DC power backup

• US 20050057100A1
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group LLC
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J., Keller, Robert, Stephen, Matthew, Crusius, Steven Carl
• Granted Patent: US 7,786,619 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads

Abstract

A barrier movement operator with a backup source of DC power is disclosed. The power supply of the barrier movement operator sends current limited DC to the backup which uses the DC to charge a battery. The battery is in circuit at all times with the barrier movement operator power supply by means of a power diode and, when an AC mains power failure occurs, DC power is sent from the battery to power the barrier movement operator.

Claims

1. A battery backup apparatus for use with a barrier movement operator;

comprising;

a battery having first and second terminals

first and second backup

ports for receiving an input DC voltage from the barrier movement operator therebetween during normal operations by the barrier movement operator;

a conduction path connecting the second back up port to the second battery terminal;

a battery charging circuit connecting the first input port to the first battery terminal for charging the battery when the input DC voltage exceeds a predetermined voltage; and

a unidirectional isolation device connecting the first battery terminal to the first backup port.

2. The battery backup apparatus of claim 1 comprising an audible signaling device.

3. The battery backup apparatus of claim 2 comprising apparatus for enabling the audible signaling device in response to current flowing from the battery to the first backup port via the unidirectional isolation device.

4. The battery backup apparatus of claim 1 comprising one or more visual signaling devices.

5. The battery backup apparatus of claim 1 wherein the battery charging device comprises circuitry for limiting a current applied to the first battery terminal.

6. The battery backup apparatus of claim 5 wherein the circuitry for limiting, limits the current to an amount less than a maximum amount expected from the barrier movement operator.

7. The battery backup apparatus of claim 1 comprising cut out circuitry for disconnecting the first battery terminal from the unidirectional isolation device.

8. The battery backup apparatus of claim 1 comprising cutout circuitry for disconnecting the first battery terminal from the battery charging circuit.

9. The battery backup apparatus of claim 1 comprising circuitry for selectively disconnecting the first battery terminal from the first backup port when the first backup port is disconnected from the input DC voltage.