Method and apparatus for controlling a lifting magnet of a materials handling machine
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Dec 7, 1999
Issued Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Jul 31, 1998
filing date -
Mar 7, 1997
priority date (Note) -
In Force
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling a lifting magnet (12) of a materials handling machine (10) to eliminate arcing between contacts (70-80) within the magnet controller (26) as is well as is large voltage spikes. The controller (26) selectively excites the shunt field windings (66,68) of a direct current generator (22). The magnitude and direction of the current passing through the shunt field windings (66,68) is varied by the magnet controller (26) to control the magnitude and polarity of the voltage at the generator output (23). The armature (60) of the generator (22) is rotatably driven by a hydraulic motor at an essentially constant speed to minimize voltage variations at the output (23) of the generator (22). At least the drop cycle is controlled through use of a current transducer (200) that senses current flowing to the lifting magnet so that the electronic controller is able to control the flow of current to the lifting magnet based upon the sensed current in the magnet circuit.
First Claim
Other Claims data not available