Door closer with hold-open and release

A door closer configured for use with a doorframe and a door movably mounted to the doorframe, the door closer comprising:

• a body portion configured for mounting to one of the doorframe and the door;
• a pinion rotatably mounted to the body portion, wherein the pinion is operable to rotate in a closing direction and an opening direction opposite the closing direction;
• an armature having a first end portion and an opposite second end portion, wherein the first end portion is configured to be pivotably coupled to the other of the door and the doorframe, and wherein the second end portion is coupled to the pinion for joint rotation therewith;
• a ratchet wheel mounted to the pinion such that the pinion and the ratchet wheel are coupled for joint rotation in the closing direction and the opening direction;
• a pawl selectively engaged with the ratchet wheel, the pawl having an engaged position in which the pawl permits rotation of the ratchet wheel in the opening direction and prevents rotation of the ratchet wheel in the closing direction, the pawl having a disengaged position in which the pawl permits rotation of the ratchet wheel in both the opening direction and the closing direction;
• a driver operable to move the pawl between the engaged position and the disengaged position, wherein the driver comprises a slip ring having a locking position in which the slip ring permits the pawl to remain in the engaged position and an unlocking position in which the slip ring maintains the pawl in the disengaged position;
• and
• a controller in communication with the driver and operable to cause the driver to move the pawl between the engaged position and the disengaged position.