This invention is directed to a self-propelled elevator system having multiple motors or one motor, and methods for synchronizing said multiple motors. This invention is also directed to an elevator brake system to be used in said self-propelled elevator system or other types of elevators to increase their level of safety.

An elevator damping unit, for reducing vertical oscillation of an elevator car during a standstill period, has brake shoe retainers provided with brake shoes. The brake shoe retainers are connected to an electric motor via a toothed gear mechanism. The damping unit also includes a spring device configured as a metallic bending spring and arranged between the car and a carrier structure for the brake shoe retainers.

Embodiments are directed to reducing at least one dynamically generated error in terms of an actual position of an elevator car, comprising: triggering an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to compute a position of an elevator car of an elevator system, obtaining a position of a correcting vane in a hoist-way of the elevator system, obtaining a position of the elevator car as determined by an encoder of the elevator system, and estimating the position of the elevator car based on the computation of the position by the IMU, the position of the correcting vane, and the position of the elevator car as determined by the encoder.

Embodiments are directed to reducing at least one dynamically generated error in terms of an actual position of an elevator car, comprising: triggering an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to compute a position of an elevator car of an elevator system, obtaining a position of a correcting vane in a hoist-way of the elevator system, obtaining a position of the elevator car as determined by an encoder of the elevator system, and estimating the position of the elevator car based on the computation of the position by the IMU, the position of the correcting vane, and the position of the elevator car as determined by the encoder.

In an elevator apparatus, a plurality of storage media are arranged in a hoistway so as to be spaced from one another in a hoisting direction of a car. In the car, reading device that reads information stored in the storage media is mounted. The storage media are arranged in the hoisting direction at intervals different from one another. A safety monitor is configured to: execute an operation for detecting two storage media; measure an interval between the detected storage media based on a signal from movement detector; compare the measured interval between the storage media with stored intervals of the storage media: and to grasp the position of the car by using a result of the comparison and the information of the storage media, when a position of the car cannot be grasped.

In an elevator apparatus, a plurality of storage media are arranged in a hoistway so as to be spaced from one another in a hoisting direction of a car. In the car, reading device that reads information stored in the storage media is mounted. The storage media are arranged in the hoisting direction at intervals different from one another. A safety monitor is configured to: execute an operation for detecting two storage media; measure an interval between the detected storage media based on a signal from movement detector; compare the measured interval between the storage media with stored intervals of the storage media: and to grasp the position of the car by using a result of the comparison and the information of the storage media, when a position of the car cannot be grasped.

A brake, which includes a frame part of the brake, an armature part movably supported on the frame part, and attached to the frame part a limit switch, the switching state of which changes when movement is exerted on the limit switch in the operating direction of the limit switch. The brake also includes a measuring pin that is movably supported on the frame part of the brake and that is separate from the armature part, which measuring pin is connected to the limit switch.

A brake, which includes a frame part of the brake, an armature part movably supported on the frame part, and attached to the frame part a limit switch, the switching state of which changes when movement is exerted on the limit switch in the operating direction of the limit switch. The brake also includes a measuring pin that is movably supported on the frame part of the brake and that is separate from the armature part, which measuring pin is connected to the limit switch.

An adjustable brake controller of an elevator brake comprises a DC bus; first terminals for connecting the brake controller to a first magnetizing coil; second terminals for connecting the brake controller to a second magnetizing coil; a first controllable power switch coupled between the first terminals and the DC bus, the first controllable power switch being configured to supply electric power from the DC bus to the first magnetic coil responsive to a first control signal; a second controllable power switch coupled between the second terminals and the DC bus, the second controllable power switch being configured to supply electric power from the DC bus to the second magnetizing coil responsive to a second control signal; and a controller configured to generate the first and the second control signals for controlling the first and second power switches, respectively. The controller has: a brake open mode, wherein the first and second control signals have a same specified pattern, and a brake holding mode wherein the first and second control signals have a different specified pattern.

A frictional damper for an elevator system includes one or more friction pads configured to move between a first position, and a second position defined by engagement of the one or more friction pads to the guide rail. An actuation unit urges the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail. The actuation unit includes a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the one or more friction pads to urge movement of the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail via hydraulic fluid pressure. The hydraulic actuator includes a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid and a hydraulic piston located in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads. An electromagnetic actuator selectably urges hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the hydraulic piston, urging the movement of the friction pads.