupled to the EMA.

13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein one or more of the sensors are coupled to the motor.

14 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive an electrical current of the motor and to determine whether a jam of the EMA is imminent or is occurring further according to the electrical current.

Assignees

• Eaton Corp

Inventors

• Neely John David
• White John Mendenhall

Classifications

• G05D17/02

  characterised by the use of electric means · CPC title

• G05D15/01 Primary

  characterised by the use of electric means · CPC title

• H02P29/40

  Regulating or controlling the amount of current drawn or delivered by the motor for controlling the mechanical load · CPC title

• H02P29/032

  Preventing damage to the motor, e.g. setting individual current limits for different drive conditions · CPC title

• B64C5/08 Primary

  mounted on, or supported by, wings · CPC title