Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Powell
Bruce A. Powell 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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Publication number: 20140216855Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system can include at least one first elevator shaft having a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Thyssenkrupp Elevator CorporationInventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Patent number: 8733507Abstract: An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in each elevator shaft of the system. The elevator shaft may include a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator CorporationInventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Publication number: 20130186712Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system can include at least one first elevator shaft having a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Applicant: THYSSEN ELEVATOR CAPITAL CORP.Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Patent number: 8397873Abstract: An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in an elevator shaft. The elevator system controls loading of one of the car at ground floor level by moving the other car to a level below the ground floor level.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Thyssen Elevator Capital Corp.Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Publication number: 20120118674Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system can include at least one first elevator shaft having a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: May 17, 2012Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Patent number: 8100230Abstract: An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in an elevator shaft. The elevator system includes a virtual landing.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Thyssen Elevator Capital Corp.Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Publication number: 20110073415Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system comprises at least one first elevator shaft having a lower first and a lower second region, where a first elevator car moves within the lower first region of the first elevator shaft and a second elevator car moves within the lower second region. The first and second elevators are moveably controlled independently of each other within the first shaft. The system also includes at least one second elevator shaft having an upper first and an upper second region, where a third elevator car moves within the upper first region of the second elevator shaft and a fourth elevator car moving within the upper second region. The third and fourth elevator cars also are moveably controlled independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Patent number: 7841450Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system comprises at least one first elevator shaft having a lower first and a lower second region, where a first elevator car moves within the lower first region of the first elevator shaft and a second elevator car moves within the lower second region. The first and second elevators are moveably controlled independently of each other within the first shaft. The system also includes at least one second elevator shaft having an upper first and an upper second region, where a third elevator car moves within the upper first region of the second elevator shaft and a fourth elevator car moving within the upper second region. The third and fourth elevator cars also are moveably controlled independently of each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Capital CorporationInventors: Rory S. Smith, Randolph W. Huff, Richard D. Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Patent number: 7539386Abstract: A hinged fiber optic routing guide comprises a base having a front surface and a top edge, a hinge connected to the base top edge, a retaining wall connected to the base front surface, the retaining wall having a pre-determined bend radius, the retaining wall having an inside face, and a retaining tine connected to the retaining wall inside face.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2006Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Alcatel LucentInventors: Bruce Powell, Anthony P. Noto, Richard Kilpatrick
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Publication number: 20070039785Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system comprises at least one first elevator shaft having a lower first and a lower second region, where a first elevator car moves within the lower first region of the first elevator shaft and a second elevator car moves within the lower second region. The first and second elevators are moveably controlled independently of each other within the first shaft. The system also includes at least one second elevator shaft having an upper first and an upper second region, where a third elevator car moves within the upper first region of the second elevator shaft and a fourth elevator car moving within the upper second region. The third and fourth elevator cars also are moveably controlled independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2005Publication date: February 22, 2007Inventors: Rory Smith, Randolph Huff, Richard Peters, Bruce Powell, Gerhard Thumm
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Publication number: 20050077391Abstract: A portable misting system having a pump that is at least partially submersed in a fluid. The partial submersion of the pump enables the pump to move fluid through a supply hose to a plurality of misting nozzles. In one embodiment, the misting system includes a receptacle configured to receive and store a fluid. The pump is coupled to the receptacle so as to be at least partially submersed in the fluid contained therein. In another embodiment, the misting system includes a receptacle in fluid communication with a pump chamber. The pump is partially disposed within the pump chamber so as to be at least partially submersed in the fluid contained in the pump chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2004Publication date: April 14, 2005Inventors: Bruce Powell, Mark Platt
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Publication number: 20020099460Abstract: A computer-based system facilitates providing design information to customers or users at remote locations around the world. A design module preferably utilizes different types of information from the customer and automatically generates elevator design information for the customer's consideration. An example design module includes a first module that makes elevator system design determinations based upon expected passenger traffic patterns. Another module generates elevator system design information based upon building characteristics. A third module generates design information based upon dimensional information regarding the hoistway in which the elevator will be installed. The system preferably provides design information to the user in the form of budgeting or pricing information, written specifications and drawings as desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Christopher Alen Bowler, Scott Christopher Gaskill, Bruce Powell, Omar Fathi
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Patent number: 6283688Abstract: In order to provide a manner of supporting a load lock in a semi-trailer even during transport, a load lock rack kit includes a load lock rack comprising a generally planar shelf-like supporting surface having a front edge and a rear edge spaced therefrom and a pair of tie down fittings. The shelf-like supporting surface has at least one opening extending from the front edge to at least a point generally intermediate the front and rear edges to receive the shaft of the load lock wherein the opening is formed such that a bearing pad on at least one end of the shaft cannot pass through the opening. With this arrangement, the load lock rack also includes a plate for mounting the shelf-like supporting surface with the rear edge adjacent the side wall of the semi-trailer and a lip or angled surface to maintain the load lock on the load lock rack during transport of the semi-trailer.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Inventor: Bruce Powell
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Patent number: 6173816Abstract: The estimation of the amount of time required by a given elevator to reach a given hall call, known as remaining response time (RRT), can be improved by using not only the present car position, its direction, and the number of intervening stops for already boarded passengers, but also the destination of each waiting passenger. An elevator controller is shown with an algorithm for estimating RRT using such detailed destination information.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1999Date of Patent: January 16, 2001Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Frederick H. Barker, Bruce A. Powell, Paul A. Simcik
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Patent number: 6152265Abstract: In an elevator system utilizing up-peak channeling which displays the floors of the sectors to be served by each elevator during its next trip, visually handicapped persons alert the system by means of a signal transmission from a portable device, and are then enabled to enter a car call for any floor in the building. An embodiment with a lobby receiver enables calls to any floor in the next several elevators which may leave the lobby floor. An embodiment with receivers in every car enables calls to any floor in a car which receives the signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 28, 2000Assignee: Otis ElevatorInventors: Joseph Bittar, Joseph V. Bledsoe, Jr., Bruce A. Powell, Steven M. Skolnick, Michael H. Wilson
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Patent number: 6120224Abstract: In order to provide a manner of supporting a load lock in a semi-trailer even during transport, a load lock rack kit includes a load lock rack comprising a generally planar shelf-like supporting surface having a front edge and a rear edge spaced therefrom and a pair of tie down fittings. The shelf-like supporting surface has at least one opening extending from the front edge to at least a point generally intermediate the front and rear edges to receive the shaft of the load lock wherein the opening is formed such that a bearing pad on at least one end of the shaft cannot pass through the opening. With this arrangement, the load lock rack also includes a plate for mounting the shelf-like supporting surface with the rear edge adjacent the side wall of the semi-trailer and a lip or angled surface to maintain the load lock on the load lock rack during transport of the semi-trailer.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 1998Date of Patent: September 19, 2000Inventor: Bruce Powell
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Patent number: 5969304Abstract: An elevator system comprises a plurality of low rise elevators providing service between a lobby floor and the highest floor of a low rise in the building, high rise elevators providing express service between a lobby floor and the lowest floor of a high rise in the building as well as providing service to floors between the lowest floor of the high rise and the highest floor of the high rise, and a plurality of high-only elevators which provide service only to floors between the lowest floor of the high rise and the highest floor of the high rise, having no express zone to extend service downward to the lobby. Hall calls are entered as up calls, down calls, or lobby calls distinct from the down calls. The lobby calls are assigned only to the high rise elevators having express zones to provide service to the lobby. Up calls and down calls (not to the lobby) may be preferentially assigned to the high-only elevators.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: October 19, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Frederick H. Barker, Bruce A. Powell, Joseph Bittar
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Patent number: 5936212Abstract: For elevator car dispatching scenarios, the standard remaining response time (RRT) estimation is augmented by a selected amount of time where a horizon floor is to be served before reaching the hall call to be assigned. The augmentation may be made by adding a fixed RRT penalty, by assuming a car call stop after the horizon floor at a selected floor, or by using a neural network.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: August 10, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Bradley L. Whitehall, Bruce A. Powell
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Patent number: 5924524Abstract: An elevator system provides service between a ground level and each of three upper levels through a single elevator shuttle hoistway system. Three elevator cabs 34-36, B, D, F are moved in a triple deck elevator car frame 35, or a four deck elevator car frame 75 in a low hoistway 26, 76; two cabs are moved in a double deck elevator car frame 30 or four deck car frame 76 in a mid hoistway 27, 52; and one cab is moved in a single deck car frame 31 or triple deck car frame 77 in a high hoistway 28, 53. Other embodiments have other car frame arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: July 20, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Frederick H. Barker, Gilbert W. Wierschke, Paul Bennett, Anthony Cooney, Richard C. McCarthy, Joseph Bittar, Bruce A. Powell, Samuel C. Wan
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Patent number: 5923004Abstract: A method for training a neural network used to estimate for an elevator the remaining response time for the elevator to service a hall call. The training, which results in adjusting connection weights between nodes of the neural network, is performed while the elevator is in actual operation. The method is not restricted to any particular architecture of neural network. The method uses a cutoff to limit changes to the connection weights, and provides for scaling the different inputs to the neural network so that all inputs lie in a predetermined range. The method also provides for training in case the elevator is diverted from servicing the hall call by an intervening hall call.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Bradley L. Whitehall, Theresa M. Christy, Bruce A. Powell