Composite elevator system tension member
AssigneeOtis Elevator Company
InventorKyle B. Martin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tension element of an elevator system tension member includes a plurality of first polymer fibers of a first material extending along a length of the tension element, and a plurality of second polymer fibers of a second material different from the first material. The plurality of second polymer fibers have a melting point lower than that of the plurality of first polymer fibers. The plurality of second polymer fibers are fused to the plurality of first polymer fibers to serve as a matrix for the plurality of first polymer fibers.
Claims14
A tension element of an elevator system tension member, comprising:
- a plurality of first polymer fibers of a first material extending along a length of the tension element;
- and
- a plurality of second polymer fibers of a second material different from the first material, the plurality of second polymer fibers having a melting point lower than that of the plurality of first polymer fibers;
- wherein the plurality of second polymer fibers are fused to the plurality of first polymer fibers to serve as a matrix for the plurality of first polymer fibers;
- wherein the plurality of first polymer fibers and the plurality of second polymer fibers are liquid crystal polymer fibers.
A tension member for an elevator system, comprising:
- one or more tension elements, each tension element including:
- a plurality of first polymer fibers of a first material extending along a length of the tension member;
- and
- a plurality of second polymer fibers of a second material different from the first material, the plurality of second polymer fibers having a melting point lower than that of the plurality of first polymer fibers;
- wherein the plurality of second polymer fibers are fused to the plurality of first polymer fibers to serve as a matrix for the plurality of first polymer fibers;
- and
- a jacket at least partially enclosing the one or more tension elements;
- wherein the plurality of first polymer fibers and the plurality of second polymer fibers are liquid crystal polymer fibers.
A method of forming a tension member for an elevator system, comprising:
- arranging a plurality of first polymer fibers of a first material and a plurality of second polymer fibers of a second material different from the first material;
- applying heat and pressure to the plurality of first polymer fibers and the plurality of second polymer fibers to at least partially melt the plurality of second polymer fibers;
- and
- fusing the plurality of second polymer fibers to the plurality of first polymer fibers via the application of heat and pressure, such that the plurality of second polymer fibers serves as a matrix for the plurality of first polymer fibers;
- wherein the plurality of first polymer fibers and the plurality of second polymer fibers are liquid crystal polymer fibers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.