Anti-Sag Shock Absorber for Automated Gates
Senior Design Team 509
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Project Abstract

          Our sponsor for this project, Ghost Controls, is a company that produces gate control products that can add on to customer’s preexisting gates. These gates vary from a few feet wide up to 20 feet wide and many applications can utilize these systems. Many of these gates experience issues over time that prevent the Ghost Controls gate products from closing and locking the gates as they intend. There are two problems to address to resolve this. The gates’ tendency to sag over time causes misalignment in the locking process, and the gates’ tendency to slam closed will result in the gates bouncing out of the closed position as the lock engages. Our goal is to fix these problems by designing a simple add-on to the Ghost Controls gate system that does not affect the current product.               

          The forces involved in closing and preventing the gates from sagging are measured as factors to consider in the design. The tolerances that affect the gate lock are also accounted for so our design resolves locking issues. Our solution can work with gates of many sizes and mount to the gate in a way that does not obstruct preexisting arrangements. This is a benefit to more than just Ghost Controls customers since the device does not stop the gate from locking.              

          The solution we are designing is a four bar linkage with a spring and damper incorporated. This design uses the closing force of the incoming gate to lift the gate if it is sagging. The linkage then brings the gate into the closed position slowly to avoid slamming. This will ensure the gate closes and locks regardless of prior issues related to the gate sagging or slamming closed.   

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