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 elevator machine frame includes a plurality of support surfaces configured to support at least one of a motor or a brake. A plurality of arms between the support surfaces maintain a desired alignment of support surfaces. At least one of the arms has a first cross section taken transverse to a longitudinal direction along a length of the arm at a first longitudinal location on the arm. That same arm has a second, different cross section at a second, different longitudinal location on the arm.

Abstract: A method of making a guide rail for an elevator system method comprising the steps of: providing a guide rail; applying a protective layer to the guide rail for corrosion protection; and removing at least a portion of the protective layer. A sheet metal guide rail for an elevator system comprises a base portion; and a blade portion extending from the base portion. The blade portion includes: a first section for engaging a guiding device and/or a safety of the elevator system; and a second section for engaging a guiding device and/or a safety of the elevator system. The second section contacts the first section. The sheet metal guide rail could be made using the aforementioned method.

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: 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: A drive machine (10) for elevators has a rotatable drive sheave (18) that has an inner surface and an outer surface with at least one groove (34) for receiving a hoist rope. A rotor (36) is attached to the inner surface of the sheave (18). A stator (38) is connected to a fixed hollow shaft (22), wherein the stator (38), rotor (36), and drive sheave (18) are concentrically positioned about a centerline of the fixed hollow shaft (22). A plurality of bearings (42) are placed between the shaft (22) and rotor (36).

Abstract: An elevator machine (20) assembly useful in an elevator system (10) includes a motor frame (26) that supports a motor (24) for selectively rotating a motor shaft (28). A brake (36) selectively applies a braking force to resist rotation of the motor shaft (28). At least one load sensor (46) resists undesirable movement of the brake (36) and provides an indication of a load that results from applying the braking force. A disclosed example includes using a first resistive member (46) to resist movement of the brake (36) relative to the motor frame (26) when the load is below a threshold load and using a second resistive member (60) to resist movement when the load exceeds the threshold load.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator machine frame includes a plurality of support surfaces configured to support at least one of a motor or a brake. A plurality of arms between the support surfaces maintain a desired alignment of support surfaces. At least one of the arms has a first cross section taken transverse to a longitudinal direction along a length of the arm at a first longitudinal location on the arm. That same arm has a second, different cross section at a second, different longitudinal location on the arm.

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: An elevator machine (20) assembly useful in an elevator system (10) includes a motor frame (26) that supports a motor (24) for selectively rotating a motor shaft (28). A brake (36) selectively applies a braking force to resist rotation of the motor shaft (28). At least one load sensor (46) resists undesirable movement of the brake (36) and provides an indication of a load that results from applying the braking force. A disclosed example includes using a first resistive member (46) to resist movement of the brake (36) relative to the motor frame (26) when the load is below a threshold load and using a second resistive member (60) to resist movement when the load exceeds the threshold load.

Abstract: Elevator brake or other drag is checked by establishing (10-13) baseline motor currents at plural determined positions as the car is moved up and down both empty and with full load. In a normal run (21), the load is recorded (22) and the motor current required to drive the load at rated speed at the next determined position is both predicted (28) and measured. If the difference between the predicted and actual current exceeds a tolerance (33, 34), the car stops at the next floor (35), the system is shut down (39) and a message generated (40). When the brake is in proper operating condition, baseline motor current required to move a car with the brake engaged is recorded. Thereafter, a high fraction (such as 90%) of baseline motor current is applied to attempt to move the car. If the car moves, the system is shut down (101) and a message generated (102).

Abstract: A system for aligning a semiconductor wafer with a mask bearing a pattern to be formed on the wafer, in which both the wafer and the mask bear an alignment mark, and in which light used for alignment is filtered to transmit only in a selected bandwidth, uses a reflector system to gather light reflected from edges of the alignment mark on the wafer. In order to minimize the effect of erroneous alignment signals from standing waves generated when the alignment signal is reflected from a wafer coated with a layer of photoresist, a second filter is placed in the path of light after it has reflected from the target. This second filter transmits a range of the reflected light which does not produce standing waves.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus for removing leaf fat from the abdominal cavity of a hog carcass wherein a first plate and a second plate are positionable with respect to the hog carcass, the first and second plates being engageable with a portion of the exposed surface of the leaf fat in a removal position of the first and second plates with respect to the leaf fat to be removed. A handle assembly connected to the first and second plates is utilized to position the first and second plates into and from the removal position via maneuvering the handle assembly. A first hook is connected to the first plate and a second hook is connected to the second plate for severingly engaging a portion of the leaf fat when positioning the first and second plates in the removal position for severing a portion of the leaf fat from the hog carcass to facilitate the removal of the leaf fat.