US 5,206,782 AGranted

Surge lock power controller

AssigneeHirsch Electronics Corporation

InventorsPhillip C. Landmeier, Douglas J. Morgan, Gerald E. Hammond

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Abstract

A power controller for electric locks which draw large startup current surges which controls and manages the energy of a pair of storage batteries to reliably operate such electric locks and provide steady-state power to auxiliary system components both with AC power present and in the absence thereof, so long as the stored charge in the batteries is able, to thereafter maintain a steady source of power to the system as long as possible, and to be self-starting upon the return of AC power, all without ever placing the electric locks in a partially unlocked or "hung" state. The two storage batteries are normally maintained charged through an AC power source, and both cooperate to provide the surge power. On loss of AC power, both still provide surge power so long as one can maintain the steady state power, and thereafter the other battery alone provides surge power so long as possible. On restart from a batteries discharged condition, surge power demand is tested periodically and immediately terminated when inadequate, thereby having minimal effect on the charging rate of the batteries.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A surge lock power controller for providing electrical power to a lock system requiring steady state power and utilizing surge locks further requiring a short term high power surge to operate the same, comprising:

first and second rechargeable storage batteries;
recharging means coupled to the rechargeable storage batteries and for coupling to a power supply for charging the rechargeable storage batteries, the recharging means having a charging rate greater than the steady state power drain of a lock system and less than the power drain on the rechargeable storage batteries during the high power surge operation of one or more of the surge locks;
the first storage battery being coupled to a steady state power output to provide steady state power for a lock system;
first switch means coupled between the first storage battery and the second storage battery;
second switch means coupled between the second storage battery and a surge lock output to provide the power for the surge locks in a lock system;
first voltage sensitive means coupled to the first switch means responsive to the voltage of the steady state power output to turn off the first switch means for at least a first predetermined time whenever the voltage of the steady state power output drops below a first predetermined value;
and,
second voltage sensitive means coupled to the second switch means and responsive to the voltage of the second rechargeable storage battery to turn off the second switch means for at least a second predetermined time whenever the voltage of the second rechargeable storage battery drops below a second predetermined value;
the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value.

6 more elements

A method of providing electrical power to a lock system requiring steady state power and utilizing surge locks further requiring a short term high power surge to operate the same, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing first and second rechargeable storage batteries;
(b) providing recharging means coupled to the rechargeable storage batteries and to a power supply for charging the rechargeable storage batteries, the recharging means having a charging rate greater than the steady state power drain of a lock system and less than the power drain on the rechargeable storage batteries during the high power surge operation of one or more of the surge locks;
(c) coupling the first storage battery to a steady state power output to provide steady state power for the lock system;
(d) coupling the first storage battery and the second storage battery through a first switch;
(e) coupling the second storage battery and a surge lock output to provide the power for the surge locks in a lock system when both batteries are charged;
(f) sensing the voltage of the steady state power output and turning off the first switch means for at least a first predetermined time whenever the voltage of the steady state power output drops below a first predetermined value;
and,
(g) sensing the voltage of the second rechargeable storage battery and turning off the second switch means for at least a second predetermined time whenever the voltage of the second rechargeable storage battery drops below a second predetermined value, the second predetermined value being less than the first predetermined value.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/642,818Filed 18 Jan 1991
Granted: 27 Apr 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

E05B 47/00
Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic
E05B 47/0002
With electric actuators; Constructional features thereof: with electromagnets
E05B 47/02
Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means: movement of the bolt by electromagnetic means; Adaptation…
E05B 47/06
Operating or controlling locks or other fastening devices by electric or magnetic means: controlling mechanically-operated bolts by…