Abstract: Elevator comprising a car, a drive motor driving the car, a motor drive unit for controlling the drive motor and supplying power thereto, an encoder for sensing movement of the car, and an elevator rescue system for rescue operation in case of an emergency situation, wherein the elevator comprises one single encoder only for normal and rescue operation.

Abstract: Elevator comprising a car, a drive motor driving the car, a motor drive unit for controlling the drive motor and supplying power thereto, an encoder for sensing movement of the car, and an elevator rescue system for rescue operation in case of an emergency situation, wherein the elevator comprises one single encoder only for normal and rescue operation.

Abstract: Elevator brake or other drag is checked by establishing (10-13) baseline motor currents at plural determined positions as the car is moved up and down both empty and with full load. In a normal run (21), the load is recorded (22) and the motor current required to drive the load at rated speed at the next determined position is both predicted (28) and measured. If the difference between the predicted and actual current exceeds a tolerance (33, 34), the car stops at the next floor (35), the system is shut down (39) and a message generated (40). When the brake is in proper operating condition, baseline motor current required to move a car with the brake engaged is recorded. Thereafter, a high fraction (such as 90%) of baseline motor current is applied to attempt to move the car. If the car moves, the system is shut down (101) and a message generated (102).

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway having a plurality of hoistway doors. An elevator car and counterweight are provided in the hoistway. A drive motor is drivingly coupled to the elevator car and counterweight, and is located adjacent to either the top or bottom portion of a hoistway door so as to eliminate the need to provide a machine room above the hoistway ceiling.

Abstract: Elevator brake or other drag is checked by establishing (10-13) baseline motor currents at plural determined positions as the car is moved up and down both empty and with full load. In a normal run (21), the load is recorded (22) and the motor current required to drive the load at rated speed at the next determined position is both predicted (28) and measured. If the difference between the predicted and actual current exceeds a tolerance (33, 34), the car stops at the next floor (35), the system is shut down (39) and a message generated (40). When the brake is in proper operating condition, baseline motor current required to move a car with the brake engaged is recorded. Thereafter, a high fraction (such as 90%) of baseline motor current is applied to attempt to move the car. If the car moves, the system is shut down (101) and a message generated (102).

Abstract: An elevator brake includes a rotor (40). Preferably, a front brake lining (46) is disposed on one side of the rotor and includes two concentric annular zones. Movable first and second brake plates (42,43) are each independently acuatable into engagement with a different one of the two concentric zones of the front brake lining.

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 brake includes a fluid enclosure that provides a force to counter a braking force. In a particular embodiment, the fluid enclosure functions as a fluid pressure amplifier between a controllable actuator and a braking surface. The fluid enclosure increases the force of the actuator such that smaller, more controllable actuators may be used to control the brake.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a counterweight-drive assembly (26) having a motor (32) and drive pulley (36) mounted internally to engage a drive belt (42) for climbing or descending with respect thereto, resulting in raising or lowering of an elevator car (12) coupled to said counterweight-drive assembly (26).

Abstract: An elevator system includes a counterweight-drive assembly (26) having a motor (32) and drive pulley (36) mounted internally to engage a drive belt (42) for climbing or descending with respect thereto, resulting in raising or lowering of an elevator car (12) coupled to said counterweight-drive assembly (26).

Abstract: An apparatus for determining if an elevator car is level with respect to a landing comprises: a first magnet disposed proximate to the landing; a second magnet disposed proximate to the landing; a sensor for providing a level signal in response to detecting a minimum flux region formed by the first and second magnets; and a processor for determining if the elevator is level with respect to the landing in response to the level signal. Each magnet has a first and second magnetic pole. The first and second magnets are adjacently aligned such that the first magnetic pole of the first magnet is adjacent to the first magnetic pole of the second magnet, and the second magnetic pole of the first magnet is adjacent to the second magnetic pole of the second magnet.

Abstract: An hydraulic elevator utilizes a double acting cylinder to drive a counterweighted elevator upwardly and downwardly. The weight of the counterweight is approximately equal to the weight of the car plus 50% of the duty load of the elevator.