Abstract: An elevator installation has an elevator car and a permanent magnet linear drive system with a stationary part and a movable part, which moves along the stationary part when the permanent magnet linear drive system is controlled in a drive mode. The elevator car is arranged in a rucksack configuration. The stationary part has two inclined interaction surfaces which include an angle between 0° and 180°. The movable part comprises two units which are so arranged in common on a rear side of the elevator car and mechanically positively connected with the elevator car that in the case of drive control each of the two units produces a movement along one of the interaction surfaces in order to thus move the elevator car.

Abstract: Platforms for detecting, identifying and/or designating objects. Platforms according to one embodiment of the invention include an extendable mast connected to a skid via a linkage that allows pivoting of the mast with respect to the skid, and preferably does not permit rotation of the mast; at least two actuators connected to the mast; at least one inclination sensor; at least one detection sensor connected to the mast for detecting presence of an object; and circuitry that receives information from the inclination sensors and plumbs the mast. Coupling and actuator mechanisms are disclosed for connecting the mast to the skid in a manner that allows the mast to be stable for accurate use of the sensors, yet easily and quickly deployable for such use, whether the platform is deployed from the bed of a truck or when the skid is on the ground and the mast is fully extended.

Abstract: A portion of an elevator car electrical system, such as car computer, terminals, communication apparatus, etc., is mounted in an apparatus space integrated into a car roof. The apparatus space is arranged along a car roof edge and utilizes a constructional height required for stiffening the car roof. The portion of the car electrical system is accessible by a moveable cover for service. When closed, the cover forms a standing surface which can be used for servicing in the elevator shaft.

Abstract: A load-lifting apparatus has one or more prime power sources, one or more energy storage systems and regenerative braking. Regenerative energy is recovered when the load-lifting apparatus lowers its load. The elements of the prime power sources, energy storage devices and electrical components may be distributed to provide stability for the load-lifting apparatus. The general power architecture and energy recovery method can be applied to cranes, rubber-tired gantry cranes, overhead cranes, mobile cranes, ship-to-shore cranes, container cranes, rail-mounted gantry cranes, straddle carrier cranes and elevators. In such an architecture, the energy storage system helps alleviate the power rating requirement of the prime power source with respect to the peak power requirement for lifting a load.

Abstract: Disclosed are an elevator drive, a clamping arrangement for an elevator machine, a braking mechanism for an elevator system, and a rotor fixture for an elevator machine. The inventive elevator drive is subdivided into a number of segments, to each of which a converter is assigned.

Abstract: The rolling friction force of ball screw is much small than the sliding friction force of it. Using ball screw as the transmission mechanism for elevator, so as to find the differences of friction forces between rolling motion and sliding motion. Besides, the current of motor has the obvious relationship to the driving force of motor, we use current of motor for ball screw type elevator to monitor the system. And, before the serious damage occurring, the monitor system can find the different form the current of motor, and make the operation for elevator safer.

Abstract: A connector device (40) for making electrically conductive connections with at least one tension member (32) in an elevator load bearing member (30) includes a spacer member (42) that establishes physical spacing between portions (38) of the load bearing member (30). In one example, each portion (38) includes one tension member (32). A holding member (50) secures the portions (38) in a selected position relative to the connector device. At least one electrically conductive connector member (70) makes electrically conductive contact with at least one of the tension members (32) to facilitate a selected electricity-based monitoring technique for accessing the condition of the load bearing member.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement for coupling a traction sheave on a motor shaft includes a taper lock bushing and a traction sheave having a tapered bore adapted to receive the taper lock bushing. The taper lock bushing is sized to slidingly engage with the motor shaft and to fit into the tapered bore of the traction sheave. The taper lock bushing is fastened onto the traction sheave via threaded fasteners to result in a compression fit between the taper lock bushing and the motor shaft.

Abstract: An improved lift system door control or safety circuit utilizes locking devices for the lift shaft doors and lock sensors to monitor the status of the locking devices. The lock sensors are coupled to a lift drive unit control through a data bus, which need not be especially designed as a safety data bus. The lock sensors are repeatedly interrogated at short term intervals. The status of the doors is interrogated on a longer time interval, and such data is also passed to the drive unit control by the data bus. The interrogations are used to determine the operating condition of the locking sensors as well as whether communications or transmission errors are present.

Abstract: A drive, a method of operating the drive and an elevator operated by the drive for the movement of persons or goods by at least one car utilize a linear motor. The drive includes at least one linear motor with a secondary part positioned between a first primary part and a second primary part. The drive also includes at least one compensation device that acts by a compensating normal force against an attractive normal force between each of the primary parts and the secondary part.

Abstract: An encoder failure in an elevator drive system is detected and managed. A velocity of the elevator drive system is provided by an encoder signal (60) and compared with a minimum velocity threshold (62). An encoder fault timer is incremented when the velocity is less than the minimum velocity threshold (64). The elevator drive system is disabled when the encoder fault timer reaches a fault threshold time (66).

Abstract: A drive arrangement for an elevator car and a machine roomless elevator incorporates a machine (26) having a drive sheave (27) extending along an axis parallel to the axes of the deflection sheaves (23, 25) associated with both the counter-weight (24) and the elevator car (22). In this manner, the twisting which has occurred in the prior art is reduced or eliminated. The machine is mounted on a bedplate (18) between the guide rails. The elevator car is preferably cantilever mounted, and mounted on laterally outer surfaces of said guide rails. In this manner, the elevator car can travel vertically upwardly beyond the machine.

Abstract: An elevator drive unit including a traction sheave supported by a shaft rotatably supported by a pair of bearings. Mounted on opposite free ends of the shaft are rotors of a pair of electric motors. Cage-housings on a pair of spaced bearing end-plates retain the stators of the motors. A plurality of frequency converters operating in a master/slave mode to supply electrical power to the motors.

Abstract: A lift drive unit has at least one monitoring device for monitoring unallowed raising of a lift cage. The drive unit has a motor unit and a deflecting unit. If a counterweight supported by the deflecting unit, for example rests on a shaft pit buffer, the deflecting unit is unloaded and is raised by means of a spring element of the monitoring device. A sensor of the monitoring device detects the movement of the deflecting unit and switches off the motor of the motor unit via a safety circuit.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coupling arrangement for coupling a motor to a hoist machine. The coupling arrangement comprises a first drum flange comprising an outer body having a first end and a second end, and an inner wall surface defining a cavity of substantially circular cross section. The cavity has a given diameter along a first length of the body, and of reducing diameter along a second length of the body. The flange is adapted to receive at the first end a tapered bushing of increasing diameter and dimensioned such that, upon insertion of the bushing within the body a given length, the bushing frictionally engages with the inner wall surface of reducing diameter for retention therein. The bushing has a central cavity for receiving the shaft of the motor and capable of securing onto the shaft.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a system for ensuring the operation of the safety circuit of an elevator or escalator, said safety circuit containing safety contacts (10, 12, 14) connected in series with a contactor (16). In the method, the largest bypass current coming to the contactor in a fault situation is defined, a testing device (202) is connected in series with the safety circuit, said testing device containing at least one resistor (26), which is used to produce a desired test current that is larger than the largest bypass current, and the neutral point (18) of the safety circuit is shifted if the contactor (16) remains energized by the aforesaid test current.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a cross-head portion and a balustrade mounted to the cross-head portion. The balustrade is moveable from a retracted position for normal operation of the car to a deployed position for inspection operation of the car. The car further includes a second retractable safety device also mounted to the cross-head for preventing or limiting movement of the car. The balustrade includes at least one control for operating the elevator car during the inspection operation, the control being arranged so that the control cannot be operated when the balustrade is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A back-up power system for a traction elevator includes a power sensing device to sense a power loss or irregularity of the normal control power. An inverter timing system is connected to the power loss sensing device. The inverter timing system receives a power sensing signal from the power sensing device. A back-up power generating system communicates with the inverter timing system and generates an output to provide back-up power to the elevator system.

Abstract: An elevator hoisting machine includes a first rotary part having a sheave, a brake-side end plate, and a brake disk integrally formed together, a second rotary part having a rotor with a permanent magnet and a motor-side end plate integrally formed together, wherein the second rotary part is coaxially coupled to the first rotary part with the sheave abutting on the rotor. A sheave casing serves to cover the first rotary part and support the inner periphery of the brake-side end plate, and includes a brake main body which makes contact with the brake disk body to provide braking. A frame serves to covers the second rotary part and support the inner periphery of the motor-side end plate, and includes a stator arranged to face the permanent magnet. The sheave casing and frame are coupled together to form an external enclosure.

Abstract: An elevator installation has an elevator car and a permanent magnet linear drive system with a stationary part and a movable part, which moves along the stationary part when the permanent magnet linear drive system is controlled in a drive mode. The elevator car is arranged in a rucksack configuration. The stationary part has two inclined interaction surfaces which include an angle between 0° and 180°. The movable part comprises two units which are so arranged in common on a rear side of the elevator car and mechanically positively connected with the elevator car that in the case of drive control each of the two units produces a movement along one of the interaction surfaces in order to thus move the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator, particularly for transporting passengers, has an elevator car guided in an elevator shaft a direct drive motor. The drive motor includes an active primary part at the elevator car and a passive secondary part that is fixed in the elevator shaft and is spaced from the primary part by an air gap. In order to achieve a high power capability, the drive motor is configured as a transverse flux motor that moves the primary part linearly relative to the secondary part under the influence of an electromagnetic propulsive force. The secondary part has at least one rail made of a soft magnetic material and subdivided into a plurality of segments having a predetermined length. The segments are fixed to a wall of the elevator shaft by intermediate elements.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coupling arrangement for coupling a motor to a hoist machine. The coupling arrangement comprises a first drum flange comprising an outer body having a first end and a second end, and an inner wall surface defining a cavity of substantially circular cross section. The cavity has a given diameter along a first length of the body, and of reducing diameter along a second length of the body. The flange is adapted to receive at the first end a tapered bushing of increasing diameter and dimensioned such that, upon insertion of the bushing within the body a given length, the bushing frictionally engages with the inner wall surface of reducing diameter for retention therein. The bushing has a central cavity for receiving the shaft of the motor and capable of securing onto the shaft.

Abstract: A stair lift for lifting and lowering at least one person on a rail on a stairway. There is a carriage mountable to the rail, the carriage having a track engaging drive, and a motor to power the drive, the powered drive causing the carriage to move along the rail. There is a central support post mounted on the carriage and an offset arm connected to the seat support post. The offset arm is mounted to the carriage in one of a left side or a right side position. A seat is mounted on the offset arm, and a notched plate secures the seat in position on the offset arm in either the left side or right side position and permits the seat to swivel between a sideways facing position and an upward facing position to facilitate the person getting into and out of the seat.

Abstract: A machine includes a motor that includes a stator carrying a concentrated winding wound on teeth and a rotor rotatable about the stator. The rotor includes a tubular casing and permanent magnets, and a pulley coupled to the rotor.

Abstract: An elevator is provided to prevent a tail cord from being projected out of a tail-cord duct under the influence of air current flowing in the tail-cord duct. The tail-cord duct is formed along an elevating space in which a passenger car moves up and down. The tail-cord duct is provided, along the elevating space, with an opening that opens it. An arm part fixed to the passenger car is introduced into the tail-cord duct. In the tail-cord duct, a tail cord is suspended from the arm part. In plan view of the tail-cord duct, a portion of the arm part for suspending the tail cord is shifted from the opening in a duct-width direction of the duct.

Abstract: A dampening device for a compensating cable operably engaged with an elevator car is provided, wherein the compensating cable includes two linear portions connected by an arcuate portion. A first guide including at least one roller member is disposed within the arcuate portion and is configured to dampen oscillation of the compensating cable. At least one sensor device is disposed within the arcuate portion and is capable of operably engaging at least one of the compensating cable and the at least one roller member to sense an entanglement condition of the compensating cable. In some instances, at least one sensor device is disposed outside the arcuate portion, in addition to or instead of the at least one sensor within the arcuate portion, and capable of operably engaging the compensating cable to sense a suspension rope stretch condition. An associated system and method are also provided.

Abstract: In a cable lift, with a single compartment or shaft (1) for housing a movable cage (2) and an apparatus (3), comprising at least one fixed winch (4) and a counterweight (5), for displacement of the cage (2), the counterweight (5) performs travel movements shorter than those of the cage (2) so that a part (1a) of the shaft (1) is always free to house the winch (4) therein. The latter, in particular, comprises a traction pulley (4c) with its axis (4a) parallel to a wall (1b) of the shaft (1), next to which it is arranged.

Abstract: An automatic hydraulic stabilizing system for a vehicle automatically extends jacks of the vehicle to achieve a level orientation of the vehicle in an automatic mode or a manual mode. After a level orientation is achieved, the system can be operated to further extend the jacks to elevate the vehicle above the initial level orientation in an automatic mode while maintaining the vehicle level. The system can also retract the jacks in an automatic mode while maintaining the vehicle level.

Abstract: There is disclosed a coupling arrangement for coupling a motor to a hoist machine. The coupling arrangement comprises a first drum flange comprising an outer body having a first end and a second end, and an inner wall surface defining a cavity of substantially circular cross section. The cavity has a given diameter along a first length of the body, and of reducing diameter along a second length of the body. The flange is adapted to receive at the first end a tapered bushing of increasing diameter and dimensioned such that, upon insertion of the bushing within the body a given length, the bushing frictionally engages with the inner wall surface of reducing diameter for retention therein. The bushing has a central cavity for receiving the shaft of the motor and capable of securing onto the shaft.

Abstract: The invention relates to a guide along a staircase, along which a carriage of for instance, a stair walking aid or a stair lift is displaceable. This can herein comprise at least one elongate tube and engaging means for the carriage, wherein the tube comprises a stationary segment and at least one tiltable segment which are connected by means of a tilting mechanism in order to tilt the tiltable segment selectively away from and to a position lying in the line of the stationary segment, wherein the tilting mechanism is situated substantially in the interior of at least one of the tiltable segment and the stationary segment.

Abstract: There is provided an machineroom-less elevator which can reduce the pit depth in a bottom part of an elevator shaft, mostly perform maintenance work on an upper space of a cage, and reduce a top clearance. A pair of right and left cage-side sheaves are disposed in the upper space of the cage, and the rotational axes of the traction sheave and the cage-side sheaves are extended in the longitudinal direction. A sheave supporting beam to rotatably support cage-side sheaves is disposed in a space between and upper beam of the cage frame and a ceiling of the cage, and disposed below rotary shafts of the cage-side sheaves.

Abstract: An elevator drive unit including a traction sheave supported by a shaft rotatably supported by a pair of bearings. Mounted on opposite free ends of the shaft are rotors of a pair of electric motors. Cage-housings on a pair of spaced bearing end-plates retain the stators of the motors. A plurality of frequency converters operating in a master/slave mode to supply electrical power to the motors.

Abstract: High-Altitude Building Evacuation System (HABES) is designed for emergency mass-evacuation of high-altitude buildings. The main idea behind the design of HABES was simplicity and the absolute necessity to remove all doubt, concern and decision-making fears of the evacuees mind. In the event an extreme situation, the evacuee should only be concerned about placing and fastening himself/herself in an armchair and expect to be instantaneously delivered to ground level. The rest of the evacuation process will be fully autonomous, relieving the evacuees from the realization of the complexity of the task to be undertaken.

Abstract: An elevator having deflecting rollers integrated in the cage floor or in the counterweight. The support and drive element is guided in the cage floor through a floor channel. By comparison with a conventional cage floor with deflecting rollers (bottom blocks) arranged underneath the cage floor, the cage floor is constructed to be very small in height overall, which has a direct effect on the shaft pit depth. The height gained by the cage floor can be saved in the shaft pit depth.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus has first and second car suspending pulley devices mounted on a car. First and second counterweight suspending pulley devices are mounted on a counterweight. In the upper portion of the interior of a hoistway, there are arranged a car side return pulley device and a counterweight side return pulley device. A main rope body for suspending the car and the counterweight has first and second end portions. The portion of the main rope body extending from the first car suspending pulley device to the first end portion and the portion of the main rope body extending from the second car suspending pulley device to a driving sheave are respectively arranged on sides opposed to each other with respect to the central portion in the width direction of the car within a vertical plane of projection.

Abstract: A vehicle lift control maintains multiple points of a lift system within the same horizontal plane during vertical movement of the lift engagement structure by synchronizing the movement thereof. A vertical trajectory is compared to actual positions to generate a raise signal. A position synchronization circuit synchronizes the vertical actuation of the moveable lift components by determining a proportional-integral error signal.

Abstract: A vehicle lift control maintains multiple points of a lift system within the same horizontal plane during vertical movement of the lift engagement structure by synchronizing the movement thereof. A vertical trajectory is compared to actual positions to generate a raise signal. A position synchronization circuit synchronizes the vertical actuation of the moveable lift components by determining a proportional-integral error signal.

Abstract: A lifting platform for vehicles having at least one column, at least one support arm shiftable on the column by vertical guides and having supports. The lifting platform also includes a prime mover having switching and control elements and a transmission disposed between the prime mover and the associated support arm, the transmission having at least one flexible traction cable coupled to a rotating member positioned at the upper end of the respective column and to the associated support arm.

Abstract: The almost rectangular cutout portion (55) penetrating in the axial direction is formed in an outer edge portion (upper edge portion) of the fixed member (12), and a part of the brake device (58), to be in detail, the movable body (65) is accommodated in the cutout portion (55). Therefore, the fixed member (12) and the movable body (65) of the brake device (58) overlap on each other, and the length of a portion in the periphery of the brake device (58) is shortened, so that the size of the entire elevating drive apparatus (11) can be reduced.

Abstract: A load carrying and measuring apparatus for cable elevators includes a support construction attached to an underside of a base frame or a carrier frame for an elevator car and a pair of cable rollers attached below the support construction for engaging a support cable. A resilient element attaches at least one of the cable rollers to the support construction whereby the resilient element is deformed by load-dependent cable forces acting through the cable roller. A sensor detects the deformation of the resilient element and sends a signal to the elevator control. A resilient isolating element can be connected between the support construction the base frame or the carrier frame.

Abstract: In a cable lift, with a single compartment or shaft (1) for housing a movable cage (2) and an apparatus (3), comprising at least one fixed winch (4) and a counterweight (5), for displacement of the cage (2), the counterweight (5) performs travel movements shorter than those of the cage (2) so that a part (1a) of the shaft (1) is always free to house the winch (4) therein. The latter, in particular, comprises a traction pulley (4c) with its axis (4a) parallel to a wall (1b) of the shaft (1), next to which it is arranged.

Abstract: A coupling arrangement for coupling a motor to a hoist machine comprises a first drum flange having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface for coupling to a hoist machine to reduce vibrations. The drum flange has a central cavity for receiving a motor shaft. A second flange member has a bushing sized to the motor shaft, the second flange member having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface for coupling to the motor. A coupling plate is positioned between the first and second flange members, wherein each of the first and second flange members has pins protruding from the respective inner surfaces and wherein the coupling plate has hole portions radially positioned and in alignment with the respective pins to receive the pins for securing thereto. The first flange member further includes hole portions, each for accommodating a connecting rod to securely fasten at the outer surface to a hoist machine.

Abstract: A vehicle lift control maintains multiple points of a lift system within the same horizontal plane during vertical movement of the lift engagement structure by synchronizing the movement thereof. A vertical trajectory is compared to actual positions to generate a raise signal. A position synchronization circuit synchronizes the vertical actuation of the moveable lift components by determining a proportional-integral error signal.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as an extendible boom forklift, that includes a personnel work platform (PWP). The personnel work platform includes a shut-off switch that is connected to the electronic controls for the extendible boom forklift. The operational controls of the extendible boom forklift include a personnel work platform control system that modifies the operation of the extendible boom forklift when the forklift is in a PWP mode. The PWP control system receives inputs from the shut-off switch, a PWP system actuation switch, a service brake pressure switch and a level sensor/switch such that the control system enables the PWP mode only upon satisfying certain safety-related concerns. In the PWP mode, the control system engages the parking brake, declutches the transmission, locks the frame stabilizing cylinder, deactivates the auxiliary and tilt hydraulic functions and limits the frame leveling rate to slow speeds.

Abstract: A bracket assembly and method for coupling a motor to a hoist machine comprising an adapter plate for coupling to a motor face and sized to cover the face of the motor and accommodate an existing motor register on the hoist machine, a drum flange member coupled to the hoist machine to reduce vibrations, the drum flange member having a central cavity for receiving the motor shaft, a second flange member having a bushing sized to the motor shaft, and a coupling plate positioned between the first and second flange members, the coupling plate made of a resilient material such as a plastic. Each of the first and second flange members and coupling plates have hole portions radially positioned and in alignment with one another, the drum flange having holes formed therein for accommodating a connecting rod such as a bolt to securely fasten the drum flange to the drum brake of the hoist machine.

Abstract: Method for controlling the drive of a conveyor device (10), especially in the form of an escalator or moving sidewalk, switchable between load operation and no-load operation, having a drive motor (26) and a frequency changer (42) controllable at least with respect to frequency and phase position of its output voltage, in which the drive motor (26) in load operation is fed with a line voltage with essentially constant line frequency and in no-load operation with the frequency changer output voltage, the phase difference between the phase position of the line voltage and the phase position of the frequency changer output voltage is determined, the phase position of the frequency changer output voltage is corrected according to the determined phase difference and therefore essentially brought into agreement with the phase position of the line voltage and switching is produced as soon as this agreement is reached.

Abstract: A definite switching-off of drive equipment for elevators is accomplished with a control at an input side external of a frequency changer power unit that ascertains the presence or the absence of monitoring signals which are derived from the mains voltage at the input of the frequency changer power unit. Upon ascertaining the presence of one or more such signals when the drive is at standstill, the input side control interrupts the energy flow to the frequency changer power unit by generating a switching-off signal to a switching device to disconnect the mains voltage.

Abstract: An elevator control system which is installed in a pit of an elevator shaft in an elevator system is protected from flooding in the pit with the provision of an immersion proof structure for the control system. The elevator control system has a control device which can be installed in the pit of the elevator shaft so as to enhance the maintainability thereof since the necessity of a machine room can be eliminated from the elevator system. The immersion proof structure has a bag-like member which covers the control device and which has a top part opened for heat radiation from the elevator control device, the top part being located above the level of the floor of a lowermost one of stories of a building in which the elevator system is installed.

Abstract: A drive unit has a traction sheave mounted on an end of a drive shaft supported by a bearing that is mounted on an extension of a bearing plate that is part of the motor casing. The traction sheave has an extension that serves as a brake drum. Mounted between the traction sheave and the casing, the brake drum together with first brake arms, second brake arms, first electromagnets, second electromagnets, first compression springs and second compression springs form the braking device of the drive unit. On a top of the bearing plate is a first arm linkage and at the bottom of the bearing plate is a second arm linkage. The force of the first compression spring is transmitted to the brake drum by the first brake arm, the required friction force on the brake drum being generated by a first brake lining mounted on a first brake shoe. The friction force on the second half of the brake is generated analogously.

Abstract: An elevator drive machine includes multiple electric motors and a traction sheave. The traction sheave is placed between the motors. With this arrangement, a higher torque is generated by the drive machine as compared to conventional solutions. Furthermore, an elevator arrangement in which such a drive is utilized exhibits efficient space utilization.