SYSTEM HAVING A PLURALITY OF ELEVATOR CABS AND COUNTERWEIGHTS THAT MOVE INDEPENDENTLY IN DIFFERENT SECTIONS OF A HOISTWAY

摘要

An elevator system which utilizes a plurality of independently moving cabs and counterweights in each elevator shaft. Each cab is connected to one or more spatially separated counterweights at different counterweight connection points. The connection points are horizontally shifted on different cabs in order to prevent interference between cabs, cables, pulleys and counterweights. The top cab may have one counterweight cable and may be connected to one or more counterweights by connection points on the roof of the cab. The cabs are mounted on two opposing vertical guide rails, and each guide rail is mounted at the center of one side of the elevator shaft. The system includes a motor attached to each of the cabs by one or more lift cables to facilitate the independent movement of all cabs. Existing buildings can also be retrofit for compatibility with the present invention.

主权项

1. An elevator system comprising:
one or more elevator shafts; two or more elevator cabs positioned within each of said one or more elevator shafts, said two or more elevator cabs including at least a first elevator cab positioned above a second elevator cab, each of said two or more cabs having at least two walls that are substantially parallel to each other, and each cab moves independently of each other vertically through each elevator shaft; two or more cables connected to each elevator cab, at least one of said cables positioned on a first wall of the at least two walls of each elevator cab and at least another of said cables positioned on a second wall of the at least two walls of each elevator cab, the first wall being substantially parallel to the second wall; one or more pulleys positioned to engage at least one cable of the two or more cables connected to each cab; one or more counterweights connected to each cab by at least one pulley of the one or more pulleys; two or more counterweight channels positioned external to a vertical path of the elevator cabs, wherein said two or more counterweight channels, each including at least one counterweight, are positioned side by side or back to back along at least one side of an elevator shaft permitting the two or more elevator cabs to move independently through a same elevator shaft; and one or more lift motors connected to at least one cable of the two or more cables connected to each cab, each cable that is connected to a lift motor is not connected to a counterweight.