Abstract: An elevator hoistway door lock assembly comprises first and second lock subassemblies. Each lock subassembly has a rotatable latch mounted on a respective door hanger, a first and second catches are mounted on the hoistway for engagement with each respective latch, a first and second cam followers are fastened to the respective latches and movable between a first position in which each latch engages the respective catch in a locked position and a second position in which each latch is disengaged from the respective catch in an unlocked position so that the hoistway doors may be moved to an open position and each pair of electrical contacts for indicating a locked condition of the respective door when the contacts are electrically connected.

Abstract: The door or doors on an elevator cab are driven during their opening and closing cycles by a linear induction motor drive system. The primary of the linear motor is fixed to the cab assembly, and the secondary is mounted on the door hanger panel and moves with the door. In order for the secondary to maintain a proper spacing relative to the primary, a flexible connection is provided between the secondary and the remainder of the door. In this way, shifting of the door during its opening and closing movements will not cause misalignment of the secondary with respect to the primary.

Abstract: A coupling for causing an elevator car door to engage an elevator hoistway door includes a pair of vanes, each end of each vane pivoted on a link connecting it with the other vane, the links being disposed for rotation between said two vanes on an elevator car door thereby forming a parallelogram. The vanes extend vertically between four rollers which rotate about horizontal axles disposed at the top of the hoistway door, and which provide rotationally stiff coupling. A solenoid actuator can move one vane up to cause the parallelogram to shrink, into an uncoupled position. When the actuator is disenergized, a spring causes the parallelogram to spread so that the vanes are wedged between the rollers and the two doors are coupled together.

Abstract: An elevator door hold-close device in combination with a moving vane elevator door coupler having first and second vanes pivotally connected by links to form a parallelogram pivotally movable between a first compressed uncoupled position and an expanded coupled position. A structural member is fixed to the elevator car and has a friction pad configured for retentive engagement with a friction pad on the vane assembly to hold the car door closed against manual operation when the elevator car is in flight.

Abstract: The door or doors of an elevator are driven through their opening and closing cycles by one or more linear induction motor (LIM) assemblies in which the primary winding component of the LIM assembly is secured to the elevator cab structure and the LIM secondary component is secured to the cab door. If the cab has two oppositely moving doors, there will preferably be two separate motor drives, one for each door. In one embodiment, the motor components are arranged so as to create a normal force which is horizontal; and in another embodiment, the normal force created is vertical. A primary motor mount bracket is used which secures the primary winding component to the overhead component of the cab structure.

Abstract: A coupling for causing an elevator car door to engage an elevator hoistway door includes a pair of vanes, each end of each vane pivoted on a link connecting it with the other vane, the links being disposed for rotation between said two vanes on an elevator car door thereby forming a parallelogram. The vanes extend vertically between four rollers which rotate about horizontal axles disposed at the top of the hoistway door, and which provide rotationally stiff coupling. A solenoid actuator can move one vane up to cause the parallelogram to shrink, into an uncoupled position. When the actuator is disenergized, a spring causes the parallelogram to spread so that the vanes are wedged between the rollers and the two doors are coupled together.

Abstract: An elevator car door is moved by a variable voltage, variable frequency linear induction motor which is driven open current loop to achieve a desired velocity profile indicated by an incremental linear encoder, with washed out proportional and integral gain. A magnetizing current insufficient to overcome the weight of the door is added in quadrature with the linear force current, and frequency is determined open loop in a predetermined fashion. Pulse width modulation voltage control signals are utilized to apply fixed voltages of correct polarity through a low pass three phase filter to the windings of the motor for correct intervals of time so as to synthesize desired sinusoidal winding currents. A boost of current is provided following each zero crossing of the sinusoidal winding currents to overcome lags therein. A ramp down of voltage avoids dropping the door at the end of door opening and door closing.

Abstract: An elevator car door is moved by a variable voltage, variable frequency linear induction motor which is driven open current loop to achieve a desired velocity profile indicated by an incremental linear encoder, with washed out proportional and integral gain. A magnetizing current insufficient to overcome the weight of the door is added in quadrature with the linear force current, and frequency is determined open loop in a predetermined fashion. Pulse width modulation voltage control signals are utilized to apply fixed voltages of correct polarity through a low pass three phase filter to the windings of the motor for correct intervals of time so as to synthesize desired sinusoidal winding currents. A boost of current is provided following each zero crossing of the sinusoidal winding currents to overcome lags therein. A ramp down of voltage avoids dropping the door at the end of door opening and door closing.

Abstract: An elevator car door is moved by a variable voltage, variable frequency linear induction motor which is driven open current loop to achieve a desired velocity profile indicated by an incremental linear encoder, with washed out proportional and integral gain. A magnetizing current insufficient to overcome the weight of the door is added in quadrature with the linear force current, and frequency is determined open loop in a predetermined fashion. Pulse width modulation voltage control signals are utilized to apply fixed voltages of correct polarity through a low pass three phase filter to the windings of the motor for correct intervals of time so as to synthesize desired sinusoidal winding currents. A boost of current is provided following each zero crossing of the sinusoidal winding currents to overcome lags therein. A ramp down of voltage avoids dropping the door at the end of door opening and door closing.

Abstract: A reciprocating elevator cab door is mounted on a guide track assembly which is fixed to the cab. The cab door is provided with guide rollers which travel along the upper surface of the guide track as the door opens and closes. The door is also provided with at least one upthrust roller which engages the lower surface of the guide track so as to stabilize the door against rocking motion as it moves back and forth over the guide track. The upthrust roller is preferably spring biased against the guide track. Use of the upthrust roller allows greater flexibility of door drive systems.

Abstract: A magnetic coupling device is disposed on an elevator car door in a position to engage a magnetic vane disposed on a hoistway door which is to be opened in unison with the car door. The magnetic coupling unit may comprise either an electromagnet or a permanent magnet and has spring loaded rollers disposed above and below it so as to control the initial force of engagement between the elevator car door and the hoistway door, for smoother door opening operation.

Abstract: A horizontally stiff, but vertically yielding coupling between an elevator car door and an elevator hoistway door includes a brushless torque actuator which rotates a member (disposed on the elevator door) between a first, clearance position and a second, coupling position where it becomes wedged between the walls of a channel disposed on a hoistway door. The member may have rollers to make contact with the walls of the channel, or it may simply have sliding surfaces for contact with the channel.

Abstract: An elevator hoistway door lock comprises a rod journaled for rotation on a hoistway door. A pin which extends laterally from the rod engages a lip when the rod is rotated into a locked position by means of its own weight, and optionally a spring. The pin clears the lip when the rod is rotated into an unlocked position by means of a retiring cam disposed on the elevator car. The electrical safety switch contacts are interconnected by a rotating contact disposed on the rod, only when the rod is rotated to place the pin in the locked position.

Abstract: An elevator hoistway door is coupled to an elevator car door so as to be opened and closed in unison therewith by means of a pair of shoes which are mounted on the elevator door and have cammed surfaces that allow the shoes to be spread so as to be wedged within the walls of a channel that is mounted on the hoistway door. The wedging action is caused by a solenoid actuator and the shoes are returned by means of a spring to a rest position in which they have adequate clearance within channels of all of the hoistway doors which the elevator may pass. Advance door opening and releveling is accommodated by means of rollers or sliding contact.