Remotely controllable automatic door operator permitting active and passive door operation

An electric door operator apparatus formed for mounting between a structure and a movable door for movement of the door between a closed position and an opened position, said operator apparatus comprising:

• an electric motor assembly having an output shaft, said electric motor assembly being formed for mounting to one of the door and the structure and formed to drive said output shaft in two opposed directions;
• a linkage device formed for mounting the other of the door and the structure for movement of the door between said open and said closed positions;
• an electronic clutch assembly mounted between said output shaft and said linkage device and selectively coupling of said linkage to said motor for powered movement of the door in both directions between said open and closed position in an active mode, and said clutch assembly further selectively decoupling said output shaft from said linkage device to permit manual movement of the door between said open and closed positions substantially free of movement resistance in a passive mode;
• and
• a controller unit operably coupled to said motor assembly and to said clutch assembly and controlling powered operation of said door operator both to open and to close said door, said controller unit further automatically decoupling said linkage device from said output shaft in the absence of user input.