Elevator car position sensing system

• Main Authors: SHULL JR. JULIAN H, TRINH KIM NGOC, EDGAR WILLIAM G, HELDWEIN CARL, COSTE STEVEN D, STONE JASON S, SCHAFER RICHARD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.03.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS; HAULING; HOISTING; LIFTING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING

A system of sensing elevator car position is presented that dynamically compensates for problems due to frictional slippage of its mechanical connection and/or building settlement. The system comprises an elevator car within an elevator hoistway. An encoder is mounted within the elevator hoistway and mechanically connected to the elevator car. The mechanical connection drives the encoder which generates data indicative of the position of the elevator car. Either one of a position sensor and a position sensor actuator is mounted to a landing of the hoistway. The other one of the position sensor and position sensor actuator is mounted to the elevator car. The position sensor generates data indicative of the elevator car floor reaching a predetermined distance from the elevator landing when actuated by the position sensor actuator. An elevator position controller receives the data generated by both the position sensor and the encoder. The mechanical connection may include an elevator rope frictionally driving a governor sheave of an elevator speed governor system upon which the encoder is mounted.