Patents Examined by Christopher Uhlir
  • Patent number: 11795032
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a car door and a sensor module. The car door is movable relative to an elevator car by a drive mechanism. The sensor module includes a first acoustic sensor arranged to provide a first acoustic signal, a second acoustic sensor arranged to provide a second acoustic signal, and a processor arranged to receive the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal. The processor is programmed to, responsive to an input provided to the first acoustic sensor and the second acoustic sensor, identify a direction of an elevator system noise source based on a first time delay based on the first acoustic signal and the second acoustic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Derk Oscar Pahlke
  • Patent number: 11767195
    Abstract: A safety inspection system of an occupant evacuation elevator capable of having a laser range finder installed on each of an elevator rope and an elevator guide rail of the occupant evacuation elevator of a skyscraper and checking a length and verticality of each of the elevator rope and the elevator guide rail measured from the laser range finder to monitor slight distortion or location variation in real time, and accordingly, capable of easily performing a safety inspection of the occupant evacuation elevator, capable of performing the safety inspection of the occupant evacuation elevator in real time to operate the occupant evacuation elevator again in an operation mode of the occupant evacuation elevator according to an occurrence of a disaster situation in the skyscraper, and accordingly, capable of safely and quickly evacuating occupants and a method thereof are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF CIVIL ENGINEERING AND BUILDING TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Seung Un Chae, Bum Yeon Cho, Heung Youl Kim, Ki Seok Kwon
  • Patent number: 11760603
    Abstract: An elevator panel assembly comprises a detachable panel (4), for covering a front surface of an elevator car panel (2b), and a separation member (7). The separation member (7) comprises a head portion (7a) received against a back surface of the detachable panel (4). The detachable panel (4) is magnetically attachable to the elevator car panel (2b) and comprises a through hole (9) which is smaller than the head portion (7a) of the separation member (7) and arranged to sit directly over the head portion (7a). The separation member (7) is configured so that a tool inserted through the through hole (9) engages with the head portion to apply a mechanical force, causing the head portion (7a) to push against the back surface of the detachable panel (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Juan Cortes Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11763785
    Abstract: A percussion instrument pedal apparatus includes a footboard and a transmission mechanism connectable to the footboard. A beater, which is mountable to a pivot shaft, strikes a bass drum in response to pivoting of the pivot shaft. The transmission mechanism includes two adjusting mechanisms for adjusting the motion characteristics of the footboard and for adjusting the footboard angle. The transmission mechanism can be interchanged with different types, such as a chain-drive transmission mechanism and a direct-drive transmission mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Fumihiro Shigenaga
  • Patent number: 11753275
    Abstract: A method for preventive maintenance of an elevator speed sensor system includes at least a first and a second sensor, which are independent of each other. The method includes: determining a reference distance for an elevator car travel between a first door zone and a second door zone, during the elevator car travel, defining continuously a first elevator car speed information from the first sensor and a second elevator car speed information from the second sensor, calculating a cumulative sensor system error by integrating the difference between the first elevator car speed information and the second elevator car speed information, and dividing the cumulative sensor system error with the reference distance to obtain a sensor system performance indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Matti Mustonen, Arttu Leppäkoski, Ari Jussila, Juha-Matti Aitamurto
  • Patent number: 11745983
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elevator system having an elevator entryway, the elevator entryway including: a first door, which is an elevator door, a first controller operationally connected to the first door for opening and closing the first door to provide access to an elevator, wherein when the first door is closing: the first controller monitors for first instructions over a frequency applicable to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR), and upon receiving the first instructions, the first controller executes the first instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter Thomas Schmidt, Joseph V. Mantese, Goran Djuknic, Paul R. Braunwart, Enrico Manes, Ziyou Xiong
  • Patent number: 11745979
    Abstract: There is provided a diagnostic device for vertical transportation devices, which can obtain information for appropriately diagnosing a vertical transportation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC BUILDING SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masaya Abe, Takeshi Fujita, Takumi Oda
  • Patent number: 11724910
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a conveyance system is provided. The method including: monitoring vibratory signatures along a first axis of a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system; detecting a vibratory signature along the first axis about equivalent to a vibratory signature of significant event; and examining vibratory signatures for a secondary event along at least one of the first axis and a second axis of the conveyance apparatus for at least one of a selected time period after detection of the significant event and a selected time period before detection of the significant event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, Craig Drew Bogli, Ezhil Nanjappan, Yrinee Michaelidis
  • Patent number: 11708239
    Abstract: The present invention relates to tracking of a passenger flow in an elevator car. A passenger flow tracking system for an elevator car according to the present invention includes: a first Bluetooth module installed in the elevator car, the first Bluetooth module being configured to broadcast a first Bluetooth signal that can substantially cover the interior of the elevator car and receive a response fed back by a personal mobile terminal carried by a passenger inside the elevator car; and a passenger flow determining unit configured to at least determine, based on a change in the received response, that the passenger leaves and/or enters the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Adriaan Joris H. Larmuseau, Changle Li
  • Patent number: 11708238
    Abstract: The invention refers to an arrangement for the allocation of destination calls in an elevator system with at least two elevators, comprising a wireless transmitter device connected with an allocation control of the elevator system. The transmitter device interacts within a certain mutual distance with a wireless ID device carried by a passenger, which ID device is configured to transmit to the transmitter device an ID which is linked with a special transportation service in the elevator system. The elevator system comprises a memory with correlated operation parameters of the elevators which are linked to the particular special transportation service request of the ID device, whereby the ID device is configured to transmit ID data and/or a call with a departure floor and destination floor to the allocation control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi Hiltunen, Kim Bergman
  • Patent number: 11708241
    Abstract: A method for self-testing a monitoring device monitoring an integrity status of an elevator suspension member arrangement includes the monitoring device having a voltage generation arrangement for generating electric voltages and applying the electric voltages to cords in suspension members of the suspension member arrangement. The monitoring device has a voltage analyzer arrangement for detecting a deterioration in the integrity status based on modifications in the applied electric voltages upon transmission through the cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Philippe Henneau, Vincent Robibero, James Bibby
  • Patent number: 11679956
    Abstract: An elevator system that can check a function of detecting derailment of an elevating body without disconnecting the elevating body from a guide rail. The elevator system includes a conductive wire that is provided along a guide rail, a contact that is attached to the elevating body, and is configured to come into contact with the conductive wire in the case where the elevating body is disconnected from the guide rail, a control panel that is configured to detect electrical conduction between the conductive wire and the contact, and an inspection contact that is attached to a preset position of the conductive wire, and is disposed at a position that allows the inspection contact to come into contact with the contact in the case where the contact moves to the preset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuaki Koide
  • Patent number: 11676559
    Abstract: A soundboard for a musical instrument is disclosed the soundboard having at least one layer of material. In some embodiments the material comprising carbon fiber, fibrous laminate material, resin or a plastic matrix and combinations thereof. At least one bracing structure is engaged to the at least one layer of material. The at least one bracing structure comprising at least one layer of honeycomb or shaped core and at least one sheet of material bonded to the honeycomb or shaped core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: MCP IP, LLC
    Inventor: Ellis C. Seal
  • Patent number: 11661313
    Abstract: A drive device of an elevator includes a frequency converter to be connected to a public AC supply network and an elevator motor. The frequency converter includes a network rectifier configured to be connected to the AC supply network, a motor bridge to be connected to the elevator motor and a DC intermediate circuit located between the network rectifier and the motor bridge. The motor bridge is controlled by a control circuit which feeds the motor bridge with control pulses to regulate the motor speed. The drive device further includes at least one drive prevention circuit connected between the control circuit and the motor bridge. The drive prevention circuit is configured to obtain a safety signal from an elevator safety circuit includes two separate safety input circuits each configured to be connected to the elevator safety circuit to receive a safety signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pasi Raassina, Pekka Hytti, Arto Nakari, Ari Kattainen, Juhamatti Nikander, Olavi Vairio
  • Patent number: 11661315
    Abstract: A sill gap monitoring system includes a sensor assembly configured to sense a sill gap between an elevator sill and at least one of a bottom surface of an elevator door and a bottom surface of a gib. The sill gap monitoring system generates an alert when the sill gap is greater than a sill gap limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Patent number: 11643299
    Abstract: Provided is a communication system and a communication method for use in an elevator system, which belong to the field of elevator intelligent control technologies. The communication system of the present invention comprises: a first bluetooth module mounted in an elevator landing area of the elevator system and a second bluetooth module mounted in an elevator car of the elevator system. The communication system and the communication method of the present invention can realize that a passenger completes an elevator calling operation in a completely hand-free mode, which is easy to realize and is low in cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Wenbo Huang, Xiaofei Guo
  • Patent number: 11643301
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for monitoring a sheave bearing condition, and in particular relates to passenger conveyer systems, such as elevator systems, employing the system and method. An example passenger conveyer system includes a suspension member, and a sheave configured to rotate on a bearing. The suspension member is wrapped around at least a portion of the sheave. Further, the system includes a sensor mounted adjacent an end of the suspension member, and a controller configured to determine a condition of the bearing based on an output of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Yan Chen, David R. Polak, Paul R. Braunwart, Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Charles C. Coffin
  • Patent number: 11634301
    Abstract: A system and method for detection of a malfunction in an elevator. The system includes an elevator cab, a server, at least one sensor, and a controller. The controller receives a signal captured by the at least sensor and transmit to the server. The server processes the transmitted signal and prognostically detects the malfunction in the elevator cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Aditya Swami, Guru Charan Kottur, Daisuke Meguro, Hiromitsu Miyajima
  • Patent number: 11629030
    Abstract: An elevator control device, including an rpm detector, a landing-plate detector, and a controller, in which the controller includes a first remaining-distance calculating unit, which is configured to calculate a remaining distance to a destination floor as a first remaining distance based on the rpm, a second remaining-distance calculating unit, which is configured to calculate an ideal remaining distance from the detection of the landing plate to stop at a destination floor as a second remaining distance, an expansion-and-contraction amount estimating unit, which is configured to estimate an expansion amount of a governor rope from a difference value between the first remaining distance and the second remaining distance, and an expansion-and-contraction amount correcting unit, which is configured to correct the first remaining distance by adding a correction value calculated based on the estimated expansion amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidetaka Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 11620969
    Abstract: The Spring Bracing System invention is disclosed for optimizing the musical voice of a stringed musical instrument by improving the transfer of musical string vibration energy and adding structural support and spring quality to targeted locations on the instrument's sound board. The Spring Bracing System, comprising a spring brace frame, a tensioning system, a fulcrum lever system, sound posts and sound braces, operates as a simple machine in transferring vibration energy generated when the instrument's strings are in motion. The adjustability of the system allows the musician to customize, optimize, and improve the musical voice of the instrument to his preference. On most steel string guitars, the Spring Bracing System can be installed without modification to the instrument. It can be installed in other types of stringed musical instruments, such as classical guitars, cellos and double basses, with minor modifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Inventor: Albert Hernandez