# US 11,299,374 B2 · Method and kit for retrofitting elevator machines with thrust bearing, and retrofitted elevator machine

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- Number: US 11,299,374 B2
- Document ID: US11299374B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/870,454
- Filed: 2020-05-08
- Published: 2020-08-27
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2016-11-22
- Assignees: Otis Elevator Company
- Applicants: Otis Elevator Company
- Inventors: Daniel B. Davis, III; Robert K. Williams; John Eschenbrenner; Gregory M. O'Seep; James L. Hubbard; Martin J. Hardesty; Bruce P. Swaybill; Jesse R. Richter; Gary P. Mendrala; Patricia Derwinski; Christopher H. Koenig
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299374B2

## CPC

- B66B 19/007: {method for modernisation of elevators}
- B66B 11/043: {actuated by rotating motor; Details, e.g. ventilation (roping on drum, sheave, winch or pulley B66B11/0065; power supply or control B66B1/28, H02P; motor construction H02K)}
- F16C 19/10: for axial load mainly
- 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)
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS

## Abstract

Disclosed is a method for retrofitting an elevator machine with a thrust bearing, including removing, from a bearing stand, a first cover plate, providing access to an end portion of a motor shaft, securing an extension shaft against the end portion of the motor shaft, securing a thrust bearing housing against or axially offset from the bearing stand, positioning a thrust bearing in the bearing housing, wherein an inner race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against, and axially fixed to, the extension shaft, and an outer race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against the bearing housing, and securing a second cover plate to the bearing housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for retrofitting an elevator machine with a thrust bearing,
wherein the elevator machine includes a bearing stand, a sleeve bearing supported in the bearing stand, a motor shaft supported by the sleeve bearing, and an end portion of the motor shaft being accessible through the sleeve hearing,
the method comprising:
removing, from the bearing stand, a first cover plate, providing access to the end portion of the motor shaft;
securing an extension shaft axially against the end portion of the motor shaft, the extension shaft extending in an axial rearward direction from the motor shaft;
securing a base plate against, or axially offset from, an axial end of the bearing stand,
wherein a thrust bearing housing is disposed axially against and extends axially rearward from the base plate, and wherein the extension shaft extends axially through the base plate and the thrust bearing housing;
positioning the thrust bearing in the thrust bearing housing, wherein:
an inner race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned radially against, and axially fixed to, the extension shaft; and
an outer race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned radially against the thrust bearing housing;
securing a retaining nut to an end portion of the extension shaft, limiting axial rearward motion of the thrust bearing inner race; and
securing a second cover plate against an axial end of the thrust bearing housing, axially rearward spaced apart from the thrust bearing, the extension shaft and the retaining nut.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the extension shaft includes another base plate that is secured to the end portion of the motor shaft; and
the thrust bearing housing includes the base plate that is secured against or axially offset from the bearing stand.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein the end portion of the motor shaft and bearing stand are provided with threaded bores to securely position the base plates.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein:
an outward extending portion of the other base plate includes a shoulder that is a first bearing seat for limiting axial motion of the thrust bearing inner race; and
an inward extending portion of the base plate is a second bearing seat for limiting axial motion of the thrust bearing outer race.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein:
the retaining nut secured to the end portion of the extension shaft is a third bearing seat for limiting axial motion of the thrust bearing inner race; and
the second cover plate has an annular boss, which is a fourth bearing seat for limiting axial motion of the thrust bearing outer race.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, wherein the second cover plate, which includes the annular boss, is axially spaced from the end portion of the extension shaft.