An improved system and method for providing safety-rated operation of a motor and motor drive controlling operation of a load with stored potential energy includes a two-channel method of monitoring and retaining control of the load. A first safety channel is configured to control operation of a holding brake, which provides sufficient holding force to retain the stored potential energy in the load. A second safety channel is configured to independently enable and disable torque production from the motor drive controlling operation of the motor. When torque production from the motor drive is enabled, the motor drive and motor are able to provide sufficient torque to retain the stored potential energy in the load. Monitoring and subsequent control of each safety channel is provided to ensure that a single failure in either channel will not cause the unexpected release of the stored potential energy from the load.

A system includes a converter operatively connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and a direct current (DC) bus, an inverter operatively connected to a motor and the DC bus, and a controller. The converter includes a first plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the AC power source and the DC bus. The inverter includes a second plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of a plurality of phases of the motor and the DC bus. The controller is operable to command dropping of a brake through a passive delay circuit responsive to detection of an emergency stop condition for a load driven by the motor and reduce a voltage on the DC bus by dropping at least one phase of the AC power source and/or using a dynamic braking resistor prior to the brake physically dropping.

A system includes a converter operatively connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and a direct current (DC) bus, an inverter operatively connected to a motor and the DC bus, and a controller. The converter includes a first plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the AC power source and the DC bus. The inverter includes a second plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of a plurality of phases of the motor and the DC bus. The controller is operable to command dropping of a brake through a passive delay circuit responsive to detection of an emergency stop condition for a load driven by the motor and reduce a voltage on the DC bus by dropping at least one phase of the AC power source and/or using a dynamic braking resistor prior to the brake physically dropping.

A control system for mechanical braking devices is provided. The control system is designed to selectively slow, stop, and lock in place rotating machinery that is turning at an RPM that may be much greater than zero while helping minimize shock load on the rotating machinery. A fan brake control system is provided which can include: a fan brake; a position sensor; a microcontroller; an actuator; an operator interface; and a fan motor interface.

A control system for mechanical braking devices is provided. The control system is designed to selectively slow, stop, and lock in place rotating machinery that is turning at an RPM that may be much greater than zero while helping minimize shock load on the rotating machinery. A fan brake control system is provided which can include: a fan brake; a position sensor; a microcontroller; an actuator; an operator interface; and a fan motor interface.

A brake circuit discharge system is disclosed that includes: a motor drive circuit configured to drive a motor; a brake drive circuit configured to drive a brake B to decelerate and stop the driving of the motor and to apply the brake when power is cut off; a control unit configured to control the operation of the motor drive circuit and the brake drive circuit; a capacitor connected to a power line of the brake drive circuit; a discharge resistor connected in parallel with the capacitor to the power line of the brake drive circuit, and configured to discharge electric charge accumulated in the capacitor; a discharge changeover switch connected in series to the discharge resistor; and a discharge instruction generation circuit connected to the discharge changeover switch, and configured to generate a switching instruction signal for opening and closing the discharge changeover switch.

A control device for controlling a linear actuator having a linear motor and a brake device includes a magnetic pole position estimation means to estimate which of a plurality of sections obtained by dividing a magnetic pole position of 0° to 360°, the mover is located in on the basis of a direction of movement of the mover by pulse energization, a magnetic pole position setting means to perform direct current excitation at an estimated magnetic pole position estimated by the magnetic pole position estimation means and set the estimated magnetic pole position as a magnetic pole position of the mover, and a brake control means to turn on a brake device before pulse energization by the magnetic pole position estimation means is performed and turn off the brake device after the magnetic pole position estimation means estimates the section in which the mover is located.

A control device for controlling a linear actuator having a linear motor and a brake device includes a magnetic pole position estimation means to estimate which of a plurality of sections obtained by dividing a magnetic pole position of 0° to 360°, the mover is located in on the basis of a direction of movement of the mover by pulse energization, a magnetic pole position setting means to perform direct current excitation at an estimated magnetic pole position estimated by the magnetic pole position estimation means and set the estimated magnetic pole position as a magnetic pole position of the mover, and a brake control means to turn on a brake device before pulse energization by the magnetic pole position estimation means is performed and turn off the brake device after the magnetic pole position estimation means estimates the section in which the mover is located.

A vehicle has a brake device with a friction brake unit, an electrical brake unit and a brake control device. In order to provide a vehicle having a reliable and structurally simple brake device, the friction brake unit has brake components made of a composite material and the brake control device includes a monitoring device for monitoring a brake operation performed by the electrical brake unit.

A vehicle has a brake device with a friction brake unit, an electrical brake unit and a brake control device. In order to provide a vehicle having a reliable and structurally simple brake device, the friction brake unit has brake components made of a composite material and the brake control device includes a monitoring device for monitoring a brake operation performed by the electrical brake unit.