Elevator – industrial lift truck – or stationary lift for vehicle – Having specific load support drive-means or its control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-02-27
Olszewski, Robert P. (Department: 3652)
Elevator, industrial lift truck, or stationary lift for vehicle
Having specific load support drive-means or its control
C187S251000, C187S254000, C187S256000, C187S407000, C254S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193016
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a rope climbing elevator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typical roped or hydraulic elevators in current use consist of a cab which is moved vertically within a hoistway shaft by means of an external mechanism, such as a traction machine for roped elevators and an hydraulic piston and pump for hydraulic elevators. The location of the machinery associated with such external hoisting machines can be problematic in certain types and arrangements and buildings.
Designers have attempted to address the these problems by proposing self-propelled elevators in which the lifting mechanism is integral with the elevator car, thus avoiding the need for a machine room or other designed space to house the elevator lifting machinery. Various prior art designs have utilized rack and pinon arrangements in which a geared pinion on the elevator car engages a linear rack disposed vertically in the hoistway, linear induction motors wherein the primary and secondary armatures are disposed on the elevator car and hoistway, respectively, and other means which will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Each has various drawbacks in terms of speed, power consumption, ride quality, etc., and none have achieved wide-spread acceptance or use.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a self-propelled, rope climbing elevator.
According to the present invention, an elevator car is provided with at least one pair of counter-rotating traction sheaves which are driven by one or more prime movers which are also secured to the car. Each sheave receives a corresponding stationary rope, secured at the upper end of the elevator hoistway, and hanging vertically downward. Each rope is wrapped partially about the lower portion of its corresponding sheave, and partially about the upper portion of the other paired sheave, hanging vertically downward therefrom. The lower, or free, end of each rope is then tensioned by a suspended weight, spring or the like.
In operation, the driven traction sheaves rotate, causing the car to move vertically within the hoistway by translating the cab relative to the stationary ropes.
In a second embodiment of the present invention a second elevator car is operable within at least a portion of the hoistway traversed by the first car. The respective ropes and sheave pairs are located so as to avoid interference between the cars during operation, thus allowing the two cars to run simultaneously in the same hoistway.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, the hoistway includes a plurality of rope clamps adapted to engage the stationary ropes and support a portion of their weight, particularly in high-rise applications in which the length and weight of the rope is very great. The clamps release upon approach of the car and are re-engaged after the car passes. By providing intermediate support of the rope, the clamps permit use of very long ropes which would otherwise not be suitable in this application.
In a fourth embodiment of the present invention high-friction, flat, flexible traction ropes are used for efficient and increased traction between rope and sheave, thereby reducing machine mass and system cost. The increased traction is attributable to the increase in surface contact area attained with flat ropes, as opposed to conventional, round ropes. By utilizing flat ropes instead of round ropes the number and diameter of drive or traction sheaves may be decreased. This reduces machine cost in general and in particular instances where, for example, only one sheave needs to be driven rather than two. Because the diameter of the drive sheave can be reduced, the torque required to drive the sheave will, as a result, be decreased. Thus, smaller and more efficient drive machine components can be used. By minimizing the number and size of drive sheaves and drive machine components, cost-efficient and smaller, lighter weight machines can be implemented. This is particularly advantageous in a system, such as the present invention system, where the machine and the drive sheaves are supported by and move with the elevator car.
In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, a novel sheave and rope or belt arrangement is illustrated in which a traction rope or belt engages a drive sheave in an approximate 360 degree wrapping fashion for optimum traction. Such an arrangement provides maximum traction with minimum components, material mass, space and associated costs.
In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, a novel sheave and rope or belt arrangement is illustrated in which optimum traction with minimal components, material mass, space and cost is achieved by providing a pair of diverter sheaves in positions so as to optimize the area of wrap-around contact between a rope and drive sheave.
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Bonatre Guillaume Georges
Hollowell Richard L.
Wan Samuel C.
Olszewski Robert P.
Otis Elevator Company
Tran Thuy V.
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