Elevator Regenerative Rescue via DC Link Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for rescue operations in elevator systems during power failures are slow, labor-intensive, and require additional expensive equipment, especially when the load is balanced or imbalanced in a direction that prevents gravity-assisted movement to a rescue position.
Innovation Solution
A method where a regenerative operation is launched in one elevator to generate electric power for another elevator, allowing the second elevator to be driven to a rescue position without the need for additional expensive equipment, by utilizing the first elevator's drive system and control cabinet to provide power through a shared electricity distribution network or supply conductor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a manual brake lever and gravity drifting method is used for rescue operation, then the operation can be performed with simple equipment, but the operation becomes slow and labor-intensive especially when load is balanced or imbalanced in wrong direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drive systems of two elevators by connecting their DC links, allowing one elevator to provide regenerative power to another. This merging enables the powered elevator to quickly move the rescued elevator car without requiring complex external equipment, thus improving rescue speed while keeping the system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the elevators' own drive systems and regenerative braking capabilities to perform the rescue operation. Instead of relying on external power sources or manual hoists, the elevators serve each other by sharing power through their existing infrastructure, enabling rapid self-rescue without additional equipment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate manually operated hoist is used for balanced or wrong-direction load conditions, then the elevator car can be moved to rescue position, but the operation becomes slow and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical hoisting with an electrically-powered solution. By using regenerative braking to generate electrical power that can be transferred to another elevator's drive system, the system substitutes human-powered mechanical operations with automated electrical control, dramatically reducing rescue time while handling all load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the elevators by switching between normal operation mode and regenerative power transfer mode. During rescue operations, the powered elevator operates in regenerative mode to generate power, while the rescued elevator operates in motor mode to receive power and move the car, enabling rapid response regardless of load conditions.
3Device complexity
If regenerative operation is launched in one elevator to power another elevator's drive system, then expensive additional equipment is not needed, but power must be available in the first elevator
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers regenerative braking energy that would otherwise be wasted as heat in the powered elevator and redirects it to the rescued elevator. By capturing and transferring this normally discarded energy through DC link connection, the system provides rescue power without requiring external power sources or additional expensive equipment.
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 a simple and rapid rescue operation without the need for expensive additional devices, reducing the requirement for a large power backup system, allowing for efficient movement of the elevator car to a rescue position even in balanced or imbalanced load conditions.
Implementation Method 1
launching a regenerative operation with a first elevator it becomes possible to energize a drive system of a second elevator having a second elevator car requiring a rescue operation with electric power from the first elevator
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an elevator system comprising: at least a first (3) and a second elevator (13), the first elevator having a first elevator car (8), a first counterweight (4) and a first drive system (5), and the second elevator (13) having a second elevator car (8), a second counterweight (14) and a second drive system (14). To facilitate a simple and rapid rescue operation the elevator system comprises: a regenerative operation interface (22) in the first elevator (3) to provide electric power from the first elevator (3) to the second elevator (13), and a regenerative operation interface (22) in the second elevator (13) for receiving electric power from the first elevator (3) and for energizing the second drive system (16) to drive the second elevator car (18) to a rescue position.