Elevator power supply and drive system

A method of operating an elevator power supply and drive system comprising the steps of:

• (a) connecting means for generating a mechanical output to a power source and operating said means for generating a mechanical output at an energy level limited to approximately the average power requirement of an elevator over a prolonged duty cycle;
• (b) coupling said means for generating a mechanical output to means for storing energy and storing energy when the actual power requirement of said elevator is less than said average power requirement;
• (c) coupling said means for generating a mechanical output to a drive means for said elevator;
• and
• (d) coupling said means for storing energy to said drive means for supplying stored energy to said drive means when the actual power requirement of the elevator exceeds said average power requirement.

An elevator power supply and drive system comprising:

• an electric motor having an output shaft coupled to an override clutch;
• a bevel gear assembly having first and second inputs and an output, said first being coupled to said override clutch;
• a flywheel coupled to said second input of said bevel gear assembly;
• and
• a generator coupled to said output of said bevel gear assembly and electrically connected to a hoist motor for driving an elevator at its actual power requirement whereby said electric motor operates to drive said generator through said bevel gear assembly at an energy level limited to approximately the average power requirement of the elevator over a prolonged duty cycle, said flywheel stores energy from said electric motor when the actual power requirement of the elevator is less than the average power requirement and provides energy to said generator when the actual power requirement exceeds the average power requirement, and said override clutch prevents said electric motor from being driven through said bevel gear assembly.