Thyssen Elevator Capital Corp.

Thyssenkrupp Elevator Capital Corporation

Thyssenkrupp Elevator Corporation

Richard D Peters

Rory Stephen Smith

Randolph W Huff

Gerhard Thumm

Bruce B Powell

Lutfi Al-Sharif

An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in each elevator shaft of the system. The elevator shaft may include a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.

Multicar zoned elevator system

An elevator control system to govern elevator movement to avoid or minimize passenger discomfort caused by pressure changes associated with an elevator's movement and to optimize elevator operation. In one exemplary embodiment, the system uses the passenger's natural relief which occurs while the elevator car is stopped to reduce the pressure difference experienced by the passengers' ears as a factor to optimally control the operation of the elevator. In another example, the system obtains input regarding the traveling speed and conditions of the elevator system. This system then simulates individual trips for passengers that includes monitoring the pressure changes being experienced by passengers throughout the elevator's travels in order to ensure that the pressure differential level for each passenger remains below a designated maximum comfortable and safe level. This system uses the parameters of a successful simulation to govern the actual operation of the elevators.

Control for limiting elevator passenger tympanic pressure and method for the same

An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in an elevator shaft. The elevator system controls loading of one of the car at ground floor level by moving the other car to a level below the ground floor level.

Zoned elevator system

A method for assigning an elevator car to respond to a call signal includes a controller that determines which elevator car will respond to the call signal based on certain time metrics. The controller receives a hall call signal, and based on certain time metrics that can include, e.g., an estimated wait time (EWT), and/or estimated travel time (ETT), assigns the call signal to an elevator car. In this example, EWT represents the time a passenger is waiting for an elevator car to arrive, and ETT represents the it takes for a passenger to reach their destination once having boarded an elevator car. In some versions, an estimated time to destination (ETD) is used in determining which elevator car to assign, where ETD represents the sum of EWT and ETT. In some versions, a handling capacity coefficient (HCx), which reflects current traffic conditions, is used in determining which elevator car to assign.

Method and apparatus for assigning elevator hall calls based on time metrics

A method for assigning an elevator car to respond to a call signal includes a controller that determines which elevator car will respond to the call signal based on certain wait time thresholds. The controller receives a hall call signal, and the controller is programmed with wait time thresholds that can include, e.g., an estimated wait time (EWT), and/or estimated travel time (ETT). In this example, these thresholds are time values above which a passenger is likely to become impatient, either waiting for an elevator car to arrive, or waiting for their elevator car to arrive at its destination. Based on system information an EWT and ETT are calculated and compared to the thresholds. An elevator car is assigned based on this comparison. In some versions, an estimated time to destination (ETD) is used in determining which elevator car to assign. In some versions, a handling capacity coefficient (HCx), which reflects current traffic conditions, is used in determining which elevator car to assign.

Method of assigning hall calls based on time thresholds

An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in an elevator shaft. The elevator system includes a virtual landing.

Elevator system with virtual landing

One version of this disclosure includes a system for assigning an elevator car to respond to a call signal wherein a controller is responsible for determining which elevator car will respond to a call signal. This version includes the controller receiving a hall call signal, receiving information regarding the elevator system, determining whether the call assignment can be made in view of a first rule associated with a banned call assignment, and eliminating the rule against banned call assignments when necessary to avoid saturation of the elevator system.

Saturation control for destination dispatch systems

The invention provides a system and method for handling power outages in a multiple car elevator system in a building having a plurality of floors. The system includes an energy calculator connected to the elevators, and determines a total energy of the elevator system, a total energy required to handle a power outage, a plan to prepare for a power outage and a plan to handle a power outage. The system also includes a movement controller connected to the elevator(s) and the energy calculator. The movement controller receives the plan to prepare and the plan to handle from the energy calculator, and the movement controller executes the plan to prepare if there is no power outage and the movement controller executes the plan to handle if there is a power outage.

Elevator system to minimize entrapment of passengers during a power failure

An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system comprises at least one first elevator shaft having a lower first and a lower second region, where a first elevator car moves within the lower first region of the first elevator shaft and a second elevator car moves within the lower second region. The first and second elevators are moveably controlled independently of each other within the first shaft. The system also includes at least one second elevator shaft having an upper first and an upper second region, where a third elevator car moves within the upper first region of the second elevator shaft and a fourth elevator car moving within the upper second region. The third and fourth elevator cars also are moveably controlled independently of each other.

Twin elevator systems

Method and apparatus to prevent or minimize the entrapment of passengers in elevators during a power failure

The invention is directed to an apparatus and methods for enhancing the energy efficiency of a variable speed drive (VSD) used to control an elevator by disconnecting the VSD from the AC power supply grid when the elevator is idle and reconnecting the VSD when the elevator becomes active. One embodiment of the invention includes an alternating current power supply grid, one or more variable speed drives, contactors connected between the alternating current power supply grid and the variable speed drive(s) that are used to connect or disconnect the variable speed drive(s) from the alternating current power supply grid, and, a control system that controls the contactors. The contactors may include a coil which is powered by the control system to either connect or disconnect the VSDs and the AC power supply grid.

Energy efficient elevator system

Energy saving methods and apparatus for elevator systems having a plurality of elevator cars operating in a plurality of elevator shafts. The present invention provides methods and apparatus for determining which one of the plurality of elevator cars is to be assigned to a new hall call in order to reduce the net energy consumption of the elevator system over time.

Methods and apparatus for assigning elevator hall calls to minimize energy use

A method and apparatus for utilizing unused power available in an elevator that is not fully loaded to improve the traffic handling capacity of an elevator system. The present invention can be used to provide an optimized velocity profile for the elevator based on the pre-designed power of the drive motor and the actual load in the elevator. By using the surplus power available the method and apparatus of the invention can achieve velocities higher than the design velocity of the system. The method also utilizes surplus torque available to the motor during a trip to produce an optimized velocity profile that has a short trip time, yet does not exceed the torque deliverable by the motor and does not exceed acceptable discomfort levels to the passengers or mechanical limitations on the system.

Growing community of inventors

Great Kingshill, United Kingdom

Richard D Peters