Wave sensor control system

• US 5,912,625 A
• Filed: 05/16/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John H. Scofield
• Original Assignee: John H. Scofield
• Inventors: Scofield, John H.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWANN III, GLEN R
• Application Number:
  US08/857,514
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/665, 340/666, 340/541, 49/26, 49/27, 49/28, 367/93
• US Class Current: 340/665
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/432 with acoustical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/654 by electrical cables
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/66 Wireless transmission
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/46 in or on the wing
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

A control system utilizes generated acoustic or electromagnetic waves within a deformable wall wave guide. The wave guide is located in the surveillance area and, upon the wave guide being deformed by an obstruction or an intruder, the characteristics of the wave within the change. The change is sensed by a receiver which produces a control signal to activate an alarm and/or an operating system if the control system is used to control moving elements, such as a door or gate. The wave guide can constitute a homogeneous portion of door weatherstripping.

Claims

1. An overhead door motor control system for an overhead door having lateral edges and a bottom edge comprising, in combination, an ultrasonic wave transmitter mounted on the door adjacent one door lateral edge, an ultrasonic wave receiver mounted on the door adjacent the other door lateral edge, an elongated hollow flexible wall wave guide weatherstrip affixed to the door bottom edge interconnecting said transmitter and receiver whereby ultrasonic waves transmitted by said transmitter are received and sensed by said receiver, said receiver sensing variations in the wave characteristics of an ultrasonic wave longitudinally transversing said wave guide differing from a predetermined value upon said wave guide'"'"'s being laterally deformed, and a signal processing circuit connected to said transmitter and said receiver producing a motor control signal upon said receiver'"'"'s receiving an ultrasonic wave having a characteristic differing from said predetermined value.