Abstract: A device for monitoring the positioning an elevator cage within an elevator shaft. A light curtain with several light beams extends over a length of a cage threshold and along a height of a cage door. The light curtain may be produced by a first transmitter strip and a receiver strip and may be utilized as a security device to block operation of the elevator cage when persons or objects are in a region of the cage doors or story doors. Each light transmitter may lie opposite a respective light receiver so that each light beam from each light transmitter may be incident upon a respective light receiver. A pivotable masking plate may be mounted on a receiver strip side of a story threshold to project into the light curtain such that at least one light beam may be incident upon the masking plate instead of its respective light receiver. The interrupted light beam may be indicative of the actual position of the elevator cage.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining if an elevator car is level with respect to a landing comprises: a first magnet disposed proximate to the landing; a second magnet disposed proximate to the landing; a sensor for providing a level signal in response to detecting a minimum flux region formed by the first and second magnets; and a processor for determining if the elevator is level with respect to the landing in response to the level signal. Each magnet has a first and second magnetic pole. The first and second magnets are adjacently aligned such that the first magnetic pole of the first magnet is adjacent to the first magnetic pole of the second magnet, and the second magnetic pole of the first magnet is adjacent to the second magnetic pole of the second magnet.

Abstract: A reflector mounted in an elevator shaft and having coded symbols in two tracks in the region of a stopping floor is read by detectors on the car for bridging door contacts when the car is in the arrival region and the resetting region of the stopping floor. The symbols are detected and evaluated by a two-channel evaluating circuit having optical transmitters for illuminating the tracks and charge-coupled device sensors for detecting the reflected images. A pattern recognition logic system and computers for each channel recognize patterns in the images for generating car position and speed information and for actuating relays to bridge the door contacts.

Abstract: The invention provides an elevator system for controlling movement of an elevator car with respect to guide rails in an elevator hoistway, having a force-estimation or position-scheduled current command controller and a magnet driver circuit without the need for a flux sensor. The force-estimation or position-scheduled current command controller responds to a force command signal, and further responds to a sensed gap signal, for providing a force-estimation or position-scheduled current command controller signal as a current command to the magnet driver circuit. The magnet driver circuit responds to the force-estimation or position-scheduled current command controller signal, for providing a magnet driver circuit signal to control said horizontal movement of the elevator car with respect to the guide rail in the elevator hoistway, whereby the horizontal movement of the elevator car is controlled without sensing magnetic flux.

Abstract: The present invention provides a roller guide assembly for controlling the position of an elevator car in relation to guide rails of an elevator hoistway in an elevator system. The roller guide assembly includes at least one electromagnet means and at least one solenoid means. The at least one electromagnet means responds to an elevator car control signal from an elevator car controller, for providing at least one electromagnet force to adjust the position of the elevator car in relation to the guide rails of the elevator hoistway. The at least one solenoid means responds to the elevator car control signal, for providing at least one solenoid force that counterbalances said at least one electromagnet force for adjusting the position of the elevator car in relation to the guide rails of the elevator hoistway.

Abstract: A cab having a wheeled carriage fixed thereto is moved between rails on an elevator car frame and similar rails on a wheeled bogey. The ends of the rails are scarfed in a complimentary fashion so as to provide a temporary half-lap joint between the rails of the bogey and the rails of the car frame. Motion is provided by linear motors having active primaries disposed on the car frame and the bogey and passive secondaries disposed on the cab carriage. Motor control is in response to position signals provided by magnetostrictive linear displacement transducers. The cab carriage includes rollers on vertical axes which contact the insides of the rails for guidance. The cab carriage wheels and rollers are disposed in pairs separated sufficiently so that at least one roller and one wheel of each pair is in contact with a full rail as the carriage crosses the rail joints between the car frame and the bogey.

Abstract: A procedure for determining the position of an elevator car in which the code data contained in code units mounted in the building is read by means of a code data detector unit (4) in such manner that a code unit containing floor data and door zone data is mounted essentially close to the threshold of the landing door on each floor and that the detector unit reading the floor data and door data is mounted essentially close to the threshold of the car.

Abstract: A method for performing a correction run by an elevator system having an elevator car following a loss of an elevator car position information includes: detecting a terminal landing magnet in response to the loss of the elevator position information; moving the elevator car away from a predetermined terminal landing until the terminal landing magnet is not detected; running the elevator car toward the predetermined terminal landing in response to not detecting the terminal landing magnet in said moving step; detecting two magnets simultaneously in response to running the elevator car toward the predetermined landing terminal; stopping the elevator car in response to simultaneously detecting the two magnets; and resetting the elevator position information in response to said stopping step.

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

Abstract: A contactless slide guide or magnetic bearing for guiding an elevator vertically along a hoistway rail has one or more electromagnet actuators spring-mounted within a yoke attached to the elevator car at a corner thereof. The positioning of the electromagnets within the yoke is such that they are positioned extremely close to the surface of the rail so as to form a magnetic bearing having a gap of just a few millimeters, and which is controlled in a position feedback control loop to keep the gap constant. The contactless slide guide may be used for low-rise buildings with a rigid connection between the yoke and the elevator, or may be used in conjunction with an active suspension system more typically used in mid- to high-rise buildings. The active suspension system may be used, for example, in conjunction with a pendulum car suspended within the elevator frame to which contactless slide guides are attached at the top and bottom.

Abstract: An elevator car position compensator includes a compensated position signal generator which, via a closed-loop feed-back arrangement, adjusts a true position signal by using a signal related to dynamic slip and stretch of the hoist ropes.

Abstract: The position of an object which is moved along a prescribed path, for example an elevator cage, is continuously and accurately monitored by coupling an acoustic signal generator carried by the object to an acoustic signal conductor which extends along the path, the acoustic signal conductor being characterized by the velocity of sound propagation therealong being uniform and constant. The position of the object is calculated by processing signals generated by transducers located at the opposite ends of the acoustic signal conductor, the signal processing determining the delay between receipt of a sound signal originating at the object at the opposite ends of the conductor.

Abstract: Whenever the elevator cage (2) enters a landing zone at each target stop floor, the landing zone calculator (32) generates discriminate signals (32b, 32c, 32d) indicative of whether the cage lands from a normal distance or from one of abnormal distances (far away or not far away from the normal distance) detected by limit switches (27 to 30). Then, the landing pattern generator (34) calculates a landing pattern representative of the reference speed proportional to a distance from the current position to the target stop position of the motor shaft on the basis of the output of the landing zone calculator (32) and the detected motor shaft position. Therefore, whenever the moving cage enters the landing zone, the cage is controlled in such a way that the cage speed can be reduced gradually with the approach of the motor shaft angular position to a target stop angular position thereof.

Abstract: An elevator position determination system for determining the position of an elevator car disposed in the elevator hoistway includes a transceiver disposed on the elevator car for generating a query signal and a transponder disposed in the elevator hoistway for providing an identification signal in response to the query signal, wherein, the elevator position determination system determines the elevator car position in response to the identification signal.

Abstract: An operating panel (5) for an elevator car, containing car call buttons (7), signalling devices and other signs representing information. The control panel of the elevator car is replaced with a touchscreen display (1) incorporating a passage control feature. The touchscreen display (1) is also used as a maintenance tool for the checking of elevator equipment.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a leveling time of an elevator car is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: moving the elevator car in a hoistway; transmitting a first signal by a first sensor in response to moving the elevator car in the hoistway; beginning a time measurement in response to detecting the first signal; transmitting a second signal by a second sensor in response to moving the elevator car in the hoistway, the second sensor being disposed a predetermined distance from the first sensor; ending the time measurement in response to detecting the second signal; determining a time measurement value in response to ending the time measurement; determining a leveling speed of the elevator car by dividing the predetermined distance between the first sensor and the second sensor by the time measurement value; and adjusting the leveling time in response to determining the leveling speed.

Abstract: An emitter and a plurality of sensors and are used to detect the relative positions between an elevator platform and landing sill. The emitters radiate energy through a reflection duct formed between the elevator platform and the landing sill. The plurality of sensors monitor the reflection duct so that radiated energy is detected. The sensors provide level signals in response to the radiated energy. A means responsive to the level signals determines when the platform is level with respect to the landing sill.

Abstract: The invention features an elevator system including an elevator car (12) having a frame that operates on guide rails of an elevator shaft of a building. The elevator car (12) has a rigid body motion in a global coordination system (X, Y, Z) kinematically defined by five degrees of freedom including side-to-side translation along the X axis, front-to-back translation along the Y axis, a pitch rotation about the X axis, a roll rotation about the Y axis, and a yaw rotation about the Z axis. The elevator system includes local parameter sensing means (14), responsive to local parameter sensed in each of the five degrees of freedom in the global coordination system (X, Y, Z), for providing local parameter signals (G.sub.m, A.sub.m); coordinated control means (16), responsive to the local parameter signals (G.sub.m, A.sub.m), for providing coordinated control signals (CC.sub.x1, CC.sub.x2, CC.sub.y1, CC.sub.y2, CC.sub.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a CPU to dictate speed signals during a normal elevator car run, and a normal terminal stopping device (NTSD) to dictate maximum allowable speeds approaching the top and bottom terminal floors. The NTSD system normally operates in monitor mode, where the NTSD profile has the same deceleration rate as the normal speed dictation signals. Should the normal speed dictation signal exceed the NTSD value, the NTSD system switches to a violation mode, having a rate of deceleration greater than the normal deceleration.A plurality of vanes are located in the hoistway to provide absolute position signals for generating NTSD values. Preferably, when operating in the monitor mode, the NTSD software calculates pseudo checkpoints between the actual vanes, to readjust the NTSD values. Also, preferably the NTSD values during jerk into deceleration are calculated based on the constant deceleration rate during slowdown.

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

Abstract: A system for position loss recovery for an elevator car includes a plurality of pairs of encoded floor magnets that uniquely identify each floor. Upon restoration of power, the encoded floor magnets are sensed by an encoded floor sensor and the precise floor location of the elevator car is determined.

Abstract: A control system for controlling the motion of a hydraulic elevator calculates a deceleration distance based upon the elevator velocity and begins the deceleration phase of the elevator motion upon the elevator reaching the calculated distance from the landing. In a particular embodiment, the control system includes a hydraulic valve, a space encoder, and a controller. The space encoder produces velocity and position measurements. The controller uses the velocity inputs to determine the deceleration distance and, upon the elevator car 14 reaching the calculated distance from the landing as measured by the position inputs from the space encoder, commands the hydraulic valve to actuate and begin the deceleration phase. In an alternate embodiment, an interface unit connected between the controller and the hydraulic valve calculates a delay between the deceleration command based upon a predetermined distance and the calculated deceleration distance based upon car velocity.

Abstract: A twin post, telescoping jack hydraulic elevator system has a pair of dynamic sensors to determine when the jacks are out of synchronization, by determining any relative differences in height between the two intermediate cylinders. The elevator also includes static sensors to determine if one or both intermediate cylinders are more than a predetermined distance away from their normal positions when the car is stopped at each floor. The controller actuates a resynchronization if the distance between the intermediate jacks exceeds a first threshold, and shuts down the elevator if the distance exceeds a second threshold or if resynchronization demands are issued too often. Preferably, the static sensors are positioned to detect the seal housing at the top of the intermediate cylinder, which projects outwardly from the cylinder.

Abstract: An elevator position apparatus for determining if an elevator car is positioned within a door zone includes an encoded medium disposed vertically in an elevator hoistway, at least two door zone sensors for providing first and second door zone sensor signals in response to the encoded medium, at least two leveling sensors for providing up and down sensor signals in response to the encoded medium and means for determining if the elevator car is positioned within the door zone.

Abstract: An aircraft maintenance elevation system comprising a plurality of elevator platforms and a plurality of electro-mechanical drive assemblies which are coupled to and operable to selectively raise and lower respective ones of the elevator platforms. The elevation system further includes a control device which is electrically connected to the drive assemblies and is operational in a first mode wherein the elevator platforms may be raised and lowered independently of each other and a second mode wherein the elevator platforms may be simultaneously raised and lowered.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling an elevator door includes a three phase AC motor that receives control signals from a controller. The signals are issued at control points along a speed versus distance profile map that represents the control points as a percentage of the total distance to be travelled by the elevator. The total distance of door travel in one direction is measured be counting the number of pulses generated by an incremental encoder during a training run wherein the door is moved between its extreme positions at a constant speed. The number of pulses counted is then normalized to represent 100% of the distance traveled. During operation, the pulses are counted whenever the elevator door is in motion and control signals are issued based upon the number of pulses counted.

Abstract: Elevator horizontal vibrations are actively controlled by retrieving data stored in memory indicative of the out-of-straightness of the elevator car's guide rails. The stored data is compiled during a learning run by summing the car's relative displacement with respect to the rail with a doubly integrated acceleration signal indicative of the car's deviation from true vertical.

Abstract: An actuator having a part that is capable of moving both longitudinally and transversely may include a housing having a longitudinal axis with respect to which the movable actuator part can move within the housing both longitudinally and transversely. The actuator may include electromagnetic windings on a central section of the moveable part and permanent ring magnets disposed thereabout within the housing. The housing may be adapted to allow the longitudinal and transverse movement of the movable part to compensate for rotational movement of pivot mounted linkages connected to first and second ends of the movable part.

Abstract: An elevator hoistway rail profile is made by summing a doubly integrated car horizontal acceleration signal with a relative rail-car displacement signal and storing the summed signal according to the vertical position of the car in the hoistway.

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 present invention relates to a method of controlling a plurality of elevator cars disposed in a common hoistway. When the amount of time elapsed since a moving elevator has started is within a range which is determined by the position from which the moving elevator has started and the position from which a stopped elevator will start, a determination is made that there is the possibility that the two elevators move in parallel. Hence, the stopped elevator is prevented from starting. When such an amount of time is out of the range, a command is issued to start the stopped elevator. Thus, the stopped elevator is no longer prevented from starting when the amount of time elapsed since the moving elevator has started is out of the range within which the two elevators may move in parallel. The waiting time is minimized during which the elevator is prevented from starting, thus improving reliability.

Abstract: An elevator apparatus having an easily mountable position detector and capable of detecting the position of a car with good precision. The apparatus has a position detector and a governor driven by a cable connected to an emergency stop device mounted on a car and capable of actuating the emergency stop device when the speed of the car has exceeded a prescribed speed, the position detector being driven by the governor, the apparatus includes a power transmission mechanism for causing rotation of the position detector at a speed higher than the speed of rotation of the governor.

Abstract: The sensitivity of a magnetic detector (17) sensing flux (23) from a source (14) is improved by isolating the magnetic detector (17) from flux (24a) of an adjacent source (13a) by means of a magnetic trap (33).

Abstract: A method for sensing and digitally recording the movements of a plurality of elevator cars in conjunction with the sensing and digital recording of a plurality of on-off electrical signals from the associated elevator control system utilizing a portable computer. A separate analysis computer is then used to integrate such recorded information into a graphic presentation for the purpose of evaluating elevator system operation.

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: A controller for a ropeless elevator, includes: a cross induction line cable arranged along the hoistway; an exciter provided on the car side to generate sinusoidal waves for positional detection in the cable; a movement amount detector provided on the car side to detect a car movement amount; a data calculator provided on the car side to calculate data on car speed and on secondary-conductor magnetic pole phase from the movement amount detected by the movement amount detector; a data transmitter provided on the car side to utilize the cross induction line cable in transmitting the data calculated by the data calculator to the building side; an induction radio circuit provided on the building side to utilize the cable in receiving data from the data transmission device and calculate the initial phase of the secondary conductor from the sinusoidal waves generated in the cross induction line cable; and an inverter control circuit provided on the building side to interpolate the initial phase calculated by the i

Abstract: A floor switch mounted on an elevator shaft wall has a housing from which a shaft extends. An arm has one end attached to the shaft and an opposite end attached to a roller. The roller is engaged by a switching vane mounted on an elevator car during up and down travel of the car in the shaft. As the car passes the switch, the vane rotates the arm and the shaft to move a lever which is coupled to actuate switch contacts in the housing. To avoid the engagement of the roller by the vane, a magnetic switch is mounted in the housing and is responsive to a magnet mounted on the car. The magnet mounted on the car passes the magnetic switch shortly before the vane is to engage the roller and the magnetic switch connects a coil in the housing to electrical power. The coil retracts an armature which is coupled to the lever to move the roller out of the path of travel of the vane.

Abstract: The position of the elevator cab in an elevator system is detected by sensing the location of the cab relative to a flexible graduated tape whose ends are fixed in the elevator hoistway. The tape is provided with detectable components which are spaced a predetermined distance apart on the tape. Sensors are fixed on the elevator cab assembly adjacent to the tape so that the sensors can detect each of the tape components as the elevator cab moves up and down in the hoistway. Guides are mounted on the cab assembly to engage the tape so as to ensure that the tape and sensors are properly positioned relative to each other so that the tape components will be detected by the sensors. The guides are mounted on leaf or blade springs so as to be able to move relative to the cab assembly in response to tape deflections and correct the tape deflections to guide the tape past the sensors without creating a significant amount of noise.