High torque gearless actuation at low speeds for swing gate, roll-up gate, slide gate, and vehicular barrier operators

• US 7,816,875 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2008
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FAAC International Inc. (FAAC S.p.A.)
• Original Assignee: Viking Access Systems, LLC (FAAC S.p.A.)
• Inventors: Taheri, Hassan, Becerra, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Leykin; Rita
• Application Number:
  US12/019,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20090189560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 318/253, 310/178, 49/28, 493/21, 493/34, 49/32, 491/18, 491/39, 491/67, 491/99
• US Class Current: 318/253
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/63 operated by swinging arms
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/643 operated by flexible elongated pulling elements, e.g. belts, chains or cables by flexible elongated push-pull mechanisms E05F15/635
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/665 for vertically-sliding wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/656 Chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/612 Batteries
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/41 Concealed
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2600/452 in or on the floor or wall
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/40 for gates
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/70 comprising an electric motor positioned outside the roller

Abstract

The invention is a system for gearless operation of a movable barrier utilizing Lorentz forces, and in particular, a movable barrier operator retrofitted with a gearless motor capable of high torque at very low speeds. Eliminating a gear system in accordance with the present invention lowers maintenance requirements, increases efficiency, and streamlines operation of any movable barrier. By utilizing a motor which produces high-torque at low a speeds a system in accordance with the present invention does away with the need for complicated gears and pulley systems in order to achieve control of movable barriers. The present invention allows manufacturers, distributors and consumers to implement movable barrier systems with much more versatility and efficiency.

Claims

1. A method for gearless operation of a slide gate capable of high torque actuation at slow speeds, comprising:

adapting a frame member to support a Lorentz force motor;

attaching said Lorentz force motor directly to a slide gate so that said swing gate moves at a substantially similar speed as a rotation speed of said Lorentz force motor;

adapting a controller to control said rotation of said Lorentz force motor;

connecting a sensor to said controller, said sensor adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event;

retrofitting said Lorentz force motor with a sprocket, wherein said sprocket is rotably coupled to said Lorentz force motor;

attaching a chain to said sprocket;

attaching an idle wheel for maintaining said chain mechanically connected to said sprocket, wherein said chain runs parallel to a track, and wherein said chain is adapted to transfer a mechanical force generated by said Lorentz motor to said slide gate; and

adapting said slide gate to move on said track.