Patents by Inventor Ari Kattainen

Ari Kattainen 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).

  • Patent number: 10934133
    Abstract: A safety arrangement of an elevator and a method for monitoring electrical safety in an elevator system is disclosed. The safety arrangement of an elevator includes a motor drive of the elevator, which motor drive includes a main circuit, an accessible conducting part, which is earthed, an insulator, which is adapted to electrically insulate the aforementioned conducting part from the aforementioned main circuit and also a monitoring circuit, which is configured to determine an earth fault of the aforementioned main circuit occurring via the aforementioned conducting part. The monitoring circuit is configured to form a signal indicating the danger of electric shock in the motor drive of the elevator, if the aforementioned earth fault is diagnosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Juha-Matti Aitamurto, Lauri Stolt
  • Patent number: 10919733
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a configuration apparatus for an elevator system. The configuration apparatus comprises a communication interface configured to enable communication with a main safety circuit of the elevator system via a communication channel; at least one memory configured to store safety configuration data of the elevator system; wherein configuration apparatus is configured to provide via the communication interface at least part of the safety configuration data to the main safety circuit in response to a safety configuration data query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antti Hovi, Ari Kattainen
  • Publication number: 20200239279
    Abstract: An elevator provided with an arrangement for making an opening through the roof of an elevator car. The arrangement includes a marking on the roof for marking a portion, which is arranged to be cut off from the roof to form an opening to the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Markku HAAPANIEMI, Matti RÄSÄNEN, Janne MIKKONEN, Ari KATTAINEN, Esko AULANKO
  • Publication number: 20200223667
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for defining a condition of an elevator car suspension means. The method includes detecting a rate of change of elongation of the elevator car suspension means in order to define the condition of the elevator car suspension means. The invention relates also to an elevator safety control unit and an elevator system performing at least partly the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari KATTAINEN, Petteri VALJUS, Erkka KIVIAHO, Andrew JAHN
  • Publication number: 20200180910
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for defining elongation of an elevator car suspension means. The method comprises: obtaining periodically a value representing an overtravel distance of the elevator car, and defining the elongation of the elevator car suspension means on a basis of the periodically obtained values representing the overtravel distance of the elevator car. The invention relates also to an elevator system performing at least partly the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari KATTAINEN, Antti HOVI
  • Patent number: 10676316
    Abstract: A method for dynamically adjusting a levelling speed limit of an elevator car during a levelling operation includes obtaining an indication that the elevator car is detected to arrive to a zone; obtaining at least one value indicating the speed of the elevator car, in response to detecting that the elevator car arrives to the zone; and dynamically adjusting the levelling speed limit of the elevator car based on the speed of the elevator car. An elevator control unit and a system are provided to perform at least partly the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juha-Matti Aitamurto, Antti Hovi, Ari Jussila, Ari Kattainen
  • Publication number: 20200071128
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator system comprising an elevator car configured to move in an elevator shaft; a main safety controller comprising a main safety output and a secondary safety output, wherein the main safety output is configured to control machinery brakes of the elevator car; and a secondary safety circuit connected to the secondary safety output and arranged in the elevator car and comprising at least one safety contact configured to control stopping means arranged in the elevator car; wherein when the at least one safety contact is triggered the secondary safety circuit is configured to control the stopping means to cause stopping of the elevator car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari KATTAINEN, Jari KANTOLA
  • Publication number: 20200062546
    Abstract: Arrangement in an elevator for stopping uncontrolled movement of an elevator car, which elevator comprises at least an elevator car (1) arranged to move reciprocally in the elevator hoistway along guide rails (1a), and means for stopping uncontrolled movement of the elevator car (1). The arrangement according to the invention comprises an arrester (4, 5) separate from the guide rails (1a) of the elevator car (1) and independent of the suspension of the elevator car (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari KATTAINEN, Matti Rasanen, Markku Haapaniemi
  • Patent number: 10549950
    Abstract: The method of performing maintenance of an elevator is performed by unlocking and opening a landing door at a lowermost landing manually, activating a first stop button in the shaft, whereby a safety circuit of the elevator is opened so that operation of the car is completely prevented, entering into the shaft, closing the landing door, climbing down from the lowermost landing to the pit, turning a drive switch in a maintenance control unit positioned in the pit into a maintenance drive mode, whereby the first stop button is by-passed so that the car can be driven from the maintenance control unit upwards and downwards in the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Juha-Matti Aitamurto, Pekka Laukkanen, Ari Kattainen
  • Publication number: 20190359447
    Abstract: An elevator and a method for testing an operating condition of two or more elevator car brakes are provided, each of the car brakes including an actuator to control the car brake and each of the car brakes mounted to elevator car and fitted to selectively engage against a guide rail of an elevator car to stop movement of an elevator car or to open to enable movement of an elevator car. The method includes an empty car is kept at a standstill by providing a driving force upwards with all the N movers mounted to the elevator car, and total current Lot of all N movers is determined. One of the car brakes is applied while the others are kept open. The driving current of each of the movers is gradually decreased, and movement of elevator car is observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Tero HAKALA, Ari KATTAINEN, Jussi LÄHTEENMÄKI, Seppo SUUR-ASKOLA, Jussi PERÄLÄ, Tero PUROSTO
  • Publication number: 20190352130
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method for performing a synchronization run for an elevator stopped between floors. The method comprises: upon initiating the synchronization run, driving an elevator at a low speed in order to detect a first magnet of the elevator shaft detecting a first magnet of the elevator shaft, comparing the identification code of the detected first magnet to the stored pre-information in order to identify the detected first magnet, in response to identification of the first magnet, generating a control signal to the elevator car to travel up to an elevator rated speed, and driving an elevator car with an elevator rated speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Jussila, Toni Hirvonen, Ari Kattainen, Antti Hovi
  • Patent number: 10472208
    Abstract: The invention concerns the automatically detection and analysis of jerks arising when an elevator car starts its ride carrying out a determination of an elevator run sequence by an elevator controller, measuring an elevator car movement with a sensor at a predetermined phase of the elevator run sequence, and determining an elevator car sway from the sensor data, further comparing the determination result with a pre-set criteria, and being followed by outputting the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Kenneth Kronkvist, Giovanni Hawkins
  • Patent number: 10472203
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus the invention is a method for automatic configuration of an elevator drive in a traction elevator comprising an elevator car, a counterweight, a traction sheave, an electrical motor and a plurality of elevator ropes arranged to hoist the elevator car in response to the electrical motor rotating the traction sheave. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of electrical motor parameters from a memory associated with the electrical motor. A drive computer unit determines a roping ratio of the elevator by driving the elevator a distance based on elevator position sensor information and determines a plurality of torque values required to hoist the elevator with a predefined starting acceleration when the elevator car is loaded with a respective plurality of different loads. The torque values per each load are stored to a memory of the drive computer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Jyrki Laaksonheimo
  • Publication number: 20190330014
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a method for condition monitoring of inductive braking device of an elevator car in an elevator shaft, the method including determining that the elevator car is empty; determining that doors of the elevator car are closed; causing electromechanical brakes to hold the elevator car stationary in the elevator shaft; causing actuation of a braking condition for the elevator car with the inductive braking device; causing the electromechanical brakes to lift while the inductive braking device is in the braking condition; determining a value associated with the inductive braking device in response to causing the electromechanical brakes to lift while the inductive braking device is actuated; and determining an operating condition of the inductive braking device based on the value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Juhamatti Nikander, Juha-Matti Aitamurto
  • Publication number: 20190330017
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for automatic condition checking of an elevator are provided, wherein an elevator car of the elevator is situated in a door zone of a first landing in an elevator shaft following an earthquake. The method includes determining whether the load carried by hoisting ropes is evenly distributed between the hoisting ropes by checking the status or measurement data of at least one rope tension measurement device. The test unit determines whether the elevator car is empty and conducts a drive test for the elevator car in order to determine unimpeded access for the elevator car to other landings. The elevator is returned to normal use, if the drive test indicates unimpeded access for the elevator car to the other landings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Ari Ketonen
  • Publication number: 20190322485
    Abstract: A safety control device applicable to an elevator system including an elevator car driven in an elevator shaft by means of a drive device, said safety control device comprising at least one sensor configured to detect, in the elevator shaft, a presence of an object in at least one specified area of the elevator shaft, and a controller configured to receive and process a signal of the at least one sensor indicating a detection result, and to conduct, when the detection result indicates the presence of an object in the at least one specified area of the elevator shaft, a safety procedure in which a switch from a normal drive control of the drive unit to a safety drive control is executed in which a target value set for the speed of the elevator car is decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari KATTAINEN, Antti HOVI
  • Publication number: 20190322490
    Abstract: An elevator includes a car with at least two car doors, each car door being provided with a door contact, a shaft being provided with corresponding landing doors, each landing door being provided with a door contact, each landing door opening in synchronism with the corresponding car door, the door contacts forming part of a safety circuit of the elevator, a car door contact input being connected to a middle point in the safety circuit between a series connection of the car door contacts and a series connection of the landing door contacts. A status information of the car door contact input is monitored in order to determine whether the door contacts are operational or not when the car doors are opened and/or closed with a predetermined time delay at a landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Antti HOVI, Ari KATTAINEN, Juha-Matti AITAMURTO
  • Patent number: 10435271
    Abstract: Elevator safety and safety related information needs to be sent reliably to safety controlling systems. Existing elevator communication devices may be used for transmitting this information by processing the received safety and safety related information and processing it before sending it over the communication bus from the elevator car or floor equipment to the controlling devices. A separate communication unit may be used for receiving and processing safety and safety related data packets before they are transmitted over a common bus used for safety and safety non-critical submission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Antti Hovi
  • Patent number: 10399818
    Abstract: A control arrangement of an elevator includes a safety gear, an over speed governor with a rope which is connected to the safety gear, a stopping device for generating an actuating force to the safety gear, and a drive unit for driving the elevator apparatus. In order to facilitate easy and efficient maintenance, the control arrangement includes a controller for controlling a triggered sequence to involve activating of the stopping device for braking with the safety gear, and controlling the drive unit to drive the elevator apparatus during braking with the safety gear until the safety gear stops the elevator apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Antti Hovi
  • Publication number: 20190256322
    Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator safety arrangement comprising a hoistway; an elevator car mounted in the hoistway; a working platform on top of the elevator car; at least one movable balustrade, which is movable between a substantially upright position and a substantially horizontal position; and a sensing arrangement for sensing position of the movable balustrade, said sensing arrangement for sensing position of the movable balustrade comprising at least one sensor for sensing position of the balustrade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari KATTAINEN, Juha-Matti AITAMURTO, Antti HOVI, Juha PANULA, Jari KANTOLA, Matti RASANEN, Janne MIKKONEN, Nithil KARIMPANACKAL NATARAJAN, Jari PURSIAINEN, Markku HAAPANIEMI