Patents by Inventor Rudolf J. Muller

Rudolf J. Muller 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: 10526169
    Abstract: A safety switching for elevator systems includes a safety function and a safety switch dedicated to the safety function. The safety switch opens or closes a safety circuit between one connection point and a second connection point as a function of a safety state of the safety function. A test function tests whether or not the safety switch opens and closes the safety circuit as a function of the safety state of the safety function. A detection device is provided for the test function. An auxiliary energy function is provided wherein an auxiliary voltage can be temporarily applied via at least the safety switch and an input part of the detection device for performing the test function. Locally between the connection points the auxiliary energy function introduces an auxiliary energy for generating the auxiliary voltage. The safety switching can be used for converting or retrofitting an existing elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Muller, Eric Birrer
  • Patent number: 10364127
    Abstract: A safety circuit for an elevator system includes a plurality of switch contacts, at least one first switch contact, and a control unit. The at least one first switch contact can be switched electronically and can be bridged using a conductive bridging element, in particular for maintenance or testing purposes. Additionally, the control unit is directly or indirectly connected to the safety circuit. The at least one first switch contact can be switched on the basis of instructions of the control unit in order to change the state of the safety circuit. In the process, the at least one control unit detects the absence of the state change of the safety circuit, in particular when the at least one first switch contact is being bridged by the bridging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Müller, Eric Birrer
  • Patent number: 9926170
    Abstract: In an elevator installation, an elevator car is movably arranged alongside guide rails and the elevator car is equipped with a brake system with preferably two safety brakes. A movement monitoring system monitors the movement parameters of the elevator car and triggers corresponding warnings or safety measures, if permissible threshold values are exceeded or it provides determined adjusted movement parameters to an elevator control. The movement monitoring system determines a first movement parameter in a time interval and detects an acceleration of the elevator car. The movement monitoring system determines the time interval for determining the adjusted movement parameter as a function of the detected acceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: David Michel, Eric Birrer, Rudolf J. Müller, Michael Geisshüsler
  • Publication number: 20170341906
    Abstract: A safety switching for elevator systems includes a safety function and a safety switch dedicated to the safety function. The safety switch opens or closes a safety circuit between one connection point and a second connection point as a function of a safety state of the safety function. A test function tests whether or not the safety switch opens and closes the safety circuit as a function of the safety state of the safety function. A detection device is provided for the test function. An auxiliary energy function is provided wherein an auxiliary voltage can be temporarily applied via at least the safety switch and an input part of the detection device for performing the test function. Locally between the connection points the auxiliary energy function introduces an auxiliary energy for generating the auxiliary voltage. The safety switching can be used for converting or retrofitting an existing elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Muller, Eric Birrer
  • Patent number: 9546077
    Abstract: A switching device for an elevator door provides a door contact signal. The switching device includes a magnet, a plurality of proximity sensors, and a detection area, which area is adjoined by the proximity sensors and in which the magnet can be moved. A sensor signal can be generated by each of the proximity sensors in at least one position of the magnet in the detection area, wherein the sensor signals are dependent on the distance from the magnet to the proximity sensors. A method for providing the door contact signal utilizes the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Müller, Eric Birrer
  • Publication number: 20160318734
    Abstract: An elevator installation includes a first car and a second car, which cars are arranged on a car frame so as to be displaceable symmetrically in opposite directions. The elevator installation has an information carrier that is arranged along a region of travel of the first and second cars or of the car frame, a first sensor unit arranged on the first car, and a second sensor unit arranged on the second car. The first sensor unit and the second sensor unit are configured to read information from the information carrier, which information determines in each case an absolute position for the first car and for the second car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Müller, Eric Birrer
  • Publication number: 20160311653
    Abstract: A safety circuit for an elevator system includes a plurality of switch contacts, at least one first switch contact, and a control unit. The at least one first switch contact can be switched electronically and can be bridged using a conductive bridging element, in particular for maintenance or testing purposes. Additionally, the control unit is directly or indirectly connected to the safety circuit. The at least one first switch contact can be switched on the basis of instructions of the control unit in order to change the state of the safety circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Müller, Eric Birrer
  • Publication number: 20160101967
    Abstract: A switching device for an elevator door provides a door contact signal. The switching device includes a magnet, a plurality of proximity sensors, and a detection area, which area is adjoined by the proximity sensors and in which the magnet can be moved. A sensor signal can be generated by each of the proximity sensors in at least one position of the magnet in the detection area, wherein the sensor signals are dependent on the distance from the magnet to the proximity sensors. A method for providing the door contact signal utilizes the switching device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Rudolf J. Müller, Eric Birrer
  • Publication number: 20150307319
    Abstract: In an elevator installation, an elevator car is movably arranged alongside guide rails and the elevator car is equipped with a brake system with preferably two safety brakes. A movement monitoring system monitors the movement parameters of the elevator car and triggers corresponding warnings or safety measures, if permissible threshold values are exceeded or it provides determined adjusted movement parameters to an elevator control. The movement monitoring system determines a first movement parameter in a time interval and detects an acceleration of the elevator car. The movement monitoring system determines the time interval for determining the adjusted movement parameter as a function of the detected acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Inventors: David Michel, Eric Birrer, Rudolf J. Müller, Michael Geisshüsler