Patent · US Expired

Relative position monitoring apparatus

US4683990A · kind A · utility

11Cited by
6References
42Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateAug 29, 1985
Grant dateAug 4, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 29, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB66B1/3492
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A relative position derivation, sensing and indicator system primarily adapted for conventional elevators. The system displays elevator position and travel direction at each floor with a relatively old fashioned appearing indicator apparatus including an "antique" faceplate and a simple rotatable pointer arm driven by a stepper motor assembly. Electronic solid state digital circuitry is employed to derive suitable control signals for driving the associated stepper motors which rotate the pointer arms associated with each position displayed. A plurality of vanes vertically aligned within the hoistway are provided with parallel, offset rows of perforations. A generally U-shaped vane reader traveling with the elevator car establishes a pair of rapidly pulsed, oppositely directed infrared light beams across a void-like channel formed between its sides. Suitable photoresponsive elements in the vane reader may receive and interpret the light pulses to sense the presence or absence of interposed vanes (and vane perforations) to derive digital data during car movement. Correlation means in the vane reader are provided to output two pairs of control signals, which are delivered to an associ…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.