Abstract:
A system for detecting a person relative to a passenger conveyor includes a driving circuit for supplying an oscillating drive signal to a first electrode of a capacitive sensor configured to produce an electric field toward a second electrode in response to the oscillating drive signal. A detection circuit is connected to the capacitive sensor, and produces an output as a function of the capacitance of the capacitive sensor, such that the detection circuit senses a change in capacitance of the capacitive sensor, such as when a person enters the electric field between the first and second electrodes. A controller is responsive to the change in capacitance sensed by the detection circuit to selectively adjust an operation mode of the passenger conveyor.
Abstract:
A warning system for mechanics working in elevator hoistways (HW1 , HW2, HW3, HWN) detects elevator cab position within the hoistway and senses the presence of a mechanic on the top of an elevator cab (12) or in the pit at the bottom of the hoistway or overhead at the top. A mechanic whose presence has been sensed will receive a voice-based warning message of approaching danger. The verbal content of the warning message is based on positions of the cab (12) in the hoistway (HW1 , HW2, HW3, HWN), as well as cab position within adjacent hoistways, so that the mechanic can notice approaching danger caused by a moving cab (12) or counterweight (16).
Abstract:
An elevator load bearing member (30) monitoring device includes a controller (42) that applies a selected electrical signal to tension members (32) of the load bearing member (30). In one example, connectors (40) are associated with ends of the load bearing member (30) to establish an electrical interface between the controller (42) and the tension members (32). The connectors (40) facilitate establishing electrical circuit loops along the tension members (32) such that only non-adjacent tension members are energized at a selected time. A variety of circuit configurations are disclosed. The applied electrical signal in one example has a potential that is negative compared to a ground potential of a hoistway in which the elevator belt is used. In another example, the electrical signal comprises a plurality of pulses and has a duty cycle that is on the order of about one percent.
Abstract:
One or more embodiments are directed to an encoder configured to output a signal, and a computing device configured to receive the signal from the encoder and generate a reduced resolution version of the signal, the computing device is configured to transmit the reduced resolution version of the signal to a recipient.
Abstract:
Power exchange is managed between an elevator hoist motor (12), a primary power supply (20), and an energy storage system (32). A power distribution ratio is set that establishes a proportion of elevator hoist motor demand addressed by the primary power supply. The power exchanged between the hoist motor, the primary power supply, and the energy storage system is then controlled such that the primary power supply exchanges power with the elevator hoist motor according to the power distribution ratio.
Abstract:
Heat in a drive system including a motor (111) and a drive (113) is removed using heat pipes (117, 118) in heat exchanging contact with the motor and the drive. The heat conducting element have at least one portion for receiving heat from the motor or the drive, and another portion to transfer heat to a heat exchange device that is spaced from the motor and drive. The heat conducting element may be a heat pipe or a heat spreader element.
Abstract:
A system and method monitoring the health of a support structure for an elevator based on an electrical characteristic, such as resistance, of the support structure and not the temperature of the structure. The resistance of a virgin support structure under the same temperature conditions as the support structure being monitored is calculated and subtracted from the measured resistance of the monitored support structure. The resistance value of the virgin support structure and the monitored support structure may be translated to a reference temperature to simplify calculations and monitoring of the support structure.
Abstract:
An encoder assembly (36) is disclosed. The encoder assembly comprises a motor (26) having a rotor (32), and an encoder (36). The encoder (36) comprises an encoder wheel (38) axially coupled to the rotor (32), a first sensor (46a) configured to detect a first velocity at which a portion of the encoder wheel (38) moves relative to the first sensor (46a), and a second sensor (46b) configured to detect a second velocity at which a portion of the encoder wheel (38) moves relative to the second sensor (46b), the first sensor (46a) and the second sensor (46b) positioned approximately 180 degrees apart from each other about an axis of rotation of the rotor (32).
Abstract:
A load bearing member (22) useful in an elevator system (10) includes at least one elongated tension member (36), a conversion coating (46) on the elongated tension member (36), and a polymer jacket (34) at least partially surrounding the coated elongated tension member (36). In one example, the conversion coating (46) includes at least one of an oxide, a phosphate, or a chromate.
Abstract:
A method and system determines probable strength degradation in a tensile support in an elevator system by monitoring an electrical characteristic of the tensile support as a whole, such as the total electrical resistance of the tensile support, that varies as the remaining strength in the tensile support varies. One example system determines a relationship between strength degradation and various physical factors, such as the rate of degradation for a given load (102), operating environment information for the tensile support (104), and estimated usage data (106), to obtain a map of mean degradation (100). This map of mean degradation (100) is then used to generate one or more maps linking the strength degradation and electrical characteristic.