Intelligent door restraint
First Claim
1. A control system, comprising:
- (a) a door closer, comprising a member configured to control a position of a door, an energy storage element configured to store energy when a door is opened, and to close the door through a release of stored energy, and a fluidic damper configured to selectively varying a damping of at least a closure of the door;
(b) an input port configured to receive a control signal;
(c) an automated processor configured to process said control signal and produce an output for selectively controlling the fluidic damper, to initially substantially restrain the door in an open condition by restriction of fluid flow, and subsequently permit damped door closure after a variable time period in dependence on said control signal, by relaxation of said restriction of fluid flow, the variable time period having a normal range; and
(d) a fail-safe closure structure, configured to automatically permit damped closure of the door independent of a state of the output, by release of the stored energy in the door closer, said closure structure comprising a bleed valve which is configured to permit a fluid flow in the fluidic damper when the door is substantially restrained in an open condition for a time period in excess of the normal range of variable time periods, to ensure closure of the door within a predetermined period, wherein the fail-safe closure structure ensures fail-safe door closure even in event of an extended state of the output for restraining the door in an open condition beyond the normal range of variable time periods.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for controlling a door, comprising the steps of storing energy during a manual opening of a door, sensing an object within a doorway, selectively applying a force derived from the stored energy, to close the door, based on the sensing of an object in the doorway. The closure is preferably controlled by an electronic control. A door closing device comprising an energy storage device for storing energy during door opening and releasing the stored energy to subsequently close the door, a damping system for damping a closure of the door, a sensor for detecting an object within a doorway, having an output, a controllable device for selectively restraining the energy storage device from closing the door, and a control system for controlling the controllable device based on the output.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A control system, comprising:
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(a) a door closer, comprising a member configured to control a position of a door, an energy storage element configured to store energy when a door is opened, and to close the door through a release of stored energy, and a fluidic damper configured to selectively varying a damping of at least a closure of the door; (b) an input port configured to receive a control signal; (c) an automated processor configured to process said control signal and produce an output for selectively controlling the fluidic damper, to initially substantially restrain the door in an open condition by restriction of fluid flow, and subsequently permit damped door closure after a variable time period in dependence on said control signal, by relaxation of said restriction of fluid flow, the variable time period having a normal range; and (d) a fail-safe closure structure, configured to automatically permit damped closure of the door independent of a state of the output, by release of the stored energy in the door closer, said closure structure comprising a bleed valve which is configured to permit a fluid flow in the fluidic damper when the door is substantially restrained in an open condition for a time period in excess of the normal range of variable time periods, to ensure closure of the door within a predetermined period, wherein the fail-safe closure structure ensures fail-safe door closure even in event of an extended state of the output for restraining the door in an open condition beyond the normal range of variable time periods. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A door control system, comprising:
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(a) an input port configured to receive a control signal; (b) an automated electronic processor configured to process said control signal and produce an output dependent on the control signal; (c) a battery configured to power the automated electronic processor and output over a plurality of door control cycles; and (d) a door closer having a fluidic damper configured to selectively control a rate of door closing, said automated electronic processor being configured to produce the output associated with a corresponding magnetic field, to control a modulation of the fluid flow through the fluidic damper by magnetically altering an effective viscosity of a magnetorheological fluid via the corresponding magnetic field, to initially substantially restrain the door in an open condition, and subsequently permit door closure using energy stored during a door opening, a delay in door closure being selectively dependent on said control signal. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A door closer control, adapted to close a door using energy derived from a preceding opening of the door, comprising:
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(a) an electronic processor configured to produce an output signal for control over door closure; and (b) a fluidic damper, configured to selectively modulate a fluid flow rate corresponding to a closing rate of the door dependent on a magnetic field corresponding to the output signal of the electronic processor, by at least modulating an effective fluid viscosity based on a magneto-rheological effect, to alter a fluid flow rate of a magnetorheological fluid through a conduit, the fluidic damper having at least one modulation state in which the fluid flow rate is substantially zero, wherein the electronic processor is programmed to selectively control the fluidic damper to at least delay an initiation of a closure of the door by sustaining the at least one modulation state in which the fluid flow rate is substantially zero. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification