A ropeless elevator system (10) includes a plurality of elevator cars (14) configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane (13, 15, 17), a propulsion system (16, 18) to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, and a controller (46). The controller is configured to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, and to selectively operate in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars performs a predetermined task and is prevented from performing the in-group mode service demands.

A linear flux switching permanent magnet (FSPM) motor includes a longitudinal, linear stator with stator teeth facing an air gap and a mover including at least one armature including armature teeth embedding at least one permanent magnet, which armature teeth are spaced apart by slots for receiving an armature winding, and which armature teeth have an extended width portion towards the air gap. The extended width portion of the armature teeth begins in the longitudinal direction of the armature teeth already at the level of the armature windings.

The invention refers to an electric linear motor comprising a longitudinal stator beam; at least one mover adapted to move along the stator beam; which stator beam comprises at least two side faces located at opposite sides of the stator beam, each of the side faces carrying ferromagnetic poles spaced apart by a pitch, and which mover comprises at least two counter-faces facing the respective side faces of the stator beam, wherein the at least two side faces, as well as the at least two counter-faces facing the respective side faces, are inclined or offset with respect to each other.

A shaft changing assembly may be utilized with or in an elevator system. The elevator system may include two vertical elevator shafts, cars that are independently movable in the elevator shafts, a horizontal guide rail connecting the elevator shafts and configured to guide the cars along a movement path during a changing process from a first of the shafts to an end position in a second of the shafts. The shaft changing assembly may comprise an auxiliary brake configured to generate a braking force to brake the car undergoing horizontal travel. Application of the braking force may depend on a velocity profile of the car undergoing horizontal travel.

A self-propelled elevator system includes a hoistway (11) including a plurality of drives (40), wherein each of the plurality of drives includes a stationary portion (16) of a propulsion system and a controller (30) configured to operate the stationary portion of the propulsion system. The propelled elevator system also includes an elevator car ((14), 42) comprising a processor (44) and a transceiver (48), wherein the transceiver is configured to communicate with the controllers of one or more of the plurality of drives that are adjacent to the elevator car and one or more sensors (46) disposed on the elevator car, wherein the processor is configured to receive signals from the one or more sensors. The processor is configured to control a movement of the elevator car within the hoistway.

A method of operating an elevator system, for example operated by linear motors, wherein the elevator system includes a shaft system including at least one vertical elevator shaft, and a multiplicity of elevator cars which respectively have a plurality of functional components for carrying out different functions. The method provides that in a special operating mode of the elevator system, a first elevator car is assigned at least one auxiliary device, the auxiliary device providing a replacement function for at least one function of one of the functional components of the first elevator car, the corresponding function of a functional component of the first elevator car being replaced with the replacement function provided by the auxiliary device, and the elevator system continuing to be operated by using the replacement function provided. The invention furthermore relates to an elevator system configured for carrying out such a method.

The disclosure relates to a guide rail to guide the car of an elevator system. The guide rail is designed as a section with a cavity (2a-2f) and/or integrated cooling fins to cool the guide rail.

A ropeless elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane, a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars is prevented from performing the group service mode service demands, and a transition mode where the at least one selected elevator car is prepared and transitioned from operation in the in-group mode to operation in the out-of-group mode.

An elevator system including a cab displaceably received within an elevator shaft and a linear drive embodied to drive the cab. A sensor is disposed in the elevator shaft and a signal generation unit is disposed on the cab. The signal generation unit is embodied to generate a measurement signal in the sensor, the measurement signal depending on a displacement speed of the cab in the elevator shaft. Further, the elevator system has a safety control unit configured to ascertain an acceleration of the cab on the basis of the measurement signal and to bring the linear drive into a safety operating state should the ascertained acceleration exceed a limit value.

A transfer station (40) for a ropeless elevator system hoistway (11) is provided. The transfer station (40) includes a first lane (13, 15, 17), a second lane (13, 15, 17), and a parking area (42) located proximate one of the first lane (13, 15, 17) and the second lane (13, 15, 17). The transfer station (40) also includes a plurality of carriages (46) moveable within the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17), and the parking area (42), the plurality of carriages (46) configured to support and move an elevator car (14). The transfer station (40) further includes a cassette (44) configured to support and move the plurality of carriages (46). The transfer station (40) yet further includes a guiding member (48) engaged with the cassette (44), wherein the position of each of the plurality of carriages (46) relative to the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17) and the parking area (42) is modified by horizontal or vertical movement of the cassette (44).