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US 11,667,311 B2Granted
Supercapacitor power supply for a gate crossing mechanism
AssigneeSiemens Mobility GmbH
InventorsLeah Chowenhill, Quinton Reed, Daniel Spencer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Examples described herein provide a computer-implemented method that includes detecting a loss of power to a motor of the gate crossing mechanism. The motor is operably coupled to a gate of the gate crossing mechanism. The method further includes, responsive to detecting the loss of the power, providing, by at least one supercapacitor, power to the motor to initiate the gate moving from an open position to a closed position.
Claims14
A method for controlling a gate crossing mechanism, the method comprising:
- powering a motor of the gate crossing mechanism, the motor being operably coupled to a gate of the gate crossing mechanism, and the motor being powered by a battery and gate control signals received by a controller, the controller controlling operation of the motor,
- detecting a loss of power to the motor of the gate crossing mechanism, the loss of power including a loss of battery power and loss of the gate control signals;
- responsive to detecting the loss of the power, providing, by at least one supercapacitor, power to the motor to initiate the gate moving from an open position to a closed position;
- and
- subsequent to restoration of the power, recharging the at least one supercapacitor using the battery until the at least one supercapacitor has a charge level at least equal to a high charge threshold;
- and
- maintaining the charge level equal to the high charge threshold via a trickle charge from a voltage supply derived from the gate control signals.
4 more elements
A gate crossing mechanism comprising:
- a gate;
- a motor operably coupled to the gate;
- a controller including a battery and gate control circuitry configured to provide power to the motor, the controller being configured to control operation of the motor and receive gate control signals providing power;
- a supercapacitor coupled to the battery, the supercapacitor being charged by the battery;
- wherein the controller is configured to perform a method, the method comprising:
- detecting a loss of power to the motor based on a loss of battery power and loss of the gate control signals;
- and
- responsive to detecting the loss of the power, providing, by the supercapacitor, power to the motor to initiate the gate moving from an open position to a closed position;
- and
- recharging the supercapacitor using the battery until the supercapacitor has a charge level at least equal to a high charge threshold, and
- maintaining the charge level equal to the high charge threshold by providing a trickle charge from a voltage supply derived from the gate control signals.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.