Abstract: A passenger carrying vehicle, supported on air cushions in a guideway, is propelled back and forth in that guideway by a cable. A motor is at one end of the guideway and pulls the cable. The cable is part of a closed loop, having two parts, that extend along the same side of the guideway. Rollers, positioned along that side of the guideway, support each length of the cable. In curved portions of the guideway, where the vehicle is turned left or right, the roller that supports that length to which the car is attached is oriented to support the combined horizontal and vertical loads on the cable as the car is pulled around the turn. The vehicle comprises two cabs. These cabs are pivotally interconnected, allowing them to flex or pivot vertically relative to each other and allowing the vehicle to conform to variations in the contour of the guideway, thereby improving the lift characteristics of the air cushions.

Abstract: In an elevator, a crossbeam or crosshead extends across the top of the car and a thimble rod extends through this beam. The car is suspended on a spring which surrounds the rod and that is located on one side of the beam. Located on the other side of the beam is a block assembly which grasps the rod and a vertical pin that is attached to the beam, for the purpose of providing dampening to the car. A characteristic of this block assembly is that it allows some lost motion, during which there is no dampening, and this has, as an effect, extremely effective noise isolation between the rope and the car, but at the same time substantial dampening--for larger, more undesirable motions by the car.

Abstract: In a surface-treating process, such as anodizing, the current to each one of a plurality of treated articles is monitored separately, and if the current is above or below an acceptable current magnitude, the current to the article is interrupted, and an indication is also provided to identify that the current has been interrupted to the article. The acceptable current ranges are defined by a single calibration device which provides the same current reference control for each article.

Abstract: The current in the windings of a polyphase motor are individually sensed, and individual signals that indicate that current are provided. Using these signals, the difference between positive and negative current flow through the motor is determined, and if that difference exceeds a first level, for a preset duration of time, the motor is permitted to operate for a limited time. But, if it exceeds a second level, for a preset duration of time, the motor is slowed down in a programmed manner. Total current flow through the motor is determined from these signals as well, and if it exceeds a maximum for a preset duration of time, the motor is stopped in a programmed manner.

Abstract: To control an elevator motor, a first analog signal, the profile of which defines the velocity characteristics during acceleration, is generated in response to a motor jerk signal, a signal to accelerate the motor. This first analog signal is then multiplied with a second analog signal to provide a third analog signal which is supplied to the motor controls. The magnitude and polarity of that third analog signal controls motor speed and direction. The second analog signal has a unity value, a value of one, except when the car is within a slowdown distance from the floor. When the car moves through that range, the second analog signal decreases from unity. The second analog signal is provided from digital coefficients that are stored in a memory device and addressable for particular positions from the slowdown position. The coefficients are addressed by the output from a down counter that counts pulses that are provided by a car position transducer as the car moves from the slowdown position.

Abstract: A compensating rope sheave tie-down uses a hydraulic control system comprising various valves to control sheave motion. The sheave is permitted by the control system to move up and down slightly at slow rates, but is held in place if a high rate occurs. The control also permits the sheave to drop down to apply tension to the compensating rope.

Abstract: In an elevator that has a position indicator that indicates through separate indication signals if the car is above, at, or below floor level, the position indicator is checked prior to and during the approach to the floor for a stop, and if an incorrect indication is sensed, the error is stored. The stored error and the other indications are used during the approach to slow and stop the car and open the doors.

Abstract: A plate is attached to a rail which moves vertically in a housing. The housing includes a brake which rubs on one side of the rail; on the other side, there is a roller. A leaf spring is positioned between the housing and the roller. When the rail moves vertically in one direction, the roller is pushed progressively harder against the rail. This squeezes the rail against the brake, creating a braking force on the rail that increases, to maximum, in relation to distance the rail moves. This arrangement may be used as a buffer for an elevator cab or counterweight in an elevator.

Abstract: A polyphase induction motor propels an elevator car. The motor is powered by a multiphase inverter which receives power from a battery. The inverter is controlled in such a way as to control the frequency and amplitude of the power supplied to the motor in order to control the motor's speed, acceleration, and slip. That inverter control is accomplished by sensing the motor's speed and in response providing predetermined slip and torque signals. The slip can be controlled over a range which can provide negative slip, by which power is regenerated into the battery, which is thereby charged, and positive slip for motoring torque. A charger also charges the battery. The motor and its controls are thereby ostensibly isolated from the power system that supplies power to the charger, the battery handling the peak power requirements. Thus, little noise is injected into the power system. Speed loop gain is adjusted depending upon whether the motor is motoring or regenerating.

Abstract: An elevator system is powered by a multiphased motor to which power is supplied from an inverter, which is powered by a battery. The collector-emitter voltage across the output transistors in the inverter is sensed as the transistors are turned on, and if the voltage does not drop to the saturation voltage within a certain time, the drive to the inverter is discontinued. If at any time while the transistors are in saturation saturation voltage rises, the drive is turned off. To start the drive, the transistors are permitted to turn on for a short interval of time. If, following that interval of time, the saturation voltage is not correct, the drive is turned off. The inverter has separate sections for driving each winding of the motor, and each of these sections has a separate power supply and fault detection circuit, which operates to measure the saturation voltage across the transistor and provide a fault signal which indicates that the drive should be terminated.

Abstract: To prevent passengers in an elevator from opening the hoistway door when the car is well above the floor, a rotatable arm is located below the car and engages the hall door to prevent it from being opened. This arm may be reached from the floor, by opening the hoistway doors slightly, and rotated to disengage it from the door, which may then be fully opened.

Abstract: An elevator cab is constructed of thin, somewhat semirigid skeleton. Panels, made of expanded core plastic, or honeycomb paper, are attached to the skeleton, thereby forming a very light and rigid cab. These panels are attached by means of releasable hook-like fasteners, thus permitting selective removal of the panels from the skeleton. Due to strategic location of the fasteners on the skeleton, the panels, when attached to the skeleton, create a rigid cab.

Abstract: A device is attached to the compensating rope sheave assembly in an elevator system to detect rope sway exceeding a certain magnitude. The device includes a switch which is attached to the assembly and a loop which is positioned around the rope. The loop is attached to a movable member of the switch. When the rope sways and contacts the loop, it actuates the switch. The loop can be opened to place it around the rope, and it is made of pliant material to protect the switch and the rope.

Abstract: A metal tape containing diameter graduations along the tape is wrapped around the groove in a sheave. The tape contains spaced apart supports which precisely position the tape at a certain depth in the groove. The intersection of the two ends of the tape indicate the diameter of the groove. The ends have vernier graduations.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which couples a car door and a hall door in an elevator system. The apparatus includes a roller which is spring loaded into a first position for engaging a vane on the car door and which is movable from that first position for disengaging the vane if the vane is on the wrong side of the roller. The apparatus allows the car door to open and close the hall door by engaging this roller and, if the vane is on the wrong side of the roller, nevertheless, allows the car door to close.

Abstract: An elevator system is battery powered. The battery is charged by a battery charger and also regenerated by a polyphase motor which drives the car and which is inverter operated. The charge on the battery is controlled by sensing the battery voltage and, if the voltage is excessive for an interval of time, applying a load to the battery for an interval of time. The battery voltage may also be sensed by controlling the battery discharge in proportion to the excess voltage.

Abstract: An elevator door operator includes a motor which drives a worm gear. This worm gear controls the motion of a block which contains retractable members that engage rollers on the hall door, and which engage a block which is connected to the car door. When the car doors are fully closed, these members are fully retracted.

Abstract: A passenger carrying system for transporting passengers between two floors, comprising a plurality of interconnected steps which move between the floors in a closed pattern that includes sections which spiral down and up between the floors around vertical posts. In the spiral sections the steps form staircases which move along the pattern.

Abstract: An elevator cab is constructed of a thin, somewhat semirigid skeleton. Expanded core plastic panels are attached to the skeleton, thereby forming a very light and rigid cab. These panels are attached by means of releasable hook-like fasteners, thus permitting selective removal of the panels from the skeleton. Due to strategic location of the fasteners on the skeleton, the panels, when attached to the skeleton, create a rigid cab.