Abstract: A rope climbing elevator (10) includes prime movers (40,42) and drive sheaves (32,34) secured to the car (10) and engaging stationary ropes (12-26).

Abstract: An elevator car vertically guided along a hoistway rail has horizontal motions controlled by means of an actuator wherein horizontal acceleration of the elevator car and relative horizontal displacement between the car and the rail is sensed for controlling such horizontal motions by means of the actuator. Guiding means can be provided in the form of roller clusters at the corners of the car for engaging hoistway rails on opposite sides of the car wherein, for each roller cluster, plural actuators are included with accompanying springs wherein the roller cluster actuators are responsive to the controller for actuating the elevator car horizontally with respect to the hoistway rail. The roller cluster actuators can be electromagnets. Each wheel of the roller cluster can have stop means assocaiated therewith that is operable to limit the extent of movement of the guide wheel in a direction away from the guide rail.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting on a suspended elevator cab in a frame moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as acceleration is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively adding mass to the cab in proportion to the sensed acceleration. This may be accomplished by using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the suspended cab in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. Whatever type of actuator is used, it may be used as well to bring the suspended cab to rest with respect to a hoistway sill prior to transferring passengers. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both. A preferred analog-digital approach is disclosed in which the digital part is responsive to accelerometer signals, the analog part is responsive to a force command signal from the digital part and provides a position feedback signal in return.

Abstract: A pendulum cab (13) is movably suspended from the frame (30) of an elevator car such as by rods (29) and stabilized by means of electromagnetic actuators (41-45) which interact directly with the hoistway rails (22) in response to signals from accelerometers (66-68) disposed on a platform (28) of the cab as well as proximity sensors for locking up the cab while at a landing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting horizontally on a platform moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as acceleration is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively adding mass to the platform in proportion to the sensed acceleration. This may be accomplished by using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the platform in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. Whatever type of actuator is used, it may be used as well to bring the platform to rest with respect to a hoistway sill prior to transferring passengers. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both. A preferred analog-digital approach is disclosed in which the digital part is responsive to accelerometer signals, the analog part is responsive to a force command signal from the digital part and provides a position feedback signal in return.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counteracting a disturbing force acting on an elevator platform in a hoistway comprises sensing the acceleration and position of the platform and applying a force between the platform and the hoistway in proportion to the magnitude of the acceleration signal, in proportion to the integral of the acceleration signal and in proportion to the position signal. The second position signal may be obtained from an electromagnet actuator wherein the sensed current may be divided by a sensed flux density signal multiplied by a transformation signal to obtain position. A force feedback signal may be obtained by squaring the flux density.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting on a suspended elevator cab moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as acceleration is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively exerting counterforces against the cab. The magnitude and phase of the counterforce is selected according to the magnitude and phase of the system response to a disturbing force. The invention may be carried out using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the suspended cab in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both. A preferred analog-digital approach is disclosed in which the digital part is responsive to accelerometer signals, the analog part is responsive to a force command signal from the digital part and provides a force feedback signal for comparison to the force command signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting on a platform moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as rotational acceleration or translational accelerations indicative thereof is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively adding mass to the platform in proportion to the sensed acceleration. The rotations of the platform may be about a vertical axis, one or more horizontal axes or equivalents thereof. Counteraction may but need not be accomplished using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the platform in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. Whatever type of actuator is used, it may be used as well to bring the platform to rest with respect to a hoistway sill prior to transferring passengers. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both.