Kim Chi Trinh

US Patent:

6526368, Feb 25, 2003

Filed:

Mar 16, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/526380

Inventors:

Steven D. Coste - Berlin CT
Jason S. Stone - Torrington CT
D. Richard Schafer - Easthampton MA
Kim Ngoc Trinh - Danbury CT
William G. Edgar - Simsbury CT
Carl Heldwein - Palm Coast FL

Assignee:

Otis Elevator Company - Farmington CT

International Classification:

G01C 900

US Classification:

702150, 187284

Abstract:

A system of sensing elevator car position is presented that dynamically compensates for problems due to frictional slippage of its mechanical connection and/or building settlement. The system comprises an elevator car within an elevator hoistway. An encoder is mounted within the elevator hoistway and mechanically connected to the elevator car. The mechanical connection drives the encoder which generates data indicative of the position of the elevator car. Either one of a position sensor and a position sensor actuator is mounted to a landing of the hoistway. The other one of the position sensor and position sensor actuator is mounted to the elevator car. The position sensor generates data indicative of the elevator car floor reaching a predetermined distance from the elevator landing when actuated by the position sensor actuator. An elevator position controller receives the data generated by both the position sensor and the encoder. The mechanical connection may include an elevator rope frictionally driving a governor sheave of an elevator speed governor system upon which the encoder is mounted.

US Patent:

6701277, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Aug 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/226047

Inventors:

Steven D. Coste - Berlin CT
Jason S. Stone - Torrington CT
Julian H. Shull Jr. - Southington CT
Richard Schafer - Easthampton MA
Kim Ngoc Trinh - Danbury CT
William G. Edgar - Simsbury CT
Carl Heldwein - Palm Coast FL

Assignee:

Otis Elevator Company - Farmington CT

International Classification:

G06F 1500

US Classification:

702150

Abstract:

A system of sensing elevator car position is presented that dynamically compensates for problems due to frictional slippage of its mechanical connection and/or building settlement. The system comprises an elevator car within an elevator hoistway. An encoder is mounted within the elevator hoistway and mechanically connected to the elevator car. The mechanical connection drives the encoder which generates data indicative of the position of the elevator car. Either one of a position sensor and a position sensor actuator is mounted to a landing of the hoistway. The other one of the position sensor and position sensor actuator is mounted to the elevator car. The position sensor generates data indicative of the elevator car floor reaching a predetermined distance from the elevator landing when actuated by the position sensor actuator. An elevator position controller receives the data generated by both the position sensor and the encoder. The mechanical connection may include an elevator rope frictionally driving a governor sheave of an elevator speed governor system upon which the encoder is mounted.