A safety monitoring device monitoring safety-related states in a passenger conveyor system has first and second double contact relays each controlled by a control voltage to switch first and second normally open contacts and a feedback contact synchronously between an open and closed relay states. First and second controllers each determine properties of the system correlated with safety-related states and in dependence generate the control voltages. The controllers and two double contact relays form first and second safety monitoring switch arrangements for monitoring first and second safety-related states and correspondingly switch first and second switching states within a safety monitoring chain of the system. The first arrangement includes the first contact of the first connected in series with the first contact of the second relay. The second arrangement includes the second contact of the first relay connected in parallel with the second contact of the second relay.

A safety monitoring device monitoring safety-related states in a passenger conveyor system has first and second double contact relays each controlled by a control voltage to switch first and second normally open contacts and a feedback contact synchronously between an open and closed relay states. First and second controllers each determine properties of the system correlated with safety-related states and in dependence generate the control voltages. The controllers and two double contact relays form first and second safety monitoring switch arrangements for monitoring first and second safety-related states and correspondingly switch first and second switching states within a safety monitoring chain of the system. The first arrangement includes the first contact of the first connected in series with the first contact of the second relay. The second arrangement includes the second contact of the first relay connected in parallel with the second contact of the second relay.

The invention relates to an elevator apparatus, comprising: a shaft, an elevator car vertically movable in the shaft, one or more ropes connected with the car, and a controller for controlling movement of the car. In order to detect sway in one or more elevator ropes connected with the car, the apparatus comprises at least one sensor unit arranged in the elevator shaft to detect sway and to produce a control signal indicating to the controller the detected sway. The controller compares the detected sway to a predetermined limit and prevents movement of the elevator car when sway reaches the predetermined limit.

The invention relates to an elevator apparatus, comprising: a shaft, an elevator car vertically movable in the shaft, one or more ropes connected with the car, and a controller for controlling movement of the car. In order to detect sway in one or more elevator ropes connected with the car, the apparatus comprises at least one sensor unit arranged in the elevator shaft to detect sway and to produce a control signal indicating to the controller the detected sway. The controller compares the detected sway to a predetermined limit and prevents movement of the elevator car when sway reaches the predetermined limit.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator tension member monitor includes an optoelectronic detector configured to be situated near the elevator tension member. The optoelectronic detector provides an output corresponding to a profile of the elevator tension member. A processor receives the output from the optoelectronic detector and determines whether there are any anomalies in the profile of the elevator tension member. The processor reports any determined anomaly in the profile of the elevator tension member.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator tension member monitor includes an optoelectronic detector configured to be situated near the elevator tension member. The optoelectronic detector provides an output corresponding to a profile of the elevator tension member. A processor receives the output from the optoelectronic detector and determines whether there are any anomalies in the profile of the elevator tension member. The processor reports any determined anomaly in the profile of the elevator tension member.

A walk-to-work system for allowing personnel and/or equipment to move between a vessel and a wind turbine includes a gangway system and an elevator system positioned with a radial offset from the gangway system. The gangway system includes a height adjustable elongated pedestal and a gangway. The height adjustable elongated pedestal has a first elongated pedestal end mountable onto a deck of the vessel. The height adjustable elongated pedestal includes a first pedestal part and a second pedestal part height adjustably coupled to the first pedestal part. The gangway is rotationally coupled to the height adjustable elongated pedestal at a height H.sub.g from the first elongated pedestal end such that the gangway is radially extending at a length L.sub.g from a center axis of the height adjustable elongated pedestal. The elevator system includes a height adjustable elongated elevator having a first elevator end mountable onto the deck of the vessel. The height adjustable elevator includes a static elevator part and a displaceable elevator part height adjustably coupled to the static elevator part. The elevator system includes a drive system, an elevator car, and a lifting device. The drive system is configured to displace the displaceable elevator part relative to the static elevator part along the elevator's height. The elevator car is movably connected to the height adjustable elevator. The elevator car is configured to be elevated up to the same height as the gangway for allowing access between the elevator system and the gangway system. The lifting device is configured to move the elevator car of the height adjustable elevator.

A walk-to-work system for allowing personnel and/or equipment to move between a vessel and a wind turbine includes a gangway system and an elevator system positioned with a radial offset from the gangway system. The gangway system includes a height adjustable elongated pedestal and a gangway. The height adjustable elongated pedestal has a first elongated pedestal end mountable onto a deck of the vessel. The height adjustable elongated pedestal includes a first pedestal part and a second pedestal part height adjustably coupled to the first pedestal part. The gangway is rotationally coupled to the height adjustable elongated pedestal at a height H.sub.g from the first elongated pedestal end such that the gangway is radially extending at a length L.sub.g from a center axis of the height adjustable elongated pedestal. The elevator system includes a height adjustable elongated elevator having a first elevator end mountable onto the deck of the vessel. The height adjustable elevator includes a static elevator part and a displaceable elevator part height adjustably coupled to the static elevator part. The elevator system includes a drive system, an elevator car, and a lifting device. The drive system is configured to displace the displaceable elevator part relative to the static elevator part along the elevator's height. The elevator car is movably connected to the height adjustable elevator. The elevator car is configured to be elevated up to the same height as the gangway for allowing access between the elevator system and the gangway system. The lifting device is configured to move the elevator car of the height adjustable elevator.

An elevator system includes a first elevator car (14A) supported for vertical movement in a lane (11, 13, 15, 17) of a hoistway (11). A second elevator car (14B) is configured to operate and move vertically in the lane (11, 13, 15, 17) below the first elevator car (14A) independently thereof. At least one buffering device (34) is supported on at least one of the elevator cars (14) to absorb energy upon contact between each buffering device (034) and the other elevator car (14).

An assembly 28 for actuating and controlling braking of a car of an elevator system is provided. The assembly includes at least one braking device 20 mounted on the car, supported between the car and a hoistway for movement with the car within the hoistway, and configured to apply a braking force to the car. The assembly also includes at least one corresponding actuator 34 supported by the hoistway and configured to selectively engage the braking device to prevent movement of the car.