Patents by Inventor Rudolf Eckenstein

Rudolf Eckenstein 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: 8016081
    Abstract: An elevator drive with a brake device has compression springs that act on brake levers, whereby brake linings generate a brake force on a brake drum. The more the brake linings wear due to abrasion, the smaller the distance of the plunger from the brake magnet housing becomes. Should the plunger come into contact with the brake magnet housing, the braking capacity of the brake linings is completely eliminated creating an operating condition that is dangerous for elevator users. A switch is provided that detects a minimum distance. The switch can be arranged on the plunger of the brake magnet and detect the minimum distance to the brake magnet housing or, in the case of a retrofit, the switch can be arranged on the brake magnet rod and, for example, detect the distance of the second joint from the brake magnet housing, and at the minimum distance the switch switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Karl Weinberger, Rudolf Eckenstein, Reneā€² Hermann, Luc Bonnard
  • Patent number: 8011481
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the operating state of an elevator drive having a brake includes the mounting of a sensor on a movable brake part. The sensor generates an output proportional to the extent of relative movement between the brake part upon which it is mounted and a fixed brake part. The sensor output is monitored to provide an indication of the operating state of the drive and may be combined with other data to provide indications of a variety of drive states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Karl Erny, Urs Lindegger, Rudolf Eckenstein
  • Patent number: 7909145
    Abstract: An elevator drive has a brake device with compression springs to actuate brake levers, and brake linings on a brake drum creating a braking force. A sensor is provided to detect the movement of a brake magnet armature tappet. A bracket is attached to the brake magnet tappet on one end and a distance piece carrying the sensor housing is arranged on the other end. A restoring lug is attached to the existing mechanical indicator. A monitor evaluates the sensor signal and turns off the elevator drive in the event of dangerous operational states via a safety circuit. The system allows the state of the brake device to be monitored. The more the brake linings wear off due to abrasion, the smaller the distance between the armature and the brake magnet housing. If the armature is in contact with the brake magnet housing, the braking ability of the brake linings is completely void.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Karl Erny, Urs Lindegger, Rudolf Eckenstein
  • Publication number: 20110011682
    Abstract: An elevator drive has a brake device with compression springs to actuate brake levers, and brake linings on a brake drum creating a braking force. A sensor is provided to detect the movement of a brake magnet armature tappet. A bracket is attached to the brake magnet tappet on one end and a distance piece carrying the sensor housing is arranged on the other end. A restoring lug is attached to the existing mechanical indicator. A monitor evaluates the sensor signal and turns off the elevator drive in the event of dangerous operational states via a safety circuit. The system allows the state of the brake device to be monitored. The more the brake linings wear off due to abrasion, the smaller the distance between the armature and the brake magnet housing. If the armature is in contact with the brake magnet housing, the braking ability of the brake linings is completely void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventors: Karl ERNY, Urs Lindegger, Rudolf Eckenstein
  • Patent number: 7775329
    Abstract: A method and detection system monitors the speed of an elevator car and, in case of excess speed caused by brake failure of a motor brake or shaft fracture of a drive pulley shaft, a safety circuit is opened and the detection system is transferred from a normal operational state (State 1) to a retardation state (State 2) in which it is monitored whether the elevator car is retarded after defined speed presets. After a successful retardation, the detection system is transferred to a state of standstill monitoring (State 3) in which it is monitored whether the elevator car leaves its standstill position. If the presets of State 2 or State 3 are not fulfilled, the detection system is transferred to a braking state of the brake (State 4) in which a brake which fixes the elevator car is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Eckenstein, Carlos Latorre Marcuz, Eric Birrer, Karsten Gensicke
  • Publication number: 20100065379
    Abstract: An elevator drive has a brake device with compression springs to actuate brake levers, and brake linings on a brake drum creating a braking force. A sensor is provided to detect the movement of a brake magnet armature tappet. A bracket is attached to the brake magnet tappet on one end and a distance piece carrying the sensor housing is arranged on the other end. A restoring lug is attached to the existing mechanical indicator. A monitor evaluates the sensor signal and turns off the elevator drive in the event of dangerous operational states via a safety circuit. The system allows the state of the brake device to be monitored. The more the brake linings wear off due to abrasion, the smaller the distance between the armature and the brake magnet housing. If the armature is in contact with the brake magnet housing, the braking ability of the brake linings is completely void.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventors: Karl ERNY, Urs Lindegger, Rudolf Eckenstein
  • Patent number: 7543690
    Abstract: A cable brake has an electromagnet for selectively releasing a mass to fall down guide rods under the effect of gravity and impact a trigger lever to release a crossbar from a pawl, whereupon pressure springs move a brake plate against a cable strand to halt the cable strand. The pressure springs extend between a first pressure plate at the brake plate and a spaced second pressure plate that can be displaced along a path by a cooperating screw and nut to pre-stress the pressure springs. The pressure springs are relaxed in one end position of the path whereby the crossbar connected to the first pressure plate by a release bar is engaged by the pawl in a starting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Eckenstein, Carlos Latorre Marcuz
  • Publication number: 20080308360
    Abstract: An elevator drive with a brake device has compression springs that act on brake levers, whereby brake linings generate a brake force on a brake drum. The more the brake linings wear due to abrasion, the smaller the distance of the plunger from the brake magnet housing becomes. Should the plunger come into contact with the brake magnet housing, the braking capacity of the brake linings is completely eliminated creating an operating condition that is dangerous for elevator users. A switch is provided that detects a minimum distance. The switch can be arranged on the plunger of the brake magnet and detect the minimum distance to the brake magnet housing or, in the case of a retrofit, the switch can be arranged on the brake magnet rod and, for example, detect the distance of the second joint from the brake magnet housing, and at the minimum distance the switch switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: Karl Weinberger, Rudolf Eckenstein, Rene Hermann, Luc Bonnard
  • Patent number: 7287627
    Abstract: A cable brake has an electromagnet releasably retaining a mass that falls down guide rods under the effect of gravity and impacts a first arm of a trigger lever. Upon impact by the mass, the trigger lever rotates a second arm with a pawl to release a crossbar, whereupon pressure springs press a moveable brake plate against a cable strand to halt the cable strand. A return mechanism utilizes a screw and cooperating nut or a coupler to return the moveable brake plate and pre-stress the pressure springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Rudolf Eckenstein, Carlos Latorre Marcuz
  • Publication number: 20060237265
    Abstract: A method and detection system monitors the speed of an elevator car and, in case of excess speed caused by brake failure of a motor brake or shaft fracture of a drive pulley shaft, a safety circuit is opened and the detection system is transferred from a normal operational state (State 1) to a retardation state (State 2) in which it is monitored whether the elevator car is retarded after defined speed presets. After a successful retardation, the detection system is transferred to a state of standstill monitoring (State 3) in which it is monitored whether the elevator car leaves its standstill position. If the presets of State 2 or State 3 are not fulfilled, the detection system is transferred to a braking state of the brake (State 4) in which a brake which fixes the elevator car is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Rudolf Eckenstein, Carlos Marcuz, Eric Birrer, Karsten Gensicke
  • Publication number: 20060118366
    Abstract: A cable brake has an electromagnet releasably retaining a mass that falls down guide rods under the effect of gravity and impacts a first arm of a trigger lever. Upon impact by the mass, the trigger lever rotates a second arm with a pawl to release a crossbar, whereupon pressure springs press a moveable brake plate against a cable strand to halt the cable strand. A return mechanism utilizes a screw and cooperating nut or a coupler to return the moveable brake plate and pre-stress the pressure springs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Inventors: Rudolf Eckenstein, Carlos Marcuz
  • Publication number: 20060090969
    Abstract: A cable brake has an electromagnet for selectively releasing a mass to fall down guide rods under the effect of gravity and impact a trigger lever to release a crossbar from a pawl, whereupon pressure springs move a brake plate against a cable strand to halt the cable strand. The pressure springs extend between a first pressure plate at the brake plate and a spaced second pressure plate that can be displaced along a path by a cooperating screw and nut to pre-stress the pressure springs. The pressure springs are relaxed in one end position of the path whereby the crossbar connected to the first pressure plate by a release bar is engaged by the pawl in a starting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventors: Rudolf Eckenstein, Carlos Marcuz