Patent Publication Number: US-2023136840-A1

Title: Integrated noise suppression apparatus for a pneumatic vacuum elevator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This Application claims priority from a Patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202041023098, filed on Jun. 2, 2020, and titled “AN INTEGRATED NOISE SUPPRESSION APPARATUS FOR A PNEUMATIC VACUUM ELEVATOR” and a PCT Application No. PCT/IB2021/054739 filed on May 31, 2021, and titled “AN INTEGRATED NOISE SUPPRESSION APPARATUS FOR A PNEUMATIC VACUUM ELEVATOR”. 
    
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to noise suppression in a pneumatic vacuum elevator, and more particularly, to an integrated noise suppression apparatus for a pneumatic vacuum elevator. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An elevator is a vertical transportation machine which is used to move people between floors of a structure. Among such elevators, pneumatic vacuum elevators are a type of elevator which uses air pressure to lift the elevator cab. The cab has a vacuum seal built into the ceiling. A challenge which arises is to maintain noise level of the elevator when being operated. In a conventional approach, where the pneumatic vacuum elevators are to be installed in any of the commercial locations or home, noise suppression unit is to be mounted independently. However, in such an approach, there may be a situation where the noise suppression unit which needs to be mounted on top of the elevator unit would not fit into the location; thus, the installation could not be accomplished, thereby making such approaches non-reliable and less efficient. Also, a level of suppression of noise in such approaches is a challenge, specially within the indoor environment. 
     Hence, there is a need for an improved integrated noise apparatus for a pneumatic vacuum elevator to address the aforementioned issues. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, an integrated noise suppression apparatus for a pneumatic vacuum elevator is provided. The apparatus includes an equipment compartment mounted on top a top cylinder of one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders. The equipment compartment includes a first partition unit vertically surrounding one or more electric motors housed inside the equipment compartment. The one or more electric motors are configured to suck air from one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders and release the air into atmosphere surrounding, the equipment compartment cylindrical body to operate the pneumatic vacuum elevator in upward direction. The apparatus also includes a bottom plate comprising a channel positioned outside the first partition unit, wherein a pneumatic flow control unit placed on top of the bottom plate. The pneumatic flow control unit is configured to allow air from the atmosphere into the corresponding one or more elevator cylinders to operate the pneumatic vacuum elevator in downward direction. The apparatus also includes a second partition unit mechanically coupled to the first partition unit, wherein the second partition unit includes an opening in a pre-defined shape. The second partition unit is configured to circulate air between the equipment compartment and the atmosphere upon being sucked or released by the one or more electric motors or the pneumatic flow control unit respectively. The apparatus also includes a silencer unit placed below the one or more electric motors and the pneumatic flow control unit. The silencer unit includes a first layer placed upon the bottom plate and above the tubular cylinder. The first layer includes first set of partition strips arranged in a pre-defined fashion, wherein each of the first set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a first pre-defined fashion. The first layer is configured to initiate the circulation of air. The silencer unit also includes a second layer placed above the first layer, wherein the second layer includes a second set of partition strips arranged in a pre-defined fashion. Each of the first set of partition strips includes a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a second pre-defined fashion. The silencer unit also includes a third layer placed above the second layer. The third layer includes a third set of partition strips arranged in a third pre-defined fashion. Each of the third set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a third pre-defined fashion. The silencer unit also includes a fourth layer placed above the third layer. The fourth layer includes a fourth set of partition strips arranged in a fourth pre-defined fashion. Each of the fourth set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a fourth pre-defined fashion. The silencer unit also includes a fifth layer placed above the fourth layer. The fourth layer includes a fifth set of partition strips. Each of the fifth set of partition strips includes a corresponding plurality of circular cut-outs arranged in a fifth pre-defined fashion. The plurality of circular cut-outs is structured to position the corresponding one or more electric motors. A plurality of layers is arranged one above the other to enable the air to pass between the atmosphere and the tubular cylinder via the plurality of layers. An arrangement of the first set of partition strips, the second set of partition strips and the third set of partition strips forms a pre-defined structure configured to absorb noise developed during operation of the pneumatic vacuum elevator upon air being circulated sequentially from the first layer to the fifth layer. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a pneumatic vacuum elevator is provided. The pneumatic vacuum elevator includes one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders configured to enable one or more users to move between a plurality of floors of a multi-storied building. The pneumatic vacuum elevator also includes an integrated noise suppression apparatus integrated on top of the one or more elevator cylinders. The integrated noise suppression apparatus includes an equipment compartment mounted on top a top cylinder of one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders. The equipment compartment includes a first partition unit vertically surrounding one or more electric motors housed inside the equipment compartment. The one or more electric motors are configured to suck air from one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders and release the air into atmosphere surrounding the equipment compartment cylindrical body to operate the pneumatic vacuum elevator in upward direction. The apparatus also includes a bottom plate comprising a channel positioned outside the first partition unit, wherein an pneumatic flow control unit placed on top of the bottom plate. The pneumatic flow control unit is configured to allow air from the atmosphere into the corresponding one or more elevator cylinders to operate the pneumatic vacuum elevator in downward direction. The apparatus also includes a second partition unit mechanically coupled to the first partition unit, wherein the second partition unit includes an opening in a pre-defined shape. The second partition unit is configured to circulate air between the equipment compartment and the atmosphere upon being sucked or released by the one or more electric motors or the pneumatic flow control unit respectively. The apparatus also includes a silencer unit placed below the one or more electric motors and the pneumatic flow control unit. The silencer unit includes a first layer placed upon the bottom plate and above the tubular cylinder. The first layer includes first set of partition strips arranged in a pre-defined fashion, wherein each of the first set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a first pre-defined fashion. The first layer is configured to initiate the circulation of air. The silencer unit also includes a second layer placed above the first layer, wherein the second layer includes a second set of partition strips arranged in a pre-defined fashion. Each of the first set of partition strips includes a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a second pre-defined fashion. The silencer unit also includes a third layer placed above the second layer. The third layer includes a third set of partition strips arranged in a third pre-defined fashion. Each of the third set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a third pre-defined fashion. The silencer unit also includes a fourth layer placed above the third layer. The fourth layer includes a fourth set of partition strips arranged in a fourth pre-defined fashion. Each of the fourth set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a fourth pre-defined fashion. The silencer unit also includes a fifth layer placed above the fourth layer. The fourth layer includes a fifth set of partition strips. Each of the fifth set of partition strips includes a corresponding plurality of circular cut-outs arranged in a fifth pre-defined fashion. The plurality of circular cut-outs is structured to position the corresponding one or more electric motors. A plurality of layers is arranged one above the other to enable the air to pass between the atmosphere and the tubular cylinder via the plurality of layers. An arrangement of the first set of partition strips, the second set of partition strips and the third set of partition strips forms a pre-defined structure configured to absorb noise developed during operation of the pneumatic vacuum elevator upon air being circulated sequentially from the first layer to the fifth layer. 
     To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic representation of an overall pneumatic vacuum elevator system comprising an integrated noise suspension unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic representation of the pneumatic vacuum elevator system moving in upward direction of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic representation of the pneumatic vacuum elevator system moving in downward direction of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is an isometric representation of an integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is an isometric representation of an assemble section of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6   a    is schematic representation of a first layer of a silencer unit of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6   b    is schematic representation of a second layer of the silencer unit of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6   c    is schematic representation of a third layer of the silencer unit of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6   d    is schematic representation of a fourth layer of the silencer unit of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6   e    is schematic representation of a fifth layer of the silencer unit of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6   f    is schematic representation of all the layers of the silencer unit of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present invention. 
     It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. 
     The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to an integrated noise suppression apparatus for a pneumatic vacuum elevator. As used herein, the term “a pneumatic vacuum elevator” is defined as a kind of an elevator which works on air pressure to lift the elevator cab. 
       FIG.  1    is a schematic representation of an overall pneumatic vacuum elevator system  20  comprising an integrated noise suspension apparatus  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pneumatic vacuum elevator  10  includes one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders  50  configured to enable one or more users to move between a plurality of floors of a multi-storied building. The pneumatic vacuum elevator  20  also includes an integrated noise suppression apparatus  10  integrated on top of the one or more elevator cylinders  40 ,  50 , hereafter referred to as apparatus. 
     Turing to  FIG.  4    and  FIG.  5   ,  FIG.  4    is an isometric representation of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  5    is an isometric representation of an assemble section of the integrated noise suppression unit of  FIG.  1    in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The apparatus  10  includes an equipment compartment  30  mounted on top of a cylinder of one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders  65  resting on an elevator cabin  50 . In one embodiment, the elevator cabin  50  may correspond to a cylinder  50  of the one or more elevator cylinders  50 . More specifically, the pneumatic vacuum elevator  20  includes the one or more elevator cylinders  50  vertically stacked. The tubular cylinder  40  is stalked above one of the elevator cabin  50  and corresponds to a topmost cylinder of the one or more elevator cylinders  50 . In one exemplary embodiment, the equipment compartment  30  may be composed of a Polycarbonate sheet. In another embodiment, the equipment compartment  30  may be fabricated of plastic, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylic, medium-density fibreboard or any suitable material. 
     The apparatus  10  includes a first partition unit  60  vertically surrounding one or more electric motors  70  housed inside the equipment compartment  30 . The first partition unit  60  may be arranged in a pre-defined fashion. The one or more electric motors  70  is configured to suck air from one or more vertically stacked elevator cylinders  50  and release the air into atmosphere surrounding the equipment compartment  30  to operate the pneumatic vacuum elevator  20  in upward direction. In one exemplary embodiment, the first partition unit  60  may be composed of a material selected from a group consisting plywood, Medium-density fibreboard (MDF), particle board and solid wood. 
     The apparatus  10  also includes a bottom plate  80  which includes a channel  85  positioned outside the first partition unit  60 . A pneumatic flow control unit  90  placed on top of the bottom plate  80 . More specifically, the pneumatic flow control unit  90  is placed on the bottom plate  80 . In one embodiment, the bottom plate  80  may be composed of metal such as steel, or the like. The pneumatic flow control unit  90  is configured to allow air from the atmosphere into the corresponding one or more elevator cylinders  50  to operate the pneumatic vacuum elevator  20  in downward direction. In one embodiment, the channel  85  may be a guide through passage which may be configured to fix the bottom plate  80  within the first partition unit  60 . 
     Furthermore, the apparatus  0  includes a second partition unit  100  mechanically coupled to the first partition unit  60 . The second partition unit  100  includes an opening in a pre-defined shape. In one embodiment the pre-defined shape of the opening may be circular, square, rectangular or the like. The second partition unit  100  is configured to circulate air between the equipment compartment  30  and the atmosphere upon being sucked or released by the one or more electric motors  70  or the pneumatic flow control unit  90  respectively. More specifically, the air between the atmosphere and the equipment compartment  30  is circulated via the second partition unit  100 . In one exemplary embodiment, the second partition unit  100  may be composed of a material selected from a group consisting plywood, Medium-density fibreboard (MDF), particle board and solid wood. 
     The apparatus  10  also includes a silencer unit  120  placed below the one or more electric motors  70  and the pneumatic flow control unit  90 . The silencer unit  120  includes a first layer  130  (as shown in  FIG.  6   a   ) placed upon the bottom plate  80  and above the tubular cylinder  40 . The first layer  130  is configured to initiate the circulation of air. The first layer  130  includes first set of partition strips arranged in a pre-defined fashion. Each of the first set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a first pre-defined fashion. The first set of partition strips is configured to initiate the circulation of air. 
     The silencer unit  120  also includes a second layer  140  (as shown in  FIG.  6   b   ) placed above the first layer  130 . The second layer  140  includes a second set of partition strips arranged in a second pre-defined fashion. Each of the second set of partition strips includes a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in the first pre-defined fashion. In one embodiment, the square cut-outs are positioned in a such way that the cut-outs do not overlap with the first set of partition strips of the first layer  130 . More specifically, a bottom portion of the second layer is imposed with the second set of partition strips which is placed above the first layer in such a way that the first set of partition strips and the second set of partition strips sync with each other but do not overlap. 
     The silencer unit  120  also includes a third layer  150  (as shown in  FIG.  6   c   ) placed above the second layer  140 . The third layer  150  includes a third set of partition strips arranged in a third pre-defined fashion. Each of the third set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a third pre-defined fashion. The silencer unit  120  also includes a fourth layer  160  (as shown in  FIG.  6   d   ) placed above the third layer  150 . The fourth layer  160  includes a fourth set of partition strips arranged in a fourth pre-defined fashion. Each of the fourth set of partition strips comprises a corresponding plurality of square cut-outs arranged in a fourth pre-defined fashion. More specifically, a bottom portion of the fourth layer  160  is imposed with the fourth set of partition strips, which is placed above the third layer  150  to bring the third set of partition strips and the fourth set of partition strips in sync. Also, there exists a pre-defined amount of gap for the flow of air between the top bottom surface of the fourth layer  160  and the third set of partition strips. Similarly, there exists a gap between the top surface of the third layer  150  and the fourth set of partition strips for the flow of air between the third layer  150  and the fourth layer  160 . 
     The silencer unit  120  further includes a fifth layer  170  (as shown in  FIG.  6   e   ) placed above the fourth layer  160 . The fifth layer  170  includes a fifth set of partition strips  180 . Each of the fifth set of partition strips  180  which includes a corresponding plurality of circular cut-outs arranged in a fifth pre-defined fashion. The plurality of circular cut-outs is structured to position the corresponding one or more electric motors  70 . More specifically, the position of the corresponding plurality of circular cut-outs are in sync with the position of the corresponding one or more electric motors  70 . 
     Further, a plurality of layers  190  (as shown in  FIG.  6   f   ) is arranged one above the other to enable the air to pass between the atmosphere and the tubular cylinder  40  via the plurality of layers  190 . The plurality of layers  190  corresponds to the first layer  130 , the second layer  140 , the third layer  150 , the fourth layer  160  and the fifth layer  170  together. In one exemplary embodiment the first layer  130 , the second layer  140 , the third layer  150 , the fourth layer  160  and the fifth layer  170  are padded with sound absorbing material. In such embodiment, the sound absorbing material may be sound absorption foam. 
     An arrangement of the first set of partition strips, the second set of partition strips and the third set of partition strips forms a pre-defined structure configured to absorb noise developed during operation of the pneumatic vacuum elevator  20  upon air being circulated sequentially from the first layer  130  to the fifth layer  170 . In one exemplary embodiment, the first set of partition strips, the second set of partition strips, the third set of partition strips are padded with sound absorbing material. In such embodiment, the sound absorbing material may be sound absorption foam. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus  10  may further include at least four vertical pillars  200  attached with corresponding plurality of outer rings  210 . The plurality of outer rings  210  is integrated on an outer surface of the equipment compartment  30 . In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus  10  includes at least two outer rings  210 , each of the at least two outer rings may be shaped of an arc, wherein an inner circumference of the arc may be equal to half of an outer circumference of the equipment compartment  30 . Further, the at least four vertical pillars  200  may be configured to support the equipment compartment  30  and the plurality of outer rings  210 . In one exemplary embodiment, the integrated noise suppression apparatus  10  may be located nearing to a roof  220  of a multi-storied building. 
     In operation, when the elevator cabin  40  is being operated in an ascending direction (as shown in in  FIG.  2   ), that is when the elevator cabin  20  is moving in the upward direction, the air from the one or more elevator cylinders  50  are sucked by the one or more electric motors  70  via the plurality of layers  190 , which is placed beneath the one or more electric motors  70 . Air from the plurality of layers  190  passes through the second partition unit  100  and the air is released into the atmosphere. As the air passed through the plurality of layers  190  fabricated using the sound absorption foam, the noise generated by the pneumatic vacuum elevator  20  is reduced. 
     Also, in the scenario where the elevator cabin  50  is being operated in a descending direction (as shown in  FIG.  3   ), that is when the elevator cabin  50  is moving in the downward direction, the air from the atmosphere is allowed into the elevator cabin  50  by the pneumatic flow control unit  90 . The air from the atmosphere is allowed by the pneumatic flow control unit  90  to pass through the plurality of layers  190  fabricated using the sound absorption foam, the noise generated by the pneumatic vacuum elevator  50  is reduced. 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure enable the apparatus to enable the integration of the noise suppression unit along with the one or more one or more elevator cylinders within the available space of the building. The structure of the layers used in the apparatus helps in reduction of noise while the pneumatic vacuum elevator is being operated. 
     While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. 
     The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.