Automatic gate operator

• US 7,342,374 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Hill, Richard, Robb, Eric, Kukulski, Edward, Gioia, William
• Primary Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US10/988,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,212 Days
• Field of Search: 318/266, 318/467, 318280-282, 318/480, 49/25, 49/26, 49/28, 49/29
• US Class Current: 318/468
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/00 Power-operated mechanisms for wings motor-operated accessories in locks for completing closing or initiating opening of a wing E05B17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/43 responsive to disruption of energy beams, e.g. light or sound
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/44 responsive to changes in electrical conductivity
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/622 using screw-and-nut mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 2015/434 with cameras or optical sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/30 of motors
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/85 User input means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/40 for gates
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/351 the positional error is used to control continuously the servomotor according to its magnitude
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45242 Door, panel, window operation, opening, closing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18696 including means to selectively transmit power [e.g., clutch, etc.]

Abstract

A barrier movement operator is having a position sensor in a telescoping barrier control arm is described. A controller, remote from the arm, senses the barrier position to identify limits of barrier travel and to control rate of travel of the barrier between limits. The operator includes both optical and edge sensor obstruction detectors and is responsive to wireless communication for receiving user initiated command signals.

Claims

1. A movable barrier operator comprising:

a controller responsive to signals at one or more input terminals for controlling the movement of a barrier;

a first input terminal;

a first safety apparatus for applying a first safety signal to the first input terminal;

a second safety apparatus for applying a second safety signal different than the first safety signal to the first input terminal; and

the controller responds to an input signal at the first input terminal by determining whether the input signal is a first safety signal or a second safety signal and performs in accordance with a first safety procedure when the input signal is a first safety signal and performs in accordance with a second safety procedure, different from the first safety procedure, when the input signal is a second safety signal.

2. A movable barrier operator according to claim 1 wherein the first safety apparatus comprises a pair of photo eyes disposed in proximity to the barrier for detecting obstructions between the photo eyes.

3. A movable barrier operator according to claim 2 wherein the second safety apparatus comprises an edge contact sensor affixed to the barrier.

4. A movable barrier operator according to claim 2 wherein the first safety procedure comprises stopping the movement of the barrier when the barrier is in motion.

5. A movable barrier operator according to claim 3 wherein the second safety procedure comprises reversing a direction of motion when the barrier is in motion.

6. A movable barrier operator according to claim 3 where the first safety signal comprises a first voltage with periodic reductions in voltage to a second voltage during periods of non-obstruction sensing and comprises a constant first voltage signal without periodic reductions of voltage to indicate an obstruction.

7. A movable barrier operator according to claim 6 wherein the second safety signal comprises the first voltage level during periods of no contact with the sensor and comprises a reduced voltage at a third voltage level, less than the first voltage level, during periods of obstruction contact with the edge sensor.

8. A movable barrier operator according to claim 1 wherein the controller determines the continued operation of the first and second safety apparatus.