Abstract: A frictional damper for an elevator system includes one or more friction pads configured to move between a first position, and a second position defined by engagement of the one or more friction pads to the guide rail. An actuation unit urges the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail. The actuation unit includes a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the one or more friction pads to urge movement of the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail via hydraulic fluid pressure. The hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic piston located in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads. An electromagnetic actuator selectably urges hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the hydraulic piston, urging the movement of the friction pads.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a universal circuit board and a plurality of universal coils. The universal circuit board includes a first coil configuration imprint and a second coil configuration imprint. The plurality of universal coils each including a positive lead and a negative lead for electrical connection to one of the first and second coil configuration imprints.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor is adapted to rotate about an axis. The stator includes a support structure, a plurality of bobbins engaged to the support structure, and a plurality of electric coils with each one wound about a respective bobbin of the plurality of bobbins.

Abstract: A method and system for managing an elevator system (10), includes providing a plurality of elevator cars (14) to travel in a hoistway (11), and selectively introducing and removing at least one of the plurality of elevator cars (14) to and from the hoistway (11) via a loading station (50).

Abstract: A transfer station (40) for a ropeless elevator system hoistway (11) is provided. The transfer station (40) includes a first lane (13, 15, 17), a second lane (13, 15, 17), and a parking area (42) located proximate one of the first lane (13, 15, 17) and the second lane (13, 15, 17). The transfer station (40) also includes a plurality of carriages (46) moveable within the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17), and the parking area (42), the plurality of carriages (46) configured to support and move an elevator car (14). The transfer station (40) further includes a cassette (44) configured to support and move the plurality of carriages (46). The transfer station (40) yet further includes a guiding member (48) engaged with the cassette (44), wherein the position of each of the plurality of carriages (46) relative to the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17) and the parking area (42) is modified by horizontal or vertical movement of the cassette (44).

Abstract: A guidance mechanism for an elevator car is constructed and arranged to move along a lane defined at least in-part between two opposing first and second lane structures of a stationary structure. The guidance mechanism includes a first support structure supported by the first lane structure. The first support structure includes a first retainer face disposed between the elevator car and the first lane structure that substantially faces the first lane structure, and is spaced from the first lane structure. A first retention device of the mechanism is disposed, at least in part, between the first retainer face and the first lane structure. The first retention device is supported by the elevator car and is constructed and arranged to contact the first retainer face for limiting lateral movement of the elevator car away from the first lane structure and toward the second lane structure.

Abstract: A frictional damper for an elevator system includes one or more friction pads configured to move between a first position, and a second position defined by engagement of the one or more friction pads to the guide rail. An actuation unit urges the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail. The actuation unit includes a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the one or more friction pads to urge movement of the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail via hydraulic fluid pressure. The hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic piston located in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads. An electromagnetic actuator selectably urges hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the hydraulic piston, urging the movement of the friction pads.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a rotor and a stator. The rotor is adapted to rotate about an axis. The stator includes a support structure, a plurality of bobbins engaged to the support structure, and a plurality of electric coils with each one wound about a respective bobbin of the plurality of bobbins.

Abstract: An electromagnetic machine includes a universal circuit board and a plurality of universal coils. The universal circuit board includes a first coil configuration imprint and a second coil configuration imprint. The plurality of universal coils each including a positive lead and a negative lead for electrical connection to one of the first and second coil configuration imprints.

Abstract: A Halbach array assembly has a magnetic layer that includes a plurality of permanent magnets and a structural layer attached to a top side of the magnetic layer. The structural layer includes a plurality of rods that support the magnetic layer. The Halback array assembly further includes a plurality of clamps that attach to the structural layer, providing an attachment point for the Halbach array assembly.

Abstract: A transport system for a ropeless elevator system hoistway (11) is provided and includes a first lane (13, 15, 17) and a second lane (13, 15, 17). Also included is a parking area located proximate one of the first lane (13,15, 17) and the second lane (13, 15, 17). Further included is a transport assembly for moving an elevator car (14) between the parking area and one of the first and second lane (13, 15, 17). The transport assembly includes a transport structure (80) operatively coupled to a roof (82) of an elevator car (14). The transport assembly also includes a transport beam (84) engageable with the transport structure (80) to support the elevator car (14) by the roof (82) upon alignment of the transport structure (80) and the transport beam (84), the elevator car (14) guided into or out of the parking area by the transport beam (84).

Abstract: A method and system for managing an elevator system (10), includes providing a plurality of elevator cars (14) to travel in a hoistway (11), and selectively introducing and removing at least one of the plurality of elevator cars (14) to and from the hoistway (11) via a loading station (50).

Abstract: A guide assembly (60) for guiding movement of an elevator car (30) is provided including a first (66) and second (68) guide support coupled to the elevator car (30). The first guide support (66) and the second guide support (68) are separated from one another by a gap (G) wider than an adjacent primary portion (42) of a propulsion system (40) of the elevator car (30). A pair of first guides (70) is mounted to the first (66) and second (68) guide support, respectively. The first guides (70) are substantially parallel and are configured to guide movement of the elevator car (30) in a first direction to maintain a clearance between the primary (42) and secondary (44) portions of the propulsion system (40) of the elevator car (30). A second guide (72) is mounted to one of the first (66) and second (68) guide support. The second guide (72) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first guides (70). The second guide (72) is configured to guide movement of the elevator car (30) in a second direction.

Abstract: A transfer station (40) for a ropeless elevator system hoistway (11) is provided. The transfer station (40) includes a first lane (13, 15, 17), a second lane (13, 15, 17), and a parking area (42) located proximate one of the first lane (13, 15, 17) and the second lane (13, 15, 17). The transfer station (40) also includes a plurality of carriages (46) moveable within the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17), and the parking area (42), the plurality of carriages (46) configured to support and move an elevator car (14). The transfer station (40) further includes a cassette (44) configured to support and move the plurality of carriages (46). The transfer station (40) yet further includes a guiding member (48) engaged with the cassette (44), wherein the position of each of the plurality of carriages (46) relative to the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17) and the parking area (42) is modified by horizontal or vertical movement of the cassette (44).

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car (14) to travel in a hoistway; and a linear propulsion system to impart force to the elevator car; the linear propulsion system including: a secondary portion (18) mounted to the elevator car; and a primary portion (16) mounted in the hoistway; the primary portion including: a mounting assembly (50) including: a mounting panel (52); a plurality of coils (51) mounted to the mounting panel; and a cover (70) secured to the mounting panel, the cover and mounting panel enclosing the coils.

Abstract: A guidance mechanism for an elevator car is constructed and arranged to move along a lane defined at least in-part between two opposing first and second lane structures of a stationary structure. The guidance mechanism includes a first support structure supported by the first lane structure. The first support structure includes a first retainer face disposed between the elevator car and the first lane structure that substantially faces the first lane structure, and is spaced from the first lane structure. A first retention device of the mechanism is disposed, at least in part, between the first retainer face and the first lane structure. The first retention device is supported by the elevator car and is constructed and arranged to contact the first retainer face for limiting lateral movement of the elevator car away from the first lane structure and toward the second lane structure.