Patents Examined by W. E. Duncanson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5134305
    Abstract: Wind powered apparatus for attachment to a generator is provided to produce electricity. A series of foldable sails are attached to an endless chain having upper and lower reaches. Guide means control the folding and unfolding of the sails as they travel along the chain. The surface of the unfolded sails always face the wind to obtain maximum benefit therefrom while the folded sails, which travel against the wind to return to an unfolded position, act as wind vanes to keep the sails in proper position with respect to wind direction. As one sail drops to the lower chain reach, another sail rises to the upper chain reach for maximum efficiency. A plurality of such chain assemblies are placed laterally adjacent one another to create a "wind platform". Sprockets attached to the chain turn a shaft which powers a generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Inventor: David Senehi
  • Patent number: 5062502
    Abstract: An elevator controlling apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of cage call devices for generating information with respect to cage calls from each of a plurality of cages in; a plurality of cage controlling devices which are provided in correspondence with a plurality of elevator cages, which generate information with respect to hall calls and cage traffic information and which control the operation of the elevator cages; a learning device which calculates the total traffic value in each unit time zone on the basis of the cage traffic information so that when the total traffic in a unit time zone is similar to that of an adjacent unit time zone, these time zones are set as the a divided time zone, and when a divided time zone is over a predetermined time, the next divided time zone is set; and an operation controlling device for controlling the plurality of cage controlling devices on the basis of the total traffic for the each unit time zone, the divided time zones, the information with re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Amano
  • Patent number: 5060764
    Abstract: A method for controlling the velocity of an elevator cage by determining the optimum time delay between a velocity command signal for an elevator cage and actual movement of the cage responsive to the velocity command signal. The actual time delay is increased or decreased based on a comparison of the actual time needed for the cage to reach its maximum deceleration and the theoretical time needed for the cage to reach its maximum deceleration. The new time delay is introduced into the velocity command signal to thereby control cage velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsumi Ohira
  • Patent number: 5058711
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for group-supervising an elevator system according to this invention consists in predicting the position of operating cages after the lapse of a predetermined time, detecting an unoccupied cage and tentatively setting the standby position thereof, so as to predict the position of unoccupied cages after the lapse of the predetermined time under the condition that the detected unoccupied cage is run to the set position and is caused to stand by there, predicting, from the positions of the cages, the number of cages which will lie in certain floors or certain floor zones after the lapse of the predetermined time and estimating the numbers of cages in association with the floors, whereby the floor in which the unoccupied cage is to stand by is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5058710
    Abstract: A simplified elevator power system using an AC-DC converter, both to convert AC to DC during normal operation and to convert stored DC power to AC during power failures. A power source monitoring relay monitors AC power coming from a utility, and upon power failure, switches a battery from a charging mode to a power source mode wherein DC power is supplied, not only to an inverter for driving a motor, but also to a converter hooked up to run as an inverter during such power failure in order to provide stepped-up AC voltage to elevator control devices. In this way, the prior art addition of an extra inverter is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Masao Iwasa
  • Patent number: 5056629
    Abstract: A display apparatus for an elevator in which a message to be reported to the users of the elevator, such as the running status of the elevator, is displayed by a display unit disposed in a cage or a hall, a control is performed by a display control device so that the message to be reported may be displayed in a designated display aspect on the display unit, and the designation of the display aspect and the simulative display of a message in an aspect corresponding to the designated display aspect are carried out with a display aspect correction device, whereby the display as intended can be presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Tsuji, Yasuhiro Nagata
  • Patent number: 5056628
    Abstract: An elevator group control with immediate allocation of floor calls includes an apparatus for processing car calls according to a car call algorithm implemented in a process computer in dependence on the traffic volume, the position of the calls, and the immediately allocated floor calls. Floor calls allocated by a floor call algorithm are entered for each elevataor car in a first list of the current one half round trip and/or in a second list of the next one half round trip. Both lists are stored in a memory region common to the algorithms. In the case of low traffic volume, car calls lying ahead of the elevator cars are entered into the first list unconditionally and car calls lying behind are entered into the second list subject to a maximum trip distance. In the case of average traffic volume, car calls lying ahead are entered into the first list in case synonymous allocated calls are already present therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Michel Aime
  • Patent number: 5055700
    Abstract: A brushless generator which is operable in a generating mode to convert motive power into electrical power, and in a starting mode to convert electrical power into motive power includes a set of electrically conductive bars disposed on a rotor of the generator and which are interconnected to form a squirrel cage winding whereby AC power may be provided to a main generator portion armature winding which induces currents in the bars and causes the generator to operate as an induction motor. Circuitry is provided for periodically shorting a main field winding of the generator during operation of the generator in the starting mode to prevent damage thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Inventor: P. John Dhyanchand
  • Patent number: 5054585
    Abstract: An elevator control apparatus for moving free elevator cages to optimal stand-by floors determined according to a plurality of fuzzy rules of if-then format. A learning function is employed for altering the parameters of the fuzzy rules based on statistics of past traffic patterns over a pre-determined time period. Free elevator cages are detected by an operation control element and then moved to optimal stand-by floors. A stand-by control element responsive to fuzzy rules generates a signal directed to the operation control element for initiating movement of the free elevator cages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Amano
  • Patent number: 5053632
    Abstract: This invention relates to an electric braking and auxiliary engine mechanism for a motor vehicle including a rotary machine coupled with the crank shaft of the internal combustion engine which drives the axle of the vehicle. This mechanism is characterized in that squirrel-cage polyphase induction machine is used as the rotary machine which is fixedly connected to the crank shaft, and the squirrel-cage polyphase induction mechanism is fed with a revolving magnetic field which is variable either positive or negative direction by an invertor, so that the squirrel-cage polyphase induction machine may be utilized either as a power generator or a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignees: Hino Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takayuki Suzuki, Tetsuo Koike, Atsuomi Obata, Masashi Shigemori, Kohji Sasaki, Sadayoshi Iketani, Hiroshi Uchino, Kouzou Kawata
  • Patent number: 5050709
    Abstract: An elevator control apparatus which compensates for an insufficient gain of the entire control system caused by a drop in power source voltage or the like includes an electric power control circuit for controlling electric power for feeding to an electric motor which drives the car of an elevator, a speed command generating circuit for generating a speed command signal of the car, a speed detecting circuit for detecting the speed of the car, a computing circuit for calculating the deviation between a speed detecting signal obtained by the speed detecting device and a speed command signal generated by the speed command generating circuit, a compensating circuit for outputting an electric power command signal in which gain properties and phase properties have been compensated in accordance with the deviation calculated by the computing circuit, a comparing circuit for determining whether or not the deviation calculated by the computing circuit exceeds a first specified value, and a damping gain setting circuit
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahide Okumura, Shigemi Iwata
  • Patent number: 5045711
    Abstract: A turboexpander-generator system employing a housing with a rotatably mounted shaft oriented vertically with a turboexpander associated with the upper end of the housing and shaft, a generator associated with the housing and shaft below the turboexpander and a lubricant pump located at the lower end of the housing and shaft. The lubricant pump controls an actuator valve which controls the variable inlet nozzles to the turboexpander. Thus, a speed control system is achieved through use of the lubricant pump pressure. A seal gas separator is provided with two ports located in the turboexpander exducer at positions of different pressure. High pressure is used to provide a seal between the bearings and the turboexpander. Low pressure is directed to the area of the sump of the pump to enhance continuous lubricant return. A self-priming mechanism causes a reservoir to be charged during pump operation with return of the lubricant to the sump when the pump is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Rotoflow Corporation
    Inventor: Judson S. Swearingen
  • Patent number: 5043592
    Abstract: The water fitting (10) has a substantially tubular casing (12) which is closed at one end by the partition element (16). The turbine wheel (24) which is acted upon in the axial direction by the water supplied through the inlet connection (14), is rotatably supported within the casing (12). The first coupling part (28), which has an annular permanent magnet (62), is rotationally solidly connected to the turbine wheel (24). The second coupling part (30), which is seated on the rotor shaft (70) of the direct current generator (20), is provided on the other side of the partition element (16). The second coupling part (30) also has an annular permanent magnet (62). The rotational motion of the turbine wheel (24) is transmitted magnetically to the rotor (74) of the direct current generator (20) by means of the two coupling parts (28, 30), this direct current generator supplying the electricity for charging the storage element (32) of the electrical control arrangement (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: KWC AG
    Inventor: Ferdinand Hochstrasser
  • Patent number: 5042621
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the measurement and tuning of an elevator system including at least one elevator having an elevator car and its control and driving equipment. The method uses at least one computer connected to the system. The elevator system is measured and tuned using virtual measuring and tuning components operated by programs of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Kone Elevator GmbH
    Inventors: Seppo Ovaska, Matti Kahkipuro
  • Patent number: 5042620
    Abstract: A control system for an elevator has a plurality of elevator information generation devices each of which has an information output unit which outputs elevator information to an elevator controller and also to at least one display controller which generates one or more on elevator displays. There are a plurality of display controllers, these are preferably connected to the information output units by a common transmission path. There may be a plurality of elevator controllers, when there are a plurality of elevator cabs, and those elevator controllers may all be connected to the common transmission path. There is then a supervisor controller for controlling the elevator controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenzi Yoneda, Yoshio Sakai, Hiroshi Matsumaru, Toshimitsu Tobita, Seiji Yasunobu
  • Patent number: 5040639
    Abstract: An elevator valve apparatus for controlling the hydraulic supply flow to the hydraulic actuator and the hydraulic discharge flow from the actuator, comprises a solenoid proportional control valve device for ascending, a solenoid proportional control valve device for descending, and a valve control unit for controlling both of the control valve devices with a predetermined acceleration characteristic and a predetermined deceleration characteristic by an open loop control system.Furthermore, if preferable, the valve control unit carries out oil temperature compensating control, pressure compensating control, pre-start pressure raising compensation control, and feedback control of the supply flow in the low speed ascending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Watanabe, Hironori Sasaki, Kaoru Nomichi, Yasushi Sotani
  • Patent number: 5036955
    Abstract: A column vibration detection system for a linear motor driven elevator system comprises a vibration sensor installed on a column portion of a linear motor for detecting vibrations caused by seismic activity in the column portion propagated through the column portion, a first means for comparing an output signal derived from the vibration sensor with an earthquake occurrence determination signal, and a second means for controlling the linear motor of the elevator system on a basis of the occurrence or output of the first means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Keiichiro Nakai, Manabu Suganuma
  • Patent number: 5035301
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elevator speed dictation system for use in controlling the acceleration and deceleration of an elevator. During the acceleration phase, the speed dictation system of the present invention calculates a dictated acceleration value and a dictated velocity value, as well as a position value representative of where the elevator should be, based on the dictated acceleration and velocity values. The system provides a table for storing values of acceleration, velocity and position based on the dictated velocity values. The stored values of acceleration and velocity are used by the system for decelerating the elevator, with position being the index into the table. Since acceleration values are available from the table, system computation time, otherwise required for calculating acceleration from velocity, is saved. The system begins to decelerate the elevator upon the issuance of a stop control command (SCC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Clement A. Skalski
  • Patent number: 5035302
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an elevator dispatching system for controlling the assignment of elevator cars. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of determining the commencement and/or conclusion of UP-PEAK and DOWN-PEAK periods of operation. For example, for commencing UP-PEAK operation, a lobby boarding count is predicted, based on historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby. The predicted lobby boarding count is compared with a predetermined threshold value. If the predicted lobby boarding count is greater than the predetermined threshold value, UP-PEAK is commenced. In the preferred embodiment, the predetermined threshold value is a predetermined percentage of the building's population. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of adjusting the threshold value based on actual passenger traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventor: Kandasamy Thangavelu
  • Patent number: 5030877
    Abstract: The invention discloses a dynamoelectric machine having a two piece split-stator for assembly about a shaft mounted rotor. The dynamoelectric machine may readily be incorporated into the design of a device having a rotating shaft such as a jet engine to provide electrical output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Allied-Signal Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Denk