Abstract: Three pairs of reversed polarity thyristors 20a,21a; 24a,25a; 28c,29c are connected directly between the three phases R, S, T of an AC power source and the corresponding phases of an elevator drive motor 5. The two pairs connected to the R and S phases implement upward driving, and the third pair connected to the T phase is used for both upward and downward driving but is held non-conductive during regenerative braking/deceleration when the motor operates in a two phase mode. Two additional thyristor pairs 22b,23b; 26b,27b which are used for downward driving are cross-connected between the R and S power source phases and two of the motor phases, to thus reverse the direction of motor rotation. Different individual thyristors in the pairs coupled to the R and S phases are selected in upward and downward deceleration modes. The overall circuit arrangement and firing selection/control scheme is designed to implement load sharing between the various thyristors and thus minimize duty cycle differences.

Abstract: An electric power generating set for a fluid pipeline, comprising a turbine coupled to the pipeline for rotating under the pressure of the fluid moving in the pipeline; a generator coupled to the downstream end of the turbine for generating electric power upon rotation, and a heat exchanger for communicating the fluid from the turbine to the pipeline for absorbing heat from the generator.

Abstract: An electric generator operatively connected to a gas turbine is driven by driving the gas turbine with high pressure hydrogen released from a hydrogen storage alloy which is contained in a first zone and which is heated by indirect heat exchange with a heating medium while reabsorbing the hydrogen discharged from the gas turbine in a hydrogen storage alloy which is contained in a second zone and which is cooled by indirect heat exchange with a cooling medium. By switching the flows of the heating and cooling media alternately, an electric energy may be continuously obtained from the electric generator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a load compensation signal for the drive motor control loop of a traction elevator system which includes an elevator car having a load responsive platform and a counterweight. The load compensation signal transfers unbalanced torque from the system brake to the drive motor at the start of the run, to provide smooth starts. The load compensation signal is heavily filtered to provide a response time which will follow changes in car loading but too slow to affect car dynamics. Thus, the load compensation signal is continuously connected to the motor control loop, eliminating switches and memories, and enabling the compensation signal to directly aid car landing. Non-linearities in the load responsive platform are partially compensated for by three initial adjustments, and a fourth adjustment is provided for periodically offsetting changes due to ageing of platform isolation materials.

Abstract: A system for generating power by vehicular movement having treadle plates upon which a vehicle overpasses. Treadle plates are pivotally fitted to the top of the vertical shafts. Resilient, compressible bladders are each fitted with an inlet and an exhaust, pressure plates for compressing the bladders, a series of connecting links, fulcrums, levers and arms, directly or indirectly attached to the lower portion of the vertical shafts and also to the pressure plates, and a generating means for converting the compressed fluid into electricity. As the vehicle overpasses the treadle plates, the vertical shafts are forced downwardly, and, accordingly, force is applied to the upper and lower plates via the linking system, thus compressing the bladder and the working fluid therein. The compressed fluid is then driven through pipelines into the generator, causing the production of power.

Abstract: In a prime mover, an improved control system is provided for accelerating and decelerating the prime mover through periods of critical operation.

Abstract: A starter motor in which the plunger of a solenoid switch supplying power to the starter motor also drives a lever through a return spring. The lever is connected on its other end to a pinion which moves along the output shaft of the starter motor to connect it to a ring gear of an engine to be started. The return spring biases the pinion away from the ring gear. The return spring and a drive rod acting on the lever are contained in a hollow of the solenoid plunger.

Abstract: Hoistway data which are indicative of predetermined elevator car positions at respective predeterminate hoistway locations, are generated without installations of actuating members in the elevator hoistway and transmitters at the elevator car. For this purpose, a memory is provided and has stored predeterminate positional numbers representative of the predeterminate hoistway locations. The predeterminated positional numbers are transmitted to a register in a travel direction dependent sequence during travel of the associated elevator car. A pulse transmitter is driven by the elevator car and the thus generated pulses are summed-up in a counter to positional numbers which correspond to respective car positions. The positional numbers of the counter and the predeterminate positional numbers transmitted to the register are compared with one another during travel in a comparator during elevator car travel.

Abstract: A cogeneration system utilizing a liquid cooled prime mover for on-site generation of electrical and thermal energy. A radiant heat retardant material surrounds the prime mover to prevent its cooling through radiation whereby the heat otherwise radiated is absorbed by the coolant for extraction by a heat exchanger.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine starter having a high starting performance has a first cranking mechanism including a self-starting motor 13 and a second cranking mechanism including a kick lever 18. The second cranking mechanism causes a crankshaft 1 to rotate mechanically during the beginning of its rotation which requires a high torque, and the first cranking mechanism places it in continuous rotation.

Abstract: A group elevator control wherein the calls entered by means of call registering devices at a main floor for desired destination floors are assigned to the next arriving or already present car, and indicated so that no doubts can arise for passengers, whose calls had been acknowledged, in the choice of the correct car. A locking circuit responds to the presence of several cars at the main floor by only opening the doors of one elevator and assigning the entered calls to this elevator. The call registering devices are blocked at a time dependent on the start of the door closure or after the entering of a certain number of calls, by means of an inhibiting circuit and released again at the departure of the respective car. During the retention cycle, an indicator element, arranged in an indicator panel of the call registering devices, signals the blocking.

Abstract: An integrated drive generator system in which all of the main components of the system are mounted for operation about a single centerline. A housing mounts a drive input shaft. A differential is coupled to and arranged coaxially of the drive input shaft. A generator is coupled to the differential and includes a rotor coaxially of the drive input shaft. A hydraulic log includes a hydraulic pump and motor assembly coupled to the differential and arranged coaxially of the drive input shaft. An exciter also is employed coaxially of the drive input shaft, surrounding the differential, and a compact cooling system includes cooling passages integral with the housing and in close proximity to the stator of the generator.

Abstract: A magnetically driven generator/motor for producing singly or simultaneously mechanical and electrical energy outputs, having a housing including circular frame members with electromagnet drivers about corresponding driven magnets attached to at least one rotating stage fixed to a drive shaft and also carrying field coils, at least one counter rotating stage, bearing mounted to the drive shaft with peripheral driven magnets and armatures which produce electricity when rotated past the field coils.

Abstract: A starting system for cranking an internal combustion engine that has a starter that is comprised of a solenoid and an electric cranking motor. The solenoid has pull-in and hold-in coils which when energized cause a pinion gear to be shifted into mesh with the ring gear of the engine to be cranked. Energization of the coils is controlled by at lest one N-channel field effect transistor which has its source connected to the negative terminal of a direct voltage source. A start switch is connected between the positive terminal of the voltage source and the gate of the transistor. When the start switch is closed the transistor is biased conductive to energize the pull-in and hold-in coils. The system may include a plurality of parallel connected N-channel transistors. The system inhibits turn-on of the transistor in the event that an excessive voltage is applied to the system. The system has transient voltage protection features.

Abstract: The point at which pump out pressure exceeds load is sensed to provide a point for scheduling flow to an actuator in a hydraulic system. Flow is controlled by a stepper motor (28) that moves a flow control valve (27). The steps needed to achieve fixed flow changes are greater for high flow positions. When the pump (21) is turned on, the valve (27) is positioned to bypass flow; the bypass flow is then programmably decreased to the actuator. Reverse flow is regulated by the valve (27) to control actuator retraction. Reverse flow is initiated by opening a check valve (40) with an actuator (50) that opens it first to reduce pressure across the valve, then fully. The flow control valve (27) also operates to relieve excess pressure in the system. During a descent the stepper rate is started at a first stored rate for worse conditions, the car velocity is measured and successive stored rates are increased or decreased.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for an elevator in which the cage floor positions are usually displayed roughly in analog form, and are displayed in digital form at the time of a disaster or at the time of selection, thereby to present a cage floor position display which is easy to see and which adapts to the different situations. The elevator monitoring apparatus comprises cage position display selection means for changing the manner in which the cage's floor position is being displayed from an analog cage position display form, which indicates the cage's floor position as a rough floor position within a building, to a digital cage position display form, whereby the exact floor position during a disaster condition such as a breakdown is displayed, in response to the activation of a selection switch.

Abstract: In a display apparatus for an elevator wherein a display unit disposed in a cage or a hall of the elevator is divided into two display regions, and as the cage approaches the hall, a lighting area in the first display region is gradually decreased, while a lighting area in the second display region is gradually increased; a display apparatus for an elevator characterized by comprising first calculation means for calculating and delivering a distance or a time interval which is required for the cage to arrive at the hall, second calculation means for calculating and delivering a movement distance or a lapsed time which is taken with respect to a designated point of time, first display control means for displaying the quantity corresponding to the output of the first calculation means, in terms of the lighting area of the first display region, and second display control means for displaying the quantity corresponding to the output of the second calculation means, in terms of the lighting area of the second disp

Abstract: An elevator group-supervisory apparatus in which elevator group-supervisory means is fed through read means with elevator status signals, for example, hall call, cage call and direction signals derived from the display equipment of an existing elevator such as a hall call response lamp, cage call response lamp, door opening or closing button and cage position indicating lamp that are standardized irrespective of differences in the date of manufacture and the manufacturer of the existing elevator, and manipulation signals that are the processed results of the group-supervisory means are delivered to the manipulation equipment of the existing elevator so as to control the control circuit of the existing elevator.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an A.C. elevator comprises resistances connected between an A.C. power source and a converter, a detection device to detect the build-up rate of the charged voltage of a smoothing capacitor, and control means to generate a signal for closing a contact interposed between the A.C. power source and the converter, when the output of the detection device is not greater than a predetermined value. The detection and control devices are preferably provided by a microcomputer.

Abstract: A turbine helper drive apparatus has an induction motor coupled to a turbine, and a power converter for power-controlling the motor. Part of the load of the turbine is shared by the motor in accordance with preset power for power control, so that auxiliary drive to compensate for the insufficient capacity of the turbine is performed and cheaper, late-night electric power is effectively utilized.