Out-of-group operations for multicar hoistway systems

A ropeless elevator system comprising:

• a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane;
• a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars;
• and
• a controller programmed to operate in:
• an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands;
• an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars is prevented from performing the group service mode service demands;
• and
• a transition mode where the at least one selected elevator car is prepared and transitioned from operation in the in-group mode to operation in the out-of-group mode;
• wherein in the transition mode the controller is programmed to:
• receive an out-of-group initiation request;
• provide an initiation request acknowledgement and/or initiation request information;
• and
• provide a car readiness notification that the transition of the at least one selected elevator car from the in-group mode operation to the out-of-group mode operation is complete.

A method of controlling a ropeless elevator system comprising a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane and a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, the method comprising:

• operating in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands;
• selectively operating in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars is prevented from performing the group service mode service demands;
• and
• performing a transition mode to prepare and transition the at least one selected elevator car from the in-group mode to the out-of-group mode;
• wherein performing the transition mode occurs after authenticating an authorized user and satisfying preconditions of the transition mode.

A method of controlling a ropeless elevator system comprising a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane and a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, the method comprising:

• operating in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands;
• selectively operating in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars is prevented from performing the group service mode service demands;
• and
• performing a transition mode to prepare and transition the at least one selected elevator car from the in-group mode to the out-of-group mode;
• wherein performing the transition mode comprises:
• receiving an out-of-group initiation request;
• and
• providing an initiation request acknowledgement and/or initiation request information.