Abstract: A drive unit for a motor includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a first gallium nitride switch having a gate, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the PCB; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the PCB; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the PCB, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the PCB, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace.

Abstract: A safety chain circuit includes a plurality of protection devices connected between a first chain end and a second chain end, and an amplifier. The amplifier includes a first device switch and a second device switch connected between an input and an output, a first enabling switch connected between the second chain end and a second enabling switch, and a first control switch and a second control switch. The first enabling switch selectively enables the first control switch to control the first device switch. The second enabling switch selectively enables the second control switch to control the second device switch. The first control switch, when enabled, selectively controls the first device switch in response to receiving a first control signal. The second control switch, when enabled, selectively controls the second device switch in response to receiving a second control signal.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a motor having a plurality of motor windings; a plurality of braking switches coupled to the motor windings, the braking switches coupling the motor windings to a common electrical point; a sensor coupled to the motor, the sensor providing a sensed signal indicative of a parameter of the motor; and a controller providing a braking signal to the braking switches in response to the sensed signal to selectively control the braking switches to short the motor windings.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus comprising terminals providing a voltage, a monitor configured to receive an input from an entity external to the apparatus indicating that energy associated with the apparatus is to be selectively coupled to, or isolated from the terminals, and a protection mechanism coupled to the monitor and configured to be selectively turned on and turned off based on the input received from the external entity.

Abstract: A power architecture includes a panel receiving power from a power grid through a breaker, a power supply coupled to the breaker to receive power from the grid, a battery coupled to the power supply through a switch, an elevator motor controller coupled to the power supply, the power supply providing power from at least one of the grid and the battery to the controller, and a charger coupled to the breaker and the battery and configured to receive power from the power grid and provide power to the battery to charge the battery.

Abstract: A battery powered elevator system in which the battery and power electronics needed to connect the battery to the machine driving the elevator system are mounted in close proximity within the hoistway of the elevator system to minimize power transmission losses.

Abstract: A brake is provided. The brake may include a rotor having a plurality of magnets and a plurality of ferromagnetic poles radially disposed thereabout, and a stator having a plurality of shunts and a plurality of teeth radially disposed thereabout. At least one of the plurality of shunts and the plurality of teeth may be configured to selectively move between an engagement state and a free engagement state. The teeth may be configured to generate magnetic flux with the ferromagnetic poles so as to generate a braking torque during the engagement state. The shunts may be configured to redirect the magnetic flux therethrough and reduce the braking torque between the teeth and the ferromagnetic poles during the free engagement state.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator brake control device includes a relay switch that is associated with a safety chain configured to monitor at least one condition of a selected elevator system component. The relay switch is selectively closed to allow power supply to an electrically activated elevator brake component responsive to the monitored condition having a first status. The relay switch is selectively opened to prevent power supply to the brake component responsive to the monitored condition having a second, different status. A solid state switch is in series with the relay switch between the relay switch and the brake component. A driver selectively controls the solid state switch to selectively allow power to be supplied to the brake component only if the relay switch is closed and the monitored condition has the first status.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator control system includes an elevator drive. A safety chain is configured to monitor at least one condition of a selected elevator system component. A first switch is operable to interrupt power supply to the elevator drive. The first switch is controlled by the safety chain depending on the monitored condition. A second switch is in series with the first switch. The second switch is operable to interrupt power supply to the elevator drive. The second switch is controlled by the safety chain depending on the monitored condition. A monitoring device is configured to determine when the first and second switches should be in a power supplying condition for supplying power to the elevator drive. One such circumstance is when it is desirable to cause movement of the elevator car. The monitoring device determines that the first switch is in the power supplying condition for allowing the safety chain to control the second switch for supplying power to the elevator drive.

Abstract: A switching assembly for use in a drive unit for driving a motor. The switching assembly includes a gallium nitride switch having a gate terminal, drain terminal and source terminal; a gate driver generating a drive signal; a gate drive circuit including a turn on resistor in series with the gate driver and the gate terminal and a clamping circuit connected across the gate terminal and the source terminal, a turn on drive signal from the gate driver being applied to the gate terminal through the turn on resistor; and a snubber circuit connected across the drain terminal and source terminal.

Abstract: A drive unit for a motor includes a printed circuit board (PCB); a first gallium nitride switch having a gate, the first gallium nitride switch mounted to the PCB; a second gallium nitride switch having a gate, the second gallium nitride switch mounted to the PCB; a gate driver generating a turn-off drive signal to turn off the first gallium nitride switch and turn off the second gallium nitride switch; a first turn-off trace on the PCB, the first turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate of the first gallium nitride switch; and a second turn-off trace on the PCB, the second turn-off trace directing the turn-off drive signal to the gate of the second gallium nitride switch; wherein an impedance of the first turn-off trace is substantially equal to an impedance of the second turn-off trace.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to an apparatus comprising terminals providing a voltage, a monitor configured to receive an input from an entity external to the apparatus indicating that energy associated with the apparatus is to be selectively coupled to, or isolated from the terminals, and a protection mechanism coupled to the monitor and configured to be selectively turned on and turned off based on the input received from the external entity.

Abstract: A safety chain circuit includes a plurality of protection devices connected between a first chain end and a second chain end, and an amplifier. The amplifier includes a first device switch and a second device switch connected between an input and an output, a first enabling switch connected between the second chain end and a second enabling switch, and a first control switch and a second control switch. The first enabling switch selectively enables the first control switch to control the first device switch. The second enabling switch selectively enables the second control switch to control the second device switch. The first control switch, when enabled, selectively controls the first device switch in response to receiving a first control signal. The second control switch, when enabled, selectively controls the second device switch in response to receiving a second control signal.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a motor having a plurality of motor windings; a plurality of braking switches coupled to the motor windings, the braking switches coupling the motor windings to a common electrical point; a sensor coupled to the motor, the sensor providing a sensed signal indicative of a parameter of the motor; and a controller providing a braking signal to the braking switches in response to the sensed signal to selectively control the braking switches to short the motor windings.

Abstract: A power architecture for an elevator system is described. The power architecture may comprise a panel receiving power from a power grid through a breaker, a power supply coupled to the breaker to receive power from the grid, a battery coupled to the power supply through a switch, an elevator motor controller coupled to the power supply, the power supply providing power from at least one of the grid and the battery to the controller, and a charger coupled to the breaker and the battery and configured to receive power from the power grid and provide power to the battery to charge the battery.

Abstract: A battery powered elevator system in which the battery and power electronics needed to connect the battery to the machine driving the elevator system are mounted in close proximity within the hoistway of the elevator system to minimize power transmission losses.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator brake control device includes a relay switch that is associated with a safety chain configured to monitor at least one condition of a selected elevator system component. The relay switch is selectively closed to allow power supply to an electrically activated elevator brake component responsive to the monitored condition having a first status. The relay switch is selectively opened to prevent power supply to the brake component responsive to the monitored condition having a second, different status. A solid state switch is in series with the relay switch between the relay switch and the brake component. A driver selectively controls the solid state switch to selectively allow power to be supplied to the brake component only if the relay switch is closed and the monitored condition has the first status.

Abstract: A bedplate assembly is provided. The bedplate assembly may include a support member having a mounting surface for receiving a machine, a compartment internally disposed within the support member, and electronics disposed within the compartment.

Abstract: A brake is provided. The brake may include a rotor having a plurality of magnets and a plurality of ferromagnetic poles radially disposed thereabout, and a stator having a plurality of shunts and a plurality of teeth radially disposed thereabout. At least one of the plurality of shunts and the plurality of teeth may be configured to selectively move between an engagement state and a free engagement state. The teeth may be configured to generate magnetic flux with the ferromagnetic poles so as to generate a braking torque during the engagement state. The shunts may be configured to redirect the magnetic flux therethrough and reduce the braking torque between the teeth and the ferromagnetic poles during the free engagement state.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator control system includes an elevator drive. A safety chain is configured to monitor at least one condition of a selected elevator system component. A first switch is operable to interrupt power supply to the elevator drive. The first switch is controlled by the safety chain depending on the monitored condition. A second switch is in series with the first switch. The second switch is operable to interrupt power supply to the elevator drive. The second switch is controlled by the safety chain depending on the monitored condition. A monitoring device is configured to determine when the first and second switches should be in a power supplying condition for supplying power to the elevator drive. One such circumstance is when it is desirable to cause movement of the elevator car. The monitoring device determines that the first switch is in the power supplying condition for allowing the safety chain to control the second switch for supplying power to the elevator drive.