Operational modes for multicar hoistway systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10829342-B2
Application number	US-201615547929-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 2, 2016
Priority date	Feb 5, 2015
Publication date	Nov 10, 2020
Grant date	Nov 10, 2020

Abstract

A ropeless elevator system ( 10 ) includes a plurality of elevator cars ( 14 ) configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane ( 13, 15, 17 ), a propulsion system ( 16, 18 ) to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, and a controller ( 46 ). The controller is configured to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, and to selectively operate in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars performs a predetermined task and is prevented from performing the in-group mode service demands.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A ropeless elevator system comprising:
a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane;
a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars; and
a controller configured to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, and to selectively operate in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars performs a predetermined task and is prevented from performing the in-group mode service demands;
wherein the hoistway is partially constructed and is configured for use in a building under construction.

2. The ropeless elevator system of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion system is a linear propulsion system comprising:
a primary portion mounted in the hoistway, the primary portion comprising a plurality of motor segments; and
a plurality of secondary portions, wherein at least one secondary portion of the plurality of secondary portions is mounted to one elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars.

3. The ropeless elevator system of claim 1 , wherein in the out-of-group mode the controller is programmed to:
reserve at least two designated, non-overlapping areas on the hoistway;
allow elevator car traffic that must go through the designated area to serve the service demands assigned thereto prior to switching to the out-of-group mode; and
direct at least one selected car to each designated area of the at least two designated areas.

4. The ropeless elevator system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lane is a plurality of lanes, and wherein in the out-of-group mode the controller is programmed to:
define a one-way circulation path around the plurality of lanes, the one-way circulation path configured to move the at least one selected elevator car in an upward direction, a horizontal direction, and a downward direction; and
assign the at least one selected elevator car to the one-way circulation path for circulation exclusively therein during at least a portion of the out-of group mode.

5. The ropeless elevator system of claim 4 , wherein in the out-of-group mode the controller is further programmed to:
selectively remove the at least one selected elevator car from the one-way circulation path to serve a demand at a location that is not on the one-way circulation path; and
return the at least one selected elevator car to the one-way circulation path after the demand has been served.

6. The ropeless elevator system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a control terminal in signal communication with the controller, the control terminal configured to enable authorized personnel to switch the elevator system between the in-group mode and the out-of-group mode.

7. A ropeless elevator system comprising:
a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane;
a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars; and
a controller configured to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, and to selectively operate in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars performs a predetermined task and is prevented from performing the in-group mode service demands;
wherein in the out-of-group mode the controller is programmed to:
receive schedule information for future use of the elevator system; and
devise, based on the received schedule information, a predefined path for the at least one selected elevator car such that the at least one selected elevator car meets a demand of the future use with minimal conflict between selected elevator cars.

8. The ropeless elevator system of claim 7 , wherein in the out-of-group mode the controller is further programmed to:
announce the beginning of the future use; and
move the at least one selected elevator car to a predetermined start position.

9. A ropeless elevator system comprising:
a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane;
a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars; and
a controller configured to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, and to selectively operate in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars performs a predetermined task and is prevented from performing the in-group mode service demands;
wherein in the out-of-group mode the controller is programmed to:
assign a specific task to the at least one selected elevator car;
receive information regarding operational constraints and capabilities of the at least one selected elevator car assigned to the specific task; and
perform the specific task by operating the at least one selected elevator car in a predetermined manner within the received operational constraints and capabilities.

10. The ropeless elevator system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one selected elevator car is at least one of a winch car having a winch configured to pull a load, a container car configured to couple to a load, a long object puller configured move an object hanging beneath the long object puller, and an elevator car having elongated secondaries.

11. The ropeless elevator system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one selected elevator car is at least two selected elevator cars, and wherein in the out-of-group mode the controller is programmed to:
assign a specific task to the at least two selected elevator cars;
move the at least two selected elevator cars to a preparation area such that the at least two selected elevator cars can be prepared to perform the specific task; and
perform the specific task by simultaneously operating the at least two selected elevator cars in collaboration and in a predetermined manner within the received operational constraints and capabilities.

12. The ropeless elevator system of claim 11 , wherein the specific task is moving a load horizontally.

13. A method of controlling a ropeless elevator system comprising a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane and a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, the method comprising:
operating in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands; and
selectively operating in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars performs a predetermined task and is prevented from performing the in-group mode service demands;
wherein the hoistway is partially constructed and is configured for use in a building under construction.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein operating in the out-of-group mode further comprises:
reserving at least two designated areas on the hoistway;
allowing elevator car traffic that must go through the designated area to serve the service demands assigned thereto prior to switching to the out-of-group mode; and
directing at least one selected car to each designated area of the at least two designated areas.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the at least one lane is a plurality of lanes, and wherein operating in the out-of-group mode comprises:
defining a one-way circulation path around the plurality of lanes, the one-way circulation path configured to move the at least one selected elevator car in an upward direction, a horizontal direction, and a downward direction; and
assigning the at least one

Assignees

• Otis Elevator Co

Inventors

• Pasini Jose Miguel
• Ginsberg David
• Hsu Arthur

Classifications

• B66B11/0045

  in the hoistway · CPC title

• B66B11/0005

  Constructional features of hoistways · CPC title

• B66B2201/405

  by input of special passenger or passenger group · CPC title

• B66B9/003

  for lateral transfer of car or frame, e.g. between vertical hoistways or to/from a parking position · CPC title

• B66B1/2466 Primary

  For elevator systems with multiple shafts and multiple cars per shaft · CPC title