Abstract: When main power to an elevator system 10 is lost, an automatic rescue operation is performed using power from a backup power source 46. A rescue run for an elevator stopped between floors is initiated by lifting a brake 28 and allowing the elevator car 12 to move by gravity. If the car 12 moves as a result of a weight imbalance between the car 12 and a counterweight 14, operation of the hoist motor 24 is synchronized with sensed movement of the car 12 to generate electricity. If weight is balanced so that the car 12 does not move, backup power is supplied to the hoist motor 24 to apply a motor torque to drive the car 12 in a selected direction during the rescue run.

Abstract: An elevator rescue system for moving an elevator car to a disembarkation position in a rescue operation comprises a rescue device (16) coupled to a brake system (4) of an elevator, the rescue device (16) comprising a rescue power source (22), wherein the rescue device (16) is disposed near the brake system (4) of the elevator; an operation panel (26) comprising a manual rescue operation switch (28), the operation panel (26) being disposed remotely from the rescue device (16); and a rescue operation signal transmission path (32) between the rescue device (16) and the operation panel (26).

Abstract: A system continuously drives an elevator hoist motor during normal and power failure conditions. A regenerative drive delivers power from a main power supply to the hoist motor during normal operation. A rescue operation circuit includes a backup power supply and is operable in the event of a failure of the main power supply to disconnect the regenerative drive from the main power supply and connect the back up power supply to the regenerative drive to provide substantially uninterrupted power to the hoist motor.

Abstract: A hoist motor (12) for an elevator (14) is continuously driven from an irregular power supply (16). A regenerative drive (10) delivers power between the power supply (16) and the hoist motor (12). A controller (11) measures a power supply voltage in response to a detected change in the power supply voltage and controls the regenerative drive (10) to adjust a nominal motion profile of the elevator (14) in proportion with an adjustment ratio of the measured power supply voltage to a normal power supply voltage.

Abstract: An elevator drive assembly (30) includes a voltage regulator (40) that selectively introduces current under certain conditions. In one example, the voltage regulator (40) introduces a negative flux current to an electric motor (32) when the motor (32) is operating under conditions corresponding to constant speed movement of an elevator car (22). In one example, the added negative flux current effectively reduces the back-EMF voltage of the motor (32) during the constant velocity portion of an elevator run. A disclosed example includes controlling the added current to maintain control over a motor torque constant, which becomes a function of the added current.

Abstract: An elevator system and a method are provided for controlling an elevator group. The elevator system includes an elevator group, which includes at least two elevator cars, which elevator cars are fitted to be moved in the elevator hoistway according to the calls allocated by the control of the elevator group. The elevator system includes a power supply arrangement, for adjusting the power needed to move the elevator cars. An energy storage is connected to the power supply arrangement. The energy storage is fitted in the first operating situation to yield energy for use in moving the elevator car, and in the second operating situation to receive energy released by movement of the elevator car. The elevator system includes a determination of the charging status of the energy storage, and the control of the elevator group is fitted to determine the change in energy that would be caused by the movement according to an allocated call of the elevator cars belonging to the elevator group.

Abstract: A transportation system and a method are provided for backing up the operational state of a transportation system. The transportation system includes a control apparatus for controlling the operation of the transportation system. The control apparatus further includes capacitive energy storage and a power supply backup circuit adapted to maintain power supply from the said energy storage to a storage circuit for a given length of time in connection with an operational anomaly in power supply to the control apparatus.

Abstract: Calibration of the state-of-charge (SOC) of a battery-based energy storage system used with a regenerative drive uses an SOC-open circuit voltage (V?oc#191) correlation. The battery is partially charged or discharged to assure operation defined by V?oc#191 following a known V?oc#191-SOC profile, such as a charge or discharge boundary curve. The partial charging/discharging may be synchronized with a traffic profile of an elevator system driven by the regenerative drive. A V?oc#191 measurement is made, and by enhancing the relaxation dynamics of V?oc#191 through regulating battery usage with a reference to traffic profile, a V?oc#191 is estimated more reliably. Using the estimate V?oc#191 and the known V?oc#191-SOC profile, state-of-charge of the battery is determined.

Abstract: Power is managed in an elevator system including an elevator hoist motor (12), a primary power supply (20), and an electrical energy storage (EES) system (32). A power demand of the elevator hoist motor is determined, and a state-of-charge (SOC) of the EES system is determined. Power exchanged between the hoist motor, the primary power supply, and the EES system is controlled based on the power demand of the hoist motor and the SOC of the EES system.

Abstract: Power distribution is managed between a regenerative drive (10) connected to an elevator hoist motor (12), and a primary power supply (20) and electrical energy storage (EES) system (36) connected to the regenerative drive. A state-of-charge (SOC) of the EES system and a primary current flow between the primary power supply and the regenerative drive are measured. A direction and magnitude of secondary current flow between the EES system and the regenerative drive is then controlled as a function of the primary current flow and the SOC of the EES system.

Abstract: Method for operating an elevator (2) in an emergency mode wherein the elevator (2) comprises a car (4), a drive motor (10), a motor drive unit (26) which supplies power to the drive motor (10) and controls the same and an emergency power supply (42), wherein the motor drive unit (10) has a predetermined normal operation switching frequency, comprising the following steps (a) supplying power from the emergency power supply (42); (b) bringing the motor drive unit ( ) in an emergency mode; (c) determining an actual emergency operation condition characteristic; and (d) setting the switching frequency of the motor drive unit (46) dependent on the actual emergency operation condition characteristic.

Abstract: An elevator system where control appliances of the elevator system are fitted to communicate between themselves is described herein. The elevator system has a control arrangement for placing at least one control appliance into standby mode or for terminating the standby mode. The control arrangement is fitted to set the standby mode on the basis of at least one activation signal, as well as to send a control signal of the standby mode to at least one control appliance of the elevator system. Associated methods for fitting a standby mode into an elevator system are also described herein.

Abstract: The control system comprises energy accumulators (20; 120) coupled to a first inverter (10) and controlled through a second inverter (12). Such accumulators (20; 120) are adapted to store the energy generated by the electrical machine (3) associated to the elevator apparatus (1), and the energy coming by a source and optionally not used by the machine (3), as well as to deliver the stored energy towards the machine (3) when this requires energy with a power higher than a threshold. The system is arranged to automatically cause the lifting of the car (2) up to the highest floor when preset conditions occur in a time interval of inactivity of the elevator apparatus (1).

Abstract: A power supplying system for an elevator includes: a first electric storage apparatus for storing thereinto electric power derived from a commercial power supply; a charging apparatus for charging the electric power derived from the commercial power supply to the first electric storage apparatus and for controlling a current when the electric power is charged into the first electric storage apparatus; a second electric storage apparatus for storing thereinto electric power used to operate an appliance of an elevator; and a power supplying apparatus for supplying the electric power derived from the first electric storage apparatus to the second electric storage apparatus.

Abstract: In addition to the construction of a typical elevator control device in which power generated during regenerative operation is dissipated by a resistance chopper (18), an elevator control device is newly provided with: an electric double layer capacitor (21) connected in parallel with the DC capacitor (3) that smoothes the DC ripple of the rectifier circuit (2) that rectifies the AC power of the AC power source (1) and having an electrostatic capacitance that is considerably larger than this DC capacitor; a voltage detection circuit (22) that detects the terminal voltage of this electric double layer capacitor; and a drive control unit (5) that uses a voltage in the vicinity of the rated voltage of the electric double layer capacitor as the operating voltage of resistance chopper and, when the terminal voltage detected by a voltage detection circuit reaches the voltage in the vicinity of the rated voltage of the electric double layer capacitor, operates and controls the resistance chopper.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elevator system (1), which comprises control appliances (2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10) of the elevator system fitted to communicate between themselves. The elevator system comprises a control arrangement (11) for placing at least one control appliance into standby mode or for terminating the standby mode. The control arrangement is fitted to set the standby mode on the basis of at least one activation signal, as well as to send a control signal (21) of the standby mode to at least one control appliance of the elevator system. The invention also relates to a method for fitting a standby mode into an elevator system.

Abstract: An operation device for an elevator system includes terminals connectable to a 3-phase AC power source providing a respective AC power supply voltage and a drive device connected to the terminals for driving a motor of the elevator system. A transformer is connected to at least two of the terminals and provides at least one supply voltage to the remainder of the elevator system. In an emergency operation of the elevator system, an auxiliary power supply having an output providing an auxiliary output voltage is connected to the transformer for generating an auxiliary supply voltage provided to the drive device via the transformer.

Abstract: A power supplying system for an elevator includes: a first electric storage apparatus for storing thereinto electric power derived from a commercial power supply; a charging apparatus for charging the electric power derived from the commercial power supply to the first electric storage apparatus and for controlling a current when the electric power is charged into the first electric storage apparatus; a second electric storage apparatus for storing thereinto electric power used to operate an appliance of an elevator; and a power supplying apparatus for supplying the electric power derived from the first electric storage apparatus to the second electric storage apparatus.

Abstract: Elevator comprising a car, a drive motor driving the car, a motor drive unit for controlling the drive motor and supplying power thereto, an encoder for sensing movement of the car, and an elevator rescue system for rescue operation in case of an emergency situation, wherein the elevator comprises one single encoder only for normal and rescue operation.

Abstract: Method for performing an elevator rescue run in an emergency situation, the elevator comprising and elevator car, a counter weight, a rope suspending the car and the counterweight, a drive motor, an emergency brake for stopping the car in an emergency situation, and a motor drive unit for supplying drive power to and for controlling the drive motor, having the following rescue run sequence steps: (a) operating the motor drive unit in a zero speed demand mode for holding the car at its present position; (b) lifting the brake, while holding the car in the zero speed demand mode; (c) determining the preferred movement direction of the car based on the power data as obtained by the motor drive unit; and (d) performing the rescue run in the direction of the determined preferred movement direction.

Abstract: An elevator system and a method for reducing total power in an elevator system are provided. The elevator system includes at least one elevator without counterweight for moving people and/or goods. The elevator without counterweight comprises a power converter unit, an elevator motor, a traction sheave, a set of hoisting ropes and an elevator car. The elevator system also includes means for storing mechanical energy and discharging an energy storage.

Abstract: A regenerative elevator system operates in three modes: motoring, idle and regeneration. During the regeneration mode, the elevator motor operates as a generator, and electrical energy is stored in an energy storage system for later use. The energy storage system may be located in a machine room or hoistway where temperature can vary widely. A thermoelectric thermal management system provides thermoelectric cooling or heating to maintain the energy storage system within a desired operating temperature range.

Abstract: An actuator has a driving first coil and a driving second coil. A capacitor is electrically connected to both the first coil and the second coil through a discharge switch using electric power accumulated in a capacitor which can be selectively supplied. An operation portion for operating the discharge switch is electrically connected to the discharge switch. For example, when an electric power supplied to the operation portion is cut due to a power failure, the second coil and the capacitor are electrically connected to each other through the discharge switch.

Abstract: A system (10) continuously drives an elevator hoist motor (14) during normal and power failure operating conditions. A regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) delivers power to the hoist motor (14) from a main power supply (17) during the normal operating condition and from a backup power supply (24) during the power failure operating condition. A controller (12) operates the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to provide available power on the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to the backup power supply (24) during the normal operating condition.

Abstract: A power supply for an elevator drive includes a voltage input, a comparator for comparing the input voltage with a predetermined threshold, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding connected to the elevator drive. The transformer has a single tapped primary winding. When the input voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold input, the comparator output causes power to be supplied to the primary winding via one of an end of the winding or the tapping of the winding, and when the input voltage is below the predetermined threshold, input power is supplied to the primary winding via the other of the end of the primary winding and the tapping of the winding.

Abstract: A system continuously drives an elevator hoist motor during normal and power failure conditions. A regenerative drive delivers power from a main power supply to the hoist motor during normal operation. A rescue operation circuit includes a backup power supply and is operable in the event of a failure of the main power supply to disconnect the regenerative drive from the main power supply and connect the back up power supply to the regenerative drive to provide substantially uninterrupted power to the hoist motor.

Abstract: A hoist motor (12) for an elevator (14) is continuously driven from an irregular power supply (16). A regenerative drive (10) delivers power between the power supply (16) and the hoist motor (12). A controller (11) measures a power supply voltage in response to a detected change in the power supply voltage and controls the regenerative drive (10) to adjust a nominal motion profile of the elevator (14) in proportion with an adjustment ratio of the measured power supply voltage to a normal power supply voltage.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, a car is mounted with an safety device for bringing the car to an emergency stop. A drive unit for raising and lowering the car is controlled by a drive control portion. A safety control portion detects an abnormality in the elevator and outputs an actuation signal. An electrical actuator portion actuates the safety device in response to an actuation signal output from the safety control portion. A mechanical actuator portion mechanically detects an abnormality in the elevator, and actuates the safety device through mechanical transmission of a control force. In the event of power failure, a backup power source enables functioning of at least the drive unit and of the drive control portion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, a system and a computer program for the effective evacuation of a building in an emergency, in which at least one elevator can be used as an evacuation aid. In the method the group control of the elevators monitors the numbers of people on the different floors of the building. The floor on which it is assumed are most people is set at each moment of monitoring for a greater priority in an evacuation situation. Taking into account the limited supply power a free elevator car is directed to the floor of the greatest priority, at which the elevator is filled. The full elevator is directed without stopping to the exit floor of the building. The system monitors by means of detectors the safety of the different parts of the building and directs people if necessary to a safe evacuation location to wait for an elevator. A so-called Traffic Forecaster can be used as an aid in defining the priorities.

Abstract: A power system (10) operates a plurality of hoist motors (18a, 18b, 18c), each of which controls movement of one of a plurality of elevators (12a, 12b, 12c). The power system (10) includes a power bus (11) and a converter (22) connected across the power bus (11) for converting alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source (20) to direct current (DC) power and delivering the DC power to the power bus (11). The power system (10) also includes a plurality of inverters (26a, 26b, 26c) connected across the power bus (11). Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is connected to a hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) and is operable to drive the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) is motoring by converting the DC power from the power bus (11) into AC power. Each inverter (26a, 26b, 26c) is further operable to convert AC power produced by the hoist motor (18a, 18b, 18c) when the motor is generating to DC power and to deliver the DC power to the power bus (11).

Abstract: A method of controlling an elevator system comprises transferring power to an elevator car from a primary power supply to a backup power supply without interruption of power if the primary power supply fails or is disrupted. Following transfer of power to the elevator car from the primary power supply to the backup power supply either pending operations of the elevator car are completed or the elevator car is moved to a predetermined floor based on pending operations of the elevator car. The backup power supply can be attached to the elevator car.

Abstract: Elevator (2) comprising a car (4), a counterweight (6), a hoisting rope (8) for suspending the car (4) and the counterweight (6), a drive motor (10), a motor drive unit (26) for supplying the power to the drive motor (10), and a brake (18) for stopping the movement of the car (4) in an emergency situation, the elevator (2) further comprising an elevator rescue system (40), comprising an emergency power supply (42), an emergency brake switch (44) for connecting and disconnecting the power of the emergency power supply (42) to the brake (18), and an emergency drive switch (46) for connecting and disconnecting the power of the emergency power supply (42) to the drive motor (10), characterised in that the elevator rescue system (40) further comprises the motor drive unit (26) and a power line (74) connecting the emergency power supply (42) with the motor drive unit (26) and including the emergency drive switch (46).

Abstract: A power control system is operable for controlling and balancing the generation and/or consumption of electrical power through an internal electricity distribution network connected with at least one electrically driven elevator system. The elevator system is connected to the internal electricity distribution network of a particular building, which can further be connected either to the external public electricity distribution network, or to a reserve power appliance. An elevator system includes at least one elevator, an elevator control system, an elevator motor, a frequency convertor fitted to supply the elevator motor which may be in operation when provided with electricity through an external public electricity distribution network, or during disruption of power.

Abstract: A power supply for an elevator drive, comprising a voltage input, a comparator for comparing the input voltage with a predetermined threshold, a transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding connected to the elevator drive; where the transformer has a single tapped primary winding and wherein, when the input voltage exceeds the predetermined threshold input, the comparator output causes power to be supplied to the primary winding via one of an end of the winding or the tapping of the winding, and when the input voltage is below the predetermined threshold, input power is supplied to the primary winding via the other of the end of the primary winding and the tapping of the winding.

Abstract: A safety device for an elevator includes a cabin, a counterweight, a cabin drive motor with a rotor, and at least one power-failure electromechanical brake. The safety device has a control device arranged to receive at least one information allowing emergency power to be applied to the brake in order to release the rotor, and allow the cabin blocked between two floors to move under the effect of unbalance between the weight of the cabin and the weight of the counterweight; to receive information enabling the speed of the cabin to be known; and to manage power supplied to the brake in such a manner as to enable the cabin to move to an evacuation floor while preventing the speed of the cabin from exceeding a predefined limit. The information that enables the speed of the cabin to be known is provided by at least one electrical magnitude from the motor.

Abstract: In a feeder circuit for operating a safety device of an elevator, a charging capacitor for actuating an actuator through discharge is employed. A failure detecting device for detecting the presence or absence of a capacitance shortage of a charging capacitor is also electrically connected to the feeder circuit. The failure detecting device has a memory in which a lower limit and upper limit of a charging time at the time when the charging capacitor is in normal operation are stored, and a CPU which is capable of measuring the charging time of the charging capacitor and detects whether or not the charging time is between the lower limit and the upper limit. When the charging time is between the lower limit and the upper limit, the CPU determines that there is no capacitance shortage of the charging capacitor.

Abstract: Fixtures (27) at a doorway of a landing are formed integrally with a frame (17). Power is provided by an inductive coupler (32) having a core (70) and primary (75). The core is thin ferrite and extend significantly beyond the coils in the plane the coils are wound, to provide en extremely low resistance path for the efficient transfer of AC power.

Abstract: An elevator drive assembly (20) includes a motor (28), drive (32) and a capacitive energy storage device (50). In a disclosed example, the capacitive energy storage device (50) comprises at least one nano-gate capacitor (52). The disclosed example has unique energy storage capabilities provided by the presence of the at least one nano-gate capacitor.

Abstract: An emergency power operation apparatus of an elevator that operate machines in a firefighter operation according to the situation in a case where a power failure occurs during firefighter operations during a fire and a switchover to an emergency power source occurs. A group-management controller causes machines not in firefighter operation to preferentially return to an evacuation floor or a rescue floor when a power failure occurs during firefighter operations during a fire and then makes machines in firefighter operation operational. In a case where there are multiple machines in firefighter operation after all machines not in firefighter operation have finished returning to an evacuation floor or a rescue floor, if there is a machine at a standstill outside a door zone among the machines in firefighter operation, the group-management controller causes that machine at a standstill outside the door zone to preferentially become operational.

Abstract: Method for performing an elevator rescue run in an emergency situation, the elevator comprising and elevator car, a counter weight, a rope suspending the car and the counterweight, a drive motor, an emergency brake for stopping the car in an emergency situation, and a motor drive unit for supplying drive power to and for controlling the drive motor, having the following rescue run sequence steps: (a) operating the motor drive unit in a zero speed demand mode for holding the car at its present position; (b) lifting the brake, while holding the car in the zero speed demand mode; (c) determining the preferred movement direction of the car based on the power data as obtained by the motor drive unit; and (d) performing the rescue run in the direction of the determined preferred movement direction.

Abstract: Elevator comprising a car, a drive motor driving the car, a motor drive unit for controlling the drive motor and supplying power thereto, an encoder for sensing movement of the car, and an elevator rescue system for rescue operation in case of an emergency situation, wherein the elevator comprises one single encoder only for normal and rescue operation.

Abstract: In the invention an elevator system (24) and a method for controlling elevators in the elevator system are presented. The elevator system (24) is connected to the electricity distribution network (4) of the building, which can further be connected either to the public electricity distribution network (7) or to a reserve power appliance (2). The elevator system (24) comprises at least one elevator (8), an elevator control system (34), an elevator motor (28), and a frequency converter (26) fitted to supply the elevator motor (28).

Abstract: An energy recovering system in a hydraulic lift device of a battery operated industrial truck. With the system, working oil can be supplied to other hydraulic actuators while energy recovering operation is performed by the hydraulic lift device, occurrence of pressure pulsation in the working oil can be prevented, and energy recovering efficiency is increased. The hydraulic lift device comprises a lift cylinder (1) for lifting a fork F, an electric motor (4) rotated by power supply from a battery (5), a hydraulic pump (3) for supplying pressurized oil to the lift cylinder (1), a control valve (14) disposed in a pressurized oil supply path (23), and a controller (17).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stairway chairlift system that includes a rail assembly mounted adjacent a wall along a stairway and further includes a motorized chair unit movable along rail assembly in ascending and descending directions along stairway. More particularly, the stairway chairlift system is normally powered from an Electric power supply 108. However, during AC power failure, the chair lift system automatically switches to battery power to enable chairlift 10 to run a number of trips after a power failure. After the power outage ends, the chairlift system automatically switches back to AC power supply for lift operations and the batteries are then recharged. Thus, if AC power is available, the batteries are not used or drained. Furthermore, the batteries are not continually charged and discharged as they are in a DC battery-operated system.

Abstract: An emergency escape apparatus for elevator is disclosed. In response to power outage manually pulling an actuation rope will pivot a pivot bar counterclockwise to rotate front and rear cams, press front and rear cams onto front and rear actuation members respectively, lower a pinion to be in mesh with a gear on a front of a drive sheave, press pressing rollers onto hoist ropes, activate a bar member to deactivate a brake, close a switch, and activate a backup motor to turn the pinion and the drive sheave through the gear, thereby lowering a car until a safe floor is reached. In another operation speeding the car will automatically enable an electromagnetic actuator to pull the actuation rope and activate a main motor to lower the car.

Abstract: An elevator system uses a supercapacitor to store electric energy. Furthermore, the supercapacitor can be used as a source of reserve power in emergency situations, such as power failures. The supercapacitor is connected together with three switching branches to a rectified signal of the power supply of the motor. By closing and opening the switches, the supercapacitor can be charged when the motor load is small. When the motor load is large or when the power supply fails, the electric energy contained in the supercapacitor can be discharged for use by the motor. In an emergency, the motor drives the elevator at a speed lower than normal, and therefore a supply voltage lower than normal is sufficient. Also, energy obtained from braking of the elevator can be stored in the supercapacitor, which has a storage capacity of considerable magnitude as compared to an ordinary capacitor.

Abstract: Provided is an elevator escape device. In response to a stop of the elevator due to power outage, a trapped person may press a switch to activate a backup generator, and either a backup electromagnetic contact is enabled if the backup generator functions normally or the person manipulates a handle to activate a slow movement assembly if the backup generator malfunctions. Thereafter, the brake is disabled by contacting a first detent a return assembly operates to return a slow movement assembly to its nonoperating position via a control assembly wherein electromagnetic contacts are short-circuited sequentially by contacting corresponding electromagnetic contacts, the car slowly arrives at a nearest correct floor, and the trapped person may to open a door to escape.

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

Abstract: An improved system of variable speed drives that enhances the energy efficiency of an elevator system by enabling power transfer between the variable speed drives of two or more elevators via a common DC bus. Any combination of regenerative and non-regenerative variable speed drives may be used with the present invention. Energy storage devices may be connected to the common DC bus further improve efficiency.

Abstract: A method for energy storage and recovery for load hoisting equipment driven by a diode controlled DC motor and having an inverter controlling an induction motor which drives a flywheel whereby, utilizing rest power such as reverse power from the DC motor when lowering a load and unused power at small load or idle to accelerate rotation of a flywheel, whereby energy is stored, and the system is reversed when a load is lifted and power is consumed whereby the flywheel causes the induction motor to generate power and deliver it to the DC motor.