Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator Airflow Control for Smooth Cabin Descent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pneumatic vacuum elevator valves consume excessive power and fail to balance air pressure differences, leading to inefficient and unsafe descent of the elevator cabin.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic flow controlling device with a perforated component, diaphragm component, primary valve, and secondary valve that enables controlled air supply and circulation to manage the elevator's movement and speed within a tubular pathway, using a control signal from an elevator controller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional valves are used to control air flow for elevator descent, then the elevator can move down the tubular pathway, but the valves consume tremendous amount of power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical valves with a pneumatic system that uses air pressure differentials and a diaphragm mechanism. The first and second pneumatic outlets, along with the diaphragm, create a pneumatic control system that eliminates the need for power-consuming mechanical valves while maintaining reliable air pressure balancing for elevator descent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using air flow through the first and second pneumatic outlets to control the diaphragm's movement. This pneumatic mechanism replaces electrical or mechanical valve systems, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to balance air pressure differences during elevator descent.
2Reliability
If conventional valves are used for descent control, then the elevator can descend, but the valves are unable to properly balance the air pressure difference between the cylinders above the cabin and the atmospheric pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces power-consuming mechanical valves with a pneumatic control system using the first and second pneumatic outlets. This system passively balances air pressure differences through controlled air flow paths, eliminating the need for active mechanical valve operation while improving pressure balancing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The diaphragm acts as an intermediary element that responds to air pressure differences from the first and second pneumatic outlets. It automatically adjusts to balance the air pressure between the cylinders above the cabin and atmospheric pressure without requiring external power, thereby improving reliability while reducing energy consumption.
3Reliability
If conventional air valves are used for safety measurement, then the elevator can activate safety mechanisms, but the valves are unable to allow the flow of air through the orifice to achieve a cabin descending speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air control system into multiple independent pneumatic outlets (first and second pneumatic outlets) with different functions. The first outlet controls safety measurement operations while the second outlet specifically manages air flow for achieving controlled cabin descending speed, allowing both safety and speed requirements to be met simultaneously without compromising either function.
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
The device reduces power consumption, minimizes vibration and jerk during landing, and dynamically regulates the elevator's speed for a smooth and safe riding experience.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm component to expand and compress based on the air circulation
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic flow controlling device is disclosed. The device includes a perforated component disposed on a bottom component coupled to a top surface of a pneumatic vacuum elevator. The perforated component includes multiple perforations to enable air circulation from outside to inside of the elevator cylinder. The device also includes a diaphragm component to expand and compress based on the air circulation. The device also includes a primary valve to allow an air supply to the elevator cylinder for controlling movement of an elevator cabin within a tubular pathway based on a control signal received from an elevator controller. The device also includes a secondary valve to allow the air supply to the elevator cylinder for dynamically varying speed of the elevator cabin at one or more landing positions.