Elevator power supply and drive system
First Claim
1. A power supply and drive system for operating an elevator comprising:
- a power source;
means connected to said power source for generating a mechanical output at an energy level limited to approximately the average power requirement of the elevator over a prolonged duty period;
means for storing energy coupled to said mechanical output generating means for storing energy when an actual power requirement of the elevator is less than said average power requirement and for supplying such stored energy when the actual power requirement of the elevator exceeds said average power requirement; and
drive means coupled between said mechanical output generating means at one input and the elevator at an output, and coupled between said energy storage means at another input and the elevator at said output for operating the elevator.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved power supply and drive system for an elevator is disclosed. An electric motor is connected to an electrical power source for a building. The electric motor is mechanically connected through a start-up clutch and an override clutch to a bevel gear assembly. A flywheel is also mechanically connected to the bevel gear assembly. The bevel gear assembly is connected through a disconnectig clutch to a conventional Ward Leonard elevator drive system, which includes a generator and a hoist motor. The electric motor is sized to generate a power output representing the integrated or average requirement of the elevator system over its prolonged duty, typically one-fourth of the size required in conventional systems. The bevel gear assembly, the flywheel, and the various clutches are provided to store energy used to operate the elevator during the relatively brief power surge requirements of the elevator system.
22 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A power supply and drive system for operating an elevator comprising:
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a power source; means connected to said power source for generating a mechanical output at an energy level limited to approximately the average power requirement of the elevator over a prolonged duty period; means for storing energy coupled to said mechanical output generating means for storing energy when an actual power requirement of the elevator is less than said average power requirement and for supplying such stored energy when the actual power requirement of the elevator exceeds said average power requirement; and drive means coupled between said mechanical output generating means at one input and the elevator at an output, and coupled between said energy storage means at another input and the elevator at said output for operating the elevator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of operating an elevator power supply and drive system comprising the steps of:
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(a) connecting means for generating a mechanical output to a power source and operating said means for generating a mechanical output at an energy level limited to approximately the average power requirement of an elevator over a prolonged duty cycle; (b) coupling said means for generating a mechanical output to means for storing energy and storing energy when the actual power requirement of said elevator is less than said average power requirement; (c) coupling said means for generating a mechanical output to a drive means for said elevator; and (d) coupling said means for storing energy to said drive means for supplying stored energy to said drive means when the actual power requirement of the elevator exceeds said average power requirement. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. An elevator power supply and drive system comprising:
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an electric motor having an output shaft coupled to an override clutch; a bevel gear assembly having first and second inputs and an output, said first being coupled to said override clutch; a flywheel coupled to said second input of said bevel gear assembly; and a generator coupled to said output of said bevel gear assembly and electrically connected to a hoist motor for driving an elevator at its actual power requirement whereby said electric motor operates to drive said generator through said bevel gear assembly at an energy level limited to approximately the average power requirement of the elevator over a prolonged duty cycle, said flywheel stores energy from said electric motor when the actual power requirement of the elevator is less than the average power requirement and provides energy to said generator when the actual power requirement exceeds the average power requirement, and said override clutch prevents said electric motor from being driven through said bevel gear assembly.
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Specification