Pass point system for controlling the operation of movable barriers
AssigneeThe Chamberlain Group, Inc.
InventorsRoger William Lhotak, James Joseph Fitzgibbon, Robert John Olmsted, Kenneth J. Dombrowski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An operator for opening and closing movable barriers such as garage doors comprising a pass point limit system which is a component of an operating head. The operator is responsive to remote control from a wall panel or other location remote from the operating head to enable setting and adjustment of door travel limits from a remote location, without requiring installation of limit switches separate from the operating head.
Claims35
An overhead door opener drive system comprising a housing, a motor supported on said housing, a pass point assembly for measuring overhead door displacements with respect to an intermediate reference point, and a controller for controlling and repeatably setting limits for such displacements within a predetermined range of motion to limit undesired variation of door displacement limits over time;
- said pass point assembly comprising at least one light emitter, at least one light receiver in communication with said controller, and an interrupter mechanism for selectively interrupting transmission of light to said at least one light receiver from said at least one light emitter to provide a signal to the controller when the door passes said reference point and to provide information to the controller concerning overhead door displacements relative to said reference point;
- wherein said interrupter mechanism is driven by said motor in proximity thereto;
- said controller enabling setting and adjustment of said limits from a location remote from said pass point assembly.
An operator for opening and closing a barrier comprising a head, a transmission assembly for transmitting power from said head to said barrier, and a controller;
- said head comprising a base, a motor supported on said base and connected to said transmission assembly, and a limit system;
- said controller being in communication with said motor and said limit system to control motor operation and thereby to control barrier travel;
- said controller being capable of setting and adjusting a limit point from a remote location so that, upon entry of a command into said controller, said barrier will automatically travel approximately to said limit point and will stop approximately at said limit point;
- said limit system comprising an optical pass point system which is a component of said head and which is installable therewith so as to avoid requiring separate installation of said limit system.
An operator for opening and closing a barrier comprising a head, a transmission assembly rail drive assembly and trolley for transmitting power from said head to said barrier, and a controller;
- said head comprising a base, a motor supported on said base and connected to said transmission assembly, and a limit system;
- said controller being in communication with said motor and said limit system to control motor operation and thereby to control barrier travel;
- said controller being capable of setting a limit point so that, upon entry of a command into said controller, said barrier will automatically travel approximately to said limit point and will stop approximately at said limit point;
- said limit system being a component of said head and installable therewith so as to avoid requiring separate installation of said limit system;
- said limit system comprising an optical pass point system which defines an intermediate reference point and which sends a signal to said controller when said intermediate reference point is passed so that subsequent displacement may be measured with respect to said intermediate reference point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.