CA1236032A - Hydraulic elevator system - Google Patents

Abstract

13 52,065 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A hydraulic elevator system having a tunnel member as part of the car frame, to reduce the pit depth required for a hydraulic jack. A stabilizer for the plunger of the hydraulic jack is disposed within the tunnel member, with the stabilizer being releasably fixed to the cylinder head of the hydraulic jack while the cylinder head is within the tunnel member. The stabilizer is released from the cylinder head, to remain within the tunnel, as the car rises and the bottom of the tunnel member starts to rise higher than the cylinder head, to provide an addition-al lateral support point for the plunger, within the tunnel, which is spaced from the cylinder head, which is now below the lower end of the tunnel. The lateral support function provided by the stabilizer functions without any relative motion between the stabilizer, plunger and tunnel member.

Description

~:3~i3D32 HYDRAULIC E~EVATOR SYSTEM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
The invention relates in general to hydraulic elevator systems, and more specifically to holeless, or semi-holeless hydraulic elevator systems.
Description of the Prior Art:
In a hydraulic elevator system, the allowable length of the plunger nearly doubles with the use of a plunger-follower guide. Thus, a much smallar jack may be 10 used, as calculated according to the ANSI-ASME A17.1-1981 safety code for elevators and escalators. The use of a smaller jack is especially desirable in the hydraulic alevator system disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,361.,209, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present applica-1~ tion. The hydraulic elevator system disclosed in that patent utilizes a tunnel member which is part of the car ~rame, and which extends vertically upward through the elevator car to eliminate the need for, or to minimize the depth of, a hole for the hydraulic jack. Reducing the size ~0 o the hydraulic jac~ in this application reduces the cross-sectional area of the tunnel, which in turn reduces the horizontal dimension of the swing return which faces the front o~ the elevator car. Reducing this dimension reduces the size of the hatch, for a given useful floor ~5 space in the elevator car.

The hereinbefore-mentioned U.S. Patent discloses the use o a stabilizer assembly within the tunnel, which is always fixed to a selected portion of the hydraulic jack, i.e., to the section of the hydraulic jack which is immediately below the uppermost plunger section. The stabilizer assembly includes four rollers which are biased against the four inner corners of a square-configured tunnel. This was an improvement over prior art stabilizing means which utilize complicated support arms, clamps, and the like, which must be synchronized with car movement.
While the stabilizer-roller assembly of U.S.
Patent 4,361,209 functions well, its use is effectively limited to telescopic jacks. On a single stage jack the bottom of the tunnel would not be able to move higher than the cylinder head, as the stabilizer assembly is fixed to the cylinder head. Thus, it would be desirable to provide new and improved stabilizer means for a single-stage jack which provides the requisite plunger support, without the limitation of maintaining the cylinder head within the tunnel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a new and improved hydraulic elevator system having a car frame Which includes a tunnel structure disposed upwardly through the elevator

2~ car. A stabilizer member in the tunnel is releasably latched to the cylinder head of a single stage hydraulic jack, while the cylinder head is within the tunnel. As the tunnel leaves the cylinder head during the ascension of the elevator car, the stabilizer member is automatically

3~ released from the cylinder head. The stabilizer member, which re~uires no moving parts, then moves with the plunger and tunnel, providing a lateral support point for the plunger, at the most advantageous position. The stabilizer member increases its support as the elevator car continues to rise, with this additional support point functioning without any relative motion between the stabilizer member, ~3~

plunger or tunnel. The support provided by the stabilizer member extends from the plunger, through the stabilizer meMber to the tunnel, which in turn is part of the car frame or sling. The frame is firmly supported against lateral movement by the guide rollers which rotate against guide rails fixed in the hatch of the assoclated building.
BRIEF ~ESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may be better understood, and ~lrther advantages and ~ses thereof more readily apparent, when considered in view of the followi.ng detailed descrip-tion of exemplary embodiments, taken with the accompanying drawirlgs, in which:
Figure l is an elevational view, partially in section, of a hydraulic elevator system constructed accord-ing to the teachings of the invention, with the plungerbeing shown retracted to a point where the cylinder head is within a tunnel structure;
Fi~ure 2 is a view similar to that of Eigure 1, except with the plunger extended to the point where the cylinder head is just visible below the lower end of the tunnel;
Fig~lre 3 is a view similar to that of Figures 1 and 2, except with the plunger more fully extended, to illustrate the support function provided by the stabilizer ~5 member;
Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view, par-,tially in section, of the stabilizer member shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, illustrating an exemplary mounting arrangement for the stabilizer member, which includes latching means carL-ied by the cylinder head, and latch release means carried by the tunnel member;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the latch mechanism, and the latch release means, shown in Figure 4, taken between and in the direction of arrows V-V;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the stabi-lizer member shown in Figure 4, taken between and in the direction of arrows VI-VI;

~3~

Figure 7 is an elevational view similar to that of Figure 4, except illustrating the release of the stabi-li~er member from the cylinder head; and Figure 8 is an elevational view similar to that of Figures 4 and 7, except illustrating the stabilizer means in the configuration where it provides increasing support for the plunger as the elevator car continues to rise.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In order to reduce the length and complexity of the description, the invention will be described as being applied to the front tunnel arrangement of the hereinbefore-mentioned U.S. Patent 4,361,209, and this patent is hereby incorporated into the specification of the present application by reference. It is to be understood, however, that while this use of the stabilizer arrangement is the preferred embodiment, that the invention may be used with any holeless, or semi-holeless hydraulic elevator system having at least one hydraulic jack which extends into a tunnel arrangement.
Referring now to the drawings, and to Figures 1, 2 and 3 in particular, there is shown a hydraulic elevator system 10, in side elevation, constructed according to the teachings of the invention. Elevator system 10 includes an elevator car 12 mounted for guided vertical movement in a hatch 13 of an associated building 15, via upper and lower ~uide roller assemblies 11 and 11', respectively, and first and second spaced guide rail members 17 and 19, respective-ly. Elevator car 12 includes a cab 21 supported by a car frame or sling 14. An elongated, vertically oriented, tunnel structure 16 forms a structural element of the car frame 14, extending between the top and bottom horizontal beams of the car frame 14. Tunnel structure or member 16 includes a metallic side wall portion 18 of any desired cross-sectional configuration, with the side wall portion 18 defining an opening 20 having a longitudinal axis 23 which extends between an open lower end 22 and an upper end 3;3~

24. Upper end 24 is at least partially closed by an end plate or member 26.
A single stage hydraulic jack ~8 is ~ounted in a hatch pit 30 at the bottom of hatch 13, with its lonyitu-dinal axis coaxial with the axis 23 of the tunnel member16. Hydraulic jack 28 provides the motive means for the elevator car 12~ Hydraulic jack 28 includes a cylinder 32, which is fixed to suitable horizontal cross members or beams 33, a cylinder head 34, and a plunger 36. U.S.
10 Patent 4,041,~45, which is assigned to the same assiynee as the present application, discloses a cylinder head con-struction which may be used. The end of plunger 36 con-tacts the end plate 26. End plate 26 may have a small opening therein for receiving a portion of the top of plunger 36, to clearly indicate that the plunger is proper-ly centered on the end plate.
A stabilizer member 40, constructed according to the teachings of the invention, has an I.D. sized to snugly but slidably receive the plunger 36, and an outer periphery configured to closely conform to the cross-sectional confi~uration of the tunnel member 16.
Stabilizer member 40 is mounted such that while the cylinder head 34 is at least partially within the opening 20 of tunnel member 16, it is releasably attached ~5 to the cylinder head. This assures that the stabilizer member 40 will be at the proper location to provide its intended support function, as the cylinder head 34 leaves the tunnel 16. While the cylinder head 34 is within tunnel Member 16, there is ~:elative motion between the I.D. of the stabilizer member a:~-l plunger 36, and between the outer periphery of the sta~llizer member and the inner surface of the side wall port' on 18 of the tunnel member 16. While this relative motion is occurring, however, the stabilizer member is not called upon to provide any lateral support for the plunger, as it is closely adjacent to the cylinder head 34 which is providing both lateral support and yuid-ance for the plunger 36. The stabilizer member 40 is properly positioned by lowering the car 12 to the buffers (not shown). Plate 26 is removed and the upper guide assemblies ll are adjusted to provide uniform clearance between the outer sides of the stabilizer member 40 and the adjacent inner surfaces of tunnel member 16. The top plate 26 is attached and the car 12 is jacked up until the bottom of the tunnel 16 is several inches above the cylinder head and the stabilizer member 40 is readily viewed. The lower guide assemblies 11' are then adjusted to provide uniform clearance between member 40 and tunnel 16.
When the plunger 36 extends to the point where the cylinder head 34 is just visible under the lower end 22 of the tunnel 16, as shown in Figure 2, the stabilizer member 40 is automatically released from the cylinder head 34 and it rests upon a suitable support structure fixed to the inside surface of the tunnel member 16, immediately adjacent to the lower end 22 of the tunnel member 16. At this point, relative motion between the stabiliæer member and the plunger 36, and relative motion between the ~0 stabilizer member 40 and the tunnel 16 ceases. The stabi-lizer member 40 now moves with the rising plunger and tunnel, as shown in Figure 3. The stabilizer member 40 now starts to provide lateral support for plunger 36 via tunnel 16, the car frame 14, guide roller assemblies 11', and the ~5 ~uide rail members 17 and 19, with the greater the exten-sion o plunger 36, the greater the support. It is impor-tant to note that no binding can occur while stabilizer member 40 is providing its lateral support function, since t}~ere is now no relative motion between the stabilizer member 40, the plunger 36 and tunnel member 16.
Figure 4 is an enlarged elevational view of stabilizer member 40, in section, along with exemplary mounting means 42 for providing the hereinbefore-mentioned functions for fixing and releasing the stabilizer member 40. Figure 5 will also be referred to in the following discussion, with Figure 5 being a view of the mounting means 42 taken between and in the direction of arrows V-V

~L~36~3~

in Figure 4. Figure 4 illustrates the cylinder head 34 while it is still partially within the opening 20 of tunnel 16. As hereinbefore stated, while the cylinder head 34 is within tunnel 16, stabilizer member 40 is secured to the cylinder head 34. This is accomplished in the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 4 by a latch arrangement which may include a plurality of latch assemblies spaced about the cylinder head 34, such as four latch assemblies.
In the view shown in Figure 4, only one latch assembly 44 is illustrated. Figure 5 illustrates two latch assemblies 44 and 46, with two similar latch assemblies being disposed on the other side of vertical centerline 23. Since each of the latch assemblies are of like construction, only latch assembly 44 will be described in detail.
Latch assembly 44 is attached to a split mounting ring 48. Ring 48 cooperates with two similar split mount-ing rings 48' (Figure 5), to fix all four latch assemblies to the cylinder head 34. A support channel 50 having first and second horizontally spaced arm portions 52 and 54, respectively, and a bight 56, is suitably attached to the mounting ring 48~ A latch member 58 is pivotally mounted between arm portions 52 and 54 via a pivot pin 60, with suitable bias means, such as a helical compression spring 62, being disposed between an upper extension of bight 56 ~5 and the latch member 58, to bias latch member 58 ~W about pivot pin 60, in the view o Figure 4. In other words, the upper end of latch member 58, which includes a latch hook 64 is biased outwardly, away from cylinder head 34, until a stop 66 at the lower end of latch member 58 contacts a lowar extension of bight 56.
Stabilizer means 40, which is also shown in Figure 6, which is a plan view of stabilizer member 40 taken between and in the direction of arrows VI-VI in Figure 4, is constructed to cooperate with the various latch assemblies, such as latch assemblies 44 and 46.
Stabilizer member 40 may be a single block of non-metallic material selected to provide the desired low COF between ~3~

itself and the plunger 36, and between itself and the inner surface of the side wall portion 18 of tunnel member 16. A
suitable material is ultra-high molecular weight (UHMW) polyethylene, but other materials may be used. Or, as illustrated, stabilizer member 40 may include a block 72 of non-metallic material, such as the hereinbefore-mentioned UHMW polyethylene, with a metallic wear plate 74 being disposed to absorb latching and unlatching wear. Screws 75, for example, may secure plate 74 to block 72. Block 72 llas a centrally disposed I.D. 76 sized to snugly but slidably receive plunger 36, and an outer periphery 78 configured to closely conform to the cross-sectional configuration of tunnel 16. If tunnel 16 has a rectangular cross-sectional configuration, as illustrated, block 72 lS would also have a rectangular outer periphery, sized to snugly but slidably move adjacent to the inner surface of the side wall portion 18. Block 72 has flat upper and lower surfaces 80 and 82, respectively, with suitable openings extending inwardly from surface 82 for receiving ~0 the latch hook 64, such as opening 84.
Wear plate 74, in general, has the same configu-ration as block 72, but it is dimensioned to prevent contact with plunger 36 and side wall 18. Wear plate 74 has openin~s which communicate with the openin~s in surface ~S 8~ of block 72, such as opening 88 which communicates with opening 84~ Opening 88 is smaller in cross-sectional area than its associated opening 84, to enable hook end 6~ of latch member 58 to 'Ihoo~ over" an edge of the wear plate opening. A resilient ring 85 may be disposed about the upper end of cylinder head 34, to support the stabilizer means 40 while it is "latched" to the cylinder head 34.
In addition to the latch assemblies, such as latch assemblies 44 and 46, each mount.ing arrangement 42 includes latch release means carried by the tunnel 16, such as latch release means 92 and 94, respectively, associated with latch assemblies 44 and 46. Since each latch release 33~

means is of like construction, only the latch release means 92 will be described in detail.
Latch release means 92 includes a non-metallic cam member 98, such as a member formed of nylon or acetol.
.~ non-metallic member 100, such as a member formed of rubber~is attached to the inner surface of wall 18. Member 100, and a similar member on the opposite side of tunnel 16, support~ the stabilizer member 40 when the stabilizer member 40 is not latched to the cylinder head 34. Cam 98 is configured and located adjacent to the lower end 22 of tunnel 16 such that it actuates latch member 58 via a suitably curved cam surface 102 on latch member 58, to release the stabilizer member 40 before the support 100 contacts the wear plate 74. Instead of a fixed, i.e.
non-rotatable, cam, it would also be suitable to employ a roller to perform the function of cam 92.
The operation of the mounting means 42 may be observed relative to Figures 4, 7 and 8 which, respectively correspond to the elevator car positions of Figures 1, 2 ~0 and 3. In Figures 1 and 4, the stabilizer member 40 is latched to the cylinder head 34. If the plunger 36 is extending to raise the elevator car 12, the point shown in Figures 2 and 7 is reached where cam 98 of the latch release means 92 contacts the curved cam surface 102 of ~5 latch member 58, forcing latch member 58 against the bias o~ spring 62, to move the hook end 64 into the non-interfering position shown in Figure 7. This non-interering position is maintained long enough for the hook end 64 to clear the edges of opening 88 in the wear plate 74, to release the stabilizer member 40 from the cylinder head 34. One side of stabilizer member 40 is now resting upon member 100. Then, as shown in Figures 3 and 8, the stabilizer member 40 moves with the continued upward movement of plunger 36 and tunnel 16, without any relative motion between these elements. The further the stabilizer element 40 moves from the cylinder head 34, the more lateral support it provides. Note that it functions totally in support and has no guiding function, other than the supporting and centerlng of the plunger 36 so it can be guided via coaction between the stabilizer member 40, the tunnel 16 and associated car frame, the guide roller assemblies 11, and the guide rail members 17 and 19.
When the plunger 36 is retracted to lower the elevator car, cam 98 contacts latch member 58, as shown in Figure 7, biasing the latch member 58 to enable the hook end 64 to re-enter opening 88, re-latching the stabllizer member ~0, with further retraction, as shown in Figure 4.
In summary, there has been disclosed a new and improved hydraulic elevator system for holeless, or semi-holeless jack mounting, which system includes a low cost, uncomplicated arrangement for reducing jack size by providing an intermediate lateral support point for the plunger. The intermediate lateral support point is provid-ed by a stabilizer member which requires no moving parts, which is mounted by a simple latch arrangement to stay immediately adjacent to the cylinder head, as long as the cylinder head is within a tunnel member which permits the holeless, or semi-holeless mounting of the jack. When the elevator car is raised and the cylinder head starts to appear at the lower end of the tunnel member, the stabiliz-er member is automatically unlatched from the cylinder ~5 head, and it now moves with the plunger and tunnel to provide lateral support without any relative motion between these elements.

Claims (4)

I claim as my invention:

1. A hydraulic elevator system comprising:
a car frame, said car frame including an elongated tunnel member having a side wall which defines an open lower end and an at least partially closed upper end, a hydraulic jack having a cylinder, a cylinder head, and a plunger, said hydraulic jack extending into said tunnel member to reduce the distance below the car frame required to accommo-date the hydraulic jack, said tunnel member surrounding the cylinder head when the plunger is retracted, said tunnel member moving away from the cylinder head as the plunger extends, to provide a continuously increasing distance between the open lower end of the tunnel and the cylinder head as the plunger continues to extend, stabilizer means disposed within said tunnel member, said stabilizer means extending from the plunger to the side wall of the tunnel member, and means mounting said stabilizer means for motion relative to said plunger and tunnel member, when said cylinder head is within the tunnel member, and to move with the plunger, without relative motion between the stabilizer means, the plunger, and tunnel member, when said cylinder head is outside the tunnel member, to provide a dynamic lateral support point for the plunger which continuously moves away from the lateral plunger support point provided by said cylinder head as the plunger continues to extend.

2. The hydraulic elevator system of claim 1 wherein the stabilizer means includes a block of material having an I.D. and an outer periphery respectively selected to enable closely adjacent movement of the stabilizer means relative to the plunger and the side wall portion of the tunnel member.

3. The hydraulic elevator system of claim 1 wherein the means mounting the stabilizer means includes latch means carried by the cylinder head, for latching the stabilizer means to the cylinder head, and means carried by the tunnel member for releasing the latch means at a predeter-mined point during the movement of the tunnel member relative to the cylinder head.

4. The hydraulic elevator system of claim 3 wherein the means for releasing the latch means is disposed at the lower open end of the tunnel member, and including means carried by the tunnel member for supporting the stabilizer means near the open lower end of the tunnel member, while the cylinder head is outside the tunnel member.