Abstract: A monitoring system for a support structure is provided. The monitoring system may include a resistance circuit coupled to the support structure, and an interface circuit coupled to the resistance circuit. The resistance circuit may include a first set of resistors and a second set of resistors, wherein the second set of resistors is configured to provide a reference voltage. The interface circuit may include one or more comparators, wherein each comparator is configured to compare a voltage across at least one of the resistors with the reference voltage and generate an output signal corresponding to the comparison. The interface circuit may be configured to continuously monitor an effective resistance of the support structure based on the output signals.

Abstract: A load bearing member for supporting an elevator car has a plurality of tension members that bear the weight of the elevator car. The plurality of tension members extends along a length. An outer cover at least partially covers the plurality of tension members and has a first surface and a second surface.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes an elevator car. At least one guiderail guides movement of the elevator car. The guiderail has a length in a direction of movement of the elevator car and a depth generally perpendicular to the length. A plurality of flat belts are situated relative to the elevator car such that movement of the flat belts for causing movement of the elevator car is approximately four times a corresponding movement of the elevator car. A plurality of sheaves is situated for directing the flat belts as the belts at least partially wrap around the sheaves. The plurality of sheaves remains fixed near one end of the guide rail. The plurality of sheaves rotate about coaxially aligned axes and have a collective width along the axes that is no greater than the depth of the guiderail.

Abstract: An exemplary device for use in an elevator system includes at least one friction member that is selectively moveable into a damping position in which the friction member is useful to damp movement of an elevator car associated with the device. A solenoid actuator has an armature that is situated for vertical movement. The armature moves upward when the solenoid is energized to move the friction member into the damping position. The armature mass urges the armature in a downward vertical direction causing the friction member to move out of the damping position when the solenoid is not energized.

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 elevator system includes a car, configured to travel through a hoistway; a first stationary drive unit, con figured to be mounted in a hoistway, a first movable drive unit, configured to be functionally coupled to the car and to Drive the first stationary drive unit, and a second movable drive unit, configured to be functionally coupled to the car and to the first stationary drive unit.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a first propulsion system for imparting linear motion to an elevator car; a controller generating control signals for the first propulsion system; a brake for holding the elevator car; an energy storage unit; and a second propulsion system; the controller configured to at least one of (i) access the energy storage unit to power at least one of the first propulsion system and second propulsion system upon a fault during upward travel of the elevator car (ii) power the second propulsion system upon a fault in the first propulsion system during upward travel of the elevator car and (iii) delay applying the brake until the elevator car speed is less than a threshold upon a fault during upward travel of the elevator car.

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: An exemplary vertically moveable elevator system component includes a top portion, a bottom portion and a plurality of vertically oriented side portions between the top and bottom portions. At least one of the side portions includes a roller guide support sheet. A first roller guide roller is supported by the sheet such that the first roller is at least partially disposed on a first side of the sheet and an axis of the first roller is generally parallel with the sheet. Second and third rollers are supported by the sheet such that the second and third rollers are on a second, oppositely facing side of the sheet. An axis of each of the second and third rollers is generally perpendicular to the axis of the first roller. The axis of each of the second and third roller remains in a fixed position relative to the sheet.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided that includes a car guiderail, a first counterweight guiderail, a second counterweight guiderail, an elevator machine, a first guiderail mount and a second guiderail mount. The elevator machine includes a frame, a motor, a brake and a sheave. The first guiderail mount structurally connects the frame to the first and the second counterweight guiderails. The second guiderail mount structurally connects the frame to the car guiderail independent of the first guiderail mount.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a car, a hoist motor for elevating and lowering the car, a brake for limiting car movement, an input device for selecting a destination for a run, and a controller. The controller receives a command from the input device and controls operation of the hoist motor and the brake. The controller has a loss reduction mode wherein the controller selects a velocity profile for the run that varies according to car load, run direction, and run distance to reduce a combined set of energy losses for the run.

Abstract: A rope sway mitigation device for an elevator system includes a rope tension adjuster connected to a plurality of ropes operably connected to an elevator car. The rope tension adjuster is configured to adjust a tension of at least one individual rope of the plurality of ropes thereby mitigating excitation of natural frequencies of the plurality of ropes during sway of at least one component of the elevator system and or a building in which the elevator system is located. Further disclosed is an elevator system including a rope sway mitigation device and a method of rope sway mitigation in an elevator system.

Abstract: A method of making a guide rail for an elevator system method comprising the steps of: providing a guide rail; applying a protective layer to the guide rail for corrosion protection; and removing at least a portion of the protective layer. A sheet metal guide rail for an elevator system comprises a base portion; and a blade portion extending from the base portion. The blade portion includes: a first section for engaging a guiding device and/or a safety of the elevator system; and a second section for engaging a guiding device and/or a safety of the elevator system. The second section contacts the first section. The sheet metal guide rail could be made using the aforementioned method.

Abstract: A roller apparatus is provided. The roller apparatus may include a bearing wheel configured to rotatably couple the roller apparatus to a roller shaft, and a resilient member radially disposed about the bearing wheel and configured to contact a guiderail at different magnitudes of loads. The resilient member may include a first section of a first diameter and a second section of a second diameter. The first section may be caused to deflect in response to loads within a first load range, while the second section may be caused to deflect in response to loads within a second load range. The resilient member may exhibit a stepwise increase in stiffness with a gradual increase in load.

Abstract: A fuel cell manifold holding pressurized cooling fluid is attached to a plurality of cells. A swirl chamber communicating cooling fluid from the manifold to the cells slows the speed of the cooling fluid and lowers its pressure as it enters a fuel cell cooling path.

Abstract: A tread plate assembly for a passenger conveyer system includes a first tread plate projecting from a first skirt plate, a second tread plate projecting from a second skirt plate and arranged adjacent the first tread plate, a link pivotally connected to the first skirt plate and slidably and pivotally connected to the second skirt plate, and a bridge member connected to the link and arranged between the first skirt plate and the second skirt plate to form a moving skirt of the passenger conveyer system.

Abstract: A load bearing member for supporting an elevator car has a plurality of tension members that bear the weight of the elevator car. The plurality of tension members extends along a length. An outer cover at least partially covers the plurality of tension members and has a first surface and a second surface.

Abstract: An elevator system includes one or more rails fixed in a hoistway and an elevator car configured to move through the hoistway along the one or more rails. The system includes one or more braking systems having one more braking surfaces secured to the elevator car and frictionally engageable with one or more rails of the elevator system. One or more actuators are operably connected to the one or more braking surfaces configured to urge engagement and/or disengagement of the one or more braking surfaces with the rail to stop and/or hold the elevator car during operation of the elevator system.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator system includes an elevator car. At least one guiderail guides movement of the elevator car. The guiderail has a length in a direction of movement of the elevator car and a depth generally perpendicular to the length. A plurality of flat belts are situated relative to the elevator car such that movement of the flat belts for causing movement of the elevator car is approximately four times a corresponding movement of the elevator car. A plurality of sheaves is situated for directing the flat belts as the belts at least partially wrap around the sheaves. The plurality of sheaves remains fixed near one end of the guide rail. The plurality of sheaves rotate about coaxially aligned axes and have a collective width along the axes that is no greater than the depth of the guiderail.