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 load bearing member (34) for supporting an elevator car (10) has a plurality of tension members (38) that bear the weight and counterweight of the elevator car (10). The plurality of tension members extends along a length. An outer cover (42) envelopes the plurality of tension members and has a first surface and a second surface. The plurality of tension members are sandwiched between the first surface (46) and the second surf ace (48). The first surface is for traction on a sheave (22). The first surface and the second surface define a cross-section (52) transverse to the length of the load bearing member. The cross-section has a first end portion (56), a middle portion (60) and a second end portion (64). The middle portion has a first width (w1) between the first surface and the second surface which is smaller than a second width (w2) between the first surface and the second surface of one of the first end portion and the second end portion.

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 guide rail (14) for an elevator system (10) includes a base (20) connectable with a wall of a hoistway (12) of the elevator system (10) and a web section (24) connected to and extending from the base (20). A tip section (26) is located at an end of the web section (24) and is operably connectable to an elevator car (16) of the elevator system (10). The base (20), the web section (24) and the tip section (26) are formed of one or more thicknesses (28) of sheet metal material. An elevator system (10) includes an elevator car (16) located in a hoistway (12) and a guide rail (14) extending along the hoistway (12) and operably connected to the elevator car (16) for guiding the elevator car (16) along the hoistway (12). The guide rail (14) is configured such that braking forces applied to the guide rail (14) by a braking mechanism (36) successfully reduce the speed of the elevator car (16) without resulting in failure of the guide rail (14).

Abstract: A distributed hybrid drive train for a wind turbine is disclosed. The drive train may include a first stage chain drive adapted to receive mechanical energy from a main shaft of a wind turbine and a second stage gearbox adapted to receive rotational mechanical energy from the first stage chain drive and transmitting the rotational mechanical energy to one or more generators of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A distributed chain drive train for a wind turbine is disclosed. The chain drive train may include a first stage chain drive adapted to receive mechanical energy from a main shaft of a wind turbine and a second stage chain drive adapted to receive rotational energy from the first stage chain drive and transmitting the rotational energy to one or more generators of the wind turbine. The chain drives are resilient to structural deflections that may misalign the sprockets and chains, resulting in a long lasting system.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes multiple elevator cars (22, 32) within a hoistway (26). Counterweights (24, 34) are associated with the respective elevator cars (22, 32) by load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, different roping ratios are used for the load bearing members (40, 50). In some examples, the lengths of the load bearing members (40, 50) are selected to allow contact between the counterweights (24, 34) within the hoistway (26) and prevent contact between the elevator cars (22, 32). The difference in car and counterweight separation distances is greater than a stroke of a counterweight buffer plus an expected dynamic jump of the elevator cars. A disclosed example includes passages (80) through a portion of at least one of the elevator cars (22) for accommodating the load bearing member (50) of another elevator car (32) located beneath the elevator car (22) with the passages (80).

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: 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 brake assembly (18) includes a permanent magnet (36) that generates a first magnetic field (52) in a direction that causes application of a clamping force on a brake disk (22). An electromagnet (38) is energized with current of a proper polarity to generate a second magnetic field (54) opposite the first magnetic field (52). The rate and magnitude at which current is applied produces a controlled repulsive force between the two magnetic fields (52, 54) to disengage the brake disk (22). As a distance between the permanent magnet (36) and the electromagnet (38) increases, the difference in field strength decreases until an equilibrium position is obtained. The brake is applied and released in a controlled manner by varying the strength of the second magnetic field (54) relative to the first magnetic field generated by the permanent magnet (36).

Abstract: An electric machine includes a rotor rotatable about a central axis. The rotor includes at least one rotor element having a first element edge. A stator includes a stator face facing the rotor and a plurality of stator slots. Each stator slot has at least one stator slot edge located at the stator face. A first edge portion of the at least one stator slot edge is oriented nonparallel to the first element edge in a first direction and a second edge portion of the at least one stator slot edge is oriented nonparallel to the first element edge in a second direction.

Abstract: A drive (50) for a gearless elevator (10) includes a first drive machine (52) with a first sheave having a first axis of rotation, the first sheave to receive a first set of ropes (20A) attached to the elevator car (12), and a second drive machine (54) having a second sheave having a second axis of rotation, the second sheave to receive a second set of ropes (20B) attached to the elevator car (12). The first axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation are parallel, and have a distance therebetween.

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: An exemplary method of making a first component for contacting another component includes applying a wear and corrosion resistant material layer onto a surface of the first component. The wear and corrosion resistant material layer is then roughened subsequent to having been applied to the surface. A component comprises an exemplary elevator sheave that includes a metallic body having a sheave surface that is adapted to contact an elevator tension member. A corrosion resistant material layer on the sheave surface has a thickness that is greater than about 5 microns.

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 load bearing member (34) for supporting an elevator car (10) has a plurality of tension members (38) that bear the weight and counterweight of the elevator car (10). The plurality of tension members extends along a length. An outer cover (42) envelopes the plurality of tension members and has a first surface and a second surface. The plurality of tension members are sandwiched between the first surface (46) and the second surf ace (48). The first surface is for traction on a sheave (22). The first surface and the second surface define a cross-section (52) transverse to the length of the load bearing member. The cross-section has a first end portion (56), a middle portion (60) and a second end portion (64). The middle portion has a first width (w1) between the first surface and the second surface which is smaller than a second width (w2) between the first surface and the second surface of one of the first end portion and the second end portion.

Abstract: A tool for hoisting a coated steel belt of an elevator system that includes a back plate to which a plurality of clamp assemblies is mounted. Each of the clamp assemblies includes a clamp plate biased by a biasing member to resiliently secure each of the belts.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly (30) of an elevator system (20) includes a plurality of load bearing members (34) that each have a selected strength. The number of load bearing members (34) and their associated strengths provide an initial factor of safety for the load bearing assembly (30). The initial factor of safety is selected based upon a relationship between a determined desired life of the load bearing assembly (30) and a desired retirement strength of the load bearing assembly (30) at the end of the desired life.

Abstract: A brake assembly (18) includes a permanent magnet (36) that generates a first magnetic field (52) in a direction that causes application of a clamping force on a brake disk (22). An electromagnet (38) is energized with current of a proper polarity to generate a second magnetic field (54) opposite the first magnetic field (52). The rate and magnitude at which current is applied produces a controlled repulsive force between the two magnetic fields (52, 54) to disengage the brake disk (22). As a distance between the permanent magnet (36) and the electromagnet (38) increases, the difference in field strength decreases until an equilibrium position is obtained. The brake is applied and released in a controlled manner by varying the strength of the second magnetic field (54) relative to the first magnetic field generated by the (36).

Abstract: An elevator door mover device (40) includes a threaded ferromagnetic shaft (42). Magnetic movers (48) associated with doors (26) generate magnetic fields that cause the doors to move responsive to rotation of the shaft (42). In one example, a controller (46) controls a speed of a motor (44) that drives the shaft (42). The controller (46) in some examples also selectively controls the strength of the magnetic fields of the movers, which provides more customizable door performance.