Abstract: An elevator system (2) comprises a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8); the hoistway (4) comprising landing portions (A) and intermediate portions (B), wherein each landing portion (A) extends around a corresponding landing (8) and each intermediate portion (B) is located between two adjacent landing portions (A); an elevator car (6), which is configured for traveling along the hoistway (4); a first position determining system (15), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the landing portions (A); and a second position determining system (17), which is configured for determining the current position of the elevator car (6) while it is located within one of the intermediate portions (B).

Abstract: A ground fault detection apparatus (32) for detecting a ground fault of a safety chain (10b; 10c; 10d), in particular a safety chain (10b; 10c; 10d) of a people conveyor, comprises: a supply line current monitoring unit (26), which is configured for measuring a current flowing into the safety chain (10b; 10c; 10d) and providing a first signal indicative of the amount of current flowing into the safety chain (10b; 10c; 10d); a return line current monitoring unit (28), which is configured for measuring a current flowing out of the safety chain (10b; 10c; 10d) and providing a second signal indicative of the amount of current flowing out of the safety chain (10b; 10c; 10d); and a comparison unit (30), which is configured for comparing the first and second signals and issuing an alarm signal in case the difference between the first and second signals exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An elevator system (2) comprises: a hoistway (14) extending between a plurality of landing zones (6, 8, 9); at least one elevator car (12) configured for moving along the hoistway (14); at least one positional sensor (24, 26, 63, 83, 93) arranged at a defined position within the hoistway (14); a speed and/or acceleration sensor (25), which is configured for determining current speed and/or acceleration information of the at least one elevator car (12) within the hoistway (14); and an elevator controller (28), which is configured for: A) calculating current positional information of the at least one elevator car (12) within the hoistway (14) from the speed and/or acceleration information; B) checking the validity of the speed and/or acceleration information; C) in case the speed and/or acceleration information is determined as being valid: operating the elevator system (2) based on the calculated positional information; D) in case the speed and/or acceleration information is determined as not being valid: D1)

Abstract: An elevator car includes a foldable handrail mounted on top of the car. Safety switches are associated with the foldable handrail including a first safety switch and a second safety switch. The first safety switch is closed only when the handrail is folded in a fully retracted position. The second safety switch is closed when the handrail is unfolded in a fully deployed position. A safety chain is associated with the first and second safety switches for supplying power to an elevator drive system in a normal operation or an inspection operation depending on the state of the first and second safety switches.

Abstract: The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.

Abstract: The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.

Abstract: The elevator has a car movable vertically within a shaft between lower and upper end positions and a drive system coupled to a traction system for controlling movement of the car. A limit switch which is open when the car is in a selected distance range from one of the end positions. The limit switch forms part of a power line supplying power to the drive system for controlling movement of the car in a direction towards that end position in an inspection operation. Thus movement of the car is prevented only in that direction when the car is in the selected distance range in an inspection operation.

Abstract: Elevator (2) comprising a car (4), a counterweight (6), a hoisting rope (8) for suspending the car (4) and the counterweight (6), a drive motor (10), a motor drive unit (26) for supplying the power to the drive motor (10), and a brake (18) for stopping the movement of the car (4) in an emergency situation, the elevator (2) further comprising an elevator rescue system (40), comprising an emergency power supply (42), an emergency brake switch (44) for connecting and disconnecting the power of the emergency power supply (42) to the brake (18), and an emergency drive switch (46) for connecting and disconnecting the power of the emergency power supply (42) to the drive motor (10), characterised in that the elevator rescue system (40) further comprises the motor drive unit (26) and a power line (74) connecting the emergency power supply (42) with the motor drive unit (26) and including the emergency drive switch (46).