Abstract: An elevator brake disk assembly is provided. The elevator brake disk assembly includes a brake disk which is keyed to and rotatable with a shaft of an elevator machine, a machine frame and dampers. The dampers are respectively anchored to the machine frame and biased to symmetrically hold the brake disk during rotations thereof.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electric machine includes a rotor including a plurality of permanent magnets and rotatable about a central axis of the machine. The machine further includes a stator including a cylindrical stator shell and a plurality of stator windings positioned at the stator shell and located radially inboard of the plurality of permanent magnets. A plurality of heat sink segments are secured to a radially inboard surface of the stator shell. Each heat sink segment of the plurality of heat sink segments includes a base portion located at the radially inboard surface and a plurality of fins extending radially inwardly from the base portion.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed an elevator machine comprising: a stator assembly, and a plurality of support plates coupled to the stator assembly, wherein a respective at least one of the support plates is coupled on each end of the stator assembly and configured to enable the stator assembly to expand radially and axially in a substantially uniform manner over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: An elevator brake disk assembly is provided. The elevator brake disk assembly includes a brake disk which is keyed to and rotatable with a shaft of an elevator machine, a machine frame and dampers. The dampers are respectively anchored to the machine frame and biased to symmetrically hold the brake disk during rotations thereof.

Abstract: A guide rail for an elevator car in a hoistway includes a base connectable with a wall of the hoistway. A web portion is connected to and extends from the base to a rail tip. The web portion includes a closed cross-section defining a web cavity extending along a length of the guide rail. The closed cross-section is formed of a sheet metal material to improve the torsional stiffness of the rail. A filler strip is located in the closed web cavity to prevent damage to the closed cross-section under braking forces applied to the guide rail.

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 is disclosed of retrofitting an elevator machine with primary and secondary braking, the machine being disposed on a machine support frame in an elevator machine room, and engaging one or more ropes for providing selective movement of an elevator car disposed in an elevator shaft, the machine having a drive sheave including a cylindrical brake drum, and brake components including dual brake arms; the method including: removing the brake components; affixing flanged disc segments about the drum and interlocking the flanged disc segments to form a brake rotor; and mounting respective brake calipers to frame mounts for providing primary and secondary braking to the elevator machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for retrofitting an elevator machine with a thrust bearing, including removing, from a bearing stand, a first cover plate, providing access to an end portion of a motor shaft, securing an extension shaft against the end portion of the motor shaft, securing a thrust bearing housing against or axially offset from the bearing stand, positioning a thrust bearing in the bearing housing, wherein an inner race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against, and axially fixed to, the extension shaft, and an outer race of the thrust bearing is securely positioned against the bearing housing, and securing a second cover plate to the bearing housing.

Abstract: An elevator load weighing system (100) includes a brake assembly (104) configured to apply a braking force that inhibits vertical movement of an elevator car (106), and rotate in response to realizing a torque applied thereto. A position monitoring mechanism (112) is coupled to the brake assembly (104) and is configured to output a position signal in response to a rotation of the brake assembly (104). An electronic elevator control module (102) is configured to determine a zero-torque position of the brake assembly (104) prior to engaging the brake assembly (104). The electronic elevator control module (102) is further configured to detect at least one rotational brake displacement of the brake assembly (104) based on the position signal.

Abstract: A method for monitoring brake torque of an elevator having a motor is provided. The method may engage an elevator brake for a predefined duration, determine a displacement of an output shaft of the motor during the predefined duration, and generate an alert if the displacement exceeds a predefined threshold.

Abstract: An exemplary vertically moveable elevator system component includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of vertically oriented side portions between the top and bottom portions. At least one of the side portions includes a roller guide support sheet. A first roller guide roller is supported by the sheet such that the first roller is at least partially disposed on a first side of the sheet and an axis of the first roller is generally parallel with the sheet. Second and third rollers are supported by the sheet such that the second and third rollers are on a second, oppositely facing side of the sheet. An axis of each of the second and third rollers is generally perpendicular to the axis of the first roller. The axis of each of the second and third roller remains in a fixed position relative to the sheet.

Abstract: A roller apparatus is provided. The roller apparatus may include a bearing wheel configured to rotatably couple the roller apparatus to a roller shaft, and a resilient member radially disposed about the bearing wheel and configured to contact a guiderail at different magnitudes of loads. The resilient member may include a first section of a first diameter and a second section of a second diameter. The first section may be caused to deflect in response to loads within a first load range, while the second section may be caused to deflect in response to loads within a second load range. The resilient member may exhibit a stepwise increase in stiffness with a gradual increase in load.

Abstract: A brake for an elevator car includes a multiple of sequentially operated brake segments to control a timing and a rate of brake torque for deceleration of the elevator car.

Abstract: An exemplary method is useful for controlling movement of an elevator car in an elevator system that includes a machine that selectively moves the elevator car and a machine brake that selectively resists movement of the elevator car. The method includes determining whether the elevator car is near a landing and determining whether a door of the elevator car is open. A desired operation includes desired movement of the elevator car while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open. A determination is made whether the elevator car moves other than according to the desired movement. The machine brake is applied for stopping movement of the elevator car responsive to elevator car movement other than the desired movement while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed an elevator machine comprising: a stator assembly, and a plurality of support plates coupled to the stator assembly, wherein a respective at least one of the support plates is coupled on each end of the stator assembly and configured to enable the stator assembly to expand radially and axially in a substantially uniform manner over a range of temperatures.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electric machine includes a rotor including a plurality of permanent magnets and rotatable about a central axis of the machine. The machine further includes a stator including a cylindrical stator shell and a plurality of stator windings positioned at the stator shell and located radially inboard of the plurality of permanent magnets. A plurality of heat sink segments are secured to a radially inboard surface of the stator shell. Each heat sink segment of the plurality of heat sink segments includes a base portion located at the radially inboard surface and a plurality of fins extending radially inwardly from the base portion.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed reducing the size of an elevator machine by establishing an envelope associated with a sheave of the machine, and recessing at least one bearing associated with the machine at least partially within the envelope. Embodiments are directed to an elevator machine comprising a motor, a sheave, and a plurality of bearings recessed at least partially within an envelope of at least one of the motor and sheave.

Abstract: A guide rail for an elevator car in a hoistway includes a base connectable with a wall of the hoistway. A web portion is connected to and extends from the base to a rail tip. The web portion includes a closed cross-section defining a web cavity extending along a length of the guide rail. The closed cross-section is formed of a sheet metal material to improve the torsional stiffness of the rail. A filler strip is located in the closed web cavity to prevent damage to the closed cross-section under braking forces applied to the guide rail.

Abstract: An exemplary vertically moveable elevator system component includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of vertically oriented side portions between the top and bottom portions. At least one of the side portions includes a roller guide support sheet. A first roller guide roller is supported by the sheet such that the first roller is at least partially disposed on a first side of the sheet and an axis of the first roller is generally parallel with the sheet. Second and third rollers are supported by the sheet such that the second and third rollers are on a second, oppositely facing side of the sheet. An axis of each of the second and third rollers is generally perpendicular to the axis of the first roller. The axis of each of the second and third roller remains in a fixed position relative to the sheet.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator guiderail includes a metal sheet bent into a configuration that establishes at least one mounting portion configured to facilitate mounting the guiderail within an elevator hoistway. At least one guiding portion is configured to guide movement of an elevator car along the guiderail. The metal sheet includes an exterior surface treated to resist corrosion. A cover over at least some of the guiding surface has an exterior that is different than the exterior surface of the metal sheet. The cover is configured to establish a coefficient of friction to facilitate brake engagement with the cover for resisting movement of an elevator car along the guiderail.