Patent ID: 8028973
Filing Date: 2011-10-04
Classification: B66F,H02P

Abstract:
1. A self-homing actuator apparatus comprising: an actuator including an actuator leg supported for motion along a stroke relative to an actuator base, and also including an electric actuator motor drivingly connected to the actuator leg and configured to drive the actuator leg between inner and outer limits of the stroke; a controller configured to detect when the actuator leg is at one of the inner and outer leg stroke limits by monitoring and comparing motor power draw to known motor power draw values associated with the operation of an electric actuator motor when the actuator leg has reached an actuator leg stroke limit; and a position sensor connected to the controller and configured to sense changes in the position of a monitored actuator component and to transmit corresponding position change signals to the controller, the controller being further configured to calculate the position of the monitored actuator component in response to position change signals received from the position sensor and relative to a home position of the monitored actuator component, the controller being further configured to recognize and record as the home position, the position of the monitored actuator component when the controller detects that the actuator leg has reached a stroke limit.