An improved system and method for monitoring operation of movers in an independent cart system reduces the required communication bandwidth for monitoring operation of movers in a system where control is distributed among multiple controllers spaced along the track. As the mover is travelling along the track segment, each distributed controller monitors at least one operating characteristic of the mover. As a mover travels along the track, each distributed controller transmits the operating characteristic to a successive distributed controller, such the monitored operating characteristic is transmitted along the track as the mover travels along the track. At a reduced rate or upon request from a central controller, each distributed controller may transmit the status of a mover present on the corresponding track segment controlled by that distributed controller to the central controller.

An improved system and method for monitoring operation of movers in an independent cart system reduces the required communication bandwidth for monitoring operation of movers in a system where control is distributed among multiple controllers spaced along the track. As the mover is travelling along the track segment, each distributed controller monitors at least one operating characteristic of the mover. As a mover travels along the track, each distributed controller transmits the operating characteristic to a successive distributed controller, such the monitored operating characteristic is transmitted along the track as the mover travels along the track. At a reduced rate or upon request from a central controller, each distributed controller may transmit the status of a mover present on the corresponding track segment controlled by that distributed controller to the central controller.

An active inertial damper system (100) and method for damping vibrations (V1,V2) in a structure (11). An inertial mass (2) is supported by a support frame (1) via spring means (3) to form a mass-spring system (2,3) having a resonance frequency (fn). A controller (6) is configured to control a force actuator (4) to adapt the driving force (Fd) as a function of measured vibrations (V1,V2). The controller (6) comprises a filter (H) determining a magnitude (M) of the driving force (Fd) as a function of frequency (f) for the measured vibrations (V1,V2) in the structure (11). The filter (H) is configured to provide an anti-resonance dip in the magnitude (M) of the driving force (Fd) at the resonance frequency (fn) of the mass-spring system (2,3) to suppress resonant behaviour of the mass-spring system (2,3) itself.

An active inertial damper system (100) and method for damping vibrations (V1,V2) in a structure (11). An inertial mass (2) is supported by a support frame (1) via spring means (3) to form a mass-spring system (2,3) having a resonance frequency (fn). A controller (6) is configured to control a force actuator (4) to adapt the driving force (Fd) as a function of measured vibrations (V1,V2). The controller (6) comprises a filter (H) determining a magnitude (M) of the driving force (Fd) as a function of frequency (f) for the measured vibrations (V1,V2) in the structure (11). The filter (H) is configured to provide an anti-resonance dip in the magnitude (M) of the driving force (Fd) at the resonance frequency (fn) of the mass-spring system (2,3) to suppress resonant behaviour of the mass-spring system (2,3) itself.

Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and systems for position stabilization. The methods and systems for position stabilization may be integrated within an electronic device. An exemplary system may include a driver circuit responsive to a gyro sensor and a feedback signal from an actuator. The driver circuit may be configured to calibrate a gain applied to a drive signal based on the posture of the electronic device.

Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and systems for position stabilization. The methods and systems for position stabilization may be integrated within an electronic device. An exemplary system may include a driver circuit responsive to a gyro sensor and a feedback signal from an actuator. The driver circuit may be configured to calibrate a gain applied to a drive signal based on the posture of the electronic device.

A mover is configured to be electromagnetically propelled along a track in a linear motor track system with a force that is calculated to include compensation for gravity. A multi-axis accelerometer arranged in each segment of the track can detect an orientation or angle of the track segment for determining gravity with respect to the particular section. As a result, if the track is at an incline, such as a ramp, a desired force for moving a mover along the track can be compensated to include gravity due to the incline for achieving a desired motion result. In addition, the detected orientation of the track can be compared to an expected orientation stored by a control program to avoid a loss of performance due to physical changes in the track not matching an expected/programmed configuration of the track.

A mover is configured to be electromagnetically propelled along a track in a linear motor track system with a force that is calculated to include compensation for gravity. A multi-axis accelerometer arranged in each segment of the track can detect an orientation or angle of the track segment for determining gravity with respect to the particular section. As a result, if the track is at an incline, such as a ramp, a desired force for moving a mover along the track can be compensated to include gravity due to the incline for achieving a desired motion result. In addition, the detected orientation of the track can be compared to an expected orientation stored by a control program to avoid a loss of performance due to physical changes in the track not matching an expected/programmed configuration of the track.

A controller for an electromechanical transducer is provided. The controller comprises driving means operable to actuate a mechanical output of the transducer; impedance cancelling means operable to at least partially cancel an electrical impedance of the transducer; and linearising means between an input of the controller and the driving means. The linearising means are operable to generate an output signal by modifying an input signal of the linearising means to compensate for nonlinear behaviour of the transducer. The linearising means are operable to receive one or more state signals indicative of one or more state variables of the transducer, the one or more state signals comprising a velocity signal indicative of a velocity of the mechanical output of the transducer.

A controller for an electromechanical transducer is provided. The controller comprises driving means operable to actuate a mechanical output of the transducer; impedance cancelling means operable to at least partially cancel an electrical impedance of the transducer; and linearising means between an input of the controller and the driving means. The linearising means are operable to generate an output signal by modifying an input signal of the linearising means to compensate for nonlinear behaviour of the transducer. The linearising means are operable to receive one or more state signals indicative of one or more state variables of the transducer, the one or more state signals comprising a velocity signal indicative of a velocity of the mechanical output of the transducer.