Abstract: An elevator system (2) comprises a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8a, 8b, 8c); an elevator car (60) configured for moving along the hoistway (4) between the plurality of landings (8a, 8b, 8c); a load/weight sensor (44) configured for detecting the load of the elevator car (60); a speed detector (34) configured for detecting the speed of the elevator car (60); and an elevator safety system. The elevator safety system comprises a safety gear (20) configured for stopping, upon activation, any movement of the elevator car (60); and an electronic safety controller (30) configured for activating the safety gear (20) when the detected speed of the elevator car (60) exceeds a set speed limit. The electronic safety controller (30) is configured for setting the speed limit as a function of the load detected by the load/weight sensor (44).

Abstract: An elevator system (2) comprises a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8a, 8b, 8c); an elevator car (60) configured for moving along the hoistway (4) between the plurality of landings (8a, 8b, 8c); a load/weight sensor (44) configured for detecting the load of the elevator car (60); a speed detector (34) configured for detecting the speed of the elevator car (60); and an elevator safety system. The elevator safety system comprises a safety gear (20) configured for stopping, upon activation, any movement of the elevator car (60); and an electronic safety controller (30) configured for activating the safety gear (20) when the detected speed of the elevator car (60) exceeds a set speed limit. The electronic safety controller (30) is configured for setting the speed limit as a function of the load detected by the load/weight sensor (44).

Abstract: An elevator system (2) comprises a hoistway (4) extending between a plurality of landings (8a, 8b, 8c); an elevator car (60) configured for moving in two opposite directions along the hoistway (4); and an elevator safety system. The elevator safety system comprises a bidirectional safety gear (20) configured for stopping, upon activation, any movement of the elevator car (60) traveling in any of the two opposite directions; and a safety controller (30) configured for activating the bidirectional safety gear (20) when a predefined safety condition is met. The safety controller (30) is switchable between a plurality of different safety modes, each safety mode setting at least one predefined safety condition.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for extracting sugars from a pretreated lignocellulosic biomass. This process consists of contacting the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass with low charges of an aqueous peroxy acid (PA) solution to produce a liquid fraction (containing a small amount of lignin and hemicellulose degradation products) and a solid fraction containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The solid fraction can then be subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with a variety of cell wall-degrading enzymes to produce a lignin-rich residue and a sugar solution that can be fermented to a variety of (bio)chemicals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process for extracting sugars from a pretreated lignocellulosic biomass. This process consists of contacting the pretreated lignocellulosic biomass with low charges of an aqueous peroxy acid (PA) solution to produce a liquid fraction (containing a small amount of lignin and hemicellulose degradation products) and a solid fraction containing cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. The solid fraction can then be subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with a variety of cell wall-degrading enzymes to produce a lignin-rich residue and a sugar solution that can be fermented to a variety of (bio)chem icals.

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: An assembly (30) controls the amount of downward movement of a counterweight (24) within an elevator system (20). By limiting the downward movement of the counterweight (24), a desired overhead clearance above an elevator car (22) can be maintained. One example includes at least one safety device (80, 84, 86, 88) on top of the elevator car (22) to provide an indication for when a holding member (34) should allow a stop member of the assembly (30) to move into a position to limit the downward movement of the counterweight (24). In one example, the stop member (32) moves into an employed position by the force of gravity and is manually moveable back into a retracted position when it is not needed. One example includes a guide member (60) that facilitates controlling the position of the stop member (32) when it is in the employed position.

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: An elevator system includes a safety device strategically positioned within a hoistway to provide overhead or under car clearance during an inspection procedure, for example. An example safety device includes a triggering member that is selectively moved into a stopping position to engage a safety brake for preventing movement of an elevator car beyond a selected vertical position. The triggering member is selectively moveable in an automated manner between a retracted position and a stopping position. When the triggering member is in a retracted position, it has no effect on normal elevator system operation. When the triggering member is in the stopping position, it provides for maintaining adequate clearance between an elevator car assembly and another surface or structure within an elevator hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator governor includes a selectively powered switch (60) that is activated when an elevator car moves at a speed that exceeds a selected limit. The speed limit is lower than normally expected car speeds during normal elevator operation. The switch (60) is activated by a moving member (66) that moves into a switch-activation position responsive to movement of a rotating member (36) that corresponds to movement of an elevator car. The arrangement allows for a primary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a first selected limit and a secondary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a second, lower limit.

Abstract: An assembly (30) controls the amount of downward movement of a counterweight (24) within an elevator system (20). By limiting the downward movement of the counterweight (24), a desired overhead clearance above an elevator car (22) can be maintained. A disclosed example includes at least one safety device (80, 84, 86, 88) on top of the elevator car (22) to provide an indication for when a holding member (34) should allow a stop member of the assembly (30) to move into a position to limit ELEVATOR CAR the downward movement of the counterweight (24). In a disclosed example, the stop member (32) moves into an employed position by the force of gravity and is manually moveable back into a retracted position when it is not needed. A disclosed example includes a guide member (60) that facilitates controlling the position of the stop member (32) when it is in the employed position.

Abstract: An elevator car (2) comprises a cover (14; 40) extending over at least a portion of the top surface of the car (24). The cover (14; 40) is mounted on a resilient support (28, 42). The car (2) further comprises means (32; 44) for detecting displacement of the cover corresponding to the weight of a person being applied to the cover. If such displacement is detected, normal operation of the car (2) is prevented.

Abstract: An elevator car (2) comprises a cover (14; 40) extending over at least a portion of the top surface of the car (24). The cover (14; 40) is mounted on a resilient support (28, 42). The car (2) further comprises means (32; 44) for detecting displacement of the cover corresponding to the weight of a person being applied to the cover. If such displacement is detected, normal operation of the car (2) is prevented.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for an elevator car and a machine roomless elevator incorporates a machine (26) having a drive sheave (27) extending along an axis parallel to the axes of the deflection sheaves (23, 25) associated with both the counter-weight (24) and the elevator car (22). In this manner, the twisting which has occurred in the prior art is reduced or eliminated. The machine is mounted on a bedplate (18) between the guide rails. The elevator car is preferably cantilever mounted, and mounted on laterally outer surfaces of said guide rails. In this manner, the elevator car can travel vertically upwardly beyond the machine.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a cross-head portion and a balustrade mounted to the cross-head portion. The balustrade is moveable from a retracted position for normal operation of the car to a deployed position for inspection operation of the car. The car further includes a second retractable safety device also mounted to the cross-head for preventing or limiting movement of the car. The balustrade includes at least one control for operating the elevator car during the inspection operation, the control being arranged so that the control cannot be operated when the balustrade is in the retracted position.

Abstract: An elevator governor includes a selectively powered switch (60) that is activated when an elevator car moves at a speed that exceeds a selected limit. The speed limit is lower than normally expected car speeds during normal elevator operation. The switch (60) is activated by a moving member (66) that moves into a switch-activation position responsive to movement of a rotating member (36) that corresponds to movement of an elevator car. The arrangement allows for a primary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a first selected limit and a secondary governor to prevent elevator speeds from exceeding a second, lower limit.

Abstract: An elevator car (2) comprises a cross-head portion (8) and a balustrade (10) mounted to the cross-head portion (8), The balustrade (10) is moveable from a retracted position for normal operation of the car (2) to a deployed position for inspection operation of the car (2). The car (2) further comprises a second retractable safety device (12,14) also mounted to the cross-head (8) for preventing or limiting movement of the car (2). Also disclosed is an elevator car (2) comprising a retractable balustrade (10) moveable between a retracted position for normal operation of the elevator car (2) and is a deployed position for inspection operation of the elevator car (2). The balustrade (10) comprises at least one control (40,42,44) for operating the elevator car (2) during the inspection operation wherein the control (40,42,44) is arranged so that it cannot be operated when the balustrade (10) is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for an elevator car and a machine roomless elevator incorporates a machine (26) having a drive sheave (27) extending along an axis parallel to the axes of the deflection sheaves (23, 25) associated with both the counter-weight (24) and the elevator car (22). In this manner, the twisting which has occurred in the prior art is reduced or eliminated. The machine is mounted on a bedplate (18) between the guide rails. The elevator car is preferably cantilever mounted, and mounted on laterally outer surfaces of said guide rails. In this manner, the elevator car can travel vertically upwardly beyond the machine.