Patent Description:
Some machines, such as elevator systems, include safety systems to stop the machine when it rotates at excessive speeds or, in the case of elevator systems, an elevator car travels at excessive speeds in response to an inoperative component. Conventional safety systems include an actively applied safety system that requires power to positively actuate the safety mechanism or a passively applied safety system that requires power to maintain the safety system in a hold operating state. Although passively applied safety systems offer an increase in functionality, such systems typically require a significant amount of power in order to maintain the safety system in a hold operating state, thereby greatly increasing energy requirements and operating costs of the machine. Further, passively applied safety systems typically feature larger components due to the large power requirements during operation, which may adversely affect the overall size, weight, and efficiency of the machine.

Further, some conventional systems are configured to engage with a guide rail of the elevator system, such that actuation and braking may be applied to stop an elevator car or counterweight. Such configurations may be designed to operate specifically with the characteristics of the guide rail, such as be configured to operate effectively with the construction and material of the guide rail (e.g., machined, cold drawn, lubricated, oiled, etc.).

<CIT>, which corresponds to the preamble of claims <NUM> and <NUM>, shows a brake mechanism for an elevator is activated in response to an electronic control signal to prevent movement of an elevator car under predetermined conditions. The brake mechanism is preferably a safety mechanism and does not require a governor sheave, a governor rope, or a tension sheave. The safety mechanism utilizes a solenoid actuator and an electric motor and gear box assembly to move safety wedges into engagement with a guide rail to stop the elevator car. The safety wedges are held in a non-deployed position during normal elevator operation.

<CIT> shows braking device of a lift installation is actuated, and also reset, by means of an electric actuator. The electromechanical actuator contains an energy store, a retaining device, a resetting device and at least one connecting element for connecting the actuator to the brake. The resetting device retains the connecting element, via the retaining device and counter to the action of the energy store, in a first operating position, corresponding to a standby position of the brake, or guides the actuator back into this position.

<CIT> shows an emergency stop device for an elevator and a checking method thereof. The emergency stop device for the elevator comprises a reset motor having a wedge type friction member to be brought in contact and to be separated with/from a rail by a driving spring and an electromagnet device and for resetting the electromagnet device, while accumulating energy in the driving spring. The reset motor drives a reset member for resetting the electromagnet device by pushing it, and the reset member allows movement of the electromagnet device in a holding position to a release position thereof.

According to one embodiment, an elevator electrical safety actuation system according to claim <NUM> is provided.

Further embodiments of the system may include a housing configured to house the actuation device.

Further embodiments of the system may include that the housing comprises a first housing configured to house the locking mechanism, the first portion, and the second portion, and a second housing configured to house the resetting mechanism.

Further embodiments of the system may include that the resetting mechanism is an electrical cylinder.

According to the invention the system includes a brake device, wherein movement of the second portion from the second portion-first state to the second portion-second state operates the brake device.

Further embodiments of the system may include that a linkage operably connects the second portion to the brake device.

Further embodiments of the system may include a biasing mechanism configured to bias the first portion from the first portion-first state toward the first portion-second state.

Further embodiments of the system may include at least one guide wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to move along the guide.

Further embodiments of the system may include that the locking mechanism is an electromagnet.

According to another embodiment, a method of operating an elevator according to claim <NUM> is provided.

Further embodiments of the method may include urging the first portion from the first portion-first state to the first portion-second state with a biasing mechanism when the locking mechanism is released.

Further embodiments of the method may include engaging stopping an elevator when the brake device is operated.

Further embodiments of the method may include moving the second portion from the second portion-second state to the second portion-first state after the first portion is returned to the first portion-first state.

Further embodiments of the method may include locking the first portion in the first portion-first state after urging the first portion from the first portion-second state to the first portion-first state.

Further embodiments of the method may include that operating the brake device comprises the second portion operating a linkage that operably connects the second portion to the brake device when the second portion moves from the second portion-first state to the second portion-second state.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include an electrical safety actuation mechanism configured to operate without the need of a guide rail interface. Further technical effects include a resetting mechanism for an electrical safety actuation mechanism that operates to reset the actuation mechanism after the actuation mechanism is used to engage a safety block.

As shown and described herein, various features of the disclosure will be presented. Various embodiments may have the same or similar features and thus the same or similar features may be labeled with the same reference numeral, but preceded by a different first number indicating the figure to which the feature is shown. Thus, for example, element "a" that is shown in FIG. X may be labeled "Xa" and a similar feature in FIG. Z may be labeled "Za. " Although similar reference numbers may be used in a generic sense, various embodiments will be described and various features may include changes, alterations, modifications, etc. as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, whether explicitly described or otherwise would be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an elevator system <NUM> including an elevator car <NUM>, a counterweight <NUM>, a roping <NUM>, a guide rail <NUM>, a machine <NUM>, a position encoder <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>. The elevator car <NUM> and counterweight <NUM> are connected to each other by the roping <NUM>. The roping <NUM> may include or be configured as, for example, ropes, steel cables, and/or coated-steel belts.

The roping <NUM> engages the machine <NUM>, which is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system <NUM>. The position encoder <NUM> may be mounted on an upper sheave of a speed-governor system <NUM> and may be configured to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator car <NUM> within the elevator shaft <NUM>. In other embodiments, the position encoder <NUM> may be directly mounted to a moving component of the machine <NUM>, or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art.

The controller <NUM> may also be configured to receive position signals from the position encoder <NUM>.

Although shown and described with a roping system, elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft may employ embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an example of a conventional elevator safety actuation module <NUM>, e.g., a mechanical mechanism, is shown. <FIG> shows an elevator system <NUM> employing the elevator safety block <NUM> and <FIG> shows as detailed view of the elevator safety block <NUM>. The elevator system <NUM> includes an elevator car <NUM>, guide rails <NUM> for guiding the elevator car <NUM> in upward and downward motion within an elevator shaft along guide rails <NUM>, and roping <NUM> for raising and lowering the elevator car <NUM>.

The safety mechanism for the elevator car <NUM> includes a governor <NUM>, an endless governor rope <NUM>, a tension adjuster <NUM> for the governor rope <NUM>, elevator safety blocks <NUM> mounted on the elevator car <NUM> for stopping the elevator car <NUM> in the event of overspeeding, and a mechanical linkage <NUM> mounted on the elevator car <NUM> and connecting the governor rope <NUM> to the elevator safety blocks <NUM>. The elevator safety blocks <NUM> are configured to releasably engage with the guide rails <NUM> to apply a braking force to the elevator car <NUM> in the event of an overspeed situation.

In operation, as the elevator car <NUM> starts to overspeed downwardly, the governor rope <NUM> and governor <NUM> start to overspeed, thereby tripping the governor <NUM> which prevents further overspeeding of the governor rope <NUM>. The governor rope <NUM> moves more slowly than the elevator car <NUM> thereby tripping the linkage <NUM>. When the linkage <NUM> is tripped, the configuration pulls upward on actuators <NUM> which activate the elevator safety blocks <NUM>. When the elevator safety blocks <NUM> are activated, the elevator safety blocks <NUM> will engage with the guide rails <NUM> and stop the elevator car <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a detailed schematic of the elevator safety block <NUM> is shown. The elevator safety block <NUM> of <FIG> includes two parts, wedges <NUM> and wedge guides <NUM> that are configured about the guide rail <NUM>. The wedge guides <NUM> are mounted in a fixed position relative to the elevator car <NUM>. The wedges <NUM> are mounted so as to be movable vertically upwardly or downwardly relative to the elevator car <NUM> and are connected to the linkage <NUM> by the actuators <NUM>.

During normal operation of the elevator car <NUM>, that is to say when the elevator car <NUM> is travelling upwardly or downwardly at normal speed, the wedges <NUM> and wedge guides <NUM> are not in contact with the guide rail <NUM>. However, if the elevator car <NUM> overspeeds downwardly thereby operating the linkage <NUM>, the actuators <NUM> are caused to move upward. The upward motion of the actuators <NUM> forces the wedges <NUM> vertically upwardly relative to the wedge guides <NUM>. A set of rollers <NUM> are provided between the wedge guides <NUM> and the wedges <NUM> to permit the relative movement. As the wedges <NUM> move up relative to the wedge guides <NUM>, the wedges <NUM> also move horizontally toward the guide rail <NUM> as a result of the shape of the wedges <NUM> and wedge guides <NUM>, and engage the elevator car guide rail <NUM>, so as to prevent further movement of the elevator car <NUM>.

Although shown and described with respect to a specific configuration in <FIG> and <FIG>, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other configurations and/or components and/or features may be possible. Thus, the configuration of <FIG> and <FIG> are merely provided for illustrative and explanatory purposes. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that traditional elevator safety blocks, such as shown in <FIG>, incorporate two movable portions positioned on either side of the guide rail.

Electrical safety actuation systems may be used to replace or supplement the above described safety block system, and specifically may replace the mechanical operation of the wedges with an electrical actuation device. In such configurations, a rail grabber or other device may be used activate a safety block and the wedges therein to engage with a guide rail and stop an elevator car during an overspeed event. However, such configurations may be dependent upon the specific configuration of the guide rail of the particular elevator system. As such, a number of variables may influence the safety block operation, including, but not limited to, a guide rail being machined, cold drawn, lubricated, oiled, and/or in-field de-greasing operations performed by field personnel.

For example, turning now to <FIG> an embodiment of an electrical safety actuator <NUM> for an elevator safety system in a non-engaging position is shown. The electrical safety actuator <NUM> includes an electromagnetic component <NUM> and a magnetic brake <NUM>. The electromagnetic component <NUM> includes a coil <NUM> and a core <NUM> disposed within an actuator housing <NUM>. A safety controller <NUM> is in electrical communication with the electromagnetic component <NUM> and is configured to control a supply of electricity to the electromagnetic component <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the electrical safety actuator <NUM> further includes at least one biasing member <NUM>. The embodiment of <FIG> illustrates two biasing members <NUM> configured to provide a force to move the magnetic brake <NUM> in a direction toward a guide rail <NUM>. The biasing members <NUM>, in some embodiments, may be configured as compression springs.

The magnetic brake <NUM> includes a body <NUM> having a first end <NUM> and a second end <NUM>. The body <NUM> is configured to support and retain a brake portion <NUM>. A magnet <NUM> is disposed within or adjacent to the magnetic brake <NUM> and configured to magnetically couple the magnetic brake <NUM> to the electromagnetic component <NUM> in a non-engaging position and to a ferromagnetic or paramagnetic component of the system (e.g., guide rail <NUM>) in an engaging position. The electromagnetic component <NUM> is configured to hold the magnetic brake <NUM> in the non-engaging position with a hold power that is in a direction away from the guide rail <NUM>. The magnetic brake <NUM> provides a magnetic attraction force in a direction toward the electromagnetic component <NUM> to further hold the magnetic brake <NUM> in the non-engaging position.

For example, in the non-engaging position illustrated in <FIG>, the magnetic brake <NUM> is attracted and held to the electromagnetic component <NUM> with the hold power via the core <NUM> when the safety controller <NUM> supplies electrical energy to the coil <NUM> of the electromagnetic component <NUM>. Additionally, the magnetic attraction force of the magnetic brake <NUM> to the electromagnetic component <NUM> combines with the hold power in an additive fashion to hold the magnetic brake <NUM> in the non-engaging position. In some embodiments, the safety controller <NUM> may be configured to reduce the hold power by reducing the amount of electrical energy supplied to the electromagnetic component <NUM> upon, for example, the identification of an overspeed condition. Upon reduction of the hold power, the electromagnetic component <NUM> is configured to release the magnetic brake <NUM> into an engaging position, wherein the brake portion <NUM> engages with a surface of the guide rail <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, an example configuration of an electrical safety actuation system is shown. As shown in <FIG>, a magnetic brake <NUM> of an electrical safety actuator <NUM> is magnetically attached to a guide rail <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates the attached magnetic brake <NUM> positioned above an electromagnetic component <NUM> of the electrical safety actuator <NUM> after moving upward with the guide rail <NUM> relative to a descending elevator car (not shown). The magnetic brake <NUM> is operably coupled to a safety block <NUM> by a linkage <NUM>.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the operation of the electrical safety actuator as described above may rely on the compatibility between the magnetic brake <NUM> and the guide rail <NUM>. If there is any issue of the magnetic brake <NUM> gripping and engaging with the guide rail <NUM>, the safety block <NUM> may not properly engage. For example, if too much oil or grease is applied to the guide rail <NUM>, it may be difficult for the magnetic brake <NUM> to engage with a surface of the guide rail <NUM>, and the operation of the safety block <NUM> may be delayed.

Thus, in accordance with embodiments provided herein, a mechanism for operating and resetting a safety block that is independent of a guide rail is provided. For example, turning to <FIG>, a schematic illustration of an electrical safety actuation device for a safety block is shown. As shown, an electrical safety actuator <NUM> is operably connected to a safety block <NUM> by a linkage <NUM>. A guide rail that is engageable by the safety block <NUM> is not show for simplicity. The electrical safety actuator <NUM> may be mounted to or attached to a frame of an elevator car (not shown).

The electrical safety actuator <NUM> includes a first housing <NUM> which may support components of the electrical safety actuator <NUM>. As shown, the electrical safety actuator <NUM> includes a first portion <NUM> and a second portion <NUM> that are configured to move within the first housing <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may be in contact, but separable, as shown in <FIG>, and may move within the first housing <NUM> along one or more guides <NUM>. In some embodiments, the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM> may independently and separately move within the first housing <NUM> along the one or more guides <NUM>. The second portion <NUM> may be operably connected or attached to the linkage <NUM>, and thus the second portion <NUM> may be operably connected to the safety block <NUM>.

At least one biasing mechanism <NUM> may be configured within the first housing <NUM> and in contact with or attached to the first portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, for example as shown in <FIG>, the biasing mechanism <NUM> may be arranges as a spring mechanism that wraps around and runs along a guide <NUM> within the first housing <NUM>. The biasing mechanism <NUM> may be configured in a fashion to apply a force to the first portion <NUM> in the direction of the second portion <NUM>. For example, in the arrangement shown in <FIG>, the biasing mechanism <NUM> may be biased to apply a force upward or along the guides <NUM>.

Further, a locking mechanism <NUM> is contained with the first housing <NUM> and in operable communication with the first portion <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> may be an electromagnet that is configured to magnetically attach to or otherwise engage with the first portion <NUM> and hold and/or retain the first potion <NUM> in a first state or first state (shown in <FIG>). Upon application of an electrical signal, the locking mechanism <NUM> may release the first portion <NUM>, and the biasing mechanism <NUM> may apply a force to push the first portion <NUM> against the second portion <NUM>, and the first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM> may be forced away from the locking mechanism <NUM>. Although described with respect to the locking mechanism <NUM> configured as an electromagnet, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of locking mechanisms, including but not limited to mechanical locks or mechanical mechanisms may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The second portion <NUM> may include an aperture <NUM> passing therethrough in a movement direction of the second portion <NUM>. The aperture <NUM> may be configured to receive a portion of a resetting mechanism <NUM>. The resetting mechanism <NUM> may be configured as a piston or cylinder housed within a second housing <NUM> that is attached to or continuous with the first housing <NUM>. The resetting mechanism <NUM> may be configured to extend from the second housing <NUM> into the first housing <NUM>. The resetting mechanism <NUM> may be configured to engage with one or both of the first portion <NUM> and the second portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the resetting mechanism <NUM> may be configured to pass through the aperture <NUM> in the second portion <NUM> and engage with the first portion <NUM>, such that the resetting mechanism <NUM> may push or apply force or pressure upon the first portion until it contacts and/or engages with the locking mechanism <NUM>.

Turning now to <FIG>, operation of an electrical safety actuator <NUM> in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. <FIG> show the movement of various components of an electrical safety actuator <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment. Although not shown, a second portion <NUM> of the electrical safety actuator <NUM> is operably connected to a safety block or other device by mean of a linkage.

<FIG> shows a first portion <NUM> in a first state and a second portion <NUM> in a first state. Similarly, a biasing mechanism <NUM> is in a first state and a resetting mechanism <NUM> is in a first state. As such, the electrical safety actuator <NUM> is in a first state. The first state of the electrical safety actuator <NUM> may an operating or run position such that an elevator may operate within an elevator shaft normally. That is, in the first state of the electrical safety actuator <NUM>, the electrical safety actuator <NUM> does not interfere with operation or movement of an elevator car. In the first state, a locking mechanism <NUM> may engage with the first portion <NUM> and hold or retain the first portion <NUM> in the first state. As such, the first portion <NUM> may compress the biasing mechanism <NUM> and retain or hold the biasing mechanism <NUM> in the first state.

In an emergency situation, such as an overspeed event, the electrical safety actuator <NUM> may operate to engage a safety block to stop an elevator car. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the electrical safety actuator <NUM> is shown in an engaged position such that the second portion <NUM> may operate a connected safety block. The operation of the safety block is achieved by the second portion <NUM> moving along guides <NUM> within a first housing <NUM> such that the second portion <NUM> may apply a force on a linkage and thus engage the connected safety block.

For example, if an overspeed event is detected, a controller (e.g., safety controller <NUM> shown in <FIG>) may apply an electrical signal to the locking mechanism <NUM>. The electrical signal may prompt the locking mechanism <NUM> to disengage from the first portion <NUM>. With the locking mechanism <NUM> disengaged from the first portion <NUM>, the biasing mechanism <NUM> may transition to a second state or position (shown in <FIG>). For example, the second state of the biasing mechanism <NUM> may be an extended position or configuration. The transition of the biasing mechanism <NUM> from the first state to the second state pushes the first portion <NUM> along the guides <NUM>. The first portion <NUM> urges or pushes the second portion <NUM> along guides <NUM> within the first housing <NUM>, which applies a force to a connected linkage to operate a safety block (e.g., as shown in <FIG>, linkage <NUM> and safety block <NUM>). In one non-limiting example, the electrical signal applied to the locking mechanism <NUM> may be configured to disable a magnetic force applied by the locking mechanism <NUM> to the first portion <NUM>.

After an elevator is stopped by the safety block, the electrical safety actuator <NUM> needs to be reset, such that the electrical safety actuator <NUM> may be used again to stop an elevator during an overspeed event and/or engage a safety block for other reason (such as a maintenance operation).

Turning to <FIG>, part of a reset operation is shown. In <FIG>, a resetting mechanism <NUM> is shown moving from a first state (<FIG>) toward a second state (<FIG>). The resetting mechanism <NUM> may be configured as a piston or cylinder that is configured to pass through the second portion <NUM> and engage with the first portion <NUM>, such as by passing through an aperture in the second portion <NUM>. The resetting mechanism <NUM> is configured to apply a force to the first portion <NUM> to move the first portion <NUM> from the second state (<FIG>) back to the first state (<FIG>) along the guides <NUM>. As shown, the second portion <NUM> remains in the second state while the first portion <NUM> is moved by the resetting mechanism <NUM>. That is, during the resetting process, a safety block may remain engaged with a guide rail such that the elevator cannot move within an elevator shaft.

Turning to <FIG>, the resetting mechanism <NUM> is shown in a second state, such as fully extended, and the first portion <NUM> is returned to the first state of the first portion <NUM>. Again, as shown in <FIG>, the second portion <NUM> remains in the second state to keep a safety block engaged with a guide rail. The force applied by the resetting mechanism <NUM> may be greater than an extension force of the biasing mechanism <NUM> such that the resetting mechanism <NUM> applies a force to the first portion <NUM> to compress the biasing mechanism <NUM>. With the first portion <NUM> returned to the first state, the locking mechanism <NUM> may re-engage with the first portion <NUM>.

When the safety block is disengaged by operation as known in the art, the second portion <NUM> may return to the first state, as shown in <FIG>. For example, machine torque may be used to disengage the safety block operably connected to the second portion. When the safety block disengages from a guide rail, the second portion <NUM> returns to the first positon, e.g., by gravity, and the elevator may operate normally and the electrical safety actuator <NUM> and operably connected safety block may be reset to stop an elevator in an overspeed event or to hold the elevator in a maintenance operation, or engage for other reasons.

Turning now to <FIG>, a flow process for operating an elevator car or counterweight in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The flow process may be performed by an elevator and/or elevator system configured with one or more safety blocks and an electrical safety actuation device configured to operate the safety block, such as in one or more of the embodiments described above, although other configurations may employ flow process <NUM> without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

At block <NUM>, a stopping event may be detected. A stopping event may include an overspeed event wherein emergency stopping may be necessary and/or a maintenance command to lock or stop an elevator car or counterweight such that maintenance may be performed.

When the stopped event is detected at block <NUM>, a locking mechanism in an electrical safety actuation device may be released at block <NUM>. That is, a locking mechanism that retains a component in a first state or first position may be released such that the component may move from the first state or first position to a second state or second position. For example, the locking mechanism may retain a portion of an actuator or other device that is operably connected to a safety block of an elevator system.

When the locking mechanism is released (such as demagnetized) a first portion and a second portion of the electrical safety actuation device may move from the first state or first position to the second state or second position, as shown at block <NUM>. The movement may be forced by a biasing mechanism that is configured to bias the first portion toward the second portion and away from the locking mechanism. For example, the biasing mechanism may be a spring that urges the first portion away from the locking mechanism, and the second portion is forced to move by movement of the first portion.

The movement of the first portion and the second portion into the second state may engage a safety block, and thus stop the elevator, as shown at block <NUM>. For example, the second portion may be operably connected to a safety block such that when the second portion moves from the first state to the second state, the second portion operates on a linkage that is connected to the safety block. When the linkage is operated, the safety block engages with guide rail of the elevator system to stop the elevator car.

When it is desired to have the elevator return to service and/or move the elevator within an elevator shaft, the first portion may be moved from the second state to the first state, as shown at block <NUM>. The movement of the first portion may be by operation of a resetting mechanism that urges the first portion from the second state to the first state. For example, the resetting mechanism may be an electrical cylinder or piston that may be electrically controlled to apply force on the first portion. The resetting mechanism may apply a force to the first portion that is greater than and against the force of the biasing mechanism. During this operation, the second portion may remain in the second state such that the operably connected safety block remains engaged.

With the first portion returned to the first state, the first portion may be locked or engaged by the locking mechanism, as shown at block <NUM>. For example, if the locking mechanism is an electromagnet, the electromagnet may be controlled to enable magnetic retention of the first portion in the first state.

With the first portion returned to the first state, and locked in the first state, the second portion may be moved from the second state to the first state, as shown at block <NUM>. Moving of the second portion may be by the force of gravity. That is, for example, after the safety block is disengaged from the guide rail, the second portion may return to the first state without further action. However, in some embodiments, the second portion may be urged or forced from the second state to the first state by operation of the same or a different resetting mechanism used to move the first portion from the second state to the first state.

As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, although flow process <NUM> provides a particular order of steps, this is not intended to be limiting. For example, various steps may be performed in a different order and/or various steps may be performed simultaneously. For example, blocks <NUM>-<NUM> may occur substantially simultaneously in the event of an emergency, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, for example, blocks <NUM>-<NUM> may occur substantially simultaneously.

Advantageously, embodiments described herein provide an electrical safety actuation mechanism that may provide effective elevator stopping while being independent of a guide rail of the elevator system. For example, various embodiments provided herein are configured to actuate a safety block of an elevator system without the electrical safety actuation mechanism being connected to or in contact with the guide rail. Thus, advantageously, embodiments provided herein may provide an electrical safety actuation mechanism that doesn't depend on features and/or characteristics of the guide rail for operation.

While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments.

For example, although the locking mechanism described and shown herein is configured as an electromagnet, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of locking mechanisms, electrical and/or mechanical, may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Further, although the biasing mechanism is shown and described herein as a spring, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of biasing mechanisms may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, pistons and/or biasing mechanism configured to apply forces in different directions may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Moreover, one type of resetting mechanism, configured as an electrical cylinder or piston is described herein, but those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of resetting systems and mechanisms may be employed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claim 1:
An elevator electrical safety actuation system comprising:
a brake device;
an actuation device (<NUM>) configured to operate the brake device, wherein the actuation device (<NUM>) comprises:
a locking mechanism (<NUM>);
a first portion (<NUM>) configured to be engaged and retained by the locking mechanism (<NUM>) in a first portion-first state and moveable to a first portion-second state wherein the first portion (<NUM>) is not retained by the locking mechanism (<NUM>);
a second portion (<NUM>) operably connected to the brake device (<NUM>), wherein the second portion (<NUM>) is in contact with the first portion (<NUM>) when the second portion (<NUM>) is in a second portion-first state and the first portion (<NUM>) is in the first portion-first state, the second portion (<NUM>) moveable to a second portion-second state; wherein movement of the second portion from the second portion-first state to the second portion-second state operates the brake device;
a resetting mechanism (<NUM>) configured to apply a force to the first portion (<NUM>) to move the first portion (<NUM>) from the first portion-second state to the first portion-first state along guides (<NUM>);
characterized in that the resetting mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to move from a first state toward a second state;
wherein the second portion (<NUM>) is configured to remain in the second portion-second state while the first portion (<NUM>) is moved by the resetting mechanism (<NUM>).