Abstract: A system and method of freeze protection for a chiller including a metering device in flow communication with a condenser, a controller in electrical communication with the metering device, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the difference between the fluid characteristic of the first liquid and the fluid characteristic of the second liquid is greater than a freezing limit, and enter a freeze protection mode if the difference between the fluid characteristic of the first liquid and the fluid characteristic of the second liquid is greater than the freezing limit.

Abstract: A system and method of freeze protection for a chiller including a metering device in flow communication with a condenser, a controller in electrical communication with the metering device, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the difference between the fluid characteristic of the first liquid and the fluid characteristic of the second liquid is greater than a freezing limit, and enter a freeze protection mode if the difference between the fluid characteristic of the first liquid and the fluid characteristic of the second liquid is greater than the freezing limit.

Abstract: A system for access management is disclosed. 100 A server (100) can receive a request for access to a locking device (140) from a mobile device (110). The server (100) can transmit access credentials to the mobile device (110). The mobile device (110) can transmit, via wireless signal, the access credentials and a lock command for the locking device (140) to a wireless access point (130) capable of communicating with the locking device (140). The wireless access point (130) can transmit the lock command to the locking device (140).

Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for performing physical access control using various types of encoding technologies by removably incorporating modular encoder subassemblies. An access control apparatus includes access control electronics and at least one docking bay or slot for removably housing at least one modular encoder unit. The encoder unit can be removably house in the docking bay or slot of the access control apparatus and be removably linked, communicatively and/or physically, to the access control electronics when housed in the access control apparatus, and can interface with and write or read information to or from a credential. When removably housed in the docking bay or slot, the encoder unit can receive identity data from the access control electronics and bind the identity data to the credential.

Abstract: A system for access management is disclosed. 100 A server (100) can receive a request for access to a locking device (140) from a mobile device (110). The server (100) can transmit access credentials to the mobile device (110). The mobile device (110) can transmit, via wireless signal, the access credentials and a lock command for the locking device (140) to a wireless access point (130) capable of communicating with the locking device (140). The wireless access point (130) can transmit the lock command to the locking device (140).

Abstract: Apparatuses are provided for performing physical access control using various types of encoding technologies by removably incorporating modular encoder subassemblies. An access control apparatus includes access control electronics and at least one docking bay or slot for removably housing at least one modular encoder unit. The encoder unit can be removably house in the docking bay or slot of the access control apparatus and be removably linked, communicatively and/or physically, to the access control electronics when housed in the access control apparatus, and can interface with and write or read information to or from a credential. When removably housed in the docking bay or slot, the encoder unit can receive identity data from the access control electronics and bind the identity data to the credential.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for opening electronic locks employing an image, such as the image of a bar code, (e.g., a QR code), and using the hardware and software resources commonly found on a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet computer. An application on the mobile device obtains information identifying a lock, such as a series of numbers displayed by the lock or encoded in a bar code on the lock, and inputs it along with information identifying a particular user to an algorithm that generates a key code for the lock. The application on the mobile device displays the key code (e.g., as a numeric code or embedded in a bar code image) and the lock receives the displayed key code and opens. In various embodiments, the key code may be entered into a control interface on the lock, or captured by a camera connected to the lock.

Abstract: Fixtures (22, 27) at a doorway (13) of a landing (14) are formed integrally with a door frame (17, 17a). The fixtures include electronic modules (42, 46, 54) and energy storage devices (43, 47, 55). Power may be supplied by a generator (32) rotated by a pinion (34) in response to a rack (35) on a hoistway door (20), or by electrical contacts (58) disposed on the hoistway side of the door frame which touch contacts (65) on an elevator car door (63) when the door is open, thereby receiving power over a line (66) from the elevator car; or power may be provided by an inductive coupler (70). The fixtures (22, 27) may be within the profile of the door frame (17), or extend outwardly from the profile of the door frame (17a).

Abstract: Fixtures (22, 27) at a doorway (13) of a landing (14) are formed integrally with a door frame (17, 17a). The fixtures include electronic modules (42, 46, 54) and energy storage devices (43, 47, 55). Power may be supplied by a generator (32) rotated by a pinion (34) in response to a rack (35) on a hoistway door (20), or by electrical contacts (58) disposed on the hoistway side of the door frame which touch contacts (65) on an elevator car door (63) when the door is open, thereby receiving power over a line (66) from the elevator car; or power may be provided by an inductive coupler (70). The fixtures (22, 27) may be within the profile of the door frame (17), or extend outwardly from the profile of the door frame (17a).

Abstract: A method of providing non-contact data selection, comprising the steps of providing at least one data selection, transmitting at least one signal in proximity to the at least one data selection, altering the path of the at least one transmitted signal through interaction with a selection device, detecting at least one altered signal, and determining selection of the selection device from the at least one altered signal.

Abstract: Fixtures (27) at a doorway of a landing are formed integrally with a frame (17). Power is provided by an inductive coupler (32) having a core (70) and primary (75). The core is thin ferrite and extend significantly beyond the coils in the plane the coils are wound, to provide en extremely low resistance path for the efficient transfer of AC power.

Abstract: An elevator system has on each floor hall call buttons that are inter-connected with piconet modules (15), such as modules conforming to BLUETOOTH™ specifications; similar piconet modules (16) may be associated with hall fixtures such as lanterns and gongs; similar piconet modules (50) may be associated with hoistway doors, on each floor, so as to form a wireless communication system with a similar piconet module (19) at the controller (18); and a piconet module (40) may be associated with the car operating panel. A module (43) may be interconnected with the car door lock switch; a module (44) may be interconnected with a safety switch; modules (48) and (49) may be interconnected with lower and upper limit switches; and a module (49) may be interconnected with an overspeed detector, so as to form a safety chain.

Abstract: A passenger interface device (20) includes at least one input member (22, 24, 26) having a contact surface (28) that is adapted to be touched by an individual. A disinfectant (30) is on the contact surface (28). The disinfectant (30) comprises a radiation-activated material. A source of radiation (32) irradiates the disinfectant (30) to disinfect the contact surface of the passenger interface device. In one example, titanium dioxide is used as a photocatalyst that disinfects the contact surface responsive to ultraviolet light radiation.

Abstract: An elevator safety chain includes a plurality of passive radio frequency identification devices (RFIDs) (15-18, 22, 34-36 and 63), which are associated, respectively, with hoistway door locks, upper hoistway limits, lower hoistway limits, overspeed detection, car door lock, emergency stop switch, and inspection switch. RFlDs may be associated with car the call buttons (34) and/or hall call buttons (14, 19). The RFIDs may have a switch (43, 44) in the frequency-determining circuitry (40, 41) which defeats the RFID's ability to respond, or a switch (48) which alters the responding frequency. The RFIDs may sense safe or unsafe conditions, or call requests, by either the presence of absence, or vice versa, of adjacent magnetic reluctance (51, 62, 71).

Abstract: An elevator system has on each floor hall call buttons that are inter-connected with piconet modules (15), such as modules conforming to BLUETOOTH™ specifications; similar piconet modules (16) may be associated with hall fixtures such as lanterns and gongs; similar piconet modules (50) may be associated with hoistway doors, on each floor, so as to form a wireless communication system with a similar piconet module (19) at the controller (18); and a piconet module (40) may be associated with the car operating panel. A module (43) may be interconnected with the car door lock switch; a module (44) may be interconnected with a safety switch; modules (48) and (49) may be interconnected with lower and upper limit switches; and a module (49) may be interconnected with an overspeed detector, so as to form a safety chain.

Abstract: An elevator safety chain includes a plurality of passive radio frequency identification devices (RFIDs) (15-18, 22, 34-36 and 63), which are associated, respectively, with hoistway door locks, upper hoistway limits, lower hoistway limits, overspeed detection, car door lock, emergency stop switch, and inspection switch. RFlDs may be associated with car the call buttons (34) and/or hall call buttons (14, 19). The RFIDs may have a switch (43, 44) in the frequency-determining circuitry (40, 41) which defeats the RFID's ability to respond, or a switch (48) which alters the responding frequency. The RFIDs may sense safe or unsafe conditions, or call requests, by either the presence of absence, or vice versa, of adjacent magnetic reluctance (51, 62, 71).

Abstract: An elevator system (1) includes a guide rail bracket (10) attached to a single hoistway wall (20). Car guide rails (5) and counterweight guide rails (6) are fixed to the bracket (10). The counterweight guide rails (6) are positioned in between the car guide rails (5) so that the counterweight (11) can translate therebetween. The elevator car (8) is supported by rope (4) and sheave (2, 3) members coupled to a traction drive (16).

Abstract: An elevator system (1) includes a guide rail bracket (10) attached to a single hoistway wall (20). Car guide rails (5) and counterweight guide rails (6) are fixed to the bracket (10). The counterweight guide rails (6) are positioned in between the car guide rails (5) so that the counterweight (11) can translate therebetween. The elevator car (8) is supported by rope (4) and sheave (2, 3) members coupled to a traction drive (16).

Abstract: An elevator system (1) includes a guide rail bracket (10) attached to a single hoistway wall (20). Car guide rails (5) and counterweight guide rails (6) are fixed to the bracket (10). The counterweight guide rails (6) are positioned in between the car guide rails (5) so that the counterweight (11) can translate therebetween. The elevator car (8) is supported by rope (4) and sheave (2, 3) members coupled to a traction drive (16).

Abstract: An elevator speed measurement system includes a reflective sensing device that is supported within the hoistway. In one example, the reflective sensing device is a radar-type device that is supported for movement with the cab through the hoistway. Reflected signals off of a structural component within the hoistway provides information regarding speed of movement of the cab in the hoistway. The speed signals are then transmitted to a remotely located receiver that provides an indication to a technician of the speed of the elevator movement.