Abstract: A drive arrangement is provided which includes: a first and second rotatable members; an endless loop member, extending around the first and second rotatable members, arranged to convey drive from the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member; a first support, arranged to support the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member, having at least one aperture therein; a guide member, defining at least part of a path of the endless loop member between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member; and a second support, arranged to support the guide member, the second support being connected to the guide member through the at least one aperture in the first support such that guide member is movable, via the at least one aperture, to engage and disengage drive from the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member.

Abstract: A shutter control apparatus, including: a tunable filter arrangement, having a tunable passband, configured to filter a signal derived at least in part from an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is for driving a moveable shutter and the signal comprises pulses that have a variable frequency and are derived from operation of a commutator of the electric motor; and control circuitry configured to: determine at least one electrical parameter associated with the electric motor; set the tunable passband based, at least in part, on the at least one electrical parameter; determine pulses in the signal passing through the tunable filter arrangement; and determine a position of the moveable shutter based on the determined pulses.

Abstract: A drive arrangement is provided which includes: a first and second rotatable members; an endless loop member, extending around the first and second rotatable members, arranged to convey drive from the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member; a first support, arranged to support the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member, having at least one aperture therein; a guide member, defining at least part of a path of the endless loop member between the first rotatable member and the second rotatable member; and a second support, arranged to support the guide member, the second support being connected to the guide member through the at least one aperture in the first support such that guide member is movable, via the at least one aperture, to engage and disengage drive from the first rotatable member to the second rotatable member.

Abstract: A drive arrangement (10) has first and second wheels (12, 14) and an endless loop member (16). The path of the member (16) is defined in part by a third wheel (18), between the wheels (12, 14). The wheel (18) is movably mounted so that the length can be changed for the path of the member (16) as it passes around the wheel (18), between the wheels (12, -14). Accordingly, the member (16) can be tightened or slackened around the wheels (12, 14), so that the wheels (12, 14) can be coupled to convey drive from one to the other, through the member (16), or disengaged, so that drive is not conveyed.

Abstract: Wire antennas (14, 22) define a target region (18), primarily between them. A generator (16) generates an electric field in the target region (18). A sensor arrangement (20) senses the electric field. Control means (25) is operable to analyze the field strength sensed by the sensor arrangement (20), for changes indicative of a change in conditions in the target region, such as the presence of a body (30).

Abstract: An aperture closure arrangement 10a has an aperture closure 12a formed from a plurality of panels 39 hinged together at generally horizontal axes. Each panel 39 has a runner 16a fixed near its upper edge and constrained to run in a track 31. The track 31a, 31b, 31c defines the path of the runners 16a, as the aperture closure 12a opens and closes, and therefore defines the movement of the panels 39. An elongate flexible member 22a in the form of a cable or chain is connected to the aperture closure 12a at an attachment point 24a. The elongate flexible member 22a is also connected to a drive arrangement (not shown) operable to pull open the aperture closure 12a. Guide members 30, 32 define the path of the elongate flexible member 22a between the attachment point 24a and the drive arrangement (not shown).

Abstract: A wheel turns about a fixed shaft to reel in or pay out an aperture closure member. A motor provides drive to the wheel through a belt. The motor is mounted on a slider plate which can slide relative to a fixed plate, which is secured to the shaft. As the slider plate slides away from the shaft, the belt comes into tension allowing the motor to drive the wheel.

Abstract: An aperture closure member control arrangement includes a disc which rotates as the aperture closure member moves. The disc has a ring of teeth. A sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor and permanent magnet, detect the passage of teeth as a cyclic waveform of amplitude and frequency determined by the spacing of the teeth, and the speed of rotation of the disc. An irregularity in the form of a missing tooth creates an irregularity in the output of the sensor, in the form of a pulse of greater amplitude and lower frequency. Accordingly, pulses from the irregularity can be discriminated and counted to provide a coarse indication of position, or pulses from the teeth can be counted, to provide a fine indication.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a shaft has a module carried by the shaft and including a motor, a driven wheel and a drive wheel. The motor, gearbox and drive wheel are carried on a slider plate which can slide transverse to the axis of the shaft. A front plate is fixed transverse to the axis of the shaft. A Bowden cable has its sheath attached to the front plate, and its inner cable attached to the slider plate, so that manipulation of the Bowden cable at a remote location allows force to be applied between the plates either tightening the belt to apply drive from the motor to the shaft, or releasing tension in the belt, to disengage the drive.

Abstract: A drive arrangement (10) has first and second wheels (12, 14) and an endless loop member (16). The path of the member (16) is defined in part by a third wheel (18), between the wheels (12, 14). The wheel (18) is movably mounted so that the length can be changed for the path of the member (16) as it passes around the wheel (18), between the wheels (12, -14). Accordingly, the member (16) can be tightened or slackened around the wheels (12, 14), so that the wheels (12, 14) can be coupled to convey drive from one to the other, through the member (16), or disengaged, so that drive is not conveyed.

Abstract: Apparatus in the form of a sash window has sashes (16a, 16b) to control an opening (18). Drive arrangements (20a, 20b) are mounted within the frame and electrically powered from batteries (30), to allow the sashes (16a, 16b) to be opened or closed by remote control (40).

Abstract: Wire antennas (14, 22) define a target region (18), primarily between them. A generator (16) generates an electric field in the target region (18). A sensor arrangement (20) senses the electric field. Control means (25) is operable to analyse the field strength sensed by the sensor arrangement (20), for changes indicative of a change in conditions in the target region, such as the presence of a body (30).

Abstract: Current through a motor is sensed to create a voltage which is amplified. The amplifier is followed by a high pass filter and a low pass filter. This recovers commutator pulses from the motor current, rejecting mains ripple and higher frequency noise. Commutator pulses are counted. Other arrangements could be used for injecting pulses into the motor supply, for counting at a remote position. Various techniques are described for controlling the motor in accordance with the result of counting.

Abstract: A wheel turns about a fixed shaft to reel in or pay out an aperture closure member. A motor provides drive to the wheel through a belt. The motor is mounted on a slider plate which can slide relative to a fixed plate, which is secured to the shaft. As the slider plate slides away from the shaft, the belt comes into tension allowing the motor to drive the wheel.

Abstract: An aperture closure member control arrangement includes a disc which rotates as the aperture closure member moves. The disc has a ring of teeth. A sensor, such as a Hall effect sensor and permanent magnet, detect the passage of teeth as a cyclic waveform of amplitude and frequency determined by the spacing of the teeth, and the speed of rotation of the disc. An irregularity in the form of a missing tooth creates an irregularity in the output of the sensor, in the form of a pulse of greater amplitude and lower frequency. Accordingly, pulses from the irregularity can be discriminated and counted to provide a coarse indication of position, or pulses from the teeth can be counted, to provide a fine indication.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a shaft, such as a shaft for driving a sectional door, roller shutter or the like, is in the form of a module, carried, in use, by the shaft and including a motor, a driven wheel fixed for rotation with the shaft and drivable, in use, by the motor, and clutch means and operable between the motor and the wheel. The module further includes brace means in the form of a limb attachable to a member which is fixed relative to the axis of the shaft, to brace the module against turning as the shaft is driven.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a shaft has a module carried by the shaft and including a motor, a driven wheel and a drive wheel. The motor, gearbox and drive wheel are carried on a slider plate which can slide transverse to the axis of the shaft. A front plate is fixed transverse to the axis of the shaft. A Bowden cable has its sheath attached to the front plate, and its inner cable attached to the slider plate, so that manipulation of the Bowden cable at a remote location allows force to be applied between the plates either tightening the belt to apply drive from the motor to the shaft, or releasing tension in the belt, to disengage the drive.

Abstract: A control arrangement is operable to control an electrical relay to supply current. The arrangement comprises current supply means and control means operable to provide a relay make signal and a relay break signal to control the state of the relay to respectively make and break a connection to the current supply means. Further control means are operable to enable or disable the current supply means. A first delay means operates to delay enabling the current supply means until after a relay make signal has been provided, to allow the relay to make the connection before current supply commences. Excess current is also sensed and controlled by a form of pulse-width modulation.

Abstract: Monitoring apparatus is for monitoring a parameter, such as a drive current to a motor. Motor current flows through a series resistor which provides a voltage signal which varies in response to variations in the motor current. An analysis circuit is operable to analyze the rate of change of the voltage and to provide an alarm signal in the event that the rate of change continues in excess of predetermined rate for a period in excess of a predetermined time. The alarm signal could, for example, be used to indicate that an automatic door being driven by the motor has been blocked by a person or object which could be injured or damaged.

Abstract: A drive arrangement (10) for a shaft (12), such as a shaft for driving a sectional door, roller shutter or the like, is in the form of a module, carried, in use, by the shaft (12) and including a motor (14), a driven wheel (16) fixed for rotation with the shaft (12) and drivable, in use, by the motor (14), and clutch means (18) and operable between the motor (14) and the wheel (16). The module further includes brace means (20) in the form of a limb attachable to a member which is fixed relative to the axis of the shaft (12), to brace the module against turning as the shaft (12) is driven.