Patent Publication Number: US-2017355562-A1

Title: Fire service sequence for multicar elevator systems

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to the field of elevators, and more particularly to a fire service sequence of a multicar, ropeless elevator system. 
     Ropeless elevator systems, also referred to as self-propelled elevator systems, are useful in certain applications (e.g., high rise buildings) where there is a desire for multiple elevator cars to travel in a single hoistway, elevator shaft, or lane. In some ropeless elevator systems in which a first lane is designated for upward traveling elevator cars and a second lane is designated for downward traveling elevator cars. A transfer station at each end of the lane is typically used to move cars horizontally between the first lane and second lane. Additional transfer stations at intermediate locations may or may not be included. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a method of operating a multi-car elevator system for a fire service sequence is provided. The method including the steps of: controlling, using a control system, a plurality of components of the multi-car elevator system, the controlling includes operating at least one of a first elevator car and a second elevator in at least one elevator lane; confirming the first elevator car is free of occupants; moving the first elevator car to a parking area; and confirming the second elevator car is free of occupants. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include: moving, using the control system, the second elevator car to the parking area. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that the multi-car elevator system is a ropeless elevator system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that the parking area is a designated parking area, the designated parking area being operably connected to the at least one elevator lane. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include the multi-car elevator system includes at least two elevator lanes. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that the parking area is located within one of the at least two elevator lanes. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include confirming further includes: detecting, using a plurality of sensors, whether an occupant is present in an elevator. 
     According to another embodiment, a multi-car elevator system is provided. The system including: a processor; and a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations including the steps of: controlling a plurality of components of the multi-car elevator system, the controlling includes operating at least one of a first elevator car and a second elevator in at least one elevator lane; confirming the first elevator car is free of occupants; moving the first elevator car to a parking area; and confirming the second elevator car is free of occupants. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the system may include that the operations further include: moving the second elevator car to the parking area. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the system may include that the multi-car elevator system is a ropeless elevator system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the system may include that the parking area is a designated parking area, the designated parking area being operably connected to the at least one elevator lane. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the system may include that the multi-car elevator system includes at least two elevator lanes. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the system may include that the parking area is located within one of the at least two elevator lanes. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the system may include that confirming further include: detecting, using a plurality of sensors, whether an occupant is present in an elevator. 
     According to another embodiment, a computer program product tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium is provided. The computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations: The operations including the steps of: controlling a plurality of components of a multi-car elevator system, the controlling includes operating at least one of a first elevator car and a second elevator in at least one elevator lane; confirming the first elevator car is free of occupants; moving the first elevator car to a parking area; and confirming the second elevator car is free of occupants. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the computer may include that the operations further include: moving the second elevator car to the parking area. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the computer program may include that the multi-car elevator system is a ropeless elevator system. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the computer program may include that the parking area is a designated parking area, the designated parking area being operably connected to the at least one elevator lane. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the computer program may include that the multi-car elevator system includes at least two elevator lanes. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the computer program may include that the parking area is located within one of the at least two elevator lanes. 
     Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include a fire service sequence for ensuring proper evacuation of occupants within a multicar elevator system. 
     The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike in the several FIGURES: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary multicar elevator system, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an enlarged schematic view of an exemplary single elevator car within the multicar elevator system of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of operating the multi-car elevator system of  FIG. 1  for a fire service sequence, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts an exemplary multicar, ropeless elevator system  100  that may be employed with embodiments of the present disclosure. Elevator system  100  includes an elevator shaft  111  having a plurality of lanes  113 ,  115  and  117 . While three lanes  113 ,  115 ,  117  are shown in  FIG. 1 , it is understood that various embodiments of the present disclosure and various configurations of a multicar, ropeless elevator system may include any number of lanes, either more or fewer than the three lanes shown in  FIG. 1 . In each lane  113 ,  115 ,  117 , multiple elevator cars  114  can travel in one direction, i.e., up as shown by arrow  184  or down as shown by arrow  182 , or multiple cars within a single lane may be configured to move in opposite directions, as shown by arrow  186 . For example, in  FIG. 1  elevator cars  114  in lanes  113  and  115  travel up in the direction of arrow  184  and elevator cars  114  in lane  117  travel down in the direction of arrow  182 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more elevator cars  114  may travel in a single lane  113 ,  115 , and  117 . 
     As shown, above the top accessible floor of the building is an upper transfer station  130  configured to impart horizontal motion to the elevator cars  114  to move the elevator cars  114  between lanes  113 ,  115 , and  117 . It is understood that upper transfer station  130  may be located at the top floor, rather than above the top floor. Similarly, below the first floor of the building is a lower transfer station  132  configured to impart horizontal motion to the elevator cars  114  to move the elevator cars  114  between lanes  113 ,  115 , and  117 . It is understood that lower transfer station  132  may be located on the first floor, rather than below the first floor. Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more intermediate transfer stations may be configured between the lower transfer station  132  and the upper transfer station  130 . Intermediate transfer stations are similar to the upper transfer station  130  and lower transfer station  132  and are configured to impart horizontal motion to the elevator cars  114  at the respective transfer station, thus enabling transfer from one lane to another lane at an intermediary point within the elevator shaft  111 . Further, although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the elevator cars  114  are configured to stop at a plurality of floors  140  to allow ingress to and egress from the elevator cars  114 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment the elevator system  100  includes a designated parking area  180 . The designated parking area  180  may be used to store elevator cars  114  either when not in use or during a fire service sequence. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the designated parking area  180  may be located below the first floor of the building, however it is understood that the designated parking area  180  may be located on any other floor of the building or also above the top floor of the building. If an elevator system  100  does not include a designated parking area  180  then one of the lanes  113 ,  115 , or  117  may be shut off to elevator car traffic and used to store the elevators cars  114 . 
     Elevator cars  114  are propelled within lanes  113 ,  115 ,  117  using a propulsion system such as a linear, permanent magnet motor system having a primary, fixed portion, or first part  116 , and a secondary, moving portion, or second part  118 . The first part  116  is a fixed part because it is mounted to a portion of the lane, and the second part  118  is a moving part because it is mounted on the elevator car  114  that is movable within the lane. 
     The first part  116  includes windings or coils mounted on a structural member  119 , and may be mounted at one or both sides of the lanes  113 ,  115 , and  117 , relative to the elevator cars  114 . 
     The second part  118  includes permanent magnets mounted to one or both sides of cars  114 , i.e., on the same sides as the first part  116 . The second part  118  engages with the first part  116  to support and drive the elevators cars  114  within the lanes  113 ,  115 ,  117 . First part  116  is supplied with drive signals from one or more drive units  120  to control movement of elevator cars  114  in their respective lanes through the linear, permanent magnet motor system. The second part  118  operably connects with and electromagnetically operates with the first part  116  to be driven by the signals and electrical power. The driven second part  118  enables the elevator cars  114  to move along the first part  116  and thus move within a lane  113 ,  115 , and  117 . 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the first part  116  and second part  118  are not limited to this example. In alternative embodiments, the first part  116  may be configured as permanent magnets, and the second part  118  may be configured as windings or coils. Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of propulsion may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The first part  116 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is formed from a plurality of motor segments  122  (seen in  FIG. 2 ), with each segment associated with a drive unit  120 . Although not shown, the central lane  115  of  FIG. 1  also includes a drive unit for each segment of the first part  116  that is within the lane  115 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that although a drive unit  120  is provided for each motor segment  122  (seen in  FIG. 2 ) of the system (one-to-one) other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of propulsion may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a magnetic screw may be used for a propulsion system of elevator cars. Thus, the described and shown propulsion system of this disclosure is merely provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to be limiting. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a view of an exemplary elevator system  110  including an elevator car  114  that travels in lane  113  is shown. Elevator car  114  is guided by one or more guide rails  124  extending along the length of lane  113 , where the guide rails  124  may be affixed to a structural member  119 . For ease of illustration, the view of  FIG. 2  only depicts a single guide rail  124 ; however, there may be any number of guide rails positioned within the lane  113  and may, for example, be positioned on opposite sides of the elevator car  114 . Elevator system  110  employs a linear propulsion system as described above, where a first part  116  includes multiple motor segments  122   a,    122   b,    122   c,    122   d  each with one or more coils  126  (i.e., phase windings). The first part  116  may be mounted to guide rail  124 , incorporated into the guide rail  124 , or may be located apart from guide rail  124  on structural member  119 . The first part  116  serves as a stator of a permanent magnet synchronous linear motor to impart force to elevator car  114 . The second part  118 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , is mounted to the elevator car  114  and includes an array of one or more permanent magnets  128  to form a second portion of the linear propulsion system of the ropeless elevator system. Coils  126  of motor segments  122   a,    122   b,    122   c,    122   d  may be arranged in one or more phases, as is known in the electric motor art, e.g., three, six, etc. One or more first parts  116  may be mounted in the lane  113 , to co-act with permanent magnets  128  mounted to elevator car  114 . Although only a single side of elevator car  114  is shown with permanent magnets  128  the example of  FIG. 2 , the permanent magnets  128  may be positioned on two or more sides of elevator car  114 . Alternate embodiments may use a single first part  116 /second part  118  configuration, or multiple first part  116 /second part  118  configurations. 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , there are four motor segments  122   a,    122   b,    122   c,    122   d  depicted. Each of the motor segments  122   a,    122   b,    122   c,    122   d  has a corresponding or associated drive  120   a,    120   b,    120   c,    120   d.  A system controller  125  provides drive signals to the motor segments  122   a,    122   b,    122   c,    122   d  via drives  120   a,    120   b,    120   c,    120   d  to control motion of the elevator car  114 . The system controller  125  may be implemented using a microprocessor executing a computer program stored on a storage medium to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, the system controller  125  may be implemented in hardware (e.g., ASIC, FPGA) or in a combination of hardware/software. The system controller  125  may also be part of an elevator control system. The system controller  125  may include power circuitry (e.g., an inverter or drive) to power the first part  116 . Although a single system controller  125  is depicted, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that a plurality of system controllers may be used. For example, a single system controller may be provided to control the operation of a group of motor segments over a relatively short distance, and in some embodiments a single system controller may be provided for each drive unit or group of drive units, with the system controllers in communication with each other. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the elevator car  114  includes an on-board controller  156  with one or more transceivers  138  and a processor, or CPU,  134 . The on-board controller  156  and the system controller  125  collectively form a control system where computational processing may be shifted between the on-board controller  156  and the system controller  125 . 
     The controller system may include at least one processor and at least one associated memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The processor may be but is not limited to a single-processor or multi-processor system of any of a wide array of possible architectures, including field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP) or graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged homogenously or heterogeneously. The memory may be a storage device such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium. 
     In some embodiments, the processor  134  of on-board controller  156  is configured to monitor one or more sensors and to communicate with one or more system controllers  125  via the transceivers  138 . In some embodiments, to ensure reliable communication, elevator car  114  may include at least two transceivers  138  configured for redundancy of communication. The transceivers  138  can be set to operate at different frequencies, or communication channels, to minimize interference and to provide full duplex communication between the elevator car  114  and the one or more system controllers  125 . In the example of  FIG. 2 , the on-board controller  156  interfaces with a load sensor  152  to detect an elevator load on a brake  136 . The brake  136  may engage with the structural member  119 , a guide rail  124 , or other structure in the lane  113 . Although the example of  FIG. 2  depicts only a single load sensor  152  and brake  136 , elevator car  114  can include multiple load sensors  152  and brakes  136 . 
     In an embodiment, the ropeless elevator system  100  may include a command input device  170  operably connected to the control system (controller  125  and on-board controller  156 ). The command input device  170  allows an operator to input commands to control the elevators cars  114  of the ropeless elevator system  100 . For example, during an evacuation, rescue personnel may need to take command of the ropeless elevator system  100  to initiate a fire service sequence to ensure that all occupants of the ropeless elevator system  100  have been safely removed. The data input device  170  may be an interface device such as, for example, an elevator operational panel, an elevator recall control panel, an elevator supervisory panel, a cellular phone, tablet, laptop, smartwatch, desktop computer or any similar device known to one of skill in the art. The data input device  170  may be operably connected to the control system via a hard wire or wirelessly through a wireless transmission method such as, for example, radio, microwave, cellular, satellite, or another wireless communication method. 
     In a non-limiting embodiment, the control system may verify that no occupants are present in the elevator car  114  by utilizing a plurality of sensors  190 . The plurality of sensors may include but are not limited to infrared, heat, sonar, echolocation, acoustic, motion, weight, pressure, video or a similar sensing device known to one of skill in the art. For instance, the plurality of sensors  190  may include a video camera where the rescue personnel may be able to view the interior of the elevator car  114  to check for occupants. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , which shows a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method  300  of operating the multi-car elevator system of  FIG. 1  for a fire service sequence, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Rescue personnel may initiate method  300  using the command input device  170  of  FIG. 2 . Rescue personnel may include firefighter, building operators, policeman, paramedics or any other similar rescue personnel. First at block  306 , a first elevator car is confirmed free of occupants after it has been checked for occupants. In order for the first car to be checked, the control system may move the first elevator car to a recall floor. The recall floor is a selected floor where rescue personnel may check the elevator car during the fire service sequence. The first elevator car may also be checked by a plurality of sensors, such as, for example a video camera where rescue personnel could visually see inside the car and/or detect occupants. As may be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the recall floor (i.e. selected floor) may be any floor within the building. In a non-limiting embodiment, the recall floor may be the bottom floor, or ground floor, of a building. The recall floor may be a pre-set floor or it may be a floor determined by the control system and/or the rescue personnel at the time of recall. For instance, in a non-limiting embodiment, the recall floor may be the floor where the rescue personnel initiate the fire service sequence of method  300 , as determined by the control system. In another non-limiting embodiment, the recall floor may be manually entered by the rescue personnel. Also, in a non-limiting embodiment, the first elevator car may be an elevator car nearest to the recall floor at the time the fire service sequence of method  300  is initiated. If the elevator car is equipped with a plurality of sensors through which the rescue personnel may check the car, the control system may not need to move the elevator car to a recall floor. For instance, the elevator car may have a video camera through which the rescue personnel may check the elevator car for passengers. 
     The control system may open the doors of the first elevator and allow rescue personnel to check the elevator car for occupants when the first car is at the recall floor. In a non-limiting embodiment, the control system may confirm that no occupants are present in the elevator car utilizing a plurality of sensors. In a non-limiting embodiment, the plurality of sensors may be operably connected to the control system. For instance, the first elevator car is confirmed empty by the plurality of sensors and a confirmation is sent by the plurality of sensors to the control system. In another non-limiting embodiment, the plurality of sensors may be separate from the control system. For instance, the plurality of sensors may include a video camera, from which rescue personnel may view the car and then send a confirmation to the control system. Thus, the rescue personnel and/or the plurality of sensors will send a command input to the control system, confirming the first elevator car is empty. 
     Once the first car is checked for occupants and it is confirmed that no occupants are present, at block  308  the control system will close the doors of the first elevator car and then move the first elevator car to a parking area as shown by arrow  188  in  FIG. 1 . In a non-limiting embodiment, the parking area may be a designated parking area that is not within a lane of an elevator but is operably connected to the elevator lane(s). As shown in  FIG. 1 , the designated parking area  180  may be perpendicular to the elevator lane(s). In another non-limiting embodiment, the parking area may be located perpendicular to the elevator lane(s) on any floor of the building. Further, in another non-limiting embodiment, the parking area may be located parallel to the elevator lane(s) above the top floor of the building and/or below the bottom floor of the building. Moreover, in another non-limiting embodiment, the parking area may be an elevator lane itself. In a first example, the recall floor may be any middle floor (i.e. not the top or the bottom floor) within the building and the parking area may be above and/or below that middle floor. In a second example, in a multi-lane elevator system having at least two elevator lanes, one of the elevator lanes may be used as a parking area. 
     Next at block  312 , it is confirmed that the next elevator car is free of occupants after the next elevator has been checked for occupants. In order to check the elevator car for occupants, the control system may move the second car (i.e. next car) to the recall floor so that rescue personnel may check the car. As mentioned above, if the elevator car is equipped with a plurality of sensors through which the rescue personnel may check the car, the control system may not need to move the elevator car to a recall floor. For instance, the elevator car may have a video camera through which the rescue personnel may check the elevator car for passengers. The process for checking the second elevator car is similar to the process for checking the first elevator car, described above. Once the second car is checked for occupants and it is confirmed that no occupants are present, at block  314  the control system will close the doors of the second elevator car and then move the second elevator car to the parking area. The control system will then confirm that all elevator cars have been confirmed free of occupants. If all elevator cars have not been checked, the method  300  will then return to block  312  to confirm that the next elevator car is free of occupants and the process may be repeated until all elevator cars have been confirmed free of occupants. Once all elevator cars have been confirmed free of occupants, the method ends at block  318 , at which time the rescue personnel are free to make use of one or more of the elevator cars as they desire. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. While the description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications, variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangement not hereto described will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while the various embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that aspects may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.