High torque gearless actuation at low speeds for swing gate, roll-up gate, slide gate, and vehicular barrier operators

Abstract

The invention is a system for gearless operation of a movable barrier utilizing Lorentz forces, and in particular, a movable barrier operator retrofitted with a gearless motor capable of high torque at very low speeds. Eliminating a gear system in accordance with the present invention lowers maintenance requirements, increases efficiency, and streamlines operation of any movable barrier. By utilizing a motor which produces high-torque at low a speeds a system in accordance with the present invention does away with the need for complicated gears and pulley systems in order to achieve control of movable barriers. The present invention allows manufacturers, distributors and consumers to implement movable barrier systems with much more versatility and efficiency.

1 . A method for gearless operation of a movable barrier, comprising:
 attaching a Lorentz force motor directly to a movable barrier such that said movable barrier moves at a speed substantially similar to a rotation speed of said Lorentz force motor;   adapting a controller to control said Lorentz force motor;   connecting a sensor to said controller, wherein said sensor is adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event;   attaching a chain to a sprocket coupled to said Lorentz force motor; and   attaching an idle wheel for maintaining said chain mechanically connected to said sprocket, wherein said chain is adapted to transfer a mechanical force generated by said Lorentz motor to move said movable barrier.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor transmits said signal to said controller after detection of said predefined event. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said controller is adapted to activate said Lorentz force motor upon reception of said signal from said sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adapting said movable barrier to move on a track. 
     
     
         5 . A movable barrier operation system, comprising:
 a movable barrier;   a Lorentz force motor adapted to move said movable barrier at a speed substantially similar to a rotation speed of said Lorentz force motor;   a controller adapted to control said Lorentz force motor;   a sensor connected said controller, wherein said sensor is adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event;   a sprocket rotably coupled to said Lorentz force motor; and   a chain directly coupled to said sprocket and said movable barrier.   
     
     
         6 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said controller is adapted to activate said Lorentz force motor upon reception of said signal from said sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said sensor comprises an infra red sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said sensor comprises a motion detection sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said sensor comprises an inductive loop sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a swing gate. 
     
     
         11 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a roll-up gate. 
     
     
         12 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said movable barrier comprises an articulated door. 
     
     
         13 . The movable barrier operation system of  claim 5 , wherein said movable barrier comprises a sliding gate. 
     
     
         14 . A movable barrier operator, comprising:
 a Lorentz force motor adapted to move a movable barrier at a speed substantially similar to a rotation speed of said Lorentz force motor;   a controller adapted to control said Lorentz force motor; and   a sensor connected said controller, wherein said sensor is adapted to generate a signal after detecting a predefined event.   
     
     
         15 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 14 , wherein said controller is adapted to activate said Lorentz force motor upon reception of said signal from said sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 14 , further comprising an actuating arm coupled to said Lorentz force motor and said movable barrier. 
     
     
         17 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 16 , wherein the actuating arm is adapted to move said movable barrier via transferred mechanical force generated by said Lorentz motor. 
     
     
         18 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 14 , wherein said sensor comprises an infra red sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 14 , wherein said sensor comprises a motion detection sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The movable barrier operator of  claim 14 , wherein said sensor comprises an inductive loop sensor.