Abstract: A method for estimating the brake wear of a brake installed in a vehicle is described herein, comprising acquiring an initial mass of the brake; quantifying the amount of energy that is being dissipated by the brake over a first time period, measuring a temperature increase of the brake over the first time period; estimating the brake mass based on the amount of dissipated energy and the temperature increase; and comparing the initial mass of the brake with the estimated brake mass and estimating the brake wear based on this comparison. The method for brake wear estimation may use indirect or direct methods for quantifying the amount of energy that is dissipated. A system for estimating brake wear and performing this method is also described.

Abstract: A method of controlling cooling of a brake system, includes determining a brake temperature, obtaining a wear rate profile for the brake system indicative of wear rate in dependence on temperature, and controlling activation of cooling of the brake system according to the wear rate profile.

Abstract: A method for estimating the temperature of a component being monitored is described herein, comprising: inputting data related to the component being monitored into a brake thermal model; using the brake thermal model to predict a temperature of the component based on the input data; inputting a) actual temperature sensor measurement data of the component and b) the predicted temperature into an estimation algorithm, wherein the estimation algorithm combines the a) actual temperature sensor data and b) predicted temperature and generates an estimated brake temperature of the component based on the combined inputs. A computer-implemented system is also described.

Abstract: A system includes a converter operatively connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and a direct current (DC) bus, an inverter operatively connected to a motor and the DC bus, and a controller. The converter includes a first plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the AC power source and the DC bus. The inverter includes a second plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of a plurality of phases of the motor and the DC bus. The controller is operable to command dropping of a brake through a passive delay circuit responsive to detection of an emergency stop condition for a load driven by the motor and reduce a voltage on the DC bus by dropping at least one phase of the AC power source and/or using a dynamic braking resistor prior to the brake physically dropping.

Abstract: Methods and systems of controlling elevators including detecting a landing stop for an elevator car, measuring load information associated with the stop, controlling stopping of the elevator at the landing using a machine based on at least one of the detected landing and the measured load information and performing dynamic compensation control of a motion state of the elevator with a computing system and the elevator machine. The dynamic compensation control includes receiving motion state information related to at least one motion state of the elevator car at the computing system, receiving the landing and load information at the computing system, applying a filter to the received information and generating a first control signal, and producing a control output from the first control signal to control the elevator machine to minimize oscillations, vibrations, excessive position deflections, and/or bounce of the elevator car at the detected landing.

Abstract: A method of controlling cooling of a brake system, includes determining a brake temperature, obtaining a wear rate profile for the brake system indicative of wear rate in dependence on temperature, and controlling activation of cooling of the brake system according to the wear rate profile.

Abstract: A method for estimating the brake wear of a brake installed in a vehicle is described herein, comprising acquiring an initial mass of said brake; quantifying the amount of energy that is being dissipated by the brake over a first time period, measuring a temperature increase of the brake over said first time period; estimating the brake mass based on the amount of dissipated energy and the temperature increase; and comparing said initial mass of said brake with said estimated brake mass and estimating the brake wear based on this comparison. The method for brake wear estimation may use indirect or direct methods for quantifying the amount of energy that is dissipated. A system for estimating brake wear and performing this method is also described.

Abstract: A method for estimating the temperature of a component being monitored is described herein, comprising: inputting data related to the component being monitored into a brake thermal model; using said brake thermal model to predict a temperature of the component based on said input data; inputting a) actual temperature sensor measurement data of said component and b) said predicted temperature into an estimation algorithm, wherein said estimation algorithm combines said a) actual temperature sensor data and b) predicted temperature and generates an estimated brake temperature of said component based on said combined inputs. A computer-implemented system is also described.

Abstract: A system includes a converter operatively connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and a direct current (DC) bus, an inverter operatively connected to a motor and the DC bus, and a controller. The converter includes a first plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the AC power source and the DC bus. The inverter includes a second plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of a plurality of phases of the motor and the DC bus. The controller is operable to command dropping of a brake through a passive delay circuit responsive to detection of an emergency stop condition for a load driven by the motor and reduce a voltage on the DC bus by dropping at least one phase of the AC power source and/or using a dynamic braking resistor prior to the brake physically dropping.

Abstract: A system includes a converter operatively connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and a direct current (DC) bus, an inverter operatively connected to a motor and the DC bus, and a controller. The converter includes a first plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the AC power source and the DC bus. The inverter includes a second plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the motor and the DC bus. The controller is operable to command dropping of a brake through a passive delay circuit responsive to an emergency stop condition for a load driven by the motor and reduce a voltage on the DC bus by dropping at least one phase of the AC power source and/or using a dynamic braking resistor prior to the brake physically dropping.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a lane and at least one rail extending along the lane. An elevator car is arranged in the lane and is operatively coupled to the at least one rail. The elevator car has a predetermined alignment relative to the at least one rail. A propulsion system is operatively connected between the elevator car and the at least one rail. A thrust and moment control system is operatively connected to the propulsion system. The thrust and moment control system selectively controls the propulsion system to substantially maintain the predetermined alignment of the elevator car relative to the at least one rail.

Abstract: A multi-car ropeless elevator system includes at least one lane. An elevator car is arranged in the at least one lane. A linear motor system includes a plurality of stationary motor primary sections extending along the at least one lane and at least one moveable motor secondary section mounted to the elevator car. A plurality of sensors is operatively connected to the linear motor system. Each of the plurality of sensors is operatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of stationary motor primary sections. A sensor failure detection and fusion system is operatively connected to each of the plurality of sensors. The sensor failure detection and fusion system operates to identify failures in one or more of the plurality of sensors and fuse data received from remaining ones of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A system includes a converter operatively connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and a direct current (DC) bus, an inverter operatively connected to a motor and the DC bus, and a controller. The converter includes a first plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the AC power source and the DC bus. The inverter includes a second plurality of switching devices in selective communication with each phase of the motor and the DC bus. The controller is operable to command dropping of a brake through a passive delay circuit responsive to an emergency stop condition for a load driven by the motor and reduce a voltage on the DC bus by dropping at least one phase of the AC power source and/or using a dynamic braking resistor prior to the brake physically dropping.

Abstract: Methods and systems of controlling elevators including detecting a landing stop for an elevator car, measuring load information associated with the stop, controlling stopping of the elevator at the landing using a machine based on at least one of the detected landing and the measured load information and performing dynamic compensation control of a motion state of the elevator with a computing system and the elevator machine. The dynamic compensation control includes receiving motion state information related to at least one motion state of the elevator car at the computing system, receiving the landing and load information at the computing system, applying a filter to the received information and generating a first control signal, and producing a control output from the first control signal to control the elevator machine to minimize oscillations, vibrations, excessive position deflections, and/or bounce of the elevator car at the detected landing.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an elevator system includes a propulsion system having a plurality of motor segments forming a primary portion and a plurality of drives to impart force on a secondary portion coupled to an elevator car. The elevator system also includes a controller operable to identify a local neighborhood of the drives and determine a health status of each of the drives within the local neighborhood. The controller is further operable to adjust a thrust command per active drive of the local neighborhood based on at least one of the health status and a position of each active drive of the local neighborhood with respect to the secondary portion.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a lane and at least one rail extending along the lane. An elevator car is arranged in the lane and is operatively coupled to the at least one rail. The elevator car has a predetermined alignment relative to the at least one rail. A propulsion system is operatively connected between the elevator car and the at least one rail. A thrust and moment control system is operatively connected to the propulsion system. The thrust and moment control system selectively controls the propulsion system to substantially maintain the predetermined alignment of the elevator car relative to the at least one rail.

Abstract: A multi-car ropeless elevator system includes at least one lane. An elevator car is arranged in the at least one lane. A linear motor system includes a plurality of stationary motor primary sections extending along the at least one lane and at least one moveable motor secondary section mounted to the elevator car. A plurality of sensors is operatively connected to the linear motor system. Each of the plurality of sensors is operatively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of stationary motor primary sections. A sensor failure detection and fusion system is operatively connected to each of the plurality of sensors. The sensor failure detection and fusion system operates to identify failures in one or more of the plurality of sensors and fuse data received from remaining ones of the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: According to an aspect, an elevator system includes a propulsion system having a plurality of motor segments forming a primary portion and a plurality of drives to impart force on a secondary portion coupled to an elevator car. The elevator system also includes a controller operable to identify a local neighborhood of the drives and determine a health status of each of the drives within the local neighborhood. The controller is further operable to adjust a thrust command per active drive of the local neighborhood based on at least one of the health status and a position of each active drive of the local neighborhood with respect to the secondary portion.