Battery mounting in elevator hoistway

Abstract

A battery powered elevator system in which the battery and power electronics needed to connect the battery to the machine driving the elevator system are mounted in close proximity within the hoistway of the elevator system to minimize power transmission losses.

Claims

1. An elevator system, comprising: an elevator car movably mounted within a hoistway; a machine operatively connected to the elevator car and capable of moving the elevator car within the hoistway; and a power source mounted within the hoistway and operatively connected to the machine, the power source configured to supply power to the machine, wherein the supplied power is sufficient to move the elevator car under normal operating conditions; a bedplate mounted within the hoistway; wherein the power source and the machine are mounted to the bedplate; an inverter mounted on the bedplate, the inverter receiving power from the power source and providing power to the machine.

2. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery and the machine comprises a motor.

3. The elevator system of clam 1, wherein the bedplate is hollow, and the power source is mounted within the bedplate.

4. The elevator system of claim 1, wherein the bedplate mounted in a pit of the hoistway.

5. The elevator system of claim 1, further comprising a counterweight.

6. The elevator system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of door lintels positioned in the hoistway.

7. An elevator system, comprising: a plurality of rails configured to be mounted in a hoistway; an elevator configured to be movably mounted on at least one of the rails; a counterweight configured to be moveably mounted on at least one of the rails; a bedplate configured to be connected to the rails at a top of the hoistway; a machine mounted to the bedplate and configured to be operatively connected to the elevator car; a power source mounted on the bedplate and configured to be electrically connected to the machine, wherein the power source is configured to provide power to the machine, and wherein the provided power is sufficient to drive the machine during normal elevator operation; an inverter mounted on the bedplate, the inverter receiving power from the power source and providing power to the machine.

8. The elevator system of claim 7, wherein the power source is a battery and the machine is a motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elevator system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure;

(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of one exemplary embodiment of an elevator system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; and

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of alternative embodiments of elevator systems constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure.

(4) While the following disclosure will be made with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from its scope. It is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the scope of the invention should include all embodiments falling with the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) Referring now to the drawings, and with specific reference to FIG. 1, an elevator system constructed in accordance with the teachings of the disclosure is generally referred to by reference numeral 20. As shown therein, the elevator system 20 may include a hoistway 22 defining a vertically-disposed, open channel through a multi-story building (not shown) employing the elevator system 20. The elevator system 20 may further include a plurality of rails 24 extending from a bottom or pit 26 of the hoistway 22 to a top 28 of the hoistway 22 where the rails 24 terminate in a connection to a bedplate 30. The rails 24 provide structure to facilitate linear movement of an elevator car 32 through the hoistway 22. Moreover, rails 33 provide a similar mechanism by which a counterweight 34 can also move linearly through the hoistway 22.

(6) In order to drive the car 32 through the hoistway 22, a machine 36 is employed. The machine 36 may be provided in the form of an electric motor or any other form of prime mover. As shown in conjunction with FIG. 2 as well, the machine 36 may include an output shaft 38 on which one or more sheaves 40 are mounted. Belts, cables, or other looped power transmission devices 42 are then trained around the sheave 40 for connection to the passenger car 32 at a first 44, and to the counterweight 34 at a second 45.

(7) Referring now to FIG. 2, it may be seen that in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the bedplate 30 can also be used to mount the power source and power electronics for the machine 36. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a battery 46 and inverter 48 or other drive mechanism are mounted directly to the bedplate 30. In the depicted embodiment, the machine 36 and sheave 40 are mounted to a top surface 50 of the bedplate 30, with the battery 46 and drive 48 mounted to a bottom surface 52 of the bedplate. In another embodiment, the bedplate is hollow, and the power source is mounted within the bedplate. However, in alternative embodiments, it is to be understood that the machine 36, battery 46, and inverter 48 can be mounted in different positions on or around the bedplate 30. What is of importance is that the distance over which the power needs to be communicated from the battery 46 to the machine 36 be minimized so as to avoid efficiency losses therebetween.

(8) Moreover, in still further alternative embodiments, the battery 46 and inverter 48 need not be mounted directly to the bedplate but rather could be mounted elsewhere within the hoistway 22 while still providing significant advantages over current elevator systems in which the battery 46 and inverter 48 are mounted outside of the hoistway. For example, as shown best in FIG. 3, the battery 46 and/or inverter 48 could be mounted in the pit 26, on the counterweight 34, on the car 32, on a door lintel 54 provided at each floor at which the elevator stops, on a hoistway wall 56, on a ceiling 58 of the hoistway 22, or anywhere else within the hoistway 22.

(9) Again, a primary concern is that the transmission distance over which the high current signals are transmitted is minimized to reduce power transmission losses. For example, such losses can generally be calculated using the equation: P.sub.1=I.sup.2R, wherein P.sub.1=power loss, I=current, and R=resistance. To put such losses into practical perspective, traditional 1000 kg elevator cars moving at 1 meter per second typically have a peek current draw of approximately 225 amps. In order to safely transmit currents of this magnitude, 0 or 00 gauge wire is generally used. Such wires (or conductors) not only cost several dollars per meter, but two such connectors are typically required between the battery 46 and the inverter 48, and three are typically required between the inverter 48 and machine 36. By reducing the distances over which these conductors have to navigate, the resistance R is reduced, resulting in less power transmission losses. Additionally, by locating the battery 46 closer to the machine 36 and inverter 48, less wire will be required.

(10) From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present disclosure sets forth an improved elevator system which enables batteries to be used as the power source for the elevator at greatly improved efficiency levels as compared to previously known elevator systems. By mounting the battery and power electronics inside the hoistway, the distances over which the electrical power must be communicated is greatly reduced. This can be done, for example, by placing the battery and inverter directly on a bedplate and thus directly adjacent to the machine. Additionally, the battery and inverter may be mounted at alternative locations in the hoistway, such as, but not limited to, in the pit, on the counterweight, on the car, in the overhead, on a hoistway wall, on the hoistway ceiling, or on the door lintels.