Abstract: Elevator systems and methods are provided. The systems include an elevator car movable within an elevator shaft, the elevator car includes an elevator car door interlock device operable to open and close elevator car doors, a plurality of landing doors located at respective landings along the elevator shaft, wherein each landing door includes a landing door interlock device operable to open and close a respective landing door, wherein each landing door interlock device is engageable by the elevator car door interlock device to enable operation of the elevator car doors and the respective landing door simultaneously. An elevator component inspection system is configured with a detector located on the top of the elevator car and arranged to monitor the interlock devices, wherein the detector obtains inspection data associated with the elevator car door interlock device and the plurality of landing door interlock devices.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator system comprising an elevator car configured to move in an elevator shaft; a main safety controller comprising a main safety output and a secondary safety output, wherein the main safety output is configured to control machinery brakes of the elevator car; and a secondary safety circuit connected to the secondary safety output and arranged in the elevator car and comprising at least one safety contact configured to control stopping means arranged in the elevator car; wherein when the at least one safety contact is triggered the secondary safety circuit is configured to control the stopping means to cause stopping of the elevator car.

Abstract: Elevator systems and methods are provided. The systems include an elevator car movable within an elevator shaft, the elevator car includes an elevator car door interlock device operable to open and close elevator car doors, a plurality of landing doors located at respective landings along the elevator shaft, wherein each landing door includes a landing door interlock device operable to open and close a respective landing door, wherein each landing door interlock device is engageable by the elevator car door interlock device to enable operation of the elevator car doors and the respective landing door simultaneously. An elevator component inspection system is configured with a detector located on the top of the elevator car and arranged to monitor the interlock devices, wherein the detector obtains inspection data associated with the elevator car door interlock device and the plurality of landing door interlock devices.

Abstract: An electronic test node (1) for a safety chain (22) in a passenger conveyor system includes an electrical connection (2) for an associated safety switch (4). A processor (6) is configured to monitor a signal carried by the electrical connection (2) so as to detect whether the associated safety switch (4) is open or closed. The electronic test node (1) further includes a test switch (8) connected in series with the electrical connection (2), wherein the processor (6) is configured to run a test by selectively opening the test switch (8) and monitoring for a change in the signal carried by the electrical connection (2).

Abstract: An elevator inspection and maintenance system, the system including a mechatronic body movable via remote or automatic operation, an inspection and maintenance head installed on the mechatronic body, where the inspection and maintenance head is fitted with a sensor or a manipulation tool to perform an inspection or a maintenance operation on at least one component of an elevator system remotely or automatically.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a door detection system may include a transmitter, a receiver, a reflector, and one or more processors. The transmitter positioned on an elevator car door transmits a signal towards a reflector on a hoistway door and the reflector reflects the signal towards the receiver when the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator door. The one or more processors determine whether the hoistway door is properly positioned with respect to the elevator car door based on the reflected signal received by the receiver. If the hoistway door is not properly positioned, the elevator car is prevented from moving. If the hoistway door is properly positioned, the elevator car is free to move.

Abstract: An elevator has a drive unit displacing an elevator car in an elevator hoistway, an elevator controller controlling operation of the drive unit, multiple safety switches switchable upon occurrence of safety relevant events, and a safety chain overlay control unit including a safety PLC. The PLC has first connectors connected to first safety switch contacts and second connectors connected to second safety switch contacts. The PLC monitors a current safety status of the elevator and identifies a safety critical status by detecting when at least one of the safety switches changes its switching state and comparing the current switching states of the first and second safety switches. The PLC interrupts a main energy supply to the drive unit in response to the safety critical status of the elevator. Comparing switching states of the safety switches connected to the first and second connectors also enables detecting faulty safety switches.

Abstract: Provided is an elevator door device including: a rail that is disposed above an entrance; an opening and closing part of the entrance; and a locking mechanism that locks the opening and closing part. The locking mechanism includes: an engaging part including an engaging body that changes its position between a releasing position and an engaging position in association with the opening and closing of the opening and closing part; and an engaged part including an engaged body engaged with the engaging body at the engaging position. The engaged part is disposed in an area between the rail and the entrance, and overlaps with the rail as seen in plan view in the area. The opening and closing part has such a shape as to be able to open and close without abutting on the engaged part.

Abstract: An illustrative example elevator door interlock includes a latch situated for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between a door locking position and a released position. At least one coupling bumper is situated for movement with the latch between the door locking and released positions. The coupling bumper is selectively moved relative to the pivot axis into an alignment position where the coupling bumper is positioned to cooperate with a door coupler. At least one stationary support is situated to contact the coupling bumper when the latch is in the released position where the stationary support bears a load associated with moving an associated door.

Abstract: An electrical system is provided. The electrical system includes an insulated electrical conductor installed in an aircraft and configured to conduct a current over a length of the insulated electrical conductor. The electrical system includes an optical fiber includes a jacket surrounding an optical core, the optical fiber installed adjacent to the insulated electrical conductor. The electrical system includes a photo detector coupled to the optical fiber and configured to detect an electromagnetic signal carried by the optical fiber and at least partially generated as a function of an electrical fault that occurs at a point along the length of the insulated electrical conductor.

Abstract: Elevator landing door lock assemblies and elevator landing doors having a lock with a keyway accessible from a landing of an elevator system, the lock operable to lock and unlock a landing door and a disengageable link operably connected to the lock and configured to prevent unlocking of the landing door when the disengageable link is not engaged. When an elevator car is aligned with the landing door, the disengageble link is engaged and completed such that the lock is operable to unlock and open the landing door, and, when an elevator car is not aligned with the landing door, the lock is not operable.

Abstract: An opening/closing member driving device includes a motor that opens and closes an opening/closing member and a controller configured to perform an abnormality determination process and a masking process. The abnormality determination process determines occurrence of a foreign object being entrapped or caught by comparing driving information corresponding to a driving status of the motor to a predetermined threshold value. The masking process invalidates the abnormality determination process over a predetermined masking period when the motor is activated. The controller includes a correction unit. The correction unit corrects at least one of the masking period or the threshold value when the motor is activated in a direction opposite to that of a preceding operation in a state in which the opening/closing member is in a high-load range.

Abstract: An elevator car door safety device that uses flags along a hoistway is disclosed. The elevator car door safety device is mounted to the outside of an elevator car door using a mounting plate and includes a locking assembly mounted to the sill of the elevator car door. The car door safety device includes a lever with a hook at its distal end. The safety device also includes a flag engagement arm perpendicularly mounted to the lever. If the flag engagement arm engages a flag on the hoistway then the hook is prevented from being lodged into the locking assembly and the car door is permitted to open. Inversely, if no flag is engaged, the lever will continue to rotate urging the hook to be lodged within the locking assembly, thereby preventing the door from opening. An electric switch assembly can be used to stop the motion of the elevator.

Abstract: A safety device for a hydraulic elevator includes an open-door running prevention unit and a pressure sensor. The open-door running prevention unit includes a memory configured to sequentially store values of the pressure sensor during a period in which the hydraulic elevator is in the open-door state as time-series data. When it is determined that the car speed, detected when the hydraulic elevator is in the open-door state, is equal to or larger than a preset first threshold value, the open-door running prevention unit calculates a differential value between a maximum value and a minimum value of the time-series data stored in the memory in a period of a preset determination time. When the differential value is out of a preset allowable range, the open-door running prevention unit determines that the open-door running abnormality is present, and executes the car braking processing.

Abstract: A lock assembly for an elevator car door is provided including a car mechanism configured to move from a first position to a second position upon detection of a known condition. A contactor is mounted adjacent a lower portion of the elevator car door and is operably coupled to the car door mechanism. The contact is movable in response to movement of the car door mechanism to lock and unlock a portion of the elevator car door.

Abstract: A safety circuit board for controlling an electromechanical brake and motor controller of a passenger transport installation includes at least one processing unit, a main safety output with an associated relay connected to the at least one processing unit and providing a connection to the electromechanical brake and motor, and a secondary safety output with an associated relay connected to the at least one processing unit and providing a connection to the electromechanical brake and motor. The main safety output and the secondary safety output are configured in parallel enabling control of the electromechanical brake and motor with the at least one processing unit using either of the safety outputs.

Abstract: A sill gap monitoring system includes a sensor assembly configured to sense a sill gap between an elevator sill and at least one of a bottom surface of an elevator door and a bottom surface of a gib. The sill gap monitoring system generates an alert when the sill gap is greater than a sill gap limit.

Abstract: A service alarm device for use in an elevator system, the service alarm device including a control board configured to receive at least one safety signal, and an alarming device in communication with the control board, wherein the control board is configured to activate the alarming device based on the at least one safety signal.

Abstract: A method of controlling movement of an elevator car including determining whether the elevator car is present at a specified landing, determining a door lock state, and entering an access detection mode based in part on whether the elevator car is present at the specified landing and the door lock state.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for elevator apparatuses which can move a cab via a drive including a monitoring unit for monitoring at least one of the drive and/or the motor regulation system of the drive, a safety device having at least two sensors, which can be switched between at least two switching states depending on a state, in particular a closing state. In order to be able to reduce operating costs, at least one of the safety device and the monitoring unit includes a controller, which is designed to identify the respective switching states of the sensors, and to transmit at least one of data and monitoring signals to the monitoring unit.

Abstract: A hoistway door locking system includes an elevator shaft. Also included is an elevator car disposed within the elevator shaft and moveable therein between a plurality of access openings located at a plurality of levels of the elevator shaft. Further included is a plurality of locking mechanisms, at least one of the plurality of locking mechanisms being located at each of the plurality of access openings, wherein each of the plurality of locking mechanisms is operable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition, and wherein only a single locking mechanism may be in the unlocked condition at a specific time, the unlocked condition occurring upon alignment of the elevator car and the respective access opening having the single locking mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a landing-door door lock device. The following problem is solved: the position of a lock ball of a general landing-door door lock device is not adjustable, and adjustment is complicated when there is a deviation between positions of the lock ball and a door knife.

Abstract: A monitoring system for transport installations for persons, which installations are arranged as elevator, escalator or moving walkway, includes at least one interrogation device and at least one safety switch, which switch is connected with the interrogation device by an electrical safety circuit and which monitors a door lock of the transport installation for persons. An independent energy supply device supplies power to the interrogation device.

Abstract: A monitoring device for passenger transport systems, which systems are designed as elevators, escalators or moving walkways, includes at least one detecting device used to detect an external actuation of an equipment of the passenger transport system, a control device and at least one energy store for storing electrical energy. The energy store is kept in a charged state. The energy store is put into a discharged state when the detecting device detects the external activation of the equipment.

Abstract: A device for detecting the position of an elevator car (40) by a sensor and evaluation unit (20, 22, 24), accommodated in a sensor housing (10), which can be arranged on the elevator car, is designed for interaction with a strip (14) having a length and/or position coding and which is connected to a switching unit (12) that has a safety switch (30) and/or an interrupter contact for an emergency function, especially an emergency stop of the elevator car, the sensor and evaluation unit being designed for generating a position and/or speed signal from the length or position coding and for generating or receiving an elevator car status signal (62) that corresponds to an opening status of an elevator car.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus. In the method there is determined a speed limit or an acceleration limit for an elevator car based on elevator state information, the elevator state information comprising at least information on whether the elevator car is being driven or whether the elevator car is in a floor. Power supply to the motor is disabled and brakes are applying for braking movement of the elevator car. Speed or acceleration of the elevator car is measured, in response to the applying of the at least one brake and the disabling of the power supply to the motor. It is determined whether the at least one of speed and acceleration of the elevator car exceeds the respective at least one of the speed limit and the acceleration limit. Thereupon, power supply to the motor is enabled for stabilizing movement of the elevator car.

Abstract: Control system for disengaging a safety lock of a lift floor door, comprising: a linear actuation unit; at least one plate in elastically deformable material; at least one actuation cable between said actuation unit and said plate; said actuation unit, said plate and said actuation cable being associated with the lift cabin, in which the actuation cable induces a deformed configuration of said plate, and the plate in deformed configuration disengages said safety lock so as to allow the floor door to open.

Abstract: An elevator installation has at least one shaft door and a monitoring device for monitoring movements for opening the shaft door, the monitoring device has a first, energy-autonomous counting device for counting the movements, which independently of an intact power supply increments a first count value in the case of one of these movements, and a second counting device for counting the movements, which when the power supply is intact increments a second count value in the case of one of these movements, and a comparison circuit which calls up and compares the first and second count values and can generate a signal based on the comparison of the count values.

Abstract: An exemplary method is useful for controlling movement of an elevator car in an elevator system that includes a machine that selectively moves the elevator car and a machine brake that selectively resists movement of the elevator car. The method includes determining whether the elevator car is near a landing and determining whether a door of the elevator car is open. A desired operation includes desired movement of the elevator car while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open. A determination is made whether the elevator car moves other than according to the desired movement. The machine brake is applied for stopping movement of the elevator car responsive to elevator car movement other than the desired movement while the elevator car is near the landing and the door is open.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that may he useful for testing braking systems for use in, for example, an aircraft. A system is disclosed that allows for built in testing. For example, a method if provided comprising sending, from a brake controller, a test command set to at least one of an electromechanical actuator (EMAC) and a brake servo valve (BSV) in response to a landing gear retraction, receiving, at the brake controller, feedback from the at least one of the EMAC and the BSV in response to the test command set, and comparing, at the brake controller, the feedback with a predetermined signature.

Abstract: The invention presents a method and an arrangement for preventing the drifting of an elevator car away from the stopping floor.

Abstract: An elevator system and a method for accelerating the starting of travel in an elevator system are provided. The elevator system includes an elevator control system for implementing controlled motion of an elevator car; a door mechanism control system for implementing controlled movement of the elevator car door; and a door coupler, for forming a mechanical coupling between elevator car door and landing door; and a controller of fast start of travel, which has an input for elevator car position data, an input for landing door position data, an input for car door position data, and at least one output for activating the elevator motor power supply circuit and the elevator brake release circuit.

Abstract: In an emergency stop system for an elevator, a governor sheave that moves in synchronism with the raising and lowering of a car is wound around a governor sheave. The car is mounted with a safety device for braking the car through displacement of the car, which is connected to the governor rope, with respect to the governor rope. A control device outputs an activation signal upon detecting an abnormality in the speed of the car. A rope catching device is provided in the vicinity of the governor sheave. The rope catching device has an electromagnetic actuator that is activated upon input of the activation signal, and a restraining portion for restraining the governor rope upon the activation of the electromagnetic actuator.

Abstract: An elevator system in which a controller monitors whether or not a speed of an ascending/descending body reaches a preset overspeed. At a time of maintenance work, a stopper is interposed between a buffer and the ascending/descending body to limit a lowered position of the ascending/descending body. Stopper detection means detects installation of the stopper onto at least one of the buffer and the ascending/descending body. When the stopper is detected by the stopper detection means, the controller lowers a set value of the overspeed.

Abstract: The invention concerns an arrangement for securing a lift car (1) that is part of an electrically driven lift at a predetermined level for, for example, service or maintenance, and for preventing unintentional motion of the lift car secured in this manner, whereby the lift car may be of the type that is arranged with a cage or platform for the transport of persons or material.

Abstract: A service barrier for elevator equipment and a method for deploying the same, said barrier comprising a floor plate and a plurality of leaves hinged along vertical axes, said floor plate pivotally mounted in front of said elevator equipment and at least one of said plurality of hinged leaves mounted to a side of said elevator equipment, wherein the floor plate is pivotal from a stored position to a substantially horizontal extended position, and said plurality of hinged leaves fold out from a stored position between said stored floor plate and said elevator equipment to an extended position thereby establishing a space in front of said elevator equipment so as to permit maintenance work.

Abstract: An environmental detection system is particularly suited for elevator hoistways and other locations where access is difficult or restricted. The inventive system comprises a fire rated access cage which is disposed within the hoistway in a desired location, and is securely attached to an associated access panel, which is fire protection rated and positioned to extend through a wall defining the hoistway. An environmental sensing device, such as a smoke detector or heat sensor, is secured within the cage so that it is disposed within the hoistway, and can freely detect any smoke or excessive heat present in the hoistway because of a large number of apertures in the walls of the cage. The resultant system, thus, is constructed so that authorized personnel can access the environmental sensing unit conveniently through the access panel door from an adjacent hallway or room to test or maintain it, without shutting down the associated elevator or compromising the effectiveness of the unit.

Abstract: Elevator, exhibiting an elevator shaft (34) and a car (32) which is movably provided inside the elevator shaft (34), and a safety installation (2), which is designed in such a way that it can take the elevator out of service in a dangerous situation, characterized by the fact that the safety installation (2) is equipped with a shaft monitoring device.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an elevator door in a hoistway. The elevator door is movable between a closed position and an open position. The system includes a transmitter for emitting an optical signal and an interlock device for latching the elevator door. The interlock device includes an optical nosepiece so positioned for receiving, guiding, and outputting the optical signal from the transmitter when the elevator door is closed and the interlock device is in the latched state. A receiver receives the optical signal via the nosepiece only when the elevator door is closed and the interlock is latched to thereby indicate the elevator door is in its latched state.

Abstract: There is provided an elevator shaftway intrusion detector which utilizes an image detector including a camera for generating a detection field within a zone of detection including the elevator shaft-side roof and floor and an image processing means for generating a detection signal upon an attempted entry. A power supply and switching network are employed for applying power from the power supply to the image detector and processor which are responsive to the detection signal for applying power from the power supply to a detection indicator such as a siren.

Abstract: A safety chain of an elevator system utilizes optical fiber to verify mechanical locking of elevator doors. The elevator doors have locks which incorporate the optical fiber to determine if each of the doors has been locked. The optical safety chain provides the necessary feedback to the elevator controller for safe operation of the elevator system.

Abstract: An elevator door monitoring system determines if any hatch door at any floor along an elevator shaft or any other door leading to the shaft is opened while an elevator cab is away from the door. The system includes a plurality of non-contact hatch door monitors, such as infrared proximity detectors. At least one monitor is positioned on the elevator shaft at a respective location generally opposite each hatch door along the shaft. Each monitor detects the opening of the respective hatch door without direct contact therewith, e.g., by directing radiation toward the door and measuring the distance to the door. If the distance is too great, indicating that the door is open and no elevator is present, the monitor produces an alarm signal. The alarm signal is sent to a control circuit which takes the elevator out of service and operates audible and visual alarms in response thereto.

Abstract: A bi-parting elevator door actuator apparatus operably connected to a bi-parting door assembly having 1) a door interlock and power control assembly; 2) a bi-fold door actuator assembly; and 3) an electrical control circuit. The door interlock and power control assembly includes 1) a door latch assembly connected to the bi-parting door assembly to hold in a closed position; 2) a cam roller and linkage assembly engagable with the bi-parting door assembly to open and close a first power relay assembly; and 3) a door actuated power assembly having a second power relay assembly operable to be opened on opening of the bi-parting door assembly. An elevator drive motor is denied electrical power when a) the bi-parting door assembly is in an open position; and b) the traveling elevator car assembly reaches a predetermined position for stopping.

Abstract: A door safety circuit for monitoring of story doors in lift installations. The door safety circuit includes a transmitter that produces a non-electrical signal which is guided by a series of conductor portions. The non-electrical signal may be transmitted through a first conductor partial portion to a latching device of a first story door, depending upon the latched state of the first story door, the signal may be either transmitted to a second conductor partial portion, which may be included within the latching device, or no longer transmitted. If the signal is similarly transmitted through a plurality of conductor partial portions and serially connected story door latching devices, the circuit may indicate that each story door is properly latched. The circuit may also include a plurality of sensors coupled to a failure recognition circuit for monitoring each conductor partial portion.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting the operative status of each of a series of remote stations connected to a main control in an elevator system includes a step or apparatus for causing the main controller to develop a roll call signal which is transferred to a first of the series of remote stations, transmitting an operative status reply signal from the remote station to the main controller if the remote station is functional following receipt of the roll call signal by the remote station, transferring the roll call signal to a next of the series of remote stations after the reply signal is sent to the main controller, and continuing to transmit an operative status reply signal until each of the remote stations has done the same, if operative.

Abstract: The lock is of the type comprising: a housing that can be fastened to the door frame of the landing entrance, a locking bolt for the landing entrance, a bolt-control lever, an exterior lever-operating arm actuated by a cam in the elevator car, an electrical contact indicating the presence of the elevator car, a door pull-away electrical contact, a cable bushing device, and a housing attachment. These components are adaptable to many types of elevators, either by being reversible and/or by adaptation of spare parts supplied and arranged in a stand-by configuration in a recess in the housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device for a control unit having a ety chain. In accordance with the invention, the monitoring device has a testable switching device which is provided with input and output terminals such that a monitoring loop may be set up from a plurality of testable switching devices and a sequence of digital signals can, in particular, be transmitted via this loop as a continuous signal so that a "digital stand-by current loop" is obtained.

Abstract: An elevator rotary gate switch has a camming surface which is always in contact with a lead of an electrical circuit during operation. The camming surface has an electrical contact or bridge thereon. The camming surface is attached to a lever which intersects at an acute angle with a roller traveling with an elevator door. The roller forces the lever, and the camming surface thereby, to pivot the lead along the camming surface into or out of contact with the bridge as an elevator door moves into and out of position.

Abstract: An elevator control system (40) for automatically controlling the operation of an elevator car (22A) having a car door (24A) in which the elevator moves between different floor levels of an elevator shaft (30A) in which each floor level has associated hoistway doors (26A, 26C) for providing access to the elevator car (22A) in the shaft (30A) and an elevator hoistway operation monitoring system (34) with individual floor monitoring switches (32) for determining the floor level location of the elevator car (22A), individual hoistway door monitoring sensors (38) for sensing the opening of a hoistway door (26A) relays (56, 58, 52) and contact (50) coupled with an elevator safety circuit (42) for automatically preventing the elevator car (22A) from moving if a hoistway door (26A) is opened at a floor level other than the floor level at which the elevator car (22A) is located and for prohibiting the car (22A) from moving in response to the closing of the opened hoistway door (26A).

Abstract: A passenger lift incorporates an electronic safety interlock to prevent all movement of the lift, until a restraining belt is fastened. In some embodiments, the interlock is a normally open electric switch located inside the restraining belt's buckle. The switch is closed and the movement of the lift actuated only when the restraining belt's matingly interlocking tab is inserted in the buckle.