Elevator system
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsLarry P. Tosato, Robert W. Koob
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An elevator system including an interconnected elevator car and counterweight, motive means for driving the elevator car and counterweight, and apparatus for detecting mechanical damage to the elevator system, such as might be caused by an earthquake. An elongated member, such as an electrical conductor, or a conductor of electromagnetic radiation, is disposed along the vertical travel path of one of the movable components, such as the counterweight. The movable component includes a device which severs the elongated member in response to a predetermined horizontal movement of the movable component. A detector monitors the integrity of the elongated member, and it modifies the operation of the elevator system when the elongated member is severed.
Claims8
An elevator system, comprising:
- a movable component,
- guide means for guiding said movable component in a vertical travel path,
- motive means for driving said movable component,
- at least one elongated member disposed along the travel path of said movable component,
- severing means responsive to a predetermined horizontal movement of said movable component for severing said at least one elongated member,
- and detector means responsive to the integrity of said elongated member,
- said detector means modifying the operation of the elevator system when said at least one elongated member is severed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.