Otis Elevator Company

Reinhard Henkel

Stefan Spannhake

Ralph S Stripling

Herbert K Horbruegger

Herbert Horbrugger

Richard Markus

J&uuml;rgen Gewinner

Jürgen Gerwinner

A conveyor drive unit (), which is configured for driving a conveyor, comprises: a motor (); an adaptive power supply unit (), which is configured for supplying electrical energy to the motor (); a safety chain/circuit (), comprising at least one safety device () and being configured for ensuring a safe operation of the conveyor. The conveyor drive unit () further comprises an initialization switch (), which is configured for selectively connecting the adaptive power supply unit () electrically with the motor () for initialization of the adaptive power supply unit () without bypassing or deactivating the safety chain/circuit ().

Conveyor drive unit with initialization of the adaptive power supply unit and identification of the motor

Method for monitoring at least part of a comb-line () of a comb plate () having a plurality of teeth (), of a people conveyor () having a movable transportation band () and the comb plate () located at the transition () between the movable transportation band () and the stationary comb plate (), wherein the method includes (a) taking a picture of the comb-line () with a camera (); (b) comparing the picture with a reference picture; (c) determining the safety state of the comb-line () based on such comparison.

Optically monitoring comb-line of escalators and moving walks

Process and device for controlling the drive of a conveyor system ( ), specifically in the form of an escalator or passenger conveyor, which can be switched from load to no-load operation, comprising a drive motor ( ) and a variable frequency converter ( ), which is at least controllable with respect to the frequency of its output voltage, wherein, under load, the drive motor ( ) is supplied with a line voltage with an essentially constant line frequency and, at no-load, is supplied the output voltage of the variable frequency converter's ( ), wherein, prior to a changeover from no-load to load operation, the output frequency of the variable frequency converter ( ) is essentially brought with phase accuracy to the line frequency by means of a PLL device ( ), and wherein this changeover is brought about as soon as this phase conformance has been realized.

Process for switching between mains supply and a frequency inverter and vice versa

A method of controlling the drive of conveyor installation which includes a drive motor ( ) and a frequency converter ( ) whose output is adjustable, between a load operation and an idle mode, in the form of an escalator ( ) or a moving sidewalk, where: in the load operation mode drive motor ( ) is supplied with a line voltage at an essentially constant line frequency (f ), and in the idle mode with an output voltage of the frequency converter ( ); the line voltage and the frequency converter's output voltage are compared with respect to frequency and phase position; the frequency converter ( ) is set for an output frequency which has a predetermined spacing (&Dgr;f , &Dgr;f ) from the line frequency (f ); a demand to switch modes is signalled by a conveyance signal generator ( ); and at the point in time (t , t ), after a demand to switch modes has been signalled, when the output frequency of the converter ( ) has reached the predetermined frequency spacing (&Dgr;f , &Dgr;f ) from the line frequency (f ), and a predetermined phase spacing has been achieved between the frequency converter's output voltage and the line frequency (f ), a switch-over signal ( ) is emitted to switch the drive motor ( ) between the frequency converter supply and the line supply.

Process for switching between main supply and a frequency inverter and vice versa for an escalator drive

An escalator safety system monitors a variety of sensors, contacts, and switches over an electronic safety bus. A plurality of bus nodes are distributed throughout the escalator system and are in constant communication with the bus master over the safety bus. The bus nodes interface with sensors, switches, contacts, detectors, components, and other safety equipment of the escalator system at each location and provide status information back to the bus master. The bus master preferably includes a microprocessor which upon sensing an unsafe condition, sends control signals to an escalator control and a drive and brake system to arrest the escalator in a safe manner.

Growing community of inventors

Berlin, Germany

Reinhard Henkel