Measuring elevator position with scanning laser beam

US6079521A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Uwe Schonauer · Berlin, DE
• Peter Herkel · Berlin, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 24, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 27, 2000
• Expiry date: Nov 24, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66B1/3492
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A laser disposed on an elevator car is scanned at a uniform rate; one or more pairs of sensors disposed on opposite sides of the hoistway determine the time for the laser to scan from one sensor to the other, from which the vertical distance between the elevator car and a sensor pair is determined, thereby to derive hoistway position, elevator speed and acceleration.