Method for controlling the operational modes of a door in conjunction with a mechanical door control mechanism

A method for controlling operational parameters of a door in conjunction with operation of a mechanical door control mechanism connectable with the door and including a piston for controlling door movement characteristic by selected fluid flow within the mechanism and a means for selecting different modes of operation, said method comprising the steps of:

• selecting between a first, a second, and a third mode of operation, said first mode being an automatic opening mode and said second mode being a power assist mode said third mode of operation being an unpowered mode;
• electromechanically causing movement of said piston to automatically open the door when said first mode of operation has been selected and when a signal is present at an open trigger input to a controller;
• electromechanically exerting force on said piston to assist a user of the door in opening the door by reducing force necessary to open the door when said second mode of operation has been selected and when said signal is present at said open trigger input to said controller;
• and
• accommodating manual functioning of the mechanism when said third mode is selected;
• automatically switching to said second mode of operation from said first mode of operation when the door encounters an obstacle in its path of travel.