Enhanced deceleration propulsion system for elevators

• US 10,087,044 B2
• Filed: 01/17/2013
• Issued: 10/02/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Fargo, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Salata, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US14/760,789
• Publication Number:
  US 20150353321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,084 Days
• Field of Search: 187247, 187258, 187276, 187277, 187288-290, 187351, 187391, 187393, 310 1201, 310 1204, 310 1215, 310 1209, 310 1211, 318135, 318139, 318150, 318161, 318759, 318375, 318376, 104 48, 104 91, 104292, 104294, 104296
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/285 with the use of a speed pattern generator
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/30 effective on driving gear , e.g. acting on power electronics, on inverter or rectifier controlled motor
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 11/0407 actuated by an electrical linear motor in the counterweight B66B17/12
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/02 responsive to abnormal operating conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/22 by means of linearly-movable wedges B66B5/24 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 50/00 Energy efficient technologies in elevators, escalators and moving walkways, e.g. energy saving or recuperation technologies

Abstract

An elevator system includes a first propulsion system for imparting linear motion to an elevator car. The elevator system includes a controller generating control signals for the first propulsion system. The elevator system includes a brake for holding the elevator car. The elevator system includes an energy storage unit. The elevator system includes a second propulsion system. The controller is configured to at least one of (i) access the energy storage unit to power at least one of the first propulsion system and second propulsion system upon a fault during upward travel of the elevator car (ii) power the second propulsion system upon a fault in the first propulsion system during upward travel of the elevator car and (iii) delay applying the brake until the elevator car speed is less than a threshold upon a fault during upward travel of the elevator car.

Claims

1. An elevator system comprising:

a first propulsion system for imparting linear motion to an elevator car;

a controller generating control signals for the first propulsion system;

a brake for holding the elevator car;

an energy storage unit; and

a second propulsion system;

wherein upon a fault during upward travel of the elevator car, the controller is configured to control at least one of the first propulsion system and the second propulsion system to provide elevator car deceleration of less than 9.8 m/s²;

the controller configured to at least one of (i) access the energy storage unit to power at least one of the first propulsion system and second propulsion system upon the fault during upward travel of the elevator car (ii) power the second propulsion system upon the fault in the first propulsion system during upward travel of the elevator car and (iii) delay applying the brake until the elevator car speed is less than a threshold upon the fault during upward travel of the elevator car.

2. The elevator system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller is configured to access the energy storage unit to power the first propulsion system upon a loss of power.

3. The elevator system of claim 1 wherein:

the controller is configured to drive the second propulsion system upon a fault in the first propulsion system.

4. The elevator system of claim 1 wherein:

the energy storage unit includes at least one of a capacitor, a battery and a flywheel.

5. The elevator system of claim 1 wherein:

the energy storage unit is configured to store more than about 20,000 Joules of energy.

6. The elevator system of claim 1 wherein upon a fault during downward travel of the elevator car, the controller is configured to implement a standard fault stop process.