Abstract:
An elevator system is provided that includes an elevator car(12), a counterweight(18), a load bearing flexible member, a motor have a drive, and an elevator control system(22). The car and counterweight are operable to be translated within a hoistway. The load bearing flexible member extends between the elevator car and the counterweight. The motor is operable to move the load bearing member and thereby drive the elevator car and counterweight within the hoistway. The elevator motor and drive are configured to selectively produce regenerative power. The elevator control system includes a power manager unit (24) and a power storage device (26). The power storage device includes a supercapacitor unit(32) and a battery unit (34). The power manager unit is operable to selectively manage the flow of power between the power storage device and the motor drive, and the flow of regenerative power from the motor drive to the power storage device (26).
Abstract:
A testing arrangement (36) for testing the operability of at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) connected to the safety chain (30) of an elevator system (1), the testing arrangement (36) comprises: at least one test circuit (34) for testing the operability of the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28); and at least one testing relay (32, 33). The testing relay (32, 33) is switchable between an operational position and a test position and it is configured for electrically connecting the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) to the safety chain (30) in the operational position and for electrically connecting the at least one safety sensor (21, 22, 23, 26, 28) to the test circuit (34) in the test position.
Abstract:
An elevator system (20) includes a propulsion power assembly (38) with a power rating below that required to move a fully loaded elevator car (22) using a contract or design motion profile. One example propulsion power assembly (38) uses more than one motion profile based upon existing load conditions. One example uses a first motion profile including a first power parameter limit for load conditions at or below a selected load threshold that is less than a maximum load capacity of the car (22). The propulsion power assembly (38) uses a second motion profile with a lower power parameter limit for other load conditions. In one example, electrical current is the power parameter selected as a decision parameter dictating which profile to select based on an existing load. Another example propulsion power assembly (38) selects at least one of a speed limit or an electrical current limit based on an existing load and maintains a speed to stay within the selected limit.
Abstract:
A transition valve for a hydraulic elevator includes a block, a spool, an actuator, and an end cap. The actuator may be either a solenoid type actuator or an electric motor type actuator. The end cap includes an opening permitting engagement between the actuator and the spool. In a particular embodiment, the actuator is an electric motor engaged with the spool via a crank and arm. This arrangement translates the rotational motion of the motor into linear motion of the spool with a sine curve profile.
Abstract:
Disclosed is an elevator control system, comprising an elevator controller (18) configured to control an elevator car (12) such as to move along an elevator hoistway (14), and at least one control station configured to be operated by a person and to communicate with the elevator controller (18), such as to move the elevator car (12) along the hoistway (14), the at least one control station comprising a pit inspection control station (30) located in a pit (24) of the hoistway (14), the pit inspection control station (30) comprising at least one pit inspection control station safety switch (80, 86, 88, 90) being connected to the elevator controller (18) via a safety communication system, the at least one pit inspection control station safety switch (80, 86, 88, 90) being configured to enable movement of the elevator car (12) according to operation of the pit inspection control station (30), the pit inspection control station (30) further being connected to the elevator controller (18) via a further communication line (58) independent of the safety communication system, the further communication line (58) configured to communicate information with respect to an intended direction of movement of the elevator car (12).
Abstract:
A control system for controlling the motion of a hydraulic elevator calculates a deceleration distance based upon the elevator velocity and begins the deceleration phase of the elevator motion upon the elevator reaching the calculated distance from the landing. In a particular embodiment, the control system includes a hydraulic valve (38), a space encoder (16), and a controller (42). The space encoder (16) produces velocity and position measurements. The controller (42) uses the velocity inputs to determine the deceleration distance and, upon the elevator car (14) reaching the calculated distance from the landing as measured by the position inputs from the space encoder (16), commands the hydraulic valve (38) to actuate and begin the deceleration phase. In an alternate embodiment, an interface unit (56) connected between the controller (43) and the hydraulic valve (38) calculates a delay between the deceleration command based upon a predetermined distance and the calculated deceleration distance based upon car velocity. Upon expiration of the delay, the interface unit (56) commands the hydraulic valve (38) to actuate and begins the deceleration phase.
Abstract:
An elevator car (4) comprises at least two maintenance openings (14, 16): an overhead maintenance opening (14) provided in the ceiling of the elevator car (4) for providing access to at least one component arranged on top of and/or above the elevator car (4) and a lateral maintenance opening (16) provided in one sidewall (18) of the car for providing access to at least one component arranged besides the elevator car (4).
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to recovering energy associated with the operation of an elevator, by: determining, by a processing device, a battery charging current, estimating a state of charge (SoC) of at least one battery based on charging current acceptance capability, and causing, by the processing device, a charging of the at least one battery to within a threshold amount of 100% of SoC to recover energy associated with elevator operation.
Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to recovering energy associated with the operation of an elevator, by: determining, by a processing device, a battery charging current, estimating a state of charge (SoC) of at least one battery based on charging current acceptance capability, and causing, by the processing device, a charging of the at least one battery to within a threshold amount of 100% of SoC to recover energy associated with elevator operation.