Patents by Inventor James L. Hubbard

James L. Hubbard 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: 11718501
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator sheave wear monitoring device includes at least one detector situated to detect a position of elevator roping that is indicative of a condition of a sheave that the roping at least partially wraps around, the at least one detector providing an output corresponding to the detected position of the elevator roping and indicating an amount of wear of the sheave that exceeds at least one threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Kyle B. Martin, James L. Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20230242377
    Abstract: A turning device includes a hand disc coupled to an input shaft; a reduction gear set accommodated in a housing and connected to the input shaft and an output shaft; and a shaft connector for connecting the output shaft and a motor spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: FengKun Zhu, Hongliang Wu, James L. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11667495
    Abstract: A brake disc release device, a turning device, and an elevator rescue package and method. The brake disc release device comprises: an actuating mechanism; a gear connected to a first end of the actuating mechanism; a first slider capable of sliding along a first guide piece and comprising a rack portion for engagement with the gear and a first wedge portion; a second slider capable of sliding along a second guide piece and comprising a second wedge portion for engagement with the first wedge portion of the first slider; and a pulling cable having a first end connected to the second slider and a second end connected to the brake disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: FengKun Zhu, Hongliang Wu, James L. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11492230
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator sheave liner includes a liner body having a first surface configured to engage an elevator load bearing member and an oppositely facing second surface. The liner body includes a plurality of blind holes in the second surface including at least a first blind hole and a second blind hole. The first blind hole has a first depth and the second blind hole has a second, different depth. A material of the liner body has a first thickness between the first blind hole and the first surface and a second, different thickness between the second blind hole and the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: James L. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 11377323
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of retrofitting an elevator machine with primary and secondary braking, the machine being disposed on a machine support frame in an elevator machine room, and engaging one or more ropes for providing selective movement of an elevator car disposed in an elevator shaft, the machine having a drive sheave including a cylindrical brake drum, and brake components including dual brake arms; the method including: removing the brake components; affixing flanged disc segments about the drum and interlocking the flanged disc segments to form a brake rotor; and mounting respective brake calipers to frame mounts for providing primary and secondary braking to the elevator machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel B. Davis, III, Robert K. Williams, John Eschenbrenner, Gregory M. O'Seep, James L. Hubbard, Martin J. Hardesty, Bruce P. Swaybill, Jesse R. Richter, Gary P. Mendrala, Patricia Derwinski, Christopher H. Koenig
  • Patent number: 11299374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for retrofitting an elevator machine with a thrust bearing, including removing, from a bearing stand, a first cover plate, providing access to an end portion of a motor shaft, securing an extension shaft against the end portion of the motor shaft, securing a thrust bearing housing against or axially offset from the bearing stand, positioning a thrust bearing in the bearing housing, wherein an inner race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against, and axially fixed to, the extension shaft, and an outer race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against the bearing housing, and securing a second cover plate to the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel B. Davis, III, Robert K. Williams, John Eschenbrenner, Gregory M. O'Seep, James L. Hubbard, Martin J. Hardesty, Bruce P. Swaybill, Jesse R. Richter, Gary P. Mendrala, Patricia Derwinski, Christopher H. Koenig
  • 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: 20220033219
    Abstract: An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a beam climber system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft, the beam climber system including: a first wheel in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel; a first motor brake mechanically connected to the first electric motor, the first motor brake configured to slow the elevator car; and a brake condition based monitoring system configured to detect when the first motor brake is dragging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Randy Roberts, Edward Piedra, Sam Thieu Wong, James L. Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20210309486
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator sheave wear monitoring device includes at least one detector situated to detect a position of elevator roping that is indicative of a condition of a sheave that the roping at least partially wraps around, the at least one detector providing an output corresponding to the detected position of the elevator roping and indicating an amount of wear of the sheave that exceeds at least one threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Kyle B. MARTIN, James L. HUBBARD
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20200270100
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for retrofitting an elevator machine with a thrust bearing, including removing, from a bearing stand, a first cover plate, providing access to an end portion of a motor shaft, securing an extension shaft against the end portion of the motor shaft, securing a thrust bearing housing against or axially offset from the bearing stand, positioning a thrust bearing in the bearing housing, wherein an inner race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against, and axially fixed to, the extension shaft, and an outer race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against the bearing housing, and securing a second cover plate to the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel B. Davis, III, Robert K. Williams, John Eschenbrenner, Gregory M. O'Seep, James L. Hubbard, Martin J. Hardesty, Bruce P. Swaybill, Jesse R. Richter, Gary P. Mendrala, Patricia Derwinski, Christopher H. Koenig
  • Patent number: 10737908
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for retrofitting an elevator machine with a thrust bearing, including removing, from a bearing stand, a first cover plate, providing access to an end portion of a motor shaft, securing an extension shaft against the end portion of the motor shaft, securing a thrust bearing housing against or axially offset from the bearing stand, positioning a thrust bearing in the bearing housing, wherein an inner race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against, and axially fixed to, the extension shaft, and an outer race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against the bearing housing, and securing a second cover plate to the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel B. Davis, III, Robert K. Williams, John Eschenbrenner, Gregory M. O'Seep, James L. Hubbard, Martin J. Hardesty, Bruce P. Swaybill, Jesse R. Richter, Gary P. Mendrala, Patricia Derwinski, Christopher H. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20200207580
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of retrofitting an elevator machine with primary and secondary braking, the machine being disposed on a machine support frame in an elevator machine room, and engaging one or more ropes for providing selective movement of an elevator car disposed in an elevator shaft, the machine having a drive sheave including a cylindrical brake drum, and brake components including dual brake arms; the method including: removing the brake components; affixing flanged disc segments about the drum and interlocking the flanged disc segments to form a brake rotor; and mounting respective brake calipers to frame mounts for providing primary and secondary braking to the elevator machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel B. Davis, III, Robert K. Williams, John Eschenbrenner, Gregory M. O'Seep, James L. Hubbard, Martin J. Hardesty, Bruce P. Swaybill, Jesse R. Richter, Gary P. Mendrala, Patricia Derwinski, Christopher H. Koenig
  • Patent number: 10618775
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of retrofitting an elevator machine with primary and secondary braking, the machine being disposed on a machine support frame in an elevator machine room, and engaging one or more ropes for providing selective movement of an elevator car disposed in an elevator shaft, the machine having a drive sheave including a cylindrical brake drum, and brake components including dual brake arms; the method including: removing the brake components; affixing flanged disc segments about the drum and interlocking the flanged disc segments to form a brake rotor; and mounting respective brake calipers to frame mounts for providing primary and secondary braking to the elevator machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Daniel B. Davis, III, Robert K. Williams, John Eschenbrenner, Gregory M. O'Seep, James L. Hubbard, Martin J. Hardesty, Bruce P. Swaybill, Jesse R. Richter, Gary P. Mendrala, Patricia Derwinski, Christopher H. Koenig
  • Publication number: 20200055696
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator sheave liner includes a liner body having a first surface configured to engage an elevator load bearing member and an oppositely facing second surface. The liner body includes a plurality of blind holes in the second surface including at least a first blind hole and a second blind hole. The first blind hole has a first depth and the second blind hole has a second, different depth. A material of the liner body has a first thickness between the first blind hole and the first surface and a second, different thickness between the second blind hole and the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventor: James L. Hubbard
  • 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: 20190337760
    Abstract: A brake disc release device, a turning device, and an elevator rescue package and method. The brake disc release device comprises: an actuating mechanism; a gear connected to a first end of the actuating mechanism; a first slider capable of sliding along a first guide piece and comprising a rack portion for engagement with the gear and a first wedge portion; a second slider capable of sliding along a second guide piece and comprising a second wedge portion for engagement with the first wedge portion of the first slider; and a pulling cable having a first end connected to the second slider and a second end connected to the brake disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: FengKun Zhu, Hongliang Wu, James L. Hubbard
  • Patent number: 10442659
    Abstract: A brake for an elevator car includes a multiple of sequentially operated brake segments to control a timing and a rate of brake torque for deceleration of the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Amir Lotfi, Bruce P Swaybill, James L Hubbard
  • Patent number: 10273119
    Abstract: An elevator load weighing system (100) includes a brake assembly (104) configured to apply a braking force that inhibits vertical movement of an elevator car (106), and rotate in response to realizing a torque applied thereto. A position monitoring mechanism (112) is coupled to the brake assembly (104) and is configured to output a position signal in response to a rotation of the brake assembly (104). An electronic elevator control module (102) is configured to determine a zero-torque position of the brake assembly (104) prior to engaging the brake assembly (104). The electronic elevator control module (102) is further configured to detect at least one rotational brake displacement of the brake assembly (104) based on the position signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, Ismail Agirman, Takashi Onodera