Abstract: An elevator control system includes at least one destination entry fixture coupled to a controller area network (CAN) bus that provides a first communication channel, the at least one destination entry fixture operable to transmit destination information over the CAN bus; a plurality of elevator car controllers each associated with a respective elevator car, the plurality of elevator car controllers coupled to the CAN bus to receive the destination information; the plurality of elevator car controllers coupled to a ring network that provides a second communication channel; and a group controller operable to determine an elevator car to be dispatched in response to receiving the destination information.

Abstract: A safety device configured to aid in braking movement of a hoisted object is provided including a mounting frame. A brake block is connected to the mounting frame and is operably coupled to a safety brake. An inner block assembly is disposed between the mounting frame and the brake block. The inner block assembly is movable relative to both the mounting frame and the brake block. Upon detection of a predetermined condition, the brake block is configured to engage and adjacent guide member to actuate the safety brake.

Abstract: An exemplary brake device includes a brake element configured to apply a braking force to resist rotation of an associated component. A mounting member is configured to mount the brake device to a stationary surface. The mounting member is at least partially moveable relative to the stationary surface responsive to a torque on the brake device. A sensor provides an indication of a force associated with any movement of the mounting member relative to the stationary surface responsive to the torque.

Abstract: A method of wear detection of a coated belt or rope includes measuring an initial electrical resistance of one or more cords, strands or wires of the coated belt or rope. The initial electrical resistance is calibrated by repeating the measuring of initial electrical resistance and populating a database with the measured initial electrical resistance values. A true initial resistance is determined from the population of initial electrical resistances and subsequent measured values of electrical resistance of the one or more cords, strands or wires of the coated belt or rope.

Abstract: A braking device is operable to aid in braking a hoisted object relative to a guide member. The braking device includes a mounting structure connected to the hoisted object, and first and second brake pads positioned on the mounting structure on opposing sides of a passageway through which the guide member extends. The first and second brake pads each include a contact surface that is operable to frictionally engage the guide member. The second brake pad engages the mounting structure in a manner that enables the second brake pad to move relative to the mounting structure between a non-braking position and a braking position. The braking device includes a brake initiator that is selectively operable to initiate movement of the second brake pad from the non-braking position toward the braking position by selectively actuating an actuatable portion of the brake initiator from a non-deployed position to a deployed position.

Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to an encoder configured to output a signal, and a computing device configured to receive the signal from the encoder and generate a reduced resolution version of the signal, the computing device is configured to transmit the reduced resolution version of the signal to a recipient.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a motor having a plurality of motor windings; a plurality of braking switches coupled to the motor windings, the braking switches coupling the motor windings to a common electrical point; a sensor coupled to the motor, the sensor providing a sensed signal indicative of a parameter of the motor; and a controller providing a braking signal to the braking switches in response to the sensed signal to selectively control the braking switches to short the motor windings.

Abstract: A power architecture includes a panel receiving power from a power grid through a breaker, a power supply coupled to the breaker to receive power from the grid, a battery coupled to the power supply through a switch, an elevator motor controller coupled to the power supply, the power supply providing power from at least one of the grid and the battery to the controller, and a charger coupled to the breaker and the battery and configured to receive power from the power grid and provide power to the battery to charge the battery.

Abstract: An intelligent surface system is provided for deployment in a space. The intelligent surface system includes a personnel movement device (PMD) configured to move an individual between first and second locations, sensors deployed to sense characteristics of the individual and a controller configured to determine a condition of the individual based on the characteristics and control an operation of the PMD in accordance with the determined condition of the individual.

Abstract: A brake for machine and method of using the brake is disclosed. The brake may comprise first and second brake linings configured to be frictionally engageable with a rail, a first biasing member configured to urge the first brake lining to engage the rail, and a first actuator configured to move the first brake lining (38) to disengage the rail when the first actuator is energized. The brake may be configured to be mounted on a machine, floor or the like.

Abstract: A method and system of reducing/eliminating ripple in an electric motor. An electric parameter, such as current is sensed in an input electric signal. Ripple is detected in the signal using one or more current sensors and a discrete Fourier transform calculation. Ripple is reduced by adjusting the electric signal being sent from a drive control to an electric motor, using a closed-loop configuration. The electric motor might be a regenerative electric motor that is configured to sink or supply electricity to a power grid.

Abstract: A method and system of reducing/eliminating ripple in an electric motor. An electric parameter, such as current is sensed in an input electric signal. Ripple is detected in the signal using one or more current sensors and a discrete Fourier transform calculation. Ripple is reduced by adjusting the electric signal being sent from a drive control to an electric motor, using a closed-loop configuration. The electric motor might be a regenerative electric motor that is configured to sink or supply electricity to a power grid.

Abstract: A drive and motor system and method for a six phase machine with negligible common-mode voltage is provided. The six-phase machine includes six phase windings divided into at least two windings groups configured to generate a zero common-mode pulse width modulation. The drive and motor system and method can also include at least one direct current source and a six phase inverter switching between positive and negative power of the at least one direct current source.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car positioned in the hoistway and configured to travel along the hoistway. The elevator car includes an elevator car door. A door operator assembly is fixed in the hoistway at a landing floor and includes a sensor to sense presence of the elevator car at the landing floor; and a door operator mechanism to open both the elevator car door and a landing floor door when the sensor senses presence of the elevator car at the landing floor. A light source may be fixed at the hoistway and a light transmitter is positioned at the elevator car to gather light from the light source and output the light into an interior of the elevator car. A ventilation system may be fixed at the hoistway and is interactive with the elevator car to condition an interior of the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator system (100) includes an elevator car (102). A first drive assembly (160) engages a first tension member (112). The first tension member (112) is coupled to the elevator car (102) and to a first counter-weight (104). A second drive assembly (170) engages a second tension member (122). The second tension member (122) is coupled to the elevator car (102) and to a second counterweight (106). The first tension member (112) can be coupled to the elevator car (102) at a first position (110) and the second tension member (122) can be coupled to the elevator car (102) at a second position (120) opposite the first position (110).

Abstract: A battery powered elevator system in which the battery and power electronics needed to connect the battery to the machine driving the elevator system are mounted in close proximity within the hoistway of the elevator system to minimize power transmission losses.

Abstract: A three-level converter includes a first converter leg having first switches connected across a positive DC node and a negative DC node, a second converter leg having second switches connected across the positive DC node and the negative DC node, and a third converter leg having third switches connected across the positive DC node the negative DC node. The converter includes a battery connected between the positive DC node and the negative DC node, and center-connected to a ground node having a ground potential. Each of the first, second, and third converter legs is connected to the ground node.

Abstract: An exemplary power supply includes a low side switch and a high side switch. A driver controls operation of the high side switch. A bootstrap capacitor supplies power to the driver. An energy storage portion is in parallel with the bootstrap capacitor to provide control over whether a voltage of the bootstrap capacitor drops below a desired voltage. A voltage regulator is in parallel with the bootstrap capacitor for limiting current provided to the bootstrap capacitor and for regulating a voltage of the bootstrap capacitor.

Abstract: An elevator system and/or method executed by an elevator controller for detecting a fault within the elevator system. The elevator controller utilizes the fault to disable a drive control portion of the elevator controller and activate a drive u-stop control portion of the elevator controller. The drive u-stop control portion of the elevator controller generates a signal based on at least one of a speed estimation, a velocity profile, and feedforward information. The elevator controller applies the signal to an inverter connected to the elevator controller to execute the urgent stop of an elevator car of the elevator system.

Abstract: A safety actuation assembly for an elevator system including a housing, a speed sensing device disposed within the housing, wherein the speed sensing device comprises a proximal end, and a protection device disposed within the housing and located adjacent to the proximal end of the speed sensing device; the protection device configured to be placed in a first position when in a non-engaging position and in a second position when in an engaging position.