A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

A method for operating a building closure having the shape of an overhead sectional door or of a garage door including at least one spring-loaded counterweight device and an electrical drive device is disclosed. A control unit simultaneously monitors the position of the building closure and a motor current for the drive device. When the building closure is in an open or a closed position, the motor current is reduced and maintained at a level to residually energize the drive device to reliably maintain the building closure in a desired position.

A door assembly includes a first door skin, a second door skin spaced apart from the first door skin and a door operator disposed between the first door skin and the second door skin. An arm extends from the door operator. The door operator includes a motor moving the arm to move the door between a closed position and an open position and between the open position and the closed position. A current sensor generates a current signal corresponding to the current to the motor. A position sensor in communication with the door arm generates a position signal corresponding to the position of the door relative to the frame. A controller communicates with the sensor and the motor. The controller controls a motor current to the motor in response to the current signal and the position signal.

The present invention is generally a system and method for automatically actuating or controlling a movable barrier in response to a travel-limit displacement of the movable barrier, and more specifically, a movable barrier operator system configured to respond automatically to a travel-limit displacement, or change in position of a barrier's travel limit, in order to return the movable barrier to its intended position. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator may receive from one or more sensors adapted to detect any change in the travel limit position, a signal detecting a change in barrier position. In response to this signal, the operator may generate a command in order to counter-act, or push-back, the undesired movement of the barrier. In some applications, the invention provides a measure of security. In other applications, the invention provides a measure of efficiency and overall stability of a movable barrier system.

A door assembly includes a first door skin, a second door skin spaced apart from the first door skin and a door operator disposed between the first door skin and the second door skin. An arm extends from the door operator. The door operator includes a motor moving the arm to move the door between a closed position and an open position and between the open position and the closed position. A current sensor generates a current signal corresponding to the current to the motor. A position sensor in communication with the door arm generates a position signal corresponding to the position of the door relative to the frame. A controller communicates with the sensor and the motor. The controller controls a motor current to the motor in response to the current signal and the position signal.

The present invention is generally a system and method for automatically actuating or controlling a movable barrier in response to a travel-limit displacement of the movable barrier, and more specifically, a movable barrier operator system configured to respond automatically to a travel-limit displacement, or change in position of a barrier's travel limit, in order to return the movable barrier to its intended position. In an exemplary embodiment, an operator may receive from one or more sensors adapted to detect any change in the travel limit position, a signal detecting a change in barrier position. In response to this signal, the operator may generate a command in order to counter-act, or push-back, the undesired movement of the barrier. In some applications, the invention provides a measure of security. In other applications, the invention provides a measure of efficiency and overall stability of a movable barrier system.

The present invention relates to a method for monitoring at least one electronic switching contact for a door system for a vehicle, wherein the switching contact has a first connection for a first electrical line and a second connection for a second electrical line. The method comprises a step of reading a first signal from a first monitoring point connected to the first connection in order to obtain a first monitoring signal, a step of reading a second signal from a second monitoring point connected to the second connection in order to obtain a second monitoring signal, and a step of combining the first monitoring signal and the second monitoring signal in order to determine at least one state of the at least one switching contact.

A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

The present disclosure includes systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for controlling a door. In various embodiments, exemplary systems may include a controller that may initialize and/or reset a limit count. A controller may initialize and/or reset a limit count in response to detection by a first position sensor of a first target. A controller may further initialize and/or reset a limit count by incrementing the limit count in response to a signal from a gear tooth sensor until a second position sensor detects a second target, whereupon the controller may store the limit count.

In example implementations, a door monitoring sensor is provided. The door monitoring sensor includes a communication interface to transmit an alarm when a door operates outside of operational parameters of the door, an angular sensor to measure rotational movement of the a door, a movement sensor to detect movement along an x-y-z coordinate plane, a radar sensor to detect an object, a rechargeable power supply to provide power to the angular sensor, the movement sensor, and the radar sensor, and a processor. The processor is communicatively coupled to the communication interface, the angular sensor, the movement sensor, and the radar sensor. The processor is to determine that the door is moving outside of the operational parameters of the door and generate the alarm that is transmitted by the communication interface in response to determination that the door is moving outside of the operational parameters of the door.