31-07-2012, 04:08 PM
Outward opening with a linear (ram) gate operator is possible in two different ways:
1) Installing the operator on the outside so that it retracts to pull open the gate. The pros are that this installation is covered by the standard installation instructions and does not reduce the available clear passage. Cons include the greater exposure to vandalism (ie one could just step on the motor cable to damage the operator).
2) Installing the operator on the inside so that it extends to push open the gate. In this case, the point where the column hinge of the operator should be located is within the opening (in the space between the pillars/columns). This has the obvious disadvantage of limiting the available clear passage (how much depends on the particular operator but you should expect each operator to project 20-30 cm into the opening when the gate is open). On the other hand, the operator is protected from vandals.
The maximum opening angle is a function of installation geometry (ie the distance of the column hinge of the operator parallel to the closed gate surface and perpendicular to it as measured in regards with the gate hinges). Those 2 distances (C and D in the attached image - sorry that the language isn't English but it should be clear what the image is about) are mostly dictated by the travel of the operator and the required opening angle. One has to select those distances keeping in mind that the operator should exert on the gate roughly the same torque when the gate is open and closed, provide enough torque at each angle (and especially at the fully open and fully closed positions) and move the gate with tolerable speeds when the gate is approaching the fully open and fully closed position. With the right geometry one can usually have 110 to 120 degrees of opening without any issues. One could get even more degrees of opening but at the expense of very dissimilar speeds and torques near the open and closed positions. It goes without saying that the provided brackets will not always be suitable for obtaining the right installation distances - in which case the installer should weld extensions to fix this. The above are completely irrelevant to the model, manufacturer or operating principle (electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic) of the operator and applicable every linear gate operator.
http://www.kapagroup.gr/_media/product_c...nsions.gif
Other than deciding on which kind of mounting you prefer - always keeping in mind the space requirements for a proper installation - you have to also consider maximum use frequency (number of openings during rush hours and number of openings per day) and the size of the gate (mostly its width). For the record, the operator manufacturer recommend maximum gate size implies that a gate has virtually no wind resistance - excessive wind loading is a major cause of damaged swing gate operators.
1) Installing the operator on the outside so that it retracts to pull open the gate. The pros are that this installation is covered by the standard installation instructions and does not reduce the available clear passage. Cons include the greater exposure to vandalism (ie one could just step on the motor cable to damage the operator).
2) Installing the operator on the inside so that it extends to push open the gate. In this case, the point where the column hinge of the operator should be located is within the opening (in the space between the pillars/columns). This has the obvious disadvantage of limiting the available clear passage (how much depends on the particular operator but you should expect each operator to project 20-30 cm into the opening when the gate is open). On the other hand, the operator is protected from vandals.
The maximum opening angle is a function of installation geometry (ie the distance of the column hinge of the operator parallel to the closed gate surface and perpendicular to it as measured in regards with the gate hinges). Those 2 distances (C and D in the attached image - sorry that the language isn't English but it should be clear what the image is about) are mostly dictated by the travel of the operator and the required opening angle. One has to select those distances keeping in mind that the operator should exert on the gate roughly the same torque when the gate is open and closed, provide enough torque at each angle (and especially at the fully open and fully closed positions) and move the gate with tolerable speeds when the gate is approaching the fully open and fully closed position. With the right geometry one can usually have 110 to 120 degrees of opening without any issues. One could get even more degrees of opening but at the expense of very dissimilar speeds and torques near the open and closed positions. It goes without saying that the provided brackets will not always be suitable for obtaining the right installation distances - in which case the installer should weld extensions to fix this. The above are completely irrelevant to the model, manufacturer or operating principle (electro-mechanical or electro-hydraulic) of the operator and applicable every linear gate operator.
http://www.kapagroup.gr/_media/product_c...nsions.gif
Other than deciding on which kind of mounting you prefer - always keeping in mind the space requirements for a proper installation - you have to also consider maximum use frequency (number of openings during rush hours and number of openings per day) and the size of the gate (mostly its width). For the record, the operator manufacturer recommend maximum gate size implies that a gate has virtually no wind resistance - excessive wind loading is a major cause of damaged swing gate operators.