Controller for a door operator

A barrier position controller for controlling a motor and other functions in a barrier operator, the motor having an output shaft, a start coil for changing the polarity of the motor and a main coil for driving the motor, the barrier position controller external to the motor and comprising:

• a first relay coupled to the start coil for supplying current having a first polarity to the start coil;
• a second relay coupled to the start coil for supplying current having a second polarity to the start coil;
• a current controller coupled to the main coil for supplying current to the main coil;
• and
• a decoupler arrangement including a speed sensor external to the motor for sensing output speed of the motor, and a decoupler responsive to the speed sensor for decoupling the start coil when an output speed of the motor achieves a predetermined percentage of a maximum rated output speed.

A controller for controlling a motor and other functions in a commercial door operator, the motor having an output shaft, a start coil for changing the polarity of the motor and a main coil for driving the motor, comprising:

• a speed sensor external to the motor for sensing a rotational speed of the motor;
• a processor, responsive to an output of the speed sensor;
• and
• a motor start circuit comprising:
• a first relay coupled to the start coil for supplying current having a first polarity to the start coil;
• a second relay coupled to the start coil for supplying current having a second polarity to the start coil;
• a current controller coupled to the main coil for supplying current to the main coil;
• and
• a switch, responsive to the processor, for decoupling the start coil when an output speed of the motor achieves a predetermined percentage of a maximum rated output speed.

A logic control device for controlling a motor and other functions in a barrier operator, the motor having an output shaft, and first, second and third coils, comprising:

• a speed sensor external to the motor for sensing a rotational speed of the motor;
• a first relay responsive to the speed sensor and coupled to the first and second coils for supplying and decoupling current having a first polarity;
• a second relay responsive to the speed sensor and coupled to the first and second coils for supplying and decoupling current having a second polarity;
• and
• a current controller coupled to the third coil for supplying current to the third coil.

A controller for controlling a commercial door operator, comprising:

• a motor control for controlling a motor for moving the door;
• a speed sensor external to the motor for sensing a rotational speed of the motor;
• a decoupler arrangement responsive to the speed sensor external to the motor for sensing output speed of the motor and decoupling a start coil of the motor when an output speed of the motor achieves a predetermined percentage of a maximum rated output speed;
• a cycle counter for counting the number of open and close movements of the barrier;
• a memory for storing a predetermined number of cycles and the number of open and close movements counted by the cycle counter;
• and
• an indicator for indicating when the number of movements of the door counted by the cycle counter reaches the predetermined number.

A controller for controlling a door operator including located at the door operator, comprising:

• a motor control for controlling a motor for moving the door;
• a speed sensor external to the motor for sensing a rotational speed of the motor;
• a decoupler for decoupling a start coil of the motor when an output speed of the motor achieves a predetermined percentage of a maximum rated output speed,
• a digital circuit for processing open, close, and stop functions of the door operator;
• a memory storing instructions for operating the door operator and data values pertaining to operation of the door operator;
• and
• a plurality of logic controlled switches for providing open, close and stop functions at the controller and for providing programming inputs to the digital circuit effective for enabling a user to service, maintain and test the door operator at the door operator.

A controller for controlling rotation of a motor of a barrier position controller, the motor having a start coil for changing the direction of rotation of the motor and a main coil for driving the motor, comprising:

• a speed sensor external to the motor for sensing a rotational speed of the motor;
• a first start coil current controller coupled to the start coil for supplying current having a first polarity to the start coil;
• a second start coil current controller coupled to the start coil for supplying current having a second polarity to the start coil;
• a main coil current controller coupled to the main coil for supplying current to the main coil;
• and
• a processor for decoupling current supplied to the start coil by the first or the second start coil current controller when the rotational speed of the motor sensed by the speed sensor achieves a predetermined value.

A method for controlling the rotation of a motor having a start coil and a main coil in a first or a second direction to move a barrier in a respective first or second direction, the method comprising:

• coupling a supply current to the main coil;
• supplying current of a first polarity to the start coil to promote rotation in the first direction;
• supplying current of a second polarity to the start coil to promote rotation in the second direction;
• sensing the rotational speed of the motor external to the motor;
• and
• decoupling the supply of current of the first or second direction from the start coil when the rotational speed of the motor sensed in the sensing step achieves a predetermined value.