Patents by Inventor Alan M. Parker
Alan M. Parker 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: 10737906Abstract: A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbHInventors: Frank P. Dudde, Peter P. Feldhusen, Gomaa G. Abdelsadek, Alan M. Parker, Jie Xu, Stephen D. Allen, Mike Palazzola
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Patent number: 9988240Abstract: A system and method for controlling the movement of an elevator is provided. The elevator controller directs the operation of the elevator and receives information from the elevator system to calculate a brake profile. The elevator system transmits the brake profile to a master controller. The master controller selectively actuates the brakes to apply a braking force configured to generate the brake profile. The system and method may include local controllers, each configured to actuate a respective brake, wherein the master controller selectively directs the local controllers to generate a brake force commensurate with the braking profile.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignees: ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG, ThyssenKrupp AGInventors: John Keith Anderson, Frank P. Dudde, Peter P. Feldhusen, Michael A. Palazzola, Jie Xu, Alan M. Parker, William D. Delk, Olivia Stone
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Patent number: 9944493Abstract: A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2011Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator AGInventors: Frank P. Dudde, Peter P. Feldhusen, Gomaa G. Abdelsadek, Alan M. Parker, Jie Xu, Stephen D. Allen, Mike Palazzola
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Publication number: 20180057313Abstract: A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Inventors: Frank P. Dudde, Peter P. Feldhusen, Gomaa G. Abdelsadek, Alan M. Parker, Jie Xu, Stephen D. Allen, Mike Palazzola
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Patent number: 9738491Abstract: A hydraulic-boosted rail brake is provided for use with an elevator having a guide rail. The rail brake includes a braking plate having friction material, a spring package in communication with the braking plate, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston housed at least partially inside the hydraulic cylinder, and a brake controller. The braking plate is selectively movable relative to the guide rail, and the spring package biases the friction material to interact with the guide rail to cause braking. The piston is in communication with the braking plate and is selectively: (a) movable in a release direction to diminish or overcome force from the spring package; and (b) movable in an engage direction to supplement the force from the spring package. The brake controller selectively causes the piston to move in the release direction and in the engage direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2015Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR AGInventors: Frank P. Dudde, Peter F. Feldhusen, William K. Delk, Mike Palazzola, Jie Xu, Alan M. Parker, John Keith Anderson, Olivia Stone
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Patent number: 9652966Abstract: A jumper has a connector and a housing. The housing at least partially encloses a processor in data communication with a non-transitory memory, a global positioning system, a rechargeable battery, and a networking device. The memory comprises software instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform steps for wirelessly transmitting data to a mobile device over a network. The data indicates a jumper identification number, a location of the jumper, and a duration after which the jumper will automatically deactivate. The steps performed include the step of wirelessly outputting an alert to the mobile device when the mobile device is at a first distance from the jumper. The first distance is settable using the mobile device. The alert causes the mobile device to at least one of vibrate and ring.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignees: ThyssenKrupp Elevator AG, ThyssenKrupp AGInventors: Mike Palazzola, Jimmy Xu, Keith Anderson, Peter F. Feldhusen, Alan M. Parker, Frank P. Dudde, Olivia Stone, William K. Delk
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Publication number: 20160280511Abstract: A system and method for controlling the movement of an elevator is provided. The elevator controller directs the operation of the elevator and receives information from the elevator system to calculate a brake profile. The elevator system transmits the brake profile to a master controller. The master controller selectively actuates the brakes to apply a braking force configured to generate the brake profile. The system and method may include local controllers, each configured to actuate a respective brake, wherein the master controller selectively directs the local controllers to generate a brake force commensurate with the braking profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: John Keith Anderson, Frank P. Dudde, Peter P. Feldhusen, Michael A. Palazzola, Jie Xu, Alan M. Parker, William D. Delk, Olivia Stone
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Publication number: 20160267767Abstract: A jumper has a connector and a housing. The housing at least partially encloses a processor in data communication with a non-transitory memory, a global positioning system, a rechargeable battery, and a networking device. The memory comprises software instructions that, when executed by the processor, perform steps for wirelessly transmitting data to a mobile device over a network. The data indicates a jumper identification number, a location of the jumper, and a duration after which the jumper will automatically deactivate. The steps performed include the step of wirelessly outputting an alert to the mobile device when the mobile device is at a first distance from the jumper. The first distance is settable using the mobile device. The alert causes the mobile device to at least one of vibrate and ring.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Inventors: Mike Palazzola, Jimmy Xu, Keith Anderson, Peter F. Feldhusen, Alan M. Parker, Frank P. Dudde, Olivia Stone, William K. Delk
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Publication number: 20160221795Abstract: A hydraulic-boosted rail brake is provided for use with an elevator having a guide rail. The rail brake includes a braking plate having friction material, a spring package in communication with the braking plate, a hydraulic cylinder, a piston housed at least partially inside the hydraulic cylinder, and a brake controller. The braking plate is selectively movable relative to the guide rail, and the spring package biases the friction material to interact with the guide rail to cause braking. The piston is in communication with the braking plate and is selectively: (a) movable in a release direction to diminish or overcome force from the spring package; and (b) movable in an engage direction to supplement the force from the spring package. The brake controller selectively causes the piston to move in the release direction and in the engage direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: August 4, 2016Inventors: Frank P. Dudde, Peter F. Feldhusen, William K. Delk, Mike Palazzola, Jie Xu, Alan M. Parker, John Keith Anderson, Olivia Stone
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Publication number: 20150158701Abstract: One or more drum winches wind and unwind flat suspension members to raise and lower an elevator car within a hoistway. Support structures on opposite sides of the hoistway support the winch(es). The flat suspension member may be attached to a termination point on the elevator car. In other examples, a single flat suspension member is simultaneously taken up by a winch on either side of the hoistway, passing down the sides and around the bottom of the elevator car. In a third example, a single winch takes up and lets down the flat suspension member, which passes down the side of the elevator car, around the bottom corners using deflector sheaves, and up the opposite side to a termination point mounted on one of the support structures. The profile ratio of the flat suspension member is at least about 10:1, 50:1, or at least about 90:1.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: ThyssenKrupp Elevator CorporationInventors: Frank P. Dudde, Peter P. Feldhusen, Alan M. Parker, Stephen D. Allen, Jie Xu, Mike Palazzola
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Patent number: 8162110Abstract: An apparatus for automatically equalizing the uneven tension between ropes of an elevator in combination with a load cell to determine elevator load. The load of an elevator car having multiple tension members is automatically balanced while load is measured using a single load cell. The incorporation of a load cell with an autobalancing system allows for an accurate measure of an elevator load to be taken while providing the benefits of having uniform rope lengths in the elevator system. The apparatus may have various arrangements, including an in-line configuration and a grouped configuration. The apparatus may also dampen the vibration energy that is usually imparted to an elevator car.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2009Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Capital CorporationInventors: Rory S. Smith, Alan M. Parker, Chi Phan
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Patent number: 8096024Abstract: Disclosed is a termination device for an aramid-based elevator rope having a high breaking strength. The termination device comprises a socket having a cylindrical, tapered internal passageway adapted to receive a corresponding wedge. The wedge includes a semi-cylindrical passageway in a substantially helical configuration to increase the surface area between the associated rope and the wedge. The termination device clamps the length of rope between tapered portions of the socket and the semi-cylindrical passageway of the wedge with a substantially uniform application of force on the cross-section of the rope.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Elevator Capital CorporationInventors: Rory S. Smith, Chi Phan, Alan M. Parker
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Publication number: 20110259677Abstract: A suspension and transmission device for use with an elevator system comprises one or more strips that provide load carrying, transmission or traction, and load carrying redundancy or safety functions for the elevator system. In one version a single strip comprised of polymer and composite materials provides these functions. In another version multiple strips comprised of polymer and composite materials provide these functions. In another version, a strip comprises a hollow interior portion. In another version one or more strips incorporate materials that can be detected when using the strip to monitor the condition of the one or more strips.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Frank P. Dudde, Peter P. Feldhusen, Gomaa G. Abdelsadek, Alan M. Parker, Jie Xu, Stephen D. Allen, Mike Palazzola
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Publication number: 20100037436Abstract: Disclosed is a termination device for an aramid-based elevator rope having a high breaking strength. The termination device comprises a socket having a cylindrical, tapered internal passageway adapted to receive a corresponding wedge. The wedge includes a semi-cylindrical passageway in a substantially helical configuration to increase the surface area between the associated rope and the wedge. The termination device clamps the length of rope between tapered portions of the socket and the semi-cylindrical passageway of the wedge with a substantially uniform application of force on the cross-section of the rope.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2008Publication date: February 18, 2010Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Chi Phan, Alan M. Parker
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Publication number: 20090314584Abstract: An apparatus for automatically equalizing the uneven tension between ropes of an elevator in combination with a load cell to determine elevator load. The load of an elevator car having multiple tension members is automatically balanced while load is measured using a single load cell. The incorporation of a load cell with an autobalancing system allows for an accurate measure of an elevator load to be taken while providing the benefits of having uniform rope lengths in the elevator system. The apparatus may have various arrangements, including an in-line configuration and a grouped configuration. The apparatus may also dampen the vibration energy that is usually imparted to an elevator car.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Alan M. Parker, Chi Phan