Abstract: A method for preventing an inadmissibly high speed of a load receiving unit of an elevator, including the steps of supplying information about an actual position and an actual speed of the load receiving unit in an area of an entire travel way of the load receiving unit to a speed monitoring device by at least one measuring system, continuously comparing the actual speed with a speed limit value by the speed monitoring device, and activating braking measures if the speed of the load receiving unit exceeds a speed limit value. At least three different braking measures are successively triggered by the speed monitoring device.

Abstract: A boat lift braking system includes a threaded shaft driven by the boat lift motor. A torsion tube disposed about the shaft carries an interiorly threaded nut that interengages the peripheral threads of the shaft. A rotor is mounted to the nut adjacent a brake pad that is supported by a ratchet component. A pawl mechanism cooperates with the ratchet component for limiting rotation of the ratchet component in a first direction and permitting rotation of the ratchet component about the shaft in a second direction. The torsion tube is connected through a reduction apparatus to the winder of the boat lift. When the lift is at rest, a torsion spring drives the torsion tube and rotor against the brake pad and the ratchet component interlocks with the pawl mechanism to hold the lift at a desired elevation. When the motor is driven to lower the lift, the shaft is driven within the torsion tube such that the rotor momentarily disengages the pad.

Abstract: A safety system for an elevator car which will prevent movement of the elevator car should the car drift beyond a predetermined distance from the hoistway sill with the car door in an open position.

Abstract: A safety device for monitoring a movable element, in particular, for elevators, is provided. The safety device includes a speed determination unit for determining the speed of the movable element, a comparator device for comparing a predetermined speed with the determined, actual value, a triggering unit for triggering a braking device, and a distance determination unit for determining the distance of the movable element in relation to a stationary or movable target. The comparator device comprises a memory for storing a maximum admissible speed and at least one nominal distance with an associated nominal speed. The comparator device compares a greatest stored nominal distance with an actual distance indicated by the distance determination unit. When the nominal distance is the same as the actual distance, the comparator device compares the nominal speed associated with the nominal distance with the actual speed registered by the speed determination unit at this point of time.

Abstract: A system for controlling the braking of an elevator car during an emergency. When there is a power failure or other emergency, a brake is applied to slow the elevator car to a stop in a controlled fashion. By Controlling the braking, the car is stopped in a short time but without discomfort to the passengers. The controller receives inputs from the rope movement, motor movement, temperature and the braking current to correctly determine the amount of braking which should be applied.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an elevator system for the vertical transport of payloads in an aircraft.

Abstract: A method for braking a traction sheave elevator stops the elevator in the event of an emergency by the braking of the elevator using a braking device not comprised in the drive machine. A traction sheave elevator is provided with a braking device not comprised in the drive machine and designed to improve the efficiency of emergency stopping. The maximum force decelerating the elevator and generated by the braking device equals about half the weight of the nominal load of the elevator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for braking a tractor sheave elevator. In an emergency situation, the elevator braking is complimented by using a second braking device not connected to the traction sheave. A secondary braking can be accomplished by applying a braking force to the elevator ropes or guide rail. If the secondary brake is applied first, the ropes will not slip on the traction sheave when the primary brake is applied. Alternatively, slippage may be allowed to occur in order to distribute the heat produced by braking.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator car (1) comprising especially, a support frame (8) of a cable-driven elevator system without a machine room, with a compact driving pulley driving machine (7), combined with a brake, integrated in this car (1) and/or its support frame (8). The aim of the invention is to provide an elevator car of this type which can be preassembled outside of an elevator shaft as a unit ready to be installed, with as many functional parts as possible. To this end, the inventive elevator car (1) is characterised by the following features: the driving machine (7) is equipped with a permanent magnet-excited synchronous motor as the driving source; the operating electronics of the driving machine and the control electronics required for the operation of the entire elevator system form a common, interactive functional unit in the form of an electronic central unit (10); and the electronic central unit (10) is permanently connected to the elevator car and/or its support frame.

Abstract: An elevator drive includes a casing with a shaft supported by spaced shaft bearings. Arranged on the shaft between the bearings are a traction sheave and a brake disk. On a free end of the shaft is a motor ventilated by fans. Arranged on the casing is a symmetrically constructed braking device with two single-arm brake levers having brake linings which, when braking occurs, press against the traction sheave and bring it to a standstill. Provided on a free end of each brake lever is a compression spring that is supported at one end on the brake lever and on the other end on a spring pin. The spring force of the compression spring acts on the brake lever thereby causing the brake lining to press against the traction sheave. To release the brake lever, a brake magnet provided with an armature plate is arranged on a brake lever, the brake magnet and the armature plate acting against the force of the compression springs.

Abstract: Holding brake for a traction sheave elevator, comprising a brake body (1), a movable frame (2) movably mounted in the brake body, a brake pad (3) attached to the movable frame, a pulling element (4) mounted on the brake body for pulling the movable frame toward the brake body and a compressing element (5) mounted between the brake body and the movable frame and serving to move the movable frame away from the brake body and press the brake pad attached to the movable frame against the brake surface (6). A gap (9) is provided between the movable frame surface (7) oriented in the direction of motion of the movable frame (2) and a counter surface (8) oriented in a corresponding direction, in which gap (9) is fitted a damping element (10) which is in contact with both surfaces to damp the motion of the movable frame.

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: A brake control apparatus for an elevator includes an auxiliary power source for storing energy for driving a brake coil of an electromagnetic brake upon release of a brake wheel. A DC voltage is boosted only when the brake is released, and the voltage-boosting function ceases when the brake is held in a released condition. This brake control apparatus for an elevator uses a lower voltage and only one DC power source and immediately supplies the necessary energy to the brake coil to release the brake independently of the power source voltage at the time.

Abstract: Brake shoe for a traction sheave elevator, comprising a brake body (1), a brake shoe (2) attached to the brake body, a retractor (4) in the brake body for keeping the brake shoe clear of a brake wheel (5), and a mechanical pressure element (6) for pressing the brake shoe against the brake wheel. Moreover, the holding brake comprises an intermediate frame (7) disposed between the brake body (1) and the brake shoe (2), the pressure element being arranged to apply a pressure on the intermediate frame. The holding brake further comprises adjusting elements (8) between the intermediate frame and the brake shoe to allow adjustment of the position of the brake shoe in relation to the intermediate frame when the air gap (3) between the brake shoe and the brake wheel is being adjusted.

Abstract: An automatic Braking system for an elevator car (10) is designed to stop it when it reaches or exceeds a speed limit of movement within an elevator shaft. A stop mechanism (40) is mounted on car (10), or a part thereof, so as to lock a stop pulley (41) which then moves relative to the car in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of the car (10) movement. A control mechanism (11) reacts to responsive to the stop pulley (41) movement to apply the brakes (12, 13).

Abstract: An elevator rescue system includes a power source of back-up electrical power. A manually-operated, rescue enable switch switchably permits the transmission of electrical power from the power source to a motor brake coil of an elevator car during a rescue operation such that the energized coil releases the motor brake to move the car to a desired landing. A speed detector measures the speed of the elevator car and thereupon generates a speed control signal corresponding to the speed of the car. An overspeed detection circuit has a first input for being actuated when receiving electrical power from the power source, a second input for receiving the speed control signal, and an output for transmitting electrical power to the motor brake coil when the speed control signal is below a predetermined value and for automatically stopping the transmission of electrical power when the speed control signal becomes higher than a predetermined value. A manually-operated brake release switch has an input and an output.

Abstract: An elevator brake includes a fluid enclosure that provides a force to counter a braking force. In a particular embodiment, the fluid enclosure functions as a fluid pressure amplifier between a controllable actuator and a braking surface. The fluid enclosure increases the force of the actuator such that smaller, more controllable actuators may be used to control the brake.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention is directed to an elevator braking system including an accelerometer for detecting acceleration of an elevator car and generating an acceleration signal. An over-acceleration detection module compares the acceleration signal to an acceleration threshold. If over-acceleration detection module detects an over-acceleration condition, a first switching device disrupts power to a solenoid in order to activate a braking assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic safety system for elevators for preventing unsafe elevator operation has a central controller which monitors a variety of sensors, contacts, and switches over an electronic safety bus. A plurality of bus nodes are distributed throughout the elevator system and are in constant communication with the central controller over the safety bus. The bus nodes interface with sensors, switches, contacts, detectors, components, and other safety equipment of the elevator system at each location and provide status information back to the controller. The controller consists of a microprocessor board with an input/output port in communication with the safety bus and bus nodes. Upon sensing an unsafe condition, the controller sends control signals to an elevator control system and a drive and brake system to arrest the elevator car in a safe manner.

Abstract: A ropeless governor system is provided for governing the speed of an elevator car (2) in the event of an overspeed condition. An actuator for a safety device (30) is positioned in close proximity to an elevator rail (14) and activated to come into contact and provide a dragging force against the rail in the event of an overspeed condition. The ropeless governor is coupled to an elevator safety braking system (26, 28) such that the dragging force activates the safety brakes. A safety controller (91) is used to determine if the speed of the elevator car has exceeded a predetermined threshold level and to produce a triggering signal (96) to operate the ropeless governor.

Abstract: An emergency stop state releasing method for an elevator, which includes a cage configured to ascend and descend along a first guide rail in an elevator shaft, a counterweight configured to ascend and descend along a second guide rail in the elevator shaft, a cable for suspending the cage and the counterweight, a drive unit in the elevator shaft for driving the cable to move the cage up and down in the elevator shaft, and an emergency stop mechanism attached to the cage and configured to engage the guide rail, thereby urgently stopping the cage, and to lift the cage, thereby canceling an emergency stop state, including the steps of setting a removable winding device in the elevator shaft, and driving one of the cage and the counterweight by means of the winding device to lift the cage and cancel the emergency stop state.

Abstract: An emergency stop circuit for an elevator drive includes an emergency stop control (7) that selectively varies the current flowing in a field winding (4) of a direct current drive motor (M). During an emergency stop, the motor (M) operates as a generator and has an armature winding (1) loaded with a braking resistor (9) to apply a voltage, depending on the direction of movement of the elevator car, either by a first switch (10) and a second switch (11), or by a third switch (12) and a fourth switch (13). The switches (10, 11, 12, 13) are connected as an H-bridge between the windings (1, 4) and are controlled by the emergency stop control (7) depending on the deceleration required by the elevator car, for example by pulse operation depending based upon a preset deceleration value and a measured deceleration value from a deceleration sensor (14) mounted on the car.

Abstract: This invention includes a brake system for a hydraulic ram or another cylinder, that can be employed as an emergency brake for a lifting elevator. When actuated, the brake arms contact the ram circumferentially to slow and stop the falling ram. The brake arms are preferably lined with an able material that frictionally engages the ram to stop the downward motion of the ram. The brake system may be actuated by loss of hydraulic pressure, by an electronic signal from a hydraulic pressure detector, by down overspeed sensor or by an uncontrolled down motion detector. According to another aspect of the present invention, a controller, which is preferably a programmed control system, compares the actual motion of the elevator as sensed by a detector to a desired motion. Under certain conditions, if the actual motion differs from the desired motion, the controller actuates the brake.

Abstract: In a brake apparatus for a hoisting machine of an elevator, a field magnet and an armature of an electromagnetic actuator are mounted directly to brake arms supporting brake shoes. Therefore, members for transmitting the motion of an electromagnetic actuator into the motion of the brake arms can be omitted, whereby the number of parts and the overall size of the hoisting machine can be reduced, and maintenance operations can be performed easily at lower positions.

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 and a method for controlling an elevator brake assembly (1) includes a control circuit (CM) for selectively connecting an electrical power supply (28) to a brake armature coil (9) to move an armature plate (4) between a brake actuated rest position against a brake friction lining (5) and a brake released hold position adjacent a brake housing (2). The control circuit (CM) applies a first voltage to the coil (9) to move the armature plate (4) against a force applied by a spring (3) from the rest position to the hold position in response to a signal on a brake pick signal line (BP). The control circuit (CM) applies a second voltage to the coil (9) to control the movement of the armature plate (4) by the spring (3) from the hold position to the rest position in accordance with a predetermined velocity versus distance curve to achieve minimum impact on the lining (5) at the rest position.

Abstract: An elevator brake regulating apparatus includes brake actuators, a source of pressured fluid and a brake regulating control connected between the actuators and the fluid source. A fastening housing is attached to a carrier frame of a elevator car and has recesses for retaining guides of a brake shoe with elastic pads to provide vertical displacement of the guides under braking. The brake shoe has brake pads for engaging running surfaces of a guide rail. A brake sensor in each brake pad monitors the condition of the brake pad and signals the control to apply pressured fluid to actuate the corresponding brake actuator. Other sensors for speed, acceleration and retardation of the elevator car are connected to the control for selectively applied the pressured fluid to regulate the braking force on the elevator car.

Abstract: A linear motor elevator system comprising a sheave disposed in the upper portion of an elevator hoistway, a length of rope wound around the sheave, a movable member connected to said rope, a primary winding disposed only on a first side of said movable member and a secondary conductor extending within and along the hoistway in association with said primary winding to constitute a linear motor. The system may comprise a brake unit disposed on a second side of said movable member which is opposite to said first side and a guide rail disposed within said hoistway for being engaged by said brake unit.

Abstract: A portable transducer for detecting physical parameters during testing of an elevator's emergency stop device. In particular, acceleration and time values of a passenger and/or freight elevator are obtained. The transducer comprises a sensor, a timer associated to the sensor, and memory. The transducer can be connected to an evaluation unit to download data after the test is complete. The transducer is easy to handle and can have various test applications independent of the special conditions of the elevator, the transducer is transportable, can be removed from the elevator car, and contains a trigger component to initiate measurement and storage of data into the buffer memory.

Abstract: Pneumatic vacuum lift elevator, in which the vertical shaft is a tube with smooth interior surface, preferably cylindrical, with straight axle, and the transport cab or vehicle moving inside such tube is a piston with vertical movement, with minimum play inside the tube, equipped with air suction devices at the upper end of the tube, capable of causing a sufficient pressure differential to displace such piston in controlled ascending and descending movement; completed with an air entry or intake in the lower end of the tube, and the access doors with which the tube is equipped, and which are hermetically closed on the various stopping levels.

Abstract: A system for adapting the deceleration/stoppage command to the varying momentary speeds of the cage which are due to varying load conditions of the cage itself. The system aso verifies the deceleration/stoppage distance of the cage at certain known speeds, determines the average value of these distances and which, directly or after further processing, compares, this value with a range of known values, outside of which reference data relating to the oblique curve for deceleration/stoppage of the cage is automatically corrected in a proportional manner, the data being known to the electronic processor which governs operation of the system.

Abstract: The main relay that controls power to an elevator motor and brake lift coil is dropped by an electronic emergency stop relay contact placed in series with the elevator safety chain in the event that the speed and position indications in the elevator controller do not agree with the indications of the emergency terminal stopping speed and zone relays, or if the elevator controller indicates the elevator is going too fast when within the emergency terminal stopping zone. Various parts of the safety chain are cycled off when the elevator is at a landing in order to check the safety circuits and main power relays.

Abstract: An elevator adjusting apparatus for adjusting a brake torque produced by a brake for braking travel of an elevator cage includes a brake torque adjustment mode setting unit for setting an adjustment mode for the brake torque, a cage position recognizing unit for recognizing a cage position, a cage speed detecting unit for detecting a cage speed, a brake actuation command generating unit for reissuing a brake actuation command generating unit for issuing a brake actuation command when the brake torque adjustment mode is set by the brake torque adjustment mode setting unit and the cage position recognizing unit recognizes that the cage position has reached a predetermined position of a lift passage, a brake control unit for actuating the brake in response to the brake actuation command issued from the brake actuation command generating unit, and a brake torque calculating unit for calculating the brake torque based on the cage speed detected by the cage speed detecting unit during the brake actuation.