A method of operating an elevator system (10) includes identifying one or more components (46, 48, 50, 52) in an elevator hoistway (14) requiring periodic maintenance and/or inspection and programming hoistway component locations of the one or more components into an elevator car control system. The elevator car (12) is driven to a programmed hoistway component location of a selected component of the one or more components utilizing the hoistway component location programmed into the elevator car control system. The selected component is accessed from inside the elevator car (12) to perform maintenance and/or inspection of the selected component.

The present disclosure relates to an elevator control system (1), comprising an elevator control device (2) for operating an elevator car (12) which is adapted to be operated within an elevator shaft (18), and an inspection control station (3) configured to communicate with the elevator control device (2) for operating at least one function of an elevator system (10) in an inspection or maintenance operation mode, and configured for attachment at a storing location (71,72) of the elevator system (10), wherein the storing location (71,72) is at the elevator car (12) or within the elevator shaft (18) or in proximity of the elevator shaft (18). The inspection control station (3) is adapted to be detachable from the storing location (71,72) and configured to operate as remote inspection control station when detached from the storing location (71,72) through wireless communication with the elevator control device (2), and is configured to be movable and operable in the inspection or maintenance operation mode from inside and outside of the elevator car (12) and within the elevator shaft (18). The disclosure also relates to an elevator system (10) comprising such elevator control system (1).

A safety device of a lift system may include a car comprising an evaluation device and a measuring device. Conditions where departure from a door zone with an open car door or where impermissible accelerations/speeds are reached within the door zone are identifiable by way of the evaluation device and output signals from the measuring device. In such conditions, a control signal may be generated for braking the car. A safety circuit may be connected to the evaluation device and ensure a first safe zone in a shaft head of a lift shaft during an inspection run. The safety circuit may have a safety switch, and the car may include a tripping means for tripping the safety switch. The safety switch and the tripping means have a first relative position upon which the first safe zone is based, and entry of the car into the first safe zone during the inspection run is preventable by tripping the safety switch, which leads to generation of the control signal and braking of the car.

An elevator system (100) includes an elevator car (102) that is configured to travel along a guide rail (104), and a braking assembly (116) coupled to the elevator car (102). The braking assembly (116) is configured to selectively operate in a disengagement mode that allows the elevator car (102) to travel along the guide rail (104), and an engagement mode that inhibits the elevator car (102) from traveling along the guide rail (104). The electronic braking assembly controller (128) is in signal communication with the braking assembly (116) and is configured to generate an electronic braking signal that activates the engagement mode of the braking assembly (116). When the engagement mode is activated, the elevator car (102) decelerates without exceeding a predetermined g-force (g) threshold regardless as to whether a load applied to the elevator car (102) changes such that the elevator car (102) is stopped at a floor landing (106).

An elevator system includes a first elevator car (28) constructed and arranged to move in a first lane (30, 32, 34) and a first propulsion system (40) constructed and arranged to propel the first elevator. An electronic processor of the elevator system is configured to selectively control power delivered to the first propulsion system (40). The electronic processor includes a software-based power estimator configured to receive a first weight signal and a nm trajectory signal for calculating a power estimate and comparing the power estimate to a maximum power allowance. The electronic processor is configured to output an automated command signal if the power estimate exceeds the maximum power allowance.

Provided is an elevator safety system including: a plurality of communication controllers configured to communicate, over a network, signals including a safety control signal; a control device connected to a first communication controller, which is one of the plurality of communication controllers, and configured to execute operation control of the elevator, in which each of the plurality of communication controllers includes an error ratio measurement instrument configured to measure an error ratio of the network, based on a bit error of data that is received over the network, and in which the control device is configured to execute the operation control by switching the operation state of the elevator in accordance with the error ratio measured by the error ratio measurement instrument that is included in the first communication controller.

A system for controlling and configuration of an occupant evacuation operation (OEO) in a multi-story building has an elevator control system, a fire alarm detection system with a plurality of fire sensor devices, wherein the fire alarm detection system generates fire alarm information signals, and a central control system coupled with the elevator control system and the fire alarm detection system. The central control system has a data processing system with a processor and memory which provide a configurable model of the multi-story building, receive signals from the fire alarm detection system and receive signals and transmit control signals from/to the elevator control system. The configurable model allows configuration of the system creating a model of the functionalities in the multi-story building required for the OEO, and the central control system controls the OEO based on the signals received from the fire alarm detection system and the elevator control system.

Methods and systems for controlling elevators are provided. The methods include detecting a potential load change using at least one sensor, the potential load change comprising detected passengers and/or cargo located on a landing, obtaining, at a computing system, potential load change information including the detected potential load change from the at least one sensor, determining if a hover mode of operation is required based on the potential load change information, and operating the elevator system in a hover mode of operation when it is determined that the hover mode of operation is required.

An elevator system is provided comprising: a first elevator car compartment configured to transport passengers through a hoistway from a first location to a second location; a plurality of sensors configured to capture data, the plurality of sensors comprising at least one of a first sensor located in the first elevator compartment and a second sensor located in an elevator lobby; a control system configured to analyze the captured data and determine information in response to the captured data; and a plurality of monitors configured to display the information from the plurality of sensors, the plurality of monitors comprising at least one of a first monitor located in the first elevator compartment and a second monitor located in the elevator lobby.

A method and system for reducing rollback in a counterbalancing system as a holding brake is released is disclosed. A limited amount of movement of a drive shaft is present in the holding brake. A motor drive provides current to the motor with the holding brake set such that a torque is applied at the drive shaft. The current is controlled to generate torque in both directions. The limited amount of movement in the brake may be used to determine a direction and magnitude of torque required to support a mechanical load being applied to the motor. The motor drive then provides a current to generate the necessary torque required to support the load prior to releasing the holding brake.