Abstract: Method for performing an elevator rescue run in an emergency situation, the elevator comprising and elevator car, a counter weight, a rope suspending the car and the counterweight, a drive motor, an emergency brake for stopping the car in an emergency situation, and a motor drive unit for supplying drive power to and for controlling the drive motor, having the following rescue run sequence steps: (a) operating the motor drive unit in a zero speed demand mode for holding the car at its present position; (b) lifting the brake, while holding the car in the zero speed demand mode; (c) determining the preferred movement direction of the car based on the power data as obtained by the motor drive unit; and (d) performing the rescue run in the direction of the determined preferred movement direction.

Abstract: A rescue floor crowdedness detecting device detects crowdedness or uncrowdedness of an elevator region at a rescue floor. An evacuation guidance device installed in a building reports to those stranded in the building accessibility information representing accessibility of those stranded in the building to the elevator region at the rescue floor from a stair region when the rescue floor crowdedness detecting device detects that the elevator region of the rescue floor is uncrowded. An emergency control device has an evacuation operation performability determining portion for determining whether or not those stranded in the building can be conveyed from the rescue floor to the evacuation floor. The emergency control device also has an evacuation guidance device control portion for controlling the evacuation guidance device based on information from the evacuation operation performability determining portion and information from the rescue floor crowdedness detecting device.

Abstract: An elevator installation contains an elevator car (12) that is arranged movably between floors (S1, S2) in an elevator hoistway (11). The elevator car (12) has a car door (14), and the elevator hoistway (11) has on the each floor (S1, S2) a hoistway door (13). Assigned to the car door (14), or to the hoistway door (13), is a sill-section (16). To draw attention to a gap (30), or give a warning of a step, between elevator car (12) and floor (S1, S2), it is proposed to arrange in the sill-section (16) of the elevator car (12), or of the floor (S1, S2), at least one light module (20, 21, 22).

Abstract: Elevator system and a method for determining the position information of an elevator car is disclosed. The elevator system includes at least one elevator car, which is fitted to move in an elevator shaft, a control unit for controlling the motions of the elevator car according to calls conveyed to the control unit, and at least one landing call unit fitted in connection with a landing. The landing call unit includes a feature for giving a call and for sending a call to the control unit and a data transfer channel between the landing call unit and the control unit. At least one identifier is fitted in connection with the elevator car. The landing call unit also includes at least one reader fitted to detect the identifier of the elevator car when this is situated in the proximity of the reader.

Abstract: A fire evacuation operation system for group-controlled elevators that enables a large number of people to evacuate a building in a short time is provided. Safe elevators are provided for evacuation of the building according to the position of the floor on which the fire breaks out. The fire evacuation operation system includes an evacuation operation propriety judging unit that judges whether an evacuation operation is improper or possible, a rescue floor setting unit that sets a rescue floor, and an evacuation operation instruction unit that assists people who are present in the building to evacuate.

Abstract: A control device for a rotating machine driving an elevator suppresses increases in the moving time of the elevator while securing control and stability in accordance with moving direction and load of a car of the elevator. A control device for controlling speed of the rotating machine without using a speed sensor includes a speed command signal generator for generating a rotational speed command for the rotating machine; and a speed sensor-less controller for controlling a voltage applied to the rotating machine without using a speed sensor, based on the rotational speed command from the speed command signal generator. In the control device, the speed command signal generator changes an acceleration running curve in a deceleration interval in accordance with the moving direction and the load of the car of the elevator to generate the rotational speed command.

Abstract: A power supply for an elevator drive includes a voltage input, a comparator for comparing the input voltage with a predetermined threshold, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding connected to the elevator drive. The transformer has a single tapped primary winding. When the input voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold input, the comparator output causes power to be supplied to the primary winding via one of an end of the winding or the tapping of the winding, and when the input voltage is below the predetermined threshold, input power is supplied to the primary winding via the other of the end of the primary winding and the tapping of the winding.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a safety device strategically positioned within a hoistway to provide overhead or under car clearance during an inspection procedure, for example. An example safety device includes a triggering member that is selectively moved into a stopping position to engage a safety brake for preventing movement of an elevator car beyond a selected vertical position. The triggering member is selectively moveable in an automated manner between a retracted position and a stopping position. When the triggering member is in a retracted position, it has no effect on normal elevator system operation. When the triggering member is in the stopping position, it provides for maintaining adequate clearance between an elevator car assembly and another surface or structure within an elevator hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes multiple cars (22, 24) within a hoistway (40). Parking positions (72, 74) are provided outside the range of passenger service levels (70). A destination entry strategy is used by a controller (60) for directing movement of the elevator cars (22, 24). The inventive combination of multiple cars in a hoistway, parking positions outside of the normal passenger service level range and destination entry car movement control allows for reducing car travel speed, reducing car size or both while still meeting desired handling capacity needs or even exceeding the desired handling capacity associated with another elevator system that requires larger cars, higher speeds and more building space.

Abstract: One of a plurality of cars (17, 18) traveling in a hoistway (10) of an elevator system (9) may be diverted to the hoistway overhead (31) or pit (36) to enable another of the cars to gain access to a floor near or at a terminal floor (11, 14). When such car is at its last stop with doors open, visual (40) and audible (41) indicators present (57, 58) messages to the effect that this is the last stop and passengers should exit. After car doors are closed (66), visual and audible messages (68, 69) relate to the car going to the pit or overhead and that passengers may push any button (to reopen doors). Thereafter, the car moves (75, 76) to the overhead (31) or the pit (36) and presents (82, 83) visual and audible messages to the effect that passengers did not exit at the correct floor and must wait while the other car makes a stop.

Abstract: An elevator door lock assembly (30) includes a sensor device (40) for providing an indication of a properly locked door. A plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) interact with activating elements (52, 54) when the door lock assembly (30) is properly locked. In disclosed examples, a specific geometric pattern of the sensor elements (42, 44) and the activating elements (52, 54) provides redundancy and tampering protection. In a disclosed example, an output from the sensor device (40) provides an indication of a condition of the door lock and a building level location of a plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting a configuration of a plurality of lifting devices (12, 13) in a lifting system (11), wherein a lifting device (12, 13) is defined as a master lifting device with the node address 1, wherein subsequently a node address n+1 is generated and stored for the subsequent lifting device (12b, 13b) so that the number and assignment of the lifting devices (12, 13) will be detected.

Abstract: An elevator system and method where an evacuation elevator control portion devises an evacuation plan making use of an elevator based on disaster information in the event of a disaster, and generates a command to perform an evacuation operation based on the evacuation plan. The evacuation elevator control portion further determines a number of people remaining inside a building and transmits the information outside of the building. An elevator operation control portion is provided for operating an elevator according to the command.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a main rope suspending a car and a balance weight is looped around a traction sheave and a driven sheave of a traction machine. A driving-side speed detecting portion for detecting rotational speed of the traction sheave and a driven-side speed detecting portion for detecting rotational speed of the driven sheave are electrically connected to an operation control device. The operation control device includes a determination portion determining presence or absence of an abnormality in an elevator by calculating speed difference between rotational speeds of the traction sheave and comparing the speed difference to a fixed reference value, set in advance, and a control portion for controlling the operation of the elevator based on information from the determination portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elevator and a method for measuring the load in an elevator, in which the elevator car is suspended on hoisting ropes with at least one upward-directed diverting pulley or diverting pulley pair, from which the elevator ropes go upwards on both sides, and at least one downward-directed diverting pulley or diverting pulley pair, from which the elevator ropes go downwards on both sides. In the elevator at least one upward-directed diverting pulley or diverting pulley pair and at least one downward-directed diverting pulley or diverting pulley pair is fixed to the elevator car with a shared supporting structure. In the method the tension information is measured from a supporting structure and a load-weighing signal is formed using the tension information obtained.

Abstract: A powered controlled acceleration suspension work platform hoist system for raising and lowering a work platform at a predetermined acceleration. The system incorporates several hoists attached to the work platform and in electrical communication with the motor control system. The motor control system is attached to the work platform and is in electrical communication with a constant frequency input power source and the hoist motors. The motor control system controls the acceleration of the work platform as it is raised and lowered by controlling the hoist motors. The controlled acceleration hoist system also includes a platform control system attached to the work platform that is in electrical communication with the motor control system and the hoist motors. Acceleration control is achieved by converting the constant frequency input power to a variable frequency power supply. This may be accomplished through the use of a variable frequency drive(s).

Abstract: A fire emergency control operation system for an elevator includes an evacuation time calculator for acquiring a positional relationship between the elevator and the fire sensor which performs the fire detecting operation based upon information from the fire sensor to calculate an evacuation operation time based upon the obtained positional relationship; a fire occurrence floor specifier for specifying a fire occurrence floor based upon the information from the fire sensor; and a remaining person count input device for inputting a number of the remaining persons in correspondence with each of the floors.

Abstract: Method and system for detecting and stopping uncontrolled movement of the car (1) in an elevator. In the method movement of the car is detected with the first movement detection means (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) when the brake (8) of the drive machinery (7) is in the braking status with the purpose of holding the car in its position without moving. A first control signal is formed if the car moves in the aforementioned situation. Movement of the car is stopped on the basis of the first control signal with a separate stopping appliance (9) with respect to the brake of the drive machinery. The operating condition of the first movement detection means are tested with the second movement detection means (10, 11, 12) during driving of the car in order to detect a fault situation. A second control signal is formed for the elevator control when a fault situation is detected, in which case the elevator control drives the car to the next stopping floor and prevents the subsequent run of the car.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system with a drum for taking up a suspension device, a drive unit for driving the drum, and a control unit for controlling the drive unit, includes operating the control unit of the drive unit to prescribe a rotational speed that depends on a length of the suspension device that is rolled onto the drum. Also included is an elevator system in which the method can be used.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a car is mounted with an safety device for bringing the car to an emergency stop. A drive unit for raising and lowering the car is controlled by a drive control portion. A safety control portion detects an abnormality in the elevator and outputs an actuation signal. An electrical actuator portion actuates the safety device in response to an actuation signal output from the safety control portion. A mechanical actuator portion mechanically detects an abnormality in the elevator, and actuates the safety device through mechanical transmission of a control force. In the event of power failure, a backup power source enables functioning of at least the drive unit and of the drive control portion.