Automatic access control devices and clusters thereof

Abstract

Electro-mechanical and electronically controlled access devices are described for automatically controlling passage between two areas, and where a plurality of such access control devices may be ganged or clustered to provided additional throughput and directional control, including stacking a plurality of access control devices side by side within a cluster. Each access control device contains multiple rotatable and moveable door panels. The door panels are controlled by various drive mechanisms to enable passage through the device, while ensuring by the use of sensors that door panels avoid touching subjects as they traverse the device. The direction of flow through a device according to these embodiments is electronically controlled and may be changed from time to time. At any instant in time while being traversed, the flow through each device is unidirectional. Multiple devices within a cluster can be directionally controlled according to traffic, demand, time of day, or other factors.