Movable barrier operator

• US 6,417,637 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Fitzgibbon, James J., Willmott, Colin B., Wanis, Paul E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US09/785,619
• Publication Number:
  US 20010024095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 508 Days
• Field of Search: 318/445, 318/446, 318/468, 318/480, 318/484, 318/459, 49/29, 49/30, 49/31
• US Class Current: 318/459
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/38 for upwardly-moving wings, e.g. up-and-over doors
• 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 15/603 using rotary electromotors
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/668 for overhead wings
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/684 by chains
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/726 Ring gears; Internal gears
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/452 for saving energy
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/456 for programming
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/59 Travel display
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/822 Light emitters, e.g. LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/00 Details, accessories and auxiliary operations not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/904 Stored velocity profile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/909 Monitoring means

Abstract

A movable barrier operator having improved safety and energy efficiency features automatically detects line voltage frequency and uses that information to set a worklight shut-off time. The operator automatically detects the type of door (single panel or segmented) and uses that information to set a maximum speed of door travel. The operator moves the door with a linearly variable speed from start of travel to stop for smooth and quiet performance. The operator provides for full door closure by driving the door into the floor when the DOWN limit is reached and no auto-reverse condition has been detected. The operator provides for user selection of a minimum stop speed for easy starting and stopping of sticky or binding doors.

Claims

1. A movable barrier operator operable from line voltage supply having detectable characteristics comprising:

an electric motor;

a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;

an electric circuit for detecting the characteristics of the line voltage;

a first set of operational values for providing a feature of the movable barrier operator, when a first line voltage characteristic is detected;

a second set of operational values for providing the feature, when a second line voltage characteristic is detected; and

a controller, responsive to the detected line voltage characteristic, for activating the corresponding operational set of values for providing the feature.

2. A movable barrier operator according to claim 1 further comprising a routine for controlling motor speed and wherein the first set of operational values comprises a scaling factor for scaling the motor speed.

3. A movable barrier operator according to claim 2 wherein the scaling factor is stored in a look-up table stored in a memory.

4. A movable barrier operator operable from alternating current comprising:

an electric motor;

a transmission connected to the motor to be driven thereby and to the movable barrier to be moved;

an electric circuit for detecting AC line voltage and frequency of the alternating current;

a first set of operational values for providing a feature of the movable barrier operator, when a first AC line frequency is detected;

a second set of operational values for providing the feature, when a second AC line frequency is detected; and

a controller, responsive to the detected AC line frequency, for activating the corresponding operational set of values for providing the feature.

5. A movable barrier operator operable from alternating current according to claim 4 further comprising a routine for controlling motor speed and wherein the first set of values further comprises a scaling factor for scaling the motor speed.

6. A movable barrier operator operable from alternating current according to claim 5 wherein the scaling factor is stored in a look-up table stored in a memory.