Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems
First Claim
1. A barrier system, comprising:
- a barrier having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and first and second edge portions opposite each other and extending between the first and second ends, the barrier being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position;
a spool coupled to the first end of the barrier, the barrier being positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted position;
a housing positioned to contain the spool and at least a portion of the barrier, the housing having an opening through which the barrier passes as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted position;
a drive motor connected to a drive shaft and configured to drive the barrier toward and away from the deployed position;
a first drive member coupled to the drive shaft and to the second end of the barrier, the first drive member being adjacent to the first edge portion of the barrier when the barrier is in the deployed position;
a second drive member coupled to the drive shaft and to the second end of the barrier, the second drive member being adjacent to the second edge portion of the barrier when the barrier is in the deployed position;
a controller coupled to the drive motor and configured to activate the drive motor to drive the barrier between the deployed and retracted positions;
a first sensor adjacent to the drive member and coupled to the controller, the first sensor senses the position of the first drive member and communicating with the controller about a position of the first drive member, wherein the position of the first drive member is used to determine a position of the second end of the barrier relative to the deployed and retracted positions; and
a second sensor adjacent to the drive member and coupled to the controller, the second sensor sensing the position of the second drive member and communicating with the controller about a position of the second drive member, wherein the position of the second drive member is used to determine the position of the second end of the barrier relative to the deployed and retracted positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Barrier systems and associated methods, including vapor and/or fire barrier systems, are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a barrier system that includes a barrier coupled to a spool. The barrier is positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between a deployed position and a retracted position by a drive assembly. The system further includes a seal assembly positioned in a housing and contacting the spool to create a barrier to smoke and vapor migration through the housing. The system still further includes a sensor operably coupled to a control system and positioned to sense barrier position as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted positions.
120 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A barrier system, comprising:
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a barrier having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and first and second edge portions opposite each other and extending between the first and second ends, the barrier being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; a spool coupled to the first end of the barrier, the barrier being positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted position; a housing positioned to contain the spool and at least a portion of the barrier, the housing having an opening through which the barrier passes as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted position; a drive motor connected to a drive shaft and configured to drive the barrier toward and away from the deployed position; a first drive member coupled to the drive shaft and to the second end of the barrier, the first drive member being adjacent to the first edge portion of the barrier when the barrier is in the deployed position; a second drive member coupled to the drive shaft and to the second end of the barrier, the second drive member being adjacent to the second edge portion of the barrier when the barrier is in the deployed position; a controller coupled to the drive motor and configured to activate the drive motor to drive the barrier between the deployed and retracted positions; a first sensor adjacent to the drive member and coupled to the controller, the first sensor senses the position of the first drive member and communicating with the controller about a position of the first drive member, wherein the position of the first drive member is used to determine a position of the second end of the barrier relative to the deployed and retracted positions; and a second sensor adjacent to the drive member and coupled to the controller, the second sensor sensing the position of the second drive member and communicating with the controller about a position of the second drive member, wherein the position of the second drive member is used to determine the position of the second end of the barrier relative to the deployed and retracted positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A barrier system, comprising:
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a barrier having a first end and a second end, the barrier being movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; a spool coupled to the first end of the barrier, the barrier being positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted position; a housing positioned to contain the spool and at least a portion of the barrier, the housing having an opening through which the barrier passes as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted position; a first seal member positioned to sealably contact a first portion of the barrier within the housing adjacent to the spool; a drive assembly that drives the barrier toward and away from the deployed position; first and second rotational members spaced apart from each other, the first rotational member being connected to the drive assembly and being rotated upon activation of the drive assembly; a drive belt extending around the first and second rotational members, the drive belt being movable upon activation of the drive assembly and rotation of the first rotational member; a controller coupled to the drive assembly and configured to activate the drive assembly to drive the barrier between the deployed and retracted positions; and a sensor adjacent to the drive belt and coupled to the controller, the sensor sensing the position of the drive belt and communicating with the controller about a position of the drive belt, wherein the position of the drive belt is used to determine a position of the second end of the barrier relative to the deployed and retracted positions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A barrier system, comprising:
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a gas impermeable barrier movable between a deployed position and a retracted position; a spool coupled to the barrier, the barrier being positioned to be wound onto and off of the spool as the barrier moves between the deployed and the retracted position; a drive assembly that drives the barrier toward and away from the deployed position, the drive assembly having a drive motor, a first drive portion connected to the spool, and a second drive portion spaced apart from the first drive portion; first and second support members spaced apart from each other, the first support member being connected to the second drive portion and being moveable upon activation of the drive assembly; a drive member extending between the first and second support members, the drive member being movable relative to the first and second support members upon activation of the drive assembly; a controller coupled to the drive assembly and configured to activate the drive motor to drive the barrier between the deployed and retracted positions; and a sensor adjacent to the drive member and coupled to the controller, the sensor sensing the position of the drive member and communicating with the controller about a position of the drive member, wherein the position of the drive member is used to determine a position of the second end of the barrier relative to the deployed and retracted positions. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification