Abstract: A vibration dampening device is operable to dampen vibrations within ropes of an elevator car or other components to improve ride quality, and is further operable to harness or harvest and convert energy from those vibrations into electrical energy. The dampening device includes a macro-fiber composite and the vibrations are communicated or transmitted to the macro-fiber composite. The macro-fiber composite is operable to harness or harvest and convert energy from vibrations into electrical energy. Such electrical energy is communicated or transmitted to a control system of the elevator car for storage and/or use.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dampening oscillations of an elevator car retains the active control of an elevator system in the presence of displacement. This active control may be maintained via the use of an actuator that tailors Lorentz force relative to the level of displacement along a non-linear continuum.

Abstract: A vibration dampening device is operable to dampen vibrations within ropes of an elevator car or other components to improve ride quality, and is further operable to harness or harvest and convert energy from those vibrations into electrical energy. The dampening device includes a macro-fiber composite and the vibrations are communicated or transmitted to the macro-fiber composite. The macro-fiber composite is operable to harness or harvest and convert energy from vibrations into electrical energy. Such electrical energy is communicated or transmitted to a control system of the elevator car for storage and/or use.

Abstract: An active guiding and balance system that retains the active control of an elevator system in the presence of displacement. This active control may be maintained via the use of an actuator that tailors Lorentz force relative to the level of displacement along a non-linear continuum.

Abstract: An active guiding and balance system that retains the active control of an elevator system in the presence of displacement. This active control may be maintained via the use of an actuator that tailors Lorentz force relative to the level of displacement along a non-linear continuum.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system can include at least one first elevator shaft having a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.

Abstract: An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in each elevator shaft of the system. The elevator shaft may include a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.

Abstract: A system and method for actively damping tension members modulates the natural frequency of shape memory alloys incorporated into tension members, such as suspension ropes or cables. The frequency of the tension member can be modulated by heating the shape memory alloy, such modulation preventing potentially destructive resonance with natural exciting forces.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system can include at least one first elevator shaft having a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.

Abstract: An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in an elevator shaft. The elevator system controls loading of one of the car at ground floor level by moving the other car to a level below the ground floor level.

Abstract: A method for assigning an elevator car to respond to a call signal includes a controller that determines which elevator car will respond to the call signal based on certain time metrics. The controller receives a hall call signal, and based on certain time metrics that can include, e.g., an estimated wait time (EWT), and/or estimated travel time (ETT), assigns the call signal to an elevator car. In this example, EWT represents the time a passenger is waiting for an elevator car to arrive, and ETT represents the it takes for a passenger to reach their destination once having boarded an elevator car. In some versions, an estimated time to destination (ETD) is used in determining which elevator car to assign, where ETD represents the sum of EWT and ETT. In some versions, a handling capacity coefficient (HCx), which reflects current traffic conditions, is used in determining which elevator car to assign.

Abstract: A system and method for actively damping tension members modulates the natural frequency of shape memory alloys incorporated into tension members, such as suspension ropes or cables. The frequency of the tension member can be modulated by heating the shape memory alloy, such modulation preventing potentially destructive resonance with natural exciting forces.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system can include at least one first elevator shaft having a first and a second region, with the first region extending from a ground level to sub-ground levels, and with the second region extending from the ground level to a top floor. A first elevator car may move within the first region and a second elevator car may move within the second region, in the same shaft independently of each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically equalizing the uneven tension between ropes of an elevator in combination with a load cell to determine elevator load. The load of an elevator car having multiple tension members is automatically balanced while load is measured using a single load cell. The incorporation of a load cell with an autobalancing system allows for an accurate measure of an elevator load to be taken while providing the benefits of having uniform rope lengths in the elevator system. The apparatus may have various arrangements, including an in-line configuration and a grouped configuration. The apparatus may also dampen the vibration energy that is usually imparted to an elevator car.

Abstract: A system and method for minimizing compensation rope sway by altering the natural frequency of compensation ropes using servo actuators. The rope sway may be minimized by moving the compensation sheave to adjust the tension of the compensation rope or adjusting the position of the termination of a compensation rope to account for changes in the position of a structure. Servo actuators may also be used to re-level the elevator car to account for rope stretch.

Abstract: An elevator system includes at least two independently operable elevator cars in an elevator shaft. The elevator system includes a virtual landing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a termination device for an aramid-based elevator rope having a high breaking strength. The termination device comprises a socket having a cylindrical, tapered internal passageway adapted to receive a corresponding wedge. The wedge includes a semi-cylindrical passageway in a substantially helical configuration to increase the surface area between the associated rope and the wedge. The termination device clamps the length of rope between tapered portions of the socket and the semi-cylindrical passageway of the wedge with a substantially uniform application of force on the cross-section of the rope.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for handling power outages in a multiple car elevator system in a building having a plurality of floors. The system includes an energy calculator connected to the elevators, and determines a total energy of the elevator system, a total energy required to handle a power outage, a plan to prepare for a power outage and a plan to handle a power outage. The system also includes a movement controller connected to the elevator(s) and the energy calculator. The movement controller receives the plan to prepare and the plan to handle from the energy calculator, and the movement controller executes the plan to prepare if there is no power outage and the movement controller executes the plan to handle if there is a power outage.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system comprises at least one first elevator shaft having a lower first and a lower second region, where a first elevator car moves within the lower first region of the first elevator shaft and a second elevator car moves within the lower second region. The first and second elevators are moveably controlled independently of each other within the first shaft. The system also includes at least one second elevator shaft having an upper first and an upper second region, where a third elevator car moves within the upper first region of the second elevator shaft and a fourth elevator car moving within the upper second region. The third and fourth elevator cars also are moveably controlled independently of each other.

Abstract: An elevator system comprises at least two independently operable elevator cars in each of a plurality of elevator shafts within a building. The elevator system comprises at least one first elevator shaft having a lower first and a lower second region, where a first elevator car moves within the lower first region of the first elevator shaft and a second elevator car moves within the lower second region. The first and second elevators are moveably controlled independently of each other within the first shaft. The system also includes at least one second elevator shaft having an upper first and an upper second region, where a third elevator car moves within the upper first region of the second elevator shaft and a fourth elevator car moving within the upper second region. The third and fourth elevator cars also are moveably controlled independently of each other.