Method of using an air spring counterbalance

摘要

A fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism comprising an elastic flexible fluid-based spring disposed between two surfaces is used to support some or all of the weight of a movable barrier. A linkage mechanism comprising at least one rotating rotatable shaft is configured to receive rotational motion from a jackshaft associated with the movable barrier. A translational mechanism coupled to the at least one rotating shaft and coupled to at least one of the two surfaces is configured to compress the flexible fluid-based spring between the two surfaces in response to rotation of the rotatable shaft. By compressing the fluid-based spring, the counterbalance mechanism provides a force that partially or fully supports the weight of the movable barrier.

主权项

1. A method of installing a flexible-walled fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism comprising a flexible-walled fluid-based spring, the method comprising:
coupling a rotatable input shaft of the flexible-walled fluid-based spring counterbalance mechanism to a jackshaft configured to be coupled to a movable barrier such that rotation of the jackshaft raises or lowers the movable barrier; adjusting tension in the flexible-walled fluid-based spring by adding fluid to the fluid-based spring until a portion of the weight of the movable barrier is supported by tension in the fluid-based spring.