Advanced smooth rescue operation

A method of operating an elevator system, the method comprising:

• detecting, using a controller, when an external power source is unavailable;
• controlling, using the controller, a plurality of components of the elevator system, wherein controlling comprises operating at least one of an elevator car, a drive unit, an inverter and a brake;
• detecting, using the controller, an original direction of travel of the elevator car;
• detecting, using the controller, a mode of the elevator car, wherein the mode includes at least one of a motoring mode, a near balance mode, and a regenerative mode;
• determining, using the controller, a target floor;
• adjusting, using the controller, a velocity of the elevator car to reach the target floor in response to the mode detected;
• allowing, using the controller, the velocity of the elevator car to decrease to about zero velocity, when the motoring mode is detected;
• allowing, using the controller, the velocity of the elevator car to increase in a direction opposite the original direction of travel to a selected creep velocity;
• deactivating, using the controller, the inverter when the selected creep velocity is less than a selected velocity in the direction opposite the original direction of travel;
• increasing, using the controller, the velocity of elevator car in the direction opposite the original direction of travel to a selected alternate creep velocity;
• maintaining, using the controller, the selected alternate creep velocity for a selected duration of time;
• decreasing, using the controller, the velocity of the elevator car in the direction opposite the original direction of travel, when the selected duration of time ends;
• adjusting, using the controller, the velocity of the elevator car as the elevator car approaches the target floor;
• and
• applying, using the controller, the brake when the elevator car is at the target floor.

An apparatus for operating an elevator system, the apparatus comprising:

• an elevator car;
• a drive unit;
• an inverter;
• a brake;
• a controller to control a plurality of components of the elevator system, wherein controlling comprises operating at least one of the elevator car, the drive unit, the inverter, and the brake,
• wherein the controller performs operations comprising:
• detecting when an external power source is unavailable,
• detecting an original direction of travel of the elevator car,
• detecting a mode of the elevator car, wherein the mode includes at least one of a motoring mode, a near balance mode, and a regenerative mode,
• determining a target floor, and
• adjusting a velocity of the elevator car to reach the target floor in response to the mode detected;
• allowing, using the controller, the velocity of the elevator car to decrease to about zero velocity, when the near balance mode is detected;
• maintaining, using the controller, the about zero velocity for a selected duration of time;
• increasing, using the controller, the velocity of the elevator car in the original direction of travel until it reaches an automatic rescue operation velocity;
• maintaining, using the controller, the automatic rescue operation velocity for a second selected duration of time;
• and decreasing, using the controller, the velocity of the elevator car as the elevator car approaches the target floor
• wherein secondary power is provided to the brake, elevator doors, and a positional reference system in the controller;
• wherein secondary power is not provided to a drive unit to propel the elevator.

An apparatus for operating an elevator system, the apparatus comprising:

• an elevator car;
• a drive unit;
• an inverter;
• a brake:
• a controller to control a plurality of components of the elevator system, wherein controlling comprises operating at least one of the elevator car, the drive unit, the inverter, and the brake;
• wherein the controller performs operations comprising:
• detecting when an external power source is unavailable;
• detecting an original direction of travel of the elevator car;
• detecting a mode of the elevator car, wherein the mode includes at least one of a motoring mode, a near balance mode, and a regenerative mode;
• determining a target floor;
• adjusting a velocity of the elevator car to reach the target floor in response to the mode detected;
• allowing the velocity of the elevator car to decrease to about zero velocity, when the motoring mode is detected;
• allowing the velocity of the elevator car to increase in a direction opposite the original direction of travel to a selected creep velocity;
• deactivating the inverter when the selected creep velocity is less than a selected velocity in the direction opposite the original direction of travel;
• increasing the velocity of elevator car in the direction opposite the original direction of travel to a selected alternate creep velocity;
• maintaining the selected alternate creep velocity for a selected duration of time;
• decreasing the velocity of the elevator car in the direction opposite the original direction of travel, when the selected duration of time ends;
• adjusting the velocity of the elevator car as the elevator car approaches the target floor;
• and
• applying the brake when the elevator car is at the target floor.