Car machine of sightseeing vacuum elevator

Abstract

Techniques are described for an elevator arrangement including a car arrangement and a hoistway arrangement. In one embodiment, a car head arrangement of the car arrangement extends parallel to a cross-section of the hoistway arrangement. The air pressure in the portion of the hoistway remains different than the air pressure within the car arrangement and may cause the car arrangement to rise or remain stable within the hoistway arrangement. The car head device partially carries the car device and any load. In one embodiment, the air pressure differential is maintained by a seal coupled from the periphery to the car device, creating a gas-tight connection of the car device to the inner periphery of the hoistway device cross-section. The seal substantially prevents air from the top of the hoistway device from entering the bottom, and vice versa.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The method belongs to the field of elevators for transporting people, animals and objects with an elevator car in a vertically placed or vertically inclined elevator shaft. More specifically, the method belongs to the field of vacuum elevators, in which the elevator car moves in a vertically placed or vertically inclined and hermetically sealed elevator shaft by means of an air pressure difference above and below the elevator car. Background Art

[0002] The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely because of their inclusion in this section. Existing elevator designs operate differently; they have significant limitations.

[0003] Traction elevator Is the most common type of elevator, in which the car is raised and lowered by traction ropes or belts on a pulley system.

[0004] Traction elevators are not space efficient due to their concrete shaft, tracks, guides, and counterweights - they take up a lot of space and usually require a separate machine room at the top of the elevator shaft. They are also expensive to install and maintain, making them unsuitable for use in private spaces or small offices in low-rise buildings or residential units due to their large footprint, high installation costs, high maintenance costs, and health risks from the large amount of lubricants that carry carcinogens.

[0005] Traction elevator designs use a counterweight to offset the weight of the car and its occupants. With such a design, the motor does not have to move as much weight. Traction elevators can be geared or gearless. In a geared elevator, there is a gearbox that is connected to the motor that drives the wheels and moves the ropes. Geared machines can reach speeds of up to 500 ft / min. These models can have intermediate costs in terms of initial investment, maintenance costs, and energy consumption. In a gearless traction elevator, the pulleys are directly connected to the ends of the motor. These models can reach speeds of up to 2,000 ft / min. These models have a higher initial cost investment and average maintenance costs. However, gearless traction elevators are more energy efficient than geared traction elevators.

[0006] Traction elevators are best suited for high-rise buildings in ventilation shafts outside of living spaces, where the overhead of a large area and high installation and maintenance costs are acceptable.

[0007] Hydraulic elevatorNo overhead lifting machinery is used. Instead, these elevators raise the car by using a hydraulic fluid installed in a cylinder to drive a piston. Traditionally, hydraulic fluids are based on synthetic oils, which can have an impact on the environment when installed.

[0008] The limitations of hydraulic elevators are low floors, low speeds, high installation and maintenance costs, high energy costs, and high environmental impact, which make these types of elevators unsuitable for installation in private residences. Due to their low operating speeds (usually 150 feet per minute or less), hydraulic elevators are often found in buildings up to five stories high.

[0009] Another reason why hydraulic elevators are limited in height is that the structure of the hydraulic cylinder and piston cannot be extended to higher heights due to technical limitations. In addition, hydraulic elevators consume more power than other types of elevators.

[0010] There are three different types of hydraulic elevators: holed, holeless, and roped. A holed hydraulic elevator has a hydraulic cylinder placed inside a drilled hole and can travel up to 60 feet. A holeless hydraulic elevator does not require drilling, making this type of elevator ideal for existing buildings or areas where drilling is too difficult or expensive. A holeless elevator should not be installed anywhere that requires more than 40 feet of travel. A roped hydraulic elevator uses a combination of ropes and pistons to move the elevator, and has a maximum travel distance of about 60 feet.

[0011] Machine Room-less (MRL) Elevator A traction elevator that does not have a dedicated machine room above the elevator shaft. The machinery is located in the override space and is accessible from the top of the elevator car when maintenance or repair is required.

[0012] MRL elevators are less suitable for use in private homes or single-family residential units due to their environmental impact, relatively high noise levels, large footprint, and moderately high installation and maintenance costs.

[0013] The control box is located in a control room adjacent to the elevator shaft. MRL elevators can have a maximum travel distance of up to 250 feet and can operate at speeds of up to 500 feet per minute. MRL elevators are comparable to gear traction elevators in terms of initial and maintenance costs, but MRL elevators have relatively lower energy consumption compared to gear elevators. Machine roomless elevators are becoming the most popular choice for mid-rise and high-rise buildings with travel distances of up to 250 feet. MRL elevators are energy efficient, take up less space, and their operation and reliability are comparable to gearless traction elevators. The main reason why MRL elevators have been so slow to be adopted in the United States is because of building code provisions that do not allow the motor to be located in the hoistway.

[0014] Shaftless elevator Are small residential elevators that are designed to accommodate 2-storey living with minimal disruption during installation. They are a good alternative to stairlifts or shaft elevators.

[0015] The limitations of shaftless elevators are many, including safety issues, which require that they can only operate one floor at a time, as they represent a fall hazard due to the "open" shaft structure, resulting in a high risk of injury due to potential lacerations. Therefore, shaftless elevators are equipped with multiple sensors to stop the car if it encounters an obstacle during ascent / descent. For safety reasons, this structure is equipped with a constant pressure control, which means that a person can keep the car moving by pressing the elevator call button or the destination floor button. In addition, this type of elevator is noisy, has a negative impact on the environment, and has high maintenance costs.

[0016] As the name implies, this type of elevator has no shaft and represents an "open" structure where the elevator's tracks / rails are open and exposed, and the car moves up and down on the open elevator rails. The motor is mounted on top of the elevator car, and ropes / cables are used to pull the car up / down.

[0017] Pneumatic elevator A partial vacuum is used in a "shaft" on top of the car to move the car up and down in a sealed hoistway shaft.

[0018] Due to technical limitations, pneumatic elevators are slow and have a small load capacity. They are usually only able to lift smaller loads (up to 500 pounds for the largest models) and have significant installation restrictions. Another disadvantage of pneumatic elevators is that the shaft uses acrylic material - it will wear, scratch and weaken over time due to friction with the vacuum seal of the car. Among other disadvantages, the round tube shape makes the shaft cumbersome in a private setting when accommodating a wheelchair and is almost impossible to modify. Finally, the high noise level makes this unique type of elevator far from the first choice for private installations.

[0019] In pneumatic elevator designs, to keep the car at the same height, a valve at the top of the "shaft" is closed along with a diaphragm or piston that acts as a "brake". The "brake" is also used if there is a sudden increase in pressure above the car. To descend, pneumatic elevator designs incorporate valves that allow air to pressurize the "shaft", allowing the car to descend under its own weight. In the event of a power outage, the car automatically descends slowly to the ground floor. The ride is not smooth, but rather "bumpy" - for example, in order for the car to descend, it first needs to rise a little so that the brake piston can retract, and then the car can be brought down by reducing the vacuum force or letting outside air into the "shaft" and allowing the car to descend under its own weight. The same "bumpy feeling" is also evident during the ascent - when the car needs to stop at a certain floor, it first needs to rise a little higher than that floor, allowing the brake piston to retract, and then descend to the floor and rest on the retracted piston. Due to the technical limitations of pneumatic elevator designs, the "shaft" is made of acrylic material and is round in shape. 1. Disadvantages of existing technology

[0020] The shortcomings of existing solutions that this approach aims to overcome can be summarized as follows: - Poor design. Elevators are usually associated with bulky structures, carrying concrete and heavy metals in their construction. While these elements may seem necessary at first glance, the core architecture of elevators has not changed for more than 100 years and requires a major change in both technical and aesthetic design. In fact, the technical means that have been used for elevators for many years have imposed certain restrictions on the size, shape, materials used, aesthetics, etc. of the elevator design, thus posing considerable aesthetic challenges. For this reason, elevators in private homes are usually hidden to cover up ugly architectural elements such as tracks, guides, chains, ropes, counterweights, pulleys and gears. As a result, existing elevator systems have become an expensive item in the budget of buyers, where elevators are considered a "must-have" solution for the disabled, incapacitated and impaired in multi-story housing. - Unsafe. Ropes and cables can break, posing a risk of free fall, and the system relies on emergency brakes that may be activated when the cables break. Emergency brake mechanisms always require the presence of tracks in the structure, as the brakes are locked to the tracks. Loss of vacuum in pneumatic elevators also creates a risk of free fall. The safety issue is that any existing elevator design has its safety features, which usually rely on a single important mechanism, such as a brake locked to the track, any failure of which poses a significant safety hazard. Double and triple safety protection for a single feature is often considered an expensive expense. As a result, frequent maintenance is required, with safety components (e.g. cables, ropes, brakes) being replaced regularly to ensure that the safety function is always operational, increasing maintenance costs. In pneumatic elevators, failure of the electronics or valve control mechanism may also create a risk of free fall. Shaftless elevators also present a serious risk of injury to children and limb damage due to their open structure. - Health hazards. Most elevators use chemical oils in large quantities to lubricate moving metal parts such as gearboxes, tracks, guides. In addition, hydraulic elevators use special synthetic hydraulic oils. All of these oils contain harmful fumes that carry carcinogens and bring a nasty oily smell to people's lives. This is not a big problem if a well-ventilated shaft is placed in a public area (as when modern mainstream installations are implemented). However, when installed in private homes or confined spaces, it exposes occupants to harmful fumes and endangers health. - Bulky – Existing elevators take up a lot of space. Traction, hydraulic, and MRL elevators essentially require a concrete shaft, space for guide rails and rails, space for the sliding door mechanism within the shaft, and space for a counterweight, which expands the shaft footprint beyond the footprint of the car. In fact, the footprint of traction, hydraulic, and MRL elevators is 3-5 times larger than the footprint of the car, making them “very bulky.” Pneumatic elevators are shaped as round tubes and come pre-assembled, which presents installation challenges. These types of elevators also occupy a much larger footprint than the footprint of the car. For example, pneumatic elevator models that can accommodate wheelchairs are over 5 feet in diameter, which is unlikely to fit into any house door, making them a retrofit showpiece. In contrast, shaftless elevators take up minimal space but are limited to one-story travel and present serious safety hazards. Bulky solutions have a major disadvantage when installing elevators in existing homes and can be prohibitive when considering retrofit elevator solutions. -Noisy. Noise from running motors, pulleys, guides, chains and, in the case of pneumatic elevators, noisy air compressors is an additional challenge when considering installing elevators into private homes and apartments. -Slow speed. All home elevators are very slow, running at 5-8 inches per second. Faster solutions are usually associated with bulkier and more expensive alternatives. -High energy costs. Due to the friction in the gearboxes, pulleys, tracks and guides of any existing system on the market, elevators use a lot of power to overcome friction, making the entire system energy inefficient. - Expensive. Modern elevators carry high product and installation costs due to heavy metal structures such as tracks and guides, gearboxes, concrete shafts and lengthy installations. In addition, high maintenance costs due to frequent maintenance and replacement of wearing parts make the high cost of installing and maintaining elevators a prohibitive factor.

[0021] The technology presented in the current method below in this document overcomes the disadvantages outlined above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] By referring to the accompanying drawings, the method described herein can be better understood, and its numerous features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For ease of understanding and simplicity, commonly numbered elements are used in the drawings, wherein elements with the same number are the same in different drawings.

[0023] The drawings listed below are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. Each drawing depicts one or more embodiments of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention in any way. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention, and what the applicants intend to be the scope of the invention, is the literal and equivalent range of the claims issuing from this application in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent corrections.

[0024] FIG. 1 depicts front, side, and rear views of a 2-story elevator system in one embodiment.

[0025] 2 depicts a perspective view of a 2-story elevator system with a cab in operation, in one embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 3 depicts a front view and a side view of a car in one embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 4 depicts a bottom view of a car in one embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a car in one embodiment.

[0029] 6 depicts perspective upper and lower front views of a car in one embodiment.

[0030] 7 depicts enlarged perspective upper and lower views of the front bottom corner of the cab in one embodiment.

[0031] 8 depicts upper and lower rear perspective views of a car in one embodiment.

[0032] 9 depicts enlarged perspective upper and lower views of the rear bottom corner of the cab in one embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 10 depicts a perspective exploded view of a car in one embodiment.

[0034] Fig.11 Depicted are front and side views of a car body in one embodiment.

[0035] Fig.12 Depicted are top and bottom views of a car body in one embodiment.

[0036] Fig.13 A perspective view of a car body in one embodiment is depicted.

[0037] 14 depicts a perspective view of the front corner of the upper hinge of the car in one embodiment.

[0038] 15 depicts a perspective view of the rear corner of the hinge on the car in one embodiment.

[0039] 16 depicts a perspective view of the top corner of the hinge on the car in one embodiment.

[0040] 17 depicts a perspective view of a hinged side angle on a car in one embodiment.

[0041] 18 depicts a rear corner bottom perspective view of a car body with exploded glass links, in one embodiment.

[0042] 19 depicts a front angle perspective view of a lower hinge of the car in one embodiment.

[0043] FIG. 20 depicts the positions of the car door hinges in closed, half-open and open states in one embodiment.

[0044] 21 depicts top and perspective views of the rear corner of the car body in one embodiment.

[0045] 22 depicts a top view of the front and rear corners of the car body in one embodiment.

[0046] 23 depicts a bottom view of the lower hinge of the car in one embodiment.

[0047] 24 depicts an enlarged front perspective view of an intermediate connection of car doors in one embodiment.

[0048] 25 depicts a front exploded perspective view of a car body in one embodiment.

[0049] 26 depicts a front view, a side view, a rear view, a middle view, a top view, a bottom view, and an exploded view of a car door in one embodiment.

[0050] 27 depicts a top front perspective view of the lower edge of a car door in one embodiment.

[0051] 28 depicts a bottom front perspective view of the lower edge of a car door in one embodiment.

[0052] 29 depicts a bottom front exploded view of the lower edge of a car door in one embodiment.

[0053] 30 depicts a top rear perspective view of the lower edge of a car door in one embodiment.

[0054] 31 depicts a bottom rear perspective view of the lower edge of a car door in one embodiment.

[0055] 32 depicts a bottom rear exploded view of the lower edge of the car door in one embodiment.

[0056] 33 depicts a top perspective view of the mid-side upper corner of a car door in one embodiment.

[0057] 34 depicts a front and rear exploded view of the corner on the mid-edge of a car door in one embodiment.

[0058] 35 depicts a rear perspective view of a hinge on a car door in one embodiment.

[0059] 36 depicts a top front exploded view of the corner on the mid-edge of a car door in one embodiment.

[0060] 37 depicts an enlarged perspective view of a car door lower hinge in one embodiment.

[0061] 38 depicts an enlarged perspective view of a hinge on a car door in one embodiment.

[0062] 39 depicts top and bottom views of a car door hinge in one embodiment.

[0063] 40 depicts front and rear views of a car door hinge in one embodiment.

[0064] 41 depicts a side view of a car door hinge in one embodiment.

[0065] 42 depicts various perspective views of a car door hinge in one embodiment.

[0066] Figure 43 depicts a front view and a side view of the car head frame in one embodiment.

[0067] Figure 44 depicts a rear view of the car head frame in one embodiment.

[0068] 45 depicts a bottom view of the car head frame in one embodiment.

[0069] Figure 46 depicts a top view of the car head frame in one embodiment (with a full size wheelchair in the car).

[0070] 47 depicts a front perspective top view of the car head frame in one embodiment.

[0071] Fig.48 A rear perspective top view of a car head frame in one embodiment is depicted.

[0072] Fig.49 An enlarged rear perspective view of a car roof in one embodiment is depicted.

[0073] 50 depicts an enlarged perspective view of the front and rear top corners of the cab in one embodiment.

[0074] 51 depicts a bottom angle perspective view of a car head frame in one embodiment.

[0075] 52 depicts an exploded top view of the car head frame in one embodiment.

[0076] 53 depicts top and bottom angle views of the far corner of the car head frame in one embodiment.

[0077] Fig.54 Depicted is a bottom angle view of the far corner of the car head frame with glass attachment bolts in one embodiment.

[0078] Fig.55 A bottom angle view of the far corner of the car head frame with ventilation grilles is depicted in one embodiment.

[0079] Fig.56 Depicted is a bottom exploded view of a car head frame in one embodiment.

[0080] Figure 57 depicts a front view and a side view of the car base in one embodiment.

[0081] Figure 58 depicts a rear view of the car base in one embodiment.

[0082] Figure 59 depicts a bottom view of the car base in one embodiment.

[0083] Figure 60 depicts a top view of the car base in one embodiment.

[0084] 61 depicts a rear perspective top view of the car base in one embodiment.

[0085] Figure 62 depicts a front perspective top view of the car base in one embodiment.

[0086] 63 depicts an enlarged rear perspective view of the car foundation in one embodiment.

[0087] 64 depicts an exploded top view of the car base in one embodiment.

[0088] Figure 65 depicts front and side views of a car ceiling glass panel in one embodiment.

[0089] Figure 66 depicts a bottom view of a car ceiling glass panel in one embodiment.

[0090] Figure 67 depicts a top view of the car ceiling glass panels in one embodiment.

[0091] 68 depicts a right edge angle view of a car ceiling glass panel, in one embodiment.

[0092] 69 depicts a left edge view of a car ceiling glass panel, in one embodiment.

[0093] 70 depicts a top perspective view of a car ceiling glass panel, in one embodiment.

[0094] 71 depicts front and side views of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment.

[0095] 72 depicts a rear view of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment.

[0096] 73 depicts a bottom view of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment.

[0097] 74 depicts a top view of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment.

[0098] 75 depicts a top exterior angle view of a car vacuum seal corner in one embodiment.

[0099] 76 depicts a bottom perspective view of the lower car vacuum seal in one embodiment.

[0100] Fig.77 A top perspective view of an upper car vacuum seal in one embodiment is depicted.

[0101] Fig.78 Depicted is an exploded top view of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment.

[0102] Fig.79 An exterior top perspective view of a side edge of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment is depicted.

[0103] Fig.80 An exterior top perspective view of the front edge of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment is depicted.

[0104] Fig.81 A top front angle view of an inner corner of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment is depicted.

[0105] Fig.82 A cross-sectional view of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment is depicted.

[0106] Fig.83 A top front angle view of an outer corner of a car vacuum seal in one embodiment is depicted.

[0107] Figure 84 depicts a front view and a side view of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0108] Figure 85 depicts a rear view of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0109] Figure 86 depicts a bottom view of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0110] Figure 87 depicts a top view of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0111] Figure 88 depicts a bottom perspective view of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0112] Figure 89 depicts a top perspective view of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0113] Figure 90 depicts a top exploded view of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0114] Figure 91 depicts a cross-sectional view of the car head outer frame profile in one embodiment.

[0115] Figure 92 depicts various angle views of the car head outer frame in one embodiment.

[0116] Figure 93 depicts a front view and a side view of the car head inner frame in one embodiment.

[0117] Figure 94 depicts a bottom view of the car head inner frame in one embodiment.

[0118] Figure 95 depicts a top perspective view and exploded view of the car head inner frame in one embodiment.

[0119] Figure 96 depicts a top view of the car head inner frame in one embodiment.

[0120] Figure 97 depicts an inside and outside edge view of the car head inner frame in one embodiment.

[0121] Figure 98 depicts a cross-sectional view of the frame profile within the car head in one embodiment.

[0122] Figure 99 depicts various corner angle views of the car head inner frame in one embodiment.

[0123] Figure 100 depicts a front view and a side view of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment.

[0124] Figure 101 depicts a rear view of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment.

[0125] Figure 102 depicts a bottom view of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment.

[0126] Figure 103 depicts a top view of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment.

[0127] 104 depicts a top perspective view of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment.

[0128] 105 depicts an exploded top view of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment.

[0129] Fig.106A top exterior corner view of the front corner of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment is depicted.

[0130] Fig.107 A cross-sectional view of the car bed outer frame profile in one embodiment is depicted.

[0131] Fig.108 A bottom exterior corner view of the front corner of the car bed outer frame in one embodiment is depicted.

[0132] Fig.109 Various views of the interior corners of the outer frame of the car bed in one embodiment are depicted.

[0133] Figure 110 depicts a front view and a side view of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment.

[0134] Figure 111 depicts a rear view of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment.

[0135] Figure 112 depicts a bottom view of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment.

[0136] Figure 113 depicts a top view of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment.

[0137] 114 depicts a top perspective view of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment.

[0138] Fig.115 Depicted is an exploded top view of a car bed inner frame in one embodiment.

[0139] Fig.116 A top exterior corner view of the rear corner of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment is depicted.

[0140] Fig.117 A top exterior angle view of the front corner of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment is depicted.

[0141] Fig.118 A cross-sectional view of the interior frame profile of a car bed in one embodiment is depicted.

[0142] Fig.119 A top interior angle view of a rear corner of the car bed inner frame in one embodiment is depicted.

[0143] Figure 120 depicts an exploded perspective view of the lower and upper decks of the car base in one embodiment.

[0144] 121 depicts a front cross-sectional view of the car head, body and base connection in one embodiment.

[0145] Figure 122 depicts the profile used in the car structure in one embodiment.

[0146] Figure 123 depicts a profile used in a car door structure in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0147] Those skilled in the art can better understand and reproduce the present method by referring to the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the machinery, operation mode and principles.

[0148] Although the written description of the above method enables ordinary technicians to make and use what is currently believed to be the best mode thereof, ordinary technicians can understand and recognize the existence of variations, combinations and equivalents of the specific embodiments, methods and examples herein. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments, methods and examples described below, but should be limited to all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the present invention. General Overview

[0149] The present invention describes a technology for an elevator device (also referred to as a "sightseeing vacuum elevator"), which includes a car device (also referred to as a "cabin" herein) and a hoistway device (also referred to as a "hoistway" herein). The present method includes a sightseeing vacuum elevator system, which is a panoramic vacuum elevator system for transporting people, animals and objects in a vertically placed or vertically inclined elevator shaft in which tempered glass is used. For example, in one embodiment, large tempered glass panels are used as the main structural elements of the elevator hoistway and the elevator car.

[0150] In contrast to the common use of glass panels, where glass is traditionally used as filler in a structural metal frame skeleton, the glass panels in the present technology are the primary structural element of the panoramic vacuum lift system and, in one embodiment, are the system's "exoskeleton" that carries the weight of the entire structure.

[0151] In one embodiment, when used in a shaft construction, the glass panels are stacked on top of a "shaft belt" assembly made of an aluminum alloy, and in one embodiment, the assembly holds the glass panels tightly together, resisting the implosion force of atmospheric pressure in the case of low pressure inside the shaft, and resisting the explosive force of high pressure (if any) inside the shaft, thereby forming a strong construction assembly.

[0152] In one embodiment, the combination of the hoistway belt and the single layer glass panel assembly forms a single story elevator shaft assembly with a smooth surface on the interior of the elevator shaft assembly. In one embodiment, this exemplary single story elevator shaft assembly has a doorway entrance on one side that "sits on top of the "hoistway belt" to allow people, animals and things to enter and exit the elevator car.

[0153] Multiple single-story elevator shaft assemblies can be stacked one above the other to form an elevator shaft having multiple floor (slab) assemblies, wherein in one embodiment, doorway entrances are located at each floor and have a consistent flat surface within the shaft to achieve smooth car travel and proper vacuum operation.

[0154] The shaft belt of each floor can be flush with the floor and fixed to the floor, so that the whole structure is stable. In one embodiment, the shaft belt is located in the thickness of the floor, so that the glass panel looks like it extends from the floor to the ceiling.

[0155] In one embodiment, the entire structure rests on a plurality of pins which rest freely on the base frame. Thus, in such an embodiment, the entire structure is decoupled from the hoistway foundation, thereby allowing the system to resist earthquake vibrations and shocks.

[0156] The technology described herein includes a car having a plurality of glass panels and placed in a hoistway. In one embodiment, the glass panels of the car include a top glass panel and side glass panels. The top glass panel is horizontally aligned (and parallel to the horizontal cross-section of the hoistway device) and perpendicular to the side glass panels, and the top glass panel is coupled to the side glass panels. In one embodiment, the walls of the elevator car are also made of strengthened glass (e.g., tempered glass or borosilicate glass) and are fixed to the car floor and the top (ceiling) of the car in one embodiment and carry the weight of the car and its load. Specifically, the top glass panel can support the weight of the car and any load in the car.

[0157] In one embodiment, a car made of glass slides (e.g., moves vertically) in a hoistway shaft made of glass, and the hoistway shaft is supported by vacuum force by creating an air pressure differential above and below the car. When the air pressure above the car is reduced, the higher air pressure below the car may push the car upward, thereby overcoming the weight exerted by the car and its load (if any). Conversely, reducing this air pressure differential may cause the car to descend from the hoistway under the weight of the car and its load (if any).

[0158] In one embodiment, the lower air pressure above the car is generated by a high airflow compressor device that "sucks" air in the elevator shaft above the car and creates a sufficient air pressure difference in the shaft above and below the car - to push the car upward and thus rise through the shaft. In one embodiment, the airtight connection between the car and the shaft is maintained by a seal attached to the car and / or the shaft. The term "airtight connection" refers to a connection through which air may leak; however, the rate of air leakage is such that the air pressure difference above and below the car (e.g., the top of the car) is maintained, thereby moving the car in the shaft upward or remaining stable. Therefore, this leakage may be related to the power of the compressor that draws air out of the shaft (e.g., from the shaft portion above the car).

[0159] Advantages of glass vacuum elevator systems compared to other existing solutions include the following: -The elevator system does not need to contain any tracks, guides, hydraulic systems, ropes, belts, pulleys, gears, chains or counterweights, so it is easier to install and maintain; - Offers significant aesthetic advantages, as large transparent or translucent glass panels can better fit into almost any interior environment, even when installed in the middle of a room; - Very compact, occupying several times less floor space than any other existing solution; - Safer to use compared to traditional elevator models, especially child-safe, fall-proof, fire-proof, shock-proof, shatter-proof, and power-off friendly; - Lower manufacturing costs due to the use of lower cost materials; - Inherent shipping and assembly advantages due to smaller parts; - Low maintenance costs due to the small number of wearing parts and no need for lubrication; - Environmentally friendly, no lubricant required, and fully recyclable after disassembly.

[0160] In one embodiment, the glass hoistway is a triangular hoistway, comprising 3 large glass panels extending from the floor to the ceiling and a doorway entrance at each single-layer assembly. In this embodiment, a triangular car is installed in the hoistway.

[0161] In an alternative embodiment, the glass hoistway is a rectangular hoistway, comprising 4 large glass panels extending from floor to ceiling and doorway entrances at each single-story assembly. In this embodiment, a rectangular car is installed in the hoistway.

[0162] In an alternative embodiment, the glass hoistway is a pentagonal hoistway, comprising 5 large glass panels extending from the floor to the ceiling and a doorway entrance at each single-layer assembly. In this embodiment, a pentagonal car is installed in the hoistway.

[0163] In an alternative embodiment, the glass hoistway may be hexagonal in form, comprising 6 large glass panels extending from floor to ceiling at each level. The doorway entrance may be mounted within 2 adjacent hoistway glass panels.

[0164] In another embodiment, the glass hoistway is octagonal and includes 8 large glass panels that extend from floor to ceiling at each floor level. This embodiment can be visualized as a rectangular hoistway where the corner edges of the hoistway are "flattened" to form additional panels. These "angled flat edges" allow the width of the other "non-angled flat" edges of the hoistway to be reduced. Such an embodiment becomes convenient for large elevator models where the width of the hoistway may be much wider than the opening of the hoistway door.

[0165] In another embodiment, the glass hoistway is cylindrical with a straight vertical axis. In such an embodiment, a cylindrical car is placed in the cylindrical hoistway. This embodiment is more suitable for larger models that carry more people and heavier loads.

[0166] In different embodiments, the glass hoistway has an ellipsoidal shape with a straight vertical axis. In such embodiments, an elliptical car is placed in the elliptical hoistway, which is more suitable for larger models that carry a large number of people and heavy objects.

[0167] In different embodiments, the glass hoistway has a horseshoe shape with a straight vertical axis. In this embodiment, an oval car with flat sides is placed in the oval flat side hoistway and is more suitable for larger models that carry a large number of people and heavy objects.

[0168] As discussed in the above embodiments, the methods described herein include a variety of different shapes for the hoistway and a variety of different shapes for the car.

[0169] In an alternative embodiment, the hoistway and / or car includes multiple layers of tempered glass panels, wherein a large number of tempered glass panels are bonded together with a special adhesive to form a "safety glass" panel.

[0170] In another embodiment, one or more panels of the hoistway are made of matte tempered glass to conceal the contents of the hoistway and / or car - to meet the specific tastes of elevator users. In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels of the hoistway are painted or covered with a translucent or non-translucent film to hide the contents of the hoistway and / or car, thereby meeting the specific tastes of elevator users.

[0171] In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels of the car or parts thereof are made of frosted glass to conceal the contents of the car - to suit the taste and comfort of the elevator user. In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels of the car or parts thereof are painted or covered with a translucent or non-translucent film to fully or partially conceal the contents of the car, to suit the taste and comfort of the elevator user.

[0172] In one embodiment, the vacuum compressor is located at the top of the elevator hoistway, thereby forming a machine room (MR) at the top of the hoistway.

[0173] In alternative embodiments, the vacuum compressor may be separated and remotely located in an attic, rooftop or other location and the hoistway connected to the remote vacuum compressor via conduits for remote air intake and exhaust.

[0174] An alternative embodiment of a glass vacuum elevator system includes a feedback pipe from a compressor airflow discharge port, which is connected to the bottom of the hoistway for circulating air from the top of the car to its bottom. Such a system maintains the required pressure difference above and below the car for normal lifting operations while reducing the pressure change compared to atmospheric pressure on each glass panel. For example, in such a system, the hoistway glass can have a reduced thickness because the hoistway glass panel is exposed to a small portion (e.g., 1 / 2) of the air pressure fluctuations relative to the atmosphere. This embodiment can include a complex structure of the hoistway door because such a door needs to withstand inward and outward pressures at different times.

[0175] In one embodiment, the car roof incorporates additional mechanisms such as lighting, ventilation systems, and voice communications.

[0176] In an alternative embodiment, the roof of the car is made of transparent or translucent glass with a thin frame at its edge. For example, this embodiment and other embodiments can leave little or no space for a similar ventilation system. To this end, a ventilator can be installed below the car floor, with an air inlet at floor height, and pushes air outside and around the car to the hoistway through an air gap below the floor. In one embodiment, air is sucked from the car and a slight increase in air pressure outside and around the car causes air to flow into the car from the air gap at the roof frame, causing air to flow in from the roof of the car. This embodiment provides a constant airflow for the ventilation system in the car, wherein air flows in from the roof of the car, and there may be no visible device of a ventilator or duct that can guide the air to flow in. In such an embodiment, the upper and lower car seals ensure that the air pressure outside and around the car is constant so that the ventilation system works.

[0177] In one embodiment, the car has an embedded docking mechanism, allowing the car to dock to the destination floor via self-guided retractable pins extending from the car floor, and dock to the hoistway floor after the car reaches the destination. After docking, the vacuum compressor is turned off, allowing the entire system to remain in a low-energy idle mode, waiting for passengers. In one embodiment, the car includes a single docking mechanism, thereby having one docking mechanism for multiple floors. In this embodiment, the hoistway is significantly simpler and less expensive to build, while the cost of the car may be slightly increased.

[0178] In an alternative embodiment, the docking mechanism is implemented at each floor in the hoistway, rather than in the car, thereby increasing the cost of the hoistway but simplifying the cost and operation of the car.

[0179] In one embodiment, the car has a separate one or more extendable and retractable pins that mechanically open and close the cabin door and the hoistway door. The benefits of implementing and operating the door opening / closing mechanism inside the car are - one door opening mechanism works for multiple floors without duplicating the door opening mechanism for each floor. In addition, this is a safer approach because it eliminates the possibility of the hoistway door accidentally opening in the absence of the car due to a malfunction in the electronic control.

[0180] In an alternative embodiment, the door open / close mechanism is implemented in the hoistway rather than at each floor in the car, thereby increasing the cost of the hoistway and potentially reducing the safety of the system.

[0181] At the shaft belt level on each floor, there is a closed shell - the shaft base. The shaft base is connected to the shaft belt on one side and to the floor of the living space on the other side, thus fixing the shaft to the house structure on each floor.

[0182] The hoistway base is installed within the thickness of the floor and is covered with a special rigid and ribbed metal cover which serves as the passage / entrance to the car. Once the cover is removed, it exposes the hoistway base contents which are used for hoistway base service works.

[0183] In one embodiment, the hoistway base includes one or more of the following mechanisms: -Sensors that detect the position of the car in the hoistway - Sockets for docking pins and electrical contacts for charging the car battery - Door open / close spring chain mechanism and sensor that detects obstacles in the path of the hoistway door and spring chain mechanism failure (if it occurs) -Vertical adjustment mechanism that adjusts the hoistway door for proper vacuum operation - Locking mechanism to lock the hoistway door in the absence of the elevator car -Electrical and electronic circuits that ensure power supply for battery charging, sensor operation and communication with the hoistway PLC controller.

[0184] In one embodiment, the hoistway and car door open / close in a sliding operation, sitting on and rolling on special tracks. This embodiment is more suitable for circular or oval elevator hoistways. Another benefit of this approach is that neither the hoistway nor the car door extends from the footprint of the hoistway, adding more flexibility to the space constraints at the car entrance.

[0185] In an alternative embodiment, the hoistway and car doors are opened / closed in a parallel swinging manner by a lever that holds the doors substantially parallel to their openings as they swing open / close. This embodiment is more suitable for hexagonal, octagonal, circular and oval hoistways. It is less space efficient than the slide-open mechanism above.

[0186] In different embodiments, the hoistway and car door open / close in a swinging operation sitting on hinges. This embodiment is more suitable for rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal hoistways, but it can also be applied to circular and elliptical hoistways.

[0187] In one embodiment, both the hoistway and the car have a single door. This embodiment simplifies the construction of the hoistway and the car, but due to the large swing of the single door, the hoistway door may require additional clearance. This embodiment may be a preferred choice for low-cost, compact models in the elevator product line.

[0188] In an alternative embodiment, both the car and the hoistway have double doors. The double pair of doors opens in an outward swinging (sliding, parallel or circular) manner, taking up less space than a single leaf embodiment. This type of construction may be preferred for higher priced models in the high-end (more luxurious) elevator product line.

[0189] In one embodiment, the doorway entrance on each floor of hoistway and car faces the same direction.In such an embodiment, people need to go in and out of the car from the same side of each floor.

[0190] In an alternative embodiment, the doorway entrances on each floor may face different directions, depending on architectural requirements and the ergonomic layout of the living space (different side entrances).

[0191] For rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal and elliptical shaft implementations, in addition to the first set of doors, the car may also require an additional set of doors and door mechanisms on the other side of the car - opposite the first set of doors in different side entry implementations. This approach allows people to enter from one side of the car and exit on the other side when needed. Such an implementation complicates the construction of the car and increases its cost, but best accommodates building constraints and living space requirements when needed.

[0192] For circular hoistways, different side entrance embodiments can be adapted by having double and relative door operating mechanisms in the car. Alternatively, the circular car may only have a single door operating mechanism, but the car can be rotated around the vertical axis of the hoistway, and its position can be modified and adjusted as needed to match the position of the target floor hoistway door. The rotation of the car can be carried out during its vertical movement, thereby causing the car to perform an overall spiral motion during the rise or fall process, and the car is self-oriented at the same time, so that the car door is positioned at the hoistway entrance. In such an embodiment, the rotation of the car can be achieved by being connected to the car and pressed against a rubber wheel on the circular hoistway shaft. The rotation of this rubber wheel in the horizontal plane causes the horizontal rotation of the car. Accurate electronic devices can control the amount of rotation that the car needs to perform in order to correctly locate the target floor.

[0193] In one embodiment, the shaft is equipped with an upper valve located at the top of the shaft, which can cut off the air flow and prevent air from escaping or entering the shaft at the top. This mechanism is required as part of the safety mechanism for the emergency brake, allowing to stop the car in mid-air if a fall risk situation is detected, such as a power failure while the car is running or a compressor failure due to its physical damage and impeller breakage (all of which lead to a sudden loss of vacuum operation). Once the upper valve is activated, the car will soon stop free falling, supported by the atmospheric pressure at the bottom and "suspended" from the lower air pressure at the top, which is generated by the car's own weight (syringe effect). In other cases, the upper valve can be automatically activated even if no imminent fall risk is detected, when a failure situation is detected in the lower door mechanism, door locks and seals that may endanger the vacuum operation and the safety of passengers. After closing the upper valve, the car will quickly stop moving and gradually and slowly descend to the bottom floor due to natural air leakage in the system.

[0194] In one embodiment, the upper valve is activated by a solenoid rod powered by a rechargeable battery that works with and without an external power source. As part of the safety mechanism, additionally or alternatively, in the event of failure of the circuit to intervene (one of the faults: the solenoid rod, the accelerometer of the car, the control block or the backup battery power supply), the upper valve can be activated by automatic mechanical deployment. This mechanical deployment of the upper valve - can serve as a redundant safety mechanism, thereby improving the overall safety of the system.

[0195] Additionally or alternatively, the shaft may be equipped with a lower valve located at the bottom of the shaft, which cuts off the air flow and prevents air from escaping or entering the shaft at the bottom of the shaft. This mechanism is part of the safety mechanism and is activated when one or more safety risk factors are detected. In addition to the fall risk factors defined above, such as failure of the vacuum seal of the car, the unlikely event of a sudden loss of vacuum operation due to damage to the upper part of the shaft when the upper valve is insufficient to prevent air from escaping from the shaft may trigger the safety mechanism. Once the lower valve is closed, the car will quickly stop moving, supported by the higher than atmospheric pressure below the car, and gradually and slowly descend to the bottom floor due to natural air leakage in the system. In other words, the car is "sitting" on a cushion of higher pressure and "suspended" in thin air, thereby preventing the car from falling.

[0196] The lower valve may be actuated by a solenoid powered by a rechargeable battery that operates with and without external power and may have a redundant mechanical deployment mechanism in the event of a failure of the solenoid mechanism, similar to the electromechanical redundant deployment implementation of the upper valve.

[0197] In one embodiment, both the upper valve and the lower valve complement each other and ensure the safety of the car occupants during different risk factors of the system and provide a safety mechanism that effectively eliminates any and all risk of falling. If the system detects one of the above failure risks, when the car stops at a certain floor, the system will flag the error condition and the car will remain parked at that floor until the error condition is resolved in the system without deploying the emergency brake - in one embodiment, the upper valve and / or the lower valve.

[0198] In addition to upper and lower valves that slow the descent of the car in the event of a sudden loss of vacuum, in one embodiment the system may also be equipped with a suspension mechanism placed at the base of the hoistway that grabs the car and slows it to a complete stop, similar to the suspension shock absorbers and struts used in automobiles.

[0199] In one embodiment, the hoistway has a group of electromechanical and electronic sensors electrically connected to a hoistway controller device (e.g., a programmable logic controller, hereinafter referred to as a "hoistway controller" or "hoistway PLC"), which detects signals from the sensors and forms signals to control hoistway actuators and motor inverters to control the operation of the vacuum compressor. In addition, the controller can process signals from different floors and from elevator call buttons, and can put calls into a queue for processing and to ensure optimal operation of the elevator.

[0200] In one embodiment, the car has its own set of electromechanical and electronic sensors, which in some embodiments are electrically connected to a separate controller device (e.g., a programmable logic controller, hereinafter referred to as a "car controller" or "car PLC"), located inside the car, and processes signals from the car sensors and sends signals to the car control mechanism, docking mechanism, door opening / closing, control of car lighting and ventilation, emergency communications, and also detects car call commands and places call commands in a queue, thereby ensuring optimal operation of the elevator.

[0201] In other embodiments, a single controller may perform the functions of both the car and hoistway controllers.

[0202] In one embodiment, a cable is connected between the car and the hoistway, providing power to the car and a means of communication between the car PLC and the hoistway PLC.

[0203] In an alternative embodiment, the car PLC communicates with the hoistway PLC via a wireless channel (IR, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi), thereby eliminating the need for cables connecting the car and the hoistway. In this embodiment, the car incorporates a rechargeable battery to provide a local power source in the car. When the car is parked at a floor, the car rechargeable battery can be self-charged (via a wire through a docking pin), thereby ensuring that the car battery is automatically charged during the parking mode, thus ensuring that the car is always powered uninterruptedly, whether it is parked or in motion, or during a short power outage.

[0204] The car rechargeable battery provides life support to the car while it is in motion: lights, fans, communications between the hoistway and car PLC and a means of emergency communication with global technical support 24 / 7.

[0205] In one embodiment, the hoistway is also equipped with a rechargeable battery to provide life support for the hoistway controller and its sensors, upper and lower emergency brake valves and suspension mechanism in case of power failure until the car comes to a complete stop and rests on the ground floor, awaiting restoration of power or clearing of the fault scenario.

[0206] In one embodiment, during vacuum operation, the hoistway door is pressed against the hoistway by atmospheric pressure with significant force (approximately 1 ton), thereby preventing it from being opened manually without special tools designed for this purpose. The hoistway door may also be devoid of any handles, which makes it almost impossible to tamper with the door during vacuum operation.

[0207] In addition, the hoistway doors can be equipped with automatic locks to prevent the doors from opening when the elevator car is not present. The hoistway doors can be opened in the presence of a car parked at that floor by a mechanism installed in the car or in the hoistway. Such mechanisms are child-safe and are designed in such a way as to prevent any possibility of tampering with the system by foul play or irresponsible behavior.

[0208] In one embodiment, in order to ensure an airtight connection between the car and the inner periphery of the hoistway cross section, a seal is peripherally coupled to the car. The seal of the car divides the hoistway into a top and a bottom, wherein different air pressures in the hoistway may coexist because the seal prevents air from the top from entering the bottom and vice versa.

[0209] For example, the primary vacuum seal is installed on top of the car, enabling vacuum operation and reducing the air pressure above the car while maintaining normal atmospheric pressure inside the car for the comfort of its passengers.

[0210] Additionally or alternatively, a secondary or auxiliary vacuum seal is installed at the bottom of the car for the following reasons: - Serves as a backup seal in case of failure of the primary vacuum seal -Protect people and animals in the car from sudden increases in pressure to prevent deployment of the lower valve in the unlikely event of an emergency brake. This is done for the comfort of passengers who might otherwise experience air bursting in their ears due to a sudden change in car pressure caused by a sharp increase in air pressure below the car and cause deceleration, thus preventing a fall.

[0211] In one embodiment, the vacuum seal is implemented with HDPE (high density polyethylene) material, which has low friction and excellent long life characteristics with glass. In this embodiment, the vacuum seal extends slightly from the side of the car and is pressed against the hoistway wall by a vacuum damper, which can be made of multiple springs or spongy resin tubes that push the vacuum seal against the hoistway wall along the entire seal length. The vacuum seal can be placed on each side of the car. This structure allows the vacuum seal to float during movement, thereby accommodating hoistway manufacturing defects, while always being connected to the hoistway wall for proper vacuum operation.

[0212] In alternative embodiments, the vacuum seal is made of materials other than HDPE that also have low friction and high life characteristics, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as Teflon) or a combination of aluminum alloys or other metals coated with Teflon.

[0213] In one embodiment, the vacuum seal is implemented in the form of horizontal stripes. This form simplifies the construction of the seal; however, it has the disadvantage of producing an intermittent "snapping" noise as the seal passes through the edge of the hoistway belt and hoistway glass panel. For most installations, this "snapping" noise may be tolerable.

[0214] In various embodiments, the vacuum seal is implemented in a wave shape, diagonal beam or zigzag, sawtooth or any other shape, thereby allowing the seal shape to "unfold" vertically so as to stretch the vacuum seal across the shaft belt seam in time, thereby "spreading" the "snap" noise over a longer period of time, ultimately reducing the unwanted noise level. This complicates the construction of the vacuum seal, making it more expensive to manufacture, and may be more suitable for "luxury" elevator installations for the comfort of elevator passengers.

[0215] The security of the system is ensured at multiple levels. In one implementation scheme: - Shatterproof. The tempered glass panels in the hoistway and car are unbreakable - Shockproof. Can even withstand strong earthquakes - Fall prevention. Equipped with multiple redundant suspension and emergency brake - Fireproof. Can withstand strong fires because the system is made of non-combustible materials -Child-safe, no risk of injury. The entire system is safe from tampering or injury by children - Accident proof. The door is locked during operation and tampering with the hoistway door is not possible - Anti-trap. If you are stuck in the elevator, there is a manual operation to escape from the car - Environmentally friendly—no hazardous chemicals, all recyclable materials, lifetime lubrication -24 / 7 monitoring. Continuously monitors sensors and reports to technicians. Supported by TCP / IP

[0216] This solution is also an aesthetically pleasing design. The elevator system can include large floor-to-ceiling transparent, translucent or frosted glass panels, transparent, translucent or frosted cabins with glass walls and glass ceilings, and thin aluminum profiles.

[0217] The system is implemented without any visible bolt and nut arrangement from the outside and inside of the shaft at any floor level. At the same time, the system is assembled from hundreds of components that are held together by bolts, nuts and other mechanical connections. The entire structure can be achieved in a way that hundreds of bolts or nuts are hidden from view by design features (rather than masking tape), making the entire design sleek and stylish. This challenging task was advanced to enhance the design aesthetics of the system and place the current solution in the category of luxury machinery and luxury properties.

[0218] Furthermore, depending on the implementation, the car does not have any visible bolts and nuts or any protruding connectors, either from the inside or the outside - to meet the luxury and comfort of its passengers. The car may also consist of hundreds of parts that are held together with classic bolts and nuts that are invisible to the observer, thanks to the special structure of the system that embodies this unique and luxurious design attribute.

[0219] This bolt-less and nut-less design implementation, further referred to as a "spotless" design, allows for smooth surfaces throughout the structure. Large glass panels and smooth aluminum frames from edge to edge - this is one of the unique aesthetic design features of this solution.

[0220] Last but not least, the design features, lines, curves and angles of the metal frame smoothly transition and continue the design pattern at sharp turns of the metal frame (such as the frames on four different sides of the glass panel), thus, complementing the "no holes" design style.

[0221] Thus, the present method belongs to the field of elevators, which are used to transport people, animals and objects in an elevator car in a vertically placed or vertically inclined elevator shaft. More specifically, the present method belongs to the field of vacuum (or pneumatic) elevators, in which the elevator car moves in a vertically placed or vertically inclined and airtightly sealed elevator shaft by means of the air pressure difference above and below the elevator car. This method does not require any ropes, pulleys, chains, gears or hydraulic devices traditionally used in traditional elevator systems. More specifically, in one embodiment. The present method belongs to the field of sightseeing vacuum elevators, in which the elevator shaft is built by panoramic glass panels extending from the floor of each floor to the ceiling, the elevator car is built by panoramic glass panels extending from the floor to the ceiling of the car, and this type of elevator does not contain any metal structure - frame, mesh, guide rail or track, which is traditionally used in every conventional elevator product. More specifically, the present method combines a special flawless iconic design style, whether viewed from the outside of the elevator shaft or from the inside of the elevator car, there will be no visible bolts, nuts, screws or other fasteners, in one embodiment. More specifically, in one embodiment, the method claims to have the advantages of panoramic design, the smallest footprint of all elevator products on the market, low noise, the fastest and smoothest operation, low maintenance cost, environmental protection, and the use of low-cost building materials. In addition, more specifically, the method claims to have the safest elevator features compared to other commercial elevator products, including: anti-shatter, anti-vibration, fireproof, anti-fall, child-safe, accident-proof, and anti-trap.

[0222] For simplicity, the detailed description section is divided into several parts, each of which represents a specific feature, design or technical solution. Sightseeing vacuum elevator car

[0223] As described herein, the system relies on vacuum forces to move the elevator car up and down in a hermetically sealed hoistway shaft. It is also shown that silicate-based tempered glass panels can be used as a preferred material in the composition of the hoistway walls due to the smooth and uniform surface properties of the glass and the strength of tempered glass. It is also shown that since tempered glass edges are fragile, each edge has a protective thin metal frame to protect the glass panel from impact damage.

[0224] In the reference description of the glass hoistway, a rectangular shape embodiment is shown, which includes 3 large glass panels extending from the floor to the ceiling and door entrances on each floor. In this embodiment, a rectangular car is installed in the hoistway and has a layout area that can accommodate a full-size wheelchair.

[0225] In an alternative embodiment, the glass hoistway is hexagonal and includes 6 glass panels extending from the floor to the ceiling of each floor. In this embodiment, the door entrance can be installed in 2 adjacent hoistway glass panels. This structure can accommodate a hexagonal car.

[0226] In another embodiment, the glass hoistway is octagonal, which includes 8 glass panels extending from the floor to the ceiling of each floor. This form can be visualized as a rectangular hoistway, where the corner edges of the hoistway are flattened to form additional panels. These "corner flat edges" allow the width of the other "non-corner flat" edges of the hoistway to be reduced. This embodiment is very useful for large elevator models where the hoistway width is larger than the hoistway door opening. This embodiment uses an octagonal car in the hoistway.

[0227] In another embodiment, the glass hoistway is cylindrical with a vertical or inclined axis. This embodiment uses a cylindrical car placed in the cylindrical hoistway. This embodiment is more suitable for larger models that carry a dozen or more people and heavy objects.

[0228] In another embodiment, the glass hoistway is oval, with a vertical or inclined axis. This embodiment uses an oval car placed in an oval hoistway and is more suitable for larger models carrying more than a dozen people and heavy objects.

[0229] In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels of the car or parts thereof are made of frosted glass to completely or partially conceal the contents of the car - for the taste and comfort of the elevator users. In an alternative embodiment, one or more panels of the car or parts thereof are painted or covered with a translucent or non-translucent film to completely or partially conceal the contents of the car - for the taste and comfort of the elevator users.

[0230] In addition, detailed descriptions of rectangular elevator hoistways and rectangular cars using large transparent or translucent glass panels are provided in the document; however, the concepts outlined in these methods are also applicable to pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, cylindrical and elliptical forms, including the use of frosted, and / or painted and / or tinted glass in the car. Such side glass panels have top and bottom ends; the bottom end is coupled to the base device of the car, and the top end is coupled to the top glass panel.

[0231] Figures 3, 6 and 8 show the front, side and perspective views of the car. Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the car. As shown in Figure 10, the car in one embodiment includes the following main parts: -Car body -Car head unit including top glass panel -Car base (also called "base unit")

[0232] In addition, as shown in Figure 10, Fig.11 , Fig.13 Figure 25, Figure 26, Fig.48 , Figure 52 and Fig.56 As shown, the car body has multiple glass panels: -Left panel of car 501501 , Right Panel 502 and rear panel 503 - large glass panels from floor to ceiling of the car, shown in more detail in Figures 10 and 25; -Car front panel 504 , which is from the car door 520 and 530 The top of the car extends to the ceiling of the car, as shown in more detail in Figure 25; -Left and right door panels 521 , as shown in more detail in FIG. 26 ; -Car ceiling panels 601 (also called "top panel") is a glass panel (reinforced glass, such as tempered glass or borosilicate glass) or can be made of any reinforced material, such as Fig.48 , Figure 52 and Fig.56 Shown in more detail in . The following illustrations show how the four edges of these glass panels are protected from impact damage by a metal frame.

[0233] Car left panel 501501 、Right panel of car 502 and rear panel of the car 503 The lower edge is fastened to the car base and the left panel of the car 501501 、Right panel of car 502 、Car rear panel503 and car front panel 504 The upper edge of the 505 Fastened to the car head with connecting washers 505 inserted into the pre-cut holes (aperture extending across the width of the panel) at the lower and upper ends of each glass panel 509 As shown in Figure 10, Fig.11 , Fig.13 and as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 25 .

[0234] In one embodiment, the left panel of the car 501 、Right panel of car 502 、Car rear panel 503 and car front panel 504 The upper edge of the glass panel together with the gasket installed along the upper edge of the glass panel 505 Inserted together with the outer edge frame of the car head 621 , 622 and 623 Profiles 744 Opening 748 As shown in Figures 89-91 and 121.

[0235] In one embodiment, the left panel of the car 501 、Right panel of car 502 and rear panel of the car 503 The lower edge of each of the glass panels is inserted into the outer edge frame of the car base together with the gasket 505 installed along the lower edge of the glass panel. 642 , 643 and 644 Profiles 741 Opening 749 As shown in Figures 104, 105, Fig.107 As shown in Figure 121.

[0236] As can be seen from the above description, in one embodiment, the horizontal edges of the glass panels fixed to the car head and car base are immersed in the body of the car head and car base, and are therefore protected from impact damage. The open horizontal edges can be glass panels 504 In one embodiment, when the car door 520 and 530 When in the closed position, the glass panel 504 The lower edge of the car door 520 and 530 In this embodiment, the front panel of the car 504 The weakness of the lower edge may occur when the car door is in the open position. However, the front panel of the car 504Located at high altitude, far above people's heads, and in the shaft, it is unlikely to be hit by metal unless it is caused by human intervention. Even if the impact is caused by human intervention, the front panel of the small car 504 Broken, will not play an important constructive role in the operation of the car, even if the front panel of the car is removed 504 In the case of 520 and 530 Temporarily removed until the car front panel is replaced 504 .

[0237] In one embodiment, the rear panel of the car 503 Vertical edges and side glass panels 501 and 502 The rear vertical edge passes through the rear frame of the car 506 Protect the rear frame of the car from impact damage 506 Attached to the edge of the glass panel by silicone or other adhesive, as shown in Figures 10, 22, 21-23 and 25.

[0238] In one embodiment, the side glass panel 501 and 502 The front edge of the car is protected from impact damage by the car side frame 508. 508 Attaches to glass panel via silicone or other adhesive or rubber seal 501 and 502 The front edge of Fig.11 -As shown in Figures 21, 14-17, 19 and 25.

[0239] In one embodiment, the front panel of the car 504 The vertical edge of the car passes through the front frame 507 Protected from impact damage, car front frame 507 Attaches to the car front panel via silicone or other adhesive 504 The vertical edge of Fig.11 , Fig.13 As shown in Figures 14-17 and 25.

[0240] Car door glass panel 521 Through the car door hinge 522 and 524 Protected from impact damage, the edge frame 523 , 525 , 526 and 527 It is fixed to the door glass panel by silicone-based adhesive or other adhesives. 521 Therefore, the four edges of the door glass panel are enclosed in a thin metal (such as reinforced aluminum alloy) frame.

[0241] Car door hinge 522 and 524 The cross-sectional shape is 751 is made of metal profiles, as shown in Figures 26, 29, 32, 42 and 123.

[0242] Car door edge frame 523 and 525 The cross-sectional shape is 755 is made of metal profiles, as shown in Figures 26, 29, 32, 34 and 123.

[0243] Car door edge frame 526 The cross-sectional shape is 754 is made of metal profiles, as shown in Figures 26, 29 and 123.

[0244] Car door edge frame 527 The cross-sectional shape is 756 is made of metal profiles, as shown in Figures 26, 29, 32, 34 and 123.

[0245] The edges of the top glass panel of the car may be protected by a frame. Such a frame may also be used to couple the side panels of the car to the top glass panel of the car. The frame may extend vertically down to the holes in the side panels and connect the top glass panel to the side panels using fasteners passing through the holes.

[0246] For example, car ceiling panels 601 It is a glass panel, and through the panel 601 Seal the car head outer frame with silicone-based adhesive or other adhesive at the four edges 621 , 622 and 623 To protect all 4 edges, as shown in Figure 47, Fig.48 , Figure 52, Figure 65-Figure 70, Figure 89, Figure 90. Left panel of the car 501 、Right panel of car 502 、Car rear panel 503 and car front panel 504 The upper edge of the 505 Fixed to the car head (car head outer frame 621-624), connecting gasket 505 Insert the pre-cut holes in each glass panel at the top of the glass panel. 509 As shown in Figure 10, Fig.11 , Fig.13 and the embodiment shown in Figure 25. Glass Panel 501 , 502 , 503 and 504The upper edge of the can be bolted to the upper edge frame by bolts 626 passing through washers 505 621 , 622 , 621 and 623 The structure is shown in cross-section in more detail in Figure 121 for the left and right car walls, but the same technique is used to connect the front and rear panels of the car.

[0247] As can be seen from the above description, all glass panels used in the construction of the car are protected at the edges, making the presented structure truly shatterproof. Extending large glass panels from the floor to the ceiling of the car, and installing large glass panels on the ceiling of the car walls - makes the car walls truly sightseeing, supporting the unique design style of the hoistway as described in this article. Tempered glass as the car exoskeleton

[0248] As described in this article, large tempered glass panels can be used in the construction of the car in the sightseeing vacuum elevator system. The figure shows how the edges of the cabin glass panels are protected by thin (strengthened) aluminum frames, which are either attached to the edges of the glass panels by adhesive or fixed with nylon washers and bolted to the car head and bottom frame. However, it is not clear from this description how the glass panels (car walls) and metal frames are combined to form a stable car structure.

[0249] Large glass panels are very beautiful and are used in many applications, such as large displays in store fronts, large windows, panoramic displays in buildings, etc. (collectively referred to as "displays"), however, all of these applications use a hard metal "frame" which serves as the skeleton of the "display" and the glass panels are inserted into this metal frame as "filler".

[0250] The present method takes a completely new approach in the construction of the car - making the glass panels of the car - not as "filler" in the metal "skeleton frame" of the car, but as the structure itself, carrying the weight of the entire car and its load. Thus, the present method eliminates the need for a metal skeleton frame in the car structure, and instead uses an "exo-skeleton" made of glass.

[0251] Similar to the use of glass as an exoskeleton for the hoistway described in more detail in the reference, the car's glass panels support the weight of the car and its load, however, there is one major difference compared to the hoistway: while the hoistway glass panels are subject to compressive forces from the weight of the hoistway, the car glass panels are subject to tensile (decompression) forces because when the car is in motion, the entire car and its load are "suspended" from the car ceiling and carry the weight of the car and its load (minus the weight of the top of the car). More specifically, when in motion, the car glass panels are "stretched" under the weight of the car and its load, "suspended" from the head of the car, where the upper vacuum seal is located, as shown in Figures 6, 8 and 10. In such an embodiment, when the car is stationary, the car's glass panels are subject to compressive forces, carrying the weight of the car head, while the car load rests on the car base, so that no compressive forces are applied to the car glass panel walls.

[0252] The car head and, in some embodiments, the car ceiling panel 601 at the car head can form a barrier between portions of the hoistway having different air pressures, thereby withstanding at least a portion of the gravitational forces exerted by the weight of the car and its load (if any). As a non-limiting example, the weight of the car head is relatively small - within 50 pounds (lbs), so the tensile properties of tempered glass are considered when selecting the glass type and width for the car walls so that it can effortlessly support the weight of the car and its load when in tension. Tempered glass exhibits excellent tensile stress resistance properties - tensile stress per unit area reaches tens of gigapascals, so even thin tempered glass can be an excellent material for the car walls. Calculations have shown that thin 3-4 mm tempered glass can easily withstand the weight of the car and heavy load, as well as the acceleration and deceleration forces applied to the car during normal operation and emergency landings. However, to increase the safety margin, the car wall in one embodiment uses 5 or 6 mm tempered glass, which provides several times the safety margin for the extreme forces that the car may be subjected to during normal operation or even emergency landing.

[0253] Unlike the hoistway implementation, where the hoistway glass panels are subject to compression and silicone or similar glue is used to secure the hoistway glass panels to the protective metal frame, the car glass panels are subject to tension. In this case, one of the feasible and safe solutions is to bolt the glass panels to the base and head of the car, but other coupling mechanisms can be used.

[0254] As shown in Figure 10, Fig.11 , Fig.12 , Figures 14-19, 21 and 25 show the car glass panel 501 , 502 , 503 and 504Connection to the car head and car base is via "connection washers" 505. To this end, large circular "connection holes" 509 are drilled next to the lower and upper edges of the car glass panel that abut the car head and car base. These holes are about 1 inch in diameter and are located at least 2 inches from the edge of the glass panel, which in one embodiment is a technical requirement for the correct glass tempering process. Please note that it is preferred to drill the connection holes 519 before tempering the glass panel and any treatment of the car glass panel, because after tempering the glass is no longer treatable due to its strengthening properties and technical limitations. The connection washers are made of a material that is softer than glass but hard enough to serve as anchor points for connecting the glass panel to other structural components. In one embodiment, HDPE type material can be used for the connection washers 505 In alternative embodiments, LDPE or nylon or other plastics may be used to create a connection gasket that has the desired softness but is rigid and not susceptible to cracking and breaking due to compressive forces and temperature changes.

[0255] Once all glass panels have been machined and tempered, attach the gaskets 505 It is placed in the connection hole 509 Then insert the glass panel together with the attached connection gasket into the car head outer frame 620 More specifically, the upper frame is inserted 620 The structural profile 744 Opening 748 88-92. A cross section of this construction is shown in more detail in FIG121 for the left and right car walls, but the same technique is used to connect the front and rear panels of the car.

[0256] Similarly, the glass panel 501 , 502 and 503 The lower edge of the 640 Profiles 741 Opening 749 Then, connect the three glass panels through the connection gasket 505 With bolts 647 Through the gasket 505 Fixed to the lower edge frame 642 , 643 and 644 As shown in Figure 10, Figure 0, Figure 19, Figure 64, Figure 104, Figure 105, Fig.107 , 0. The cross section connecting the left and right walls of the car to the car foundation is shown in more detail in Figure 121.

[0257] As mentioned previously, similar to the technology used to protect the edges of glass panels in the hoistway, the edges of all glass panels in the car can also be protected by a thin metal edge frame, however, unlike the hoistway walls, the glass panels of the car do not need to have smooth surface areas with metal edge frames because they are not exposed to the vacuum operation of the elevator - however, the vacuum seal of the car may be exposed. This places different requirements on how the edges of the car tempered glass panels can be treated and protected from accidental damage.

[0258] More specifically, in one embodiment, the rear glass panel of the car 503 With the left glass panel of the car 501 And the right glass panel 502 Butt junction, contour shape 747 Car rear frame 506 Used to fix the left glass panel of the car 501 With rear glass panel 503 "Stitch" the right glass panel of the car 502 With rear glass panel 503 "Suture", as shown in Figure 7-Figure 50, Fig.49 , Figure 63, Figure 10, Figure 22, Figure 21, Figure 25 and Figure 123. Here, the rear edge frame of the car 506 It is somewhat similar to the rear edge frame used in hoistway construction in that it allows for 90-degree connections between glass panels and protects the edges of the glass panels from impact damage. This technology may require the rear glass panel to be 503 The edges and rear glass panel 503 Butt-jointed glass panels 501 and 502 The rear edge of the steel is chamfered 45 degrees before tempering, as shown in Figures 22 and 21.

[0259] In one embodiment, the car glass panel 501 and 502 The front edge can be left unchamfered and face the contour shape 753 Front edge frame 508 , as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 6- Fig.49 Figure 63, Figure 10, Fig.11 -As shown in Figures 21, 14-23, 19, 25 and 123.

[0260] Car front glass panel 504 The left and right edges of the profile do not need to be chamfered and face the profile shape. 754 Front edge frame 507 ,like Fig.11 , 0, as shown in Figures 14-17 and 123.

[0261] Car door520 and 530 Glass Panel 521 No chamfering is required and the lower door hinge of the car can be used. 522 , Car door hinge 524 , Lower door frame 523 , Door frame 525 , edge door frame 526 and middle door frame 527 The outer edges are protected as shown in Figures 26 to 35. Figure 123 shows these edge frame profiles 751 (For car door hinges 522 and 524 ), Profile 755 (For frame 523 and 525 ), Profile 754 (For edge frame 526 ) and profiles 756 (For middle frame 527 ) cross section.

[0262] In addition to the four sides of the car being made of large glass panels, the central part of the car ceiling can also be made of glass panels. 601 As shown in Figure 6, Figure 8, Fig.49 、Figure 10、Figure 47、 Fig.48 Figure 52 Fig.56 , as shown in Figures 65-70. The top glass panel is thick because its entire surface is subjected to more than 1,000 pounds of tensile vacuum force. Therefore, in one embodiment, the top glass panel 601 The edges are chamfered and passed through the upper frame 620 Locks onto the top and bottom edges of the glass panels. The top glass panel is depicted in more detail in Figure 121 601 With upper frame 620 The cross section of this connection.

[0263] The metal edge frame attached to the vertical edges of the glass panel is fixed to the glass panel by a silicon-based adhesive (such as silicone) or other materials with good adhesion to glass and metal or rubber seals. In one embodiment, the horizontal edges of the car glass panel are connected by connecting gaskets. 505 With bolts 626 Fix to the car head and bolt 647 Fastened to the car base.

[0264] The solid frame may be attached to the glass panels of the car (e.g. 501 , 502 , 503 , 504 or 601) to protect the glass panel from damage. In one embodiment, the edge frame is made of a metal material. For example, (reinforced) aluminum alloys are selected because of their excellent performance, light weight and low cost compared to other solutions, but other materials may be possible alternative protectors.

[0265] In one embodiment, the car head structural component includes: a front and rear frame 621 and left frame 622 and the right frame 623 The outer frame of the car head 620 , with front and rear frames 631 and the car head inner frame of the side frame 630 , Top Panel 601 and main vacuum seal 610A .

[0266] The main constructive structure of the car head is the car head outer frame 620 , to which all other structures are attached. 501 , 502 , 503 and 504 It is also bolted to the car head outer frame 620, as shown in FIG. Fig.56 As shown. Framework 620 Includes metal edge frame 621 (front and rear), 622 (Left side), 623 (Right). Metal edge frame 621 , 622 , 623 Through bolt 625 With connecting elbow 624 Connected together, they form a solid structure of the car head, to which other car structural components are also fastened, as shown in Figure 92.

[0267] In one embodiment, there are front and rear edge frames 631 and side frames 632 The inner frame of the car head 630 Use Bolts 625 Through elbow element 624 Fastened to the car head outer frame 620 (Elbow Components 624 Used as a gasket in this fastener relationship), as shown in Figures 89, 90, 92 and 121.

[0268] In one embodiment, the car head outer frame 620 Using the cross-sections shown in Figures 91 and 122 744 In one embodiment, the car head inner frame 630Using the cross-sections shown in Figures 98 and 122 745 Profile.

[0269] In one embodiment, the car head outer frame 620 Metal edge frame 621 , 622 and 623 Contains ventilation slots 627 and 628 , as shown in Figures 89, 90 and 92. In one embodiment, the inner frame of the car head 630 Metal edge frame 631 and 632 Contains ventilation windows 633 and ventilation slits 634 , as shown in Figures 95, 97 and 99.

[0270] After the car is assembled, the car head outer frame 620 , Inner frame of car base 630 and car ceiling panels 601 There is a small passage space between 674 , as shown in FIG121, in one embodiment. The channel space 674 Can be used to install cabin lighting in the form of LED strips.

[0271] In one embodiment, the car base structure includes: a car base outer frame 640 , Inner frame of car base 650 、Car base deck 560 and auxiliary vacuum seal 6 10B .

[0272] The main constructive structure of the car base is the car base outer frame 640 , to which all other structures are attached. 501 , 502 and 503 Bolt 647 to the outer frame of the car base 640 As shown in Figure 10, Figures 61-64 and Figure 105. Framework 640 Includes metal edge frame 641 (front), 642 (Left side), 643 (right side) and 644 (Back). In one embodiment, the metal edge frame 641 , 642 , 643 and 644 Through bolt 646 With connecting elbow 645connected together to form a solid car base structure, to which other car structural components are fastened, as shown in Figure 104-0.

[0273] Has a cross-sectional profile shape 742 The inner frame of the car base 650 (It has a left frame 651 , right frame 652 and rear frame 653 ) through elbow element 645 Use Bolts 646 Connected to the car head outer frame 620 In one embodiment, the elbow element 645 In this connection, the bolts are used as gaskets. 646 Bolted to the frame 651 , 652 and 653 Please note that the bolts 647 The head is set in the inner frame of the car base 650 Hole 657 thus, allowing the insertion / replacement of the car glass panel 501 , 502 and 503 Without removing the car base outer frame 640 and the inner frame of the car base 650 . Please note that the hole 657 Slightly larger than bolt 646 Head for easy assembly / disassembly of the car body when needed 500 .

[0274] Connection elbow at the head of the car 624 Connecting elbow to car base 645 Made of a strong material (such as steel) and has a shape 743 The cross-sectional profile is shown in Figure 122.

[0275] In one embodiment, the car base outer frame 640 Metal edge frame 641 , 642 , 643 and 644 Contains ventilation slots 648 and 649 , as shown in Figure 0. Inner frame of car base 650 Metal edge frame 651 , 652 and 653 Includes upper ventilation window 658 and lower ventilation windows 659 , which are used for the intake and exhaust ventilation flows respectively.

[0276] In one embodiment, the car base inner frame 650 Slightly extends to the upper deck of the car base 661 Above, a protective bottom plate 672 is formed on the floor of the car, and a channel for sucking ventilation air from the car is also formed. 673 , as shown in Figure 121.

[0277] Car base deck 560 include: - Lower deck of car base 661 -Parallel partitions at car base 662 , 663 , 664 -Meridian partition of car base 665 and 666 - Deck support frame on car base 667 and 668 - Upper deck of car base 669 Car base deck 560 The bulkhead is designed to accommodate the small car machinery and support the upper deck of the car base. 560 And prevent the latter from bending under the load of elevator cargo and passengers.

[0278] The car exoframe design made of glass using large glass panels extending from the car floor to the ceiling and thin metal edge frames attached to the vertical edges of the glass panels coupled with large transparent or translucent glass for the ceiling achieves the unique design feature of the present approach without the use of any metal mesh skeleton frame and heavy metal structure for the car walls unlike any other conventional elevator system where heavy metal structure is traditionally a part of any such elevator system. Hole-free car design

[0279] As described in this article, large tempered glass panels can be used in the construction of the car in the sightseeing vacuum elevator system. The figure shows how the edges of the glass panels of the car are protected by frames made of thin metal, which are either attached to the edges of the glass panels by adhesive or fixed using nylon washers and bolted to the head and bottom frames of the car. It also shows how different parts of the hoistway are bolted together using a unique form of edge metal frame so that all bolts are hidden from view by observers, whether inside or outside the elevator.

[0280] For reasons similar to those discussed in the reference, this approach eliminates the use of welds in the car design. Whenever the glass edge is subject to compression or tangential forces, a silicone sealant (e.g., silicone or other adhesive) is used to attach the edge of the glass panel to the metal frame. In one embodiment, whenever the glass edge is subject to tension, the edge is bolted to the metal structural frame - the car head outer frame. 620 and car base outer frame 640 .

[0281] The present method is intended to demonstrate that the car structural components can be assembled together using bolts so that all bolts used in the construction (whether fastening metal components together or bolting glass panels to metal frames) are hidden from the view of the observer, whether inside the car or outside the hoistway, from any angle, thereby conforming to the "no holes" signature design style of the present method.

[0282] In one embodiment, FIG6 shows a perspective upper front view and a lower front view of the car, and FIG10 shows a perspective exploded view of the car. 501 , 502 , 503 and 504 Through bolt 626 Bolt the upper edge of the glass panel to the top of the car, as shown in Figure 88-Figure 92. 626 Extends from the inside of the car to the outer frame of the car head 620 These bolts 626 The outer frame of the car head 620 Hidden so that it cannot be seen by observers outside the car, as shown in Figures 3, 6, 8, 50 and Fig.49 As shown. Inner frame of car head 630 The bolts are also hidden 626 , so that the observer inside the car cannot see, as shown in Figure 6, Figure 8, Fig.49 Figure 47 Fig.48 Figure 53 Fig.54 and Fig.55 shown.

[0283] In one embodiment, the car glass panel 501 , 502 and 503 Bolts are placed at the bottom edge of these glass panels 647 Bolts are connected to the car base as shown in Figures 104, 105 and 0. Bolts 647 Extends from the inside of the car base and is buried in the outer frame of the car base 640 Inside, and covered by the car floor surface 669 62 and 64, so that from the perspective of an outside observer, the bolt647 The outer frame of the car base 640 occluded, while from the perspective of an internal observer, the bolt 647 The inner frame of the car base 650 and the upper deck of the car base 669 Shielding, as shown in Figure 3, Figure 6-Figure 8, Figure 63, Figure 61-Figure 64. Figure 121 shows a bolt 626 and 647 , the external and internal frames of the car head and car base 620 , 630 , 640 and 650 Cross section of the car.

[0284] In one embodiment, the glass connection gaskets 505 are hidden from the internal and external observers because they are buried in the channels 748 of the car head outer frame and the channels 749 of the car base outer frame. Figure 121 shows the relationship of the left glass panel 501 and the right glass panel 502 of the car, but anyone familiar with the basic mechanics field can understand this relationship because it can be easily extended to the rear glass panel 503 and the front glass panel 504 and applied to the connection of the car head and the car base. So far, it has been shown how the car glass panels are connected to the car head and the car base, however, the question of how the edge frames of the car head or car base are fixed together remains open and will be discussed below.

[0285] In one embodiment, the outer frame of the car head 620 Edge frame 621 , 622 , 621 and 623 Via bolt 625 Through elbow connector 624 Connect together as shown in Figure 88-Figure 92. Bolt 625 Extends from outside the car and through the frame 620 , Elbow Connector 624 and reaches the inner frame 630 , thus connecting the various parts of the car head together. At this time, the bolts 625 It is hidden from observers inside the car, but still visible to observers outside the car, as shown in Figure 52. Fig.56 , as shown in Figures 88, 89 and 92.

[0286] Similarly, in one embodiment, the edge frames of the car bed are connected together by elbow connectors 645 and bolts 646, thereby connecting the outer frame of the car bed. 641 , 642 , 643 and644 And the inner frame 651 , 652 and 653 At this point, the bolts 646 It is hidden from observers inside the car, but still visible to observers outside the car, as shown in Figures 64, 104, Fig.106 and Fig.108 shown.

[0287] In one embodiment, the bolt 625 In turn, it is framed by 611 , 612 , 612 and 613 The upper vacuum seal 610A / B of the car is hidden so that it cannot be seen by an outside observer. When the upper vacuum seal 610A / B of the car is inserted into the channel of the upper vacuum seal, it will cover and hide the bolt 625, as shown in Figures 47 and Fig.48 shown.

[0288] In one embodiment, similarly, the bolt 646 In turn, it is framed by 611 , 612 , 612 and 613 Vacuum seal for lower part of car 610B Hidden from outside observers, the lower vacuum seal of the car 610B When inserted into the channel of the lower vacuum seal, it covers and hides the bolts 646 , as shown in Figures 61 and 62.

[0289] The remaining bolts and nuts used in the car are completely buried within the car base, connecting small mechanical components to the car base and between the lower and upper decks of the car base, and are not visible to observers from either inside or outside the car, thus conforming to the "no holes" signature design style of this method. In addition, all glass panels of the car "extend" from the floor of the car to the ceiling, complementing the unique sightseeing signature design style of this method. Swinging car door

[0290] As described herein, in one embodiment, the hoistway doors in a sightseeing vacuum elevator are operated in an outward swinging manner.

[0291] The method uses an airtight shaft and a car that slides up and down in a vacuum-sealed shaft. The shaft has multiple doors on each floor to allow people, animals and objects to enter and exit the elevator car. The car has its own door to protect the people in the car from contact with the shaft of the shaft during the rise or fall of the car. In one embodiment, a pair of shaft doors on each floor of the shaft are described how to open and close with a swing operation. Using the technology described herein, the shaft doors seal the shaft (or nearly seal) when closed to maintain vacuum operation. The car does not need to be sealed because it maintains atmospheric pressure, as does the shaft space below the car - to ensure the comfort of its passengers.

[0292] There are several ways in which car doors can be implemented in order to protect car passengers from the moving walls of the hoistway, thus ensuring safe elevator operation: - Single or double doors on each floor - Door can roll on track -The door can swing on the lever in parallel motion - Door can swing on regular hinges

[0293] A single leaf door is easier to implement because it has fewer parts in most embodiments, however, it takes up too much space in the open position and may require additional clearance for large swing operations, making its use impractical, however, single and double leaf doors can be used in different embodiments. For the purposes of this document, a double leaf embodiment is described.

[0294] In one embodiment, for better look and feel and simplicity, and to operate similarly to the hoistway door, a common hinge is selected to open / close the car door, as shown in Figures 37, 38, 63, 22 and 20.

[0295] Figures 14-23, 19, 26-32, 35 and 42 depict different perspective, exploded and enlarged views of a car door hinge in one embodiment. The car door hinge is attached to the car door by a silicone-based adhesive or other adhesive and is fused with the car door edge frame.

[0296] Each car door 520 and 530 There are two hinges that hold the car door in its position. Unlike their hoistway door counterparts, the car doors are made of thin glass and are lightweight, but these doors do not "hang" on the car door hinges, as the car door hinges only serve as guides for the door's swinging motion. In fact, each car door leaf rests on the car door shaft mechanism.

[0297] Contrary to the hoistway hinges placed outside the hoistway, the car hinges are placed inside the car, as shown in the presented figures. This embodiment allows the car walls to remain close and unobstructed to the hoistway walls, thereby maximizing the available car space.

[0298] As shown in FIG. 42, in one embodiment, the car hinge has an elongated U-shaped extension of the door shaft, which is placed in the car in a manner so that the car door extends to the left glass panel of the car when opened. 501 and right glass panel 502 In other words, the car door opening is equal to the maximum possible size - the car wall 501 and 502 This is done to make the most efficient use of the car, for example to accommodate a full-size wheelchair.

[0299] Figure 42 depicts various views of the lower and upper hinges of the car in one embodiment. As shown in Figures 26-32 and 35, the car door hinge 522 and 524 Glass door attached to the car by adhesive 521 Compared with the hoistway door, the car glass door 521 Made of relatively thin tempered glass, because it is not exposed to vacuum forces, this door is much lighter than a hoistway door and can be supported by glued hinges. To aid bonding, the car door hinges 522 and 524 Use slender supports to increase the glue surface area of ​​the hinge glass support, thereby reducing the requirements for hinge bonding, as shown in Figure 7, Figure 37, Figure 38, Figure 22, Figure 20, Figure 14–Figure 23, Figure 19, and Figure 26–Figure 32. Vacuum seals for car cabins

[0300] As described herein, the system relies on vacuum forces to move the elevator car up and down in a hermetically sealed hoistway shaft. In one embodiment, it is also shown that silicate-based tempered glass panels are used as the material of choice in the hoistway wall composition because of the smooth and uniform surface properties of the glass and the strength of tempered glass. It has been shown how the edges of the hoistway glass panels need to be shaped and what type and shape of metal edge frames are used in the construction of the hoistway to obtain a smooth surface of the hoistway shaft to achieve proper vacuum operation.

[0301] This method describes the construction of a vacuum seal for a sliding rectangular hoistway shaft in one embodiment, however, the principles described in this section are also applicable to hexagonal, octagonal, cylindrical, and elliptical hoistway embodiments.

[0302] Figure 3, Figure 6 – Fig.4963 and 10 show various views of a car vacuum seal 610A / B installed at the car base and car top levels in one embodiment.

[0303] Figures 47-51 show more detailed views of the upper car vacuum seal at the car head level, and Figures 52 and Fig.56 An exploded view of the car upper vacuum seal relative to other building blocks of the car head in one embodiment is shown.

[0304] Figures 57, 58, 61, 62 show more detailed views of the lower car vacuum seal at the car bed level, and Figure 64 shows an exploded view of the lower car vacuum seal relative to other building blocks of the car bed in one embodiment.

[0305] In addition, Figure 71- Fig.82 A car vacuum seal is shown in one embodiment. 610 A more detailed view of the and its components.

[0306] Car vacuum seals 610 Slides on the hoistway shaft, so the hoistway shaft and car vacuum seal 610 The materials need to have minimal friction against each other.

[0307] In one embodiment, the hoistway uses tempered glass as the preferred material because of its strength and low friction properties. As a material with low friction with glass, the current method uses HDPE (high density polyethylene) in one embodiment, which has excellent durability, flexibility and resistance to tension and compression, and has low friction with glass. HDPE is also selected because it is low cost and easy to manufacture.

[0308] In an alternative embodiment, the car vacuum seal 610 It can be made of materials other than HDPE that also have low friction and high life properties, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (also known as Teflon) or a combination of aluminum alloys or other metals coated with Teflon (reinforced alloys).

[0309] In one embodiment, the car vacuum seal 610 Includes: Front vacuum seal edge frame 611 , side vacuum seal edge frame 612 and rear vacuum seal edge frame 613 ,like Fig.78 shown.

[0310] In one embodiment, one or more elastic elements are coupled to the seal and compressed to apply tension outwardly along the circumference, thereby pushing the seal toward the hoistway to form an airtight connection between the car and the hoistway. For example, a vacuum seal edge frame 611 , 612 and 613 Each of the two has two rows of compression springs 615 , the compression spring 615 Install along the edge of the vacuum seal frame and insert into the hole 616 In Fig.78 Spring 615 The outer frame of the car head facing the top of the car 620 Or the car base outer frame at the bottom of the car 640 The purpose of these springs is to ensure that the edge frame surface of the vacuum seal is in constant contact with the hoistway shaft wall along the length of the vacuum seal frame. In practice, the springs 615 Frame the edge 611 , 612 and 613 Presses against the hoistway shaft glass wall to ensure constant contact with the hoistway, complements, adjusts hoistway imperfections and slides along the hoistway shaft to ensure proper vacuum seal operation.

[0311] Fig.78 Two rows of springs are shown being used - this is done to avoid tilting of the edge frame of the vacuum seal during operation and to ensure constant and uniform pressure of the surface of the vacuum seal against the hoistway shaft. In an alternative embodiment, the vacuum seal uses one or more rows of springs. 615 , depending on the height of the car vacuum seal.

[0312] In an alternative embodiment, each row of springs 615 is replaced by a "sponge-like" tubular resin that can "press" the edge frame of the vacuum seal against the hoistway shaft by applying a constant pressure along the entire edge frame. 611 , 612 and 613 No holes used 616 Instead, a channel groove along the edge frame of the seal is used to "receive" the "sponge-like" tube, which can extend above the edge frame of the vacuum seal and face the outer frame of the car head. 620 Or car base outer frame 640 The cavernous tube provides the required resistance to press the vacuum seal edge frame against the hoistway shaft.

[0313] The vacuum seal edge frame is made "thick" and the cross section of the vacuum seal edge is as follows Fig.82As shown. The thickness is to fit the spring hole 616 and vacuum edge fringes 614 ,like Fig.83 shown.

[0314] Deeper holes 616 Allows use of longer compression springs 615 , to ensure that the pressure from the spring is relatively consistent and even, as the hoistway shaft dimensions can vary due to manufacturing imperfections. 616 The deeper it is, the more compressed the spring is. 615 The pressure on the shaft wall is more uniform and consistent.

[0315] Vacuum edge stripes 614 In one embodiment, the stripes of the vacuum seal are 614 In the form of straight horizontal stripes. This form simplifies the construction of the seal, however, there is a disadvantage of intermittent "snapping" noise when the seal passes through the seam located at the edge of the shaft belt and the shaft glass panel. This "snapping" noise is caused by the stripes of the vacuum seal "full front" passing through the horizontal seam of the shaft belt, and all parts of the stripes of the vacuum seal pass through the shaft belt seam at the same time, thus amplifying the flapping noise. In some applications, this is not a big problem, because the slight "snapping" noise is easily tolerated. In other more luxurious applications, the "snapping" noise can be eliminated by using more complex and more expensive vacuum seals.

[0316] In an alternative embodiment, the stripes of the vacuum seal 614 is implemented so that the stripes of the vacuum seal 614 Different parts of the car are located at different horizontal cross-sectional planes, for example, along the edge frame of the vacuum seal 611 , 612 and 613 The "wavy" form of the edge is shown in Figure 76- Fig.80 As shown. The wave pattern allows the stripes of the vacuum seal to not be "full frontal" but gradually across the shaft belt seam, exposing several smaller sections of the seal to the shaft belt seam. This technology significantly reduces the "snap" noise across the shaft belt seam, making it a very quiet vacuum seal to operate.

[0317] In an alternative embodiment, the stripes of the vacuum seal 614It can be arranged as an angled beam or a zigzag, or a sawtooth, or any other shape that allows the seal shape to "unfold" vertically so as to stretch the intersection of the shaft belt joint in time, thereby "dispersing" the "snapping" noise over a longer period of time, ultimately reducing the unnecessary noise level. This makes the construction of the vacuum seal complicated and more expensive to manufacture, on the other hand, it improves the comfort of the elevator passengers and virtually eliminates the noise of the vacuum seal operation.

[0318] In addition, as shown in Figure 75, Figure 78-Figure 80 and Fig.83 As shown, in one embodiment, two adjacent vacuum seal edge frames 611 and 612 or 612 and 613 Connected to each other via "chessboard" connectors, the front frame of the vacuum seal 611 The rod 617 Access to the side frame of the vacuum seal 612 Opening 618 Similarly, the vacuum seal side frame 612 The rod 617 Enter the vacuum seal front frame 611 Opening 618 Inside.

[0319] This "checkerboard" connector at each corner of the vacuum seal that connects the edge frames of adjacent vacuum seals forms a "lock" that prevents the frame of the front vacuum seal and the frame of the side vacuum seal from moving vertically relative to each other. This "lock" still allows the frame 611 , 612 and 613 have limited freedom of movement relative to each other in the horizontal plane. This limited "horizontal freedom" of the vacuum seal edge frame allows the vacuum seal to float and automatically adjust to hoistway shaft imperfections while maintaining maximum airtightness of the vacuum seal. The "checkerboard" end caps of the vacuum seal edge frame also allow minimization of air gaps that may form between the corners of the vacuum seal 610A / B and the hoistway shaft due to variations in hoistway shaft width and depth.

[0320] Front vacuum seal edge frame 611 and rear vacuum seal edge frame 613 The length of the front vacuum seal edge frame can be selected to be slightly less than the minimum width of the hoistway shaft to accommodate manufacturing and assembly imperfections. For example, if the hoistway shaft measurement tolerance limit is + / -1mm, the front vacuum seal edge frame 611 and rear vacuum seal edge frame 613 The length of is chosen to be 1 mm shorter than the expected width of the hoistway shaft. Similarly, the vacuum seal side frame612 The length is 1 mm shorter than the expected depth of the hoistway shaft.

[0321] Based on the position of each vacuum seal edge frame within the hoistway shaft, due to the variation in hoistway shaft width and depth, at each corner of the car vacuum seal, a small rectangular air gap is formed between the vacuum seal and the hoistway shaft, through which a small air leak occurs. For practical reasons and the tolerance limit example provided above, let the total area that air leaks through the car vacuum seal possibly form be measured as high as 4 square millimeters. This value is very small relative to the air flow of the vacuum compressor and can be ignored in practical applications.

[0322] In one embodiment, the car vacuum seal edge frame 611 , 612 and 613 The trapezoidal cross section is designed to repeat the outer frame of the car head 620 and car base outer frame 640 The shape of the opening of the vacuum seal. The upper and lower horizontal planes of the vacuum seal frame allow the vacuum seal to be placed outside the car head frame. 620 and car base outer frame 640 The spring is slightly floating in the 615 A force is applied and thus it is constantly pressed against the hoistway shaft wall.

[0323] In summary, the "chessboard" locks at all corners of the car vacuum seal limit the relative movement of the vacuum seal edge frame in the horizontal direction, and also limit the amount of air leakage at the corners of the vacuum seal, while allowing the vacuum seal to "float" at any height in the hoistway and adapt to the hoistway shaft shape. Hoistway shaft size fluctuations are absorbed by this "chessboard" lock, and tiny air leaks may escape from the vacuum seal due to hoistway shaft manufacturing and assembly variations. The stripes of the wavy vacuum seal can greatly reduce the noise of the vacuum seal during operation. Double vacuum seal mechanism for car

[0324] As described herein, a car vacuum seal may be configured to ensure efficient and low noise vacuum seal operation.

[0325] One vacuum seal is sufficient to ensure full operability of the car - this is called the primary vacuum seal. In one embodiment, the primary vacuum seal is located at the head of the car, as shown in Figures 3, 6, 8, 50, 38, Fig.49 10. During the operation of the vacuum compressor, the hoistway shaft above the main vacuum seal (upper hoistway chamber) can be exposed to vacuum, while the space below the car (lower hoistway chamber) and the space inside the car can maintain normal atmospheric pressure to ensure the comfort of passengers.

[0326] In addition to protecting the car atmospheric pressure from entering the low-pressure environment above the car, the main vacuum seal has another function - it stabilizes the head of the car and prevents the car from shaking and vibrating during movement due to hoistway changes, because the changes in the hoistway are absorbed by the floating main vacuum seal.

[0327] In a similar manner, the car bed is also "stabilized" to overcome possible hoistway variations. In addition, the outer shape of the car bed is smaller than the hoistway shaft shape and may become "loose" if not properly stabilized.

[0328] In one embodiment, the car bed has rollers that are on compression springs, extend from the car bed and press against the hoistway shaft. These rollers can roll along the hoistway shaft during the ascent and descent of the car, absorbing irregularities in the hoistway shaft wall and keeping the position of the car relative to the hoistway cross section intact.

[0329] In an alternative embodiment, a secondary vacuum seal (auxiliary vacuum seal) is installed at the car base, duplicating the primary vacuum seal, as shown in Figures 3 and 6- Fig.49 , as shown in Figure 63 and Figure 10.

[0330] The secondary vacuum seal is slightly different from the primary vacuum seal in that it has a circular opening for the docking pin mechanism, as shown in Figure 64.

[0331] In addition to stabilizing the car base during car movement, the auxiliary vacuum seal has another particularly important role: it is used in emergency situations in the event of a sudden loss of vacuum and deployment of the emergency brake (emergency brake).

[0332] When the emergency brake is deployed, the upper hoistway chamber can "accumulate" air decompression, where the air pressure drops rapidly to below atmospheric pressure, while the lower hoistway chamber can "accumulate" compressed air, where the pressure is above atmospheric pressure.

[0333] The car's primary vacuum seal protects the car and its passengers from low air pressure entering the car from the upper hoistway chamber, while the auxiliary (lower) vacuum seal protects the car and its passengers from high air pressure entering the car from the lower hoistway chamber during a free-fall emergency. Thus, the two vacuum seals create a "comfort zone" within the car that maintains atmospheric pressure at all times, including during emergency braking. The absence of an auxiliary vacuum seal may cause discomfort to passengers in the car during emergency braking, as high air pressure below the car may enter the car, causing passenger discomfort, so an auxiliary vacuum seal is used in emergency situations.

[0334] The results show that the double vacuum seal mechanism using a main car vacuum seal and an auxiliary car vacuum seal ensures the stability of the car during car movement and protects car passengers from low or high air pressure that may be generated in the upper or lower hoistway chamber during elevator operation or during emergency braking.

Claims

1. An elevator device, comprising a car device and a hoistway device, wherein the car device comprises: a car head device extending parallel to the cross section of the hoistway device; wherein the air pressure in the car device is different from the air pressure in at least a portion of the hoistway device; Therein, at least a portion of the car head device carries at least a portion of the weight of the car device and any load present inside the car device.

2. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein: The car device also includes a base device, one or more side glass panels and a car door frame having one or more car doors; Wherein, the cross-sectional shape of the car device is: A triangle, which results in the car device being substantially triangular; Rectangular, which results in the car device being substantially rectangular; A pentagonal shape, which results in the car device being substantially pentagonal; Hexagonal, which results in the car device being substantially hexagonal; An octagonal shape, which results in the car device being substantially octagonal; A circular shape, which results in the car device being substantially circular and tubular; oval, which results in the car device being substantially oval-tubular; or Horseshoe shape, which results in the car device being substantially in the shape of an elliptical tube that is flattened on one side.

3. The elevator device according to claim 1, in, The car apparatus includes one or more side panels, each of the one or more side panels of the car apparatus having a top end and a bottom end; The bottom end is coupled to a base device of the car device, and the top end is coupled to the car head device of the car device.

4. The elevator apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more side panels of the car apparatus are coupled to the base apparatus of the car apparatus at the bottom end by fasteners, and to the car head apparatus at the top end.

5. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein the car unit further comprises one or more side glass panels, and the car head unit comprises a top panel coupled to the one or more side glass panels; wherein each of the one or more side glass panels of the car apparatus has a bottom edge and a top edge, the top edge having one or more apertures; wherein the top panel having one or more side edges is coupled to one or more frames along the one or more side edges; in, the one or more frames extending vertically along the one or more side glass panels at least beyond the one or more apertures of each side glass panel; The one or more frames are coupled to each of the side glass panels via one or more fasteners extending through the one or more holes, thereby coupling the top panel of the car device to each of the side glass panels via the one or more frames and the one or more fasteners.

6. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein the car unit further comprises one or more side glass panels and a base unit coupled to the one or more side glass panels, and the car head unit comprises a top panel coupled to the one or more side glass panels; in, The roof panel and the one or more side glass panels bear at least a portion of the weight of the base arrangement of the car arrangement and any load present inside the car arrangement.

7. The elevator device according to claim 6, wherein: The one or more side glass panels or the top panel are made of a strengthened glass material.

8. The elevator device according to claim 7, wherein: The strengthened glass material is made of tempered silicate glass or borosilicate glass.

9. The elevator device according to claim 6, wherein: Each edge of the one or more side glass panels of the car apparatus is coupled to a protective metal frame.

10. The elevator device according to claim 9, wherein: The protective metal frame is made of reinforced aluminum alloy.

11. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein one or more side glass panels are coupled to the car head means and the base means of the car means; and The one or more side glass panels are subjected to tension caused by a load carrying a portion of the car arrangement and any load present inside the car arrangement.

12. The elevator device according to claim 1, wherein the car apparatus further comprises at least one side panel having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a car door frame having at least one car door coupled to the at least one side panel; and in, When the at least one car door is in the open position, at least a portion of the at least one car door extends over at least a portion of the outer surface of the at least one side panel to form an opening in the car door frame having a width of the at least one car door.

13. An elevator device, comprising a car device and a hoistway device, wherein the car device comprises: one or more seals coupled to the car means from the periphery to create an airtight connection of the car means with an inner periphery of a cross section of the hoistway means, thereby separating the hoistway means into a top portion of the hoistway means and a bottom portion of the hoistway means; and Wherein, the one or more seals at least partially prevent air in the top of the hoistway device from entering the bottom of the hoistway device, and at least partially prevent air in the bottom of the hoistway device from entering the top of the hoistway device.

14. The elevator device according to claim 13, in, The air pressure difference between the bottom of the hoistway device and the top of the hoistway device applies a force on the car device that is opposite to the gravity of the car device; wherein the force lifts the car device within the hoistway device or stabilizes the car device within the hoistway device; and Wherein, the desired movement of the car device in the hoistway device is achieved by controlling the air pressure difference.

15. The elevator device according to claim 13, further comprising: One or more elastic elements are coupled to the one or more seals, the one or more elastic elements having tension applied outwardly to create an airtight connection between the one or more seals and the inner periphery of the hoistway arrangement.

16. The elevator apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more seals are made of a specific material having low friction characteristics with a glass material of the hoistway apparatus.

17. The elevator apparatus of claim 16, wherein the particular material of the one or more seals is one of high-density polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene.

18. The elevator device according to claim 13, in, The car device includes a first side panel and a second side panel, the first side panel and the second side panel are coupled together at a specific edge, wherein the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are coupled to the first side panel and the second side panel in an interlocking manner at a portion of the specific edge.

19. The elevator device according to claim 13, wherein: The one or more seals are peripherally coupled to the car arrangement such that portions of the one or more seals are located on different horizontal cross-sectional planes of the car arrangement.

20. The elevator device according to claim 13, wherein: The one or more seals are coupled to the car device from the periphery to form a wave shape, a diagonal beam, a Z shape or a sawtooth shape.

21. The elevator device according to claim 13, wherein: The inner periphery of the hoistway device is a first inner periphery of the hoistway device: wherein the one or more seals include a first seal and a second seal; wherein, at a first cross section of the car device, the first seal is coupled to the car device from the periphery, so that the car device is in airtight connection with the inner periphery of the shaft device, thereby separating the shaft device into the top of the shaft device and the car portion of the shaft device; wherein the second sealing member is coupled to the car device from the periphery at the second cross section of the car device, so that the car device is in airtight connection with the second inner periphery of the hoistway device, thereby separating the hoistway device into the car portion of the hoistway device and at least a portion of the bottom of the hoistway device; wherein the first seal at least partially prevents air in the top portion of the hoistway device from entering the car portion of the hoistway device, and at least partially prevents air in the car portion of the hoistway device from entering the top portion of the hoistway device; Wherein, the second seal at least partially prevents air in the car portion of the hoistway device from entering the at least part of the bottom of the hoistway device, and at least partially prevents air in the at least part of the bottom of the hoistway device from entering the car portion of the hoistway device.

22. A method for vertically moving a car arrangement through a hoistway arrangement, comprising: generating a low pressure in a top portion of the hoistway arrangement, wherein the top portion of the hoistway arrangement is a portion of the hoistway arrangement above the car arrangement; wherein the top of the hoistway device is separated from the bottom of the hoistway device by at least a top panel of the car device and one or more seals of the car device; wherein the one or more seals of the car device provide an airtight connection between the car device and the inner periphery of the hoistway device; The low air pressure generated at the top of the hoistway device causes the air pressure at the bottom of the hoistway device to be higher than the air pressure at the bottom of the hoistway device, thereby causing the car device to rise through the hoistway device.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising reducing the air pressure differential between the top and the bottom of the hoistway arrangement to thereby lower the car arrangement through the hoistway arrangement.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein: The air pressure difference between the top of the hoistway device and the bottom of the hoistway device applies a force opposite to the gravity of the car device to the car head device of the car device, thereby causing the car head device to bear the load of at least part of the weight of the car device and any load of the car device.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein: The air pressure differential between the top of the hoistway arrangement and the bottom of the hoistway arrangement applies a tensile force to one or more glass panels of the car arrangement.

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