Patent ID: 6014304
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: E05B,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for controlling a plurality of mutually communicating actuators, each of the actuators being driven by a respective controller, each of the controllers receiving a control signal from a control apparatus and driving a respective one of the actuators to move in response to the control signal, the method comprising:generating a state signal from a signal sensor in each actuator, the state signal indicating a state of the actuator;providing the state signal from each actuator to the control apparatus, the control apparatus generating the control signals in response to the state signals;individually sensing a temperature in each of the actuators and in the control apparatus;generating an inhibiting signal if any of the individually sensed temperatures exceeds a first temperature threshold value; andpreventing each actuator from moving in response to the inhibiting signal until each of the individually sensed temperatures falls below the first temperature threshold value by a selected temperature increment.