Patents by Inventor David R. Torlai
David R. Torlai 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).
-
Publication number: 20250019203Abstract: A position reference system of an elevator system includes a reference element having a fixed position in a hoistway of the elevator system, and an optical sensor configured to move along the hoistway with an elevator car of the elevator system and configured to transmit a signal to the reference element to determine the position of the elevator car. An airflow duct is configured to move along the hoistway with the elevator car. The airflow duct is configured to passively direct an airflow toward the reference element to prevent accumulation of particles on the reference element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2023Publication date: January 16, 2025Inventors: Brad Guilani, David R. Torlai
-
Patent number: 12103822Abstract: A braking mechanism includes a wedge selectably engageable with a guide rail, and a frictional surface defined on the wedge configured for selective engagement with the guide rail in an overspeed condition. The frictional surface includes a friction coating of polycrystalline blocky diamond material. An elevator system includes an elevator car, a guide rail along which the elevator car travels, and a braking mechanism located at the elevator car and selectably engageable with the guide rail to slow or stop travel of the elevator car along the guide rail. The braking mechanism includes a wedge having a frictional surface configured for selective engagement with the guide rail in an overspeed condition. The frictional surface includes a friction coating of polycrystalline blocky diamond material.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2022Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Girija Marathe, David R. Torlai
-
Publication number: 20240174490Abstract: A method of monitoring a suspension member of an elevator system includes determining a condition of the suspension member based on a combination of an electrical inspection technique, a use indicator corresponding to an amount of use of the suspension member, and a mechanical characteristic indicator corresponding to at least one mechanical characteristic of the suspension member. The suspension member is removed from service based on an indication from the electrical inspection technique, the mechanical characteristic indicator, and the use indicator satisfying at least one predetermined combination of criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2022Publication date: May 30, 2024Inventors: Alexander SERKH, Jun MA, Shari R. PARILLO, David R. TORLAI, Alper CALISKAN, Ernesto SARRALDE, Andres MONZON
-
Publication number: 20240149516Abstract: A load-bearing elevator suspension member includes a plurality of tension members and a compressible jacket at least partially encasing the plurality of tension members. The jacket includes a jacket base material mixed with a corrosion inhibitor that establishes a corrosion-inhibiting coating on the tension members. A method of making such a load-bearing elevator suspension member includes mixing the corrosion inhibitor into a thermoplastic jacket material and applying the resulting mixture to bare steel tension members. As the corrosion inhibitor in the mixture contacts the tension members, the corrosion inhibitor establishes a corrosion-inhibiting coating on the tension members.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Inventors: Brad GUILANI, David R. TORLAI
-
Publication number: 20240101392Abstract: A braking mechanism includes a wedge selectably engageable with a guide rail, and a frictional surface defined on the wedge configured for selective engagement with the guide rail in an overspeed condition. The frictional surface includes a friction coating of polycrystalline blocky diamond material. An elevator system includes an elevator car, a guide rail along which the elevator car travels, and a braking mechanism located at the elevator car and selectably engageable with the guide rail to slow or stop travel of the elevator car along the guide rail. The braking mechanism includes a wedge having a frictional surface configured for selective engagement with the guide rail in an overspeed condition. The frictional surface includes a friction coating of polycrystalline blocky diamond material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2022Publication date: March 28, 2024Inventors: Girija Marathe, David R. Torlai
-
Patent number: 11261062Abstract: Disclosed is a modular sheave unit including: a bearing that includes an outer race, an inner race and one or more rolling elements therebetween; and a sleeve that includes one or both of: an outer sleeve axially surrounding the outer race, the outer sleeve including an outer surface defining a groove, the groove configured to receive a belt; and an inner sleeve axially surrounded by the inner race and disposed between the inner race and a mandrel.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
-
Patent number: 11254544Abstract: Disclosed is a liner for a traction sheave including a top surface and a bottom surface mutually spaced on a height-wise axis (H), a front surface and a back surface mutually spaced on lengthwise axis (L), and a plurality of side surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface mutually spaced in a widthwise axis (W), wherein in a first cross sectional profile of the plurality of side surfaces forms convergent-divergent profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
-
Publication number: 20210362981Abstract: An elevator sheave includes a sheave body and a coating on a surface of the sheave body. The coating includes microcracks and a filler in the microcracks. A method of making a sheave for an elevator system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventors: Xiaoyuan CHANG, David R. Torlai
-
Patent number: 11111108Abstract: An elevator sheave includes a sheave body and a coating on a surface of the sheave body. The coating includes microcracks and a filler in the microcracks. A method of making a sheave for an elevator system is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2018Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai
-
Publication number: 20200369491Abstract: Disclosed is a liner for a traction sheave including a top surface and a bottom surface mutually spaced on a height-wise axis (H), a front surface and a back surface mutually spaced on lengthwise axis (L), and a plurality of side surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface mutually spaced in a widthwise axis (W), wherein in a first cross sectional profile of the plurality of side surfaces forms convergent-divergent profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
-
Publication number: 20200346899Abstract: Disclosed is a modular sheave unit including: a bearing that includes an outer race, an inner race and one or more rolling elements therebetween; and a sleeve that includes one or both of: an outer sleeve axially surrounding the outer race, the outer sleeve including an outer surface defining a groove, the groove configured to receive a belt; and an inner sleeve axially surrounded by the inner race and disposed between the inner race and a mandrel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
-
Patent number: 10822202Abstract: A unitized segmented sheave assembly is provided. The unitized segmented sleeve assembly includes sheaves arrayed in a side-to-side formation and respectively comprising bearings and an exterior running surface and spacers interleaved between neighboring sheaves. Respective inner races of the bearings of each sheave and respective interior portions of each spacer cooperatively form an interior annular surface. The unitized segmented sheave assembly further includes a sleeve disposable in abutment with the interior annular surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Austin Lee, David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
-
Patent number: 10766746Abstract: Disclosed is a liner for a traction sheave including a top surface and a bottom surface mutually spaced on a height-wise axis (H), a front surface and a back surface mutually spaced on lengthwise axis (L), and a plurality of side surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface mutually spaced in a widthwise axis (W), wherein in a first cross sectional profile of the plurality of side surfaces forms convergent-divergent profile.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
-
Patent number: 10647547Abstract: An elevator maintenance kit is provided for surfacing an elevator sheave that engages with an elevator tension member. The kit includes a substrate with an adhesive backing, and a substrate applicator that is operable to apply the substrate to the sheave as the sheave is rotated. The adhesive backing is operable to attach the substrate to the sheave during the sheave rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo, Lance L. Lavender, Hong Yang
-
Publication number: 20200055707Abstract: Disclosed is a liner for a traction sheave including a top surface and a bottom surface mutually spaced on a height-wise axis (H), a front surface and a back surface mutually spaced on lengthwise axis (L), and a plurality of side surfaces including a first side surface and a second side surface mutually spaced in a widthwise axis (W), wherein in a first cross sectional profile of the plurality of side surfaces forms convergent-divergent profile.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2018Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
-
Publication number: 20190337770Abstract: An elevator sheave includes a sheave body and a coating on a surface of the sheave body. The coating includes microcracks and a filler in the microcracks. A method of making a sheave for an elevator system is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2018Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai
-
Publication number: 20190047826Abstract: A unitized segmented sheave assembly is provided. The unitized segmented sleeve assembly includes sheaves arrayed in a side-to-side formation and respectively comprising bearings and an exterior running surface and spacers interleaved between neighboring sheaves. Respective inner races of the bearings of each sheave and respective interior portions of each spacer cooperatively form an interior annular surface. The unitized segmented sheave assembly further includes a sleeve disposable in abutment with the interior annular surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2018Publication date: February 14, 2019Inventors: Austin Lee, David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
-
Patent number: 10023432Abstract: A method of making a guide rail for an elevator system includes providing a metallic guide rail having a base portion and a blade portion extending from the base portion The blade portion includes one or more guide surfaces interactive with a safety brake of the elevator system. A protective layer is applied to the guide rail for corrosion protection and a perimeter of the protective layer is adhered to the guide rail to seal the guide surfaces from corrosive elements, while not adhering the protective layer to the guide surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2013Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai
-
Publication number: 20170305721Abstract: An elevator maintenance kit is provided for surfacing an elevator sheave that engages with an elevator tension member. The kit includes a substrate with an adhesive backing, and a substrate applicator that is operable to apply the substrate to the sheave as the sheave is rotated. The adhesive backing is operable to attach the substrate to the sheave during the sheave rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo, Lance L. Lavender, Hong Yang
-
Patent number: 9701517Abstract: An elevator maintenance kit is provided for surfacing an elevator sheave that engages with an elevator tension member. The kit includes a substrate with an adhesive backing, and a substrate applicator that is operable to apply the substrate to the sheave as the sheave is rotated. The adhesive backing is operable to attach the substrate to the sheave during the sheave rotation.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo, Lance L. Lavender, Hong Yang