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Vehicle barrier system, and related method

a technology of vehicle barrier and vehicle body, which is applied in the direction of roadway safety arrangements, roads, construction, etc., can solve the problems of accumulator malfunction or function at less than optimal levels, generating back pressure in the hydraulic system, and limited effectiveness of signal barriers

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-09-27
NASATKA BARRIER
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Ensures reliable and rapid barricade operation in emergency situations, reducing the risk of unauthorized vehicle passage by enabling the barricade to be raised significantly faster than normal, even during power failures or maintenance issues.

Problems solved by technology

Signal barriers are limited in effectiveness, however, insofar as a moving vehicle can crash through the gate arm without disabling the vehicle.
Although hydraulic accumulators generally are adequate for raising the barrier in emergency situations, if not operated and maintained properly accumulators can malfunction or function at less than optimum levels.
For example, improper maintenance or use, such as in the case of a foreign object becoming trapped in and obstructing the movement of the barrier mechanical system, can generate back pressure in the hydraulic system and compromise pressure seals of the hydraulic accumulator.
Further, disruption of electric power to the barrier system, for example in the case of a power failure or an attack by a terrorist on a supplying power source, can deleteriously affect the normal and emergency operations of the barricade.

Method used

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  • Vehicle barrier system, and related method
  • Vehicle barrier system, and related method
  • Vehicle barrier system, and related method

Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

[0033]FIG. 4 discloses a hydraulic system used to operate the barricades B and B1 of FIG. 1. The hydraulic system optionally yet preferably is positioned within each of supports 10 and 12. As best shown in FIG. 4, hydraulic fluid reservoir 64 preferably has a capacity of at least 10 gallons of hydraulic fluid and, also, preferably includes a sight gage to permit the volume to be monitored. An electric heating coil or heat exchanger (not shown) optionally is positioned within reservoir 64 to maintain the fluid at a selected temperature, particularly when the barricade B is exposed to cold weather. The hydraulic fluid is preferably a petroleum based fluid, having a viscosity of 210 SSU at 100° F.

[0034] Positive displacement pump 68 communicates with the fluid in reservoir 64 through mesh strainer 70. Pump 68 is connected to electric variable speed direct current (DC) motor 72 through a coupling. Pump 68 preferably produces an output of about 0.5 gallons per minute in normal operation ...

second embodiment

[0055] In normal operation mode for the second embodiment, batteries 120 and 122 power DC motor 72 and the rest of the barrier system. Controller 134 activates system 10 to open / close solenoids 78, 80 and operate pump 68 and other equipment so that hydraulic fluid is supplied to cylinder and piston assemblies 82 at a sufficient rate, e.g., about 2 gallons per minute, to pivot barrier plate 14 between the open and closed positions at a first operating speed. At the first operating speed, barrier plate 14 preferably is moved from its open position to its closed position, or vice versa, in about 4 seconds to about 5 seconds.

[0056] Emergency operation mode for the second embodiment may be implemented by either one of push button 24 or automatically via detectors 48 and 50. In an emergency operation mode, such as in the event of a vehicle charging towards lowered barrier plate 14, controller 134 causes additional power to be drawn from battery 122 to operate variable speed DC motor 72 at...

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PUM

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Abstract

A vehicle barrier system is provided, which features a security barricade, a hydraulic actuator for moving the barricade between open and closed positions, a pump, a DC motor for operating the pump, and a controller. In a first embodiment, the system features a rechargeable battery for powering movement of the barricade between the open and closed positions in normal operation mode, and a hydraulic accumulator for effecting movement of the barricade from the open to closed position in emergency operation mode. According to a second embodiment, the system features a rechargeable primary battery for powering movement of the barricade in normal operation mode, and a rechargeable secondary battery for effecting movement of the security barricade from open to closed position in emergency operation mode.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to vehicle barrier systems and, more particularly, to battery-powered vehicle barrier systems preferably having emergency actuation capabilities. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Vehicle barrier systems are commonly used for preventing the passage of a vehicle or traffic along a vehicle pathway, such as a road or driveway. Signal barriers such as gate arms act as signalers, instructing the vehicle driver to halt and await clearance before proceeding through a checkpoint area. Signal barriers are limited in effectiveness, however, insofar as a moving vehicle can crash through the gate arm without disabling the vehicle. Hence, signal barriers do not physically restrict access to an area, but generally merely act as warning devices and deterrents. [0003] Vehicle barrier systems that function as barricades are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,466,088, 4,574,523 and 4,630,395. These barricades are low lying in the r...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): E01F13/00
CPCE01F13/08
Inventor NASATKA, KENNETH F.
Owner NASATKA BARRIER