Abstract: According to embodiments, an overhead lift includes a lift actuator; and a control system communicatively coupled to the lift actuator. The control system may include a control unit comprising a processor with a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and having computer readable and executable instructions and at least one transceiver communicatively coupling the control unit to at least one of a computer, a network, and a data storage device. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: determine at least one operating characteristic of the overhead lift and an operating time of the overhead lift as the overhead lift is actuated; determine an accumulated load-time parameter for the overhead lift based on the at least one operating characteristic and the operating time; and upload the accumulated load-time parameter to at least one of the computer, the network, and the data storage device.

Abstract: Overhead lifts with control systems are disclosed. The overhead lifts may include a lift actuator communicatively coupled to a control system. The control system may include a control unit comprising a processor and a memory having computer readable and executable instructions and at least one port for communicatively coupling the control unit to at least one of a computer, a network, and a data storage device. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: determine at least one operating characteristic of the overhead lift and an operating time of the overhead lift as the overhead lift is actuated; determine an accumulated load-time parameter for the overhead lift based on the at least one operating characteristic and the operating time; and provide an indication that a component of the overhead lift requires service based on the comparison of the accumulated load-time parameter to a service constant.

Abstract: A control system for a lifting device and a lifting device comprising the same are disclosed. The control system includes a control unit comprising a processor with a memory communicatively coupled to the processor and having computer readable and executable instructions. A battery is electrically coupled to the control unit in addition to at least one indicator. The processor executes the computer readable and executable instructions to: determine an operating characteristic of the lifting device and an operating time of the lifting device as the lifting device is actuated; determine an accumulated load-time parameter for the lifting device based on the operating characteristic and the operating time; store the accumulated load-time parameter in the memory of the lift control system; compare the accumulated load-time parameter to a service constant; and provide an indication the indicator that a lift structural component requires service based on the comparison.

Abstract: The invention relates to a support apparatus for an elevator car. The support apparatus comprises a support block for attaching to a sidewall of an elevator hoistway, the support block having an oblique surface. The support apparatus also comprises a sliding plate for mounting to the elevator car. The sliding plate is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The sliding plate has an oblique surface facing the oblique surface of the support block when the sliding plate is in the extended position. The sliding plate is slideable over the oblique surface of the support block when being moved from the extended position to the retracted position. The support apparatus also comprises an actuator shaft attached to the sliding plate and an actuator configured to move the sliding plate using the actuator shaft from the extended position to the retracted position. The actuator is attachable to the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator group management device includes: an existing car control device controlling an existing car; a newly-installed car control device controlling a newly-installed car; an evaluation value preparing mechanism preparing evaluation values for the existing car and the newly-installed car; an assignment determining mechanism determining a car assigned to a call based on the prepared evaluation values; an existing car storage beforehand storing information concerning which of the cars is the existing car; and a weight storage beforehand storing a weighting factor for the existing car in the evaluation value. The evaluation value preparing mechanism prepares the evaluation value for the existing car by using the existing car storage information and the weighting factor. The elevator group management device can realize proper car assignment while suppressing occurrence of failure and considering operation efficiency when the existing car and newly-installed car are managed and controlled as one group.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and program products are described for determining available capacity in a transportation mechanism. An object module identifies one or more objects within a transportation mechanism based on input received from a sensor. A capacity module determines an available capacity of the transportation mechanism as a function of the one or more identified objects. A service module services a call request in response to the available capacity satisfying a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention concerning operation of an elevator, a traveling mode of the elevator is prevented if it is established that an elevator load exceeds a limit value. During normal operation, the limit value is equal to a first limit value. If it is established that a special situation is present (e.g., an evacuation situation or a peak traffic situation) the system is switched over to a special situation mode. In the special situation mode, the limit value is equal to a second limit value, which is higher than the first limit value.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a rescue operation for a car is performed by a rescue operation controller. The rescue operation controller obtains a rescue operation voltage value and applies a voltage having the rescue operation voltage value to a brake coil in response to a signal from a speed detector at a time of the rescue operation for the car. The rescue operation voltage value is a value of the voltage necessary to reduce braking force of a brake device to move the car by using a state of imbalance between the car and a counterweight.

Abstract: An elevator installation and a method for arranging a load sensor in the elevator installation includes a car, a support device for supporting the car, the load sensor and a deflecting roller unit. The deflecting roller unit is arranged at the car and has at least two deflecting rollers which are rotatable about a common axle. The load sensor is arranged on the common axle between the two deflecting rollers.

Abstract: A determination of the loading state of an elevator system and also a method for determining the loading state of an elevator system is described. The elevator system includes an elevator car and also a motor drive for moving the elevator car. The loading state of the elevator system is determined on the basis of the position deviation of the elevator motor that occurs during the determination of the loading state.

Abstract: An elevator system includes multiple cars within a hoistway. Parking positions are provided outside the range of passenger service levels. A destination entry strategy is used by a controller for directing movement of the elevator cars. The inventive combination of multiple cars in a hoistway, parking positions outside of the normal passenger service level range and destination entry car movement control allows for reducing car travel speed, reducing car size or both while still meeting desired handling capacity needs or even exceeding the desired handling capacity associated with another elevator system that requires larger cars, higher speeds and more building space.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus is equipped with an elevator component that is operated during operation of an elevator, a detector for measuring a change in a physical quantity other than temperature as to the elevator component, and a control device for controlling the operation of the elevator based on information from the detector. The elevator component is, for example, a hoisting machine for moving a car of the elevator. The hoisting machine has a motor, and a driving sheave that is rotated by the motor. The detector measures a strain of a frame of the motor as the physical quantity other than temperature. The control device determines based on the strain of the frame of the motor whether or not there is an abnormality in the operation of the elevator, and controls the operation of the elevator. It is therefore possible to determine easily and more reliably whether or not there is an abnormality in the operation of the elevator, without the need to directly measure the temperature of the motor (6).

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention concerning operation of an elevator, a traveling mode of the elevator is prevented if it is established that an elevator load exceeds a limit value. During normal operation, the limit value is equal to a first limit value. If it is established that a special situation is present (e.g., an evacuation situation or a peak traffic situation) the system is switched over to a special situation mode. In the special situation mode, the limit value is equal to a second limit value, which is higher than the first limit value.

Abstract: An elevator control system for controlling the movement of an elevator car up and down an elevator shaft between floors of a structure includes a call input device provided on each floor to indicate a passenger is waiting to be picked-up; a measuring device to indicate a load on the elevator car; and a controller to answer calls from the call input devices and move the elevator between floors, wherein the controller overrides calls received from the call input devices and does not stop the car to pick up passengers when the load indicates there a full car with no room for additional passengers. The measuring device may include a force transducer to measure the load on the elevator car. The load may be a measure of the number of passengers in the car. The load may be compared to a threshold and when the load exceeds the threshold a signal is provided to the controller to override the call input devices.

Abstract: An elevator installation and a method for arranging a load sensor in the elevator installation includes a car, a support device for supporting the car, the load sensor and a deflecting roller unit. The deflecting roller unit is arranged at the car and has at least two deflecting rollers which are rotatable about a common axle. The load sensor is arranged on the common axle between the two deflecting rollers.

Abstract: Method and system of controlling a counterweightless elevator system provided with an elevator car and a variable speed drive with an electric motor. The elevator car load is weighed, and the elevator system is controlled in order to reduce the physical/electrical dimensions of the system. The total mass of the elevator is defined by the equation Mtotal=Mcar (mass of the car)+A*Maxpayload, wherein Mcar is the mass of the car, A is a coefficient and Maxpayload is the maximal payload. If the payload supercedes A*Maxpayload the elevator is controlled so that the speed and/or acceleration of the motor is reduced, and/or the idle time of the elevator is increased.

Abstract: A load bearing assembly in an elevator system includes a plurality of discernable markings on an external surface of the assembly. A monitoring device includes at least one detector that detects locations of the markings along the length of the assembly. Changes in spacing between markings provides an indication of belt loading conditions and provides an ability to determine a condition of the belt relative to whether a replacement of the belt may be necessary. A variety of markings and a variety of detecting arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for intelligent control includes an exchange of historical parameters of events for operating a system and operating a hoist where an electric motor, preferably a DC-motor, is used for lifting and lowering a lifting belt. It can take place at different speeds by registering amperage through the motor and to perform a switching between fast and slow speed when a given current level is reached. The change in hoisting/lowering speed is achieved when a control unit changes the voltage supplied by the battery unit to the DC-motor or changes the frequency of power supply to an AC-motor. The method makes it possible to control the system and to optimize the hoisting/lowering speed for the lifting belt depending on the load thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing unused power available in an elevator that is not fully loaded to improve the traffic handling capacity of an elevator system. The present invention can be used to provide an optimized velocity profile for the elevator based on the pre-designed power of the drive motor and the actual load in the elevator. By using the surplus power available the method and apparatus of the invention can achieve velocities higher than the design velocity of the system. The method also utilizes surplus torque available to the motor during a trip to produce an optimized velocity profile that has a short trip time, yet does not exceed the torque deliverable by the motor and does not exceed acceptable discomfort levels to the passengers or mechanical limitations on the system.

Abstract: A building elevator with an elevator mast and an elevator car with at least one electric drive motor for the elevator car for moving the same along the elevator mast. A novel overload-prevention device for the building elevator has two drive motors with the device intended for adding the forces occurring in the abutments of the drive motors and connected to a limit switch.

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: An industrial truck has load holding means (3) and a control device (6) to control a lifting movement of the load holding means (3). The control device (6) is connected with at least one operating element that can be actuated by an operator for the lifting movement. The control device (6) is connected with a load sensor (5) which generates a signal which is a function of the weight of a load on the load holding means (3). The control device (6) is realized so that an upward movement of the load holding means (3) is prevented if the weight of a load on the load holding means (3) exceeds a set weight limit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing unused power available in an elevator that is not fully loaded to improve the traffic handling capacity of an elevator system. The present invention can be used to provide an optimized velocity profile for the elevator based on the pre-designed power of the drive motor and the actual load in the elevator. By using the surplus power available the method and apparatus of the invention can achieve velocities higher than the design velocity of the system. The method also utilizes surplus torque available to the motor during a trip to produce an optimized velocity profile that has a short trip time, yet does not exceed the torque deliverable by the motor and does not exceed acceptable discomfort levels to the passengers or mechanical limitations on the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing unused power available in an elevator that is not fully loaded to improve the traffic handling capacity of an elevator system. The present invention can be used to provide an optimized velocity profile for the elevator based on the pre-designed power of the drive motor and the actual load in the elevator. By using the surplus power available the method and apparatus of the invention can achieve velocities higher than the design velocity of the system. The method also utilizes surplus torque available to the motor during a trip to produce an optimized velocity profile that has a short trip time, yet does not exceed the torque deliverable by the motor and does not exceed acceptable discomfort levels to the passengers or mechanical limitations on the system.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a control system that determines the amount of load of the car, and that determines the operating speed profile of the car based upon the amount of load in the car. In a particular embodiment, the control system includes a load weighing device and uses the weight of the car to determine the selection between two operating speed profiles: a normal operating speed profile and a reduced operating speed profile. The control system compares the measured live load to a pre-selected threshold, such as the car weight plus twice the percentage balancing multiplied by the rated full load of the elevator system. If this threshold is exceeded, then the reduced operating speed profile is selected. In this way, reduced balancing may be used. The selected percentage balancing may be determined empirically or estimated by taking into account the building size, usage and other operational characteristics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a load in an elevator cage supported by a carrying frame. The elevator cage movable relative to the carrying frame and to an elevator shaft. The elevator cage may rest on spring elements, which bear on the carrying frame. A belt, which may guided by a pair of deflecting rollers, may be mechanically coupled with the elevator cage. The movement of the elevator cage may be transmitted to the belt, which drives a pulse generator coupled to a first deflecting roller. When the load within the elevator cage changes, the spring elements may be compressed to a greater or lesser extent according to their spring characteristic. Accordingly, the elevator cage may move relative to the carrying frame, and the movement may be detected by the pulse generator and translated into a travel signal. An evaluating unit may be utilized to convert the travel signal into a load magnitude for influencing a motor current.

Abstract: A control apparatus for use in an elevator is constructed in a compact and low-cost design without degrading the quality of service of the elevator by minimizing the current flowing through a hoisting motor. The control apparatus includes a load sensor and a speed command generator.

Abstract: An automated arrangement selects one of a plurality of load weight bypass thresholds for an elevator car. The selection depends, for example, upon the car direction and the time of day. Alternative embodiments of the arrangement utilize in the selection either actual or estimated elevator car floor space. Fuzzy logic is used to estimate available floor space.