Elevator system with multiple cars in a hoistway

US8307952B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY · US

Inventors

• Richard N. Fargo · Plainville, US
• Harold Terry · 3a Avenida SO, US
• Frank Sansevero · Glastonbury, US
• Boris G. Traktovenko · Avon, US
• John M. Milton-Benoit · West Suffield, US
• David J. Sirag, Jr. · South Windsor, US
• Arthur Hsu · South Glastonbury, US
• John Ferrisi · Southington, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 16, 2004
• Grant date: Nov 13, 2012
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B66B11/02
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (26). Counterweights (24, 34) are associated with the respective elevator cars (22, 32) by load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, different roping ratios are used for the load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, the lengths of the load bearing members (40, 50) are selected to allow contact between the counterweights (24, 34) within the hoistway (26) and prevent contact between the elevator cars (22, 32). The difference in car and counterweight separation distances is greater than a stroke of a counterweight buffer plus an expected dynamic jump of the elevator cars. A disclosed example includes passages (80) through a portion of at least one of the elevator cars (22) for accommodating the load bearing member (50) of another elevator car (32) located beneath the elevator car (22) with the passages (80).