Abstract: A safety gear alignment system for an elevator system includes an elevator shaft and an elevator car having an interior region and disposed in and moveable within the elevator shaft. Also included is an upright structure operatively coupled to the elevator car, the upright structure defining at least one aperture. Further included is a safety gear member having a brake and a frame, the frame operatively coupled to the upright structure. Yet further included is at least one access region defined by the frame of the safety gear member, the access region accessible from the interior region of the elevator car and wherein measurement between the frame and a guide rail of the elevator shaft is made for alignment of the safety gear member relative to the guide rail.

Abstract: A ropeless elevator system, a propulsion system, and a method for operating a ropeless propulsion system are disclosed. The ropeless elevator system may include an elevator car, a hoistway in which the elevator car travels, and a ropeless propulsion system. The ropeless propulsion system may include electrical windings energized by a power source, the electrical windings affixed to a stationary structure, the stationary structure associated with the hoistway, and a magnet, the magnet affixed to a moving structure, the moving structure associated with the elevator car, and interaction between the electrical windings and the magnet generates a thrust force on the elevator car traveling in the hoistway.

Abstract: A method and system for managing an elevator system (10), includes providing a plurality of elevator cars (14) to travel in a hoistway (11), and selectively introducing and removing at least one of the plurality of elevator cars (14) to and from the hoistway (11) via a loading station (50).

Abstract: A ropeless elevator system, a propulsion system, and a method for operating a ropeless propulsion system are disclosed. The ropeless elevator system may include an elevator car, a hoistway in which the elevator car travels, and a ropeless propulsion system. The ropeless propulsion system may include electrical windings energized by a power source, the electrical windings affixed to a stationary structure, the stationary structure associated with the hoistway, and a magnet, the magnet affixed to a moving structure, the moving structure associated with the elevator car, and interaction between the electrical windings and the magnet generates a thrust force on the elevator car traveling in the hoistway.

Abstract: A guide assembly (60) for guiding movement of an elevator car (30) is provided including a first (66) and second (68) guide support coupled to the elevator car (30). The first guide support (66) and the second guide support (68) are separated from one another by a gap (G) wider than an adjacent primary portion (42) of a propulsion system (40) of the elevator car (30). A pair of first guides (70) is mounted to the first (66) and second (68) guide support, respectively. The first guides (70) are substantially parallel and are configured to guide movement of the elevator car (30) in a first direction to maintain a clearance between the primary (42) and secondary (44) portions of the propulsion system (40) of the elevator car (30). A second guide (72) is mounted to one of the first (66) and second (68) guide support. The second guide (72) is oriented substantially perpendicular to the first guides (70). The second guide (72) is configured to guide movement of the elevator car (30) in a second direction.

Abstract: A method of installing an elevator system in a hoistway includes loading an elevator car with elevator system components for installation. The elevator car includes a first deck including one or more linear drive elements operably connected to a linear drive system at the hoistway and a second deck abutting the first deck, and separated from the first deck by a floor. The second deck is at least partially open at one side to allow access to the hoistway for installation of elevator system components in the hoistway. The elevator car is urged along the hoistway to an installation zone and the elevator system components are installed to the hoistway from the at least partially open second deck.

Abstract: A propulsion system includes a magnetic screw having a first magnetic element having a first polarity, the first magnetic element arranged along a first non-linear path along a longitudinal axis of the magnetic screw and a second magnetic element having a second polarity, the second magnetic element arranged along a second non-linear path along the longitudinal axis of the magnetic screw; a motor for rotating the magnetic screw about the longitudinal axis; and a stator made from a ferrous material, the stator having a body with an internal cavity, the body including a plurality of poles extending into the cavity, the poles arranged along a pole non-linear path along a longitudinal axis of the stator.

Abstract: A load bearing member is provided including at least one load bearing segment having a plurality of load carrying fibers arranged within a matrix material. At least a portion of the load bearing member has a radius of curvature when the load bearing member is untensioned.

Abstract: An elevator car travels in a lane (113, 115, 117) of an elevator shaft (111). A linear propulsion system imparts force to the car (214). The system includes a first part (116) mounted in the lane of the shaft and a second part (118) mounted to the elevator car configured to co-act with the first part to impart movement to the car. Car state sensors (360a-c) are disposed in the lane and determine a state space vector of the car within the lane. A sensed element (364) on the car is sensed by the plurality of car state sensors when the car is in proximity to the respective car state sensor. A control system (225) applies an electrical current to at least one of the first part and the second part and the plurality of car state sensors communicate with the control system and the linear propulsion system to provide state space vector data.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway and an elevator car positioned in the hoistway and configured to travel along the hoistway. The elevator car includes an elevator car door. A door operator assembly is fixed in the hoistway at a landing floor and includes a sensor to sense presence of the elevator car at the landing floor; and a door operator mechanism to open both the elevator car door and a landing floor door when the sensor senses presence of the elevator car at the landing floor. A light source may be fixed at the hoistway and a light transmitter is positioned at the elevator car to gather light from the light source and output the light into an interior of the elevator car. A ventilation system may be fixed at the hoistway and is interactive with the elevator car to condition an interior of the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator system includes one or more elevator cars configured to travel along a hoistway. One or more rails extend along the hoistway and are operably connected to the one or more elevator cars to guide the one or more elevator cars along the hoistway. Each rail of the one or more rails includes a plurality of rail segments arranged end to end. Each rail segment is affixed to a hoistway wall to transfer vertical loads from the rail segment to the hoistway wall. Each rail segment is secured to the hoistway wall via a plurality of rail support brackets. The vertical loads are transferred from the rail segment to the hoistway wall via at least one rail support bracket of the plurality of rail support brackets.

Abstract: A belt for an elevator system including a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members defining a traction surface interactive with a traction sheave of an elevator system and a back surface opposite the traction surface. The back surface includes a belt guide feature extending along a belt length and interactive with a complimentary guide sheave feature of a guide sheave of the elevator system to orient the belt to a selected location during operation of the elevator system.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a first wire rope and a second wire rope is provided. The first and second wire ropes each include a contact portion that contacts a sheave, a first end portion, and a monitored portion that extends between the contact portion and the first end portion. The sheave electrically connects the contact portions of the first and second wire ropes. The system includes a controller that is electrically connected to each of the first and second wire ropes to form a circuit with the monitored portions of the first and second wire ropes. The controller selectively applies a signal to the monitored portions of the first and second wire ropes and determines an electrical characteristic thereof. The controller uses the determined electrical characteristic to determine a condition of the first and second wire ropes.

Abstract: A method of fault detection of a belt or rope includes interconnecting a plurality of cords of the belt or rope, the cords including a plurality of wires, to form a bridge circuit. A fault detection bridge circuit is subjected to a voltage excitation and outputs a voltage which is indicative of the belt or rope damage but remaining insensitive to other environmental noises.

Abstract: An assembly and method of manufacturing the coil assembly is provided. The method includes acquiring a sheet of a conductive metal and producing a plurality of coils from the sheet of conductive metal. Further, the method includes layering at least two of the plurality of coils with an insulation layer there between to construct the coil assembly and electrically coupling the at least two of the plurality of coils within the coil assembly.

Abstract: An assembly 28 for actuating and controlling braking of a car of an elevator system is provided. The assembly includes at least one braking device 20 mounted on the car, supported between the car and a hoistway for movement with the car within the hoistway, and configured to apply a braking force to the car. The assembly also includes at least one corresponding actuator 34 supported by the hoistway and configured to selectively engage the braking device to prevent movement of the car.

Abstract: A sensor system for a passenger conveyance system includes a multiple of 3D sensors mounted to a movable structure within a vertical shaft and/or a horizontal shaft and a processing module in communication with the multiple of 3D sensors, the processing module operable to identify an obstruction within the horizontal or vertical shaft.

Abstract: An electrical inspection system for an elevator load bearing member includes an electrically conductive, low resistance wrap located at the load bearing member, contacting the load bearing member around a circumference of the load bearing member. An inspection unit is configured to apply an electrical current through the load bearing member and determine an electrical resistance of the load bearing member, and is electrically connected to the load bearing member at the wrap to distribute electrical current uniformly therethrough. A method of determining an electrical resistance of a load bearing member of an elevator system includes applying an electrically conductive low electrical resistance wrap entirely around a circumference of the load bearing member. An inspection unit is connected to the load bearing member at the wrap. An electrical current is applied through the wrap into the load bearing member to determine an electrical resistance of the load bearing member.

Abstract: An illustrative example method of making a magnetic drive component includes inserting a plurality of metal teeth into a metal tube. The teeth respectively have a first portion received against an inner surface of the tube. The teeth respectively have a second portion and a third portion spaced apart and projecting toward a center of the tube. The method includes securing the plurality of teeth to the tube.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method of making a rotary magnetic drive member includes establishing a plurality of magnet retainers on a rod using an additive manufacturing process. Magnets are inserted between the retainers with magnetic poles of axially adjacent ones of the magnets oriented with like poles facing toward a portion of one of the retainers between the adjacent ones of the magnets.