Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an elevator which has a high energy-saving effect based on charging while using a low-capacity and low-priced secondary battery. The apparatus has a converter for converting an alternating current from an ac power supply into a dc power by rectifying the alternating current, an inverter for driving an electric motor by converting the dc power from the converter into variable-voltage variable-frequency ac power, the motor being driven for the operation of the elevator, and a power accumulator connected to a dc bus between the converter and the inverter. The power accumulator accumulates dc power from the dc bus during regenerative operation of the elevator, and supplies the accumulated dc power to the dc bus during power-drive operation of the elevator.

Abstract: An auxiliary safety lift device for an elevator includes a main elevator power system, a spare electric power system, a secondary motor, a secondary speed reducer, and an electromagnetic clutch. The electromagnetic clutch includes an electromagnetic disk, a transmission disk for rotating the main shaft of the main motor of the main elevator power system, a drive disk rotated by the secondary speed reducer, and a spring sheet secured on the drive disk. When the electromagnetic disk is energized by the spare electric system, the spring sheet is attracted by the electromagnetic disk to engage the transmission disk so that the transmission disk is rotated with the drive disk to rotate the main shaft of the main motor.

Abstract: An elevator capable of supplying electric power to accessory hall devices such as up/down elevator buttons and position indicators without requiring power supply lines between the cage and each hall. A drive battery which supplies electric power to hall devices provided in each hall and a receptor connected to the battery are provided on the hall. A feeder contactable with the respective receptors, a charging device that charges the battery via the feeder and receptor are provided on the top of the cage. When the charging voltage, for example, used in a hall of the floor drops below a predetermined voltage value, the cage stops automatically at the floor and the charger charges the drive battery in the hall of the floor via the receptors and feeder.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an operation of an elevator includes a power supply unit for detecting whether the main power supply was supplied including a charger and for outputting a predetermined control signal, an operation control unit for receiving the control signal from the direct current power supply unit and a demand control signal inputted by a user and for outputting a speed control signal and a load compensation signal so as to control the elevator system, a power consumption detector for computing a power consumption of the alternating current motor, a speed limiter for limiting a speed of the motor upon receipt of the alternating current motor speed signal from the speed detector and the power consumption of the motor computed by the power consumption detector, and a speed control unit for controlling a rotational speed of the alternating current motor upon receipt of the load compensation signal and the control signal from the speed limiter.

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: An elevator control apparatus solves a problem in that charging and discharging characteristics of a battery used for a power storage unit changes with temperatures, and charging all regenerative electric power of the elevator may cause a sudden rise in the temperature of the battery especially at a low temperature, and a gas may be generated in the battery, leading to significant deterioration of the battery. The elevator control apparatus includes: a converter; an inverter; a controller for controlling a motor based on the AC power of a variable voltage and a variable frequency supplied from the inverter so as to operate an elevator; a power storage unit for storing the DC power; a thermistor for detecting a temperature of the power storage unit; a charge/discharge control circuit for controlling a charging and discharging electric energy based on the detected temperature and issuing a drive signal; and a charge/discharge circuit for charging and discharging the power storage unit based on the drive signal.

Abstract: An elevator control apparatus solves a major problem with a conventional elevator control apparatus in that an elevator cannot be operated in case of a power failure of a commercial power source because the controlling apparatus constantly consumes power supplied from the commercial power source. The elevator control apparatus includes: a power storage unit for storing the DC power; a charge/discharge control circuit that controls a state of charge of the power storage unit, outputs a drive signal to charge the power storage unit with the DC power during a halt of the elevator based on operational information regarding the elevator received from the controller, and outputs a stop signal to stop charging when a voltage of the power storage unit reaches a preset predetermined voltage; and a charge/discharge circuit for starting charging the power storage unit with the DC power in response to the drive signal, and stopping the charging in response to the stop signal.

Abstract: This invention provides a controller of an elevator in which a space for mounting a power accumulating device can be saved and the controller can be applied to the elevator having no machine room. Therefore, the controller has power accumulating means arranged between DC buses between a converter and an inverter, and accumulating DC power from the DC buses at a regenerative operation time of the elevator and supplying the DC power accumulated on the DC buses at a power running operation time; and charging-discharging control means for controlling charging and discharging operations of the power accumulating means with respect to the DC buses. The power accumulating means is constructed by a secondary battery and a DC-DC converter for controlling charging and discharging operations of the secondary battery, and the secondary battery is constructed by connecting plural cells in series to each other.

Abstract: This invention provides a controller of an elevator capable of performing stable speed control by using a cheap power accumulating device of a low capacity even at a discharging control time. Therefore, the controller has a converter 2, an inverter 4, a power accumulating device 11 arranged between DC buses 3, a charging-discharging control circuit 15 for controlling charging and discharging operations of the power accumulating device, a power failure detector 22, a current measuring instrument 23 and a voltage measuring instrument 24 for respectively detecting an output current and an output voltage of the inverter, a car load measuring instrument 25, an encoder 20, and a speed control circuit 21A for controlling an operation of the inverter. The speed control circuit 21A calculates output power of the inverter, and calculates discharging ability power of the power accumulating device on the basis of a measuring value of charging and discharging states.

Abstract: An elevator control apparatus solves a major problem with a conventional elevator control apparatus in that a state of charge of a battery is not always maintained at 100% because of the need for securing an allowance for charging regenerative electric power, causing generation of an inert material in the battery with a resultant decrease in an apparent charging capacity of the battery and a shortened life of the battery.

Abstract: This invention provides a controller of an elevator for stably controlling regenerated power by using a cheap secondary battery of a low capacity without damaging energy saving effects obtained by charging.

Abstract: An elevator control apparatus solves a problem in that electric power produced in a regenerative mode of an elevator is thermally consumed by a regenerative resistor or the like rather than being effectively used.

Abstract: An elevator control device includes: a convertor which rectifies an a.c. power and converts the a.c. power into a d.c. power; an inverter which converts the d.c. power into an a.c. power having a variable voltage and a variable frequency; an electric motor which is driven by the a.c. power having a variable voltage and a variable frequency to drive an elevator; a power storing unit which is charged with an electric power; a required-power arithmetically operating circuit which calculates a required power of the elevator which is an electric power required for the operation of the elevator or an electric power caused by the operation of the elevator; and a charging/discharging control circuit which controls the charging operation or the discharging operation of the power storing unit based on the required power of the elevator.

Abstract: To reduce a total power amount required to drive an elevator by a commercial power supply during a peak power-consumption time period, for instance, afternoon in summer time, a control apparatus for this elevator is arranged by employing: a converter for rectifying AC electric power to be converted into DC electric power; and inverter for inverting the DC electric power into AC electric power having a variable voltage and a variable frequency; a motor driven by said AC electric power having the variable voltage and the variable frequency so as to operate an elevator; a power storage apparatus for charging thereinto electric power; and charge/discharge control means for controlling charging/discharging operation with respect to the power storage apparatus based upon a charging target value every time with respect to the power storage apparatus.

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: The present invention relates to a technique for an elevator car to perform an emergency operation during a power failure, and in particular to a method for controlling a rescue operation of an elevator car which can rescue passengers by performing an emergency operation with an electromotive force of a permanent magnet-type synchronous motor during the power failure, in an elevator system employing the synchronous motor as a lifting motor. The method for controlling the rescue operation of the elevator car includes: a step for obtaining the electromotive force by rotating the synchronous motor due to the weight difference between the balance weight and the car during the power failure; a step for charging the electromotive force in the condenser; and a step for gradually increasing a rotation speed of the synchronous motor from a starting time thereof to a predetermined time for speed controlling matched with a charging voltage of the condenser at an initial stage of the power failure.

Abstract: To reduce a total power amount required to drive an elevator by a commercial power supply during a peak power-consumption time period, for instance, afternoon in summer time, a control apparatus for this elevator is arranged by employing: a converter for rectifying AC electric power to be converted into DC electric power; and inverter for inverting the DC electric power into AC electric power having a variable voltage and a variable frequency; a motor driven by said AC electric power having the variable voltage and the variable frequency so as to operate an elevator; a power storage apparatus for charging thereinto electric power; and a power controller for using both the power storage apparatus and the commercial power supply so as to supply the electric power to the inverter, and for controlling at least any one of the power storage apparatus and the commercial power supply in order to supply electric power which is required for the inverter.

Abstract: An elevator system for controlling movement of an elevator car coupled to a drive to serve floors in a building in response to hall calls generated from a plurality of hall call devices located at floors served by the elevator car, includes a control for generating a velocity pattern signal from stored parameter values representing desired jerk, acceleration and constant speed relative to time. The drive responds to the velocity pattern signal to move the elevator car to the floor associated with each hall call. The control selectively generates a high performance velocity pattern signal and an energy conservation velocity pattern signal in response to parameter values that can be changed by user input. Sensing a predetermined condition such as the application emergency power to the drive and/or a high wind speed automatically modifies the velocity pattern signal.

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: A self-commissioning controller 7 for a field-oriented elevator motor controller 14 includes calculating an integral gain K.sub.I, a proportional gain Kp, and an overall gain (Gc) for the motor controller; obtaining initial values of a rotor time constant .tau..sub.R, magnetizing current Id, and motor torque constant K.sub.T for the motor controller 14, and obtaining a value of a motor transient inductance L.sigma.; calculating final values for said rotor time constant .tau..sub.R and magnetizing current Id, using said transient inductance L.sigma.; and calculating a system inertia J* parameter for speed loop compensation 16 within the motor controller 14. The controller 7 may also include calculating the initial values for .tau..sub.R, Id, and K.sub.T *, and performing self-commissioning automatically upon receiving a command from a service tool 80.

Abstract: An elevator energy conservation system is disclosed comprising an elevator motor driven by generator having two power supplies. A primary power supply provides electricity to the generator when the elevator motor is in use, while a smaller power supply using significantly less electricity powers the generator while it is idling. The two power supply system has been shown to cut the electricity usage for standard elevators by fifty percent or more over extended periods of use. Moreover, the present invention in a preferred embodiment discloses a shaft which extends from the generator which can be used to power other local machines such as air conditioners, blowers, heaters, and DC motors.

Abstract: A reserve power system includes a reserve power machine (2) for the generation of power. The reserve power machine (2) is connected via a distribution network (4) to consumers (10,12) and elevator drives (8). The elevator drives include an elevator hoisting motor (28) and a frequency converter (26) controlling it. The elevator drives are provided with regulating devices (26, 44, 46) by means of which the speed of the elevator motor (28) is so adjusted that the power taken by the elevator drive (8) from the distribution network (4) is lower than an adjustable power limit (P.sub.A).

Abstract: A velocity-controlled elevator drive including an a.c. motor (28) driving elevator machinery regulated by means of a frequency converter (26) supplying the motor (28) with a controlled frequency and voltage. The load condition of the elevator is measured by means of a load weighing device (32) in the elevator car. A power limit (P.sub.A) is input to the elevator machinery as a reference value and the speed reference (38) given to the frequency converter is determined on the basis of the power limit (P.sub.A) and the load condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an emergency stop of an elevator car 11 is connected in an elevator system 10 including a drive motor 15 coupled to the car, a drive control 18 connected between the drive motor and an AC electrical power source 17 for operating the drive motor and an elevator control 19 connected to the drive control for controlling starting, running and stopping of the elevator car. A controlled emergency stop circuit 21 has a battery supply 28 connected to receive and store electrical power from the power source 17 and is connected to provide electrical power to the elevator control 19. A normally open switch 33,34,36,37 is connected between the battery supply 28 and the drive control 18. A controller is connected to the switch and receives a power failure signal representing a loss of electrical power at the drive control 18.

Abstract: Device (100) for rotating an elevator motor during an emergency situation, such as a power failure, comprising a d.c. supply (4) and a rotary switch (8) used as a switching device for supplying a d.c. voltage into the windings (R-S, R-T, S-T) of the elevator motor (1). The d.c. voltage (DCC+, DCC-) controlled by the rotary switch is fed by turns into each winding (R-S, R-T, S-T). In addition, the device comprises a switch (6) used to supply a voltage to the brake (3) and to short-circuit the windings.

Abstract: In a system for starting elevator machinery driven by a synchronous motor, current is fed to the motor by a frequency converter and a traction sheave is connected to the motor to move the elevator car with hoisting ropes. The angle of the magnetic field of the stator is determined when the elevator stops. When the motor is started again, a new value of the angle of the magnetic field of the stator is determined on the basis of the change in the load signal. The frequency converter is adjusted so that a magnetic field whose direction corresponds to the new angle of the magnetic field of the stator is generated in the motor.

Abstract: Normal power for the fan (22), lights (23), operating car panel (26), and cab controller functions (29) is provided from a voltage regulator (41) driven by a flywheel motor generator (38) which is accelerated when the elevator car (11) is near a landing by power supplied through brushes (34) from power tracks (32) disposed on the building (33). Power for the cab door operator (21) is supplied only directly from the brushes (34). A transceiver (46) provides all operational, safety and emergency phone voice communication with the building, whereby the traveling cable normally used on an elevator car is eliminated. The brushes are extended to engage the power tracks by means of springs (176), and are retracted into a clearance position by means of solenoids (174).

Abstract: An elevator system, having a three phase rectifier (20) which converts energy from a three phase AC main (21) to provide DC power on a bus (19) to a three phase inverter (18) that drives a three phase inductive hoist motor (17), utilizes regenerated energy applied (46, 47) to a boost regulator (52) to drive (54, 55) a flywheel motor generator (26) to store the regenerated energy in the form of inertia therein. When the flywheel motor generator reaches a limiting speed, any continued regenerated energy is dumped (59, 60) in an energy dissipating device (61). During periods of high demand, the inertial energy stored in the flywheel motor generator is utilized (67, 68) to add energy to the DC bus to provide additional current to the three phase inverter for driving the hoist motor. The control is provided by software embedded in an elevator computer (such as used for dispatching and motion control).

Abstract: An elevator control system employs dynamic braking and achieves reduced energy consumption as compared to known elevator control systems. A synchronous motor using a permanent magnet is used as a hoist machine. A contactor short circuits the input terminals of the synchronous motor via a resistor. If an emergency stop is triggered while an elevator car is opened for passengers to enter or exit, the contactor short circuits the input terminals of the synchronous motor.

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: A transfer switch system includes a controller which sends separately timed restart signals over a communications network to an addressable relay associated with each load in order to sequentially restart the loads following a transfer. When the loads are elevators, the controller sends a prepare to transfer signal to each elevator through the associated addressable relay directing the elevator to park at a floor with its doors open and delays making a discretionary transfer until all elevators send a reply message over the network that they are appropriately parked. A message from the utility directing a reduction in use of their power can be sent to the controller over the communications network through an additional remote station. The controller can then transfer to the alternate power source and/or send messages to selected loads to shut down.

Abstract: A socket plug assembly (44) on an elevator cab (10) may engage with complimentary socket plug assemblies (46) on either of two car frames (11, 13) when it is horizontally moved therebetween. A socket plug assembly (44a) on a horizontally moveable elevator cab may have a horizontal interface with a complimentary socket plug assembly (45b) mounted on an elevator car frame or landing, and one of them is moved vertically to cause engagement with the other. Socket plug assemblies (169) tethered to a cab (10) by means of an umbilical cord (168) is engageable with socket plug assemblies (170, 171) on booms (172, 173) on the elevator car frames (21, 22) or landings. An uninterruptible power supply (50) maintains power when the cab is unplugged; a transceiver (51) on the cab maintains communications with a transceiver (62) in the building when the cab is unplugged.