Abstract: A self-propelled elevator system includes a hoistway (11) including a plurality of drives (40), wherein each of the plurality of drives includes a stationary portion (16) of a propulsion system and a controller (30) configured to operate the stationary portion of the propulsion system. The propelled elevator system also includes an elevator car ((14), 42) comprising a processor (44) and a transceiver (48), wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with the controllers of one or more of the plurality of drives that are adjacent to the elevator car and one or more sensors (46) disposed on the elevator car, wherein the processor is configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to control a movement of the elevator car within the hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator car travels in a lane (113, 115, 117) of an elevator shaft (111). A linear propulsion system imparts force to the car (214). The system includes a first part (116) mounted in the lane of the shaft and a second part (118) mounted to the elevator car configured to co-act with the first part to impart movement to the car. Car state sensors (360a-c) are disposed in the lane and determine a state space vector of the car within the lane. A sensed element (364) on the car is sensed by the plurality of car state sensors when the car is in proximity to the respective car state sensor. A control system (225) applies an electrical current to at least one of the first part and the second part and the plurality of car state sensors communicate with the control system and the linear propulsion system to provide state space vector data.

Abstract: An elevator system with an elevator car 14, a linear propulsion system to impart force to the elevator car in a hoistway 11, a hoistway communication network 106, 206, a local communication network 110, 210, 310 and motion controls. One of the motion controls proximate to the elevator car is designated as a primary control 61 operable to command at least one drive 42A-42F via the local communication network. The at least one drive is coupled to one or more motor segments 22 of the linear propulsion system. The elevator system further includes a controller 46 operable to command the primary control via the hoistway communication network to reposition the elevator car within the hoistway. The designation of the primary control transitions between the motion controls as the elevator car moves in the hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car disposed in and arranged to move along a hoistway. A linear propulsion system of the elevator system is constructed and arranged to propel the elevator car, and includes a plurality of primary coils engaged to and distributed along the hoistway generally defined by a stationary structure. A wireless power transfer system of the elevator system is configured to inductively transfer power to the elevator car. The wireless power transfer system includes a secondary coil mounted to the elevator car and is configured to be induced with electromotive forces by the primary coils and output power for use by the elevator car. A communication system of the elevator system is configured to utilize the secondary coil and the plurality of primary coils to exchange a communication data signal.

Abstract: An elevator control system is configured to control an elevator car constructed and arranged to move along a hoistway defined by a stationary structure. The elevator system may include a communication pathway and a hoistway control system supported by the stationary structure and configured to send a continuous brake command signal over the pathway. A car control system is carried by the elevator car and is configured to receive the continuous brake command signal and initiate a brake Ustop mode upon a loss of the brake command signal, and independent of the hoistway control system.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a car disposed in and constructed and arranged to move along a hoistway that includes a centerline and is defined by a stationary structure. A plurality of position sensors of a position detection assembly are configured to be stationary with respect to the stationary structure and are spaced along the hoistway. The plurality of position sensors are configured to measure a magnetic field characteristic associated with the car, and thereby provide continuous car position data to the elevator system.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a car arranged to move along a hoistway and a wireless power transfer system that includes a secondary resonant coil mounted to the car and configured to induce an electro-motive force and output a voltage or current, and a plurality of primary resonant coils distributed along the hoistway and configured to transmit power to the secondary resonant coil when a primary resonant coil is adjacent to the secondary resonant coil and is selectively energized. A control system of the wireless power transfer system is configured to select and energize the plurality of primary resonant coils, and includes a plurality of switches with each one being associated with a respective one of the plurality of primary resonant coils. The plurality of switches are configured to selectively close to energize a selected one of the plurality of primary resonant coils associated with a location of the car.

Abstract: A self-propelled elevator system includes a hoistway (11) including a plurality of drives (40), wherein each of the plurality of drives includes a stationary portion (16) of a propulsion system and a controller (30) configured to operate the stationary portion of the propulsion system. The propelled elevator system also includes an elevator car ((14), 42) comprising a processor (44) and a transceiver (48), wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with the controllers of one or more of the plurality of drives that are adjacent to the elevator car and one or more sensors (46) disposed on the elevator car, wherein the processor is configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to control a movement of the elevator car within the hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator system with an elevator car 14, a linear propulsion system to impart force to the elevator car in a hoistway 11, a hoistway communication network 106, 206, a local communication network 110, 210, 310 and motion controls. One of the motion controls proximate to 61 operable to command at least one drive 42A-42F via the local communication network. The at least one drive is coupled to one or more motor segments 22 of the linear propulsion system. The elevator system further includes a controller 46 operable to command the primary control via the hoistway communication network to reposition the elevator car within the hoistway. The designation of the primary control transitions between the motion controls as the elevator car moves in the hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator car travels in a lane (113, 115, 117) of an elevator shaft (111). A linear propulsion system imparts force to the car (214). The system includes a first part (116) mounted in the lane of the shaft and a second part (118) mounted to the elevator car configured to co-act with the first part to impart movement to the car. Car state sensors (360a-c) are disposed in the lane and determine a state space vector of the car within the lane. A sensed element (364) on the car is sensed by the plurality of car state sensors when the car is in proximity to the respective car state sensor. A control system (225) applies an electrical current to at least one of the first part and the second part and the plurality of car state sensors communicate with the control system and the linear propulsion system to provide state space vector data.

Abstract: An elevator control system is configured to control an elevator car constructed and arranged to move along a hoistway defined by a stationary structure. The elevator system may include a communication pathway and a hoistway control system supported by the stationary structure and configured to send a continuous brake command signal over the pathway. A car control system is carried by the elevator car and is configured to receive the continuous brake command signal and initiate a brake Ustop mode upon a loss of the brake command signal, and independent of the hoistway control system.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a car arranged to move along a hoistway and a wireless power transfer system that includes a secondary resonant coil mounted to the car and configured to induce an electro-motive force and output a voltage or current, and a plurality of primary resonant coils distributed along the hoistway and configured to transmit power to the secondary resonant coil when a primary resonant coil is adjacent to the secondary resonant coil and is selectively energized. A control system of the wireless power transfer system is configured to select and energize the plurality of primary resonant coils, and includes a plurality of switches with each one being associated with a respective one of the plurality of primary resonant coils. The plurality of switches are configured to selectively close to energize a selected one of the plurality of primary resonant coils associated with a location of the car.

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car disposed in and arranged to move along a hoistway. A linear propulsion system of the elevator system is constructed and arranged to propel the elevator car, and includes a plurality of primary coils engaged to and distributed along the hoistway generally defined by a stationary structure. A wireless power transfer system of the elevator system is configured to inductively transfer power to the elevator car. The wireless power transfer system includes a secondary coil mounted to the elevator car and is configured to be induced with electromotive forces by the primary coils and output power for use by the elevator car. A communication system of the elevator system is configured to utilize the secondary coil and the plurality of primary coils to exchange a communication data signal.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fixture (122) includes receiving a message from a controller (102), determining whether the message includes an address associated with the fixture (122), retrieving an identifier of the controller (102) from the message responsive to determining that the message includes an address not associated with the fixture (122), determining whether the fixture (122) includes a fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102), and resetting a timer (203) associated with the fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102) responsive to determining that the fixture (122) includes the fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102).

Abstract: A method for controlling a fixture (122) includes receiving a message from a controller (102), determining whether the message includes an address associated with the fixture (122), retrieving an identifier of the controller (102) from the message responsive to determining that the message includes an address not associated with the fixture (122), determining whether the fixture (122) includes a fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102), and resetting a timer (203) associated with the fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102) responsive to determining that the fixture (122) includes the fixture channel (204) controlled by the controller (102).

Abstract: An elevator call button assembly (20) includes at least one call button (50) having a surface (70) that is touchable by an individual to indicate a desired call in the elevator system. A responder (56) provides a tactile indication that the call has been successfully placed. In one example, the responder (56) comprises a vibrating motor that moves a moveable member (52) once the system controller (68) has successfully received a signal indicating the desired call.

Abstract: The present invention provides a roller guide assembly for controlling the position of an elevator car in relation to guide rails of an elevator hoistway in an elevator system. The roller guide assembly includes at least one electromagnet means and at least one solenoid means. The at least one electromagnet means responds to an elevator car control signal from an elevator car controller, for providing at least one electromagnet force to adjust the position of the elevator car in relation to the guide rails of the elevator hoistway. The at least one solenoid means responds to the elevator car control signal, for providing at least one solenoid force that counterbalances said at least one electromagnet force for adjusting the position of the elevator car in relation to the guide rails of the elevator hoistway.