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: An elevator car is provided with at least one moveable aerodynamic control surface which is moveable to generate counter forces to aerodynamic forces resulting from airflow around the elevator car. Aerodynamically suitable surfaces may also be provided on either end of the elevator car.

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 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: 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: 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: 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: Provided is a system and method for actively damping tension members by modulating the natural frequency of shape metal alloys. By incorporating shape metal alloys into tension members, such as suspension ropes or cables, the frequency of the tension member can be modulated to prevent potentially destructive resonance with natural exciting forces.