According to an aspect, there is provided an elevator car parking brake. An operating fork is configured to move within a housing in a direction perpendicular to an end surface of a guide rail in response to operating an actuator. When the actuator is operated to move the operating fork within the housing towards the guide rail to achieve a braking state, the operating fork is configured to push braking wedges towards side surfaces of the guide rail to contact the side surfaces. When the actuator is operated to move the operating fork within the housing away from the guide rail to achieve a brake release state, detaching means are configured to pull the braking wedges away from the side surfaces of the guide rail.

A landing lever assembly of a pneumatic vacuum elevator is disclosed. The assembly includes a landing lever plate coupled on a roof of an elevator cabin. The assembly also includes a locking plate coupled to the landing lever plate using a plurality of support plates. The assembly further includes a solenoid valve disposed on the landing lever plate and mechanically coupled to the locking plate using a guide pin, where the guide pin is configured to actuate the locking plate by sliding within the solenoid valve, in at least one operational mode, based on an activation signal received from a magnetic sensor.

An elevator system includes an elevator car, at least one elevator drive arranged in an elevator shaft and a support strap, wherein the elevator car is arranged in the elevator shaft for movement via the support strap by the elevator drive. A brake system includes a car braking unit associated with the elevator car and a drive braking unit associated with the elevator drive. The car braking unit and the drive braking unit can together be controlled from a common brake control device. The brake system can be used for new elevator system installations and for retrofitting existing elevator systems.

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.

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.

A brake system and method for elevators, the elevator comprising an elevator car and suspension means supporting the elevator car and the counterweight. The brake system comprises at least one brake configured to decelerate the elevator car, means for measuring elevator deceleration configured to produce feedback, such as a displacement, relating to elevator deceleration to the at least one brake, and means for adjusting brake force and/or torque based on the feedback from the means for measuring elevator deceleration. The means for adjusting brake force and/or torque is configured to control the brakes to produce a variable brake force and/or torque so that the elevator car deceleration is kept essentially constant at a predefined set point value or within a certain range around the predefined set point value.

A landing lever assembly of a pneumatic vacuum elevator is disclosed. The assembly includes a landing lever plate coupled on a roof of an elevator cabin. The assembly also includes a locking plate coupled to the landing lever plate using a plurality of support plates. The assembly further includes a solenoid valve disposed on the landing lever plate and mechanically coupled to the locking plate using a guide pin, where the guide pin is configured to actuate the locking plate by sliding within the solenoid valve, in at least one operational mode, based on an activation signal received from a magnetic sensor.

A safety arrangement is suitable for a turning station of an elevator system. The safety arrangement includes at least one first blocking position for preventing, by a first mechanical device, an elevator car from entering the turning station, wherein the first mechanical device is arranged to change its position in response to operation of the turning station, and at least one second blocking position for preventing, by a second mechanical device, an elevator car from exiting the turning station.

A brake adapter, kit, and method of using therein for attaching a brake to an elevator system. The adapter configured to apply a contact the main machine shaft while integrally applying bearing retention pressure, and transmitting force between a brake and the machine shaft. The adapter replaces the traditional bearing retention cap and is capable of improved installation over previous supplemental brake systems.