Elevator speed measurement system including reflective signal technology for making speed determinations
AssigneeOtis Elevator Company
InventorsAlberto Vecchiotti, Michael Flynn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An elevator speed measurement system includes a reflective sensing device that is supported within the hoistway. In one example, the reflective sensing device is a radar-type device that is supported for movement with the cab through the hoistway. Reflected signals off of a structural component within the hoistway provides information regarding speed of movement of the cab in the hoistway. The speed signals are then transmitted to a remotely located receiver that provides an indication to a technician of the speed of the elevator movement.
Claims24
A device for determining a speed of movement of an elevator cab within a hoistway, comprising:
- a reflective device that utilizes signal reflections from a structure within the hoistway and provides a signal that is indicative of a speed of the elevator cab;
- a transmitter associated with the reflective device that transmits a signal indicative of the speed;
- and
- a remotely located receiver that comprises a handheld device having a display screen that provides a visual indication indicative of the speed, wherein the receiver receives the transmitted signal and provides an output indicative of the cab speed.
An elevator system comprising:
- a cab adapted to carry passengers;
- at least one structural member that remains fixed and is associated with supporting the cab for movement in a hoistway;
- a reflective sensing device that utilizes signal reflections from the structural member and provides a signal that is indicative of a speed of the cab moving in the hoistway;
- a transmitter associated with the reflective sensing device that transmits a signal indicative of the speed;
- and
- a remotely located receiver that receives the transmitted signal and provides an output indicative of the cab speed.
A method of measuring a speed of movement of an elevator cab within a hoistway, comprising the steps of:
- supporting a reflective signaling device relative to the elevator cab;
- emitting a signal from the signaling device toward a structural member that remains fixed within the hoistway and is associated with supporting the cab for movement in the hoistway;
- receiving a reflected signal that reflects from the structural member;
- determining the speed of movement using the reflected signal, and
- providing an output indicative of the speed.
A device for determining a speed of movement of an elevator cab within a hoistway, comprising:
- a reflective device that includes a radar emitter portion and a radar receiver portion that utilizes radar signal reflections from a structure within the hoistway and provides a signal that is indicative of a speed of the elevator cab;
- a transmitter associated with the reflective device that transmits a signal indicative of the speed;
- and
- a remotely located receiver that receives the transmitted signal and provides an output indicative of the cab speed.
An elevator system comprising:
- a cab adapted to carry passengers;
- at least one structural member that is associated with the cab in a hoistway;
- a reflective sensing device that utilizes signal reflections from the structural member and provides a signal that is indicative of a speed of the cab moving in the hoistway;
- a removable bracket for temporarily and removably supporting the reflecting sensing device on the cab;
- a transmitter associated with the reflective sensing device that transits a signal indicative of the speed;
- and
- a remotely located receiver that receives the transmitted signal and provides an output indicative of the cab speed.
A method of measuring a speed of movement of an elevator cab within a hoistway, comprising the steps of:
- supporting a reflective signaling device relative to the elevator cab;
- emitting a signal from the signaling device toward a structural member within the hoistway;
- receiving a reflective signal that reflects from the structural member;
- determining the speed of movement using the reflected signal;
- providing an output indicative of the speed;
- and
- removing the reflective signaling device from the cab after determining the speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.