Independent backup power supply for a security barrier

• US 20040194387A1
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Published: 10/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elite Access Systems, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Elite Access Systems, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Perez, Daniel, Hom, Wayne C., Parsadayan, Walter
• Granted Patent: US 6,920,718 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 49/49
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/048 with obstructing members moving in a translatory motion, e.g. vertical lift barriers, sliding gates E01F13/046, E01F13/105 take precedence

Abstract

A system is disclosed for providing a backup power supply for a security gate system. In a preferred embodiment it includes a primary power supply, an AC motor and an auxiliary DC motor that share the same accessory devices including controller, movement mechanism, sensors, communication unit, etc. The auxiliary DC motor has its own independent DC power supply. If the primary power supply fails the auxiliary power supply takes over and moves the barrier between the open and closed positions as needed without interruption of service.

Claims

1. A security barrier system with alternate power source, said system comprising:

a) a security barrier movable between an open and a closed position;

b) a mechanical apparatus for moving said barrier when said mechanical apparatus is engaged by an appropriate motive force;

c) a primary motive source for engaging said mechanical apparatus to thereby move said barrier between an open and a closed position;

d) a primary power supply to power operation of said primary motive source;

e) a barrier controller operatively connected to said primary motive force to thereby control the movement of said barrier by controlling operations of said primary motive source;

f) a secondary motive source operatively connected to said barrier controller and said secondary motive source being capable of engaging said mechanical apparatus;

g) a secondary power supply to power operation of said secondary motive source;

h) a sensor connected to said system for sensing failure of said primary power supply or motive force; and

i) an activation device connected to said system, which upon receipt of a signal from said sensor indicating a failure of said primary power supply or said primary motive force activates operation of said secondary power supply and said secondary motive force, so that said controller can continue to control movement of said barrier without interruption.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said primary motive source is an AC motor, said primary power supply is an AC power supply, said secondary motive force is a DC motor, said secondary power supply is a DC power supply.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said DC power supply is a storage battery.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein during operation of said primary motive source and said primary power supply, said primary power supply charges said secondary power supply.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said barrier controller, said sensor and said activation device all function on DC power and further including a converter to convert AC power from said primary power supply to DC power to power operation of said barrier controller, said sensor and said activation device and wherein when said primary power supply fails said barrier controller, said sensor and said activation device all receive power from said DC power supply.

6. The system of claim 5 further including various detection devices in and around said barrier, said detection devices being operatively connected to said barrier controller.

7. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said security barrier is selected from a group including a security gate, a garage door or an apartment complex door.

8. The mechanism of claim 1 wherein said security barrier is selected from a group including a swinging gate, a sliding gate, an overhead gate and a barrier gate.