Patent Description:
Conventional elevators are typically used in countervailing weights in order to facilitate a cabin moving up and down between various layers or floors at various heights inside the vertical passageways of office buildings, hospitals, factories and similar structures. In order to overcome such concept of countervailing the weights, pneumatic vacuum elevators are used for moving across various floors at various heights of the building. The pneumatic vacuum elevators use air pressure to cause the motion of the cabin within a thoroughfare or tubular cylinder that uses the air within it as a working fluid upon the confines of the cabin. The pneumatic vacuum elevators are supported by various components for smooth movement of the cabin across the various floors. Such various components include brakes, motors, valves, guide rail, and the like to ensure a safe and pleasant riding experience for each occupant within the pneumatic vacuum elevator. The valves among the various components help in in controlling the air pressure of the pneumatic vacuum elevator. Several types of valves are available in market for enabling ascending and descending motion of the pneumatic vacuum elevator within a tubular pathway.

For example, document <CIT> discloses a known pneumatic vacuum valve which is situated at the top of a tubular cylinder of a pneumatic elevator. The vacuum valve comprises a coupling unit having a holding portion provided with a depression where a diaphragm unit is situated, and an electromagnetic valve for actuation of the diaphragm unit against a flow control opening.

Typically, the valves have been designed for controlling the flow of air to and from chambers in order to move an elevator cabin down in the tubular pathway. However, such conventional valves absorb tremendous amount of power in their operation. Also, for descent of the cabin, such valves are unable to properly balance the air pressure difference between the cylinders above the cabin and the atmospheric pressure. Moreover, the conventional air valves for activation during safety measurement are unable to allow the flow of air through the orifice in order to achieve a cabin descending speed.

Hence, there is a need for an improved pneumatic flow controlling device for a pneumatic vacuum elevator and a method thereof in order to address the aforementioned issues.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a pneumatic flow controlling device for a pneumatic vacuum elevator according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a pneumatic vacuum elevator with a pneumatic flow controlling device according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a pneumatic flow controlling device to a pneumatic vacuum elevator according to claim <NUM> is disclosed.

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.

The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:.

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 disclosure 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.

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, 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 disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the appended claims.

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 disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a pneumatic flow controlling device for a pneumatic vacuum elevator and a method thereof. The device includes a perforated component disposed on a bottom component intended to be coupled to a top surface of an elevator cylinder of the pneumatic vacuum elevator. The perforated component includes multiple perforations to enable air circulation from outside to inside of the elevator cylinder. The device also includes a diaphragm component to expand and compress based on the air circulation. The device also includes a primary valve to allow air supply to the elevator cylinder for controlling movement of an elevator cabin within a tubular pathway based on a control signal intended to be received from an elevator controller. The device also includes a secondary valve to allow the air supply to the elevator cylinder for dynamically varying speed of the elevator cabin at one or more landing positions.

<FIG> is a schematic representation of an exploded view of a pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) with various components in aligned position in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term 'pneumatic flow controlling device' is defined as a pneumatic flow valve system situated in a working space within the pneumatic vacuum elevator for air controlling utilized to move the pneumatic vacuum elevator. The device (<NUM>) includes a perforated component (<NUM>) disposed on a bottom component (<NUM>) coupled to a top surface of a pneumatic vacuum elevator. In one embodiment, the bottom component of the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) may be coupled to an integrated unit of elevator cylinder placed at the top surface of the pneumatic vacuum elevator. In another embodiment, the bottom component of the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) may be disposed at an external split unit assembly of the pneumatic vacuum elevator, wherein the external split unit assembly is coupled to the top surface of the pneumatic vacuum elevator via a pipe. The perforated component (<NUM>) includes multiple perforations to enable air circulation from outside to inside of the elevator cylinder.

The device (<NUM>) also includes a diaphragm component (<NUM>) to expand and compress based on the air circulation. The diaphragm component (<NUM>) is disposed over the perforated component (<NUM>). The diaphragm component (<NUM>) expands when the air flows through the multiple perforations from the outside atmosphere. Similarly, the diaphragm component (<NUM>) compresses when the air is released from the diaphragm component (<NUM>) to a low-pressure area. The device (<NUM>) also includes a regulation unit comprising an orifice, wherein the orifice enables the air circulation from outside atmosphere into the elevator cylinder for the actuation of the diaphragm component (<NUM>). In one embodiment, the orifice of the regulation unit is opened or covered for regulating the air circulation using an Allen screw (<NUM>) and a Hex flange locknut (<NUM>). The air circulation through the orifice into the external cylinder in predefined volume determines a rate of descending movement of the elevator cabin (not shown in <FIG>).

In a specific component, the device (<NUM>) also includes a top component (<NUM>) mechanically coupled to the diaphragm component (<NUM>). In such embodiment, the top component (<NUM>) covers the pneumatic flow controlling device. In one embodiment, the perforated component (<NUM>), the bottom component (<NUM>), and the top component (<NUM>) are assembled using an adhesive material.

The device (<NUM>) also includes a primary valve (<NUM>) to allow an air supply to the elevator cylinder for controlling movement of an elevator cabin within a tubular pathway based on a control signal received from an elevator controller. In one embodiment, the primary valve (<NUM>) may include an electric solenoid valve. The primary valve (<NUM>) is coupled to the diaphragm component (<NUM>) and opens or closes to allow the air supply based on the control signal received from the elevator controller. Upon receiving the control signal, the primary valve (<NUM>) switches on to an open position and enables vacuum inside the elevator cylinder to pass through the primary valve (<NUM>).

The device (<NUM>) also includes a secondary valve (<NUM>) to allow the air supply to the elevator cylinder for dynamically varying speed of the elevator cabin at one or more landing positions. In one embodiment the secondary valve (<NUM>) may include a solenoid valve attached to an outer surface of the bottom component (<NUM>) of the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>). The secondary valve (<NUM>) opens for a predefined interval of time simultaneously from closing of the primary valve, wherein the primary valve (<NUM>) closes based on the control signal received from the elevator controller. In one embodiment, the predefined interval of time may include a time interval of <NUM> seconds simultaneously from the closing of the primary valve (<NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment of a pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>) with an assembly of a pneumatic flow controlling device in accordance with an embodiment of a present disclosure. The pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>) includes an elevator cabin (<NUM>) to accommodate one or more passengers. The elevator cabin (<NUM>) is inserted within an external cylinder assembly (<NUM>) and ascends or descends in a vertical direction within a tubular pathway.

The pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>) also includes a motor unit (<NUM>) which includes a pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>). The motor control unit (<NUM>) is located at the top surface of the pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>). In one embodiment, the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) is coupled to an integrated unit of elevator cylinder placed at the top surface of the pneumatic vacuum elevator. In another embodiment, the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) may be located at a convenient working space utilized in conjunction with the pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>). The pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) includes a perforated component which includes multiple perforations to enable air circulation from outside to inside of the elevator cylinder.

The device (<NUM>) also includes a diaphragm component (not shown in <FIG>) to expand and compress based on the air circulation. The diaphragm component is disposed over the perforated component. The diaphragm component expands when the air flows through the multiple perforations from the outside atmosphere. Similarly, the diaphragm compresses when the air is released from the diaphragm component to a low-pressure area. The device (<NUM>) also includes a regulation unit comprising an orifice, wherein the orifice enables the air circulation from outside atmosphere into the elevator cylinder for actuation of the diaphragm component. In one embodiment, the orifice of the regulation unit is opened or covered for regulating the air circulation using an Allen screw and a Hex flange lock nut.

The device (<NUM>) also includes a primary valve to allow air supply to the elevator cylinder for controlling movement of an elevator cabin within a tubular pathway based on a control signal received from an elevator controller. In one embodiment, the primary valve may include an electric solenoid valve. The primary valve is coupled to the diaphragm component and opens or closes to allow the air supply based on the control signal received from the elevator controller. Upon receiving the control signal, the primary valve switches on to an open position and enables vacuum inside the elevator cylinder to pass through the primary valve.

The device (<NUM>) also includes a secondary valve to allow the air supply to the elevator cylinder for dynamically varying speed of the elevator cabin at one or more landing positions. In one embodiment the secondary valve may include a solenoid valve attached to an outer surface of the bottom component of the pneumatic flow controlling device. The secondary valve opens simultaneously when the primary valve (<NUM>) closes. Similarly, the secondary valve (<NUM>) closes after the predefined time interval, which is set, wherein the primary valve closes based on the control signal received from the elevator controller. In one embodiment, the predefined interval of time may include a time interval of <NUM> seconds from closing of the primary valve.

In a particular component, the device (<NUM>) also includes a top component mechanically coupled to the diaphragm component. In such embodiment, the top component covers the pneumatic flow controlling device. In one embodiment, the perforated component, the bottom component, and the top component are assembled using an adhesive material.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic representation of another embodiment (<NUM>) of a pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>) with an assembly of a pneumatic flow controlling device in accordance with an embodiment of a present disclosure. As discussed above in <FIG>, the pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>) includes an elevator cabin (<NUM>) to accommodate one or more passengers. The elevator cabin (<NUM>) ascends or descends in a vertical direction within a tubular pathway for transiting the one or more passengers. In addition, the pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>) also includes an external split unit assembly (<NUM>) located at a convenient working space in conjunction with the pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>). The external split unit assembly is coupled to a top surface of the pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>) via a pipe (<NUM>). In one embodiment, the pipe (<NUM>) may include a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. The split unit assembly includes a motor unit (<NUM>) and a pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>). The pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) includes a perforated component disposed on a bottom component (<NUM>) coupled to a top surface of a pneumatic vacuum elevator (<NUM>). The perforated component includes multiple perforations to enable air circulation (<NUM>) from outside to inside of the elevator cylinder. The device (<NUM>) also includes a diaphragm component to expand and compress based on the air circulation (<NUM>). The device (<NUM>) also includes a primary valve to allow air supply to the elevator cylinder for controlling movement of an elevator cabin within a tubular pathway based on a control signal received from an elevator controller. The device (<NUM>) also includes a secondary valve to allow the air supply to the elevator cylinder for dynamically varying speed of the elevator cabin at one or more landing positions.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment of a pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) with functional orientation and air flow direction in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) used in the pneumatic vacuum elevator allows airflow from a motor unit to inside of an elevator cylinder, in such a way that it releases vacuum pressure from the inside of the elevator cylinder allowing an elevator cabin to descend. The pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) includes a perforated component (<NUM>) disposed on a bottom component (<NUM>) coupled to a top surface of a pneumatic vacuum elevator. The device (<NUM>) also includes a diaphragm component (<NUM>) to expand and compress based on the air circulation. The diaphragm component (<NUM>) is disposed over the perforated component (<NUM>). The diaphragm component (<NUM>) compresses when the air flows through the multiple perforations from the outside atmosphere. Similarly, the diaphragm component (<NUM>) expands when the air is released from the diaphragm component (<NUM>) to a low-pressure area.

The device (<NUM>) also includes a top component (<NUM>) mechanically coupled to the diaphragm component (<NUM>). The top component (<NUM>) covers the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>). The top component (<NUM>), the perforated component (<NUM>) and the bottom component (<NUM>) are assembled together using an adhesive material. A steel plate is placed inbuilt with the top component (<NUM>) the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>). The device (<NUM>) also includes a primary valve (<NUM>) which is coupled with the diaphragm component (<NUM>). The device (<NUM>) also includes a secondary valve (<NUM>) which is attached in the outer surface of the bottom component (<NUM>) of the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>).

<FIG> illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment of a pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) with functional orientation and air flow direction at a normal condition in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the normal condition of the pneumatic flow controlling device, the secondary valve (<NUM>) is closed, the primary valve (<NUM>) is also closed normally, and the diaphragm component (<NUM>) works in normal airflow conditions. In such a scenario, the airflow is not allowed to enter via the bottom component (<NUM>) of the flow controlling device (<NUM>) from the outside atmosphere. As, the airflow is not allowed to the flow controlling device (<NUM>), the elevator cabin does not move in downward direction. The top component (<NUM>) which is placed on top of the flow controlling device (<NUM>) is assembled using an Allen screw (<NUM>) and Hex flange lock nut (<NUM>) which further regulates the speed of the elevator cabin.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment of a pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) with functional orientation and airflow direction at compression condition in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. During compression of the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>), the secondary valve (<NUM>) is in closed condition. In such a condition, the elevator cabin receives an instruction to move downwards from the elevator controller (not shown in <FIG>). The elevator controller sends a control signal to the primary valve (<NUM>), and the primary valve (<NUM>) switches to an open position. The atmospheric air passes through the perforated component (<NUM>) and enters into the elevator cylinder from the bottom component (<NUM>). Further, vacuum or low pressure from inside of the elevator cylinder passes through the primary valve (<NUM>) and the perforated component to an upper part of the diaphragm component (<NUM>) and making it compress towards the upper portion of the diaphragm component (<NUM>) formed by the top component (<NUM>) and diaphragm component (<NUM>). More specifically, the air flows out of the diaphragm component (<NUM>) to the low-pressure region. The top component (<NUM>) which is placed on top of the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) is assembled using the Allen screw (<NUM>) and the Hex flange lock nut (<NUM>) which is regulating the speed of the elevator cabin.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic representation of an embodiment of a pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) with functional orientation and airflow direction at normal condition with an open secondary valve in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. During the normal condition of the pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>), the secondary valve (<NUM>) is immediately opened for <NUM> seconds from the time the primary valve (<NUM>) is closed. The primary valve (<NUM>) is closed based on a timer which is located on a panel circuit board of the elevator controller of the pneumatic vacuum elevator. The main function of the secondary valve (<NUM>) is to dynamically vary the speed of the elevator cabin at one or more landing positions.

<FIG> is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (<NUM>) for providing a pneumatic flow controlling device to a pneumatic vacuum elevator in accordance with the embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (<NUM>) includes disposing of a perforated component on a bottom component coupled to a top surface of a pneumatic vacuum elevator, wherein the perforated component includes multiple perforations for enabling air circulation from outside to inside of the elevator cylinder in step <NUM>. In one embodiment, the disposing of the perforated component on the bottom component may include disposing of the perforated component on the bottom component coupled with the external cylinder assembly.

The method (<NUM>) also includes coupling a diaphragm component with the perforated component and the bottom component for expanding and compressing based on the air circulation in step <NUM>. In one embodiment, coupling the diaphragm component with the perforated component and the bottom component may include coupling the diaphragm component, with the perforated component and the bottom component using an adhesive material. In such embodiment, coupling the diaphragm component may include coupling the diaphragm component with the perforated component and the bottom component for actuation of the diaphragm component based on the air circulation.

The method (<NUM>) also includes coupling a primary valve to the diaphragm component for allowing an air supply to the elevator cylinder for controlling movement of an elevator cabin within a tubular pathway based on a control signal received from an elevator controller in step <NUM>. In one embodiment, coupling the primary valve to the diaphragm component may include coupling an electric solenoid valve to the diaphragm component. The method (<NUM>) also includes coupling a secondary valve to an outer surface of the bottom component for allowing the air supply to the elevator cylinder for dynamically varying speed of the elevator cabin at one or more landing positions in step <NUM>.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide an airflow controlling device which consumes low power for operation and facilitates the movement of the pneumatic vacuum elevator within the tubular pathway.

Moreover, the present disclosed device reduces vibration or jerk movement due to sudden stop or halt of the elevator cabin of the pneumatic vacuum elevator while landing at the one or more positions. As a result, the present disclosed device benefits the passenger in the elevator cabin by providing smooth riding experience in the one or more landing positions.

Furthermore, the present disclosed device enables dynamically regulating the speed of the elevator cabin of the pneumatic vacuum elevator at the one or more landing positions by ensuring safety measurement and also enables smooth descending of the elevator cabin.

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 disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

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 within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A pneumatic flow controlling device (<NUM>) for a pneumatic vacuum elevator, said device (<NUM>) comprising:
a perforated component (<NUM>) disposed on a bottom component (<NUM>) intended to be coupled to a top surface of an elevator cylinder of the pneumatic vacuum elevator, wherein the perforated component (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of perforations to enable air circulation from outside to inside of the elevator cylinder;
a diaphragm component (<NUM>) mechanically coupled to the perforated component (<NUM>) and the bottom component (<NUM>), wherein the diaphragm component (<NUM>) is configured to expand and compress based on the air circulation;
a primary valve (<NUM>) mechanically coupled to the diaphragm component (<NUM>), wherein the primary valve (<NUM>) is configured to allow an air supply to the elevator cylinder for controlling movement of an elevator cabin (<NUM>) within a tubular pathway based on a control signal intended to be received from an elevator controller;
said device (<NUM>) being characterised in that it comprises a secondary valve (<NUM>) mechanically coupled to an outer surface of the bottom component (<NUM>), wherein the secondary valve (<NUM>) is configured to allow the air supply to the elevator cylinder for dynamically varying speed of the elevator cabin (<NUM>) at one or more landing positions.