Pivoting and barrier locking operator system

• US 7,576,504 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2006
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HRH Newco Corporation
• Original Assignee: Wayne-Dalton Corporation (HRH Door Corp.)
• Inventors: Mullet, Willis J., VanDrunen, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Duda; Rina I
• Application Number:
  US11/921,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20090115366A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,209 Days
• Field of Search: 318/601, 318/602, 318/282, 318/286, 318/445, 318/466, 318/468, 49/26, 49/28
• US Class Current: 318/445
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/41 Detection by monitoring transmitted force or torque E05F15/48 takes precedence; Safety couplings with activation dependent upon torque or force, e.g. slip couplings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/22 Locks
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/238 reaction force or torque
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/434 Electromotors; Details thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/11 by automatically acting means
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages

Abstract

An operator system for moving a barrier between limit positions, includes an operator motor assembly mounted to the barrier, wherein the motor assembly is movable between an operating position and a locking position with the motor assembly blocking movement of the barrier. A bias assembly allows the motor assembly to move toward the locking position when either a predetermined force overcomes a biasing force, or when the barrier is moved to a closed position or when forced entry is imposed on the barrier. A modified blocker tab having a plurality of projections, and which is part of the motor assembly, allows the speed/angular position of the rotation of the motor assembly to be monitored with increased resolution.

Claims

1. An operator system for moving a barrier between limit positions comprising:

a pivotable operator motor assembly;

a drive system coupled to said operator motor assembly, said motor assembly actuating said drive system so as to move the barrier between limit positions;

a controller circuit coupled to said operator motor assembly to control movement of the barrier;

a blocker tab associated with said drive system, said blocker tab having a plurality of spaced blocker projections associated with said drive system, wherein said projections move when said operator motor assembly pivots; and

a compliance encoder coupled to said controller circuit, wherein said compliance encoder generates a compliance signal as said blocker projections are moved.

2. The operator system according to claim 1, wherein said blocker projections are uniformly spaced.

3. The operator system according to claim 1, where said blocker projections are non-uniformly spaced.

4. The operator system according to claim 1, wherein said blocker projections are of uniform width.

5. The operator system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said blocker projections has a width different from another of said blocker projections.

6. The operator system according to claim 1, wherein the operator system derives a current speed value from said compliance signal, and wherein if said current speed value falls outside of a blocker threshold, said operator system implements corrective action.

7. The operator system according to claim 6, wherein each of said blocker projections has a trailing edge and a leading edge such that said compliance signal detects the passing of said edges so that said controller circuit can determine a pivot speed of said operator motor assembly.

8. The operator system according to claim 7, wherein said controller circuit adjusts an amount of power supplied to said operator motor assembly depending upon the pivot speed.

9. The operator system according to claim 6, wherein if said current speed value is within said blocker threshold, said blocker threshold is updated to be substantially centered about said current speed value.

10. The operator system according to claim 6, wherein each of said blocker projections has a trailing edge and a leading edge such that said compliance signal detects the passing of said edges so that said controller circuit can determine an angular position of said operator motor assembly.

11. A method for monitoring the position of a motor assembly of an operator system that moves a barrier between limit positions comprising:

providing a pivotable motor assembly with a blocker tab, said blocker tab having a plurality of spaced projections;

generating a compliance signal as said blocker tab moves; and

implementing corrective action by said pivotable motor assembly upon detection of said compliance signal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of projections are uniformly spaced.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of projections are non-uniformly spaced.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of projections are of uniform width.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein at least one of said projections has a width different from another of said tabs.

16. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

storing a blocker tab threshold range; and

updating said blocker tab threshold range based upon said compliance signal derived from a completed barrier movement cycle between limit positions.

17. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

determining a motor pivot speed from said compliance signal.

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

determining an angular position of said operator motor assembly.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

comparing said compliance signal with a blocker threshold range; and

modifying said corrective action if said compliance signal is outside of said blocker threshold range.