Elevator pressurization
AssigneeOtis Elevator Company
InventorRichard N. Fargo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of pressurizing an elevator (112) includes pressurizing a lobby (102) to a pressure (P2) different from ambient pressure (P1) at the elevation of the lobby (102). Pressurizing the lobby (102) can generally include pressurizing the lobby (102) to a pressure (P2) between the ambient pressure (P1) at the elevation of the lobby (102) and an ambient pressure (P6) at a destination elevation. This can allow for at least some equalization of the inner ears of passengers to take place while passengers are waiting to pass from the lobby (102) into the elevator cab (112), or waiting to pass from the lobby (102) into the ambient pressure (P1) of the building outside the lobby (102).
Claims20
A method of pressurizing an elevator cab comprising:
- pressurizing a lobby to a pressure different from ambient pressure at the elevation of the lobby;
- and
- opening fluid communication between the lobby and an elevator cab.
An elevator pressurization system comprising:
- a pressurized lobby sealed from ambient atmospheric pressure;
- and
- a hoistway connected to the pressurized lobby by a hoistway door.
An elevator pressurization system comprising:
- a main lobby that is pressure sealed;
- a hoistway connected to the main lobby by a hoistway door;
- one or more upper lobbies, each at a unique elevation above that of the main lobby, wherein each upper lobby is pressure sealed and is connected to the hoistway by a respective hoistway door;
- and
- an elevator cab supported within the hoistway, wherein the elevator cab is configured to move among the main lobby and the one or more upper lobbies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.