Fire door operator having an integrated electronically controlled descent device

Claim 2

An operator for operating a fire door, the fire door having a drive shaft, comprising: a motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive shaft; a brake for holding the fire door in an open or a closed condition; an electronically controlled descent device comprising: a DC solenoid for engaging and disengaging the brake; a speed sensor for detecting a descent speed of the fire door; and an electronic controller, responsive to the speed sensor, selectively enabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined minimum speed and disabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined maximum speed; a limit shaft coupled to the output shaft for setting open limit and closed limit positions; and a DC power source for providing power to the electronically controlled descent device.

Claim 3

The operator of claim 1 further comprising an electronic control package for automatically opening and closing the fire door.

Claim 4

The operator of claim 2 further comprising circuitry for selecting an alarm contact type of an external alarm system for sending an alarm close command to the operator.

Claim 5

The operator of claim 2 further comprising an audio warning system for providing an audio warning prior to descent of the fire door.

Claim 6

The operator of claim 2 further comprising a visual warning system for providing a visual warning prior to descent of the fire door.

Claim 7

The operator of claim 1 further comprising a battery backup system for powering the electronically controlled descent device in the event of a failure of the DC power source.

Claim 8

The operator of claim 1 further comprising time delay circuitry for delaying descent of the fire door a time delay period after receipt of an alarm signal.

Claim 9

The operator of claim 7 further comprising apparatus for adjusting the time delay period.

Claim 10

The operator of claim 6 further comprising battery test circuitry for automatically testing the battery backup system.

Claim 11

The operator of claim 1 wherein the speed sensor detects rotation of the limit shaft.

Claim 12

The operator of claim 1 further comprising circuitry for selecting a time to close variable for delaying the time of descent in response to a close command initiated by an external alarm system.

Claim 13

An operator for operating a fire door, the fire door having a drive shaft, comprising: a motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive shaft; a brake for holding the fire door in an open or a closed condition; an electronically controlled descent device comprising: a DC solenoid for engaging and disengaging the brake; a speed sensor for detecting a descent speed of the fire door; and an electronic controller, responsive to the speed sensor, selectively enabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined minimum speed and disabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined maximum speed; a DC power source for providing power to the electronically controlled descent device; time delay circuitry for delaying descent of the fire door a time delay period after receipt of an alarm signal; and apparatus for adjusting the time delay period.

Claim 14

An operator for operating a fire door, the fire door having a drive shaft, comprising: a motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive shaft; a brake for holding the fire door in an open or a closed condition; an electronically controlled descent device comprising: a DC solenoid for engaging and disengaging the brake; a speed sensor for detecting a descent speed of the fire door; and an electronic controller, responsive to the speed sensor, selectively enabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined minimum speed and disabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined maximum speed; a DC power source for providing power to the electronically controlled descent device; time delay circuitry for delaying descent of the fire door a time delay period after receipt of an alarm signal; and apparatus for adjusting the time delay period.

Claim 15

An operator for operating a fire door, the fire door having a drive shaft, comprising: a motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive shaft; a brake for holding the fire door in an open or a closed condition; an electronically controlled descent device comprising: a DC solenoid for engaging and disengaging the brake; a speed sensor for detecting a descent speed of the fire door; and an electronic controller, responsive to the speed sensor, selectively enabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined minimum speed and disabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined maximum speed; a DC power source for providing power to the electronically controlled descent device; and circuitry for selecting an alarm contact type of an external alarm system for sending an alarm close command to the operator.

Claim 16

An operator for operating a fire door, the fire door having a drive shaft, comprising: a motor having an output shaft coupled to the drive shaft; a brake for holding the fire door in an open or a closed condition; an electronically controlled descent device comprising: a DC solenoid for engaging and disengaging the brake; a speed sensor for detecting a descent speed of the fire door; and an electronic controller, responsive to the speed sensor, selectively enabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined minimum speed and disabling the DC solenoid when the descent speed reaches a predetermined maximum speed; a DC power source for providing power to the electronically controlled descent device; and circuitry for selecting an alarm contact type of an external alarm system for sending an alarm close command to the operator.