# US 7,607,516 B2 · Elevator governor device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,516 B2 - Document ID: US7607516B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/578,058 - Filed: 2003-11-18 - Published: 2007-03-15 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2003-11-18 - Assignees: Otis Elevator Company - Inventors: Andres Monzon Simon; Fernando Del Rio Sanz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607516B2 ## CPC - B66B 5/044: {Mechanical overspeed governors} - B66B 5/0043: {Devices enhancing safety during maintenance} - 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) ## Abstract An elevator governor includes a selectively powered switch (60) that is activated when an elevator car moves at a speed that exceeds a selected limit. The speed limit is lower than normally expected car speeds during normal elevator operation. The switch (60) is activated by a moving member (66) that moves into a switch-activation position responsive to movement of a rotating member (36) that corresponds to movement of an elevator car. The arrangement allows for a primary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a first selected limit and a secondary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a second, lower limit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A governor device for use in an elevator system, comprising: a rotating member that rotates responsive to movement of an elevator car; a selectively powered switch near the rotating member; and a moving member that is biased into a position to not activate the switch, the moving member moving into a position to activate the switch responsive to the rotating member rotating at a speed beyond a selected limit that corresponds to movement of the elevator car at a speed below a desired speed during normal elevator system operation, the switch only being powered to operate under selected conditions other than normal elevator system operation. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the switch includes a power module that is selectively powered to allow the switch to be activated responsive to contact between the moving member and the switch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the power module comprises a rearming coil. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, including a brake that acts upon a component associated with the elevator car to limit movement of the car responsive to the switch being activated by the moving member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, including a biasing member that urges the moving member radially inward relative to the rotating member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the biasing member comprises a spring. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, including a lever having one end pivotally supported on the rotating member and a second end associated with the moving member and wherein the biasing member urges the lever away from an outer edge of the rotating member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The device of claim 5, wherein the moving member comprises a plurality of arms linked together to move outward simultaneously. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a governor sheave. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the rotating member is a tension pulley. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, including a control that selectively powers the switch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the control generates a wireless communication signal that indicates a desired operation condition of the switch. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12, wherein the control comprises a hand-held signaling device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the control automatically powers the switch when the elevator system is in a inspection mode. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, including a primary governor that prevents movement of the car independent of the switch when the car speed exceeds a first limit and wherein the moving member moves into a position to activate the switch when the car speed exceeds a second, lower limit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the switch is powered during at least one of an inspection procedure, a maintenance procedure or a period during which a hoistway door is open. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the moving member contacts the switch during normal elevator system operation when the switch is not powered.