Tension member for an elevator
AssigneeOtis Elevator Company
InventorsPedro S. Baranda, Ary O. Mello, Hugh J. O'Donnell
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Abstract
A tension member for an elevator system has an aspect ratio of greater than one, where aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of tension member width w to thickness t (w/t). The increase in aspect ratio results in a reduction in the maximum rope pressure and an increased flexibility as compared to conventional elevator ropes. As a result, smaller sheaves may be used with this type of tension member. In a particular embodiment, the tension member includes a plurality of individual load carrying cords encased within a common layer of coating. The coating layer separates the individual cords and defines an engagement surface for engaging a traction sheave.
Claims28
A tension member for providing lifting force to a car of an elevator system, comprising:
- a plurality of discrete cords, constructed from a plurality of individual wires, wherein all wires are less than 0.25 millimeters in diameter, said plurality of cords being arranged side-by-side;
- a coating layer substantially enveloping said plurality of cords and having an aspect ratio defined as the ratio of width w relative to thickness t, greater than one.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.