Abstract: An elevator device that can continuously evacuate any evacuee left in a building by using an elevator. The elevator device includes a control device configured to maintain an evacuation operation mode corresponding to a rescue floor concerned when a car operation instructing device is operated on the rescue floor concerned before a predetermined time passes from when the car stops at the rescue floor concerned during the evacuation operation mode corresponding to the rescue floor concerned, and release the evacuation operation mode corresponding to the rescue floor concerned when the car operation instructing device is not operated on the rescue floor concerned before the predetermined time passes from when the car stops at the rescue floor concerned during the evacuation operation mode corresponding to the rescue floor concerned.

Abstract: A detection subject body provided in a hoistway includes an ID sequence formed by arranging three or more types of segments having different magnetic properties in a movement direction of an elevating body. An eddy current type detection unit is provided on the elevating body to generate signals corresponding to the magnetic properties of the respective segments. An identification unit identifies the respective types of the segments on the basis of the signals from the detection unit, and outputs a time series signal in a different output condition depending on the type of each segment. A digital data conversion unit converts the time series signal into digital data on the basis of variations in the output condition of the time series signal from the identification unit. A position specification unit specifies the position of the elevating body on the basis of the digital data.

Abstract: A mobile drilling rig (1) includes a mast (3), a drilling head (5) for sliding in use along the mast (3), and at least one hoist (4). The drilling head (5) is supported by at least two hoisting wire cables (24). The mast (3) is telescopic and includes a main load carrying member (31), for extending the telescopic mast (3), at whose end a plurality of pulleys (26) are provided, on which the hoisting wire cables (24) slide. The main load carrying member (31) is adapted to bring the mast (3) from a closed operating configuration to an extended operating configuration and vice versa. The movement of the drilling head (5), when the mast (3) is in the extended operating configuration, takes place by the hoisting wire cables (24), which are pulled and released by the at least one hoist (4).

Abstract: A safety system for a lift installation includes a safety helmet having an integrated person position indicator being a transmitter and/or receiver and an installation position indicator mounted in lift installation, especially in the lift shaft. The indicators cooperate to automatically determine potential risk situations for an engineer wearing the safety helmet such an approaching lift cage or an approaching counterweight. The safety system automatically triggers an appropriate safety function, for example, stopping of the lift cage.

Abstract: A forklift truck includes a truck body, a fork, a mast, tilting and lifting mechanisms, tilt and lift levers, tilting and lifting operation detectors, a lifted height detector, a load detector, an auxiliary switch, a tilt angle detector and a controller. The controller controls the lifting and tilting mechanisms based on signals from the tilting and lifting operation detectors and the auxiliary switch. The controller controls the lifting and tilting mechanisms to cause the fork to be lifted and tilted to horizontal position of the fork if a load is present on the fork, the fork is in a lower lift region where the lifted height of the fork is at or lower than a first threshold value, the lift lever is placed in operative position to lift the fork, the auxiliary switch is in operative position and the fork is not in the horizontal position of the fork.

Abstract: A method controls a set of semi-active actuators arranged in an elevator system to minimize a vibration of an elevator car. The elevator system is represented with a model of a virtual elevator system having a single virtual semi-active actuator arranged to compensate a virtual disturbance. The virtual disturbance is determined using a motion profile of position of the elevator car during the operation and a disturbance profile of the virtual disturbance. A state of the elevator system is determined using the model of the virtual elevator system, the virtual disturbance and a signal indicative of a horizontal acceleration of the elevator car during the operation. Each actuator of the set of semi-active actuators is controlled based on the state of the elevator system and according to a control policy of the virtual semi-active actuator.

Abstract: A set of semi-active actuators is arranged in an elevator system to compensate a vibration of an elevator car. The actuators are controlled in accordance with the control policy based on a measured signal including values of the parameter measured during the operation of the elevator system. The control policy is determined, based on a model of the elevator system, wherein the control policy includes a state function representing an operation of the elevator system and a function of displacement representing an operation of the set of semi-active actuators. The state function is approximated, using the model of the elevator system, as a first function of a parameter representing the vibration. The function of displacement is approximated, using the model of the elevator system, as a second function of the parameter.

Abstract: A safety stop is provided for stopping a movable member having at least one set of opposed wheels for gripping a rail. The stop has a track on each of opposite sides forming a wedge shape of a narrow end progressively widening to a wide end in a direction of travel of the movable member. With the opposed wheels of the movable member respectively at opposite sides of the wedge shape member, the tracks of the wedge shape member engage and impart a spreading strain to the opposed wheels as the movable member moves in the direction of travel. The opposed wheels of the movable member comprise a deformable material to absorb the kinetic energy of the movable member. The tracks of the stop additionally may have undulating features comprising concave and convex surfaces in the direction of motion.

Abstract: A safety stop is provided for stopping a movable member having at least one set of opposed wheels for gripping a rail. The stop has a track on each of opposite sides forming a wedge shape of a narrow end progressively widening to a wide end in a direction of travel of the movable member. With the opposed wheels of the movable member respectively at opposite sides of the wedge shape member, the tracks of the wedge shape member engage and impart a spreading strain to the opposed wheels as the movable member moves in the direction of travel. The opposed wheels of the movable member comprise a deformable material to absorb the kinetic energy of the movable member. The tracks of the stop additionally may have undulating features comprising concave and convex surfaces in the direction of motion.

Abstract: A forklift safety sensor and control system for preventing unsafe wear on the bottom surface of the fork. A fork height sensor detects when the fork is below a predefined threshold height at which the bottom surface is in close proximity to the ground or is in contact with the ground. The sensor sends a height signal to a system controller. In response, the controller sends a lockout signal to a lockout device, which prevents the forklift's drive mechanism from moving the forklift relative to the ground. The controller may also send an alert to the driver. When the fork is raised above the threshold height, the lockout is removed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for solving an optimization task consisting of a plurality of sub-functions in the control of the operation of an apparatus. In the method, a set of a plurality of solution alternatives is generated and, according to the method, each sub-function is normalized. Normalized cost functions of the sub-functions are generated for each solution alternative for solving the optimization task, and based on the normalized cost functions of the sub-functions, a set of solutions to the optimization task is formed. From the set of solutions, the best solution is selected and the apparatus is controlled in accordance with the solution thus selected.

Abstract: An elevator group control method for allocating landing calls and car calls to elevators so that the objectives set are met. In the method, a car-specific energy consumption file is generated to describe the energy consumption occurring during each trip of the elevator from each floor to each one of the other floors with different loads, and the calls are so allocated that the energy consumption resulting from serving all the active calls is minimized.

Abstract: A method schedules cars of an elevator system in a building. The method begins execution whenever a newly arrived passenger presses an up or down button to generate a call for service. For each car, determine a first waiting time for all existing passengers if the car is assigned to service the call, based on future states of the elevator system. For each car, determine a second waiting time of future passengers if the car is assigned to service the call, based on a landing pattern of the cars. For each car, combine the first and second waiting times to produce an adjusted waiting time, The method ends by assigning a particular car having a lowest adjusted waiting time to service the call and minimize an average waiting time of all passengers.

Abstract: A device and procedure for creating and securing a temporary safety space within an elevator hoistway such that a service or maintenance technician can work with impunity from a car entering the safety space. In particular, the device includes a stop bar for installation between and in engagement with opposing guide rails of the hoistway to prevent upward or downward movement of the car or a counterweight.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for use in elevator systems for assigning new hall calls to one of a plurality of available elevator cars. The method comprises calculating for each car a call cost for accepting the new hall call. The call cost is a function of the estimated time to the desired destination of the passenger requesting the new hall call and of the delay that other passengers who are using the elevator car will experience. In one embodiment, a destination is inferred for the passenger requesting the new hall call. In another embodiment, the passenger requesting the hall call may input a desired destination at the time the hall call request is made. The elevator system of the present invention allows for use of both standard up/down hall call entry devices and destination entry devices that allow a particular destination to be entered by a passenger at the time a hall call is requested.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an arrangement for a hoist to secure safety zones in case persons should be outside the hoist cage in a hoist shaft, comprising a means of identifying risk situations and mechanical means of limitation that can enter into the path of the hoist cage arranged at a distance from the upper and lower end limits of the hoist cage during normal operation in order to form an upper and a lower safety end limit, mechanically securing the said safety zones.

Abstract: The present invention prepares a rule base for storing therein a plurality of control rule sets, predicts a group management performance such as a waiting time distribution which is obtained when applying an arbitrary rule set stored in the rule base to the current traffic situation, and selects the optimal rule set in accordance with the performance prediction result. In addition, a weight database for storing therein weight parameters of a neural net corresponding to the rule sets and performance learning measure for correcting the weight parameters in the weight database in accordance with the learning result of the neural net is provided, whereby the prediction of the group management performance by the neural net using the corrected weight parameters is carried out.

Abstract: A mobile lifting device includes a car having a gate and a docking plate mechanically interconnected at one end of the car. A low voltage DC control system includes an “up” circuit, a “down” circuit connected in parallel with the up circuit, and a sensor circuit in series with the up circuit and down circuit. The sensor circuit includes a plurality of series connected switches for automatically preventing operation of the lifting device if predetermined conditions are not met. The “up” circuit includes a switch positioned on a stage and connected to the control circuit by a coiled cable. A wand on the switch engages a knob on the side of the car when the car reaches the level of the stage, actuating the switch to stop the car. In the event of a power failure, a battery supplies power for opening a solenoid valve to lower the car. Three control panels are provided, one at each end of the car and one in the middle of the car.

Abstract: A switch (8) having an arm (12) and a roller (16) includes a biasing force generating means (140, 150, 160) for operating the switch in the event the roller (16) is detached.

Abstract: An elevator car position detecting apparatus includes plates arranged at selected operation points defined along the elevator path, in such arrangement that one operation point is distinguishable from another operation point. Position detectors are provided on a car so that as car moves past the operation points the position detectors communicate with corresponding plates without contacting the plates. The position detectors associated with the corresponding plates generate signals indicating that the elevator car has reached the corresponding position.

Abstract: An improved synchronous position correction apparatus for an elevator which is capable of safely escaping passengers from a car when a synchronous position error occurs in the elevator by moving the car to a neighboring floor and correcting the synchronous position error by using a floor height value of a neighboring floor, for thus normally operating the elevator system.

Abstract: To prevent elevator rope stretch effects when a horizontally transferable elevator cab (18) is rolled onto and off of an elevator car frame (10), an elevator car/floor lock (31) includes a bolt (47) which extends across the interface between the car frame and the building and engages a strike (39). Jack screw (44) and solenoid (60) embodiments are shown. To take the weight off the lock bolts so that they may be retracted to permit moving the car frame vertically in the hoistway, strain gages (64, 65) or load sensors (62, 63) provided in or adjacent the bolts sense the weight supported thereby, and a pretorque program (FIG. 6) provides armature current to the hoisting motor to raise or lower the car frame sufficiently to reduce the load on the bolts to nil.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating function signals to an elevator controller for controlling an elevator car (1) at terminal landings in a building includes an upper cam (3) and a lower cam (4) for mounting on a wall (2a, 2b) in an elevator shaft (2) at a top landing and a bottom landing respectively, an upper switch (5) and a lower switch (8) for mounting on the elevator car and for connection to a source of electrical power (12) and an interface circuit (10) connected to the switches. The interface circuit (10) has a lower limit relay coil (16), an upper limit relay coil (27), normally closed up relay contact sets (17,19,35) and normally closed down relay contact sets (24,28,30) which cooperate with the switches (5,8) for generating upper and lower limit function signals to control car travel and upper and lower slow down signals to control car speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining if an elevator car is level with respect to a landing in a hoistway comprises a transceiver for transmitting a signal, a first reflector having a varying reflectance between a maximum reflectance end and a minimum reflectance end, a second reflector having a varying reflectance between a maximum reflectance end and a minimum reflectance end, and a processor. The first reflector transmits a first reflected signal in response to the signal transmitted by the transceiver and the second reflector transmits a second reflected signal in response to the signal transmitted by the transceiver. The first reflector and the second reflector are adjacently aligned such that the maximum reflectance end of the first reflector is adjacent to the minimum reflectance end of the second reflector, and the minimum reflectance end of the first reflector is adjacent to the maximum reflectance end of the second reflector.

Abstract: Apparatus for restricting motion of an elevator car includes bars or other stiff, elongated members, which are extended outwardly from opposing ends of the elevator car, when the car is positioned in a specified zone of vertical displacement, above the lower edge thereof The displacement zone may be on the order of twelve inches. An elevator control, such as an inspection bank mounted on top of the elevator car, is then operated to move the elevator car slightly downward, to the lower edge of the displacement zone, whereupon the elongated members are brought into solid contact with respective complementary supporting members, joined to opposing elevator guide rails. As the elongated members are extended, a switching arrangement, electrically coupled to the control, is simultaneously actuated to prevent movement of the elevator car above the displacement zone while the elongated members are in their extended mode.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing an evacuation journey of an elevator car includes at least one brake control apparatus mounted on the car and an evacuation drive. In the case of an interruption in the normal travel of the car, an evacuation journey is initiated by an evacuation control in the evacuation drive. The elevator brake is released and the evacuation control moves the car to the next floor at a reduced speed. On reaching the next floor, a brake pawl of the brake control apparatus pivots into a switching opening or runs up onto a switching cam and thus initiates the final braking of the car by actuation of a brake control contact. Upon arrival in the door zone, the car and floor doors are pushed partially open by a spring so that confined passengers can further open the doors and release themselves.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting excess speed of an elevator car travelling in an elevator shaft includes a vertically extending measuring strip is mounted at one side of the shaft and a multichannel forked light barrier assembly mounted on the car with a pair of legs extending on opposite sides of the strip. The measuring strip has a vertically extending markings track in the form of flags side-by-side with a check track, each of which is scanned by a separate light barrier transmitting a light beam between the legs of the forked light barrier assembly. At the position of each flag there is formed a window in the check track. The speed of the elevator car is measured by detecting the time required to pass each flag and the elevator car is stopped in the case of excess speed. By reason of the arrangement of the flag track and the check track, possible faults can be detected since one light barrier must always be interrupted by reason the flags and the windows.

Abstract: An elevator safety device in which a counterweight cam is attached to the counterweight and top terminal landing final limit switches are disposed below the bottom terminal landing of the hoistway so that it is operated by the counterweight cam. The top terminal landing final limit switches only need to be provided in accordance with the counterweight buffer stroke, regardless of to what extent the car has been flung upward, with the result that fewer final limit switches are required.