US-12624588-B2 - Barrier

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application include a barrier system to control access including but not limited to a body, an arm, an actuator, a power source which may not be connected to mains power, a controller, or the like. The controller may be configured to instruct the actuator to move the arm reversibly between closed and open positions.

Inventors

• Giulian Zullo
• Russell Wells
• Vernon Wells

Assignees

• CLD FENCING SYSTEMS LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240924

Claims (18)

1. 1 . A barrier for controlling access comprising: a body, an arm, an actuator, a power source which is not connected to mains power, a controller, and a battery, wherein the power source is adapted to charge the battery, the battery is adapted to supply power to the actuator, and the controller is connected to the battery, wherein the controller is configured to instruct the actuator to move the arm reversibly between closed and open positions, and wherein the controller is configured to monitor the power consumption of the actuator, monitor the position of the arm, and adjust the amount of power provided by the battery to the actuator based on the position of the arm.
2. 2 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the controller has a standby power consumption of less than 1 watt.
3. 3 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the power source is a renewable power source.
4. 4 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the power source comprises a photovoltaic device or a wind turbine.
5. 5 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein, to move between its open and closed positions, the arm pivots around a pivot point which is adjacent to an end of the arm, and wherein the controller is configured to reduce power supplied to the actuator as the arm moves from the open position, in which the arm is generally vertical relative to the body, to the closed position, in which the arm is generally horizontal relative to the body.
6. 6 . A barrier according to claim 5 wherein the controller is configured to reduce the power supplied to the actuator as the arm moves from an angular position within the range between about 90 to about 80° into an angular position in the range between about 80 to about 0°, wherein an angular position of about 90° corresponds to a vertical orientation of the arm relative to the body and an angular position of about 0° corresponds to a horizontal orientation of the arm relative to the body.
7. 7 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the actuator comprises a transmission mechanism which actuates the arm such that acceleration and deceleration of the arm as it moves between open and closed positions and vice versa is generally sinusoidal.
8. 8 . A barrier according to claim 7 , wherein the actuator further comprises a rotary motor and the transmission mechanism comprises: a lever which is coupled to the rotary motor, and a drive member which is attached to the arm, wherein the lever and the drive member are coupled such that when the motor rotates, the lever follows a rotary motion associated with the motor and drives the drive member in a rotary motion, and wherein the rotary motion of the lever and the rotary motion of the drive member are out of phase with one another.
9. 9 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein to move between the open and closed positions, the arm pivots around a pivot point which is adjacent to an end of the arm, wherein in the open position the arm is orientated generally vertically relative to the body, and in the closed position the arm is orientated generally horizontally relative to the body, and wherein the barrier further comprises a compensator which is coupled to the arm such that when the arm is moved between the open and closed positions and vice versa, the compensator exerts a force on the arm which counteracts the force of gravity.
10. 10 . A barrier according to claim 9 wherein the compensator is a spring.
11. 11 . A barrier according to claim 1 further comprising a secondary power source.
12. 12 . A barrier according to claim 11 wherein the secondary power source comprises a generator or a mains connection.
13. 13 . A barrier according to claim 11 wherein the power source and the secondary power source are adapted to charge the battery and the battery is adapted to supply power to the actuator, and wherein the controller is configured such that the secondary power source only charges the battery when the battery is below a charge threshold.
14. 14 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the barrier further comprises a secondary body and wherein each of the body and the secondary body are provided with a detector unit, which detector units are adapted to communicate with one another and send an instruction to the controller.
15. 15 . A barrier according to claim 14 wherein the communication between the detector units is wireless.
16. 16 . A barrier according to claim 14 wherein the secondary body is provided with a renewable power source to power the detector unit which is provided on the secondary body.
17. 17 . A barrier according to claim 14 wherein the secondary body is provided with a support for a distal end of the arm which is adapted to support the arm in its closed position.
18. 18 . A barrier according to claim 1 wherein the arm is configured to move vertically between the closed and open positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Barriers may be used to control the movement of traffic, people or other things. They are often used to control access to a location. Barriers typically have an arm which may be moved between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position vehicles or people are prevented from passing into or out of a location. In the open position, vehicles or people may pass freely into and out of the location. The arm of these barriers is typically connected to a motor and a grid-based power source to power the motor. The motor moves the arm between the open and closed positions. There are however self-powered (also known as ‘off-grid’) barriers which are available. One such barrier is disclosed in GB2585068A. This barrier uses a solar panel to provide power to the motor which controls the barrier arm. A problem with self-powered barriers is that they have a limited supply of power. This might be determined by the capacity of a battery used by the system or by the means of powering the system. For example, solar panels will have a limited ability to provide power due to constraints associated with their size and the light available at their location. The limited supply of power means that these types of self-powered barriers are unsuitable for certain locations in which the arm must be frequently moved between open and closed positions. Self-powered barriers are therefore generally unsuitable for high traffic locations. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is amongst the objects of the application to solve one or more of these problems. An object of this application may include an efficient barrier system that utilizes less energy and has a lower carbon footprint. It is another object of this application to provide a barrier system that can be used off-grid but have adequate power supply. Naturally, further objects, goals and embodiments of the application are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a front view of a barrier in accordance with the present application. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a portion of the barrier shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cut-away view of a portion of the barrier shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the barrier shown in FIG. 1, in which the arm is in a closed position. FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional-view of a portion of the barrier shown in FIG. 1, in which the arm is in an intermediate position between its closed and open positions. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the barrier shown in FIG. 1, in which the arm is in an open position. FIG. 7 shows a graph of motor torque vs arm (boom) angle for the barrier shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 shows a graph of crank arm moment length vs arm (boom) angle for the barrier shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 shows a graph of arm (boom) moment and balancing spring moment vs arm (boom) angle for the barrier shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 10 shows an electrical diagram of a first embodiment of a self-powered barrier according to the application. FIG. 11 shows an electrical diagram of a second embodiment of a hybrid-powered barrier. FIG. 12 shows an electrical diagram of a third embodiment of a hybrid-powered barrier system. FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of a barrier according to the application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It should be understood that embodiments include a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the application. These elements are listed with initial embodiments; however, it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the embodiments of the application to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. The specific embodiment or embodiments shown are examples only. The specification should be understood and is intended as supporting broad claims as well as each embodiment, and even claims where other embodiments may be excluded. Importantly, disclosure of merely exemplary embodiments is not meant to limit the breadth of other more encompassing claims that may be made where such may be only one of several methods or embodiments which could be employed in a broader claim or the like. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application. In a first aspect the application provides a barrier according to claim 1. In the closed position, the arm, once th