The Chamberlain Group, Inc.

Robert Keller

Colin Barns Willmott

James Joseph Fitzgibbon

Edward Thomas Laird

Larry Strait

David Thomas Mack

Steven Carl Crusius

Matthew Stephen

A barrier movement operator with a backup source of DC power is disclosed. The power supply of the barrier movement operator sends current limited DC to the backup which uses the DC to charge a battery. The battery is in circuit at all times with the barrier movement operator power supply by means of a power diode and, when an AC mains power failure occurs, DC power is sent from the battery to power the barrier movement operator.

DC power backup

A barrier movement operator includes an A.C. motor having a rotatable rotor connected to a barrier for movement thereof. A sensing apparatus generates motor signals representing an operational variable of the motor. The movement of the barrier is controlled by a controller, which responds to the motor signals by selectively stopping rotation of the rotor or reversing the rotation of the rotor. A power control arrangement provides energizing power to the motor by receiving AC power input substantially in the form of a sine wave and conducts portions of successive cycles of the sine wave of the received AC power to the motor to enhance the sensed operational variable to torque characteristic of the motor.

Barrier movement operator having obstruction detection

A barrier movement operator which uses an A.C. motor to move a barrier is disclosed herein. The operator senses a characteristic of barrier movement, such as motor rotation speed, to detect when the barrier contacts an obstruction. The motor and/or the circuitry for applying electrical power to the motor have been enhanced to improve the detectibility of contact with an obstruction.

A force reversal value for an installed barrier is identified. The force reversal value is compared to a predetermined threshold. When the comparing indicates that the force reversal value exceeds the predetermined threshold, the operation of the moveable barrier operator is halted. A secondary safety device can then be installed and, responsive to the installing, the operator can be reenabled.

System and method for automatically requiring secondary safety sensors

Methods and apparatus for controlling the speed of an A.C. induction motor are disclosed and shown in operation for controlling the movement of a barrier. Included are voltage configuration circuits which selectively gate portions of the half-cycles of AC mains voltage to the induction motor. When the motor is started increasing amounts of mains AC voltage is applied to the motor and decreasing portions of the mains AC are applied to the motor during a stopping routine. The motor can also be energized with less than full mains AC to permit differences in barrier movement speed dependent on operating parameters.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Robert Keller