GB2486667A

GB2486667A - Window actuator having opened, closed and intermediate positions

Info

Publication number: GB2486667A
Application number: GB1021656.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Anson
Original assignee: CLARKSON CONTROLS Ltd
Current assignee: CLARKSON CONTROLS Ltd
Priority date: 2010-12-22
Filing date: 2010-12-22
Publication date: 2012-06-27
Also published as: GB201021656D0

Abstract

A window actuator 100 suitable for opening and closing a window in response to control signals, comprising a motor 102, a linkage 103 and a processor 101 to control the motor. The motor 102 operates in response to the processor 101 and via the linkage 103 is capable of moving the window 110 between a fully open and fully shut position. The motor 130 is also capable of being driven such that window 110 takes up a limited number of predetermined intermediate positions. In order to control the window position, the processor 101 may monitor an input signal, for example from a climate control or fire-safety system. If the signal exceeds an opening threshold voltage associated with a position, the processor 101 may activate the motor 102 to drive the window 110 to that position. Conversely, if the signal falls below a closing threshold voltage associated with a position, the processor 101 may activate the motor 102 to drive the window 110 to that position.

Description

I

Improvements Relating To Windgw Actuators The present invention relates to window actuators and to a method of operation thereof.

Window actuators arc used to open and close windows automatically in a programmed response to a controller unit or in response to user control. Typically, the controller (or the user) will openlclose the window as necessary to obtain an exterior air flow or vary the room temperature. Often, the controller fonTls part of a building climate control system and may be a central controller operable in response to a local climate sensor to maintain the room at a desired climate condition (or within a desired range of conditions). This can be achieved by opening/closing the window alone or in combination with other units.

Typically the window is counter weighted open and the actuator comprises a motor and chain arrangement, the chain being connected between the window and the motor such that the motor. can.operate in one direction to draw in the chain and close the window and in the other direction to let out the chain and allow the window to open.

The control signal for the motor is typically an analogue signal, This enables the window to move to a continuous range of positions between fully open and frilly shut as necessary to achieve a desired temperature or airflow. Particularly under automatic control, this can oflen lead to a situation where the window is very frequently opened or closed by small amounts to maintain a desired temperature or airflow. This can cause considerable distraction to persons within the room in respect of the associated noise and occasionally vibration or motion. It can also consume a significant amount of energy.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a window actuator which at least partially overcomes or alleviates some or all of the above problems.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a window actuator suitable for opening and closing a window in response to control signals, the window actuator comprising: a motor; a linkage for connecting the motor to the window such that driving the motor results in movement of the window; and a processor operable to receive incoming control signals and thereby control the operation of the motor wherein the processor is operable to control the motor to drive the window only to a fully open position; a fully closed position; and one or more predetermined intermediate positions.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a window actuator according to the first aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of: monitoring the present window position; converting the received control signals into a desired window position; determining whether the window needs to be moved from the present window position to the desired window position; and if so, moving the window to the other window position; or if not, retaining the window in the present window position.

This thereby provides a window actuator with a more limited range of intermediate positions than that known in the prior art. As a result, the window actuator is less inclined to continuously adjust, thereby saving energy and reducing distraction to nearby persons.

The motor may be an electric motor. Typically, the motor will be a 24V DC motor as is common in the art.

The linkage may comprise any suitable mechanical connection between the motor and the window. For example, the linkage may comprise a chain and/or one or more gear wheels.

The actuator may be powered by any suitable power supply unit. In another embodiment it may be an internal battery. In a further embodiment it may comprise an internal battery connected to an external power supply unit. The external power supply unit may be a mains connection. Additionally or alternatively, the external power supply unit may be an energy scavenging generator. The energy scavenging energy scavenging generator may comprise any one or more of: a wind turbine, a thermoelectric unit, a piezoelectric unit or a photoelectric unit. In a preferred embodiment, the energy scavenging generator comprises one or a plurality of photoelectric panels.

In the event that the energy scavenging generator does not generate power with a suitable input voltage for the motor, a transformer may be provided. This can enable one or more photoelectric panels which typically generate a l2V output to be stepped up to provide a 24V supply for the actuator either directly or via the associated battery.

The actuator may be operable to drive the window to any suitable number of intermediate positions between fully open and fully closed. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator is operable to drive the window to three intermediate positions. Preferably, the thee positions are substantially 10% open, substantially 25% open and substantially 40% open.

Preferably, the processor determines whether the window is to be driven to a particular position based on an input signal. In a preferred embodiment, the input signal is an analogue voltage, input. In such an embodiment, the processor may determine that the window is to be driven to a new, more open position whenever the analogue voltage input rises above an opening threshold voltage associated with the window position. In such an embodiment, the processor may determine that the window is to be driven to a new, less open position whenever the analogue voltage input falls above a closing threshold voltage associated with the window position.

The opening and closing threshold voltages for each position may be equal.

Preferably, the closing threshold voltage is higher than the opening threshold voltage for each position. This advantageously reduces the number of adjustments of the window position when the input signal is close to a threshold.

The input signal may be provide by an external device or system. In typical embodiments, the external device and/or system may be a climate control system or a fire safety system. In this manner, window opening may be controlled in response to desired climatic conditions and in response to any detected or confirmed fires in the vicinity.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic illustration of a window actuator according to the present invention.

Turning now to Figure 1, a window actuator 100 comprises a processor 101, a motor 102 and a linkage 103. The linkage 103 connects the motor to a counter weighted window 110. The motor 102 operates in response to the processor 101 and via the linkage 103 moves the window 110 between a fully open and fully shut position. In the present invention, the processor 101 is operable to drive the motor such that window 110 takes up a limited number of intermediate positions. In the present described example there are three intennediate positions at substantially 10% opens substantially 25% open and substantially 40% open. The skilled man will however appreciate that different positions or numbers of positions may be selected if desired.

The processor 101 controls the operation of the motor 102 in response to input signals from an external system 120. The external system 120 is typically a climate control system but may be a fire control system. The external system 120 provides an analogue voltage input to pin 10 of the processor 101. In the present example, the analogue input is limited to the range 0-bY.

In order to control the window position, the processor 101 monitors the input signal. If the signal exceeds an opening threshold voltage associated with a position, the processor 101 activates the motor 102 to drive the window 110 to that position.

Conversely, if the signal faIls below a closing threshold voltage associated with a position, the processor 101 activates the motor 102 to drive the window 110 to that position. An example of suitable opening an closing thresholds is set out in the table below.

Window 0% Open 10% Open 25% Open 40% Open 100% Open Position Opening n'a 2.2V 4.2V 6.2V 8.2V Threshold Voltage Closing 2V 4V 6V 8V n/a Threshold Voltage In accordance with the above: once the input signal rises above 2.2V the processor 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 10% open; once the input signal rises above 4.2V the prOcessOr 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 25% open; once the input signal rises above 6.2V the processor 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 40% open; and once the input signal rises above &2V the processor 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 100% open. Conversely, once the input signal drops below 8V the processor 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 40% open; once the input signal drops below 6V the processor 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 25% open; once the input signal drops below 4V the processor 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 10% open; once the input signal drops below 2V the processor 101 operates the motor 102 to drive the window to 0% open.

By providing different thresholds for riding and falling input voltages, window position stability is improved.

Typically, the external system 120 will also provide power to the actuator 100.

Here this is provided by cables connected to pins ii and 12 of the processor 101. The power may be provided by batteries 121 in the external system 120. The batteries 121 may themselves be charged by an external power supply 130. In some embodiments this is a mains supply. Alternatively, as is shown here it is an energy scavenging unit in the form of a photoelectric panel 131.

In cases such as the present example where the panel 131 provides a 12V supply and the motor 102 requires a 24V supply, a transformer 132 may be provided to step up the power generated by panel 131.

It is of course to be understood that the present invention is not to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which is described by way of example only.

Claims

Claims 1. A window actuator suitable for opening and closing a window in response to control signals, the window actuator comprising: a motor; a linkage for connecting the motor to the window such that driving the motor results in movement of the window; and a processor operable to receive incoming control signals and thereby control the operation of the motor wherein the processor is operable to control the motor to drive the window only to a fully open position; a fully closed position; and one or more predetermined intermediate positions.
2. A window actuator as claimed in claim I wherein the motor is an electric motor.
3. A window actuator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the linkage comprises a chain and/or one or more gear wheels.
4. A window actuator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the actuator is powered by an internal battery.
5. A window actuator as claimed in claim 4 wherein the actuator is powered by an internal battery connected to an external power supply unit.
6. A window actuator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the external power supply unit is a mains connection.
7. A window actuator as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the external power supply unit is an energy scavenging generator.
8. A window actuator as claimed in claim 7 wherein the energy scavenging energy scavenging generator comprises any one or more of: a wind turbine, a thermoelectric unit, a piezoelectrie unit or a photoelectric unit.
9. A window actuator as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 wherein a transformer is provided to convert energy generated by the energy scavenging generator to a suitable input voltage for the motor.
10. A window actuator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the actuator is operable to drive the window to three intermediate positions.
11. A window actuator as claimed in claim 10 wherein the three positions are substantially 10% open. substantially 25% open and substantially 40% open.
12. A window actuator as claimed in claim 11 wherein tile control signal is an analogue voltage input signal.
13. A window actuator as claimed in claim 12 wherein the processor determines that the window is to be driven to a new, more open position whenever the analogue voltage input rises above an opening threshold voltage associated with the window position; and the processor determines that the window is to be driven to a new, less open position whenever the analogue voltage input falls below a closing threshold voltage associated with the window position.
14. A window actuator as claimed in claim 13 wherein the opening and closing threshold voltages for each position are equal.
15. A window actuator as claimed in claim 13 wherein the closing threshold voltage is higher than the opening threshold voltage for each position.
16. A window actuator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the input signal is provided by an external device or system.
17. A window actuator as claimed in claim 16 wherein the external device and/or ct3J system is a climate control system or a fire safety system.
18. A method of operating a window actuator of the type claimed in any one of 1 claims 1 to 17, the method comprising the steps of monitoring the present window position; converting the received control signals into a desired window position; determining whether the window needs to be moved from the present window position to the desired window position; and if so, moving the window to the other window position; or if not, retaining the window in the present window position.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the control signal is an analogue voltage input signal.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the window is moved from the present position to a new, more open position whenever the analogue voltage input rises above an opening threshold voltage associated with the window position; and the window is moved from the present position to a new, less open position whenever the analogue voltage input falls below a closing threshold voltage associated with the window position.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the opening and closing threshold voltages for each position are equal.
22. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the closing threshold voltage is higher than the opening threshold voltage for each position.S c\J c\J