Independent backup power supply for a security barrier

• US 6,920,718 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 07/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Elite Access Systems, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: The Chamberlain Group, Inc. (The Chamberlain Group LLC)
• Inventors: Perez, Daniel, Hom, Wayne C., Parsadayan, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): REDMAN, JERRY E
• Application Number:
  US10/407,315
• Publication Number:
  US 20040194387A1
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 49/31, 49/49, 307 18- 29, 307 43- 48, 307/64, 307/66, 307/80
• US Class Current: 49/49
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 13/048 with obstructing members moving in a translatory motion, e.g. vertical lift barriers, sliding gates E01F13/046, E01F13/105 take precedence

Abstract

A system is disclosed for providing a backup power supply for a security gate system. In a preferred embodiment it includes a primary power supply, an AC motor and an auxiliary DC motor that share the same accessory devices including controller, movement mechanism, sensors, communication unit, etc. The auxiliary DC motor has its own independent DC power supply. If the primary power supply fails the auxiliary power supply takes over and moves the barrier between the open and closed positions as needed without interruption of service.

Claims

1. A security barrier system with alternate power source, said system comprising:

a security barrier movable between an open and a closed position;

a mechanical apparatus for moving said barrier when said mechanical apparatus is engaged by an appropriate motive force;

a primary motor for engaging said mechanical apparatus to thereby move said barrier between said open and closed position;

a primary power supply to power operation of said primary motor;

a barrier controller operatively connected to said primary motor to thereby control the bi-directional movement of said barrier between said open and closed position by controlling operations of said primary motor;

a secondary motor operatively connected to said barrier controller and said secondary motor engaging said mechanical apparatus;

a secondary power supply to power operation of said secondary motor;

a sensor connected to said system for sensing failure to said primary power supply or primary motor; and

an activation device connected to said system, which upon receipt of a signal from said sensor indicating a failure of said primary power supply or said primary motor activates operation of said secondary power supply and said secondary motor,and said controller continues to control bi-directional movement of the barrier between said open and closed positions without interruption.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said primary motor is an AC power supply, said secondary motor is a DC motor, said secondary power supply is a DC power supply.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said DC power supply is a storage battery.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein during operation of said primary motor and said primary power supply, said primary power supply charges said secondary power supply.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein said barrier controller, said sensor and said activation device all function on DC power and further including a converter to convert AC power from said primary power supply to DC power to power operation of said barrier controller, said sensor and said activation device and wherein when said primary power supply fails said barrier controller, said sensor and said activation device all receive power from said DC power supply.

6. The system of claim 5 further including one or more detection devices in and around said barrier, said detection devices being operatively connected to said barrier controller which responds thereto to control opening and closing of the barrier under power of the primary motor or the secondary motor.

7. A system of claim 6 wherein the detection device comprises a safety detection device.

8. A system of claim 6 wherein the detection device comprises a loop detector.

9. A system of claim 6 wherein the detection device comprises communication apparatus for remote actuation of said barrier.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said security barrier is at least one of a security gate, a garage door said and apartment complex door.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said security barrier is at least one of a swinging gate, a sliding gate, an overhead gate and a barrier gate.