Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
  • B66B11/00—Main component parts of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures
  • B66B11/0065—Roping
  • B66B11/007—Roping for counterweightless elevators
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
  • B66B11/00—Main component parts of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures
  • B66B11/0065—Roping
  • B66B11/008—Roping with hoisting rope or cable operated by frictional engagement with a winding drum or sheave
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
  • B66B11/00—Main component parts of lifts in, or associated with, buildings or other structures
  • B66B11/04—Driving gear ; Details thereof, e.g. seals
  • B66B11/08—Driving gear ; Details thereof, e.g. seals with hoisting rope or cable operated by frictional engagement with a winding drum or sheave
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
  • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
  • B66B19/00—Mining-hoist operation

Definitions

• This invention generally relates to elevator systems. More particularly, this invention relates to an elevator system having a roping arrangement that eliminates the need for a moving counterweight. Description of the Prior Art
• Elevator systems typically include a cab that is supported for movement between different levels in a hoistway.
• the cab is typically moved with a rope or other load bearing member that travels along sheaves that are positioned at appropriate locations within the system.
• a counterweight typically is associated with the cab and also supported by the load bearing member or rope. Typical counterweights move up and down through a portion of the hoistway at the same time that the cab moves.
• this invention is an elevator system having a load bearing assembly arranged in a manner that eliminates any need for a moving counterweight.
• the inventive system maximizes hoistway efficiency.
• a system designed according to this invention includes a cab that is supported for movement within a hoistway.
• a load bearing member has one end secured near a first end of the hoistway. The load bearing member extends from the first end toward the cab where it wraps at least partially around a first sheave associated with the cab. The load bearing member extends back toward the first end of the hoistway where it wraps at least partially around a second sheave near the first end.
• the load bearing member extends toward a second, opposite end of the hoistway where it wraps at least partially around a third sheave near the second end.
• the load bearing member then extends toward the cab where it wraps at least partially around a fourth sheave associated with the cab and then extends toward the second end of the hoistway.
• Another end of the load bearing member is secured to a tension device that remains near the second end of the hoistway.
• a motor causes movement of the load bearing member and corresponding movement of the cab.
• the motor is associated with one of the first through fourth sheaves such that one of them operates as a traction sheave for the system.
• a separate traction sheave is provided along with the motor. In systems designed according to the latter example, an advantageous placement of the motor outside of the hoistway is readily achievable.
• the elevator system includes a 2:1 arrangement of the load bearing member.
• the inventive system facilitates using 2:1, 3:1, 4:1 or higher roping ratios to achieve desired system characteristics.
• the tension device comprises a mass that remains close to the bottom of the hoistway.
• the weight of the mass ensures that a proper amount of tension exists on the load bearing member to achieve the desired cab movement and to counterbalance the weight of the cab as needed.
• the weight comprises a plurality of interlocking portions that are more readily transported to a location where the elevator system will be installed. Assembled on-site, the interlocking portions together make up the total weight that provides the desired amount of tension and counterbalancing in the elevator system.
• a shell or form can be filled with a selected material to achieve the desired weight.
• a selected material in one example concrete is used.
• the tension device comprises at least one spring element.
• the tension device comprises a pressurized device such as a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator that is adjustable to provide a desired amount of tension on the load bearing member.
• Figure 1 schematically illustrates an example elevator system designed according to this invention.
• FIG. 2 schematically illustrates another example elevator system designed according to this invention.
• FIG. 3 schematically illustrates another example elevator system designed according to this invention.
• FIG. 4 schematically illustrates another example elevator system designed according to this invention.
• Figure 5 schematically illustrates another example elevator system designed according to this invention.
• Figure 6 schematically illustrates one example tension device for use in a system designed according to this invention.
• Figure 7 schematically illustrates another example tension device for use in a system designed according to this invention.
• Figure 8 schematically illustrates another example tension device for use in a system designed according to this invention.
• Figure 9 schematically illustrates a method of installing an elevator system designed according to this invention.
• FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an elevator system 20 that facilitates movement of a cab 22 to selected positions between a first end (i.e., top) 24 and a second end (i.e., bottom) 26 of a hoistway.
• the system 20 includes a load bearing member 30 that supports the weight of the cab and facilitates the desired movement of the cab 22.
• load bearing members 30 may be used in a system designed according to this invention. In one particular example system, coated steel belts are used. Another example system includes at least one steel rope.
• the load bearing member 30 has one end 32 secured near the first end 24 of the hoistway.
• the illustration schematically shows a conventional termination 34.
• the belt 30 extends from the one end toward the cab 22 where the belt wraps at least partially around at least one sheave 36 that is supported to move with the cab 22.
• the belt 30 then extends back toward the first end 24 of the hoistway where the belt wraps at least partially around another sheave 38.
• the belt 30 then extends toward the second end 26 of the hoistway where the belt at least partially wraps around at least one sheave 40. From there, the belt 30 extends toward the cab 22 where it wraps at least partially around another sheave 42 supported to move with the cab through the hoistway. The belt 30 then extends again toward the second end 26 of the hoistway.
• a tension device 44 secures the other end 45 of the belt 30 and ensures that an appropriate amount of tension is applied to the load bearing member to adequately support the cab and to provide the necessary amount of traction to achieve desired cab movement.
• Cab movement is achieved by controlling a machine 46, which includes a motor, in a known manner to cause movement of the belt about a drive sheave.
• the machine 46 is associated with the sheave 40 near the second end 26 of the hoistway such that the sheave 40 is a traction or drive sheave.
• the motor causes the belt 30 to move about the sheaves, the cab rises or descends, depending on the direction of motor and drive sheave movement.
• the traction sheave is able to cause movement of the belt and the cab because the tension device 44 maintains the needed amount of tension on the belt 30.
• the tension device is supported to remain essentially stationary near one end of the hoistway. In the example of Figure 1, the tension device is supported near the second end 26 of the hoistway. In another example, the tension device 44 is supported near the first end 24. Having a tension device that does not travel through the hoistway
• Figure 1 schematically illustrates only one example system arranged according to this invention.
• a 2:1 roping ratio is achieved where the belt 30 moves about the drive sheave twice as much as the vertical distance traveled by the cab 22 responsive to such movement of the belt.
• Other 2:1 arrangements are shown in
• the example arrangement of Figure 2 differs from that of Figure 1 primarily in the placement of the machine 46.
• the machine 46 is supported near the first end 24 of the hoistway.
• the sheave 38 is the traction sheave in this example.
• FIG. 3 illustrates another example system designed according to this invention.
• the sheaves associated with the cab 22 are in a so-called underslung arrangement.
• the sheaves 36 are supported under the cab 22 even though the portions of the belt 30 that extend toward the first end 24 of the hoistway wrap about the sheaves 38.
• such an arrangement may provide further system economies.
• Figure 4 shows another alternative arrangement with a so-called overslung arrangement.
• the sheaves 42 and the sheaves 36 are supported above the cab 22.
• Figure 5 schematically illustrates another example system configuration.
• the machine 46 is not directly associated with one of the sheaves as used in the previous examples.
• This example includes a dedicated drive sheave 50 associated with the machine 46.
• a deflector sheave 52 facilitates directing the belt 30 to the machine location and back to the path to be followed to cooperate with the sheaves in the hoistway.
• the machine 46 is located outside of the hoistway envelope. Such a configuration allows strategically placing the machine at any desirable location.
• the tension device 44 may take various forms.
• the tension device comprises a mass that remains relatively stationary.
• a mass 54 is located near the second end 26 of the hoistway.
• the example mass 54 has interlocking portions 56a and 56b that allow assembling the mass at the installation site. By making the mass 54 of multiple portions that can be secured together at the job site, transporting the mass 54 to the job site and installing the elevator system can be simplified. A variety of interlocking or connecting arrangements can be used to secure the portions 56a, 56b together as needed.
• the mass 54 comprises a shell or a form that is selectively filled at the installation location.
• a desired amount of a selected material such as concrete fills the shell or form to achieve the desired weight.
• the total weight of the mass 54 preferably is set so that a desired amount of tension is maintained on the load bearing member 30 to achieve the desired elevator system operation.
• the size of the mass 54 preferably is determined according to the following equation:
• H is the building rise (m)
• a is the car acceleration (m/s 2 )
• g is gravity (m/s 2 )
• M CAR is the car mass (kg)
• M DL is the duty load mass (kg)
• M CWT is the counterweight mass (kg)
• P TC is the linear travel cable density (kg/m)
• TR is the traction ratio.
• the amount of traction is a function of the angle of wrap of the belt or rope and the coefficient of friction. Choosing components that provide greater friction (i.e., a flat belt instead of a round rope) allows using a smaller mass 54.
• the mass 54 is smaller that a conventional counterweight to enhance the savings achieved by the inventive approach.
• the example of Figure 6 includes a levered assembly 58 that supports the mass 54 about a pivot 60 that is appropriately secured to a hoistway wall, for example.
• the levered assembly 58 allows the belt 30 to be secured at a position relative to the suspended mass 54 to obtain a mechanical advantage.
• Such an arrangement further enhances the ability to use a smaller mass 54 and yet achieve the same tension provided by a much larger counterweight.
• Some movement of the mass 54 is required under certain conditions during elevator system operation. Changes in the condition or load on the load bearing member 30, for example, may require slight movement of the mass 54 to accommodate such situations. Elastic changes in the load bearing member 30 are typical and some limited movement accommodates such changes. Any such movement of the mass 54, however, is very limited compared to the movement of the cab 22 within the hoistway. Accordingly, the mass 54 is effectively stationary and any movement is far less than the amount of movement a conventional counterweight experiences in a conventional elevator system.
• a guide arrangement 62 is schematically shown in Figure 6 for accommodating any required movement of the mass 54 relative to the bottom 26 of the hoistway.
• the guide arrangement 62 includes a pair of guide raillike structures that are secured in place in the hoistway.
• One of the rails 62 has a base secured to a floor at the bottom 26 of the hoistway.
• the other rail 62 is secured to a hoistway wall in a conventional manner.
• Another example tension device 44 is schematically shown in Figure 7.
• This example includes at least one spring member 64 that tensions the belt 30.
• a connector 66 facilitates securing a termination at the end 45 of the belt 30 to the arrangement of spring members 64.
• Still another example tension device 44 is schematically shown in Figure 8.
• at least one pressurized actuator 68 provides the tension needed to maintain the desired system operation.
• the actuators 68 in one example are hydraulic. In another example, the actuators are pneumatic. Conventional tension adjustment techniques facilitate providing the desired amount of tension.
• the connector 66 facilitates securing the belt 30 in a manner that allows a plurality of actuators 68 to provide the needed tension.
• a variety of advantages are available when designing an elevator system according to this invention.
• One significant advantage is that the use of hoistway space is maximized in a way that conserves space and, therefore, increases the economies of the elevator system. Because the tension device 44 remains basically stationary in a selected location within the hoistway, no separate counterweight guide rails are required, the number of other components can be reduced and the total size of the hoistway may be reduced if desirable.
• Another advantage is that drive and brake components can be simplified. For example, because there is no moving counterweight, bracing in only one direction is needed.
• FIG 9 schematically illustrates another example system designed according to this invention temporarily installed in a first condition within a hoistway.
• a top support 70 is secured in place relative to the hoistway at a first level or height 72 within a building. This may be done when the building is still under construction, for example. Securing the appropriate components of the elevator system to the top support 70 can be accomplished in a conventional manner. The top support 70 may be secured in the desired position in the hoistway in a conventional manner.
• the cab 22 may be used to transport items between different levels within the building below the height 72.
• a portion 74 of the load bearing member 30 is maintained on a spool 75 separate from the working portion of the elevator system.
• a selected location on the load bearing member 30 may be secured to the tension device 44 using a conventional clamping mechanism 73.
• the load bearing member 30 has a first length within the system in the temporarily installed condition.
• a second-installed position is shown in phantom in Figure 9.
• the top support 70 is supported at a second level or height 76 within the building.
• the inventive arrangement allows such a transition from the first height 72 to the second height 76 by sufficiently securing the cab in a safe position, releasing the load bearing member from the connection to the tension device 44, moving the top support 70 to the second height position and then resecuring the load bearing member 30 to the tension device 44.
• the previously excess portion 74 is at least partially within the operative system and the load bearing member 30 has a second length within the elevator system, which is greater than the first length.
• the elevator cab 22 is available at more levels within the building.
• the inventive arrangement allows for installing the elevator system in a jump lift sequence in a more efficient manner. Additionally, the ability to handle the excess length of load bearing member between installed positions is simplified with a system designed according to this invention.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Lift-Guide Devices, And Elevator Ropes And Cables (AREA)
• Cage And Drive Apparatuses For Elevators (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (2)

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Family Applications After (1)

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Citations (6)

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• 2003
  • 2003-04-22 AU AU2003231013A patent/AU2003231013A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-04-22 CN CN2008100098555A patent/CN101279692B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-04-22 JP JP2004571149A patent/JP2006514598A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-04-22 WO PCT/US2003/012266 patent/WO2004094289A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2003-04-22 CN CNA038263351A patent/CN1764591A/zh active Pending
  • 2003-04-22 EP EP03724134A patent/EP1631518A4/fr not_active Withdrawn
• 2004
  • 2004-04-22 EP EP04760120A patent/EP1631516B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2004-04-22 CN CNA2004800105544A patent/CN1777557A/zh active Pending
  • 2004-04-22 AT AT04760120T patent/ATE524404T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2004-04-22 JP JP2006513218A patent/JP2006524171A/ja active Pending
  • 2004-04-22 WO PCT/US2004/012420 patent/WO2004094287A2/fr active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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