Abstract: An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

Abstract: An elevator control system includes at least one destination entry fixture coupled to a controller area network (CAN) bus that provides a first communication channel, the at least one destination entry fixture operable to transmit destination information over the CAN bus; a plurality of elevator car controllers each associated with a respective elevator car, the plurality of elevator car controllers coupled to the CAN bus to receive the destination information; the plurality of elevator car controllers coupled to a ring network that provides a second communication channel; and a group controller operable to determine an elevator car to be dispatched in response to receiving the destination information.

Abstract: An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator destination entry system includes a passenger interface device that presents a visual representation of at least one item that will accompany a passenger on an elevator car. The passenger interface allows the passenger to select the visual representation. A controller is configured to receive indications of passenger requests for elevator service and an indication from the passenger interface device regarding a selected visual representation. The controller determines an amount of space within an elevator car required to accommodate the item based on predetermined space information corresponding to the selected visual representation. The controller assigns a car to a passenger request based on a determination that the assigned car will have adequate space to accommodate the passenger and the item.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator passenger interface device includes a passenger communication component that facilitates communications between a passenger and an elevator system. Such communications include passenger input to request elevator service and information provided to the passenger. A controller controls the passenger communication component to control its functionality including providing selected information to the passenger. The controller includes a customization module configured to change the functionality of the passenger communication component responsive to authorized user input that is distinct from the passenger input. The authorized user input includes a selection of at least one of a feature used to present information to a passenger or a feature used to allow a passenger to request elevator service.

Abstract: An elevator control system includes at least one destination entry fixture coupled to a controller area network (CAN) bus that provides a first communication channel, the at least one destination entry fixture operable to transmit destination information over the CAN bus; a plurality of elevator car controllers each associated with a respective elevator car, the plurality of elevator car controllers coupled to the CAN bus to receive the destination information; the plurality of elevator car controllers coupled to a ring network that provides a second communication channel; and a group controller operable to determine an elevator car to be dispatched in response to receiving the destination information.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator destination entry system includes a passenger interface device that presents a visual representation of at least one item that will accompany a passenger on an elevator car. The passenger interface allows the passenger to select the visual representation. A controller is configured to receive indications of passenger requests for elevator service and an indication from the passenger interface device regarding a selected visual representation. The controller determines an amount of space within an elevator car required to accommodate the item based on predetermined space information corresponding to the selected visual representation. The controller assigns a car to a passenger request based on a determination that the assigned car will have adequate space to accommodate the passenger and the item.

Abstract: An exemplary elevator passenger interface device includes a passenger communication component that facilitates communications between a passenger and an elevator system. Such communications include passenger input to request elevator service and information provided to the passenger. A controller controls the passenger communication component to control its functionality including providing selected information to the passenger. The controller includes a customization module configured to change the functionality of the passenger communication component responsive to authorized user input that is distinct from the passenger input. The authorized user input includes a selection of at least one of a feature used to present information to a passenger or a feature used to allow a passenger to request elevator service.

Abstract: A belt for suspending or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of wires arranged into one or more cords; and a jacket substantially retaining the one or more cords. At least one of the one or more cords includes a plurality of non-load bearing filler filaments interposed between adjacent wires of the plurality of wires. An elevator system includes an elevator car, one or more sheaves, and one or more belts operably connected to the car and interactive with the one or more sheaves for suspending or driving the elevator car. Each belt of the one or more belts includes a plurality of wires arranged into one or more cords and a jacket substantially retaining the one or more cords. At least one of the one or more cords includes a plurality of non-load bearing filler filaments interposed between adjacent wires of the plurality of wires.

Abstract: An elevator cab ceiling includes an upper ceiling panel and a lower ceiling panel that are vertically spaced apart from each other with an intermediate ceiling cavity between them. An inlet duct is associated with the upper ceiling panel and an outlet duct is associated with the lower ceiling panel. The inlet and outlet ducts are horizontally spaced apart from each other and are fluidly connected to each other through the intermediate ceiling cavity to form a ventilation path. This separation of inlet and outlet ducts by an intermediate ceiling cavity reduces airborne noise transmissions that enter an elevator cab through the ventilation path. In one example, at least one baffle is installed within the intermediate ceiling cavity between the inlet and outlet ducts to interrupt a flow between the inlet and outlet to further reduce any transmitted noise.

Abstract: An exemplary elongated elevator load bearing member includes a plurality of tension elements that extend along a length of the load bearing member. A plurality of weave fibers transverse to the tension elements are woven with the tension elements such that the weave fibers maintain a desired spacing and alignment of the tension elements relative to each other. The weave fibers at least partially cover the tension elements. The weave fibers are exposed and establish an exterior, traction surface of the load bearing member.

Abstract: A method of controlling noise noticeable within an elevator car (22) includes intentionally introducing noise into the elevator car (22) at a noise level that depends on the position of the car within a hoistway (24). A disclosed example includes using existing elevator system components for generating compensating noise at different levels corresponding to different positions of the car within the hoistway. One disclosed example includes increasing introduced noise as the car descends further away from a machine responsible for moving the car. The introduced noise reduces or eliminates changes in noticeable noise within the elevator car as the car moves relative to the machine. The disclosed examples have particular usefulness in machine roomless elevator systems although they are not necessarily limited to such systems.

Abstract: A method of controlling noise noticeable within an elevator car (22) includes intentionally introducing noise into the elevator car (22) at a noise level that depends on the position of the car within a hoistway (24). A disclosed example includes using existing elevator system components for generating compensating noise at different levels corresponding to different positions of the car within the hoistway. One disclosed example includes increasing introduced noise as the car descends further away from a machine responsible for moving the car. The introduced noise reduces or eliminates changes in noticeable noise within the elevator car as the car moves relative to the machine. The disclosed examples have particular usefulness in machine roomless elevator systems although they are not necessarily limited to such systems.

Abstract: An escalator step (12) includes a sound barrier material (40) covering over at least a portion of an inner surface (42) of a tread portion(30) and an inner surface (44) of a rise portion (32). In one example, the sound barrier material (40) comprises a sheet of vinyl. The sound barrier material (40) reduces noise radiation from the step (12) toward a cavity (26) within a passenger conveyor support structure (20) and reduces noise emanations from the cavity (26) through the steps (12). Several embodiments for securing the sound barrier material (40) in place are disclosed.

Abstract: An elevator cab ceiling includes an upper ceiling panel and a lower ceiling panel that are vertically spaced apart from each other with an intermediate ceiling cavity between them. An inlet duct is associated with the upper ceiling panel and an outlet duct is associated with the lower ceiling panel. The inlet and outlet ducts are horizontally spaced apart from each other and are fluidly connected to each other through the intermediate ceiling cavity to form a ventilation path. This separation of inlet and outlet ducts by an intermediate ceiling cavity reduces airborne noise transmissions that enter an elevator cab through the ventilation path. In one example, at least one baffle is installed within the intermediate ceiling cavity between the inlet and outlet ducts to interrupt a flow between the inlet and outlet to further reduce any transmitted noise.

Abstract: An announcement system (12) and method for communicating information relating to the operation of a building transport system (14), such as an elevator, moving walkway, or escalator, determines an appropriate volume for announcements based upon the sensed ambient noise.

Abstract: An escalator step (12) includes a sound barrier material (40) covering over at least a portion of an inner surface (42) of a tread portion(30) and an inner surface (44) of a rise portion (32). In one example, the sound barrier material (40) comprises a sheet of vinyl. The sound barrier material (40) reduces noise radiation from the step (12) toward a cavity (26) within a passenger conveyor support structure (20) and reduces noise emanations from the cavity (26) through the steps (12). Several embodiments for securing the sound barrier material (40) in place are disclosed.

Abstract: A guide rail (24) for an elevator system (20) includes an aluminum body having a base portion (30) and a nose portion (32). A covering (40), which is made from a steel sheet in one example, covers over a distal end (36) of the nose portion (32) to provide a braking surface for a conventional braking device to selectively prevent movement of an elevator car (22). In one example, a high temperature bonding material (42) secures the covering to the nose portion of the guide rail. In one example, the guide rail body is made from extruded aluminum and the covering comprises steel.