US3545337A - Fluid control systems for powered panels - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F15/00—Power-operated mechanisms for wings
  • E05F15/50—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using fluid-pressure actuators
  • E05F15/56—Power-operated mechanisms for wings using fluid-pressure actuators for horizontally-sliding wings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05F—DEVICES FOR MOVING WINGS INTO OPEN OR CLOSED POSITION; CHECKS FOR WINGS; WING FITTINGS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, CONCERNED WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE WING
  • E05F1/00—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
  • E05F1/08—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings
  • E05F1/16—Closers or openers for wings, not otherwise provided for in this subclass spring-actuated, e.g. for horizontally sliding wings for sliding wings
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
  • E05Y2201/40—Motors; Magnets; Springs; Weights; Accessories therefor
  • E05Y2201/404—Function thereof
  • E05Y2201/41—Function thereof for closing
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
  • E05Y2201/40—Motors; Magnets; Springs; Weights; Accessories therefor
  • E05Y2201/404—Function thereof
  • E05Y2201/422—Function thereof for opening
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2201/00—Constructional elements; Accessories therefor
  • E05Y2201/40—Motors; Magnets; Springs; Weights; Accessories therefor
  • E05Y2201/43—Motors
  • E05Y2201/448—Fluid motors; Details thereof
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
  • E05Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES E05D AND E05F, RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS, ELECTRIC CONTROL, POWER SUPPLY, POWER SIGNAL OR TRANSMISSION, USER INTERFACES, MOUNTING OR COUPLING, DETAILS, ACCESSORIES, AUXILIARY OPERATIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, APPLICATION THEREOF
  • E05Y2900/00—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
  • E05Y2900/10—Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof for buildings or parts thereof
  • E05Y2900/13—Type of wing
  • E05Y2900/132—Doors

Definitions

• the high-pressure fluid from the source also actson the automatic pressure responsive valve through an adjustable orifice to discontinue the delivery of high-pressure fluid to the piston.
• the automatic pressure responsive valve is reset gradually through the adjustable orifice after the traffic passes and is ready to initiate a new opening cycle without completion of a prior closing cycle.
• This invention pertains generally to control systems for powered panel members such as sliding doors and the like. More particularly, it is concerned with a system-that controls both the sequence and rate of flow of high and low-pressure fluid utilized to move such a panel member.
• the fluid-powered mechanisms used for moving panels such as doors generallymust impart high initial force to each door fluid control system for power operators of panel members.
• Another object of this invention is to provide a powered panel member with a fluid control systemthat automatically causes a high initial breakaway force to be exerted against the panel member for an adjustable interval, and then causes a force of reduced and controlled magnitude. to be exerted .thereagainst, ensuring completion of movement of the panel memberwith minimum need for against deceleration.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a powered panel member with afluid control system utilizing provision of cushioning high-pressure fluid flow tofirst impart breakaway acceleration I to the member attest, foran adjustable interval, to thereafter gradually cut off the said flow and shift 'to fluid flo w of reduced and uniform magnitude, providing transit of the member with reduced momentum, which system is more compact and requires less space than do heretofore utilized boosters and accumulators.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a'powered panel member with a fluid control system which is efiective not only in controlling both the sequence and rate of fluid flow used for fully opening a door but is capable also of initiating a new cycle of operation without having completed a full prior cycleofoperatlon.
• FIG. 1 is a front elevation view, partly broken away, partly in section, and partly schematic, of the control system of the invention, shown operatively associated with a powered panel member;
• FIG. 2 is anenlarged front section view, partly broken away and partly schematic, of the control system of FIG. I;
• FIG. 3 is a section view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.
• a switch responsive solenoid valve 70 shown by full lines inits closed condition in FIG. 2, connects the mechanism 50 with the operator 22 and therefore controls the flow of fluid to the piston 26.
• the line pressure fluid communicates with a pressure reducing valve 76 adjacent the mechanism 50, as shown, through a main conduit 64 in that mechanism.
• This conduit also communicates with a conduit 66 of the mechanism, and both a pressure responsive valve 52 reciprocably disposed in a valve chamber 73 which also communicates with the conduit 66, and a needle valve 68 adjustable disposed in the conduit 66.
• a conduit 74 which communicates with the closed inlet port 70A of the switch responsive valve 70. Fluid communication also is provided past the needle valve 68 to a branch of the conduit 74 that includes a flow valve 86 therein, and a ball 77 of a unidirectional check valve 78 for cutting off communication with conduit 80.
• conduit 74 The pressure responsive valve 52 is normally biased open to its full line fluid pressure passing condition by means of an adjustable spring; 62.,Line 'presstrre fluid reaching conduit 74 from valve 52 is prevented from bearing against piston 26 by means of the closed port 70A of :the switch responsive valve 70.
• output port 708 of the valve 70 is closed to the port 70A but communicates with 'exhaust valve port 70C of the said valve, so the fluid pressure in conduit 90 and on the fluid side of the piston 26 equals that at the exhaust port.
• conduit 88 provides an exhaust route to port 70C via port 783 by which valve chamber 73 controlling the valve52 is purged of enough fluid to equalize the pressure therein with that at the exhaust port.
• Actuation of either of mat switches 71 shifts the system 30 into its operating mode, by bringing thevalve ports A and 70B into communication with each other and closing the valve port 70C, as shown by dash lines.
• Line pressure fluid then flows from the main conduit 64 into the conduit 66, through the annulus 54 of the pressure responsive valve. 52 and past the needle valve 68 in the conduit 66 into. the conduit 74.
• From conduit 74 the fluid flows to and through the now open switch responsive valve 70 and on to bear against the fluid side of the piston 26 via the conduit 90, thus overcoming the bias of the closure spring 24, and the inertia of the door 10, and imparting initial high acceleration thereto, driving it toward the opened position.
• the needle valve 68 can be utilized to adjust the fluid flow to the piston, and thus the rate of acceleration of the door.
• line pressure fluid also flows from the valve 70 through the conduit 88, past an adjustable metering valve 84 and into the valve chamber 73.
• the time required for fluid to enter the chamber 73 and shift the valve 52 to close conduit 66 can be adjusted with the valve 84, and represents the interval during which the door 10 is accelerated under full line pressure.
• the full line pressure in conduit 74 maintains the check valve 78 closed against the with operator-connecting linkage 18 secured to a piston rod 20, of an operator 22 for ensuring movement of the door between the opened and the closed positions in response to reduced pressure fluid in the conduit 80.
• the door 10 having been opened by the piston 26 under I control of the system 30 will remain open so long as the ports 70A and 70B of the switch responsive valve 70 are in communication.
• the valve 70 is held in the open condition just described so that fluid flows therethrough to both the piston 26 and the valve chamber 73.
• the switch responsive valve 70 will revert to its closed condition as illustrated in the solid lines of FIG. 2.
• the fluid pressure to the piston 26 is cut off and the exhaust routes from the piston and from the valve chamber 73 are opened.
• the force of closure spring 24 now urges the piston 26 and the door 10 in the reverse direction, driving fluid in cylinder 28 back through the conduit 90, past the port 708 and out through the exhaust port 70C.
• the spring 62 urges the valve 52 toward the right (as viewed in FIG. 2) by exhausting the chamber 73 past the metering valve 84, conduit 88 and switch responsive valve 70, thus gradually bringing the annulus 54 into registry with the conduit 66.
• valve 52 acts as a progressively less effective flow metering device, and a recycle beginning during this phase of operation by the closing of mat switch 71 will result in the delivery of fluid to power.
• cylinder 28 at a pressure somewhai less than full line pressure depending upon the flow restriction offered by valve 52. In this way, high impact forces at stroke limit are avoided upon short recycles.
• the novel fluid control system of the invention thus provides an adjustable initial high acceleration of a panel member such as a door movable relatively to a fixed structure, and an automatically controlled completion of mo ⁇ ement of the door in the same direction at a reduced and unform rate, greatly minimizing need to cushion the door against deceleration impact. That is, the door is moved by a strong first force and then continuously and smoothly by a second and lesser, steady force, as opposed to being moved by one force which is partly checked as the door is stopped.
• the inventive system is also more compact than the booster cylinder and accumulatortype mechanisms, and thus readily tits in confined header installations.
• the system is disclosedin a sliding door environment, but is adaptable to other types of installation, such as are used for swinging doors. With appropriate "sensing'and switching means, the system safely and surely accommodates itself automatically throughout a door transit cycle upon sensing abnormal conditions such as a pedestrian blocking the door transit path.
• the system can be adapted to function by liquid power orby gas power, and can also be adapted to function bidirectionally, whereby the panel member would be driven in both directions by fluid means and the closure spring would be eliminated.
• a fluid-powered panel regulating and operating system having a fluid operator responsive to demand signals
• the improvement including an'inertia-overcoming accelerator for imparting an initial, breakaway driving force to the panel upon receipt of a demand signal, said initial force-being of short duration relative tothe complete movement of the panel in the same direction
• said accelerator comprising a self-closing line carrying pressurized driving fluid to the operator for imparting the breakaway driving force to the panel, a fluid control valve in the self-closing line movable to a closed position by pressurized driving fluid that has passed through the valve during breakaway movement of the panel, a line carrying fluid under reduced pressure to the operator for automatically completing the movement of the panel after the closing of the valve.
• adjustable control includes means associated with the valve for receiving fluid under pressure, to close the valve.
• the adjustable control associated with the fluid acting on the valve comprises a cavity communicating with 'the fluid control valve, and a flow regulating device adapted to meter fluid flow into and out of the cavity;
• the system claimed in claim 5 including a switch responsive valve disposed between the fluid control valve and the cavity forqcontrolling fluid flowingrelatively to the cavity, whereby shifting of the valve can be accurately controlled.
• Thesystem claimed in claim 1 including means to move the fluid control valve in the self-closing line gradually to its closed position and progressively restricts the flow through the self-closing line to gradually reduce the driving force imparted to the door panel by the fluid operator.
• the system claimed in claim 9 including means for gradually returning the fluid control valve from its closed to its open position after the demand signal disappears whereby another demand signal during the opening movement of the valve will cause the fluid operator to impart an initial driving force having a value correlated with the position of the valve between its closed and open positions.

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• Power-Operated Mechanisms For Wings (AREA)

Description

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=25018641

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (1)

Cited By (1)

• 1968
  • 1968-08-06 US US750633A patent/US3545337A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

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