Abstract: A load bearing member (30) for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a plurality of tension members (32) arranged along a width of the load bearing member. Each tension member includes a plurality of load carrying fibers (34) arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a length of the load bearing member and a matrix material (36) in which the plurality of load carrying fibers are arranged. The load bearing member further includes a lateral layer (40, 42) and a jacket material (50) at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members.

Abstract: A belt and sheave assembly for an elevator system includes a sheave having a plurality of tracking grooves laterally spaced across a sheave width, and a debris channel located in a tracking groove of the plurality of tracking grooves defining a radially inwardmost extent of the tracking groove. The assembly further includes a belt having a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, a jacket at least partially enclosing the tension members, the jacket defining a side of the belt configured to interface with the sheave, and a plurality of tracking features extending from the side of the belt. The tracking features are laterally spaced across the belt width. Each tracking feature is configured to be received in a tracking groove, and each tension member is laterally offset from each of the tracking features.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes one or more tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, each tension member including a plurality of fibers extending along the belt length. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway and movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes one or more tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, each tension member including a plurality of fibers extending along the belt length. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members.

Abstract: A load bearing member is provided including at least one load bearing segment having a plurality of load carrying fibers arranged within a matrix material. At least a portion of the load bearing member has a radius of curvature when the load bearing member is untensioned.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. Each tension member includes a plurality of first fibers, and a plurality of second fibers different from the first fibers dispersed into the first fibers. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway and movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt. Each tension member includes a plurality of first fibers and a plurality of second fibers different from the first fibers dispersed into the first fibers.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending longitudinally along a length of the belt and a plurality of fibers interlaced with the plurality of tension elements forming a composite belt structure. A coating at least partially encapsulates the composite belt structure to improve two or more operational characteristics of the belt. A method of forming a belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes forming a plurality of tension elements and arraying the plurality of tension elements longitudinally along a belt. A plurality of fibers are interlaced with the plurality of tension elements to form a composite belt structure. A coating is applied to at least partially encapsulate the composite belt structure to improve at least two operational characteristics of the belt.

Abstract: A termination device for a suspension member of an elevator system includes a housing and a wedge assembly located in the housing. The wedge assembly includes a wedge interactive with the housing to apply a clamping force to the suspension member in response to an axial load acting on the suspension member and a compliant shear element secured to the wedge or the suspension member and configured to reduce shear loads on the suspension member.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width, a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members defining a traction surface, a back surface opposite the traction surface together with the traction surface defining a belt thickness, and two end surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface defining the belt width. A metallic coating layer applied from a liquid solution is positioned over at least one end surface of the two end surfaces.

Abstract: A termination device for a suspension member of an elevator system includes a housing and a wedge located in the housing. The wedge extends across a width of the suspension member and at least partially across a thickness of the suspension member. The wedge is interactive with the suspension member to apply a clamping force to the suspension member in response to an axial load acting on the suspension member. The wedge includes a wedge lip configured to contain the suspension member within a lateral extent of the wedge.

Abstract: A traction-driven belt for moving a load includes a plurality of tension elements extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, and a plurality of yarns interlaced with the plurality of tension elements forming a composite belt structure. A laminate material layer is affixed to at least one surface of the composite belt structure to improve one or more performance properties of the composite belt structure. A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, and a plurality of yarns interlaced with the plurality of tension elements forming a composite belt structure. A sheath encloses at least one tension element of the plurality of tension elements. The sheath is formed from a flowable material to bind the tension element to the plurality of yarns, and/or adjacent tension elements.

Abstract: A tension member for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a core including a plurality of load carrying fibers arranged in a matrix material, and an outer layer secured to the core including a plurality of outer fibers arranged around a perimeter of the core. The outer layer includes one or more outer fibers arranged off-axis relative to the load carrying fibers of the core. A method of forming a tension member for an elevator system includes arranging a plurality of load carrying fibers along a length of the tension member, retaining the plurality of load carrying fibers in a matrix material to define a core, and enclosing the core in an outer layer including a plurality of outer fibers arranged around a perimeter of the core. The outer layer includes one or more outer fibers arranged off-axis relative to the load carrying fibers of the core.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system is provided. The belt includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width. A jacket material at least partially encapsulates the plurality of tension members. The jacket material includes a traction surface and a back surface opposite the traction surface together defining a belt thickness therebetween. The jacket material also includes two end surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface and defining the belt width therebetween. A metalized polymer coating layer is disposed over at least one of the two end surfaces.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car of an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged in a lengthwise direction and a jacket substantially retaining the plurality of tension members. The jacket includes a traction portion, a back portion, and an inner portion between the traction portion and the back portion. The traction portion is formed from a first material and the inner portion is formed from a second material having an increased fire resistance compared to the first material. A method of forming an elevator system belt includes arranging a plurality of tension members in a lengthwise direction and securing the plurality of tension members in a jacket by at least partially enclosing the plurality of tension members in the jacket. The jacket includes a traction portion, a back portion, and an inner portion having a greater fire resistance than the traction portion.

Abstract: A load bearing member is provided including at least one load bearing segment having a plurality of load carrying fibers arranged within a matrix material. At least a portion of the load bearing member has a radius of curvature when the load bearing member is untensioned.

Abstract: A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car of an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged in a lengthwise direction and a jacket substantially retaining the plurality of tension members. The jacket includes a traction portion, a back portion, and an inner portion between the traction portion and the back portion. The traction portion is formed from a first material and the inner portion is formed from a second material having an increased fire resistance compared to the first material. A method of forming an elevator system belt includes arranging a plurality of tension members in a lengthwise direction and securing the plurality of tension members in a jacket by at least partially enclosing the plurality of tension members in the jacket. The jacket includes a traction portion, a back portion, and an inner portion having a greater fire resistance than the traction portion.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system including a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members defining a traction surface interactive with a traction sheave of an elevator system and a back surface opposite the traction surface. The back surface includes a belt guide feature extending along a belt length and interactive with a complimentary guide sheave feature of a guide sheave of the elevator system to orient the belt to a selected location during operation of the elevator system.

Abstract: A method of fault detection of a belt or rope includes interconnecting a plurality of cords of the belt or rope, the cords including a plurality of wires, to form a bridge circuit. A fault detection bridge circuit is subjected to a voltage excitation and outputs a voltage which is indicative of the belt or rope damage but remaining insensitive to other environmental noises.

Abstract: A method of fault detection of a belt or rope includes interconnecting a plurality of cords of the belt or rope, the cords including a plurality of wires, to form a bridge circuit. A fault detection bridge circuit is subjected to a voltage excitation and outputs a voltage which is indicative of the belt or rope damage but remaining insensitive to other environmental noises.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members defining a traction surface, a back surface opposite the traction surface together with the traction surface defining a belt thickness, and two end surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface defining the belt width. A metallic coating layer is applied via deposition of solid particles over at least one end surface of the two end surfaces.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width, a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members defining a traction surface, a back surface opposite the traction surface together with the traction surface defining a belt thickness, and two end surfaces extending between the traction surface and the back surface defining the belt width. A metallic coating layer applied from a liquid solution is positioned over at least one end surface of the two end surfaces.