Patents by Inventor Robert E. Balli

Robert E. Balli has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6737823
    Abstract: A control system for controlling the operation of an electric motor driven door or gate operator unit having a speed reducing gear drive mechanism and a brake unit for positive braking of the motor output shaft. A programmable microcontroller is operably connected to a motor drive circuit with interlock relays to energize the drive motor for rotation in opposite directions. The motor drive circuit is interconnected with a motor watchdog circuit to effect motor shutdown if the microcontroller malfunctions and a brake release circuit to prevent motor operation unless the brake is energized. The microcontroller is operable to store door mid-stop time delay values, braking rates, a door position limit overrun signal, a door cycle count, door reversals upon receiving an obstruction detector signal and error codes associated with door operator and control system malfunctions. The brake may be controlled on a variable duty cycle to provide smooth braking action in both directions of movement of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Brett A. Reed, Robert E. Balli
  • Patent number: 6530863
    Abstract: A door operator unit includes a drive motor connected to a speed reduction differential planetary gear drive mechanism having a drive unit output shaft. An electromagnetic brake is interposed the motor output shaft and the planetary gear drive mechanism and is releasable when energized to allow rotation of the motor output shaft and the drive unit output shaft. A first ring gear is normally held stationary by mechanism including a release block and is operable in response to disengagement of the release block to permit rotation of the drive unit output shaft when the brake is engaged to allow manual opening and closing of the door by way of an auxiliary drive shaft drivingly connected to the ring gear. A torque limiting clutch may be interposed the operator unit output shaft and a second ring gear of the differential planetary gear drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Balli, Charles E. Delaney
  • Publication number: 20020153854
    Abstract: An operator control system for controlling the operation of an electric motor driven door or gate operator unit having a speed reducing gear drive mechanism and a brake unit for positive braking of the motor output shaft. A programmable microcontroller is operably connected to a motor drive circuit with interlock relays to energize the operator unit drive motor for rotation in opposite directions. The motor drive circuit is interconnected with a motor watchdog circuit to effect motor shutdown if the microcontroller malfunctions. The motor drive circuit is operably connected to a brake release circuit to prevent motor operation unless the electrically operated brake is energized to release braking of an operator output shaft. The microcontroller receives input signals from manually or radio-controlled door open, close and stop switches and from door position limit switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: OVERHEAD DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brett A. Reed, Robert E. Balli
  • Publication number: 20020111242
    Abstract: A door operator unit for opening and closing an upward acting or horizontally moveable door includes a drive motor connected to a speed reduction differential planetary gear drive mechanism having a drive unit output shaft for connection to further door drive mechanism. An electromagnetic brake is interposed the motor output shaft and the planetary gear drive mechanism and is releasable when energized to allow rotation of the motor output shaft and the drive unit output shaft. A first ring gear of the planetary gear drive mechanism is normally held stationary by a release block and is operable in response to disengagement of the release block to permit rotation of the drive unit output shaft when the brake in engaged to allow manual opening and closing of the door by way of an auxiliary or manual drive shaft connected through a gear train to the ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Applicant: OVERHEAD DOOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert E. Balli, Charles E. Delaney
  • Patent number: 6422965
    Abstract: A door operator unit includes a drive motor connected to a speed reduction differential planetary gear drive mechanism having a drive unit output shaft for connection to a further door drive mechanism. An electromagnetic brake is interposed between the motor output shaft and the planetary gear drive mechanism and is releasable when energized to allow rotation of the motor output shaft and the drive unit output shaft. A first ring gear of the planetary gear drive mechanism is normally held stationary by a release block and is operable in response to disengagement of the release block to permit rotation of the drive unit output shaft when the brake in engaged to allow manual opening and closing of the door. A torque limiting clutch may be interposed the operator unit output shaft and a second ring gear of the differential planetary gear drive mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Balli, Charles E. Delaney
  • Patent number: 6388412
    Abstract: An operator control system for controlling the operation of an electric motor driven door or gate operator unit having a speed reducing gear drive mechanism and a brake unit for positive braking of the motor output shaft. A programmable microcontroller is operably connected to a motor drive circuit with interlock relays to energize the operator unit drive motor for rotation in opposite directions. The motor drive circuit is interconnected with a motor watchdog circuit to effect motor shutdown if the microcontroller malfunctions. The motor drive circuit is operably connected to a brake release circuit to prevent motor operation unless the electrically operated brake is energized to release braking of an operator output shaft. The microcontroller receives input signals from manually or radio-controlled door open, close and stop switches and from door position limit switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Overhead Door Corporation
    Inventors: Brett A. Reed, Robert E. Balli