Elevator – industrial lift truck – or stationary lift for vehicle – Having specific load support drive-means or its control – Includes control for power source of drive-means
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-29
2001-01-09
Salata, Jonathan (Department: 2837)
Elevator, industrial lift truck, or stationary lift for vehicle
Having specific load support drive-means or its control
Includes control for power source of drive-means
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170614
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is generally directed to safety equipment used in elevator systems and more particularly, the present invention is directed to an improved overspeed governor using modern electronic components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an improvement over the prior art. Specifically, state of the art overspeed governors are implemented mechanically based on a centrifugal governor. A separate system is installed in the hoistway to connect the car to the governor. The governor is mounted on a non-moving platform, usually at the top or bottom of the hoistway and is connected to the elevator by a rope, tension device, and a tension switch. Thus, the movement of the rope due to the movement of the elevator causes the mechanical overspeed governor to spin. The rate of spin determines the amount of centrifugal force and thus the linear displacement of a set of movable weights. The displacement of the weights determines whether or not the elevator is in an overspeed condition, and if so triggers a predetermined safety sequence of events.
Up until very recently, almost all countries required that elevator safety systems be mechanically implemented because of concerns that electronic implementations would be incapacitated by power failures. However regulations have changed in light of the recognized ability of electronic engineers and improved technology. These new designs provide for a fail safe mode in the event of power failures.
Therefore it has been determined that a need exists for an improved design of the overspeed governor which increases reliability, lowers part count and manufacturing costs, all while improving operability.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic overspeed governor for preventing elevator overspeed by enabling safety devices comprises a microprocessor assembly designed to interface with existing sensors, detectors, components, and safety equipment of current operational and production elevator systems. The microprocessor assembly receives very accurate position measurements from a position measurement system, such as the one disclosed in “Sonic Position Measurement System ”, U.S. patent application Ser. No.: 08/996,348, filed on Dec. 22, 1997, and hereby incorporated by reference. A microprocessor receives configuration information from an onboard ROM which contains data specific to the particular model of elevator and other installation specific parameters. The software calculates elevator speed based on successive position data. If an overspeed or near overspeed condition occurs, the microprocessor generates the appropriate outputs to be conveyed to the elevator safety system. The safety system activates devices to arrest the overspeed condition. The microprocessor and associated components provide an overspeed governor which is faster, more accurate and as reliable as the prior art. The improved electronic overspeed governor greatly improves installation time, reliability, quality, manufacturing costs, and operational characteristics.
The above-discussed and other features and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and drawings.
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Otis Invention Disclosure No. OT-4556 entitled Mechanical Resetting for Switch (Apolo Governor) dated Apr. 27, 1999.
Herkel Peter
Schonauer Uwe
Otis Elevator Company
Salata Jonathan
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