Controlled torque drive for a barrier operator
First Claim
1. A method of operating a motor used to move a movable barrier, comprising the steps of:
- activating the motor to move the moveable barrier;
monitoring a load on the motor while moving the moveable barrier;
initiating a ride-through period in response to the monitoring step indicating that an obstruction has been encountered; and
limiting torque of the motor during the ride-through period while attempting to move the movable barrier through the obstruction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A controlled torque drive for a motor of a barrier operator including a current sensor coupled to a current conducting path that is in series with the motor. The current sensor is configured to sense the current level in the current conducting path and provide a signal indicative of the current level in the current conducting path to a current controller that restricts the current level to the motor when an obstruction is encountered by the movable barrier. The current controller continues to restrict current to the motor for a period of time while the motor attempts to move the movable barrier through an obstruction. In variations, the current to the motor is limited by an analog current controller, and in other variations, current is limited by a digital current controller.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating a motor used to move a movable barrier, comprising the steps of:
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activating the motor to move the moveable barrier;
monitoring a load on the motor while moving the moveable barrier;
initiating a ride-through period in response to the monitoring step indicating that an obstruction has been encountered; and
limiting torque of the motor during the ride-through period while attempting to move the movable barrier through the obstruction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for controlling a motor used to move a movable barrier comprising:
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a current sensor, coupled to the motor, configured to sense an increase in current drawn by the motor due to the movable barrier encountering an obstruction;
a timer configured to initiate a ride-through period in response to the movable barrier encountering the obstruction; and
a current controller, coupled to the motor, configured to allow the motor to draw a restricted amount of current during the ride-through period to attempt to move the movable barrier through the obstruction in response to the current sensor sensing an increase in current drawn by the motor. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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17. An apparatus for controlling a motor used to move a movable barrier comprising:
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means for activating the motor to move the moveable barrier;
means for monitoring a load on the motor while moving the moveable barrier;
means for initiating a ride-through period in response to the means for monitoring; and
means for limiting torque of the motor during the ride-through period while attempting to move the movable barrier.
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Specification