An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car and a drive mechanism connected with the elevator car. The drive mechanism moves with the elevator car in a vertical direction. The drive mechanism includes at least one drive member that is configured to engage a vertical structure near the elevator car, selectively climb along the vertical structure to cause movement of the elevator car, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical structure. A biasing mechanism urges the drive member in a direction to engage the vertical structure. The biasing mechanism applies a biasing force based upon a condition of the elevator car. The biasing force changes based upon a change in the condition.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car and a drive mechanism connected with the elevator car. The drive mechanism moves with the elevator car in a vertical direction. The drive mechanism includes at least one drive member that is configured to engage a vertical structure near the elevator car, selectively climb along the vertical structure to cause movement of the elevator car, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical structure. A biasing mechanism urges the drive member in a direction to engage the vertical structure. The biasing mechanism applies a biasing force based upon a condition of the elevator car. The biasing force changes based upon a change in the condition.

A method of detecting a stuck car or a stuck counterweight in an elevator system having a machine for imparting motion to the car and counterweight includes sensing a car side suspension member tension, T1; sensing a counterweight side suspension member tension, T2; determining a traction ratio in response to a relationship between T1 and T2; and determining a stuck car or a stuck counterweight if the traction ratio violates a limit.

A braking system for a hoisted structure includes a guide rail configured to guide the hoisted structure. Also included is a plurality of brake members operatively coupled to the hoisted structure, each of the brake members having a brake surface configured to frictionally engage the guide rail, the brake members moveable between a braking position and a non-braking position. Further included is a plurality of electronic brake member actuation mechanisms operatively coupled to the brake members and configured to actuate the brake members from the non-braking position to the braking position. Yet further included is a load sensing device operatively coupled to the hoisted structure, the load sensing device configured to detect a weight of the hoisted structure, wherein the load sensing device is in operative communication with the electronic brake member actuation mechanisms, wherein the number of actuated mechanisms is dependent on the weight of the hoisted structure.

A braking system for a hoisted structure includes a guide rail configured to guide the hoisted structure. Also included is a plurality of brake members operatively coupled to the hoisted structure, each of the brake members having a brake surface configured to frictionally engage the guide rail, the brake members moveable between a braking position and a non-braking position. Further included is a plurality of electronic brake member actuation mechanisms operatively coupled to the brake members and configured to actuate the brake members from the non-braking position to the braking position. Yet further included is a load sensing device operatively coupled to the hoisted structure, the load sensing device configured to detect a weight of the hoisted structure, wherein the load sensing device is in operative communication with the electronic brake member actuation mechanisms, wherein the number of actuated mechanisms is dependent on the weight of the hoisted structure.

Methods and systems of controlling elevators including detecting a landing stop for an elevator car, measuring load information associated with the stop, controlling stopping of the elevator at the landing using a machine based on at least one of the detected landing and the measured load information and performing dynamic compensation control of a motion state of the elevator with a computing system and the elevator machine. The dynamic compensation control includes receiving motion state information related to at least one motion state of the elevator car at the computing system, receiving the landing and load information at the computing system, applying a filter to the received information and generating a first control signal, and producing a control output from the first control signal to control the elevator machine to minimize oscillations, vibrations, excessive position deflections, and/or bounce of the elevator car at the detected landing.

Methods and systems of controlling elevators including detecting a landing stop for an elevator car, measuring load information associated with the stop, controlling stopping of the elevator at the landing using a machine based on at least one of the detected landing and the measured load information and performing dynamic compensation control of a motion state of the elevator with a computing system and the elevator machine. The dynamic compensation control includes receiving motion state information related to at least one motion state of the elevator car at the computing system, receiving the landing and load information at the computing system, applying a filter to the received information and generating a first control signal, and producing a control output from the first control signal to control the elevator machine to minimize oscillations, vibrations, excessive position deflections, and/or bounce of the elevator car at the detected landing.

A method and an arrangement for determining elevator data based on the position of an elevator car of an elevator system includes the elevator car having a flag reading sensor, the elevator car being movably arranged in a hoistway and can be moved by a drive with a suspension rope over a traction sheave, and the elevator car can be stopped at a plurality of stopping positions of the hoistway. Each stopping position has a flag marker with a flag height. Movement of the elevator car is determined by a control unit connected to an encoder at the traction sheave. When leaving a stopping position, the travelled distance of the elevator car between the stopping position and a flag edge is measured and a stopping inaccuracy is determined by the control unit.

A method and an arrangement for determining elevator data based on the position of an elevator car of an elevator system includes the elevator car having a flag reading sensor, the elevator car being movably arranged in a hoistway and can be moved by a drive with a suspension rope over a traction sheave, and the elevator car can be stopped at a plurality of stopping positions of the hoistway. Each stopping position has a flag marker with a flag height. Movement of the elevator car is determined by a control unit connected to an encoder at the traction sheave. When leaving a stopping position, the travelled distance of the elevator car between the stopping position and a flag edge is measured and a stopping inaccuracy is determined by the control unit.

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.