WO1989008764A1

WO1989008764A1 - Actuator for gate

Info

Publication number: WO1989008764A1
Application number: PCT/AU1989/000097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Collin James Phelps; Robert Bertram Gregory; Duncan Robertson
Original assignee: Carroll, Noel
Priority date: 1988-03-11
Filing date: 1989-03-10
Publication date: 1989-09-21
Also published as: KR900700715A

Abstract

An actuator device for a gate or barrier which is adapted for use with a reservoir (26) of operating fluid. The reservoir is at a height relative to the device so as to form a pressure head. The actuating device comprises an hydraulic ram assembly (3, 31) which includes a cylinder (5) having a piston (4) therein, the piston (4) separating said cylinder into two chambers (13, 14). The ram assembly further includes a delivery and/or discharge port (6, 7, 6A, 7A) associated with each chamber (13, 14) through which the operating fluid can be delivered and/or discharged under pressure, an inlet line (18) through which the operating fluid is delivered to the hydraulic ram assembly (3, 31) the inlet line (18) being operatively connectible to the operating fluid reservoir, and outlet line (19) through which the operating fluid is discharged from the hydraulic ram assembly (3, 31); and control means (20) for causing selective delivery of the operating fluid to said chambers (13, 14). The arrangement is such that relative movement between said piston (4) and said cylinder (5) as a result of the selective delivery under the pressure of the pressure head of the operating fluid to said chambers (13, 14) causes movement of the gate or barrier (40).

Description

"ACTUATOR FOR GATE"

This invention relates to an actuator device for use in the control of gates or similar barriers. Examples of gates or barriers to which the actuator device of the invention is applicable includes those adapted to swing about generally upright axes as well as those adapted to swing about generally horizontal axes such as booms or the like. Currently known powered gates are generally operated by motors and/or electromechanical systems. These systems are often relatively complicated, expensive and prone to break down. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved actuator device which is relatively simple in construction and easy to install. According to the present invention there is provided an actuator device for a gate or barrier, the device being adapted for use with a reservoir of operating fluid which, in use, is at a height relative to the device so as to form a pressure head, the actuating device being characterized by an hydraulic ram assembly which includes a cylinder having a piston therein, said piston separating said cylinder into two chambers, one of said piston or said cylinder being operatively connected to the gate or barrier, and the other being operatively connected to a fixture or like support; a delivery and/or discharge port associated with each said chamber through which the operating fluid can be delivered and/or discharged; an inlet line through which the operating fluid is delivered to the hydraulic ram assembly, said inlet line being operatively connectible to the operating fluid reservoir, an outlet line through which the operating fluid is discharged from the hydraulic ram assembly; control means for causing selective delivery of the operating fluid to said chambers the arrangement being such that relative movement between said piston and said cylinder as a result of the selective delivery under the pressure of the pressure head of the operating fluid to said chambers causes movement of the gate or barrier. Preferably the reservoir of operating fluid is comprised by mains water and the pressure of the mains water is used to drive the piston within the cylinder and in turn the gate or barrier. In one form of the invention the hydraulic ram assembly further includes the tubular outer casing which is closed at each end. In this particular form of the invention the cylinder is disposed within the casing so that there is a space between the inner wall of the outer casing and the outer wall of the cylinder this space forming a passage for operating fluid from one of the delivery and/or discharge port to one of the chambers. Preferably in this particular form of the invention end caps are provided at each end of the tubular outer casing these end caps having an inner section which is connected to and closes a respective end of the cylinder. The inner sections of each end cap are adapted to support said cylinder within said tubular outer casing. In addition to this, support legs or ribs may be provided between the outer casing and the cylinder intermediate the ends of the cylinder. The control means of the actuating device may be in the form of valve means arranged so as to selectively control the delivery and discharge of operating fluid to and from the chambers within the cylinder. Preferably the valve means comprises two groups of inlet and outlet valves each group being associated with a respective one of the chambers of the hydraulic ram assembly. The valves of each group are capable of adopting a first position in which operating fluid is delivered under pressure to its associated chamber and a second position in which operating fluid can be discharged from its associated chamber the groups of valves being arranged so that when one group is in the first position the other group is in the second position and vice versa. The valve means may be further capable of adopting a position in which the operating fluid is prevented from discharge from the chamber. In this particular arrangement. an hydraulic lock is formed thereby inhibiting movement of the gate or barrier with the valve means in this third position. Preferably the valves are in the form of solenoid valves and an operator device is provided to cause selective operation of those valves. The operator device may comprise a radio transmitter and receiver or similar switch means capable of operating for example a bi-stable relay which in turn operates the solenoid valves. Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a schematic side elevation of a gate having an actuating device according to the present invention operatively connected thereto; Fig. 2 is a schematic plan showing the position of the ram assembly of the actuating device relative to the gate; Figs. 3 and 4 are partial sectional side elevations of end caps suitable for use with one form of the invention; Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing showing the fluid flow lines in an actuator device according to one form of the invention; Fig. 6 is an exploded assembly of a valve control assembly for use with the actuator of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a sectional side elevation of another form of ram assembly for use in the actuator device of the present invention; and Fig. 8 is a section taken along the line A-A in Fig. 7. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown an actuator device generally indicated at 1 which includes an hydraulic ram assembly 3 which is operatively connected to a gate 40 and gate post 41. The hydraulic ram assembly 3 comprises a cylinder 5 having a piston 4 therein which separates the cylinder into two chambers 13 and 14. The piston 4 is connected to a piston rod 8 which has its free end operatively connected to gate 40. End caps 9 and 10 are provided at each end of the cylinder 5 and end cap 9 is operatively connected to bracket 43 on gate post 41 for pivotal movement about a vertical axis relative thereto. The two chambers 13 and 14 are adapted to have fluid delivered and discharged to and from by means of feed lines 16 and 17 which as shown are in the form of hoses which deliver the fluid through ports 6 and 7 disposed in end caps 9 and 10 respectively. An inlet line 18 is operatively connected to mains water via tap 27 and an outlet line 19 is operatively connected to a drain or as shown for example could be connected to a sprinkler 29 as shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 show details of end caps 9 and 10. End cap 9 has port 6 therein which is in communication with chamber 13 via passage 11. End cap 10 has port 7 therein which communicates with chamber 14 via passage 23. The control system of the actuator device is housed in a box 30 and is arranged to control the flow of water from the inlet line 18 to a selected port 6 or 7 and to the outlet line 19. The control system includes a series of valves 20 which are arranged in two groups 20A and 20B. Each group 20A and 20B are disposed within a respective branch line 18A and 18B and is associated with a respective chamber 6 and 7 of the hydraulic ram assembly. Each groups 20A and 20B comprises a solenoid inlet valve 21 and a solenoid outlet valve 22. As shown the feed lines 16 and 17 for each chamber are taken off the branch line 18A and 18B between the inlet and outlet valves 21 and 22. As shown in Fig. 5, if the actuator device is to be used with double gates, two hydraulic ram assemblies are provided each being associated with a respective gate, each ram assembly is operatively connected to the inlet and outlet lines 18 and 19 via the control valves 20 and feed lines 16 and 17. As can be readily seen in Fig. 5 the two hydraulic ram assemblies 3 are arranged in parallel and a flow control valve 24 is provided therebetween. The operation of the control valves20 will hereinafter be described. In a first position where the operating fluid is to be delivered to chamber 13 from the inlet line 18 and discharged from chamber 14 to the outlet line 19 the inlet valve 21 of group 20A is open, the outlet valve 22 of group 20A is closed, the inlet valve 21 of group 20B is closed and the outlet valve 22 of group 20B is open. In this position the operating fluid flows from reservoir 26 along line 18, branch line 18A feed line 16 through port 6 into chamber 13 and causes movement of the piston. As a result of this movement the operating fluid flows out of chamber 14 via port 7, along feed line 17 to branch line 18B and through to outlet line 19 where it is fed to the drain 28. To move the piston in the other direction the operating position of each valve is reversed. An hydraulic lock for the pistons can be achieved if all valves are closed. In this position movement of the pistons is inhibited and as such, the gates can be locked in a selected position. Fig 6 is a more detailed exploded view of valve assembly 20 showing the various pieces which make up the assembly. Control of the valves may be by suitable electronic circuitry conveniently housed in box 30 with the valves. A remote operator may be operatively arranged to cause selected operation of the valves. A power supply may be provided for the electronic circuitry which can be for example in the form of a twelve volt battery linked to the operating circuit via power line 45 as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of hydraulic ram assembly 31 for use with the actuator device. This assembly includes a piston 4 and cylinder 5 which are disposed within an outer tubular casing 36 and arranged so that there is a space 38 between the tubular outer casing 36 and the cylinder 5 this space forming a passage 38 for operating fluid to be delivered to one of the chambers 13 via passage 39. In this particular form of the invention the end caps 9A and 10A at each end of the tubular outer casing 36 are adapted to close the ends of the tubular outer casing 36 and have inner sections 9B and 10B which close the ends of the cylinder 5 as well as supporting the cylinder. Supporting ribs (not shown) may be disposed between the casing 36 and cylinder 5 intermediate the ends thereof to provide additional support if desired. Piston rod 8 extends through end cap 10A and end cap 9A is adapted for securement to the fence post. The two delivery ports 6A and 7B are disposed in end cap 9A. Operating fluid is arranged to enter chamber 13 via port 7B, passage 37, annular passage 38, passage 39 and annular passage 32. Operating fluid can enter chamber 14 via port 6A and passage 33- This arrangement has the advantage that the cylinder is well supported and flexible lines or hoses extend only as far as one end. Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.

Claims

1. An actuator device for a gate or barrier , the device being adapted for use with a reservoir (26) of operating fluid which, in use, is at a height relative to the device so as to form a pressure head, the actuating device being characterised by an hydraulic ram assembly (3, 31) which includes a cylinder (5) having a piston (4) therein, said piston (4) separating said cylinder into two chambers, (13,

14) one of said piston (4) or said cylinder (5) being operatively connected to the gate or barrier (40), and the other being operatively connected to a fixture (41) or like support; a delivery and/or discharge port (6, 7, 6A, 7A) associated with each said chamber (13, 14) through which the operating fluid can be delivered and/or discharged under pressure; an inlet line (18) through which the operating fluid is delivered to the hydraulic ram assembly (3, 31) said inlet line (18) being operatively connectible to the operating fluid reservoir, an outlet line (19) through which the operating fluid is discharged from the hydraulic ram assembly (3, 31); control means (20) for causing selective delivery of the operating fluid to said chambers

(13, 14) the arrangement being such that relative movement between said piston '(4) and said cylinder (5) as a result of the selective delivery under the pressure of the pressure head of the operating fluid to said chambers (13, 14) causes movement of the gate or barrier (40).

2. An actuator device according to claim 1 wherein the source or reservoir (26) of operating fluid is taken from mains water pressure.

3. An actuator device according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said hydraulic ram assembly ( 31) further includes a tubular outer casing (36) which is closed at each end, said cylinder (5) being disposed within said casing (36) such that there is a space (38) between the inner wall of the outer casing (36) and the outer wall of the cylinder (5) said space forming a passage for operating fluid from one of the delivery and/or discharge ports to one of said chambers.

4. An actuator device according to claim 3 characterized by end caps (9A, 10A) at each end of said tubular outer casing (36) each said end cap having an inner section (9B, 10B) which is connected to and closes a respective end of the cylinder (5) said inner sections (9B , 10B) of said end caps (9A, 10A) supporting said cylinder (5) within said tubular outer casing (36).

5. An actuator device according to any preceding claim wherein said control means (20) includes valve means (20) operable so as to selectively control the delivery and discharge of operating fluid to and from said chambers (13, 14) within said cylinder (5).

6. An actuator device according to claim 4 wherein said valve means (20) comprises two groups of inlet and outlet valves (20A, 20B) each group being associated with a respective said chamber (13, 14) of said hydraulic ram, said valves of each said group being capable of adopting a first position in which operating fluid is delivered under pressure to its associated chamber and a second position in which operating fluid can be discharged from its associated chamber the groups of valves being arranged such that when one group is in said first position the other group is in said second position and vice-versa.

7. An actuator device according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said valve means (20) is capable of adopting a position in which fluid is prevented from discharge from the chambe .

8. An actuator according to any preceding claim including a feed line (16, 17) for delivering and discharging operating fluid to each chamber, said valves (20) being disposed within the respective branch lines (18A, 18B) which deliver the operating input fluid from the input line (18) to the feed lines (16, 17).

9. An actuator device according to claim 3,4 or 5 wherein said valves are in the form of inlet and outlet solenoid valves (21, 22) and an operator device is provided to cause selective operation of those valves.

10. An actuator device according to claim 8 wherein said operator device comprises a radio transmitter and receiver or similar switch means capable of operating a bi-stable relay which in turn operates the solenoid valves.