Patent Application
20110265382
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gates and barriers to protect and control access to an enclosure or restricted area. More particularly, the present invention relates to opening and closing systems for barriers, doors, gates and related access control obstacles used to protect an area or enclosure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gates, doors, and barriers have long been used to control access to an enclosed area such as a building, room, warehouse, shed, or a marked-off, or restricted area. Several different systems have heretofore been used to selectively or automatically open and close such barriers to allow access to these areas by authorized personnel, while restricting access for unauthorized persons. Chain-drive or pinch wheel systems have typically been used to horizontally slide a barrier along a track to control such access. Such systems typically wrap a chain around a sprocket or pulley on a motor and connect the chain ends to the gate to slide the gate along a track. The pinch wheel systems utilize a flat bar or angle attached to the gate in such a way that two drive rollers can pinch the bar/angle between them with enough friction force to cause the bar to move when the rollers are turned by electric or hydraulic motors. However, these chain-drive systems involve several if not many moving parts which tend to wear and break. Moreover, the rotation of the chain can only occur at slow speeds to prevent the chain from jumping track. The result is a slowly moving barrier that is prone to mechanical wear.
Hydraulic cylinders have been used by attaching one end of the cylinder to the gate and another end of the cylinder to the motor to swing the gate when actuated by a control system. Like the chain-drive systems, the hydraulic systems typically open very slowly and contain many moving parts prone to breakage and weathering.
In addition to the above disadvantages, the prior opening and closing systems typically do not have a self contained locking mechanism or rely on friction forces (which can easily be defected using lubricants) to lock the barrier and prevent unauthorized access by manual manipulation or other tampering. Instead, any locking mechanism is typically between the gate itself and the adjacent post. Such a locking method or mechanism exasperates the problem of breakage of these prior systems if the gate is mistakenly left locked during operation of the system.
The present invention is different than prior opening and closing systems used to move barriers. The present invention provides an opening and closing system to open and close a barrier that moves the barrier faster than other systems and eliminates the moving mechanical drive and hydraulic components of other systems. The present system uses substantially no moving drive components in opening and closing the barrier. The present system also includes a self contained locking mechanism to lock the barrier in a fixed position.
The opening and closing system of the present invention is accomplished by use of a reaction fin attached to the barrier and is magnetically propelled by a linear induction motor. The reaction fin which has a general “T” shaped profile is made of multiple sections that are attached to each other with the overall length being dependent on the size of the opening to be controlled. Each plate substantially mirrors the other, and each plate has a flat top surface. The plates that comprise the reaction fin are attached to each other in a slightly offset manner wherein the end of one plate extends slightly beyond the other plate to form an overlap with attachment means.
There is a hollow, rectangular protrusion on each side of the reaction fin (i.e. on each plate) disposed a predefined distance below the top lips on the profile. The protrusions extend the length of the reaction fin on each side thereof, and receive guide members thereon. The guide members are disposed adjacently on the inner top surface of the linear induction motor housing on each side of the reaction fin and engage the respective protrusions on each side of the reaction fin. The protrusions and the guide members define a track during operation of the opening and closing system of the present invention.
The reaction fin is attached to the barrier using any suitable attachment device. In one embodiment, the reaction fin is attached to the barrier by triangular attachment brackets attached to the top surface of the reaction fin The bracket is substantially “L” shaped and has a triangular reinforcing plate extending across the outer surface of the legs that form the “L” shape of the bracket.
The linear induction motor is connected to a power source and has electromagnetic coils disposed in close proximity to the reaction fin on each side thereof. The linear induction motor is driven by a motor driver electronic control. The linear induction motor imparts an electric current in the coils when activated by the electronic control. The coils induce electric currents in the reaction fin which in turn produces a magnetic field in the reaction fin, thereby propelling the reaction fin along the track.
There are a plurality of apertures or holes along the bottom of the reaction fin which are parallel to the protrusions. The holes extend the length of the reaction fin and extend through the reaction fin. The holes are substantially equally dimensioned (i.e. having substantially the same size and shape) and are spaced along the length of the reaction fin in substantially equal intervals. This series of holes produces a position, speed and direction value for reading by sensors, as will be discussed later.
A locking mechanism is designed to engage any one of the holes in the reaction fin to lock the barrier in a fixed location. The locking mechanism is adjacent the linear induction motor in one embodiment and has a pin that pivots to engage/disengage any one of the holes in the reaction fin. Therefore, the locking mechanism should be located in close proximity to the holes of the reaction fin. It should be understood that the locking mechanism can be located anywhere along the length of the reaction fin so long as it is located in a position close enough to engage the holes of the reaction fin.
The pin of the locking mechanism comprises a flat vertical plate attached at its upper end to a lever engagement member within a locking mechanism housing. The lower outer end of the pin opposite the attachment site to the lever engagement member terminates in a cylindrical knob that engages one of the holes of the reaction fin to lock the barrier in a fixed location. The pin is disposed between and pivotally attached to two vertical plates within the housing. The two vertical plates are perpendicularly attached to a panel. The vertical plates and the panel define the housing for the pin.
A manual operation lever extends through the panel of the housing and is exposed to the ambient environment on one end. The lever is pivotally attached to the two vertical plates of the housing. The lever terminates on the end within the housing in a substantially “L” shaped arm defining a slot. The arm of the lever is adjacent and engaged with the lever engagement member. The lever engagement member is retractable and extendable within a control housing. A coil is disposed adjacent the lever engagement member to extend or retract the lever engagement member. A spring is attached to the pin above the knob of the pin, and also to a rod extending between and attached to the two vertical plates of the housing. The spring assists the gravity return of the lock pin to the locked position when the lock electric control is deenergized.
In operation, an electric control is used to activate the coil. The coil extends the lever engagement member. The slot of the lever is designed to receive a portion of the lever engagement member as it descends. The lever engagement member pulls the pin upward, causing the pin to rotate along its rotational axis and retreat the knob of the pin into the pin housing which disengages a hole in the reaction fin. The lever can be operated manually, or electronically via a main control logic, as discussed below.
Two electronic sensors are disposed outside of the locking mechanism housing. The sensors are disposed on each side of the housing in one embodiment. However, the sensors could be disposed anywhere in the system so long as the sensors are in close proximity to the holes of the reaction fin. The sensors are aligned substantially in the same plane as the holes of the reaction fin. The sensors are designed to sense the motion of the reaction fin during movement by measuring reaction fin material between adjacent holes as they pass across the sensors. The sensors and associated electronic controls also determine the position and the location of the reaction fin by counting each successive hole in the reaction fin.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a heating device is provided within the hollow of the rectangular protrusion on each side of the reaction fin. The heating device is preferably a resistance heating wire. However, other heating devices may be used. The heating wire is disposed within the rectangular beams of the reaction fin, and runs the length of the rectangular beams. The heating wire is inductively coupled to a power source with no exposed electrical connections, and when activated, causes a current within the heating element inside rectangular protrusions of the reaction fin, thereby heating the reaction fin above the freezing point of water. The purpose of the heating wire is to melt ice or snow that may form on the reaction fin. The accumulation of ice and snow on the reaction fin in cold weather environments could cause the system to jam, which would prevent the barrier from moving.
The system of the present invention is controlled by an electronic control panel. System control software is loaded into the main logic controller. The main logic controller executes the software associated with the system to control the various parts of the system. The main logic control software to control the motor driver electronic control to energize the linear induction motor(s) to move the barrier. Similarly, sensor software is executed by the main logic controller to send and receive information from the sensors to determine the speed, direction and location of the reaction fin.
Lock control software is executed by the main logic controller to control the lock driver electronic control, which activates the locking mechanism when desired to lock or unlock the barrier by rotating the pin to either engage or disengage the pin from one of the holes of the reaction fin. Heater control software is executed by the main logic controller. The main logic controller operates the heater control software to control the heater driver electronic control to turn the heating device on or off.
Referring to
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The space between protrusion 15 and lip 14c, as well as between protrusion 17 and lip 14d forms the grooves 18. Inside of the grooves 18, and riding on the protrusions 15 and 17 are guide members 19 (see
A plurality of apertures or holes 20 extend through first plate 14a and second plate 14b and are disposed below grooves 18. Holes 20 are shown on the lower longitudinal end of reaction fin 14 opposite grooves 18. However, holes 20 could be placed anywhere on reaction fin 14 below grooves 18. Holes 20 extend the length of reaction fin 14, and are substantially identically sized and shaped. Holes 20 are spaced at a predetermined interval from each other such that each hole 20 is substantially equally spaced from adjacent holes 20.
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A spring 34 is attached on one end to a rod 34a disposed between and connected to vertical plates 28. On its other end, spring 34 is attached to pin mechanism 32 below hole 32a. Spring 34 is loaded such that pin mechanism 32 will be biased to an engaged position by spring 34.
Pin mechanism 32 is connected to a lever engagement member 36. As shown, pin mechanism 32 is connected to lever engagement member 36 via a link plate mechanism 38 with a first pin 38a disposed through link plate 38 into lever engagement member 36, and a second pin 38b disposed through link plate 38 into pin mechanism 32. However, any other suitable attaching mechanism can be used. Lever engagement member 36 has a flat bottom surface that engages pin mechanism 32, and is extendable and retractable within a coil housing 40. A coil (not shown) extends and retracts lever engagement member 36 when activated.
A lever 42 is pivotally attached to and between vertical plates 28 inside of panel 30 and opposite the pivotal attachment of pin mechanism 32 to vertical plates 28. Lever 42 extends within vertical plates 28, and terminates in an arm 42a extending outward from Lever 42. Arm 42a defines a rectangular beam and provides a surface for receiving an end portion of lever engagement mechanism 36.
Referring to
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Guide members 19 can be rollers riding on the top of protrusion 15, which guide members are contained within groove 18. Additional guide members 19 (not shown in
A plurality of electromagnetic coils (not shown) are disposed within linear induction motor 12 in close proximity with reaction fin 14. While reaction fin 14 and barrier 16 can move linearly, the linear induction motor 12 is rigidly attached to a stationary object in close proximity of linear induction motor 12, which holds linear induction motor 12 in position. During such movement, guide member 19 maintains the electromagnetic coil in a properly spaced relationship with the reaction fin 14 while also allowing ease of such movement. As shown in
Linear induction motor 12 is connected to a power source (not shown). When activated, linear induction motor 12 imparts motion on reaction fin 14 by sending an electrical current (not shown) to electromagnetic coils (not shown). The coils induce electric current in the reaction fin 14 which in turn produces magnetic fields about the reaction fin 14, thereby causing propulsion of reaction fin 14. To propel reaction fin 14 in the opposite direction, the electric rotation of the magnetic field produced by the coils is reversed.
Referring to
Initially, a travel distance (not shown) is calculated to determine the distance barrier 16 must travel to achieve a completely closed position and a completely open position. This calculation may be done manually, and input into main control logic 100 via user interface display 102. Alternatively, an initial operation of the system 10 can establish such parameters by main control logic 100 receiving the positions of barrier 16 in open and closed position from electronic sensors 24.
Once the travel distance is determined and input into main control logic 100, parameters for starting, accelerating, decelerating and stopping the system 10 are established and input into main control logic 100. Parameters for starting, accelerating, decelerating and stopping the system 10 may be established and input into main control logic 100 either manually through user interface display 102, or by motor control software 104.
Main control logic 100 operates electronic sensor software 108. Electronic sensor software 108 communicates with electronic sensors 24, receiving input data from sensors 24 to establish the speed, position and direction of reaction fin 14. Main control logic 100 receives the input data from electronic sensors 24 and sends appropriate command signals (not shown) to motor driver electronic control 106 to start, accelerate, decelerate, stop or reverse the system 10 by varying linear induction motor 12 output to appropriately adjust the magnetic field imposed on reaction fin 14 in response to the command signal (not shown).
Lock control software 112 is operated by main control logic 100, and communicates with a lock driver electronic control 110 to activate locking mechanism 26 to lock and unlock barrier 16. Main control logic 100 sends an activation command (not shown) to lock driver electronic control 110, which activates the coil (not shown) of locking mechanism 26 to engage/disengage pin 44 to/from one of the holes 20 of reaction fin 14, as described herein above.
Optionally, a reaction fin heater 46 can be installed on reaction fin 14. Reaction fin heater 46 is provided within each of rectangular beams or protrusions 15 and 17 of reaction fin 14. Reaction fin heater 46 is preferably a resistance heating wire. However, other heating devices may be used. Reaction fin heater 46 is disposed within rectangular beams or protrusions 15 and 17 of reaction fin 14, and runs the length of rectangular beams 15 and 17. Reaction fin heater 46 is connected to a power source (not shown), and when activated, emits a current on the reaction fin heater 46, thereby heating reaction fin 14 above the freezing point of water. Reaction fin heater 46 is particularly advantageous in cold weather environments where ice and/or snow can accumulate within grooves 18 of reaction fin 14, causing the system 10 to jam, thereby preventing barrier 16 from opening or closing. Reaction fin heater 46 heats reaction fin 14 to cause the ice/snow forming on reaction fin 14 to melt.
Main control logic 100 operates heater control software 114, which communicates with a heater driver electronic control 116. Heater driver electronic control activates and/or deactivates the current flow through reaction fin heater 46 in response to a command (not shown) from main control logic 100.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.
