Abstract: In an embodiment, a door detection system may include a transmitter, a receiver, a reflector, and one or more processors. The transmitter positioned on an elevator car door transmits a signal towards a reflector on a hoistway door and the reflector reflects the signal towards the receiver when the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator door. The one or more processors determine whether the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator car door based on the reflected signal received by the receiver. If the hoistway door is not properly positioned, the elevator car is prevented from moving. If the hoistway door is properly positioned, the elevator car is free to move.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a braking apparatus includes a pair of brake shoes, a cam follower connected to at least one of the shoes, a compressible spring connected to the cam follower, and an actuation assembly including a motor, a ball screw and an electromagnetic clutch. The braking apparatus is operative to transition from a brake applied position where the brake shoes are closed and a brake release position where the brake shoes are separated. When the braking apparatus is in the brake release position, a brake application may be commenced to close the shoes by power no longer being supplied to the electromagnetic clutch. Additionally, when the braking apparatus is undergoing a brake release cycle to separate the brake shoes, the brake application cycle may also be commenced prior to completion of the brake release cycle when power is no longer supplied to the electromagnetic clutch and the motor.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a door detection system may include a transmitter, a receiver, a reflector, and one or more processors. The transmitter positioned on an elevator car door transmits a signal towards a reflector on a hoistway door and the reflector reflects the signal towards the receiver when the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator door. The one or more processors determine whether the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator car door based on the reflected signal received by the receiver. If the hoistway door is not properly positioned, the elevator car is prevented from moving. If the hoistway door is properly positioned, the elevator car is free to move.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a braking apparatus includes a pair of brake shoes, a cam follower connected to at least one of the shoes, a compressible spring connected to the cam follower, and an actuation assembly including a motor, a ball screw and an electromagnetic clutch. The braking apparatus is operative to transition from a brake applied position where the brake shoes are closed and a brake release position where the brake shoes are separated. When the braking apparatus is in the brake release position, a brake application may be commenced to close the shoes by power no longer being supplied to the electromagnetic clutch. Additionally, when the braking apparatus is undergoing a brake release cycle to separate the brake shoes, the brake application cycle may also be commenced prior to completion of the brake release cycle when power is no longer supplied to the electromagnetic clutch and the motor.