System And Method For Determining Barrier Motor Parameters Without Using Sensors

Abstract

This invention deals with a barrier operator system comprising a direct current (dc) motor coupled to a barrier, where the dc motor is driven by a string of voltage pulses. The system has a barrier operator that is programmed to determine various qualities including the speed of the motor from a generated voltage and a position of the barrier using the speed. Further, the barrier operator has the capability to adjust the speed of the motor based upon the determined position of the barrier using the speed.

1 . A barrier operator system comprising: 
 a barrier;    a direct current (dc) motor, the dc motor coupled to the barrier, the dc motor being driven by a string of voltage pulses, the string of pulses having a plurality of on intervals and off intervals; and    a barrier operator, the barrier operator coupled to the dc motor, the barrier operator programmed to measure a current used by the dc motor to move the barrier, the operator being programmed to calculate a torque of the dc motor by using the current and to determine when an obstruction exists in the path of the barrier based upon the calculated torque; and    the operator measuring a generated voltage of the dc motor and is programmed to determine a speed of the motor from the generated voltage, determine a position of the barrier using the speed, and based upon the position of the barrier responsively adjusting the speed of the motor when the motor is operating at a range of speeds during a cycle of opening and closing a barrier and anywhere over a continuous speed range and anywhere along a path of the barrier based upon the determined position of the barrier.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the barrier operator halts a movement of the barrier when an obstruction exists.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the barrier is selected from the group consisting of a garage door, a swinging door, a sliding gate, a swinging gate, and shutters.  
   
   
       4 . A barrier operator system comprising: 
 a barrier;    a direct current (dc) motor, the dc motor coupled to the barrier, the dc motor being driven by a string of voltage pulses, the string of pulses having a plurality of on intervals and off intervals; and    a barrier operator, the barrier operator coupled to the dc motor, the barrier operator measuring a generated voltage of the dc motor and is programmed to determine a speed of the motor from the generated voltage, determine a position of the barrier using the speed, and responsively adjust the speed of the motor based upon the determined position of the barrier when the motor is operating at a range of speeds during a cycle of opening and closing a barrier, the adjustment anywhere over a continuous speed range and anywhere along a path of the barrier based upon the determined position of the barrier.    
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the barrier is selected from the group consisting of a garage door, a swinging door, a sliding gate, and a swinging gate, and shutters.  
   
   
       6 . A method of determining operating information about a dc motor being used to move a barrier in a moveable barrier system and being driven by a string of voltage pulses, the string of pulses having a plurality of on intervals and off intervals, the method comprising: 
 measuring a generated voltage of the dc motor and determining a speed of the motor from the generated voltage;    determining a position of the barrier using the speed;    adjusting the speed of the motor based upon the determined position of the barrier when the motor is operating at a range of speeds during a cycle of opening and closing a barrier.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the barrier is selected from the group consisting of a garage door, a swinging door, a sliding gate, a swinging gate, and shutters.