# US 10,246,302 B2 · Auxiliary pumping unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,302 B2 - Document ID: US10246302B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/305,674 - Filed: 2014-06-16 - Published: 2015-12-17 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-16 - Assignees: Thyssenkrupp Elevator AG - Applicants: ThyssenKrupp Elevator Corporation - Inventors: Anthony Frank Hamlett; Roy Walker; Gary Hooper - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246302B2 ## CPC - B66B 11/0423: {actuated pneumatically or hydraulically} - B66B 5/0087: {Devices facilitating maintenance, repair or inspection tasks (devices incorporated in the buffer B66B5/288; railings on top of the car B66B11/0226)} - F04B 23/02: having reservoirs - F04B 23/04: Combinations of two or more pumps - F04B 49/035: Bypassing - F04B 49/06: Control using electricity (regulating by means of floats actuating electric switches F04B49/04) - F04B 49/106: {Responsive to pumped volume} - F15B 2211/20576: with multiple pumps - F15B 2211/85: Control during special operating conditions - F15B 2211/8757: using redundant components or assemblies - B66B: ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS ({apparatus for raising or lowering persons on theatrical stages or the like A63J5/12} ; funicular railbound systems with rigid ground-supported tracks and cable traction, e.g. cliff railways, B61B9/00; arrangements of ammunition handlers in vessels B63G3/00; hoists, lifts, or conveyors for loading or unloading in general B65G; braking or detent devices controlling normal movements of winding drums or barrels B66D; ship-lifting devices E02C; garages for many vehicles with mechanical means for lifting vehicles E04H6/12; hoists for feeding ammunition or projectiles to launching apparatus or to loading mechanisms F41A9/00) - F04B: POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS (machines for liquids, or pumps, of rotary-piston or oscillating-piston type F04C; non-positive-displacement pumps F04D; pumping of fluid by direct contact of another fluid or by using inertia of fluid to be pumped F04F) - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pumping unit of claim 1, wherein the second pump comprises a bypass conduit coupling the second pump with the reservoir, wherein the second pump is operable to transfer fluid from the second pump to the reservoir through the bypass conduit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The pumping unit of claim 2, wherein the bypass conduit comprises a valve to selectively transfer fluid through the bypass conduit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pumping unit of claim 3, wherein the pumping unit comprises a timer set to a pre-determined amount of time, wherein the pumping unit is operable to close the valve to prevent fluid from flowing through the bypass conduit when the pre-determined amount of time on the timer expires. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pumping unit of claim 1, wherein the second pump comprises a relief conduit coupling the second pump to the reservoir, wherein the second pump is operable to transfer fluid from the second pump to the reservoir through the relief conduit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The pumping unit of claim 5, wherein the relief conduit further comprises a valve to selectively transfer fluid through the relief conduit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pumping unit of claim 6, wherein the valve is configured to open when pressure in a manifold of the second pump exceeds a pre-determined value. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pumping unit of claim 1, wherein the outlet conduit comprises a one-way check valve configured to prevent the flow of fluid from the hydraulic cylinder of the elevator system to the second pump. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pumping unit of claim 1, wherein the inlet conduit comprises a strainer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pumping unit of claim 1, wherein the second pump comprises an AC motor. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The pumping unit of claim 10, wherein the pumping unit further comprises a contactor coupled to the motor, wherein the contactor is operable to communicate power to the motor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The pumping unit of claim 1, wherein the pumping unit is operable to selectively supply power to the second pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The pumping unit of claim 1, wherein the second pump comprises a lower flow rate than the first pump. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the second pump raises an elevator car of the elevator system. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising returning fluid from the manifold to the reservoir through a relief conduit when the pressure in the manifold exceeds a pre-determined amount of pressure. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising deactivating the second pump, wherein the second pump comprises a valve to prevent flow between second pump and the elevator system when the second pump is deactivated to hold an elevator car of the elevator system in position.