Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a machine including a motor and a brake. The machine is configured to selectively cause movement of an elevator car. At least one vibration sensor situated near the machine provides an indication of operation of the machine to indicate at least stops and starts of the machine associated with stopping and starting movement of the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator brake assembly including an asymmetrical brake comprising at least three brake segments, a brake activating device operably coupled to the asymmetrical brake, the brake activating device comprising a first activation element and a second activation element, wherein the first activation element is configured to activate one of the at least three brake segments, and the second activation element is configured to activate the remaining of the at least three brake segments.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a machine including a motor and a brake. The machine is configured to selectively cause movement of an elevator car. At least one vibration sensor situated near the machine provides an indication of operation of the machine to indicate at least stops and starts of the machine associated with stopping and starting movement of the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator brake assembly including an asymmetrical brake comprising at least three brake segments, a brake activating device operably coupled to the asymmetrical brake, the brake activating device comprising a first activation element and a second activation element, wherein the first activation element is configured to activate one of the at least three brake segments, and the second activation element is configured to activate the remaining of the at least three brake segments.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake for stopping an elevator car is provided with a brake shoe having a molybdenum alloy friction surface for contacting an elevator guide rail surface to provide a stopping force. The molybdenum alloy contains 99.4 weight percent molybdenum, 0.5 weight percent titanium and 0.1 weight percent zirconium. The friction surface of the brake formed from the alloy exhibits a consistent high friction and low wear suitably accommodating high speed, high load elevators installed in very tall buildings.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake for stopping an elevator car is provided with a brake shoe having a carbon-carbon composite friction surface for contacting an elevator guide rail surface to provide a stopping force. The friction surface of the brake formed from the carbon-carbon composite exhibits a consistent high friction and low wear suitably accommodating high speed, high load elevators installed in very tall buildings.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake for stopping an elevator car is provided with a brake shoe having a fused sprayed friction coating for contacting an elevator guide rail surface to provide a stopping force. In a preferred embodiment, the coating is obtained by plasma spraying an admixture of 85 weight percent nickel-chromium alloy particles and 15 weight percent tungsten carbide particles on a substrate. The plasma sprayed admixture is fused. The fused sprayed friction surface of the brake exhibits a consistent high friction and low wear suitably accommodating high speed, high load elevators installed in very tall buildings.

Abstract: An elevator safety brake is provided comprising two cantilevers, a pivot, a spring, and a hold-off-engagement linkage. In one embodiment, the hold-off-engagement linkage is comprised of two upper struts, and two lower struts. When it is desired to slow or stop the elevator via the safety brake, the lower struts move from a first position in which the lower struts are substantially in alignment with one another and the cantilevers are in an open position, to a second position in which the lower struts are not substantially in alignment with one another and the cantilevers are in a closed position. When the cantilevers are in the closed position, the spring exerts a force via the cantilevers on the guide rail in order to decelerate the elevator.