Variable Gap Linear Motor for Elevator Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems experience significant thermal loading on linear motors, particularly at high traffic and low speed locations, which affects efficiency and requires a balance between minimizing thermal load and maintaining a sufficient gap to prevent motor portion contact.
Innovation Solution
The linear motor system employs a variable gap and width configuration between the motor portions, with narrower gaps at high traffic/low speed locations and wider gaps at high speed/low traffic locations to manage thermal load while preventing contact, using a first motor portion with coils and a second motor portion with permanent magnets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed gap is maintained between motor portions, then contact between motor portions is prevented, but thermal loading increases at high traffic locations
Solution Approach 1:
The gap between the first motor portion and second motor portion is made variable rather than fixed. The gap width changes dynamically based on location along the hoistway, being narrower at high traffic locations (lobby, top floor) and wider at other locations. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to varying thermal conditions while maintaining sufficient clearance to prevent motor portion contact.
Solution Approach 2:
Different gap widths are applied at different locations along the hoistway based on local thermal conditions. High traffic locations with higher thermal loads have narrower gaps, while other locations have wider gaps. This local differentiation optimizes thermal management at each specific location rather than using a uniform gap throughout.
2Temperature
If a narrower gap is used to reduce thermal load, then efficiency increases, but risk of contact between motor portions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a dynamic gap configuration where the width varies by location. At high traffic locations where thermal loading is highest, narrower gaps are used to maximize efficiency. At other locations, wider gaps provide sufficient clearance to prevent contact. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize for efficiency where needed while maintaining safety where less critical.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap width is optimized locally at each position along the hoistway based on thermal load requirements. High traffic locations receive narrower gaps for thermal management, while other locations receive wider gaps for safety margin. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by applying different gap strategies to different locations rather than using a single uniform gap.
3Ease of manufacture
If a uniform gap is used throughout the hoistway, then manufacturing is simplified, but thermal management efficiency decreases at high traffic locations
Solution Approach 1:
The gap configuration transitions from uniform to non-uniform, with different gap widths applied at different locations along the hoistway. High traffic locations have narrower gaps optimized for thermal management, while other locations have wider gaps. This local differentiation improves thermal management efficiency at critical locations while maintaining sufficient clearance elsewhere.
Solution Approach 2:
The gap width varies dynamically along the length of the hoistway rather than remaining constant. This dynamic configuration allows optimization of thermal performance at high traffic locations while maintaining adequate clearance at other locations, resolving the trade-off between manufacturing simplicity and thermal management efficiency.
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
This configuration reduces thermal loading on the linear motor while maintaining sufficient clearance to prevent contact, enhancing efficiency and thermal management, especially during peak usage periods.
Implementation Method 1
Electrical current is provided to the primary motor portion to permit movement of the secondary motor portion within a hoistway
Implementation Method 2
a first motor portion having at least one coil, a second motor portion having at least one permanent magnet
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to an elevator system having a hoistway, an elevator car to travel in the hoistway, a first motor portion mounted to one of the elevator car and the hoistway, the first motor portion having at least one coil, a second motor portion mounted to the other of the elevator car and the hoistway, the second motor portion having at least one permanent magnet, and a gap between the first motor portion and the second motor portion.