System and related methods for detecting and measuring the operational parameters of a garage door utilizing a lift cable system

Abstract

An internal entrapment system for a garage door operator (,), comprising a motor (,) for transferring a garage door (,) between first and second positions; a pulse counter (,) for detecting a speed of the garage door (,) during transfer between first and second positions; a potentiometer (,) for determining a plurality of positional locations of the garage door (,) during transfer between first and second positions separate from said pulse counter (,); and a control circuit (,) for calculating a motor torque value from the speed for each of said plurality of positional locations to compare with a plurality of door profile data points, wherein said control circuit (,) takes corrective action if the difference between the motor torque value for each of said plurality of positional locations and said plurality of door profile data points exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein said control circuit (,) updates said plurality of door profile data points to the motor torque values for each respective said plurality of positional locations if the predetermined threshold is not exceeded. In another embodiment both speed and position are detected by a slider element (,) which is connected to the control circuit (,). A closed loop lift cable system (,) may be employed for use with the internal entrapment system. The system (,) utilizes a lift cable (,) connected between a bottom section of the door and a drum mechanism (,) and an upper cable connected between a top section of the door and the drum mechanism (,). A tension device (,) ensures that the door and cables act as one and thus allow closed loop control of the door.