Patents Examined by Michael A Riegelman
  • Elevator door interlock assembly
    Patent number: 11155444
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a base, a plurality of interlock bumpers supported on the base, and a latch supported on the base for movement relative to the base between a door locking position and a released position. The plurality of interlock bumpers are supported on the base with a gap between the plurality of interlock bumpers. Each of the interlock bumpers includes a contact surface configured to contact at least one vane supported on an elevator car door. Each of the interlock bumpers remains rotationally fixed relative to the base. The latch includes a latch bumper that is situated relative to the gap such that the at least one vane contacts the latch bumper and urges the latch into the released position when the at least one vane is at least partially in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Yunyi Wang, Suresh Dharmaraj
  • Minimum quantity lubrication system
    Patent number: 11135694
    Abstract: A minimum quantity lubrication system for accurately measuring and controlling a volume and pressure of a lubricating fluid provided to a machining tool during minimum quantity lubrication machining operations. The minimum quantity lubrication system can further include measuring and controlling a volume and pressure of air provided during machining such that atomization of the lubricating fluid with the air can be controlled. Use of a continuous volumetric flow pump provides a continuous flow of lubricating fluid to the tool during machining operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Unist, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy John Bangma, Charles W. Boelkins
  • Radial flux permanent magnet elevator motor
    Patent number: 11136221
    Abstract: A radial flux permanent magnet elevator motor includes a motor frame forming the stator frame having fixing points to be fixed to an elevator guide rail, which frame has a back wall facing and/or abutting with the guide rail, which motor frame includes an axially extending flange protruding away from the back wall in the direction of the rotor, and which motor frame includes at least one axially extending first wall section in a defined radial distance from the axis of the motor frame, which first wall section is configured to support a stator winding of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tuukka Korhonen, Mika Virnes, Perttu Luukkonen
  • Connecting device and method for connecting a wall element in an elevator car
    Patent number: 11136219
    Abstract: An elevator car has a connecting device and at least one wall element, wherein the connecting device connects the at least one wall element with a bare ceiling of the elevator car. The connecting device includes a rail element with two legs, of which a first leg bears in the mounted state against the bare ceiling and a second leg has a mounting surface for the at least one wall element. The mounting surface has a first hole for suspending the at least one wall element. The at least one wall element has a suspension element at an edge which faces upwardly in the mounted state for engaging into the first hole of the connecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Adrian Steiner, Alessandro D'Apice, Oliver Notter, Simon Ottiger
  • Grease distribution methods
    Patent number: 11125385
    Abstract: Methods of lubricating fracking valves on a wellhead include mounting a distribution manifold of a grease distribution system on, adjacent to or remotely with respect to the wellhead, the distribution manifold having a plurality of manifold valves; selecting at least one of the fracking valves for lubrication; coupling at least one of the plurality of manifold valves of the grease distribution system to the at least one of the fracking valves; coupling a grease pump to the at least one of the plurality of manifold valves; opening the at least one of the plurality of manifold valves; and distributing grease from the grease pump through the at least one of the plurality of manifold valves to the at least one of the fracking valves by operation of the grease pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Lee C. Gouge
  • Elevator car door interlock
    Patent number: 11124389
    Abstract: A method of unlocking an elevator car door or an elevator car is provided including operating a door operator. A link arm of a car door interlock operably coupled to the door operator is rotated. If the elevator car is positioned within a landing door zone, an engagement link coupled to the link arm is configured to pivot relative to the link arm to disengage from an electrical contact. If the elevator car is not positioned within a landing door zone, the engagement link does not pivot relative to the link arm and remains engaged with the electrical contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey
  • Oil system
    Patent number: 11125111
    Abstract: A method (500) and apparatus (50, 60) for lubrication of a gearbox (30) of an aircraft engine comprise provision (502) of oil to the gearbox (30) through a primary oil system (50) driven by a core (11) of the engine (10) in normal conditions; detection (504) of windmilling conditions and/or failure of the primary oil system (50); and in response to the detected condition or failure, activation (506) of an electric pump (61) of an auxiliary oil system (60), to provide oil to the gearbox (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc, ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: John R Mason, Thomas Philip Astley
  • Double deck elevator with linear actuator adjustment mechanism
    Patent number: 11117786
    Abstract: An illustrative example elevator assembly includes a header beam and a first elevator cab supported by the header beam. A plurality of vertically oriented rods extend beneath the first elevator cab. A horizontally oriented mid-beam is coupled to a first one of the rods near a first end of the mid-beam and coupled to a second one of the rods near a second end of the mid-beam. A second elevator cab is situated beneath the first elevator cab and beneath the mid-beam. At least one linear actuator is supported at least partially on the mid-beam. The linear actuator selectively causes vertical movement of the second elevator cab relative to the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zaffir A. Chaudhry, Enrico Manes, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Coated sheave
    Patent number: 11111108
    Abstract: An elevator sheave includes a sheave body and a coating on a surface of the sheave body. The coating includes microcracks and a filler in the microcracks. A method of making a sheave for an elevator system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai
  • Compliant shear layer for elevator termination
    Patent number: 11111105
    Abstract: A termination device for a suspension member of an elevator system includes a housing and a wedge assembly located in the housing. The wedge assembly includes a wedge interactive with the housing to apply a clamping force to the suspension member in response to an axial load acting on the suspension member and a compliant shear element secured to the wedge or the suspension member and configured to reduce shear loads on the suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Walter Thomas Schmidt, Joseph C. Rampone, Daniel A. Mosher
  • Elevator safety actuator systems
    Patent number: 11104545
    Abstract: Elevator systems are provided. The elevator systems include a traveling component movable along a guide rail within an elevator shaft, the traveling component comprising a roller guide moveably engageable with the guide rail and an overspeed safety system. The overspeed safety system includes an actuator module operably coupled to the roller guide and a safety brake operably connected to the actuator module by a connecting link, wherein a safety brake element of the safety brake is operable to engage with the guide rail to stop movement of the traveling component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Lifeng Chao
  • Elevator car and elevator system comprising an elevator car
    Patent number: 11104550
    Abstract: An elevator car (6) defining an interior space (12) for accommodating passengers comprises a support frame (22) positioned on a top side of the interior space (12); a support structure (30) pivotably mounted to the support frame (22); and a working platform (28) pivotably mounted to the support structure (30). The support structure (30) is pivotable with respect to the support frame (22) and the working platform (28) is pivotable with respect to the support structure (30) between a retracted position, in which the working platform (28) and the support structure (30) are oriented close to the support frame (22), and a deployed position, in which the support structure (30) extends away from the support frame (22) towards the interior space (12) and the working platform (28) extends away from the support structure (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Juan Jose Fernandez, Juan Quiles, Agustin Jimenez-Gonzalez
  • Wire, rope, and cable management
    Patent number: 11104546
    Abstract: An elevator cable management system is described to provide constraints on cable movements at a point between the top and bottom of an elevator track. The system may include a moving retainer bar with a cradle on top of an elevator car, and a fixed retainer bar that retains cables when the elevator car is above the fixed retainer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Safe Works, LLC
    Inventors: Dirk Miseur, Nicolas Van der Linden
  • Complete volume draining oil pan and device
    Patent number: 11092048
    Abstract: A drain tube device that includes a first tubular region, a second region and arcuate tubular region interposed between the first tubular region and the second region. In certain embodiments, the arcuate region is contiguously joined to the first tubular and the second region such that the first tubular region and the second region form an acute angle in a first plane that is between 45° and 90°. The second region has an end distal to the arcuate tubular region and includes a longitudinal opening defined in at least a portion of the region between the arcuate tubular region and the distal end. In certain embodiments, the arcuate region can also have a configuration that provides an angle located out of the first plane between the first tubular region and the second region that is between zero and 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: K.J. Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: George Blundy
  • Elevator car frame
    Patent number: 11091352
    Abstract: Elevator car frames are provided. The elevator car frames include a first upright, a second upright, a first support element connected to the first upright, a second support element connected to the second upright, and a retractable crosshead having a first portion and a second portion extending between the first and second support elements, wherein the retractable crosshead is operable between a first state wherein the first portion and the second portion are connected and a second state wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Aurelien Fauconnet, Frederic Beauchaud
  • Braking device for a car of a lift system
    Patent number: 11084689
    Abstract: A braking device may include first and second brake pads disposed opposite one another about a guide rail, for developing braking forces when the brake pads engage the guide rail. The first brake pad has a wedge shape and may taper in a wedge direction. A front side of the first brake pad facing the guide rail is aligned parallel to the guide rail, and a rear side of the first brake pad is angled corresponding to the wedge shape. The rear side of the first brake pad lies in a sliding manner against a contact surface of a first brake pad seat disposed at an angle corresponding to the first brake pad. In a first setting a locking device unblocks a sliding movement of the first brake pad, and in a second setting the locking device blocks the sliding movement of the first brake pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Eduard Steinhauer, Thomas Kuczera, Marius Matz
  • Electronic safety actuator for lifting a safety wedge of an elevator
    Patent number: 11078045
    Abstract: An electronic safety actuation device for braking an elevator car includes a safety brake movable between a non-braking position and a braking position, a first electronic safety actuator operably coupled to the safety brake via a first link member, and a second electronic safety actuator operably coupled to the safety brake via a second link member. Operation of the first electronic safety actuator applies a force to the first link member to move the safety brake from the non-braking position to the braking position. Operation of the second electronic safety actuator applies a force to the second link member to move the safety brake from the non-braking position to the braking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Justin Billard, Daryl J. Marvin, Erik Khzouz, Marcin Wroblewski
  • Self-cooling oil tank
    Patent number: 11073042
    Abstract: A self-cooling fluid storage container includes a reservoir to store a fluid at a level that allows for an air space above the fluid. The fluid enters the reservoir. A fluid conduit receives the fluid at a fluid input opening to an internal fluid conduit that extends upward towards the air space. A heat exchanger portion extends sufficiently near the air space to provide a thermal exchange with the air space. The heat exchanger receives fluid to provide a cooling of the air space. The internal fluid conduit continues extending downward from the air space to a fluid output opening for distribution to a system that uses the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Adam Kempers
  • Methods and apparatuses for lifting elevator cars during installation
    Patent number: 11059701
    Abstract: Climber motors are a form of temporary winch that can be used before a permanent elevator drive system is installed at the top of a hoistway. A mount to be employed with such a climber motor may include a frame having a base, a lower portion, and an upper portion. The upper portion may support a lower plate, which lower plate supports sleeves, which sleeves in turn support an upper plate. The frame and the climber motor may be positioned within an elevator cab such that the sleeves extend upwards through apertures in a canopy of the elevator cab. Once the upper plate is positioned between the sleeves and a crosshead above the elevator cab, the climber motor may be engaged to cause the sleeves to exert an upward force on the crosshead and thereby lift the elevator cab in the hoistway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: William E. Bowling
  • Oil supply structure of transmission
    Patent number: 11054017
    Abstract: An oil supply structure includes an oil passage that provides communication from a wall portion of a casing, which corresponds to a shaft end portion of a rotary shaft pivotally supported in the casing to the shaft end portion of the rotary shaft. The oil passage includes a shaft end oil passage and an in-shaft oil passage. The shaft end oil passage is provided on a shaft end portion side of the rotary shaft. The in-shaft oil passage is provided in the rotary shaft, and extends an axial direction of the rotary shaft from the shaft end oil passage. A flow rate adjusting member is provided to the shaft end oil passage, and adjusts lubricating oil which flows from the shaft end oil passage to the in-shaft oil passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shoji Nomura