An elevator derailment detecting device according to the present invention detects the opened and closed states of contacts at first and second safety relays 82 and 83 (steps S1 and S2). Since a first NO contact 82b is closed, a first NC contact 82c is opened, a second NO contact 83b is closed, and a second NC contact 83c is opened, it is determined that there is no circuit failure. Then, the opened and closed state of the contactless relay 84 is detected (step S3). When the contactless relay NO contact 84b is closed and the contactless relay NC contact 84c is opened, it is determined that the counterweight 21 of the elevator 11 is in a derailed state.

An apparatus comprising a counterweight, and a controller. The counterweight may comprise a frame, wheel hub motors, friction devices, weight load. The counterweight may be off its equilibrium position. The wheel hub motors may push on the guiderails/beams applying a force. The guiderails/beams front surface may tightly fit between the wheel hub motors and the friction devices wheels to (a) ensure the wheel hub motors rotate without slip. The controller may be configured to receive a signal to power the wheel hub motors and disengages the brake to (i) drive the car upwards, (ii) to drive the car downwards in response to a signal. The controller may be configured to receive a signal to stop the current flow to the motors and engages the brake to stop the car in response to a signal.

An apparatus comprising a counterweight, and a controller. The counterweight may comprise a frame, wheel hub motors, friction devices, weight load. The counterweight may be off its equilibrium position. The wheel hub motors may push on the guiderails/beams applying a force. The guiderails/beams front surface may tightly fit between the wheel hub motors and the friction devices wheels to (a) ensure the wheel hub motors rotate without slip. The controller may be configured to receive a signal to power the wheel hub motors and disengages the brake to (i) drive the car upwards, (ii) to drive the car downwards in response to a signal. The controller may be configured to receive a signal to stop the current flow to the motors and engages the brake to stop the car in response to a signal.

The present disclosure refers to an elevator system particularly for high buildings, comprising: an elevator car comprising one or more electrical service appliances; a counterweight; a power source housed into the counterweight; a hoisting cable connected at a first end to the elevator car and at a second end to the counterweight and comprising carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns, wherein the CNT yarns mechanically support the elevator car and the counterweight and are electric conductor from the power source to the electrical service appliances.

An elevator system (2) comprising a hoistway (4), an elevator car (6) and a counterweight (8) arranged to move within the hoistway (4). The system (2) further includes a first counterweight guide rail and a second counterweight guide rail arranged to guide the counterweight within the hoistway (4) and a guide rail bracket (32) which connects the first and second counterweight guide rails together. An elevator machine (10) is arranged to drive a tension member (14), which couples the elevator car (6) and counterweight together (8), to move the elevator car (6) within the hoistway (4). The system (2) further includes a friction reducing element (36) arranged on the guide rail bracket (32) such that if the tension member (14) moves towards the guide rail bracket (32) during operation of the elevator system (2), the tension member (14) contacts the friction reducing element (36).

An elevator system (2) comprising a hoistway (4), an elevator car (6) and a counterweight (8) arranged to move within the hoistway (4). The system (2) further includes a first counterweight guide rail and a second counterweight guide rail arranged to guide the counterweight within the hoistway (4) and a guide rail bracket (32) which connects the first and second counterweight guide rails together. An elevator machine (10) is arranged to drive a tension member (14), which couples the elevator car (6) and counterweight together (8), to move the elevator car (6) within the hoistway (4). The system (2) further includes a friction reducing element (36) arranged on the guide rail bracket (32) such that if the tension member (14) moves towards the guide rail bracket (32) during operation of the elevator system (2), the tension member (14) contacts the friction reducing element (36).

Counterweights for elevator systems are described. The counterweights include a frame and a counterweight safety system attached to the frame. The safety system includes a safety brake mounted to an upright of the frame and configured to enable engagement with a guide rail to apply a braking force. A sheave is mounted to the frame and configured to operably connect to tension members. The sheave is configured to move between a first position when under tension and a second position when the tension is lost. A connecting link operably connects the sheave to the safety brake. The connecting link has first and second link members operably connected between the sheave and the safety brake.

Counterweights for elevator systems are described. The counterweights include a frame and a counterweight safety system attached to the frame. The safety system includes a safety brake mounted to an upright of the frame and configured to enable engagement with a guide rail to apply a braking force. A sheave is mounted to the frame and configured to operably connect to tension members. The sheave is configured to move between a first position when under tension and a second position when the tension is lost. A connecting link operably connects the sheave to the safety brake. The connecting link has first and second link members operably connected between the sheave and the safety brake.

In a machine-room-less elevator, a hoisting machine is disposed directly above a counterweight. A counterweight speed governor is disposed higher than a position of the counterweight if a car descends to a floor portion of a hoistway and the counterweight jumps upward. When viewed from directly above, at least a portion of the counterweight speed governor is disposed at an identical position to a first counterweight guide rail in a width direction of the counterweight, and is disposed at an identical position to a portion of a suspending body between a driving sheave and a counterweight suspending sheave in a direction that is perpendicular to the width direction of the counterweight.

In a machine-room-less elevator, a hoisting machine is disposed directly above a counterweight. A counterweight speed governor is disposed higher than a position of the counterweight if a car descends to a floor portion of a hoistway and the counterweight jumps upward. When viewed from directly above, at least a portion of the counterweight speed governor is disposed at an identical position to a first counterweight guide rail in a width direction of the counterweight, and is disposed at an identical position to a portion of a suspending body between a driving sheave and a counterweight suspending sheave in a direction that is perpendicular to the width direction of the counterweight.