A method for centering a self-propelled elevator car in an elevator installation, the car having at least two driven friction wheels pressed against each of two opposing guide surfaces of a first and second guide rail strands to drive the car along a travel path, the method including independently adjusting a first rotational speed of the friction wheels acting on the first guide rail strand and a second rotational speed of the friction wheels acting on the second guide rail strand. In a centered state, a center of the car is located on a center plane extending in parallel with the first and second guide rail strands, and when a deviation of the car center from the center plane is detected, the first rotational speed and/or the second rotational speed is changed such that, when the car moves along the travel path, the car center moves toward the center plane.

Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having: a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to move along a car mover track in a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover has a first tire of a first wheel that is configured to engage the car mover track when the car mover moves along the car mover track, wherein one or more of the first tire and the car mover track has an engagement feature for increasing traction between the first tire and the car mover track.

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 vertical magnetic frame system 142.a, and 142.b, installed in the elevator hoist way, holding on it the entire weight of the stationary traction rope rizes 120, 124, and 126, 128, for the prefered traction system described herein, and used it to move the self-climbing elevator 100, up, or down in the elevator shaft. Further, the preferred traction system is a novelty, allowing the elevator car 100 to move up by traction gears described in FIG. 2.a, FIG. 7.a, and FIG. 10, and to move down gravitationally described in FIG. 11, and in the process to collect more than 85 percent of gravitational velocity of the descending elevator car 100, turning it ito the electricity for the building using this system

A transfer station (40) for a ropeless elevator system includes a plurality of lanes (13) configured to accommodate vertical travel of an elevator car (14) therein. Also included is a parking area (42) located adjacent at least one of the plurality of lanes (13). Further included is a carriage (46) moveable between the plurality of lanes (13) and the parking area (42), the carriage (46) configured to support and move the elevator car (14) in a horizontal direction. Yet further included is a car (14) disengagement mechanism (50) engageable with the elevator car (14) for disengagement of the elevator car (14) from a primary propulsion mechanism of the car (14) within the plurality of lanes (13) and for movement of the elevator car (14) between at least one of the plurality of lanes (13) and the parking area (42).

According to an embodiment, an elevator system including: a beam climber system configured to move an elevator car through an elevator shaft by climbing a first guide beam that extends vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the beam climber system including: a first wheel; a second wheel; a first traction belt wrapped around the first wheel and the second wheel, the first traction belt being in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel, wherein the first traction belt is configured to rotate when the first wheel rotates.

Disclosed is a car mover, configured for autonomously moving an elevator car along a track beam in a hoistway lane, having: a car mover body; a drive wheel operationally connected a lateral side of the car mover body, and configured to rotate about a drive wheel axis; a first guide wheel operationally connected to the lateral side of the car mover body, wherein the first guide wheel is offset from the drive wheel so that, in operation: the first guide wheel engages a lateral sidewall of the track beam when the drive wheel laterally moves on the track beam, to thereby restrict lateral motion of the drive wheel on the track beam.

A robotic transporter system for elevator cars including: a propulsion system configured to move an elevator car through an elevator shaft; and a robotic transporter configured to move the elevator car within a parking area, the robotic transporter including: an elevator containment slot to receive the elevator car and the propulsion system of the elevator car when the elevator containment slot is aligned with the elevator shaft.

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 drive members that are configured to engage surfaces associated with walls near opposite sides of the elevator car, climb along the surfaces to selectively cause movement of the elevator car, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car when the drive members remain in a selected position relative to the wall.

Disclosed is a car mover, configured to move an elevator car in lane of a hoistway, having: a power supply configured to power one or more motors to drive a respective one or more wheels; a car mover controller operationally connected to the power supply and a supervisory controller operationally connected to the car mover controller, wherein the car mover controller and the supervisory controller are configured to execute health monitor protocols to thereby: monitor a state of charge (SOC) of the power supply; and control the car mover in response to determining that the power supply is in a low SOC.