Method and apparatus for measurement and control of linear actuator

摘要

An apparatus for controlling force of a magnetic lead screw actuator includes a magnetic lead screw actuator, an external control module and at least one sensor device integrated within the magnetic lead screw actuator. The magnetic lead screw actuator includes an electric machine, a rotor, and a translator. The rotor includes a rotor magnet assembly forming first helical magnetic threads along the rotor and the translator includes a translator magnet assembly forming second helical magnetic threads along the translator. Rotation of the rotor by the electric machine effects linear translation of the translator by interaction of the first and second helical magnetic threads. The external control module is electrically operatively coupled to an electric machine controller of the magnetic lead screw actuator. The at least one sensor device integrated within the magnetic lead screw actuator is configured to measure a parameter indicative of a relative displacement between the rotor and the translator and this parameter is provided as feedback to the electric machine controller.

主权项

1. Apparatus for controlling a magnetic lead screw actuator, comprising:
a magnetic lead screw including:
an electric machine;a rotor rotatably coupled to the electric machine;a translator;said rotor comprising a rotor magnet assembly forming first helical magnetic threads;said translator comprising a translator magnet assembly forming second helical magnetic threads;wherein rotation of the rotor by the electric machine effects linear translation of the translator by interaction of the first and second helical magnetic threads; a control module electrically operatively coupled to an electric machine controller of the magnetic lead screw actuator; and at least one sensor device integrated within the magnetic lead screw actuator and configured to measure a magnetic flux in the magnetic lead screw actuator indicative of a relative displacement between the rotor and the translator, said magnetic flux measurement provided as feedback to the electric machine controller.