Auxiliary pumping unit
AssigneeThyssenkrupp Elevator AG
InventorsAnthony Frank Hamlett, Roy Walker, Gary Hooper
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pumping unit for use with a hydraulic elevator system includes a reservoir storing fluid, a first pump, and a second pump. The first pump is coupled with the reservoir and the elevator system to communicate fluid between the reservoir and the elevator system to actuate the elevator system. The second pump is also coupled with the reservoir and the elevator system to communicate fluid between the reservoir and the elevator system to actuate the elevator system. The second pump is selectively actuatable when the first pump is inactivated.
Claims17
A pumping unit for use with an hydraulic elevator system having a hydraulic cylinder for raising and lowering an elevator car, wherein the pumping unit comprises:
- a reservoir configured to store fluid;
- a first pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the first pump is in direct fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder such that the first pump is operable to transfer fluid from the reservoir directly to the hydraulic cylinder to drive the elevator car;
- and
- a second pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, wherein the second pump comprises an outlet conduit coupling the second pump with the hydraulic cylinder of the elevator system, wherein the second pump further comprises an inlet conduit coupling the reservoir with the second pump, wherein the second pump is in direct fluid communication with the hydraulic cylinder such that the second pump is operable to transfer fluid from the reservoir directly to the hydraulic cylinder to drive the elevator car, wherein the second pump is selectively actuatable when the first pump is inactivated.
A method of operating a pumping unit for use with a hydraulic elevator system, wherein the pumping unit comprises a reservoir, a first pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, and a second pump in fluid communication with the reservoir, the method comprising the steps of:
- activating power to the second pump when the first pump is inactivated;
- supplying fluid from the reservoir to a manifold of the second pump through an inlet conduit of the second pump;
- returning fluid from the manifold to the reservoir through a bypass conduit;
- actuating a valve to close the bypass conduit;
- and
- supplying fluid from the manifold directly to the elevator system through an outlet conduit of the second pump to drive the elevator system, wherein fluid is supplied from the manifold to the elevator system after a pressure in the manifold exceeds a pressure in the elevator system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.