Selection of Drives and Control Systems For Lifts
Selection of Drives and Control Systems For Lifts
Selection of Drives and Control Systems For Lifts
and
Control Systems
for Lifts
Traction elevators are the most common type of elevators. Elevator cars are pulled
up by means of rolling steel ropes over a deeply grooved pulley, commonly called
a sheave in the industry. The weight of the car is balanced by a counterweight
since 1900. Sometimes two elevators are built so that their cars always move
synchronously in opposite directions, and are each other's counterweight.
Nowadays, some traction elevators are using flat steel belts instead of conventional
steel ropes. Flat steel belts are extremely light due to its carbon fiber core and a
high-friction coating, and does not require any oil or lubricant. Because of these
qualities, elevator energy consumption in high-rise buildings can be cut
significantly. Some elevator manufacturers have use this technology such
as Otis (Gen2's polyurethane belts), Schindler(Suspension Traction Media for
both 3300 and 5500 series), and Kone (UltraRope).
Safety is provided by a governing device that engages the cars brakes, should the
elevator begin to fall. A powerful clamp clutches the steel governor cable, which
activates two safety clamps located beneath the car. Moveable steel jaws wedge
themselves against the guiderails until sufficient force is exerted to bring the car to
a smooth stop.
Elevators with more than 100 ft (30 m) or the speed is 2.5m/s or above of travel
have a system called compensation. This is a separate set of cables or a chain
attached to the bottom of the counterweight and the bottom of the elevator cab.
This makes it easier to control the elevator, as it compensates for the differing
weight of cable between the hoist and the cab. If the elevator cab is at the top of the
hoist-way, there is a short length of hoist cable above the car and a long length of
compensating cable below the car and vice versa for the counterweight. If the
compensation system uses cables, there will be an additional sheave in the pit
below the elevator, to guide the cables. If the compensation system uses chains, the
chain is guided by a bar mounted between the counterweight railway lines.