Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a position of a moveable platform comprising a plurality of RFID tags encoded with location information situated at known locations and a plurality of visual markers situated at precise, known locations. An RF reader attached to a moveable platform reads the RFID tags to determine the approximate location of the platform. A camera apparatus attached to the moveable platform scans the visual marker. The scanned image is processed to provide the precise position information of the platform.

Abstract: A brake mechanism (10) for an elevator (2) is activated in response to an electronic control signal to prevent movement of an elevator car (16) under predetermined conditions. The brake mechanism is preferably a safety mechanism (10) and does not require a governor sheave, a governor rope, or a tension sheave. The safety mechanism in one disclosed example utilizes a solenoid actuator (22b) and an electric motor (40) and gear box assembly (42) to move safety wedges (18) into engagement with a guide rail (20) to stop the elevator car (16). The safety wedges (18) are held in a non-deployed position during normal elevator operation. If there is a power loss or if elevator car speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, an electronic control signal activates the safety mechanism (10) causing the solenoid to release, which causes the safety wedges (18) move in a direction opposite to that of a safety housing (12) mounted for movement with the elevator car (16).

Abstract: A positioning system for an elevator cab (37) includes transponder modules (10) having a unique ID for receiving a signal (39) and emitting an ultrasonic signal when the signal is equivalent to the unique ID with a determination of position based on the time duration of the signals.

Abstract: A position reference system for use with a conveyance, such as an elevator (12). The system includes a code affixed to or embedded within a suspension device or primary motion coupling such as a rope or coated steel belt (16). A reader (28) in a fixed location determines the position of the conveyance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a position referencing system and method for horizontal or vertical conveyance, e.g., an elevator. The position referencing system includes a plurality of spaced apart color elements or reflectors (42) attached to a static structure (40), such as a door frame in a hoistway or guideway, a light source (12) for illuminating one of the reflectors, and a sensing device (10, 48, 48?) for capturing an image of the illuminated reflector. The image captured by the sensing device is used to determine the position and/or speed of the conveyance, e.g., an elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator includes a car follower (22) associated with each of a pair of guide rails (25), and carrying electromagnets (24) which are spaced from electromagnets (26) on an elevator car (28). The electromagnets on the car and car follower create a repulsive force tending to center the car between the car follower electromagnets associated with the two guide rails. Preferably, the car follower electromagnets are interconnected into a single car follower such that they move together.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes wireless communicating portions (40, 42) that communicate with each other to provide elevator cab (22) position information within a hoistway (24). In one example, a first communicating portion (40) is supported on the elevator cab (22) that generates a radio frequency trigger signal (58) that is received by a second communicating portion (42) at a selected position along the hoistway (24). The second communicating portion (42) responsively generates an ultrasound signal (64) that is received by the first communicating portion (40). A characteristic of the received locating signal, such as the timing between the trigger signal and the receipt of the locating signal, provides position information regarding the cab within the hoistway.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a position of a moveable platform includes a plurality of transponder modules comprising, an electromagnetic transmitter adapted to emit an electromagnetic signal, and an acoustic receiver adapted to receive an acoustic signal wherein at least two of the plurality of transponders are disposed about the position to be measured, at least one transceiver module affixed to the moveable platform comprising, an acoustic transmitter adapted to emit an acoustic signal, an electromagnetic receiver adapted to receive an electromagnetic signal, a timing mechanism for measuring a plurality of durations between an emission of the acoustic signal and a receipt of the electromagnetic signal, and a computing mechanism for processing the plurality of durations to compute the position.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes wireless communicating portions (40, 42) that communicate with each other to provide elevator cab (22) position information within a hoistway (24). In one example, a first communicating portion (40) is supported on the elevator cab (22) that generates a radio frequency trigger signal (58) that is received by a second communicating portion (42) at a selected position along the hoistway (24). The second communicating portion (42) responsively generates an ultrasound signal (64) that is received by the first communicating portion (40). A characteristic of the received locating signal, such as the timing between the trigger signal and the receipt of the locating signal, provides position information regarding the cab within the hoistway.