Patent · US Active

Elevator system using a supercapacitor as a backup power source

US7331426B2 · kind B2 · utility

27Cited by
4References
36Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 26, 2006
Grant dateFeb 19, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 26, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02B50/00
  • WIPO fieldHandling
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An elevator system uses a supercapacitor to store electric energy. Furthermore, the supercapacitor can be used as a source of reserve power in emergency situations, such as power failures. The supercapacitor is connected together with three switching branches to a rectified signal of the power supply of the motor. By closing and opening the switches, the supercapacitor can be charged when the motor load is small. When the motor load is large or when the power supply fails, the electric energy contained in the supercapacitor can be discharged for use by the motor. In an emergency, the motor drives the elevator at a speed lower than normal, and therefore a supply voltage lower than normal is sufficient. Also, energy obtained from braking of the elevator can be stored in the supercapacitor, which has a storage capacity of considerable magnitude as compared to an ordinary capacitor. By applying the invention, the energy consumption of the elevator can be reduced because the waste energy obtained from the power supply can be stored and utilized when more energy is needed.

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