Patents by Inventor Richard L. Hollowell
Richard L. Hollowell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11970369Abstract: An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a propulsion system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft; a first on-board energy management system configured to power the propulsion system, the first on-board energy management system is attached to the propulsion system and configured to travel with the propulsion system.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2020Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Randy Roberts, Richard L. Hollowell
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Patent number: 11738971Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator governor includes a rotatable governor mechanism, a tension sheave, and a tension frame associated with the tension sheave. The tension frame has a mass configured to bias the tension frame and the tension sheave under an influence of gravity. A damper is configured to resist vertical movement of the tension frame relative to a fixed surface in a first condition and to allow vertical movement of the tension frame relative to the fixed surface in a second, different condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventor: Richard L. Hollowell
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Patent number: 11673770Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator governor includes a rotatable governor mechanism, a tension sheave, and a tension frame associated with the tension sheave. The tension frame has a mass configured to bias the tension frame and the tension sheave under an influence of gravity. A damper is configured to resist vertical movement of the tension frame relative to a fixed surface in a first condition and to allow vertical movement of the tension frame relative to the fixed surface in a second, different condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2021Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventor: Richard L. Hollowell
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Publication number: 20220411228Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator governor includes a rotatable governor mechanism, a tension sheave, and a tension frame associated with the tension sheave. The tension frame has a mass configured to bias the tension frame and the tension sheave under an influence of gravity. A damper is configured to resist vertical movement of the tension frame relative to a fixed surface in a first condition and to allow vertical movement of the tension frame relative to the fixed surface in a second, different condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventor: Richard L. HOLLOWELL
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Patent number: 11434107Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car positioned in and movable along the hoistway. The elevator car includes a first sheave and a second sheave spaced apart from the first sheave. The first sheave and second sheave have parallel axes of rotation and each include a traction surface and a gearless prime mover operably connected to the traction surface to drive rotation of the traction surface. A first load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway and a second load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway. The first load bearing member passes laterally under the first sheave, vertically upward between the first sheave and the second sheave, and laterally over the second sheave. The second load bearing member passes laterally under the second sheave, vertically between the second sheave and the first sheave, and laterally over the first sheave.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Kiron Bhaskar
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Publication number: 20220033215Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a device for controlling movement of an elevator car includes an emergency stopping supervisor, such as a processor and memory associated with the processor. The emergency stopping supervisor is configured to: determine when an indication from an electrical protection device indicates that the elevator car should be stopped, issue a command for the elevator car to move at a reduced speed, monitor continued movement of the elevator car at the reduced speed, and continue to allow the elevator car to move at the reduced speed until a selected condition exists or immediately cause the elevator car to stop if the reduced speed is not within a predetermined range.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Randy Roberts, Xiaodong Luo, Benjamin J. Watson, Marcin Wroblewski
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Publication number: 20220033221Abstract: An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam comprising a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a propulsion system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft; a first on-board energy management system configured to power the propulsion system, the first on-board energy management system is attached to the propulsion system and configured to travel with the propulsion system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Randy Roberts, Richard L. Hollowell
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Publication number: 20210078829Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car positioned in and movable along the hoistway. The elevator car includes a first sheave and a second sheave spaced apart from the first sheave. The first sheave and second sheave have parallel axes of rotation and each include a traction surface and a gearless prime mover operably connected to the traction surface to drive rotation of the traction surface. A first load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway and a second load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway. The first load bearing member passes laterally under the first sheave, vertically upward between the first sheave and the second sheave, and laterally over the second sheave. The second load bearing member passes laterally under the second sheave, vertically between the second sheave and the first sheave, and laterally over the first sheave.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2020Publication date: March 18, 2021Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Kiron Bhaskar
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Patent number: 10875743Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car positioned in and movable along the hoistway. The elevator car includes a first sheave and a second sheave spaced apart from the first sheave. The first sheave and second sheave have parallel axes of rotation and each include a traction surface and a gearless prime mover operably connected to the traction surface to drive rotation of the traction surface. A first load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway and a second load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway. The first load bearing member passes laterally under the first sheave, vertically upward between the first sheave and the second sheave, and laterally over the second sheave. The second load bearing member passes laterally under the second sheave, vertically between the second sheave and the first sheave, and laterally over the first sheave.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Kiron Bhaskar
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Patent number: 10399820Abstract: A system for determining stiffness of an elevator system tension member includes a landing floor indicator to transmit a landing floor signal of an elevator car to a stiffness estimator, and a car position encoder to transmit a car position signal of the elevator car in a hoistway to the stiffness estimator. A machine position encoder transmits a machine position signal to the stiffness estimator. The tension member is operably connected to the machine to move the elevator car along the hoistway. A load weight sensor is located at the elevator car to transmit a load weight signal of the elevator car to the stiffness estimator. The stiffness estimator utilizes at least the landing floor signal, the car position signal, the machine position signal and the load weight signal to calculate an estimated stiffness of the tension member.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Randall Keith Roberts, YiSug Kwon, David Wayne Mckee, Richard L. Hollowell
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Publication number: 20180362302Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car positioned in and movable along the hoistway. The elevator car includes a first sheave and a second sheave spaced apart from the first sheave. The first sheave and second sheave have parallel axes of rotation and each include a traction surface and a gearless prime mover operably connected to the traction surface to drive rotation of the traction surface. A first load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway and a second load bearing member is positioned in the hoistway. The first load bearing member passes laterally under the first sheave, vertically upward between the first sheave and the second sheave, and laterally over the second sheave. The second load bearing member passes laterally under the second sheave, vertically between the second sheave and the first sheave, and laterally over the first sheave.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2018Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Kiron Bhaskar
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Publication number: 20170008734Abstract: A system for determining stiffness of an elevator system tension member includes a landing floor indicator to transmit a landing floor signal of an elevator car to a stiffness estimator, and a car position encoder to transmit a car position signal of the elevator car in a hoistway to the stiffness estimator. A machine position encoder transmits a machine position signal to the stiffness estimator. The tension member is operably connected to the machine to move the elevator car along the hoistway. A load weight sensor is located at the elevator car to transmit a load weight signal of the elevator car to the stiffness estimator. The stiffness estimator utilizes at least the landing floor signal, the car position signal, the machine position signal and the load weight signal to calculate an estimated stiffness of the tension member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Randall Keith Roberts, YiSug Kwon, David Wayne Mckee, Richard L. Hollowell
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Publication number: 20130237358Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The cords are spaced from an exterior surface on the jacket such that the spacing remains generally constant along the length of the belt. The jacket has a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface for contacting sheaves as the belt moves in the elevator system. A method of making the inventive belt assembly is disclosed. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPNAYInventors: Richard L. Hollowell, Hugh J. O'Donnell, Pedro Baranda
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Patent number: 8444515Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The cords are spaced from an exterior surface on the jacket such that the spacing remains generally constant along the length of the belt. The jacket has a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface for contacting sheaves as the belt moves in the elevator system. A method of making the inventive belt assembly is disclosed. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Richard L. Hollowell, John T. Pitts, Hugh J. O'Donnell
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Patent number: 8047335Abstract: A shock-absorbing hitch termination (40) includes a terminating member (52) that moves against a first bias (62) responsive to a first level of tension on a load bearing member (26) associated with a car (22) and counterweight (24) in an elevator system (20). A support member (60) moves with the terminating members (52) against a second, passive bias (70) responsive to increased tension on the load bearing member (26). In one example, the second bias is provided by mechanical springs (70). In another example the second bias is provided by air springs. In still another example the second bias is provided by pressurized actuators (82). The shock-absorbing hitch termination may be supported for movement with the car, counterweight or both. In another example, the shock-absorbing hitch termination is provided in a stationary structure (90) within the elevator system.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Richard Fargo, Richard L. Hollowell
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Patent number: 7878306Abstract: An elevator system includes a cab supported for movement within a hoistway. A tension device, which remains close to one end of the hoistway, maintains a desired tension on a load bearing member that supports the cab and moves to achieve a desired placement of the cab. The load bearing member extends from a first end of the hoistway toward the cab, wraps around a first sheave supported on the cab, extends toward the first end of the hoistway, wraps around a second sheave supported near the first end of the hoistway, extends toward a second end of the hoistway, wraps about a third sheave supported near the second end of the hoistway, extends toward the cab, wraps around a fourth sheave supported on the cab, and extends toward the second end of the hoistway where it is secured to the tension device.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Bryan Robert Siewert, Mark S. Thompson, Richard L. Hollowell
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Patent number: 6742769Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, hard, thin surface plating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Pedro S. Baranda, John T. Pitts, Richard L. Hollowell, John P. Wesson, Douglas E. Logan, Zlatko Strbuncelj, James Hubbard
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Publication number: 20030092524Abstract: An elevator load bearing assembly includes a plurality of cords within a jacket. The cords are spaced from an exterior surface on the jacket such that the spacing remains generally constant along the length of the belt. The jacket has a smooth, uninterrupted exterior surface for contacting sheaves as the belt moves in the elevator system. A method of making the inventive belt assembly is disclosed. The inventive belt assembly minimizes the possibility for generating an annoying, audible sound and vibration during elevator operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 15, 2003Inventors: Pedro S. Baranda, Richard L. Hollowell, John T. Pitts, Hugh J. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20030025109Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, hard, thin surface plating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Pedro S. Baranda, John T. Pitts, Richard L. Hollowell, John P. Wesson, Douglas E. Logan, Zlatko Strbuncelj, James Hubbard
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Patent number: 6419208Abstract: In an elevator sheave for a flat belt, the optimum crown height is within a range of approximately 0.033 to about 0.003 times the width of the elevator rope. The optimum radius is in the range of about 16.67 to about 50.00 times the width of the elevator rope. Both the crown height (h) and the crown radius (rc) may be expressed as a function of belt width (Wb). The groove width (wg) is in the range of approximately 1.5 and 2.25 times the width of the belt (Wb). A circumferential surface roughness of about 1.0 to 3.0 is applied. A hard, thin surface coating can be applied to enhance durability while maintaining traction.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 1999Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Pedro S. Baranda, John T. Pitts, Richard L. Hollowell, John P. Wesson, Douglas E. Logan