US 11,078,047 B2 · Concepts for detecting a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in a suspension member arrangement for an elevator

Abstract

Methods and devices detect a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in an elevator suspension member arrangement having several suspension members, such as belts, including electrically conductive cords incorporated into an elastomer material. Deterioration is determined by applying alternating electric voltages to the cords included in legs of a circuitry. Phase shifts between the alternating voltages, for example by determining sum voltages and/or differential voltages, provide valuable information about a condition of the belt. A fixation arrangement of the suspension member arrangement is adapted to enable or simplify the proposed measurements. Furthermore, counting a number of performed bending cycles provides further information to be taken into account for determining the current deterioration state of the belts. Overall, deteriorations in a suspension member such as broken cords, shunts between cords, connections between cords and ground potential and/or deterioration due to corrosion of cords may be easily detected.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A method for detecting a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in a suspension member arrangement for an elevator, the suspension member arrangement comprising at least one suspension member having a first group and a second group of electrically conductive cords, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a first alternating voltage to a first end of the first group of cords;
applying a second alternating voltage to a first end of the second group of cords, wherein the first and second alternating voltages have same waveforms and a phase difference of 180°;
determining at least one of (i) a summed voltage correlating to a sum of a third voltage between a second end of the first group of cords and a common electrical potential and a fourth voltage between a second end of the second group of cords and the common electrical potential, and (ii) a differential voltage correlating to a difference between the third voltage and the fourth voltage;
and
determining the deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in a suspension member based on at least one of the summed voltage and the differential voltage.

2 more elements

A device for detecting a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in a suspension member arrangement for an elevator, the suspension member arrangement having at least one suspension member having a first group and a second group of electrically conductive cords, the device comprising:

an alternating voltage generator arrangement for applying a first alternating voltage to a first end of the first group of cords for applying a second alternating voltage to a first end of the second group of cords, wherein the alternating voltage generator arrangement is configured to generating the first and second alternating voltages with same waveforms and a phase difference of 180°;
at least one of (i) a first voltage measurement arrangement for determining a summed voltage correlating to a sum of a third voltage between a second end of the first group of cords and a common electrical potential and a fourth voltage between a second end of the second group of cords and the common electrical potential, and (ii) a second voltage measurement arrangement for determining a differential voltage correlating to a difference between the third voltage and the fourth voltage;
and
a determination unit for determining the deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in a suspension member based on at least one of the summed voltage and the differential voltage.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Concepts for detecting a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in a suspension member arrangement for an elevator

Life of this patent

Concepts for detecting a deterioration state of a load bearing capacity in a suspension member arrangement for an elevator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14