Patent Publication Number: US-2017355564-A1

Title: Elevator system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2014/003127 (formerly PCT/FR2014/053535) filed Dec. 23, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an elevator system, and more particularly, to a ventilation system of an elevator system configured to reduce energy waste. 
     Existing regulations require that an elevator system includes both hoistway ventilation and car ventilation for mechanic and passenger health and safety in all circumstances including shut down resulting in entrapment. With respect to hoistway ventilation, conventional systems typically include a ventilation opening generally formed near the top of the hoistway to fluidly connect the hoistway to an outside air source. Other systems may be connected to an air conditioning system of the building such that a flow of air is forced into or through the hoistway. 
     With the advancement of global warming and increasing energy costs, there is a desire to minimize the amount of energy consumed by both new and existing buildings. Conventional ventilation systems of an elevator, however, tend to be conservatively designed and implemented and therefore result in significant energy losses for the building. For example, conditioned air within the building may escape through the opening formed at the top of the hoistway resulting in a loss of heat and energy. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one embodiment of the disclosure, an elevator system is provided including a hoistway that does not include a ventilation opening configured to fluidly couple to the hoistway to an air source disposed outside of the hoistway. An elevator car is movable within the hoistway between a plurality of landings. A plurality of landing doors is arranged at each of the plurality of landings. The landing doors are movable between an open position and a closed position. The plurality of landing doors is configured to allow a defined amount of fluid flow there through when in a closed position. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the defined amount of fluid flow reduces energy losses as a result of fluid flow through the landing doors. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments each of the plurality of landing doors is configured to allow a defined amount of fluid flow there through by optimizing at least one of a shape and size of at least one gap formed in therein. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments each of the plurality of landing doors includes one or more door panels. The shape and size of the at least one gap being determined by a deflection of the one or more door panels. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the deflection of the one or more door panels occurs in response to pressure variations within the hoistway. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the deflection of the one or more door panels is determined by a thickness of the one or more door panels. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the deflection of the one or more door panels is determined by a material used to form the one or more door panels. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the deflection of the one or more door panels is determined by a shape of the one or more door panels. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a stiffener is used to limit the deflection of the one or more door panels. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments a retainer is used to limit the deflection of the one or more door panels. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one gap of each of the plurality of landing doors includes at least one of a vertical gap and a horizontal gap. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the vertical gap is formed between a door column and one of the one or more door panels. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the one or more door panels includes a first door panel and a second door panel, the vertical gap is formed between the first door panel and the second door panel. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the horizontal gap is formed between the one or more door panels and at least one of a door sill and a door lintel. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments wherein the elevator car further comprises at least one air scoop configured to fluidly couple an interior of the elevator car to the hoistway such that a controlled fluid flow may pass there between. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the air scoop includes a first portion having an enlarged opening configured as an air intake or outtake. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one air scoop is mounted to a wall structure of the elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one air scoop is arranged within a door column of the wall structure. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, in further embodiments the at least one air scoop is mounted to roof of the elevator car. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter, which is regarded as the disclosure, is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. 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: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an elevator system according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another elevator system according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a front view of an example of a landing door according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a top view of the landing door of  FIG. 3 a    according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3 c    is a side view of the landing door of  FIG. 3 a    according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an elevator car of the elevator system of  FIGS. 1 and 2  according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of an elevator frame of the elevator car of  FIG. 4  including an air scoop according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of an elevator frame of the elevator car of  FIG. 4  including an air scoop according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains embodiments of the disclosure, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , examples of an elevator system  20  resulting in reduced energy losses for a building are illustrated. In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, the elevator system  20  includes an elevator car  24  configured to move vertically upwardly and downwardly within a hoistway  22  between two or more landings  26  along car guide members  28 , for example car guide rails. The hoistway  22  may be fully enclosed, or only partially enclosed, such as when the elevator system  20  is positioned within an atrium for example. Guide assemblies (not shown) mounted to the top and bottom of the elevator car  24  are configured to engage the car guide members  28  to maintain proper alignment of the elevator car  24  as it moves within the hoistway  22 . 
     The elevator system  20  additionally includes a counterweight  32  configured to move vertically upwardly and downwardly within the hoistway  22 . The counterweight  32  moves in a direction generally opposite the movement of the elevator car  24  as is known in conventional elevator systems. Movement of the counterweight  32  is guided by counterweight guide members  34  mounted within the hoistway  22 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the elevator car  24  and counterweight  32  include sheave assemblies (not shown) configured to cooperate with at least one load bearing member  40  and a traction sheave  42  mounted to a drive machine  44  to raise and lower the elevator car  24 . The drive machine  44  in the illustrated embodiment of the disclosure is suited and sized for use with flat, belt-like load bearing members  40 . However, other load bearing members  40 , such as steel or composite ropes or cables for example, are within the scope of the disclosure, too. In the system of  FIG. 2 , the sheave assemblies (not shown) are mounted at the bottom of the elevator car  24 , in an underslung configuration. However, the one or more sheave assemblies may be mounted at another location on the elevator car  24 , such as the top of the elevator car  24  for example, or elsewhere in the system  20  as recognized by a person skilled in the art. 
     The drive machine  44  of the elevator system  20  is positioned and supported at a mounting location atop a support member  46 , such as a bedplate for example, in a portion of the hoistway  22  ( FIG. 2 ) or in a machine room ( FIG. 1 ). In other embodiments, the machine  44  may be located at other positions within the hoistway  22 , such as within a pit for example. Although the elevator system  20  illustrated and described in  FIG. 1  has a 1:1 roping and the elevator system of  FIG. 2  has an underslung 2:1 roping configuration, elevator systems  20  having other roping configurations and/or hoistway layouts are within the scope of the disclosure. In addition, other elevator systems including hydraulic and linear motor systems are within the scope of the disclosure. 
     To reduce or minimize the energy losses of the building, the elevator systems  20  as shown in  FIG. 1 , does not include a ventilation opening formed in a portion of the hoistway  22  to continuously fluidly connect the hoistway  22  to an external air source for receiving or exhausting air. Similarly, the hoistway  22  is not connected to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the building. As a result, air from the HVAC system is not provided to the hoistway  22  or elevator car  24 , and air from the hoistway  22  or elevator car  24  is not provided to the HVAC system. However, in other embodiments, the hoistway  22  or elevator car  24  may be selectively coupled to an air source. In such embodiments, a cover  50  may be configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to an adjacent ventilation opening to control a flow of air into or out of the elevator system  20 . 
     It has been determined that the presence or absence of a ventilation opening  50  in the hoistway  22  does not influence the flow of air through the plurality of landing doors  27 . Therefore, in embodiments, where the hoistway  22  does not include a ventilation opening  50 , the landing doors  27  may be configured to allow a desired amount of fluid flow there through, both into and out of the hoistway  22 , when in a closed position. For example, the desired amount of air may be at least the minimum air flow requirement dictated by one or more elevator and building code authorities. More specifically, the landing doors  27  may be optimized such that in combination, the minimum amount of airflow required is able to pass through the closed landing doors  27  and into the hoistway  22 , such that the building does not incur unnecessary energy losses from the elevator system  20 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 a   - 3   c,  an example of one configuration of the landing doors  27  arranged at a landing  26  within the hoistway  22  is illustrated in more detail. As shown, the landing doors  27  include a side opening door having two telescoping door panels  52  mounted between opposing door columns  54 . During operation of the illustrated landing doors  27 , the door panels  52  are configured to slide into an overlapping position adjacent one of the door columns  54  to create an opening leading into an adjacent elevator car  24 . Although a landing door  27  having a plurality of telescoping door panels  52  is illustrated and described herein, landing doors  27  having any configuration, including center opening landing doors and landing doors with any number of door panels  52  are within the scope of the disclosure. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 b  and 3 c   , a vertical gap  56  extending generally over the full height of the door panels  52  exists not only between a door column  54  and an adjacent door panel  52 , but also between adjacent door panels  52 . In addition, laterally oriented gaps  58  exist between the movable door panels  52  and the lintel  60 , as well as between the door panels  52  and the door sill  62  (see  FIG. 3 a   ). Each of gaps  56  and  58  allows a flow of air or another fluid into and out of the hoistway  22 . 
     In one embodiment, a desired air flow is achieved by optimizing the size of at least one gap  56 ,  58  formed in the landing doors  27 . Due to the movement of the door panels  52  relative to the lintel  60  and door sill  62 , adjustment of the lateral gaps  58  is difficult without affecting the operation of the landing door  27 . The size of the plurality of vertical gaps  56 , however, may be more easily modified to control a volume of air flow through the landing doors  27 . 
     When the elevator car  24  is stationary, a natural chimney effect occurs within the hoistway  22  such that due to the difference in height, the pressure exerted on each set of landing doors  27  varies. In addition, during operation of the elevator system  20 , the movement of the elevator car  24  throughout the hoistway  22  creates a piston effect. The pressure generated at the front of the elevator car  24  forces air from the hoistway  22  through the landing doors  27  to the landing  26 , and the pressure generated at the rear of the elevator car  24  draws air from the landing  26 , through the landing doors  27 , and into the hoistway  22 . 
     In response to this pressure, the door panels  52  are configured to deflect or elastically deform, thereby altering the size and/or shape of at least one of the gaps  56  in the landing doors  27 . The door panels  52  may therefore be designed such that a desired amount of deflection occurs for a given pressure. A desired amount of deflection of the door panels  52  may be achieved in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to adjusting a thickness of the door panel  52 , the type of material used to form the door panel  52 , or a shape or contour of the door panel  52 . In addition, stiffeners may be added at one or more locations to the door panel  52  and/or retainers may be used to block or limit the deformation of the door panels  52 . By designing the door panels  52  to deflect a certain amount and/or in a certain direction when a known pressure is applied thereto, the size and shape of the gaps  56  in the landing doors  27 , and therefore the air flow through the closed landing doors  27  may be optimized. 
     In addition to optimizing the air flow through the landing doors  27 , adjustments may be made to improve the air flow into and out of the elevator car  24 . Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an example of an elevator car  24  configured for use in an elevator system  20  resulting in reduced energy losses for a building is illustrated in more detail. The elevator car  24  includes a wall structure  70  extending between a car roof  72  and a car floor  74 . In one embodiment, the wall structure  70  includes a plurality of car panels  76  mounted to vertical supports  78  configured to provide the necessary stiffness to the car panels  76 . In another embodiment, the plurality of car panels  76  themselves may form the wall structure  70  of the elevator car  24 . In addition, a lining (not shown) may be attached to an interior surface of the car panels  76  to provide an aesthetically desirable appearance. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the ventilation system of the elevator system  20  may further include at least one air scoop  80  mounted to a portion of the elevator car  24 . The one or more air scoops  80  may be attached to the wall structure  70  of the elevator car  24 , for example near the bottom thereof as shown in  FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, the air scoop  80  is positioned within the portion of the wall structure  70  that forms a door column  79  configured to receive an elevator car door (not shown) when in the open position for example. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more air scoops  80  may be attached to an upper portion of the wall structure  70 , such as near the car roof  72  for example. As shown in  FIG. 6 , an air scoop  80  may be mounted to a portion of the car roof  72  at any position, such as near a center of the car roof  72  for example. In embodiments including more than one air scoop  80 , the air scoops may be substantially identical, or different. 
     The air scoops  80  are generally formed from a lightweight plastic, metal, composite or other suitable material having a fluid channel extending there through. The shape and size of the air scoop  80  is designed to optimize the amount of air flow between the hoistway  22  and the interior of the elevator car  24 . In the illustrated, non-limiting embodiment, a first portion  82  of the air scoop  80  has an enlarged opening  84 , configured as an air intake, to increase the amount of air drawn from the hoistway  22  into the scoop  80 . Alternatively, the enlarged opening  84  may be configured as an air outtake to draw air or carbon dioxide from the elevator car  24  and into the hoistway  22 . 
     The one or more air scoops  80  affixed to the elevator car  24  are intended to provide a controlled flow of air from the hoistway  22  into the interior of the elevator car  24 . The controlled air flow provided by the one or more scoops  80 , in combination with the gaps or openings adjacent the car doors, satisfies the “effective area of ventilation apertures” situated within either an upper portion or a lower portion of the elevator car  24  as required by elevator code authorities or other regulations, such as the Lift Directive 95/16/CE under ESR 4.7 of Annex I for example. 
     The elevator system  20  described herein provides the benefit of improving the energy efficiency of a building by eliminating the need for a connection between the hoistway  22  and an air supply. Rather, the plurality of landing doors  27  may be designed to allow only a necessary amount of air flow into and out of the hoistway to minimize energy losses. 
     While the disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure 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.