Movable barrier operator
First Claim
1. A movable barrier operator operable from alternating current comprising:
- an electric motor;
a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;
an electric circuit for detecting AC line voltage and frequency of the alternating current;
a worklight;
a first set of operational values for operating the worklight, when a first AC line frequency is detected;
a second set of operational values for operating the worklight, when a second AC line frequency is detected; and
a controller, responsive to the detected AC line frequency, for activating the corresponding operational set of values for operating the worklight.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A movable barrier operator having improved safety and energy efficiency features automatically detects line voltage frequency and uses that information to set a worklight shut-off time. The operator automatically detects the type of door (single panel or segmented) and uses that information to set a maximum speed of door travel. The operator moves the door with a linearly variable speed from start of travel to stop for smooth and quiet performance. The operator provides for full door closure by driving the door into the floor when the DOWN limit is reached and no auto-reverse condition has been detected. The operator provides for user selection of a minimum stop speed for easy starting and stopping of sticky or binding doors.
23 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A movable barrier operator operable from alternating current comprising:
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an electric motor;
a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;
an electric circuit for detecting AC line voltage and frequency of the alternating current;
a worklight;
a first set of operational values for operating the worklight, when a first AC line frequency is detected;
a second set of operational values for operating the worklight, when a second AC line frequency is detected; and
a controller, responsive to the detected AC line frequency, for activating the corresponding operational set of values for operating the worklight. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A movable barrier operator having linearly variable output speed, comprising:
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an electric motor having a motor output shaft;
a transmission connected to the motor output shaft to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;
a circuit for providing a pulse signal comprising a series of pulses;
a motor control circuit responsive to the pulse signal, for starting the motor and for determining the direction of rotation of the motor output shaft; and
a controller for controlling the length of the pulses in the pulse signal in accordance with a predetermined set of values, wherein in accordance with the predetermined set of values, a speed of the motor is linearly varied from zero to a maximum speed and from the maximum speed to zero. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A movable barrier operator which automatically detects barrier size, comprising:
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an electric motor having a maximum output speed;
a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;
a position detector for sensing the position of the barrier with respect to a frame of reference; and
a controller, responsive to the position detector, for calculating a time of travel between a first barrier travel limit and a second barrier travel limit and responsive to the calculated time of barrier travel, for automatically adjusting a barrier travel speed. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A movable barrier operator having full closure, comprising:
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an electric motor;
a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and connectable to a movable barrier to be moved;
a position detector for sensing a position of the barrier;
a learn routine for determining a minimum reversal position of the barrier relative to a close limit, wherein the minimum reversal position of the barrier position is located a short distance above the close limit;
a controller responsive to the position detector and to a close command to move the barrier to the close limit, for controlling the motor, wherein when the position detector senses the position of the barrier at the minimum reversal position, the controller causes the motor to continue to operate for a predetermined period of time prior to shutting off the motor, effective for driving the barrier to the close limit. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A movable barrier operator having automatic force settings, comprising:
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an electric motor;
a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and connectable to the movable barrier to be moved;
a circuit for providing a pulse signal comprising a series of pulses;
a motor control circuit, responsive to the pulse signal, for starting the motor and for determining the direction of rotation of the motor output shaft;
a first force command device for setting a first force limit for use when the motor is rotating in a first direction;
a second force command device for setting a second force limit for use when the motor is rotating in a second direction; and
a controller responsive to the first force limit and to the second force limit for varying the length of the pulses in the pulse signal, effective for varying the motor speed during travel in the first direction and in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A movable barrier operator having a flasher module, comprising:
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an electric motor;
a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and connectable to a movable barrier to be moved;
a flasher module light;
a flasher routine for enabling and disabling the flasher module light in a predetermined pattern;
a controller, responsive to a command to move the barrier, for controlling the motor and for automatically detecting the presence of the flasher module light, wherein responsive only to the presence of the flasher module light, the controller executes the flasher routine and delays starting the motor for a predetermined delay time. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30)
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Specification