Patents by Inventor Peter Herkel

Peter Herkel 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: 20240253946
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a gateway device and a safety controller arranged to monitor at least one safety condition of the elevator system. The gateway device is configured to enable a computing device to establish a connection with the gateway device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Niko Julian-Hall, Peter Herkel
  • Publication number: 20240208775
    Abstract: A method of verifying configuration parameter changes in an elevator safety system includes detecting (100) a change in one or more of the configuration parameters stored in the memory; putting (102) the elevator system into an out-of-service mode; carrying out (104) a functional test of the elevator safety system to verify an appropriate safety action; and then putting (108) the elevator system back into an in-service mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2023
    Publication date: June 27, 2024
    Inventor: Peter Herkel
  • Patent number: 12012307
    Abstract: An elevator safety system (1) configured for monitoring an elevator system (2) comprises at least one safety node (12) and an evaluator (19). The at least one safety node (12) is configured for monitoring at least one component of the elevator system (2) and/or of the elevator safety system (1) and providing signals representing the current status of the at least one monitored component. The evaluator (19) configured for receiving the signals from the at least one safety node (12); and for determining a safety status of the elevator system (2) and/or of the elevator safety system (1) from a combination of the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Dirk H. Tegtmeier
  • Patent number: 11993481
    Abstract: An elevator system (2) comprises a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8); the hoistway (4) comprising landing portions (A) and intermediate portions (B), wherein each landing portion (A) extends around a corresponding landing (8) and each intermediate portion (B) is located between two adjacent landing portions (A); an elevator car (6), which is configured for traveling along the hoistway (4); a first position determining system (15), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the landing portions (A); and a second position determining system (17), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the intermediate portions (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Dirk Tegtmeier
  • Publication number: 20240140759
    Abstract: Disclosed is an elevator system, including a hoistway; an elevator car in the hoistway; sensors in the hoistway operationally coupled to the elevator car and configured to capture sensor data indicative of a person being in the hoistway, and a processor configured to determine from the sensor data that the person is in the hoistway; and wherein the elevator car is configured to reduce speed or stop when the processor determines the person is in the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventors: Appalaraju Marpu, Malleswara Reddy Gutti, Stefan Ey, Javier Muñoz Sotoca, Luis Mena, Peter Herkel, Jan Ruhnke, Felix Donath, Colette Ruden, Randy Roberts, Craig Drew Bogli, Johanna Whitwell, Mustapha Toutaoui, Sylvain Kabre
  • Publication number: 20240076163
    Abstract: A method of learning a rescue time period by an elevator system (101). The elevator system (101) includes an elevator car (103) moved by a machine (111) and a machine brake (120), arranged such that braking of the machine (111) by the machine brake (120) brakes motion of the elevator car (103). The method includes releasing the machine brake (120) for at least one test time period, at the end of which the machine brake (120) is engaged, detecting a corresponding at least one maximum travel speed of the elevator car (103) reached as a result of releasing the machine brake (120) for each at least one test time period, checking whether each at least one maximum travel speed is an acceptable speed, and setting the rescue time period based upon said checking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Matthias Hoinkis, Sebastian Gehrke, Jan Ruhnke, Peter Herkel
  • Publication number: 20230242373
    Abstract: An elevator system (201) includes an elevator car (203) arranged to move within an elevator shaft, an elevator drive (211) including a brake (208), an elevator controller (230) configured to control the elevator drive so as to control the movement of the elevator car between a plurality of landings in the elevator shaft, a position reference system (240) configured to measure a position of the elevator car within the elevator shaft, and a safety controller (232) connected to the position reference system (240) to receive car position information and configured to selectively apply the brake of the elevator drive so as to stop the elevator car. The safety controller is configured to monitor the received car position information at least when the elevator car is moving in a designated unlocking zone of a given landing with an elevator car door open and to apply the brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Uwe Schönauer, Peter Herkel, Felix Donath
  • Publication number: 20230146745
    Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car, an elevator controller, and a safety controller, connected to a plurality of safety devices arranged to monitor the elevator system. The safety controller is configured to receive a signal in response to a change of state of any of the safety devices, and to determine a condition of the elevator system in response to the change of state of one or more of the safety devices. If the safety controller renders a determination that the elevator system is in a first condition, the safety controller causes an elevator brake to be deployed, preventing movement of the elevator car. If the safety controller renders a determination that the elevator system is in a second condition, the safety controller allows movement of the elevator car for a predetermined duration or until the elevator car has travelled a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Axel Pfeffer, Alexander Paetow
  • Patent number: 11565911
    Abstract: An electronic test node (1) for a safety chain (22) in a passenger conveyor system includes an electrical connection (2) for an associated safety switch (4). A processor (6) is configured to monitor a signal carried by the electrical connection (2) so as to detect whether the associated safety switch (4) is open or closed. The electronic test node (1) further includes a test switch (8) connected in series with the electrical connection (2), wherein the processor (6) is configured to run a test by selectively opening the test switch (8) and monitoring for a change in the signal carried by the electrical connection (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Norbert Diwisch
  • Patent number: 11535487
    Abstract: An elevator safety system (20) for an elevator system (2) with a self-diagnostic functionality includes at least two safety channels (22a, 22b), wherein each safety channel (22a, 22b) is configured for supplying a safety signal (23a, 23b) in case a safety issue has been detected. The elevator safety system (20) comprises a self-diagnostic evaluator (24), which is configured for receiving any safety signals (23a, 23b) supplied via the safety channels (22a, 22b); starting a timer (25) for measuring a predetermined period of time in case a safety signal (23a, 23b) is supplied on one of the safety channels (22a, 22b); and stopping any further operation of the elevator system (2) in case the received signal (23a, 23b) is still supplied after the predetermined period of time has expired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter Herkel
  • Publication number: 20220380173
    Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car, an elevator controller, a safety controller and a plurality of safety contacts connected to the safety controller, wherein the plurality of safety contacts monitor the elevator system. The safety controller is configured to receive individual status information from each of the plurality of safety contacts and to prevent movement of the elevator car when the individual status information received from one of the plurality of safety contacts indicates an unsafe condition of the elevator system. The safety controller is configured to connect to a remote computing device, to receive first authentication information from the remote computing device, and to authenticate the remote computing device if the first authentication information meets an authentication condition. If the remote computing device is authenticated, to permit the remote computing device to override the safety controller to enable movement of the elevator car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Dirk H. Tegtmeier, Peter Herkel
  • Publication number: 20220380175
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway (217) including a landing (225A-225C), which includes a landing door (227A-227C), an elevator car (203), comprising an elevator car door (229), arranged to move within the hoistway (217), a first safety switch (231; 233) configured to indicate a potential hazard in the elevator system (201) and a controller (215). The controller (215) is configured, when the first safety switch (231; 233) is triggered, to stop movement of the elevator car (203) and determine whether the elevator car (203) is located anywhere within an unlocking zone (253) in the hoistway. The controller is further configured, if it is determined that the elevator car (203) is located anywhere in the unlocking zone (253), to allow the elevator car door (229) and landing door (227A-227C) to be opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Dirk H. Tegtmeier
  • Patent number: 11485608
    Abstract: An elevator safety system includes: at least two sensors, each of the sensors being configured for monitoring at least a portion of a hoistway of an elevator system and providing monitoring signals; a transformation unit which is configured for transforming the monitoring signals provided by at least one of the sensors and producing transformed signals corresponding to a common direction of vision; a comparison unit which is configured for comparing the at least two transformed signals and for generating a failure signal if a difference between the at least two transformed signals exceeds a predetermined threshold; and a detection unit, which is configured for detecting a person or undesired item in at least one of the two transformed signals and for generating an alarm signal if a person or undesired item is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Dirk H. Tegtmeier, Peter Herkel
  • Publication number: 20220332542
    Abstract: A safety control device (1) for a people conveyor (101). The safety control device (1) includes a first safety control channel (2) configured to output a first safety control signal in response to one or more input signals (10, 12, 14), a second safety control channel (4) configured to output a second safety control signal in response to one or more input signals (10, 12, 14), and an override control channel (6) configured to: monitor the health of the first and second safety control channels (2, 4), determine whether a fault has occurred in either of the first or second safety control channels (2, 4), and override the first or second safety control signal in response to a determination that a fault has occurred in the corresponding safety control channel (2, 4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: Peter Herkel
  • Patent number: 11440773
    Abstract: An automatic elevator safety system includes an elevator safety circuit and an external server. The elevator safety circuit is configured for monitoring the operation of an elevator system comprising at least one elevator car traveling along a hoistway, and an elevator control configured for controlling the movement of the elevator car. At least one of the elevator control and the elevator safety circuit is configured for sending data comprising information about the current state of the elevator system to the external server, in particular in case a safety issue has been detected. The external server is configured for (A) receiving the data sent by the at least one elevator safety circuit; (B) analyzing the received data; and (C) depending on the result of the analysis, sending commands to the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Peter Herkel
  • Patent number: 11414297
    Abstract: An elevator safety device (120) is configured for restricting the movement of an elevator car (106) of an elevator system (102) along its pathway in order to prevent the elevator car (106) from moving beyond at least one limit position. The elevator safety device (120) is configured for performing at least one learning run (220a, 220b) for setting the at least one limit position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Mustapha Toutaoui, Ralph S. Stripling, Sven Knuth, Raphael Pecek
  • Publication number: 20220017330
    Abstract: An elevator safety circuit for an elevator system in which an output is arranged to selectively provide an electrical current from an input to an electromagnetic brake coil via a current flow path. An actuator transistor is arranged in series along the current flow path between the input and the output, the actuator transistor being arranged to selectively allow passage of the electrical current. A controller is arranged to carry out a test operation when the braking element is in the open position. The test operation comprises operating the actuator transistor in its disabled mode for a time period, monitoring the electrical current through the brake coil, and determining whether the magnitude of the electrical current reduces during said time period, the time period being selected such that the magnitude of the electrical current remains sufficient for keeping the braking element in the open position during the test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Jan Ruhnke
  • Publication number: 20210403289
    Abstract: An elevator system is provided which includes a plurality of hoistway doors, a corresponding plurality of sets of non-contact switches, each set arranged to detect when a respective hoistway door is open, and a monitoring device. Each set of non-contact switches comprises a first non-contact switch arranged to open when the respective hoistway door is open and a second non-contact switch arranged to open when the respective hoistway door is open. The first non-contact switches of the plurality of sets are connected in series to form a first electrical path and the second non-contact switches of the plurality of sets are connected in series to form a second electrical path. The monitoring device is arranged to measure an electrical property of the first electrical path and an electrical property of the second electrical path to detect when a hoistway door is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventor: Peter Herkel
  • Publication number: 20210371240
    Abstract: An emergency terminal stopping system for an elevator system, the emergency terminal stopping system including: a sensor configured to determine data related to the motion of an elevator car moving within an elevator hoistway; at least one elevator brake configured to halt the motion of the elevator car; at least one elevator safety gear device provided on the elevator car; and at least one buffer provided at a lower portion of the hoistway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Jan Ruhnke
  • Publication number: 20210276825
    Abstract: An elevator system (2) comprises a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8); the hoistway (4) comprising landing portions (A) and intermediate portions (B), wherein each landing portion (A) extends around a corresponding landing (8) and each intermediate portion (B) is located between two adjacent landing portions (A); an elevator car (6), which is configured for traveling along the hoistway (4); a first position determining system (15), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the landing portions (A); and a second position determining system (17), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the intermediate portions (B).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Dirk Tegtmeier