US 10,889,470 B2Granted

Automatic rope tension equalizer system and method

AssigneeThyssenkrupp Elevator AG

InventorJeffrey Duvall

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Abstract

An automatic rope tension equalizer system includes first, second, and third plungers, first, second, and third cam assemblies, and a hitch plate with first, second, and third cavities. The first, second, and third plungers are at least partially situated in the first, second, and third cavities, respectively. Each cam assembly has a cam and a rod extending therefrom. The cam of the first cam assembly engages the first plunger, the cam of the second cam assembly engages the second plunger, and the cam of the third cam assembly engages the third plunger. A network connects each cavity to each other cavity, and fluid in the network automatically equalizes pressure on the first, second, and third plungers, thereby affecting positioning of the first, second, and third plungers and, through each cam, tension on each rod.

Claims18

Dependent claims

An automatic tension equalizer system, comprising:

a hitch plate having first and second apertures, each said aperture having a cavity;
a first plunger at least partially situated in said cavity of said first aperture;
a second plunger at least partially situated in said cavity of said second aperture;
first and second cam assemblies respectively positioned at least partially within said first and second apertures, each said cam assembly having a cam and a rod extending therefrom, said cam of said first cam assembly engaging said first plunger, said cam of said second cam assembly engaging said second plunger;
a network connecting each said cavity to each other said cavity;
and
fluid in said network automatically equalizing pressure on said first and second plungers, thereby affecting positioning of said first and second plungers and, through each said cam, tension on each said rod,
wherein excess tension on said rod of said first cam assembly causes, via interaction between said cam of said first cam assembly and said first plunger, said first plunger to further enter said cavity of said first aperture.

5 more elements

An automatic tension equalizer system, comprising:

a hitch plate having a first cavity, a second cavity, and a third cavity;
a first plunger at least partially situated in said first cavity;
a second plunger at least partially situated in said second cavity;
a third plunger at least partially situated in said third cavity;
first, second, and third cam assemblies, each said cam assembly comprising,
a cam, and
a rod extending from said cam, which rod includes a coupling member,
said cam of said first cam assembly engaging said first plunger, said cam of said second cam assembly engaging said second plunger, said cam of said third cam assembly engaging said third plunger,
said coupling member of said first cam assembly engaging a first suspension means of an elevator car, said coupling member of said second cam assembly engaging a second suspension means, and said coupling member of said third cam assembly engaging a third suspension means,
each of said first, second, and third suspension means supporting an elevator car;
a network connecting each said cavity to each other said cavity;
and
fluid in said network automatically equalizing pressure on said first, second, and third plungers, thereby affecting positioning of said first, second, and third plungers and, through each said cam, tension on each said rod.

10 more elements

An elevator system, comprising:

an elevator car;
a first suspension means supporting said elevator car;
a second suspension means supporting said elevator car;
a hitch plate having a first cavity and a second cavity;
a first plunger at least partially situated in said first cavity;
a second plunger at least partially situated in said second cavity;
first and second cam assemblies, each said cam assembly having a cam and a rod extending therefrom, said cam of said first cam assembly engaging said first plunger, said cam of said second cam assembly engaging said second plunger, said rod of said first cam assembly having a first coupling member engaging said first suspension means, said rod of said second cam assembly having a second coupling member engaging said second suspension means;
a network connecting each said cavity to each other said cavity;
and
fluid in said network automatically equalizing pressure on said first and second plungers, thereby affecting positioning of said first and second plungers and, through each said cam, tension on each said rod.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.