Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car support displaceable in a travel area provided for the travel of the elevator car support, and a first elevator car and a second elevator car, each car adjustably disposed on the elevator car support. A drive unit is further disposed on the elevator car support. A belt is also provided. The first elevator car and the second elevator car are thereby adjustable in opposite directions by the drive unit by the belt relative to the elevator car support.

Abstract: An elevator installation includes at least one elevator cage carrier in a travel space, a first elevator cage arranged at the elevator cage carrier, a second elevator cage arranged at the elevator carrier and at least one adjusting device for adjustment of the first and second elevator cages relative to the elevator cage carrier. The adjusting device includes at least one first rack connected at least indirectly with the first elevator cage, at least one second rack connected at least directly with the second elevator cage and at least one pinion engaged in the first and second racks. The first and second racks are so arranged with respect to the pinion that rotation of the pinion moves the first and second elevator cages in opposite directions.

Abstract: A device can actuate and reset a safety gear in an elevator system. The device contains a pressure accumulator, possibly a compression spring, which, in case of need, can move at least two engagement elements of the safety gear essentially synchronously into an engaged position, and a remotely actuatable resetting device, which can retension the pressure accumulator into a ready position.

Abstract: An elevator installation includes an elevator cage carrier with a first elevator cage and a second elevator cage. A hydraulic adjusting element for the first elevator cage is provided, which serves for adjusting the first elevator cage relative to the elevator cage carrier. In addition, a hydraulic adjusting element for the second elevator cage is also provided, which serves for adjusting the second elevator cage relative to the elevator cage carrier. In that case a stroke of the hydraulic adjusting element for the first elevator cage for adjusting the first elevator cage in a first adjustment direction is converted into a stroke of the hydraulic adjusting element for the second elevator cage for adjusting the second elevator cage in an opposite adjustment direction.

Abstract: An elevator brake can comprise a brake shoe with a substantially curved shape, the brake shoe being rotatable in a brake shoe support. The brake shoe support is mounted in a brake housing and can be linearly displaced between a readiness setting and an engagement setting. The brake can be actuated by an actuator. The actuator can comprise a brake store for acting on the brake through a connecting point to bring the brake into its engaged setting. A force store in the actuator can be held electromagnetically, and a resetting device enables resetting of the force store and of the actuator into the operating position.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises an elevator car and a counterweight fixed to a traction means. A drive pulley moves the traction means. A bottom tensioning means is fixed to the counterweight and to the elevator car. A tensioning means weight tensions the bottom tensioning means. In an end position of the counterweight, the elevator car can continue to move when the traction means is moved further by the drive pulley. This moves the tensioning means weight at half the speed of the elevator car, for example. A measuring device is provided for the tensioning means weight for detecting such a motion of the tensioning means weight. This allows a triggering of an emergency stop of the elevator car.

Abstract: A lift comprises a first lift cage, a second lift cage and a counterweight, wherein the counterweight, the first lift cage and the second lift cage are coupled together by way of a support means for lifting and holding, wherein the counterweight, the first lift cage and the second lift cage are additionally coupled together by way of a compensation means and wherein the compensation means runs over at least one deflecting roller. The lift further comprises a brake device for application to the deflecting roller of dissipative braking torque which counteracts the rotation thereof.

Abstract: An elevator has a car traveling along guide rails within a hoistway and a main drive propelling the car. A sensor mounted on the car measures a vertical travel parameter of the car, a comparator compares the sensed car travel parameter with a reference value derived from the main drive, and an auxiliary motor mounted on the car exerts a vertical force on at least one of the guide rails in response to an error signal output from the comparator.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for thermally protecting an electromagnetic actuator used to suppress vibrations in an elevator installation. The apparatus includes a temperature evaluation unit that determines an actual temperature of the actuator on the basis of a signal proportional to a current supplied to the actuator. A limiter restricts the current supplied to the actuator if the actual temperature of the actuator as determined by the temperature evaluation unit is greater than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method for designing a regulator uses a predetermined overall model of an elevator car with known structure. The model parameters are known to greater or lesser extent or estimations are present, wherein the parameters for the elevator car used are to be identified. In that case the frequency responses of the model are compared with the measured frequency responses. With the help of an algorithm for optimization of functions with numerous variables the estimated model parameters are changed to achieve the greatest possible agreement. The model with the identified parameters forms the basis for design of an optimum regulator for active vibration damping at the elevator car.

Abstract: The present invention automatically detects the onset of instability of an elevator active ride control system and activates a system shutdown if it occurs. As an elevator car is guided along rails by guide elements, a plurality of sensors mounted on the car measure vibration transverse to a direction of travel. The signals from the sensors are input to a controller which in turn produces a controller output signal. This signal is used to energize an actuator positioned between the car and the guide elements and thereby dampen the vibrations acting on the car. As instability sets in, a controller signal increases. The controller signal is monitored by a comparator such that the actuator is deactivated if the controller signal becomes greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: An improved equipment and method for reducing vibrations of a lift cage is intended for use in lifts of the type having a lift cage is intended for use in lifts of the type having a lift cage guided along rails in which a sensor for detecting positional changes of the lift cage and/or lift cage accelerations is coupled to a regulator which in turn controls an actuator for changing the position of the lift cage relative to the rails. An output signal developed by the regulator is limited to a maximum value for the setting signal to be sent to the actuator. A difference between the regulator output and the limited output is computed and fed to the regulator as an additional input. The regulator is constructed in such a manner that the difference fed back to the regulator remains as small as possible. This improves response of the vibration inducing equipment.

Abstract: Equipment for reducing vibrations of a lift cage guided at rails comprises a plurality of guide elements for guiding the lift cage along the rails, a sensor for detecting positional changes of the lift cage and/or of accelerations occurring at the lift cage, an actuator arranged between the lift cage and the guide elements and a regulating device which, on the basis of the values transmitted by the sensor, controls the actuator for changing the position of the cage relative to the rails. The regulating device has an amplification which is variable in dependence on the vertical speed of the lift cage. The amplification of the regulating device is continuously raised after activation of the regulating device and continuously lowered after switching-off of the regulating device.

Abstract: A progressive safety device for an elevator includes a brake unit and an actuating unit. The brake unit has a first brake shoe with first spring assemblies and a triangular rotatable support with second and third brake shoes. The actuating unit has an electromagnetic actuator with a locking bolt, a guide bolt with a coaxial compression spring and an actuating arm. On actuation, the compression spring moves the actuating arm against a guide rail whereby grooves on the actuating arm create a frictional engagement with the guide rail turning the actuating arm about a swivel bearing and through a follower turning the support. With the turning motion and the engagement of one of the second and third brake shoes with the guide rail, the first brake shoe is guided against the guide rail and generates the necessary braking force on the guide rail.

Abstract: A progressive safety device for an elevator includes a brake unit and an actuating unit. The brake unit has a first brake shoe with first spring assemblies and a triangular rotatable support with second and third brake shoes. The actuating unit has an electromagnetic actuator with a locking bolt, a guide bolt with a coaxial compression spring and an actuating arm. On actuation, the compression spring moves the actuating arm against a guide rail whereby grooves on the actuating arm create a frictional engagement with the guide rail turning the actuating arm about a swivel bearing and through a follower turning the support. With the turning motion and the engagement of one of the second and third brake shoes with the guide rail, the first brake shoe is guided against the guide rail and generates the necessary braking force on the guide rail.

Abstract: An elevator has a car traveling along guide rails within a hoistway and a main drive propelling the car. A sensor mounted on the car measures a vertical travel parameter of the car, a comparator compares the sensed car travel parameter with a reference value derived from the main drive, and an auxiliary motor mounted on the car exerts a vertical force on at least one of the guide rails in response to an error signal output from the comparator.

Abstract: A device for active vibration damping dampens the structural resonance of an elevator car frame with a car body through measurement of the deformation of the frame. Under elastic deformation, a safety plank and a crosshead of the frame move parallel and relative to each other and two acceleration sensors aligned vertically (in the “z” direction) capture the movement. From the difference between the sensor signals, the “y” rotation of the safety plank and the crosshead is determined. The rotation and the signals from acceleration sensors on the frame are used to determine the shear movement of the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for thermally protecting an electromagnetic actuator used to suppress vibrations in an elevator installation. The apparatus includes a temperature evaluation unit that determines an actual temperature of the actuator on the basis of a signal proportional to a current supplied to the actuator. A limiter restricts the current supplied to the actuator if the actual temperature of the actuator as determined by the temperature evaluation unit is greater than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A method for designing a regulator uses a predetermined overall model of an elevator car with known structure. The model parameters are known to greater or lesser extent or estimations are present, wherein the parameters for the elevator car used are to be identified. In that case the frequency responses of the model are compared with the measured frequency responses. With the help of an algorithm for optimization of functions with numerous variables the estimated model parameters are changed to achieve the greatest possible agreement. The model with the identified parameters forms the basis for design of an optimum regulator for active vibration damping at the elevator car.

Abstract: The present invention automatically detects the onset of instability of an elevator active ride control system and activates a system shutdown if it occurs. As an elevator car is guided along rails by guide elements, a plurality of sensors mounted on the car measure vibration transverse to a direction of travel. The signals from the sensors are input to a controller which in turn produces a controller output signal. This signal is used to energize an actuator positioned between the car and the guide elements and thereby dampen the vibrations acting on the car. As instability sets in, a controller signal increases. The controller signal is monitored by a comparator such that the actuator is deactivated if the controller signal becomes greater than a predetermined value.