Patents by Inventor Philippe Henneau

Philippe Henneau 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: 11945691
    Abstract: An elevator suspension member arrangement includes at least two suspension members having electrically conductive cords. A monitoring arrangement generates first and second alternating voltages phase shifted by 180° and includes a plurality of input connectors and output connectors electrically connected to the cords and a voltage analyzer arrangement analyzing a neutral point voltage resulting from applying the voltages to the cords. Each suspension member can have the cords connected in parallel between the input connector and the output connector or have two groups of the cords connected in series between the connectors with the groups connected to an interconnecting connector. A multiplexer arrangement can be used to selectively test each pair of suspension members when the suspension member arrangement includes more than two suspension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Vincent Robibero, Philippe Henneau
  • Patent number: 11873190
    Abstract: A passenger conveying system includes a passenger conveyance installation designed as an elevator, escalator or moving walkway, a main energy supply supplying the passenger conveyance installation with electrical energy, a main switch for disconnecting the passenger conveyance installation from the main energy supply, which main switch has an input side connected to the main energy supply and an output side connected to the passenger conveyance installation. The system includes a measuring device with a sensor for measuring an electrical parameter, a converter which has a direct current side and an alternating current side, an energy store electrically connected to the direct current side of the converter, a control device for controlling the converter, wherein the sensor is electrically and/or electromagnetically connected on the input side of the main switch to the main energy supply and the alternating current side of the converter is electrically connected to the main energy supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Philippe Henneau, Amos Schaub, Kurt Heinz
  • Publication number: 20230406673
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to elevator technology. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an elevator system using a novel powering scheme. Further in particular, the present disclosure relates to an elevator system using a pressurised gas to power at least a part of the elevator system. Accordingly, there is provided an elevator system (200), comprising an elevator car (112) and an elevator drive (224) adapted to move the elevator car in an elevator shaft (302), wherein the elevator system further comprises a gas reservoir (204,a,b), wherein the gas reservoir is adapted for storing of a pressurized gas, wherein the gas reservoir is connected to an element of the elevator system for powering at least a part of the elevator system, and wherein the element is at least one element of a pneumatic elevator drive (224) and a generator (238). Further, there is provided a method of operating the elevator system and for modernizing an elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventor: Philippe HENNEAU
  • Patent number: 11708241
    Abstract: A method for self-testing a monitoring device monitoring an integrity status of an elevator suspension member arrangement includes the monitoring device having a voltage generation arrangement for generating electric voltages and applying the electric voltages to cords in suspension members of the suspension member arrangement. The monitoring device has a voltage analyzer arrangement for detecting a deterioration in the integrity status based on modifications in the applied electric voltages upon transmission through the cords.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Philippe Henneau, Vincent Robibero, James Bibby
  • Patent number: 11623844
    Abstract: An elevator suspension member arrangement includes a monitoring arrangement monitoring an integrity status of suspension members having electrically conductive cords. The monitoring arrangement includes: a generator generating phase shifted first and second alternating voltages; input and output connectors each establishing electrical contacts to cords in one of the suspension members; a voltage analyzer measuring and analyzing a neutral point voltage resulting from applying the first and second alternating voltages to first and second cords of the one suspension member; a supply circuitry having supply lines electrically interconnecting the generator with the input connectors; and a measurement circuitry including measurement lines electrically interconnecting the analyzer with at least one of the input connectors and the output connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Philippe Henneau, Kurt Heinz
  • Patent number: 11608248
    Abstract: A suspension member arrangement for an elevator includes a suspension member having a plurality of electrically conductive load-bearing cords commonly embedded in an electrically isolating matrix material, a first connector and a second connector each attached to the suspension member and electrically contacting the cords within the suspension member in a contacted end region thereof. The first connector electrically contacts and electrically interconnects in parallel a first group of the cords being a first plurality of directly neighboring ones of the cords. The second connector electrically contacts and electrically interconnects in parallel a second group of the cords being a second plurality of directly neighboring ones of the cords. The suspension member arrangement facilitates electrically contacting the cords of the suspension member using a simple type of connector whereby deteriorations in characteristics of the suspension member can be electrically detected with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Florian Dold, Oliver Berner, Philippe Henneau
  • Patent number: 11479444
    Abstract: A method and device detect non-uniform and uniform deterioration states in an elevator suspension member having first and second groups of electrically conductive cords. First ends of the groups are electrically connected to an alternating voltage generator arrangement and second ends are electrically connected to each other through first and second resistors via a neutral point at which electrical resistances of the groups are the same in a non-deteriorated state of the suspension member. The method includes: applying first and second alternating voltages to the first end of the first and second groups, respectively; determining a neutral point voltage between the neutral point and an electrical reference potential; determining difference voltages between first and second difference measurement points located between the second ends of the groups and the respective resistors; and determining the deterioration state based on both the determined neutral point voltage and the determined difference voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Vincent Robibero, Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20220234866
    Abstract: A device for connecting a control device of a passenger transport installation to a communication unit for transmitting data to an entity remote from the passenger transport installation includes at least one detection unit detecting a first physical variable of the control device. The device further includes an evaluation unit generating a first electrical signal on the basis of the first physical variable detected. The device also includes a first interface connecting the device to the communication unit. The first electrical signal is transmitted to the communication unit via the first interface. The detection unit detects at least one of an electrical resistance, an electrical voltage, a visual state an acoustic signal of the control device as the first physical variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventor: Philippe Henneau
  • Patent number: 11365093
    Abstract: A method for detecting a deterioration state in an elevator suspension member including electrically conductive cords uses a multiplexing unit (MU) to apply first and second alternating voltages to proximal ends of first and second groups of the cords respectively and connect the proximal end of a third group of the cords to a voltage measurement arrangement connected to a reference potential. Distal ends of the groups are connected together. A first neutral point voltage between the third proximal end and the reference potential is determined. The MU is switched to apply the first alternating voltage to the second proximal end, apply the second alternating voltage to the third proximal end and determine a second neutral point voltage between the first proximal end and the reference potential. The deterioration state of the suspension member arrangement is determined based on the first and second neutral point voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Florian Dold, Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20220073313
    Abstract: A device for monitoring an operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system includes a detection unit for generating a first electrical quantity depending on a signaled state of the control device, an evaluation unit for analyzing the first electrical quantity in relation to the operating state of the control device, and an interface for transmitting a second electrical signal that is dependent on the analysis and is generated in the evaluation unit. The detection unit is a conversion device for converting an optical signal of at least one optical indicator of the control device into the first electrical signal. The device for monitoring allows state information on the control device to be tapped without conversion work being required on the control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Inventor: Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20210323790
    Abstract: Methods and devices detect a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in an elevator suspension member arrangement having several suspension members, such as belts, including electrically conductive cords incorporated into an elastomer material. Deterioration is determined by applying alternating electric voltages to the cords included in legs of a circuitry. Phase shifts between the alternating voltages, for example by determining sum voltages and/or differential voltages, provide valuable information about a condition of the belt. A fixation arrangement of the suspension member arrangement is adapted to enable or simplify the proposed measurements. Furthermore, counting a number of performed bending cycles provides further information to be taken into account for determining the current deterioration state of the belts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Vincent Robibero, Kurt Heinz, Urs Lindegger, Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20210316960
    Abstract: A system for transporting passengers includes a passenger transportation installation designed as an elevator, escalator or moving walkway, a main energy supply supplying the passenger transportation installation with electrical energy, a main switch separating the passenger transportation installation from the main energy supply, which main switch has an input side connected to the main energy supply and an output side connected to the passenger transportation installation. The system further includes a measuring device having a sensor measuring an electrical parameter, and a communication device transferring the measured electrical parameter to an analysis device, wherein the sensor is connected electrically and/or electromagnetically to the main energy supply on the input side of the main switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventor: Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20210300721
    Abstract: A passenger conveying system includes a passenger conveyance installation designed as an elevator, escalator or moving walkway, a main energy supply supplying the passenger conveyance installation with electrical energy, a main switch for disconnecting the passenger conveyance installation from the main energy supply, which main switch has an input side connected to the main energy supply and an output side connected to the passenger conveyance installation. The system includes a measuring device with a sensor for measuring an electrical parameter, a converter which has a direct current side and an alternating current side, an energy store electrically connected to the direct current side of the converter, a control device for controlling the converter, wherein the sensor is electrically and/or electromagnetically connected on the input side of the main switch to the main energy supply and the alternating current side of the converter is electrically connected to the main energy supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Philippe Henneau, Amos Schaub, Kurt Heinz
  • Patent number: 11078047
    Abstract: Methods and devices detect a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in an elevator suspension member arrangement having several suspension members, such as belts, including electrically conductive cords incorporated into an elastomer material. Deterioration is determined by applying alternating electric voltages to the cords included in legs of a circuitry. Phase shifts between the alternating voltages, for example by determining sum voltages and/or differential voltages, provide valuable information about a condition of the belt. A fixation arrangement of the suspension member arrangement is adapted to enable or simplify the proposed measurements. Furthermore, counting a number of performed bending cycles provides further information to be taken into account for determining the current deterioration state of the belts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Vincent Robibero, Kurt Heinz, Urs Lindegger, Philippe Henneau
  • Patent number: 11014784
    Abstract: A method for determining a deterioration state in a suspension member arrangement having a suspension member including a plurality of electrically conductive cords includes the steps of: counting a number of bending cycles applied to the suspension member; measuring an electrical characteristic of the suspension member upon applying an electrical voltage to at least one of the cords; performing at least one of (a) determining a critical deterioration state upon monitoring both the bending cycles number and the electrical characteristic, and (b) determining an unexpected deterioration state based on deriving a current actual deterioration state of the suspension member based on the electrical characteristic and assuming a currently expected deterioration state based on the bending cycles number and comparing the current actual deterioration state with the currently expected deterioration state; initiating a defined procedure upon determining at least one of the critical deterioration state and the unexpected d
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20200172375
    Abstract: A method for self-testing a monitoring device monitoring an integrity status of an elevator suspension member arrangement includes the monitoring device having a voltage generation arrangement for generating electric voltages and applying the electric voltages to cords in suspension members of the suspension member arrangement. The monitoring device has a voltage analyzer arrangement for detecting a deterioration in the integrity status based on modifications in the applied electric voltages upon transmission through the cords.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Philippe Henneau, Vincent Robibero, James Bibby
  • Publication number: 20190352131
    Abstract: A suspension member arrangement for an elevator includes a suspension member having a plurality of electrically conductive load-bearing cords commonly embedded in an electrically isolating matrix material, a first connector and a second connector each attached to the suspension member and electrically contacting the cords within the suspension member in a contacted end region thereof. The first connector electrically contacts and electrically interconnects in parallel a first group of the cords being a first plurality of directly neighboring ones of the cords. The second connector electrically contacts and electrically interconnects in parallel a second group of the cords being a second plurality of directly neighboring ones of the cords. The suspension member arrangement facilitates electrically contacting the cords of the suspension member using a simple type of connector whereby deteriorations in characteristics of the suspension member can be electrically detected with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Florian Dold, Oliver Berner, Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20190345004
    Abstract: A suspension member arrangement for an elevator includes a suspension member having a plurality of electrically conductive load-bearing cords commonly embedded in an electrically isolating matrix material, a first connector and a second connector each attached to the suspension member and electrically contacting the cords within the suspension member in a contacted end region thereof. The first connector electrically contacts and electrically interconnects in parallel a group of cords being a plurality of directly neighboring ones of the cords. The second connector electrically contacts a single cord not included in the group of cords. The suspension member arrangement facilitates electrically contacting the cords of the suspension member using a simple type of connector whereby deteriorations in characteristics of the suspension member can be electrically detected with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventor: Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20190337761
    Abstract: An elevator suspension member arrangement includes at least two suspension members having electrically conductive cords. A monitoring arrangement generates first and second alternating voltages phase shifted by 180° and includes a plurality of input connectors and output connectors electrically connected to the cords and a voltage analyzer arrangement analyzing a neutral point voltage resulting from applying the voltages to the cords. Each suspension member can have the cords connected in parallel between the input connector and the output connector or have two groups of the cords connected in series between the connectors with the groups connected to an interconnecting connector. A multiplexer arrangement can be used to selectively test each pair of suspension members when the suspension member arrangement includes more than two suspension members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Vincent Robibero, Philippe Henneau
  • Publication number: 20190047823
    Abstract: A method and device detect non-uniform and uniform deterioration states in an elevator suspension member having first and second groups of electrically conductive cords. First ends of the groups are electrically connected to an alternating voltage generator arrangement and second ends are electrically connected to each other through first and second resistors via a neutral point at which electrical resistances of the groups are the same in a non-deteriorated state of the suspension member. The method includes: applying first and second alternating voltages to the first end of the first and second groups, respectively; determining a neutral point voltage between the neutral point and an electrical reference potential; determining difference voltages between first and second difference measurement points located between the second ends of the groups and the respective resistors; and determining the deterioration state based on both the determined neutral point voltage and the determined difference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Vincent Robibero, Philippe Henneau