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 (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).

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.

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.

A method for dynamically adjusting a levelling speed limit of an elevator car during a levelling operation includes obtaining an indication that the elevator car is detected to arrive to a zone; obtaining at least one value indicating the speed of the elevator car, in response to detecting that the elevator car arrives to the zone; and dynamically adjusting the levelling speed limit of the elevator car based on the speed of the elevator car. An elevator control unit and a system are provided to perform at least partly the method.

A method for operating an elevator system with a car that moves in an elevator shaft may involve detecting an operating parameter related to a change in loading of the car, ascertaining whether a position of the car relative to a stopping floor needs to be adjusted based on the operating parameter, determining times at which the car is to be stopped and at which the adjustment is to be performed, stopping the car and blocking a flow of energy of a drive of the car and/or activating a service brake as the car is being stopped and/or while the car is stopped, and adjusting the position of the car if necessary. Further, whether the adjustment is necessary may be ascertained before the car is stopped.

A method for operating an elevator system with a car that moves in an elevator shaft may involve detecting an operating parameter related to a change in loading of the car, ascertaining whether a position of the car relative to a stopping floor needs to be adjusted based on the operating parameter, determining times at which the car is to be stopped and at which the adjustment is to be performed, stopping the car and blocking a flow of energy of a drive of the car and/or activating a service brake as the car is being stopped and/or while the car is stopped, and adjusting the position of the car if necessary. Further, whether the adjustment is necessary may be ascertained before the car is stopped.

A power generation system including a partially enclosed container assembly housing a plurality of spherical balls at a container height disposed above a ground surface, each of the plurality of spherical balls having a ball weight. The power generation system also includes a conveyor assembly with a conveyor-drive system having a plurality of ball-catch members. The conveyor assembly includes a proximal end coupled to the container assembly, a distal end, and a conveyer length separating the proximal and distal ends. The conveyor assembly spans downwardly from the container assembly at a location below the container height and is operably configured, via the ball-catch members of the conveyor-drive system, to transport the spherical balls. A generator is operably coupled to the conveyor-drive system and is operably configured to produce electricity. The power generation system also includes a lift assembly having a lift-drive system spanning from a ball-receiving position to a ball-dispersing position with a height disposed above the ground surface that is greater than the container height. The lift-drive system includes a ball-platform sized to hold the plurality of spherical balls and a platform operably coupled to the lift-drive system that is sized to hold a plurality of users. The platform includes a raised position and a lowered position along a lift translation path. The raised position includes a height disposed above the ground surface that is greater than the container height. Movement of the platform of the lift-drive system along the lift translation path is operably configured to move the ball-platform of the lift-drive system along ball-platform translation path to transport the spherical balls to the ball-dispersing position.

A power generation system including a partially enclosed container assembly housing a plurality of spherical balls at a container height disposed above a ground surface, each of the plurality of spherical balls having a ball weight. The power generation system also includes a conveyor assembly with a conveyor-drive system having a plurality of ball-catch members. The conveyor assembly includes a proximal end coupled to the container assembly, a distal end, and a conveyer length separating the proximal and distal ends. The conveyor assembly spans downwardly from the container assembly at a location below the container height and is operably configured, via the ball-catch members of the conveyor-drive system, to transport the spherical balls. A generator is operably coupled to the conveyor-drive system and is operably configured to produce electricity. The power generation system also includes a lift assembly having a lift-drive system spanning from a ball-receiving position to a ball-dispersing position with a height disposed above the ground surface that is greater than the container height. The lift-drive system includes a ball-platform sized to hold the plurality of spherical balls and a platform operably coupled to the lift-drive system that is sized to hold a plurality of users. The platform includes a raised position and a lowered position along a lift translation path. The raised position includes a height disposed above the ground surface that is greater than the container height. Movement of the platform of the lift-drive system along the lift translation path is operably configured to move the ball-platform of the lift-drive system along ball-platform translation path to transport the spherical balls to the ball-dispersing position.

Embodiments are directed to determining that an elevator car of an elevator system is approaching a landing, obtaining, by a controller, a value for at least one parameter associated with the elevator system based on the determination that the elevator car is approaching the landing, determining that the elevator car arrives at the landing within a threshold distance, determining, by the controller, when to engage in at least one of a brake cycling operation and a power cycling operation based on the value for the at least one parameter and based on determining that the elevator car arrives at the landing within the threshold distance, and initiating the at least one of a brake cycling operation and a power cycling operation at a time corresponding to the determination of when to engage in the at least one of a brake cycling operation and a power cycling operation.