Abstract: A method of controlling the drive of conveyor installation which includes a drive motor (26) and a frequency converter (42) whose output is adjustable, between a load operation and an idle mode, in the form of an escalator (10) or a moving sidewalk, where: in the load operation mode drive motor (26) is supplied with a line voltage at an essentially constant line frequency (fNetz), and in the idle mode with an output voltage of the frequency converter (42); the line voltage and the frequency converter's output voltage are compared with respect to frequency and phase position; the frequency converter (42) is set for an output frequency which has a predetermined spacing (&Dgr;fup, &Dgr;fdown) from the line frequency (fNetz); a demand to switch modes is signalled by a conveyance signal generator (48); and at the point in time (t1, t4), after a demand to switch modes has been signalled, when the output frequency of the converter (42) has reached the predetermined frequency spacing (&Dgr;fup, &Dgr;fdown) from

Abstract: A method for detecting persons or objects in a detection zone covering a mechanical system that is to be controlled as a function of propel or objects being detected at present in the detection zone an initialization phase consisting in checking the hardware and software elements of a monitoring processor coupled to a control device for controlling the mechanical system; a processing loop comprises for active camera connected to the processor and covering the detection zone: acquiring and processing an image supplied by the camera in order to generate detection data and determine which commands to apply to the control device; and checking both the image quality and the position of the camera relative to the detection zone; and a phase in which the control device is controlled using commands determined in the processing loop and as a function of any faults detected while carrying out the checks.

Abstract: A gap monitoring device (16; 19) for monitoring a gap (12) between a tread panel (4) of a passenger conveyor and individual tread elements (2) in a tread elements band of the passenger conveyor, characterized in that a space sensor (18; 34) is provided to measure the gap between the tread panel (4) and at least one tread element (2).

Abstract: An escalator with a high speed inclined section according to the present invention is structured such that assuming that an upper-step-side end of a tread is the origin of a coordinate system when a step is seen from a side with the tread being horizontal and on an upper side, a riser passes a point whose horizontal and vertical coordinates can be expressed as follows: (kr cos &agr;m, −kr sin &agr;m) (where k is a speed change ratio; r is a distance between the step link roller shafts of the steps adjacent to each other in an upper and lower landing sections; and &agr;m is an inclination angle of an intermediate inclined section).

Abstract: Process and device for controlling the drive means of a conveyor system 10, specifically in the form of an escalator or passenger conveyor, which can be switched from load to no-load operation, comprising a drive motor 26 and a variable frequency converter 42, which at is least controllable with respect to the frequency of its output voltage, wherein, under load, the drive motor 26 is supplied with a line voltage with an essentially constant line frequency and, at no-load, is supplied the output voltage of the variable frequency converter's 42, wherein, prior to a changeover from no-load to load operation, the output frequency of the variable frequency converter 42 is essentially brought with phase accuracy to the line frequency by means of a PLL device 30, and wherein this changeover is brought about as soon as this phase conformance has been realized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique for outputting a vibration torque compensating current and removing a torque pulse generated at a footplate by using a detector for detecting a pulse rate generated at a sprocket and a device for detecting the magnitude of a pulse torque of an induction motor without changing the circumferential shape of the sprocket and the connecting structure of the footplate.

Abstract: In a clean room having a plurality of floors of different levels, an escalator is disposed between the plurality of floors for transporting an article between the floors. A self-propelled vehicle is used for transporting an article between floors. The self-propelled vehicle and the article are loaded on a step of the escalator. The vehicle and the article are held on the step from above the article by means of a holding section. The holding section assists loading of the vehicle onto the escalator through the article in the vicinity of an entrance gate of the escalator and assists unloading of the vehicle from the escalator in the vicinity of an exit gate.

Abstract: In a control apparatus for a passenger conveyor, passenger detecting devices provided on balustrades distinguish and monitor the absence/presence of a passenger within first zones on an entrance gate side and an exit gate side including floor boards of the entrance gate side and the exit gate side, and the absence/presence of a passenger within second zones on the entrance gate side and the exit gate side adjacent to and beyond the first zones, covering the first zones. When a passenger is detected in the second zone on the entrance gate side in a standby mode, a mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to an intermediate mode, and when a passenger is detected in the first zone on the entrance gate side in the intermediate mode, the mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to a conveying mode.

Abstract: An escalator safety system monitors a variety of sensors, contacts, and switches over an electronic safety bus. A plurality of bus nodes are distributed throughout the escalator system and are in constant communication with the bus master over the safety bus. The bus nodes interface with sensors, switches, contacts, detectors, components, and other safety equipment of the escalator system at each location and provide status information back to the bus master. The bus master preferably includes a microprocessor which upon sensing an unsafe condition, sends control signals to an escalator control and a drive and brake system to arrest the escalator in a safe manner.

Abstract: In a control apparatus for a passenger conveyor, passenger detecting devices provided on balustrades distinguish and monitor the absence/presence of a passenger within first zones on an entrance gate side and an exit gate side including floor boards of the entrance gate side and the exit gate side and the absence/presence of a passenger within second zones on the entrance gate side and the exit gate side adjacent to the outside of the first zones so as to cover the first zones. In the case where a passenger is detected in the second zone on the entrance gate side in a standby mode, a mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to an intermediate mode, and in the case where a passenger is detected in the first zone on the entrance gate side in the intermediate mode, the mode switching circuit switches the operating mode to a conveying mode.

Abstract: A drive for an escalator is installed on one or both sides of the escalator at the lower and/or upper end and comprises one to several identically constructed drive units, which are arranged and distributed about the circumference of a main drive wheel. The drive units can be flange-mounted in either a longitudinal or transverse direction to the direction of travel of the escalator on a common main gear housing which can be identical for the support of one or more drive units. The operation of the motors of the drive units are controlled by way of a common frequency-setting device. A control and regulating unit processes input data into control and regulating data for the frequency-setting device, a relay control and optical signals and illumination for the escalator. The individual drive units are switched in or out according to the actual power requirements of the escalator during operation.

Abstract: A control system for a passenger conveyor includes a ready-to-operate mode, a standby speed and a nominal speed. A method to operate the passenger conveyor includes the steps of: transitioning the conveyor from ready-to-operate mode to nominal speed using a frequency converter; switching from frequency converter to line power at nominal speed; switching back to frequency converter if no passengers are present and transitioning from nominal to standby speed; and transitioning from standby speed to ready-to-operate mode if a predetermined amount of time passes without a passenger entering the conveyor.

Abstract: A monitoring device for a handrail of a passenger conveyor includes a plurality of electrical conductors extending through the handrail, a device for inducing a current within the conductors, and a device for monitoring the induced current. In a particular embodiment, tension carriers within the handrail are electrically spliced together to form the electrical conductors. The level of current detected within the handrail is compared to an acceptable range and, if the monitored level is not acceptable, the passage conveyor is stopped.

Abstract: A switching arrangement for returning a people-conveying device to a state of readiness comprises a plurality of light barriers which are formed by emitters and receivers and whose signals are fed to at least one electronic evaluation device, which automatically returns the people-conveying device to a state in which it is ready for use after an emergency off switch has been activated. The individual emitters and receivers are combined to form a light barrier chain and are disposed approximately opposite one another at predetermined spacings. Emitters and receivers are provided alternately on each side of the people-conveying device. The wiring between individual emitters and receivers on each side of the people-conveying device is brought about by plug-in connections without any connections to the emitters and receivers on the opposite side.

Abstract: Equipment for monitoring an approach area of a moving belt apparatus (1), such as an escalator or a travelling walkway, and for controlling a drive for the belt includes light sensors (12) arranged in handrail entry caps (11) of balustrades (3). Each light sensor (12) has an emitter (15) and a receiver (16) and operates with, for example, infrared beams. The light sensors (12) monitor the access to the moving belt apparatus (1) in a specific region (13) in front of an entry to the belt (2), for example, the region of the threshold plate (14). On stepping into the monitoring region (13) of the light sensor (12), the beams emitted by the emitter (15) are reflected by the person and sensed by the associated receiver (16) to switch on the drive.

Abstract: A passenger sensor for a passenger conveyor is disposed adjacent to a floorplate and produces a signal in response to changes in the load on the floorplate, rather than in response to a predetermined level of load. This results in a passenger sensor that does not require adjustment to accommodate the changing conditions of the passenger conveyor. In a particular embodiment, the passenger conveyor includes a passenger sensor that is formed from a piezoelectric cable that extends about the perimeter of the floorplate. The piezoelectric cable is connected to a controller that determines the operational speed of the passenger conveyor. Changes in the load on the floorplate, such as caused by a passenger entering the passenger conveyor, result in the piezoelectric cable generating a signal that is received by the controller. The controller then adjusts the operation speed of the passenger conveyor in response to the signal.

Abstract: A control system for a passenger conveyor includes a controller, a plurality of sensors, and an interface between the sensors and the controller. The interface receives the signals from the sensors and analyzes and converts the signals into the proper format for communication to the controller.

Abstract: An information display and control device for a passenger conveyor includes a housing and a post. The device is separate from the passenger conveyor and is positioned at a desirable location that is viewable by passengers approaching the passenger conveyor. The housing is mounted on the post at a predetermined height to avoid inadvertent tampering with the components of the housing. In one particular embodiment, the components of the housing include a traffic light, a control panel and an emergency switch.

Abstract: Safety apparatus for use at the exit portion of a moving conveyor, such as that used by novice skiers, wherein at least one plate is pivotally mounted adjacent to the exit portion and is resiliently urged to an upper position so that when a sufficient force is applied to the plate, the plate moves and the pivotal movement actuates a control switch to stop the conveyor. The exit end of the plate has a plurality of spaced apart teeth located in arcuate grooves in the arcuate front surface of an egress platform so that the arcuate pivotal movement of the teeth is concentric to the arcuate grooves and arcuate front surface. A roller may be located between the plate and the exit portion of the moving conveyor.

Abstract: A control or detection arrangement for escalators, moving walks and the like includes a detector, an encoder unit connected to the detector, a wireless transmitter connected to the encoder unit, a wireless receiver, a decoder unit connected to the wireless receiver, and a microprocessor connected to the decoder unit. When an unsafe condition is detected by the detector, the encoder unit generates a trigger signal having at least one unique identifier for the detector. When received, the signal is passed by the decoder to the microprocessor which causes generation of a command signal to, for example, stop motion of the escalator. Alternatively, the inventive arrangement operates according to continuous or periodic transmission modes, which permit the arrangement to monitor operability of the detector, encoder unit, transmitter, receiver and the decoder unit.

Abstract: A passenger sensor for a conveyor includes a transmitter assembly that is positioned within a channel in the conveyor balustrade. The transmitter assembly includes a plurality of transmitters that are spaced along a cable to form a transmitter chain. Each transmitter includes a module and a connector attached thereto. The transmitter assembly is disposed within the channel without the need for mounting hardware or openings within the balustrade for the passage of the cable. In a particular embodiment, a receiver assembly is disposed in a channel in the opposite balustrade in a similar manner.

Abstract: A control system for a passenger conveyor includes a plurality of junction boxes distributed throughout the conveyor and a control unit. The control unit communicates with the plurality of junction boxes through a serial link that interconnects the junction boxes and control unit. In a particular embodiment, the control unit is located remotely from the truss of the conveyor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, fuzzy sets indicative of the degree to which the time since the last passenger boarded an escalator can be deemed to be zero, a very long time, or something in between, are combined with fuzzy sets indicative of the extent to which the maximum number of passengers in a recent temporal or cyclic period can be deemed to be a zero passenger, a very large group, or something in between. In another embodiment, fuzzy sets indicative of the degree to which the time since the last passenger exited an empty escalator can be deemed to be nearly zero, a very long time, or something in between, are combined with fuzzy sets indicative of the degree to which the maximum group of passengers on the escalator at any time since the last time it was empty can be deemed to be a single passenger, a very large group, or something in between.

Abstract: An operation panel for a passenger conveying device having a balustrade is provided comprising a key switch, a key pad, and a processor. The key switch may be actuated into a plurality of switch positions by an independent key and the keypad may be used to input data into the processor. The processor, which processes data from external inputs and the keypad, includes a programmable memory selectively accessible by password. A first level of the processor is accessible without actuating the key switch from a first switch position or entering a password into the keypad. A second level of the processor is accessible by actuating the key switch into a second switch position. A third level of the processor is accessible by actuating the key switch into the second switch position and inputting a password to the processor through the keypad.

Abstract: A portable stair lift system, for assistance in traversing short or medium length stairways, employs a pair of spaced elongated solid metal plates extending the stairway length and supported by a pair of vertically extending end brackets attached to a block of wood at each end thereof. An axle extends through each pair of end brackets and each axle supports a roller transversely disposed at the metal plate ends. At least one of these rollers is provided with a sprocket wheel secured to the axle between split roller segments. A reversible drive gear motor, drive chain connected to the sprocket wheel, drives the roller. A heavy duty conveyor belt is positioned about the pair of rollers. A passenger support system (either a chair seat or step segments) is secured to and movable with the conveyor belt. Manual switch means for controlling motor operation and direction are provided and actuatable by the passenger at any point along the stairway.

Abstract: An improved keyswitch circuit for an escalator or moving walkway senses the normal (center or lateral) position of the keyswitch and, if the keyswitch does not return to its normal position after a selected event such as a selected normal starting interval, then the safety circuit is opened and the escalator or moving walk is stopped; the escalator or moving walkway can be restarted only after first returning the keyswitch to its normal position.

Abstract: An escalator comprises a plurality of treadboards, coupled with each other in the endless form, for conveying people thereon, a driving device for driving the treadboards, which has a driving mechanism, including an electric motor, for transmitting a driving force from the motor to the treadboards and a power converting unit for supplying electric power to the motor. Component devices of the driving device are categorized into two groups in consideration of heat generated in the respective component devices. Component devices, which are categorized into a group of heat generating devices, are installed in a machine room, and component devices, which are categorized into a group of heat sensitive devices, are installed in another machine room. The two machine rooms are arranged in different locations within an escalator frame, which are remote from each other in the direction of the length of the frame.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for controlling passenger conveyers, such as an escalator and a motor-driven passageway. The control apparatus according to this invention is made up of output device for maintaining the output signal from the computer in the state of the moment when a failure or abnormality is detected when said failure or abnormality is detected by devices for detecting a failure or abnormality of the computer. By the above arrangement, even if the computer fails or becomes out of order, the passenger conveyer operation is continued, and the passengers are prevented from falling down.

Abstract: A cable conveyance has devices for decoupling the passenger carriers from e cable at an upstream side of a station, a device for recoupling the carriers to the cable at a downstream side of the station and a path of the carriers through the station after the carriers have been decoupled from the cable. This path is formed by a roll in which the carriers are guided and includes decelerating and accelerating stretches in which respective driven rollers engage the carriers. At a control stretch the speed of the carriers can be adjusted relative to a normal speed in response to a sensor of the intercarrier interval to maintain a predetermined carrier spacing on recoupling of the carriers to the cable.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a passenger conveyor driven by a three-phase induction motor which is capable of being put selectively into a star-connection or a delta-connection mode. A load of the conveyor is detected on the basis of a current and a voltage supplied to the induction motor, so that when the load is large the motor is driven in the delta-connection mode while when the load is small the motor is driven in the star-connection mode so as to save the power consumption of the conveyor when the load is small.

Abstract: The combination of an escalator and a wheel chair, the escalator having side walls between which an endless belt of flights is moved, there being a track extending between lower and upper platforms at which at least one has one or more control gates to govern the escalator speed, the wheel chair having spaced side frames with main wheel supports spaced from downwardly extensible front wheel supports and controlled in response to the track to depress said front wheel supports to maintain the horizontal disposition of the wheel chair during vertical displacement of the flights when transported between said platforms.

Abstract: A variable speed walkway system capable of receiving passengers, accelerating them to above walking speed conveying them over a selected distance at a constant speed, and decelerating them for comfortable exiting is provided. In the preferred form, the system comprises a plurality of rollers driven by a prime mover through individual polyurethane belts to obtain acceleration and deceleration. In a second preferred form, the system comprises a variable speed drive employing one or more belts each of which drives a plurality of rollers. All rollers driven by a single belt accelerate or decelerate in unison. Acceleration and deceleration in this second embodiment is preferably computer controlled. A handrail which accelerates and decelerates with the walkway is provided for both embodiments.