Elevator Drive Fan Monitoring via Fluid Flow Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elevator systems lack a reliable and cost-effective method for monitoring the operability of the drive engine's fan, leading to potential overheating and irreversible damage due to inadequate cooling, requiring frequent and labor-intensive manual maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A drive engine arrangement with a fluid flow sensor that detects the fan's operation status remotely, using a deflectable flap and switch to generate signals for a controller, allowing for automatic and remote monitoring of the fan's condition, reducing the need for periodic manual inspections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic manual maintenance is used to check fan operation, then fan operability can be identified, but significant human labor and time are required and defects may occur between maintenance intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-monitoring of fan operability through automatic fluid flow sensing and remote signal transmission, eliminating the need for manual inspection and allowing the system to detect its own operational status continuously
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid flow sensor provides continuous feedback about fan operation status to a remote location, enabling real-time monitoring and immediate detection of fan failures without waiting for scheduled maintenance intervals
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If manual inspection is performed locally at the drive engine, then fan condition can be checked, but significant expenditure of human labor and entry into hoistway or machine room is required
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow sensor acts as an intermediary device that automatically detects fan operation and transmits signals remotely, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to physically access the hoistway or machine room for inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical inspection process is replaced by an automatic sensing and electronic signal transmission system, converting a labor-intensive physical task into an automated remote monitoring function
3Device complexity
If no fan monitoring system is installed, then device complexity is reduced, but the drive engine is at risk of overheating and irreversible damage
Solution Approach 1:
Complex mechanical monitoring systems are replaced by a simple fluid flow sensor that detects fan operation through fluid flow presence, providing reliable cooling monitoring with minimal device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing cooling fluid flow as a self-indicating mechanism, where the presence or absence of fluid flow naturally indicates fan operability without requiring additional complex sensing or measurement systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous, remote monitoring of the fan's operation, preventing overheating and reducing maintenance costs by detecting anomalies promptly and initiating corrective actions, thus ensuring reliable and efficient elevator system operation.
Implementation Method 1
a fluid flow sensor (9) which is adapted for sensing a fluid flow generated by the fan (25)
Implementation Method 2
the fluid flow sensor (9) comprises a deflectable flap (31) arranged in a path of the fluid flow generated by the fan (25), the deflectable flap (31) being movable between a closed state and an open state
Implementation Method 3
a fan (25) which generates a fluid flow such as an air flow circulating through portions of the drive engine (3) in order to thereby dissipate some of the heat generated within the drive engine (3)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A drive engine arrangement (1) for an elevator system is presented. The drive engine arrangement (1 ) comprises a drive engine (3) for driving suspension traction means (5) for displacing an elevator car, a fan (25) for generating a fluid flow (35, 37) for cooling the drive engine (3) and a fluid flow sensor (9). The fluid flow sensor (9) is adapted for sensing the fluid flow (35, 37) generated by the fan (25). Accordingly, using the fluid flow sensor (9), it may be determined whether or not the fan (25) is currently operating. By e.g. comparing the fan's behaviour with previously operation patterns and/or by additionally measuring a temperature of the drive engine (3) with a temperature sensor (39), it may be monitored whether the fan (25) is operating correctly or whether e.g. cooling requirements may be compromised due to a malfunction of the fan (25). Such monitoring may be performed remotely and/or automatically.