Abstract: A load bearing assembly (20) includes a plurality of tension members (22). A joint in the load bearing assembly (20) has a staggered pattern of discontinuities (30) in the tension members (22). A stress relieving feature is associated with at least outermost tension members (22A, 22L) in the vicinity of the discontinuities. One example includes supplemental tension members (32, 50) as the stress relieving feature. Another example includes selected spacings (32?, 40, 42) between ends of at least some of the tension members. One example includes different sized tension members as the stress relieving feature. Another example includes different lateral spacings between selected tension members.

Abstract: A power system (10) operates a plurality of hoist motors (18a, 18b, 18c), each of which controls movement of one of a plurality of elevators (12a, 12b, 12c). The power system (10) includes a power bus (11) and a converter (22) connected across the power bus (11) for converting alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source (20) to direct current (DC) power and delivering the DC power to the power bus (11). The power system (10) also includes a plurality of inverters (26a, 26b, 26c) connected across the power bus (11). Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is connected to a hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) and is operable to drive the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) is motoring by converting the DC power from the power bus (11) into AC power. Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is further operable to convert AC power produced by the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the motor is generating to DC power and to deliver the DC power to the power bus (11).

Abstract: An exemplary method of making a load bearing elevator traction belt includes applying individual coatings of a jacket material to each of a plurality of tension members such that each tension member is individually coated separately from the other tension members. A portion of the individual coatings are joined together to secure the tension members into a desired alignment and to form a single jacket that establishes a geometry of the belt.

Abstract: A system (10) manages power from a secondary power (30) source to supply power to elevator and building systems (18) after failure of a primary power source (20). An available power monitor provides a measure or estimate (such as state-of-charge) of the power available from the secondary power source. A demand monitoring system (46) generates a signal related to passenger demand for each elevator in the elevator system. A controller (34) then prioritizes allocation of power from the secondary power source to the elevator and building systems based on the available power from the secondary power source and the passenger demand in the elevator system.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes at least one elongated tension member (32). A jacket covers at least some of the tension member (32). The jacket comprises a polymer material (64, 68) including a friction stabilizer (62) that facilitates maintaining a desired friction characteristic of at least an exterior surface on the jacket.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one traction enhancing surface (46) on a jacket (44). In one example, a mechanical removal process is used to strip away at least some of an amide-rich layer from the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, a chemical removal process is used. Another disclosed example includes disrupting the surface.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes at least one elongated tension member (26). A jacket (34) covers at least some of the tension member (32). The polymer jacket (34) comprises a polymer material including a melamine based geometry stabilizer that facilitates maintaining the jacket material near the tension member if the assembly is subjected to a high temperature condition.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes at least one elongated tension member (32). A jacket covers at least some of the tension member (32). The jacket comprises a polymer material (68,64) including an adhesion enhancer (62) that facilitates adhesion between the tension member and the jacket.

Abstract: An exemplary assembly includes at least one elongated tension member. A jacket covers at least some of the tension member. The jacket comprises a polymer material. The assembly includes a flame retardant selected from a group consisting of a halogen-free melamine based intumescent or a filled polymer having a nanoscale filler chemically bonded to a matrix phase.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor (20) includes a handrail drive (40) for propelling a handrail (30). A suspension (100) associated with the drive (40) supports a weight of a corresponding portion of the handrail (30) in the vicinity of the drive device (40). In a disclosed example, the suspension (100) includes at least one cantilevered member (104, 120) for engaging a lip portion (64) of an inner surface on the handrail (30). The suspension (100) maintains a corresponding portion of the handrail (30) in close proximity to a drive member (42) such as a toothed belt to ensure proper engagement between the drive member (42) and the handrail (30).

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member assembly includes at least one traction enhancing surface (46) on a jacket (44). In one example, a mechanical removal process is used to strip away at least some of an amide-rich layer from the surface (46) after the jacket has been extruded onto tension members (42). In another example, a chemical removal process is used. Another disclosed example includes disrupting the surface.

Abstract: An elevator door hanger apparatus includes a door hanger configured to be attached to a top portion of a door panel and to at least one movable member and an isolator plate attached to the door hanger and including a lip extending from a bottom of the isolator plate away from the door hanger.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor handrail (30) includes a sliding layer (40) that is non-woven in some examples and non-fabric in other examples. A first polymer material is used to establish a body portion (32) of the handrail (30) to provide, for example, a gripping surface (34). The sliding layer (40) is secured to a surface (38) of the handrail (30) to cover at least a portion of that surface to meet the needs of a particular situation. Disclosed examples include a variety of configurations and a variety of techniques for applying such a sliding layer (40) to a handrail (30).

Abstract: Making a passenger handrail (30) includes splicing together ends (58) of handrail stock. A disclosed device (50) includes mounting members (54), (56) for positioning the ends (58) of the handrail stock relative to each other before splicing them together. Example mounting members (54), (56) include position control members (80) having at least one tooth (82) for engaging a tooth (36) on a driven surface (34) of the handrail. A disclosed example includes a mover (62) having a threaded rod (66) that causes a follower (68) to move with the mounting member (54) for adjusting a position of the mounting member and the corresponding end (58) of the handrail stock within very stringent tolerance requirements.

Abstract: A method of making a passenger conveyor handrail includes forming a drive member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The drive member has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. The drive member is inserted into a molding device. A gripping surface portion of the handrail is formed using the molding device such that the gripping surface portion and the drive member are secured together. Another method includes forming a belt drive member having a plurality of teeth that establish a plurality of longitudinally spaced drive surfaces. The belt has a longitudinal stiffness for maintaining a desired spacing between the drive surfaces. Each of the teeth extends across an entire width of the belt. The belt is secured to a gripping surface portion of the handrail.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor handrail (30) includes a sliding fabric layer (36) having a low-friction coating (40) on at least one side (38) of the sliding fabric layer (36). One example includes the low-friction coating (40) on selected portions of the one side (38) of the sliding fabric layer (36). Another example includes a coating on both sides (38, 39) of the sliding fabric layer (36).

Abstract: A passenger conveyor (20) includes a handrail assembly (30) comprising a handrail (32) having a plurality of co-extruded polymer materials (34, 36). In one example, an outermost portion (34) establishes a passenger gripping surface (38). One example includes an extruded soft, low cost polymer in the middle of the handrail cross section to reduce cost and weight. A disclosed example includes a toothed driving surface (40) on an inner side made of a selected one of the polymer materials (34, 36). In one example, the driving surface (40) and the gripping surface (38) comprise the same polymer material.

Abstract: A passenger conveyor system (20) includes a handrail assembly (30) having a guidance (40) for guiding a moving handrail (32). The example guidance includes an extrusion and presents a continuous, uninterrupted guiding surface (44) along which the handrail (32) travels. In a disclosed example, a single-piece extrusion (50) extends along an entire length of a balustrade (34). A disclosed example includes a first material forming a body of the guidance (40) and a second material (70) establishing the guiding surface (44).

Abstract: A power system (10) operates a plurality of hoist motors (18a, 18b, 18c), each of which controls movement of one of a plurality of elevators (12a, 12b, 12c). The power system (10) includes a power bus (11) and a converter (22) connected across the power bus (11) for converting alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source (20) to direct current (DC) power and delivering the DC power to the power bus (11). The power system (10) also includes a plurality of inverters (26a, 26b, 26c) connected across the power bus (11). Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is connected to a hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) and is operable to drive the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) is motoring by converting the DC power from the power bus (11) into AC power. Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is further operable to convert AC power produced by the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the motor is generating to DC power and to deliver the DC power to the power bus (11).

Abstract: A passenger conveyor handrail (30) includes a plurality of teeth (36) that interact with a toothed driving member (42). In a disclosed example, a low friction material (60) is placed near an end of the teeth (36) on the handrail (30). The low friction material (60) facilitates the teeth sliding along a guidance (70) but does not interfere with a desired engagement between the teeth(36) and corresponding teeth (46) on the driving member (42).