Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system is provided and includes recognizing that brakes of an elevator car fail to drop upon brake power being removed, temporarily hovering the elevator car in place to allow the elevator car to be emptied, controllably moving the elevator car in a direction of imbalance, which is defined in terms of relative weights of the elevator car and a counter-weight and torque applied to the elevator car for driving the elevator car upwardly or downwardly, to either a top or a bottom of a hoistway and confirming that the brakes are failing to drop or provide sufficient holding torque.

Abstract: An elevator drive configured to control power to an elevator motor includes a plurality of first (upper) inverter switches and a plurality of second (lower) inverter switches. A processor is configured to provide control signals to control operation of the inverter switches. A first signal buffer between the processor and the inverter switches is configured to selectively prevent any control signals from turning on any of the inverter switches when the motor should not receive power. A second signal buffer between the processor and the inverter switches is configured to selectively bypass the first signal buffer, prevent any control signals from turning on the first inverter switches, and allow a control signal from the processor to turn on the second inverter switches to provide motor braking.

Abstract: An elevator energy management system includes a first variable frequency drive configured to deliver electrical power from a power source to an elevator machine during a first operating condition and to receive regenerative energy from the elevator machine during a second operating condition. A second variable frequency drive is configured to selectively receive regenerative energy from the first variable frequency drive during the second operating condition. At least one energy receiving device is coupled with the second variable frequency drive. The energy receiving device is configured to receive regenerative energy from the second variable frequency drive.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify and, if necessary, respond to conditions indicative of electromagnetic brake temperature, and in particular relates to passenger conveyers, such as elevators, employing the system and method. More specifically, an example passenger conveyer system includes an electromagnetic brake and a controller configured to identify a condition indicative of a temperature of the electromagnetic brake approaching a boundary of a predetermined operating range.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method configured to identify and, if necessary, respond to conditions indicative of electromagnetic brake temperature, and in particular relates to passenger conveyers, such as elevators, employing the system and method. More specifically, an example passenger conveyer system includes an electromagnetic brake and a controller configured to identify a condition indicative of a temperature of the electromagnetic brake approaching a boundary of a predetermined operating range.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator brake control device includes at least one primary switch configured to selectively conduct current for lifting all of a plurality of brake applicators. A plurality of secondary switches are each associated with one of the brake applicators. Each of the secondary switches is configured to selectively conduct current for lifting the associated one of the brake applicators. The plurality of secondary switches are between the primary switch and the associated one of the brake applicators.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electromagnetic brake temperature monitoring system and method, and in particular relates to passenger conveyer systems, such as elevator systems, employing the system and method. An example passenger conveyer system includes an electromagnetic brake and a controller configured to determine a temperature of the electromagnetic brake.