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

Abstract: A method for monitoring a manual elevator door system comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of sensor signals; detecting the sensor signals; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that an elevator car is stopped at a landing; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a car door of the elevator car is open; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a hoistway door is unlocked; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a hoistway door is closed; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a call has been assigned to the elevator car during a time that the hoistway door is closed; and providing a performance data signal in response to said determinations wherein said performance data signal is representative that the manual elevator door system is in a non-alarm condition.

Abstract: A load compensation calibration method for an elevator controller includes the steps of moving an elevator car in a first direction, the first direction a first creep speed region; determining the time to travel a given distance; during the first run; determining a first actual creep speed of the first creep speed region; determining a difference between a dictated creep speed and the first actual creep speed; determining a first compensation frequency for minimizing the difference between the dictated creep speed and the first actual creep second; moving the elevator car in a second direction, the speed direction including a second creep speed region; determining the time to travel a given distance during the second run; determining a second actual creep speed of the second creep speed region; determining a difference between a dictated creep speed and the second actual creep speed; determining a second compensation frequency for minimizing the difference between the dictated creep speed and the second actua

Abstract: An elevator drive fault detector for detecting operational faults in an elevator drive having an inverter and only one circuit breaker includes a current sensor, a monitoring device, a control device and an operational control system. The current sensor provides a current sensor signal. The monitoring device determines if an operational fault exists in response to the current sensor signal and provides an operational signal. The monitoring device disables the operational signal if the monitoring device determines that an operational fault exists or if the elevator drive fault detector performs a system check operation. The operational control system provides both the run command and an operational check signal and is responsive to the operational signal such that if the operational signal is disabled then the operational control system opens the one circuit breaker and disables the run command such that the control device disables a PWM signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing an elevator door performance result of an elevator door in an elevator door system which normally operates sequentially from state-to-state in a closed loop sequential chain of normal operating states is disclosed. A plurality of parameter signals provided by the elevator door system is monitored by the apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a door state sequencer for providing a performance measure; a module for providing a reference measure and an acceptable range; and an abnormal detection module for analyzing the door performance measure.

Abstract: An elevator motion control system compares a dictated flight path signal (101), indicative of a desired elevator flight path along a nominal flight trajectory, with a measured flight path signal (108), indicative of actual elevator motion, and provides a motion command signal (115) to both a high pass filter (117) and a low pass filter (116) such that the frequency of the motion command signal is split into high and low frequency components (141,118). An active elevator hitch (36) is used to implement the high frequency/low stroke portion of the motion command signal while the elevator motor (28) is used to implement the low frequency/high stroke portion of the motion command signal.

Abstract: A remote controller linkage is established to an elevator system having one or more elevators and using a data transmission network (21) comprising at least one serial communication bus for the transmission of control signals between the operating and/or other devices belonging to the system, car calls, landing calls and other information obtained from and/or generated by the devices included in the elevator system. At least one of the serial communication buses belonging to the data transmission network (21) of the elevator system is connected to a functional unit (3,7,10,13) fitted to receive messages sent to it by a remote controller (1,22). On the basis of the message received, the functional unit (3,7,10,13) transmits into the serial communication bus a message containing at least one control, call or other datum and the bus address of the transmitting functional unit (3,7,10,13).

Abstract: An apparatus for testing a speed limiter in an elevator installation includes a drive wheel engaging a cable groove of a cable guide roller in the speed limiter. The drive wheel is rotated by rotational device having a speed control for linearly increasing the speed of rotation of the cable guide roller until the speed limiter is triggered. The rotation of the drive wheel is detected by an evaluating device attached to the rotational device and having an opti-electronic system for generating a light beam toward reflectors on the drive wheel and detecting reflected light beams. The triggering instant of the speed limiter is detected by an acceleration sensor connected to the evaluating device which then calculates the triggering speed from the speed of the drive wheel at the triggering instant.

Abstract: A system for regional and local supervision and monitoring of elevator equipment, that includes a modular system containing a service center set of equipment and an on-site set of equipment connected to at least one building. Communication between these sets of equipment is implemented using a remote communication link. A connection from an elevator car to a service center and from a service center to an elevator car is provided through the on-site equipment. A connection between an elevator car and a preselected service point can be established by the on-site equipment.

Abstract: An elevator drive circuit is used for maintaining the voltage across first and second serially connected capacitors having first and second ends. The circuit comprises an active stabilizer for substantially maintaining a predetermined value of the voltage at a connection node of the capacitors. The active stabilizer provides compensation in response to deviations from the predetermined value of the voltage at the connection node.

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 door monitoring system determines if any hatch door at any floor along an elevator shaft or any other door leading to the shaft is opened while an elevator cab is away from the door. The system includes a plurality of non-contact hatch door monitors, such as infrared proximity detectors. At least one monitor is positioned on the elevator shaft at a respective location generally opposite each hatch door along the shaft. Each monitor detects the opening of the respective hatch door without direct contact therewith, e.g., by directing radiation toward the door and measuring the distance to the door. If the distance is too great, indicating that the door is open and no elevator is present, the monitor produces an alarm signal. The alarm signal is sent to a control circuit which takes the elevator out of service and operates audible and visual alarms in response thereto.

Abstract: In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars in a building, a method of assigning a multi-deck elevator car includes determining if a crowd exists at a floor in the building; if it is determined that the crowd exists at the floor in the building, determining if two decks of a best elevator car are available; if it is determined that multiple decks of the best elevator car are available, assigning the two available decks of the best elevator to the floor where the crowd exists; wherein, the best elevator car makes one stop for each of the two available decks at the floor where the crowd exists.

Abstract: A door safety circuit for monitoring of story doors in lift installations. The door safety circuit includes a transmitter that produces a non-electrical signal which is guided by a series of conductor portions. The non-electrical signal may be transmitted through a first conductor partial portion to a latching device of a first story door, depending upon the latched state of the first story door, the signal may be either transmitted to a second conductor partial portion, which may be included within the latching device, or no longer transmitted. If the signal is similarly transmitted through a plurality of conductor partial portions and serially connected story door latching devices, the circuit may indicate that each story door is properly latched. The circuit may also include a plurality of sensors coupled to a failure recognition circuit for monitoring each conductor partial portion.

Abstract: A procedure supplies and modifies the data required in the control system of an elevator and for displaying the instructions needed for installation, maintenance and adjustment on a display comprised in the control system. The parameter data of the elevator control system and the instructions for each person carrying out maintenance work are stored in a separate storage unit. When modification or maintenance work is being carried out, a communication link is established between the storage unit and the data storage means of a control unit included in the control system. The data stored in the storage unit is read and saved in the control unit and the modifications and actions required by the data read from the storage unit are carried out in the control unit.

Abstract: One or more messages, such as an ad, is selected and played to potential passengers at a shuttle landing, such as an elevator corridor, waiting for a car to respond to a call, the ad being selected to play completely within the time estimated for the car to respond to the call. In an elevator or other shuttle car, one or more ads are selected having a playing time less than the time it takes to reach the next scheduled landing stop. Ads are arranged in groups of ranges of playing times or are selected in series until the time is exhausted, or both. The car load and the identification of the ads (if they are completed) are recorded for billing purposes. Ads are prevented from playing while passengers enter and exit the cars (except for passengers traveling in the opposite direction from those whose call started the playing of an ad). Other criteria such as time of day, day of week, load in the car, and landing (floor) of the system can be used to limit ad selection.

Abstract: A control system for compensating for horizontal vibrations in a travelling elevator includes at least one horizontal vibration sensor disposed in a plane wherein high frequency vibrations are spatially filtered. Each sensor is provided with a control circuit that provides control signals to actuators associated with roller guide wheels for applying force against a rail as needed to reduce vibrations.

Abstract: An emergency ventilation system for elevator cabs includes a low voltage power source defined by the secondary winding of a stepdown transformer having its primary winding connected across a primary power source. An emergency power circuit has a single pole, double throw relay located in a normal power position when the primary power source is "on" wherein it connects the low voltage power source to the ventilating fans. The single pole, double throw relay has an emergency position wherein it is positioned to connect the emergency battery source to the ventilating fans so as to operate them independently of the primary power source for providing uninterrupted ventilation to the elevator cab.

Abstract: A method for adjusting an elevator door includes the steps of selecting an elevator door adjustment task from a task list which is provided by an elevator door controller. The elevator door controller is adapted to control the phase, voltage and torque of an elevator door motor. The controller is provided with an elevator door adjustment program which is adapted to provide a set of program prompts to a service person who inputs elevator door parameters in response to the set of program prompts. The parameters are then stored in a memory accessible to said elevator door controller the elevator door in thereafter controlled in accordance with the inputted parameters.

Abstract: An elevator includes an evaluation unit. A pair of position pick-ups are connected to the cable assembly and/or driving pulley of the elevator and coupled to the input of the evaluation unit. The elevator is accelerated or decelerated for checking adhesion of the cable onto the driving pulley (traction sheave). The motion parameters of the cable assembly and the driving pulley are sensed separately, and the drive capability can be determined therefrom.

Abstract: A control system comprises a first processor that generates 16-bit control words and a 16-bit interface check word representing the ones complement of each control word. Preferably, each word is formed as two 8-bit bytes, which are transmitted sequentially to a second processor over an 8-bit parallel interface. The second processor compares each control word with its corresponding interface check word to detect any parallel interface hardware component failures. Preferably, the high and low bytes of the interface check word are swapped prior to transmission to the second processor, and the second processor restores the swaps of the high and low bytes of the interface check word prior to comparing.

Abstract: Operational data of an elevator are constantly and successively stored in RAM of a terminal supervisor unit. If the elevator develops a malfunction which lasts for a predetermined time, this malfunction is detected and reported from the terminal supervisor unit to a supervisor center, together with relevant data, such as the place of occurrence of the malfunction, the code number of the elevator in question and the kind of malfunction. The data relevant to the malfunction are collected at a time point when predetermined specific data indicate that a malfunction is likely. For this purpose, malfunction-indicating states of the specific data are preset and stored in a preset value storage unit, for each possible kind of malfunction, and are constantly compared with the corresponding actual data. By collecting relevant data before actual determination of a malfunction, an investigation for a cause of the malfunction through an analysis of data can be performed more accurately.

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: Lifting apparatus comprising first and second generally vertical masts, an assembly including a frame moveable along the masts, and a load engaging mechanism mounted on the frame, a first brake mechanism which, upon actuation, engages the first mast to prevent downward movement of the frame relative to the first mast, a second brake mechanism which, upon actuation, engages the second mast to prevent downward movement of the frame relative to the second mast, an overspeed mechanism for sensing the downward velocity of the assembly and for actuating the first brake mechanism when the overspeed mechanism senses that the downward velocity of the assembly exceeds a predetermined value, a first electrical device for providing an electrical signal when the first brake mechanism is actuated, and a second electrical device for actuating the second brake mechanism in response to the electrical signal.

Abstract: An arrangement for detecting elevator car position relative to a floor landing includes an optical potentiometer associated with both the elevator car and the interior of an elevator hoistway. One portion of the potentiometer is attached to the elevator car, while the other portion of the potentiometer is fixed within the hoistway. Car position is ascertained by illuminating portions of a fluorescent fiber optical cable and then reading electrical signals outputted by photodetectors at either end of the cable. The difference between the electrical signals corresponds to the distance of the elevator car from the landing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device for a control unit having a ety chain. In accordance with the invention, the monitoring device has a testable switching device which is provided with input and output terminals such that a monitoring loop may be set up from a plurality of testable switching devices and a sequence of digital signals can, in particular, be transmitted via this loop as a continuous signal so that a "digital stand-by current loop" is obtained.

Abstract: An elevator control system (40) for automatically controlling the operation of an elevator car (22A) having a car door (24A) in which the elevator moves between different floor levels of an elevator shaft (30A) in which each floor level has associated hoistway doors (26A, 26C) for providing access to the elevator car (22A) in the shaft (30A) and an elevator hoistway operation monitoring system (34) with individual floor monitoring switches (32) for determining the floor level location of the elevator car (22A), individual hoistway door monitoring sensors (38) for sensing the opening of a hoistway door (26A) relays (56, 58, 52) and contact (50) coupled with an elevator safety circuit (42) for automatically preventing the elevator car (22A) from moving if a hoistway door (26A) is opened at a floor level other than the floor level at which the elevator car (22A) is located and for prohibiting the car (22A) from moving in response to the closing of the opened hoistway door (26A).

Abstract: A traffic volume estimating apparatus 1A estimates the traffic volumes of traffic apparatus, and a traffic flow presuming apparatus 1B presumes the traffic flows generating the estimated traffic volumes. A presumption function constructing apparatus 1C corrects the presumption functions of the traffic flow presuming apparatus 1B on actually measured traffic volumes, traffic flow presumption results and control results. A control result detecting apparatus 1G detects the control results and the drive results of the traffic apparatus. Further, a control parameter setting apparatus 1D sets control parameters on traffic flow presumption results, and corrects the control parameters according to the control results and the drive results.

Abstract: An elevator control apparatus comprises a torque command generating device for generating a torque command, a converter device for supplying electric power to a motor for driving an elevator car, a car position calculation device for calculating the present position of the elevator car, a compensation device for calculating an unbalanced rope torque on the sides of the elevator car and a counterweight from the torque command generated by the torque command generating device and the present position of the elevator car calculated by the car position calculation device, a load weighing device for detecting a load in the elevator car, and a final torque command supply device for adding outputs of the compensation device and the load weighing device to the torque command generated by the torque command generating device and supplying the torque command as a final torque command to the converter device.

Abstract: Procedure for determining the number of passenger transfers in an elevator car on the basis of car load data. The procedure of the invention includes continuous measurement of the car load during stoppage, filtering of the measurement data, recording of the load changes taking place during stoppage, and determination of the number of persons having entered or left the elevator car, based on said changes. The device contains an A/D converter for converting the load data into digital form, and a recording and calculation unit placed in the elevator control system and connected to the output of the A/D converter to detect and count the changes in the load.

Abstract: An elevator control apparatus capable of reducing the risk of passengers being confined in an elevator car and capable of preventing damage to equipment as well as danger to passengers. The apparatus includes a safety circuit for detecting an abnormality of the elevator, a flip-flop for storing the operation of the safety circuit, a door-openable region detecting circuit for detecting that a position at which the car is stopped is within a region within which the door of the car can be opened, a control circuit for effecting a rescue operation on the basis of the outputs of the flip-flop and the door-openable region detecting circuit. After an operation of the safety circuit a control circuit continuously outputs a signal for canceling the memory of the flip-flop 35 after the passage of a first predetermined period of time until a second predetermined period of time passes. After the passage of the second predetermined period of time, the elevator car is prohibited from starting.

Abstract: A constant bias velocity is dictated from a profile generator, while a torque value sent to an elevator drive is increased linearly until motion is detected. Then, the torque value is frozen. A normal velocity profile is started and coupled without discontinuity to the prior bias velocity dictation. In response to activation of an elevator loadweighing switch, an initial torque value is provided without boundary values stored in a table. Such static friction keeps an elevator car motionless when an elevator brake is lifted.

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: A method and apparatus for actively counteracting a disturbing force acting on a suspended elevator cab in a frame moving vertically in a hoistway is disclosed. A manifestation of the disturbing force such as acceleration is sensed and counteracted, for example, by effectively adding mass to the cab in proportion to the sensed acceleration. This may be accomplished by using an electromagnet actuator for actuating the suspended cab in response to a control signal from a control means which is in turn responsive to the sensed signal. Whatever type of actuator is used, it may be used as well to bring the suspended cab to rest with respect to a hoistway sill prior to transferring passengers. The control means may be analog or digital or a combination of both. A preferred analog-digital approach is disclosed in which the digital part is responsive to accelerometer signals, the analog part is responsive to a force command signal from the digital part and provides a position feedback signal in return.

Abstract: A remote elevator monitoring system includes a master associated with a building and a local connected to the master. The local includes an electronic processor which executes instructions for determining whether the master has transmitted a signal packet to the local within a time period selectable at will by an operator at the local. The time period is, for example, a period selected within a range of 0-255 days. Optionally, for example, the master is programmed to transmit a signal packet to the local at a selected time on the last day of the selected time period.

Abstract: An electronic failure detector includes an electronic processor having processor inputs and processor outputs, a memory connected to one of the inputs, a logic circuit having logic circuit inputs and logic circuit outputs, the logic circuit inputs and logic circuit outputs being connected to others of the processor inputs, and instructions, stored within the non-volatile memory, for causing the processor to perform a logic check of the logic circuit and to generate a first signal on the processor output if said logic check is true, and to generate a second signal on the processor output if said logic check is false.

Abstract: An electromagnet actuator has an E-shaped core for coupling magnetic flux between the core and a blade of a hoistway rail. A pair of coils wound on the core provide the flux in such a way as to produce both side-to-side and front-to-back forces that can be controlled by varying the current to the pair of coils in each actuator on opposite sides of the car.

Abstract: A control valve assembly for an hydraulically operated elevator includes separate control valve units for controlling upwards and downwards movements of the elevator. The up valve unit is connected to a pump output and controls connection of the pump output to the elevator cylinder via a check valve. The up valve unit includes an orifice for connecting the pump output to a reservoir, and a valve member for varying the size of the orifice to control the amount of fluid passed to the reservoir, and thus the amount of fluid supplied to the elevator cylinder. The down valve unit has an inlet for connection to the elevator cylinder, a variable orifice connected to a reservoir, and a valve member for controllably varying the size of the orifice to control the rate of descent of the elevator.

Abstract: Orthogonal sets (26, 28) of coils (21-24) are each connected for differential response to an alternating magnetic field in a taut wire (20) disposed adjacent a rail (76) in an elevator hoistway. The wire is powered with AC current (34, 38) which is also used (40, 44) to synchronously demodulate the response of the coils to the alternating magnetic field so as to produce an output signal (58, 67) indicative of the position of the coils with respect to the taut wire. The coils may be in a holder (70) which is resiliently urged (72) toward the rail, with the wire passing through a hole therein within the coils, or mounted on an elevator which also has a contactless rail position sensor (110-112). Variation in current adjacent the coils is measured by additively coupling the coils (FIGS. 8, 9) which may be used to compensate the position measured by the coils (FIG. 11). Rectangular coil cross sections, as well as preferred coil spacing and dimensions are shown.

Abstract: A pendulum cab (13) is movably suspended from the frame (30) of an elevator car such as by rods (29) and stabilized by means of electromagnetic actuators (41-45) which interact directly with the hoistway rails (22) in response to signals from accelerometers (66-68) disposed on a platform (28) of the cab as well as proximity sensors for locking up the cab while at a landing.

Abstract: An improved centering control for an elevator horizontal suspension having at least one actuator and includes a circuit for disabling the control or braking the actuator in response to an error signal indicative of the difference between a reference signal and a sensed signal indicative of the degree of centering of the car. Of course, both braking and disabling may be carried out instead of just one. For those cases in which two actuators are acting in concert to center the car, where the control is responsive to the error signal for only selecting one of the opposed actuators at a time, a small centering window is set up about the centered condition and part of the window is used to disable or brake one of the actuators and another part to disable or brake the other of the actuators. Again, both disabling and braking operations may be carried out at the same time with respect to a given actuator.

Abstract: An emergency ventilation system for elevator cabs includes a low voltage power source defined by the secondary winding of a stepdown transformer having its primary winding connected across a primary power source. An emergency power circuit has a single pole, double throw relay located in a normal power position when the primary power source is "on" wherein it connects the low voltage power source to the ventilating fans. The single pole, double throw relay has an emergency position wherein it is positioned to connect the emergency battery source to the ventilating fans so as to operate them independently of the primary power source for providing uninterrupted ventilation to the elevator cab.