A sheave (100) for a passenger conveyor system is provided. The sheave (100) comprises a sheave axis (150) about which the sheave (100) rotates; a cylindrical sleeve (105); and a bearing (120a, 120b) centred on and arranged to rotate about the sheave axis (150). The cylindrical sleeve (105) includes an outer surface (110) including a groove (155) arranged to receive a belt; and an inner surface (115) defining a cylindrical cavity (122) centred on the sheave axis (150). The bearing (120a, 120b) includes an outer race (125a), an inner race (130a) and one or more rolling elements (135a) therebetween, wherein the outer race (125a) comprises a protrusion (140) arranged to hold the bearing (120a, 120b) within the cylindrical cavity (122) due to engagement between the protrusion (140) and the inner surface of the cylindrical sleeve (115).

A braking system for an elevator includes an electromagnetic brake operably connected to an elevator car. A control circuit is operably connected to the electromagnetic brake and includes a switching mechanism to selectively modify a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake to selectively modify deceleration of the elevator car. A method of engaging an electromagnetic brake for an elevator system includes detecting one or more operational characteristics of the elevator system and selecting a first position or a second position of a switching mechanism disposed at a brake control circuit depending on the sensed operational characteristics. Electrical current is directed through one or more components of the brake control circuit, depending on the position of the switching mechanism, to determine a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake. A flow of electrical current through the brake control circuit is stopped, thereby causing engagement of the electromagnetic brake.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car frame. A drive mechanism is situated near only one side of the elevator car frame. The drive mechanism includes at least one rotatable drive member that is configured to engage a vertical surface near the one side of the elevator car frame, selectively cause movement of the elevator car frame as the rotatable drive member rotates along the vertical surface, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car frame when the drive member does not rotate relative to the vertical surface. A biasing mechanism urges the rotatable drive member in a direction to engage the vertical surface. At least one stabilizer is situated near the one side of the elevator car frame and is configured to prevent the elevator car frame from tipping away from the vertical surface.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car frame. A drive mechanism is situated near only one side of the elevator car frame. The drive mechanism includes at least one rotatable drive member that is configured to engage a vertical surface near the one side of the elevator car frame, selectively cause movement of the elevator car frame as the rotatable drive member rotates along the vertical surface, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car frame when the drive member does not rotate relative to the vertical surface. A biasing mechanism urges the rotatable drive member in a direction to engage the vertical surface. At least one stabilizer is situated near the one side of the elevator car frame and is configured to prevent the elevator car frame from tipping away from the vertical surface.

A slider has a drum with alternating alpha and beta grooves, first stacked pulleys, and second stacked pulleys. First and second end pulleys are at opposite ends of the slider. A line wraps as a loop from the last beta groove, around the first end pulley, to the last alpha groove, back and forth around the first stacked pulleys, off the first alpha groove, around the second end pulley, to the first beta groove, back and forth around the second stacked pulleys, and back to the last beta groove. When the drum or the end pulleys are driven, the difference in circumferences of the grooves causes the slider to move toward one of the first or second end pulleys.

An energy-saving elevator. The energy-saving elevator includes an elevator car, a counterweight, a lift cable, and a hoist-type lifting mechanism. The hoist-type lifting mechanism includes a first adjustable pulley, a second adjustable pulley, and an adjustable cable interconnected between the first adjustable pulley and the second adjustable pulley. The first adjustable pulley includes a first fixed conical member with a first conical surface and a first moveable conical member with a second conical surface. The first conical surface and the second conical surface form a first trapezoid-shape groove between the first fixed conical member and the first moveable conical member. The first trapezoid-shape groove is configured to receive the adjusting cable. The first conical surface and the second conical surface are configured to hold the adjusting cable inside the first trapezoid-shape groove.

A machine assembly for use in an elevator system is provided including a drive sheave (52) configured to rotate about a first axis of rotation (R). A first roller shaft (54) is configured to rotate about a second axis of rotation (S) substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation. Rotation of the first roller shaft about the second axis of rotation is configured to rotate the drive sheave about the first axis of rotation. A first motor is operably coupled to the first roller shaft and is configured to rotate the first roller shaft about the second axis of rotation.

A braking system for an elevator includes an electromagnetic brake operably connected to an elevator car, and a control circuit operably connected to the electromagnetic brake. The control circuit includes a switching mechanism configured to selectively modify a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake to selectively modify a rate of deceleration of the elevator car. The switching mechanism has a first position, a second position and a third position, to selectively modify the rate of engagement.

A braking system for an elevator includes an electromagnetic brake operably connected to an elevator car. A control circuit is operably connected to the electromagnetic brake and includes a switching mechanism to selectively modify a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake to selectively modify deceleration of the elevator car. A method of engaging an electromagnetic brake for an elevator system includes detecting one or more operational characteristics of the elevator system and selecting a first position or a second position of a switching mechanism disposed at a brake control circuit depending on the sensed operational characteristics. Electrical current is directed through one or more components of the brake control circuit, depending on the position of the switching mechanism, to determine a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake. A flow of electrical current through the brake control circuit is stopped, thereby causing engagement of the electromagnetic brake.

A braking system for an elevator includes an electromagnetic brake operably connected to an elevator car, and a control circuit operably connected to the electromagnetic brake. The control circuit includes a switching mechanism configured to selectively modify a rate of engagement of the electromagnetic brake to selectively modify a rate of deceleration of the elevator car. The switching mechanism has a first position, a second position and a third position, to selectively modify the rate of engagement.