US 11,884,516 B2
Health monitoring of elevator system tension members
Kyle B. Martin, Avon, CT (US)
Assigned to OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed by Otis Elevator Company, Farmington, CT (US)
Filed on Jun. 25, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/016,808.
Prior Publication US 2019/0389696 A1, Dec. 26, 2019
Int. Cl. B66B 7/12 (2006.01); B66B 9/00 (2006.01); G01N 27/90 (2021.01); G01N 27/904 (2021.01); B66B 5/00 (2006.01)
CPC B66B 7/1223 (2013.01) [B66B 9/00 (2013.01); G01N 27/904 (2013.01); B66B 5/0018 (2013.01); B66B 7/123 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A health monitoring system for an electrically-conductive tension member of an elevator system belt, comprising:
a transmitter including a transmitter coil configured for placement at the tension member;
a receiver configured to be positioned at the tension member; and
a controller operably connected to the transmitter and the receiver, the controller configured to:
direct an alternating current through the transmitter coil, resulting in the generation of a magnetic field and eddy currents at the transmitter coil; and
evaluate fluctuations in the magnetic field detected at the receiver, the fluctuations indicative of wear or damage to the tension member;
wherein the controller is configured to obtain position information from an elevator control system to locate and map locations of wear or damage of the tension member;
wherein the transmitter and the receiver are disposed at a same side of the tension member; and
wherein a position of the receiver is offset from a position of the transmitter relative to a lengthwise direction of the tension member.