For Electric Power Source Patents (Class 187/289)
  • Patent number: 11780708
    Abstract: A lift system comprises a rail and a carriage assembly comprising a seat or platform for supporting a person to be conveyed along the rail, drive means arranged to engage the rail and controllable to drive the carriage assembly along the rail, energy storage means arranged to power the drive means, input means operable by a user to provide an input signal indicative of a desired movement of the carriage assembly along the rail, and control means arranged to receive the input signal and control the drive means in response to the input signal. The system includes charging means arranged to charge the energy storage means when the carriage assembly is at a first charging position on the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: ACORN MOBILITY SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: John Stewart Jakes, Keith Holdstock
  • Patent number: 11697575
    Abstract: A stairlift is configured to assist users by issuing voice-based messages in the event faults arise that could give concern to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: STANNAH STAIRLIFTS LIMITED
    Inventor: Alexander Henry Gage Wilson
  • Patent number: 11496085
    Abstract: A motor drive apparatus that can continue operation within the upper limit of system control even if a voltage drop of an AC power source occurs during operation of a motor used for a hoist or a crane is provided. The inverter control unit of the motor drive apparatus includes a speed reference setting means for setting the rotation speed of the motor, means for detecting a speed deviation between the output of the rotation speed detection means for detecting the rotation speed of the motor and the output of the speed reference setting means, means for controlling the output current of the inverter according to the output of the speed deviation. The speed reference setting means includes a correction circuit for correcting an external speed command given from outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Naotsugu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 11447364
    Abstract: Methods for determining an absolute position of a moving travel unit of a stationary transport system, the travel unit movable along a travel path inside the system. The travel unit is driven by at least one linear motor along the path. The linear motor is a synchronous motor including a plurality of stator units installed along the travel path configured to provide a magnetic field traveling along the travel path. At least one rotor unit is attached to the travel unit and is configured to be driven along the travel path by the traveling magnetic field. Wherein respectively by analysis of regulating parameters of a vector regulation of the linear motor an active stator unit is determined from the plurality, which presently provides the magnetic field driving the rotor unit and a relative position of the rotor unit in relation to the active stator unit is computed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Said Ahsaine
  • Patent number: 11235950
    Abstract: An elevator safety gear actuation device for actuating an elevator safety gear comprises a first member and a second member. The first and second members are arranged opposite to each other defining a gap configured for accommodating a guide member extending in a longitudinal direction. At least one of the engagement members comprises an engagement element which is movable in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction between a disengaged position and an engaged position. The first engagement element comprises at least one permanent magnet which is configured for being magnetically attracted and attaching to the guide member extending through the gap when the engagement element is arranged in the engaged position. The second member comprises at least one additional permanent magnet which is configured for being magnetically attracted to the guide member extending through the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ruben Sanchez Munoz, Javier Munoz Sotoca
  • Patent number: 10968079
    Abstract: A transportation device such as an elevator installation, an escalator, or a moving walkway may comprise a person conveying unit and an electromagnetic linear drive for driving the person conveying unit. The electromagnetic linear drive may include a stator segment and a runner element. The runner element can be driven by the force of an electromagnetic field of the stator segment in a first drive direction or in an opposite second drive direction. The runner element is movably mounted on the person conveying unit such that a magnetic resistance in an air gap between the stator segment and the runner element is adjustable depending on a drive force acting between the stator segment and the runner element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Richard Thum, Marius Matz, Eduard Steinhauer
  • Patent number: 10965224
    Abstract: A method for levitation control of a linear motor includes supplying an alternating current or alternating voltage to at least one oscillating circuit including at least one sensing coil being or assumed to be arranged in a fixed spatial correlation to a mover part of the linear motor such that an opening plane of the sensing coil faces a sensor counter-surface of a stator part of the linear motor with a gap therebetween; receiving a response signal from the oscillating circuit; determining a gap length of the gap based on the response signal; and controlling the gap length by driving a magnetic levitation unit of the linear motor based on the determined gap length. An inductive sensing device and an elevator system, and a method for determining a position of the linear motor are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henry Piitulainen, Seppo Suur-Askola, Tero Purosto
  • Patent number: 10766739
    Abstract: An assembly 28 for actuating and controlling braking of a car of an elevator system is provided. The assembly includes at least one braking device 20 mounted on the car, supported between the car and a hoistway for movement with the car within the hoistway, and configured to apply a braking force to the car. The assembly also includes at least one corresponding actuator 34 supported by the hoistway and configured to selectively engage the braking device to prevent movement of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Richard N. Fargo, Xiaodong Luo, Enrico Manes
  • Patent number: 10689227
    Abstract: The invention refers to an electric linear motor, control apparatus, transport system and a method. The electric linear motor comprises a longitudinal stator beam; at least one mover at least partially surrounding the stator beam and adapted to move along the stator beam; which stator beam comprises at least two side faces located at opposite sides of the stator beam, each of the side faces carrying ferromagnetic poles spaced apart by a pitch, and which mover comprises at least two counter-faces facing the respective side faces of the stator beam. The mover has in at least one of said counter-faces rotor units having at least one winding and at least one permanent magnet arranged to co-act with the ferromagnetic poles of the respective side faces of the stator beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Tuukka Korhonen, Tero Hakala, Pasi Raassina, Seppo Suur-Askola, Marko Hinkkanen, Seppo Saarakkala, Maksim Sokolov, Reza Hosseinzadeh
  • Patent number: 10574166
    Abstract: An electric linear motor for an elevator and a method for controlling the operation thereof are presented. The electric linear motor comprises at least one stator beam and at least one mover, wherein said at least one stator beam comprises at least two stators on opposite sides of the stator beam, and the at least one mover is in electromagnetic engagement with said at least two stators and configured to be moved relative to said stator beam. Said at least one mover comprises at least two units of electromagnetic components arranged on opposite sides of the stator beam to face said at least two stators for controlling the movement and the position of the mover with respect to said stator beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pasi Raassina, Seppo Suur-Askola, Jussi Lähteenmäki, Marko Minkkinen, Tuukka Korhonen
  • Patent number: 10549958
    Abstract: A rope hoist which hoists and lowers a cargo via a wire rope includes: a frame structure which rotatably supports a wheel; a rope drum mechanism which is provided on one side of the frame structure in a width direction, and includes a drum motor which rotates the rope drum; a counterweight which is provided on another side of the frame structure in the width direction and is arranged in a state of having a space with respect to the frame structure; and a control unit which is attached to a side of the counterweight opposite to the rope drum mechanism in the width direction and inverter-controls the drum motor, to the rope drum mechanism side of the counterweight, a braking resistor part which processes regenerative electric power in the inverter control is attached in a state of being located in the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: KITO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fujito Yudate, Kazuho Furukawa, Masayoshi Itoda
  • Patent number: 10538412
    Abstract: A method includes determining that an elevator car is arriving at a landing at which re-leveling is anticipated; upon the elevator car arriving at the landing at which re-leveling is anticipated, initiating the at least one of a brake cycling operation and a power cycling operation to reduce elevator car sag at the landing; monitoring transfer of weight to or from the elevator car at the landing over a period of time; terminating the at least one of the brake cycling operation and the power cycling operation upon at least one of (i) the transfer of weight to or from the elevator car at the landing over the period of time being less than a threshold and (ii) the elevator car sag at the landing meeting a sag threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Amir Lotfi, Randall Keith Roberts, Ronnie E. Thebeau, Michael Garfinkel, Edward Piedra, Dennis Hanvey, Daniel Rush
  • Patent number: 10526166
    Abstract: A method for operating an elevator system can be used with elevator systems that include at least two cars and at least two vertically extending elevator shafts where the at least two cars can be moved between the at least two elevator shafts. In a first operating mode transportation operations are performed by the at least two cars in the at least two elevator shafts. In a second operating mode a location of at least one of the at least two cars is restricted to at least one region of at least one of the at least two elevator shafts. In the second operating mode, the at least one of the at least two cars is not available for transportation operations in remaining regions of the at least two elevator shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP ELEVATOR AG, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Stefan Gerstenmeyer, Markus Jetter, Patrick Michael Bass
  • Patent number: 10427908
    Abstract: An elevator system and/or method executed by an elevator controller for detecting a fault within the elevator system. The elevator controller utilizes the fault to disable a drive control portion of the elevator controller and activate a drive u-stop control portion of the elevator controller. The drive u-stop control portion of the elevator controller generates a signal based on at least one of a speed estimation, a velocity profile, and feedforward information. The elevator controller applies the signal to an inverter connected to the elevator controller to execute the urgent stop of an elevator car of the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Shashank Krishnamurthy, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 10384914
    Abstract: A secondary portion of a linear electromagnetic propulsion system is configured to propel an elevator car disposed in a hoistway that is defined by a stationary structure. The secondary portion includes a first permanent magnet assembly extending longitudinally along the hoistway. A plurality of support structures of the secondary portion are engaged to and extend between the elevator car and the first permanent magnet assembly. The support structures are further spaced from one-another along the hoistway. A housing extends between and substantially envelopes the plurality of support structures for structural support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrzej Ernest Kuczek, Richard J. Ericson
  • Patent number: 10374527
    Abstract: A circuit for delivering electrical energy to an AC mains connection is disclosed. The circuit includes a voltage source and a switch connected between the voltage source and the AC mains connection. The switch operates to transfer current from the voltage source to the AC mains. The circuit further includes a controller to control the switch. The controller operates to generate a simulated signal that represents a waveform of the AC mains without any distortion present on the waveform of the AC mains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Beckman Coulter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Hessler, Ronald T. Keen
  • Patent number: 10329124
    Abstract: An elevator system may include an elevator car having an electrically powered car subsystem and a guide rail constructed and arranged to guide the elevator car along a hoistway and in a direction of travel. Primary windings of the system are positioned along the hoistway, and a permanent magnet assembly is coupled to the elevator car. Together, the primary windings and the permanent magnet assembly define a linear motor for imparting motion to the elevator car in response to a drive signal. A secondary winding assembly of the elevator system is coupled to the elevator car and is located adjacent to the permanent magnet assembly along the direction of travel. In operation, the secondary winding assembly generates a current to power the car subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Arthur Hsu, Suman Dwari
  • Patent number: 10221040
    Abstract: An electric circuit for monitoring and controlling of at least one elevator emergency safety for braking elevator car from moving is provided. The electric circuit installed in an elevator having a control panel, a lifting machine having at least one motor brake and emergency safety braking and floor signal (FS) device. The electric circuit includes a switching device RFS energize or de-energized depending on electric signal of said FS device. The electric circuit further includes a switching device RGX having contacts RGX-1 and RGX-2, a switching device RG having contacts RG-1 and RG-2 and a switching device RBRK for indicating the state of the motor braking(s). The electric circuit further includes contact RBRK-1 of the switching device RBRK and contacts RFS-1 and RFS-2 of the RFS switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: Yoram Madar
  • Patent number: 10059563
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a battery; a machine having a motor for imparting motion to an elevator car; an inverter for converting DC power from the battery to AC power for the machine in motoring mode and converting AC power from the machine to DC power for the battery in regenerative mode; and a controller to control the inverter, the controller implementing at least one of: detecting an overload at the battery in motoring mode and reducing car speed in response to the overload; detecting an overcharge at the battery in regenerative mode and reducing car speed in response to the overcharge; detecting motor direct current in a motor field weakening mode and reducing car speed in response to the motor direct current; and detecting car load and adjusting car speed in response to car load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ismail Agirman
  • Patent number: 9975729
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a motor having a plurality of motor windings; a plurality of braking switches coupled to the motor windings, the braking switches coupling the motor windings to a common electrical point; a sensor coupled to the motor, the sensor providing a sensed signal indicative of a parameter of the motor; and a controller providing a braking signal to the braking switches in response to the sensed signal to selectively control the braking switches to short the motor windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Kyle W. Rogers, Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 9950902
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway; an elevator car to travel in the hoistway, the elevator car having permanent magnets mounted thereto; a stator mounted in the hoistway, the stator coacting with the permanent magnets to control motion of the elevator car in the hoistway, the stator including: a plurality of modular coil modules, each coil module including stacked coil assemblies, each coil assembly including stacked coil units, each coil unit corresponding to one phase of the stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Adam Myszkowski, Cezary Jedryczka, Wojciech Szelag
  • Patent number: 9906112
    Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion system includes a plurality of primary windings and a permanent magnet arranged to move with respect to the plurality of primary windings. A secondary winding of the system is disposed in a non-moving relationship with the permanent magnet. An excitation energy is applied to the plurality of primary windings for creating a magnetic field that includes a base component and low frequency harmonic components. The base component substantially contributes toward motion between the plurality of primary windings and the permanent magnet and the low frequency harmonic components substantially contributes toward generating an electro-motive force in the secondary winding based on displacement between the plurality of primary windings and the permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Suman Dwari, Parag M. Kshirsagar, Arthur Hsu
  • Patent number: 9840395
    Abstract: According to an aspect, an elevator system includes a propulsion system having a plurality of motor segments forming a primary portion and a plurality of drives to impart force on a secondary portion coupled to an elevator car. The elevator system also includes a controller operable to identify a local neighborhood of the drives and determine a health status of each of the drives within the local neighborhood. The controller is further operable to adjust a thrust command per active drive of the local neighborhood based on at least one of the health status and a position of each active drive of the local neighborhood with respect to the secondary portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Randall Roberts, David Ginsberg, Konda Reddy Chevva, Walter Thomas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9722528
    Abstract: A motor control device includes a power-consumption calculator that calculates a power loss L according to a motor current I or according to the motor current I and a motor velocity v, and calculates a motor output W from a product of the motor velocity v and a torque ? or thrust force, to determine whether a regenerative resistance is in an energized state. When the regenerative resistance is in an energized state, if a total value W+L of the power loss L and the motor output W is equal to or greater than 0 (W+L?0), the power-consumption calculator calculates a power consumption P as W+L, and if a total value W+L of the power loss L and the motor output W is less than 0 (W+L<0), the power-consumption calculator calculates the power consumption P=0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Koichiro Ueda
  • Patent number: 9457988
    Abstract: A braking system and method for an apparatus or vehicle moved along a pathway by an apparatus drive mechanism, for halting the movement of the apparatus or vehicle in the event that the drive mechanism loses power or malfunctions. A conveyance system includes a pathway, an moving apparatus moving along the pathway, the apparatus drive mechanism, a brake rail along the pathway having along one edge a multiplicity of regularly spaced teeth with gaps between successive teeth, and a brake device mounted securely to the apparatus. The brake device includes a rotatably driven rotor having outer helical threads for running the gaps in the brake rail with successive turns of the driven rotor without touching the teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Federal Equipment Company
    Inventors: Paul Anderson, Thomas R Aultz, Timothy J. Beitz, Scott Kim Thompson
  • Patent number: 9455637
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method of extending power supply hold-up time by controlling a transformer turn ratio may include an input capacitor receiving an input voltage of a transformer unit. A first control transistor may switch a first transformer winding to an on state in response to the input voltage being above a voltage threshold level. The first control transistor may switch the first transformer winding to an off state in response to the input voltage being below the voltage threshold level. A second control transistor may switch a second transformer winding to an on state in response to the input voltage being below the voltage threshold level, wherein the first transformer winding and the second transformer winding may include separate windings located on a same side of a magnetic core of the transformer unit. In an embodiment the transformer unit may include a power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
    Inventors: Tsai-Fu Hung, Hung-Hsun Tsai, Yu-Hung Lai, Kuang-Hao Chou
  • Patent number: 9394138
    Abstract: A system for active control of noise and/or vibration includes an electric machine; at least one sensor for sensing at least one of noise and vibration in the machine and generating at least one of an audio signal representing noise and a vibration signal representing vibration; a controller obtaining at least one of the noise signal and the vibration signal, the controller generating control signals to reduce at least one of noise and vibration in the machine; and power electronics receiving the control signals and generating drive signals for the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Arthur Blanc, Vladimir Blasko
  • Patent number: 9381990
    Abstract: A power supply system for an electrical drive of a marine vessel is provided. The electrical drive includes an electric motor that is adapted to receive electric energy from a power source. The electrical drive has a first operating state in which electric energy is supplied by the power source to the electrical drive to operate the electrical drive and a second operating state in which the electric motor of the electrical drive is decelerated or braked, wherein the electrical drive generates electric energy in the second operating state. The power supply system comprises an electric energy storage device for storing generated electric energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Stig Olav Settemsdal
  • Patent number: 9377774
    Abstract: A controller for a machine tool includes a converter converting AC power on the power supply side to DC power, a feed-shaft motor inverter converting DC power on a DC link side and AC power on a feed shaft motor side, first and second main-shaft-motor inverters converting DC power on the DC link side and AC power on first and second main shaft motors side, a power failure detection unit detecting a power failure on the power supply side, a voltage detection unit detecting a DC link voltage value, a feed-shaft-motor command unit outputting a deceleration command to the feed-shaft-motor inverter upon a power failure, and a main-shaft-motor command unit outputting an acceleration/deceleration command to the first main-shaft-motor inverter in accordance with the DC link voltage value and a power shutoff command to the second-main-shaft-motor inverter upon a power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: FANUC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Daisuke Tajima
  • Patent number: 9093938
    Abstract: Provided are a compact and low-cost motor driver circuit capable of achieving an appropriate brake time and restraining heat generated by a regenerative resistance within a specific temperature range without employing a regenerative resistance having a greater capacity, a heat sink, or a FAN generating a larger volume of air, and a vacuum pump having the motor driver circuit. Regenerative current is controlled so that a speed characteristic gradually approaches inclination “a” from inclination “b” depending on the motor speed in the initial stage of regeneration. In addition, a limit is set not to pass further current when the regenerative current reaches a maximum brake current value Iset—brake—max. As stated above, when the motor is braked, control is performed so that the initial brake current value at the maximum rated speed is set low and the brake current is increased as the rotational speed decelerates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignees: Edwards Japan Limited, Societe de Mecanique Magnetique
    Inventors: Shinichi Nomura, Ulrich Schroder
  • Patent number: 9061863
    Abstract: A safety circuit in an elevator system includes at least one series connection of safety-relevant contacts that are closed during trouble-free operation of the elevator system, wherein in the case of certain operating conditions in which at least one contact is opened, the at least one contact can be bridged by semiconductor switches, and wherein the semiconductor switches are controlled by at least one processor and monitored by at least one monitoring circuit for short circuits. At least one electromechanical relay circuit, having relay contacts connected in series with the contacts of the bridged series connection can be controlled by the at least one processor and the bridgable series connection can be interrupted by the relay contacts in the case of short-circuiting of the semiconductor switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Eric Birrer
  • Patent number: 9041340
    Abstract: Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries are provided. An example system allows using a power source of a host vehicle configured to provide power at voltage levels lower than the operating voltage of the pallet jack battery stack. The system may allow, for example, charging a 24 volts pallet jack battery stack from a 12 volts power source of the host vehicle. The system may further comprise an interconnecting circuit having a plurality of contactors electrically coupling the batteries in parallel for charging and serially for discharging. The system may further comprise a voltage monitoring circuit to detect whether the pallet jack is connected to the host vehicle power source for charging. Based on the detection, the voltage monitoring circuit may reconfigure the interconnecting circuit to electrically couple the pallet jack batteries in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Wayne M Spani
  • Publication number: 20150053508
    Abstract: A safety arrangement of an elevator, which includes sensors configured to indicate functions that are critical from the viewpoint of the safety of the elevator, and also a safety circuit, with which the data formed by the sensors indicating the safety of the elevator is read. The safety arrangement includes a drive device for driving the hoisting machine of the elevator. The drive device includes a DC bus, and also a motor bridge connected to the DC bus for the electricity supply of the elevator motor. The motor bridge includes high-side and low-side switches for supplying electric power from the DC bus to the elevator motor when driving with the elevator motor, and also from the elevator motor to the DC bus when braking with the elevator motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: KONE Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Kattainen, Pasi Raassina, Tapio Saarikoski, Lauri Stolt, Arto Nakari, Antti Kallioniemi
  • Patent number: 8827042
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator machine includes a motor that operates in a first mode to move an elevator car and in a second mode to generate power. A line reactor is associated with the motor for delivering power generated by the motor operating in the second mode. The line reactor includes an air core inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Wolfgang Lutz Zemke, Marvin Dehmlow, Michael Mann
  • Patent number: 8714313
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power system for operating elevators. The electrical power system includes: an electricity distribution network of a building, which includes an interface to a public electricity network; a plurality of hoisting machines of an elevator, each of which hoisting machines of an elevator is equipped to move an elevator car in an elevator hoistway; and also a power supply system, which includes an interface to the aforementioned hoisting machines of the elevator, and which power supply system includes an interface to the electricity distribution network of the building, for supplying power between the hoisting machines of the elevator and the electricity distribution network of the building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Ari Harkonen, Antti Kallioniemi
  • Patent number: 8689944
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electricity supply apparatus, an elevator system and a method for limiting the electricity consumption of an elevator system. The electricity supply apparatus according to the invention is fitted to supply electricity to one or more devices in an elevator system. The minimum value of the permitted supply voltage with which the apparatus still operates is determined for one or more appliances of the elevator system, and the electricity supply apparatus is equipped to change the supply voltage of the one or more appliances of the elevator system towards the minimum value of the permitted supply voltage for limiting electricity consumption of the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Mirco Manfredi, Sara Maria Rosaria Ruggieri, Alessandro Pilone, Claudio Donghi, Francesco Burroni
  • Patent number: 8668055
    Abstract: An elevator load receiving apparatus or a compensating weight connected thereto by a suspension device is released from a safety device in a stopping position after downward travel, the load receiving apparatus and the compensating weight being moved by a drive unit including a reversible electric motor and a traction sheave engaging the suspension device. Many safety devices, after stopping must be moved counter to the travelling direction of the load receiving apparatus before stopping in order to release (moved upwards in the case of stopping after downward travel). The safety device is easily released by activating the drive unit for a time (tmax1) or a certain distance (smax) with a predetermined torque (Mmax) counter to the direction of release and subsequently activated as abruptly as possible with the predetermined torque in the direction of release. This method can be used to release the compensating weight from its stopped position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Erich Spirgi
  • Patent number: 8575869
    Abstract: A transport system includes a motor for moving the transport appliance and a power supply circuit of the motor. The power supply circuit is connected between the motor and a power source that is limited (Plim) in its dimensioning. An energy storage that is limited (Elim) in its capacity is fitted in connection with the power supply circuit of the motor. The control arrangement includes a determination of the charging status (EQ) of the energy storage; a determination of the movement reference of the transport appliance; and a control of the movement of the transport appliance as a response to the determined movement reference of the transport appliance. The movement reference of the transport appliance is determined on the basis of the amount of energy that can be discharged from the energy storage and/or on the basis of the amount of energy that can be charged into the energy storage as well as on the basis of the travel distance of the transport appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Antti Kallioniemi, Esko Aulanko
  • Publication number: 20130192932
    Abstract: An elevator safety system including a controller, and a hoistway safety node arranged at a pit portion of an elevator hoistway. The hoistway node is operatively connected to one of a pit safety device and a lower hoistway device arranged at the elevator pit. A first bus links the hoistway node and the controller. The first bus passes communication signals directly from the hoistway node to the controller. A car node is arranged in an elevator car. The car node is operatively connected to a car safety device arranged at the elevator car. A second bus links the car node and the controller. The second bus passes communication signals directly from the car node to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Shari R. Parillo, Paul C. Hoppie, Steven D. Coste, Robert Mazzamauro, Ronnie E. Thebeau, Leslie C. Watterson, Peter Herkel
  • Publication number: 20130112507
    Abstract: An exemplary elevator drive includes a DC bus. At least some power components in a power section are electrically referenced to the DC bus. At least some control components in a control section including a drive controller and associated inputs are electrically referenced to the DC bus. This eliminates any requirement for isolating the components referenced to the DC bus from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Daryl J. Marvin
  • Patent number: 8430212
    Abstract: An elevator apparatus includes a safety circuit section including a plurality of abnormality detection units, a safety control device, failure detection unit, and circuit changeover unit. The safety control device controls electric power supply to a driving device and a brake device in accordance with a content of an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection units. The failure detection unit detects a failure of the safety control device. When the failure of the safety control device is detected, the circuit changeover unit forms a failure-time circuit in which the electric power supply to the driving device and the brake device is interrupted directly by the abnormality detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Takaharu Ueda, Satoru Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130025974
    Abstract: A braking device for an elevator is disclosed. The device may include a motor, a braking system, a first switch, and a second switch. The motor may be capable of generating a counter-electromotive force. The braking system may move to a disengaged position upon being energized and may move to an engaged position upon being de-energized. The first and second switches may have an open state. In the open state, the switches electrically couple the motor to the braking system so that the counter-electromotive force of the motor may energize the braking system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Zbigniew Piech, Benjamin J. Watson
  • Patent number: 8360211
    Abstract: A hoisting machine and an elevator system including the hoisting machine are provided. The hoisting machine includes a measuring arrangement for determining the position and/or movement of the rotor of a hoisting machine. The measuring arrangement includes a magnetic band whose magnetic property is so implemented that it varies in the longitudinal direction of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Tuukka Korhonen, Asmo Tenhunen, Jussi Lähteenmäki, Jussi Huppunen
  • Patent number: 8348020
    Abstract: An elevator control device includes a vector controller that calculates a voltage command required for driving an elevator cage, a carrier frequency switch circuit that outputs a carrier frequency signal, and a power converter that performs PWM control based on the voltage command and the carrier frequency signal, generates an AC power and supplies the AC power to an AC motor. The carrier frequency switch circuit changes the carrier frequency signal when a torque command for driving the AC motor reaches a torque limit value. Thus, it is possible to continuously operate an elevator without causing damage to a switching element of the power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki
    Inventors: Hiroaki Ohya, Masashiro Tanaka, Yoichi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 8333265
    Abstract: A device (22) manages power source variations in an elevator system. The device includes a transformer (60) having a primary (62) and a secondary (64). An input of the elevator system is connected to the secondary (64). Tap switches (66a, 66b, 66c, 66d) are connected to the transformer (60) such that each tap switch is connected to a tap point (68a, 68b, 68c, 68d) on the transformer (60). A controller (54) operates the tap switches (66a, 66b, 66c, 66d) based on a sensed power source output to provide power on the secondary (64) within a tolerance band of the elevator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Pengju Kang, Mauro J. Atalla, Daryl J. Marvin, Vladimir Blasko, Robert K. Thornton, Stella M. Oggianu
  • Patent number: 8322494
    Abstract: A temporary main switch arrangement of an elevator includes a first switch in the electricity supply circuit of the power tool and a second switch in the electricity supply circuit of the elevator. The first switch may be fitted into the electricity supply circuit of the power tool and the second switch may be fitted into the electricity supply circuit of the elevator. When modernizing an elevator, the temporary main switch arrangement is fitted into the building's electrical system between the building's distribution circuit, the electricity supply circuit of the power tool and the electricity supply circuit of the elevator; the first switch disconnects the electricity supplies from the electricity supply circuit of the elevator; the second switch connects the electricity supplies to the electricity supply circuit of the power tool; and modernization of at least the electricity supply circuit of the elevator is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventor: Ari Hänninen
  • Publication number: 20120285774
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical power system for operating elevators. The electrical power system comprises: an electricity distribution network of a building, which comprises an interface to a public electricity network; a plurality of hoisting machines of an elevator, each of which hoisting machines of an elevator is equipped to move an elevator car in an elevator hoistway; and also a power supply system, which comprises an interface to the aforementioned hoisting machines of the elevator, and which power supply system comprises an interface to the electricity distribution network of the building, for supplying power between the hoisting machines of the elevator and the electricity distribution network of the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ari Harkonen, Antti Kallioniemi
  • Publication number: 20120279806
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling the operation of a drive motor for a vertical reciprocating conveyor. The method initially activates a drive motor to move a carriage from a resting position. After initial start-up period, the method sets a threshold current value as the present current value being drawn by the drive motor. The method compares subsequent present current value measurements to the threshold current value and determines whether the present current value exceeds or falls below the threshold current value by more than an operating limit. If the present current value falls within the operating limits, the threshold current value is updated to the present current value on a periodic basis. In this manner, the method continuously updates the threshold current value to compensate for an increase in the weight being lifted by the vertical reciprocating conveyor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: PFLOW INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Mark Webster
  • Patent number: 8262442
    Abstract: The invention concerns an energy management method in a building including a lifting installation with a mobile car in a shaft and a ventilation passage between the shaft and the atmosphere. The method includes the monitoring of at least one state parameter of the lifting installation; the evaluation, in a control unit, of the necessity to ventilate the shaft based on at least one state parameter; the switching of an obturator element associated with the ventilation passage from an open position, wherein the ventilation passages is essentially open, to a closed position, wherein the ventilation passages is at least partially obturated, only when the evaluation indicates that ventilation of the shaft is not required, the obturator element being prestressed in its open position. The invention also concerns an energy management system designed to implement the method according to. The present method and system are particularly suitable for installation of a lift in a low-energy or passive building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Royal AFC S.A.
    Inventors: Carlo Hein, Mike Hein
  • Publication number: 20120193172
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conveyor system comprising a transport device (1) that can be moved along a substantially vertical path of travel and a linear motor comprising a primary part (2), arranged on said transport device (1), and a secondary part (3) arranged along the path of travel. The primary part (2) has a primary winding (4) and at least one permanent magnet, and the secondary part (3) has a profile in the direction of the path of travel, comprising alternately arranged grooves and teeth (6). In order to increase operational safety, a brake winding (7) is arranged on the secondary part (3) such that it can generate a braking force by interacting with the permanent magnet (5), to brake said transport device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerhard Matscheko, Zeljko Jajtic