With Specific Electrical Control Therefor Patents (Class 187/316)
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Publication number: 20010045328Abstract: A system and an associated method of detecting an object in a three-dimensional field adjacent to a doorway, such as an elevator doorway, uses an array of energy emitters that emit three-dimensional energy signals into the field and an array of energy receivers that receive the energy signals reflected from the object. The signals are sampled a predetermined number of times. In one embodiment, if the lowest value sampled signal reaches a predetermined threshold, an object detection signal is generated. In an alternative embodiment, if the sampled signals are within a predetermined variance range, the object detection signal is generated. In another alternative embodiment, if a predetermined modulation code is detected within a sampled signal, the object detection signal is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2001Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Richard D. Pustelniak, Teril W. Morton
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Patent number: 6223861Abstract: The condition of the hoistway doors and the elevator door are continuously monitored. The opening of a hoistway door unaccompanied by opening of the car door being an indication of hoistway access; the car then is moveable only at inspection (slow) speed by utilizing controls on the car top; restoration to normal is achieved only by returning the inspection switch on the car top to normal operation while a hoistway door is open, and subsequently closing the hoistway doors and/or by activating a reset located outside the hoistway. Inspection speed limit switches are installed near the top and bottom of the hoistway positioned so that if operated while the elevator is traveling at inspection speed, the car will stop at a position which leaves a person ample room from the hoistway overhead or the pit floor. If a person enters the pit, normal operation is restored only by closing the hoistway door and subsequently engaging an external reset switch (outside the hoistway).Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Frank M. Sansevero
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Patent number: 6032762Abstract: An elevator door operator for positioning elevator doors along an arcuate pathway includes a linearly displaceable actuator and a pair of linkage arms, each pivotally connected to the other and connected to one end of the linearally displaceable actuator. The linkage arms are also each pivotally connected at their opposite ends to each of two support arms, each of which support arms are pivotally connected at one of their ends to each other and secured at their opposite ends, respectively to each of the door panels.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1998Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Vertisys International, Inc.Inventors: Timothy P. O'Donnell, Hai T. Nguyen
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Patent number: 6006866Abstract: An elevator is provided with a car and inner and outer doors. The inner door registers with one of the outer doors when the car is disposed within a floor zone. A solenoid on the car has a plunger for blocking the inner door from opening. Power will only be applied to the solenoid to move the plunger to a retracted position to allow the inner door to be fully opened when both the car is disposed within a floor zone and the inner doors are being opened by the main elevator controls. A floor zone sensor is mounted to the car for detecting when the elevator is disposed within one of the floor zones. A door sensor is also mounted to the car for detecting when the inner door is being opened by the main elevator controls. A controller operates the electric solenoid to lift the plunger from the extended position to the retracted position in response to receiving both a door data signal from the door sensor and a floor zone data signal from the floor zone sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Advanced Microcontrols, Inc.Inventors: Gregory L. Horne, Tom J. Harrison
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Patent number: 5984051Abstract: Remote control devices borne by potential passengers are alerted to initiate a request for elevator service by beacons in the building. The beacon alert message includes a tag identifying the floor on which the beacon is located and a position on the floor at which the beacon is located. The floor description tags prevent transmissions of the remote device from being recognized on floors other than the floor on which the device was alerted by a beacon, whereby transmission power of the remote devices may be quite high to assure reception anywhere on the floor, while being ignored on adjacent floors.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Robert G. Morgan, David Crenella, Bruce E. Zepke, Harold Terry, Eric K. Jamieson
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Patent number: 5949036Abstract: A single linear motor has two sets of active sides with windings, secondaries and backirons. The front of the motor drives one load and the rear of the motor selectively drives another load. The windings on the two sides may have their phases reversed so as to drive the load in opposite directions in response to the same three-phase, U, V, W drive signals; or, only one load need be drive at any one time. The loads may be double, center-opening or two-speed elevator doors.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1998Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Zbigniew Piech
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Patent number: 5918705Abstract: Opening of an elevator door by occupants of a car which is stalled between building floors is prevented by a locking member which is movable by an electrical actuator between a door locking position and a door releasing position. Opening is permitted at unlocking zones at which the car is at or close to a landing site at a building floor. An infrared emitter and an infrared detector carried by the car pass along opposite sides of a series of opaque door zone vanes situated along the path of car travel. The actuator retracts the locking member in response to blocking of the infrared path between the emitter and detector by a door zone vane. A timer delays the retraction for a period at least equal to the time required for passage of the car through an unlocking zone when it is traveling at rated speed past a floor at which it is not to be stopped.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1997Date of Patent: July 6, 1999Inventor: Jeff Friend
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Patent number: 5896953Abstract: An elevator is provided with a car, an inner door mounted to the car and outer doors mounted to floor openings which define floor zones, the inner door registers with the outer doors when the car is disposed within one of the floor zones. The elevator includes a door restrictor having an electric solenoid mounted to the car so that the inner door cannot be opened more than four inches when the elevator is between floor zones. The electric solenoid has a plunger which is normally in an extended position to block the inner door from opening. Power will only be applied to the electric solenoid to lift the plunger from the extended position to a retracted position to allow the inner door to be fully opened when both the car is disposed within a floor zone and the inner doors are being opened by the main elevator controls. A floor zone sensor is mounted to the car for detecting when the elevator is disposed within one of the floor zones.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 1997Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Advanced Microcontrols, Inc.Inventors: Gregory L. Horne, Tom J. Harrison
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Patent number: 5896951Abstract: Magnetizing current generated in a linear induction motor driving elevator car doors in elevator systems is optimized. Magnetizing current level is set low for door operation modes requiring lower levels of thrust, such as hold open and hold closed. Magnetizing current level is increased for modes of door operation requiring greater thrust levels, such as closing or opening. Optimization of magnetizing current in linear induction motors reduces overheating and increases energy efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: K. Narasimha Reddy, Brian J. Amend, Donald F. Cominelli, Richard N. Fargo, James P. Towey, Jr., William F. Brooks
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Patent number: 5881844Abstract: A secondary positioning system for elevator car doors includes three sensors positioned in register with a plurality of openings formed within a door hanger. The unique spacing between the sensors in combination with unique spacing between each of the openings within the door hanger, allows determination of fully closed, fully opened, and intermediate positions and direction of elevator car doors.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1996Date of Patent: March 16, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Garnett Thompson, Richard N. Fargo, David K. Gentzler, Bennie Murah, James P. Towey, Jr., Michael J. Tracey
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Patent number: 5880414Abstract: When an elevator is running, the car door 27 is locked in the closed position by a brake shoe 12 which engages the edge of the door hanger 24 in response to a push-type solenoid 19 overcoming the force of a spring. When the door is not closed, a friction brake pad 11 contacts the door hanger surface to hold the door open for passenger boarding or to stop the door in case of failure of door operator power while the door is in motion.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 1997Date of Patent: March 9, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Frank Guliuzza, Jr., Edward E. Ahigian, Richard E. Kulak, Thomas M. McHugh, Thomas He, Richard E. Peruggi, David W. Barrett
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Patent number: 5862887Abstract: An elevator car door system for opening and closing elevator car doors in an elevator car includes a high performance linear induction motor having a pair of movable motor primaries, each attached to a door hanger for each door, and a stationary motor secondary attached to a header bracket which is secured to the elevator car. Each motor primary includes a primary winding and a backiron spaced apart by a plurality of spacers that establish a magnetic gap therebetween. The motor secondary fits between the primary winding and the backiron as the moving motor primaries travel across the motor secondary, generating thrust.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Bruce P. Swaybill, William L. King, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak, Michael J. Tracey, K. Narasimha Reddy, James A. Rivera
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Patent number: 5864104Abstract: An elevator door control apparatus according to the present invention includes a driver for driving an elevator door; a torque detector, connected to the driver, for detecting torque command values during driving and the maximum torque command value; a standard door memory; an optimal door speed calculator for calculating an optimal door speed from the standard door values stored in memory and from the torque command values detected by the torque detector; and a door speed command for outputting a speed command signal to the driver, based on the door speed calculated by the optimal door speed calculator.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1996Date of Patent: January 26, 1999Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masanori Tawada, Yoshikatsu Hayashi
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Patent number: 5859395Abstract: A method for generating velocity profiles for elevator car doors includes a step of generating a straight line velocity versus time profile. The profile is then passed through a low pass finite impulse response filter to smooth the transition between different velocity and acceleration values and to limit certain undesired frequencies. The filtered profile can be integrated into a position versus time profile and stored in the RAM of a control system to be used for subsequent operations.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1996Date of Patent: January 12, 1999Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Richard N. Fargo
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Patent number: 5841083Abstract: A method for detecting if an elevator door is blocked comprises the steps of: initiating a movement of the elevator door; starting a timer count upon the initiation of the movement of the door; determining if the timer count has expired before a door position reference switch is actuated; and determining that the elevator door is blocked if the timer count has expired before the door position reference switch is actuated.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Uwe Schonauer, Helmut L. Schroder-Brumloop
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Patent number: 5841082Abstract: A motor secondary in a linear induction motor used for opening and closing doors in an elevator system includes a secondary guide system having a first secondary guide and a second secondary guide. The first secondary guide is disposed on a bottom longitudinal edge of the motor secondary and the second secondary guide is disposed on a top longitudinal edge of the motor secondary. The guides space apart the motor secondary from the motor primary and establish small and constant running clearances therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1996Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: James A. Rivera, Michael J. Tracey
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Patent number: 5821477Abstract: A reflector mounted in an elevator shaft and having coded symbols in two tracks in the region of a stopping floor is read by detectors on the car for bridging door contacts when the car is in the arrival region and the resetting region of the stopping floor. The symbols are detected and evaluated by a two-channel evaluating circuit having optical transmitters for illuminating the tracks and charge-coupled device sensors for detecting the reflected images. A pattern recognition logic system and computers for each channel recognize patterns in the images for generating car position and speed information and for actuating relays to bridge the door contacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Inventio AGInventor: Bernhard Gerstenkorn
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Patent number: 5821478Abstract: An acoustic signal in an elevator door system is provided if a door close signal is present and a door has not closed within a determined time. A switching frequency of a pulse width modulation signal is reduced such that a motor is caused to provide the acoustic signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1996Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Helmut L. Schroder-Brumloop, Rudiger Lob
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Patent number: 5817993Abstract: An elevator door reversal monitoring apparatus for monitoring an elevator door system comprises: a plurality of sensors for providing sensor signals; a door reversal state machine for providing door reversal data in response to the sensor signals; an output module for capturing the door reversal data; and an output processing module for determining a current state of the elevator door system in response to the captured door reversal data.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 1996Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Sanjay Kamani, Patrick Lusaka, Ronald R. Pepin
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Patent number: 5813498Abstract: An elevator door system having variable opening/closing width includes a button (1) located in the hall in the loading area for calling the elevator car to that hall, multiple destination floor buttons (2) in the elevator car which indicate the destination floor of the elevator car when pressed, a load sensor (3) which measures the load applied to the elevator car, a door operator (4) which opens the door completely or less than the completely opened width, and a controller (5) which inputs the signals from said hall button (1), destination floor buttons (2), and load sensor (3) and outputs a drive signal to said door operator (4).Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1996Date of Patent: September 29, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Kazuhiro Hattori, Hideyuki Honma
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Patent number: 5808246Abstract: An electronic motor drive produces a required motion profile for an elevator door operator actuated by a three-phase, line-powered linear induction motor (LIM) by means of an array of TRIAC switches producing selected forces from the LIM. The TRIAC drive is capable of producing acceleration, deceleration or free coast in either the open or close direction of door operation. When controlled by an algorithm such as a "time-optimal switch point" or "bang-bang" control, the TRIAC drive produces the required motions from the linear induction motor for elevator door operation. The motor windings may be switchable between delta and wye hookups to provide two distinct thrust levels. Phase angle modulation may be used to provide finer control of thrust.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1995Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Richard E. Peruggi, Thomas M. McHugh, Edward E. Ahigian, Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas He, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak, David W. Barrett, Zbigniew Piech
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Patent number: 5804779Abstract: A method for scaling a position versus time profile for elevator car doors includes a step for generating a time scaling factor and a distance scaling factor. The scaling factors allow a previously stored position versus time profile to be used for all subsequent operations of the elevator car doors.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1996Date of Patent: September 8, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Richard N. Fargo
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Patent number: 5780788Abstract: An electronic controller arrangement for an elevator car includes an auxiliary controller including instructions for disconnecting a main operational controller from a door operator when either a Phase I (emergency car recall operation); or a Phase II (in-car operation during emergency); special emergency service signal is detected by the auxiliary controller and for performing all door control operations during the Phase I or Phase II emergency condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1997Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: John Michael Eschenbrenner, Robert James Logemann
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Patent number: 5780787Abstract: A method for monitoring a manual elevator door system comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of sensor signals; detecting the sensor signals; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that an elevator car is stopped at a landing; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a car door of the elevator car is open; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a hoistway door is unlocked; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a hoistway door is closed; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a call has been assigned to the elevator car during a time that the hoistway door is closed; and providing a performance data signal in response to said determinations wherein said performance data signal is representative that the manual elevator door system is in a non-alarm condition.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Sanjay Kamani, Jean Sanches
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Patent number: 5760350Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an elevator door performance result of an elevator door in an elevator door system which normally operates sequentially from state-to-state in a closed loop sequential chain of normal operating states is disclosed. A plurality of parameter signals provided by the elevator door system is monitored by the apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a door state sequencer for providing a performance measure; a module for providing a reference measure and an acceptable range; and an abnormal detection module for analyzing the door performance measure.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1996Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Ronald R. Pepin, Robert Mashiak, Sanjay Kamani, Patrick Lusaka, Jean-Marie Rennetaud
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Patent number: 5756946Abstract: A linear induction motor for opening and closing elevator car doors in an elevator system includes a motor primary fixedly attached to a door hanger and a motor secondary flexibly mounted to a header bracket of the elevator car. A pair of swivel joints secure the ends of the motor secondary to the header bracket. The swivel joints compensate for misalignment and twisting of the elevator car doors by allowing multi-dimensional movement of the motor secondary relative to the header bracket.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 1996Date of Patent: May 26, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Michael J. Tracey, James A. Rivera
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Patent number: 5736693Abstract: A linear induction motor utilizes a double-sided primary and a dual secondary to directly drive an elevator car door open and closed. The invention has the advantage of being compact: all magnetic-attractive loads are confined to a primary mount bracket, and all thrust loads are carried directly by the car header, not transferred to the cab. Also, high thrusts can be developed from a small space, i.e., short net working coil area, due to the double-sided primary winding and dual secondary arrangement. The configuration is basically simple, with a low moving mass and easy-to-fabricate parts, the primary core being particularly easily wound.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1995Date of Patent: April 7, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Zbigniew Piech, Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Edward E. Ahigian, Richard E. Kulak, Thomas M. McHugh, Thomas He, Richard E. Peruggi, David W. Barrett
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Patent number: 5701973Abstract: Disclosed is a door operator mounted in a space between a cab fascia and a sill edge plane. A feature of the door operator is a drive unit connected to a drive pulley, the drive unit being mounted in a central portion of the door operator, wherein the drive pulley provides a drive force to a linear transmission element. Another feature of the door operator is a modular mounting plate, wherein the door operator is mounted to the mounting plate, and in turn, the mounting plate is mounted in the space between the cab fascia and the sill edge plane.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: December 30, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Michael J. Tracey
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Patent number: 5682023Abstract: A linear motor for operating an elevator door is energized using a bang-bang control strategy (10) wherein three-phase AC utility mains (16) are connected (29) directly to the linear motor primary (14) by means of a motor control (12) in response to control signals (26) provided under the direction of a control strategy (10), which may be microprocessor-based. Commands (24) from an elevator controller to open/close the elevator door cause the system to operate the doors and a sensor (22) provides feedback (28) by means of which the control (10) is able to determine switch points for switching the AC mains.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1995Date of Patent: October 28, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Thomas M. McHugh, Richard E. Peruggi, Edward E. Ahigian, Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas He, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak, David W. Barrett
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Patent number: 5668355Abstract: The door or doors on an elevator cab are driven during their opening and closing cycles by a linear induction motor drive system. The primary of the linear motor is fixed to the cab assembly, and the secondary is mounted on the door hanger panel and moves with the door. In order for the secondary to maintain a proper spacing relative to the primary, a flexible connection is provided between the secondary and the remainder of the door. In this way, shifting of the door during its opening and closing movements will not cause misalignment of the secondary with respect to the primary.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 1994Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Edward E. Ahigian, Thomas M. McHugh, Thomas He, Richard E. Peruggi, Richard E. Kulak, David W. Barrett
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Patent number: 5659160Abstract: Disclosed is a door operator mounted in a space between a cab fascia and a sill edge plane. A feature of the door operator is a drive unit having a drive shaft, the drive unit being mounted in a central portion of the door operator, wherein drive pulleys are fastened to the drive shaft, thereby providing a drive force to linear transmission elements disposed about each of the drive pulleys. Another feature of the door operator is a modular mounting plate, wherein the door operator is mounted to the mounting plate, and in turn, the mounting plate is mounted in the space between the cab fascia and the sill edge plane.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1995Date of Patent: August 19, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventor: Michael J. Tracey
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Patent number: 5644110Abstract: An elevator system for up-peak servicing of a building having a dual lobby. The system includes a controller having an electronic processor coupled to a memory; a plurality of elevator cars controllably connected to the controller, a dual lobby routine stored within the memory, the dual lobby routine includes instructions for dispatching at least one of the elevator cars to a lower lobby during up-peak, indicating a sector assigned to the car, nudging (if needed) the car if a lower lobby time-out is exceeded, dispatching the car to the upper lobby if a load weight threshold is not exceeded, and then indicating the sector assigned to the car while the car is located at the upper lobby.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1994Date of Patent: July 1, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Zuhair S. Bahjat, James M. Collins, David M. Hughes
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Patent number: 5636714Abstract: A bi-parting elevator door actuator apparatus operably connected to a bi-parting door assembly having 1) a door interlock and power control assembly; 2) a bi-fold door actuator assembly; and 3) an electrical control circuit. The door interlock and power control assembly includes 1) a door latch assembly connected to the bi-parting door assembly to hold in a closed position; 2) a cam roller and linkage assembly engagable with the bi-parting door assembly to open and close a first power relay assembly; and 3) a door actuated power assembly having a second power relay assembly operable to be opened on opening of the bi-parting door assembly. An elevator drive motor is denied electrical power when a) the bi-parting door assembly is in an open position; and b) the traveling elevator car assembly reaches a predetermined position for stopping.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 1994Date of Patent: June 10, 1997Inventor: Barry J. Viola
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Patent number: 5625266Abstract: An electromechanically operated door having a control and regulation system for the door, the door for being driven by an electric motor, the movement of the door being controlled by sensors. The control and regulation system is equipped with a microprocessor control. In addition to the normal path of data to the microprocessor control, a dual redundancy is achieved, in that there is a safety monitoring system which receives the same safety-related information as the microprocessor control. This safety monitoring system, for its part, is capable of detecting a fault, i.e. if the microprocessor control system has not shut off the door, the door is shut off by the safety monitoring system, which for its part reports any faults which occur in the system to a fault detection unit, and here again, by means of a redundant shutdown unit, brings the connected motor and thus the door to an immediate stop.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: DORMA GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Jurgen Stark
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Patent number: 5625175Abstract: An apparatus and a method for moving an elevator door utilizes computed travel curves to control a door drive. The actual speed and position of the door are inputs to a travel curve computer in which travel curve algorithms are stored. Constants used in the algorithms are freely selectable and are communicated to the computer through a terminal connected to the computer. The computer generates target values a regulator which controls a power unit connected to the door drive motor for the opening, closing and reversing operations of the door.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Assignee: Inventio AGInventors: Norbert Gutknecht, Andreas Sukale
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Patent number: 5612518Abstract: The door or doors of an elevator are driven through their opening and closing cycles by one or more linear induction motor (LIM) assemblies in which the primary winding component of the LIM assembly is secured to the elevator cab structure and the LIM secondary component is secured to the cab door. If the cab has two oppositely moving doors, there will preferably be two separate motor drives, one for each door. In one embodiment, the motor components are arranged so as to create a normal force which is horizontal; and in another embodiment, the normal force created is vertical. A primary motor mount bracket is used which secures the primary winding component to the overhead component of the cab structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 1994Date of Patent: March 18, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Jerome F. Jaminet, Zbigniew Piech, Frank Guliuzza, Jr., Thomas M. McHugh, Edward E. Ahigian, Thomas He, Richard E. Peruggi, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak, David W. Barrett
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Patent number: 5594219Abstract: An elevator position apparatus for determining if an elevator car is positioned within a door zone includes an encoded medium disposed vertically in an elevator hoistway, at least two door zone sensors for providing first and second door zone sensor signals in response to the encoded medium, at least two leveling sensors for providing up and down sensor signals in response to the encoded medium and means for determining if the elevator car is positioned within the door zone.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 1995Date of Patent: January 14, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Sanjay Kamani, Daniel S. Williams, Christopher H. Koenig
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Patent number: 5587565Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an elevator door includes a three phase AC motor that receives control signals from a controller. The signals are issued at control points along a speed versus distance profile map that represents the control points as a percentage of the total distance to be travelled by the elevator. The total distance of door travel in one direction is measured be counting the number of pulses generated by an incremental encoder during a training run wherein the door is moved between its extreme positions at a constant speed. The number of pulses counted is then normalized to represent 100% of the distance traveled. During operation, the pulses are counted whenever the elevator door is in motion and control signals are issued based upon the number of pulses counted.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Helmut Schroder-Brumloop, Rudiger Lob
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Patent number: 5587566Abstract: A method for adjusting an elevator door includes the steps of selecting an elevator door adjustment task from a task list which is provided by an elevator door controller. The elevator door controller is adapted to control the phase, voltage and torque of an elevator door motor. The controller is provided with an elevator door adjustment program which is adapted to provide a set of program prompts to a service person who inputs elevator door parameters in response to the set of program prompts. The parameters are then stored in a memory accessible to said elevator door controller the elevator door in thereafter controlled in accordance with the inputted parameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Michael Barten, Mustapha Toutaoui
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Patent number: 5583334Abstract: A light grid consists of a row (13) of adjacent light transmitters (11.sub.i) and adjacent light receivers (12.sub.i) arranged at a distance opposite to the latter. The light transmitters (11.sub.i) and the associated light receivers (12.sub.i) are individually activated cyclically one after the other. A determination is made at each light receiver (12.sub.i) whether a received light signal is present or not on activation of the associated light transmitter (11.sub.i). By considering, during the evaluation, the light receivers (12.sub.i-1, 12.sub.i+1) adjacent to the associated light receiver (12.sub.i) and the light transmitters (11.sub.i+1, 11.sub.i-1) adjacent to the associated light transmitter (11.sub.i), a differentiation is made between an obstacle introduced into the protective field (26) and a defect light transmitter (11.sub.i) and/or light receiver (12.sub.i).Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1994Date of Patent: December 10, 1996Assignee: Erwin Sick GmbH Optik-ElektronikInventor: Andreas Baumann
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Patent number: 5550450Abstract: Polarity change of a feed-forward compensation signal for compensating for a dead-time voltage disturbance is synchronized with zero crossings of a load current reference. The load current reference is advanced in time by adding a fixed phase angle, scaled by the synchronous frequency, to the synchronous coordinates angle. The load current reference is time-advanced only for timing the polarity change of the feed-forward compensation signal and not for application to the current regulators; the current regulators still use the load current reference (unadvanced). For a converter, the load current would be an AC mains input current. For an inverter, the load current could, for example, be an induction motor stator current. The shape of the feed-forward compensation signal is approximately trapezoidal and is obtained from the limited, amplified, advanced load current reference.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 1993Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Joseph Palko, Robert R. Zeranski
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Patent number: 5518086Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling doors of an elevator includes a passenger sensor and load sensor. The passenger sensor detects the presence of passengers in a lobby, and the load sensor generates a load signal indicating only a load of the elevator. A processor then determines passenger movements between the lobby and the elevator, and passenger movements within the elevator based on the load signal. Next, an elevator door controller controls the elevator doors based on output from the processor and the passenger sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1994Date of Patent: May 21, 1996Assignee: Kone Elevator GmbHInventor: Tapio Tyni
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Patent number: 5509504Abstract: An elevator car door is moved by a variable voltage, variable frequency linear induction motor which is driven open current loop to achieve a desired velocity profile indicated by an incremental linear encoder, with washed out proportional and integral gain. A magnetizing current insufficient to overcome the weight of the door is added in quadrature with the linear force current, and frequency is determined open loop in a predetermined fashion. Pulse width modulation voltage control signals are utilized to apply fixed voltages of correct polarity through a low pass three phase filter to the windings of the motor for correct intervals of time so as to synthesize desired sinusoidal winding currents. A boost of current is provided following each zero crossing of the sinusoidal winding currents to overcome lags therein. A ramp down of voltage avoids dropping the door at the end of door opening and door closing.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1994Date of Patent: April 23, 1996Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Thomas M. McHugh, David W. Barrett, Edward E. Ahigian, Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas He, Richard E. Peruggi, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak
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Patent number: 5503248Abstract: An elevator car door is moved by a variable voltage, variable frequency linear induction motor which is driven open current loop to achieve a desired velocity profile indicated by an incremental linear encoder, with washed out proportional and integral gain. A magnetizing current insufficient to overcome the weight of the door is added in quadrature with the linear force current, and frequency is determined open loop in a predetermined fashion. Pulse width modulation voltage control signals are utilized to apply fixed voltages of correct polarity through a low pass three phase filter to the windings of the motor for correct intervals of time so as to synthesize desired sinusoidal winding currents. A boost of current is provided following each zero crossing of the sinusoidal winding currents to overcome lags therein. A ramp down of voltage avoids dropping the door at the end of door opening and door closing.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1994Date of Patent: April 2, 1996Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Richard E. Peruggi, Thomas M. McHugh, Edward E. Ahigian, Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas He, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak, David W. Barrett
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Patent number: 5495918Abstract: An elevator car door is moved by a variable voltage, variable frequency linear induction motor which is driven open current loop to achieve a desired velocity profile indicated by an incremental linear encoder, with washed out proportional and integral gain. A magnetizing current insufficient to overcome the weight of the door is added in quadrature with the linear force current, and frequency is determined open loop in a predetermined fashion. Pulse width modulation voltage control signals are utilized to apply fixed voltages of correct polarity through a low pass three phase filter to the windings of the motor for correct intervals of time so as to synthesize desired sinusoidal winding currents. A boost of current is provided following each zero crossing of the sinusoidal winding currents to overcome lags therein. A ramp down of voltage avoids dropping the door at the end of door opening and door closing.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1994Date of Patent: March 5, 1996Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Richard E. Peruggi, Thomas M. McHugh, Edward E. Ahigian, Jerome F. Jaminet, Thomas He, Thomas M. Kowalczyk, Richard E. Kulak, David W. Barrett
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Patent number: 5476157Abstract: An elevator control system (40) for automatically controlling the operation of an elevator car (22A) having a car door (24A) in which the elevator moves between different floor levels of an elevator shaft (30A) in which each floor level has associated hoistway doors (26A, 26C) for providing access to the elevator car (22A) in the shaft (30A) and an elevator hoistway operation monitoring system (34) with individual floor monitoring switches (32) for determining the floor level location of the elevator car (22A), individual hoistway door monitoring sensors (38) for sensing the opening of a hoistway door (26A) relays (56, 58, 52) and contact (50) coupled with an elevator safety circuit (42) for automatically preventing the elevator car (22A) from moving if a hoistway door (26A) is opened at a floor level other than the floor level at which the elevator car (22A) is located and for prohibiting the car (22A) from moving in response to the closing of the opened hoistway door (26A).Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1994Date of Patent: December 19, 1995Inventor: Sam S. Todaro
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Patent number: 5443142Abstract: An automatic elevator system having car movement controls, door controls, a door operating mechanism for automatically opening and closing at least the car door and first switch contacts operable when the car and hoistway doors are closed to permit the car to move from a floor in combination with further switch contacts which are operable in accordance with the positions of the doors and which prevent the car from moving from a floor when the first switch contacts are operated before the further switch contacts to prevent movement of the car from a floor when the first switch contacts have been operated or shunted by unauthorized persons or by a short circuit and other means to protect against failures of other circuits operated by the first switch means and further switch means.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1993Date of Patent: August 22, 1995Assignee: G.A.L. Manufacturing Corp.Inventor: Walter Glaser
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Patent number: 5427207Abstract: An elevator control apparatus capable of reducing the risk of passengers being confined in an elevator car and capable of preventing damage to equipment as well as danger to passengers. The apparatus includes a safety circuit for detecting an abnormality of the elevator, a flip-flop for storing the operation of the safety circuit, a door-openable region detecting circuit for detecting that a position at which the car is stopped is within a region within which the door of the car can be opened, a control circuit for effecting a rescue operation on the basis of the outputs of the flip-flop and the door-openable region detecting circuit. After an operation of the safety circuit a control circuit continuously outputs a signal for canceling the memory of the flip-flop 35 after the passage of a first predetermined period of time until a second predetermined period of time passes. After the passage of the second predetermined period of time, the elevator car is prohibited from starting.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 1994Date of Patent: June 27, 1995Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yoshio Miyanishi
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Patent number: 5392879Abstract: An electronic failure detector includes an electronic processor having processor inputs and processor outputs, a memory connected to one of the inputs, a logic circuit having logic circuit inputs and logic circuit outputs, the logic circuit inputs and logic circuit outputs being connected to others of the processor inputs, and instructions, stored within the non-volatile memory, for causing the processor to perform a logic check of the logic circuit and to generate a first signal on the processor output if said logic check is true, and to generate a second signal on the processor output if said logic check is false.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 1993Date of Patent: February 28, 1995Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Robert C. Boyce, Michael A. Spaner
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Patent number: 5384439Abstract: The present invention solves the problem of discontinuous operation of an elevator door, depending upon the operating point of the door at the time of the reversal command, by a digital control technique which uses as a reference signal for the adaptation, the velocity dictation coming from a profile generator. This gives an information concerning the actual operating point. The adaptation of the controller parameters is made with respect to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1993Date of Patent: January 24, 1995Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Christoph M. Ernecke, Michael Barten, Mustapha Toutaoui