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: 20250019203
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Inventors: Brad Guilani, David R. Torlai
  • Patent number: 12103822
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Girija Marathe, David R. Torlai
  • Publication number: 20240174490
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Inventors: Alexander SERKH, Jun MA, Shari R. PARILLO, David R. TORLAI, Alper CALISKAN, Ernesto SARRALDE, Andres MONZON
  • Publication number: 20240149516
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Inventors: Brad GUILANI, David R. TORLAI
  • Publication number: 20240101392
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Girija Marathe, David R. Torlai
  • Patent number: 11261062
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 11254544
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
  • Publication number: 20210362981
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan CHANG, David R. Torlai
  • Patent number: 11111108
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai
  • Publication number: 20200369491
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
  • Publication number: 20200346899
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 10822202
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin Lee, David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 10766746
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
  • Patent number: 10647547
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo, Lance L. Lavender, Hong Yang
  • Publication number: 20200055707
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo
  • Publication number: 20190337770
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai
  • Publication number: 20190047826
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Austin Lee, David R. Torlai, Jun Ma
  • Patent number: 10023432
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai
  • Publication number: 20170305721
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo, Lance L. Lavender, Hong Yang
  • Patent number: 9701517
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Xiaoyuan Chang, David R. Torlai, Peter Keyo, Lance L. Lavender, Hong Yang