Estiven M.

Gier Engineering Utilities

2(Basic ME)
BSCE-2A
Basic components of Escalator
An escalator is a moving staircase which carries people between floors of a building. It consists
of a motor-driven chain of individually linked steps on a track which cycle on a pair of tracks
which keep them horizontal.
Types of escalators
Step type escalator
The step type escalator is the common type of escalator today. The steps
are usually metal, but very old step type escalators had wooden steps.
Step type escalators can also go up/down, flat, then up/down again. On
Otis Next Step escalators, the escalator steps are mounted on most
likely hinged circles, and the track appears to be besides the steps,
visible from above the steps. This type of escalator is designed to be
safer than other step type escalators.
Wheelchair accessible escalator
Wheelchair accessible escalators have an attendant. If someone in a wheelchair needs to use the
escalator, the escalator will be stopped. Once the wheelchair is on the escalator, the escalator is
put in a special mode. 3 steps will level out, forming a platform. After that, some spikes will
come out of the step closest to the lower landing of the escalator of the platform made out of 3
steps, preventing the passenger's wheelchair from rolling off of the platform. After that, the
escalator will start moving slowly. The attendant will ride with the passenger, possibly for safety
reasons. In at least some cases, the escalator will start moving in the opposite direction that it
usually moves (possibly because there might only be 1 wheelchair accessible escalator going
between 2 floors in many cases). After that, the escalator will speed up. Once the passenger in
the wheelchair gets close to the top, the escalator will slow down. After the passenger in the
wheelchair is no longer on the escalator, the escalator is then switched back to normal operation.
Wheelchair accessible escalators might have only been installed in Japan. It is unknown if
wheelchair accessible escalators are still made.
Belt type escalator
The belt type escalator was made by Piat. You stand on a flat (?) belt. This type of escalator
probably doesn't exist anywhere, anymore.
Cleat type escalator
The cleat type escalator had cleated metal, later wood treads that are slanted.
Some types of cleat type escalator look more like a belt, not an escalator (the
belt type escalator?). This type of escalator is not known to exist anywhere,
anymore.

Spiral escalator
There is also the spiral escalator, which uses curved steps, only manufactured by Mitsubishi
since 1985.
Levytator
The Levytator is a new type of escalator, the freeform escalator that can curve multiple times, in
either direction. There are 2 escalators, which share a continuous loop of steps. The 2 escalators
can curve differently. A working prototype has been built, but currently the inventor is looking
for a company to mass-produce, and sell the new type of escalator. The steps are uniquely-
shaped.

Parts of Escalators and Its Function

Trusses
The escalator machinery is hidden beneath its steps in a structure called a truss. They are
designed to accommodate the width of the escalator and are of ample strengths to maintain
alignment of the tracks and moving parts, safely retain steps and running gear. It also retains step
mechanism within guides and envelope of the truss, in case of failure of track systems.
Gears and Motors
An electric motor is housed inside the truss at the top of the escalator. Motors typically used are
AC induction motors. All escalators have four gears; two drive gears on present on either side at
the top and two return gears are there on either side at the bottom. The electric motor runs these
four gears. The gears are connected through step chains that loop around them and run down on
both sides of the escalator. The chains are connected to each step and therefore help the steps
move up or down the escalator.
Step Chains
They pull the steps to the top from the bottom platform in an endless loop.
Steps
Steps are of horizontal tread formation; the step treads are of cleat type to assure secure foothold
and comfortable tread surface. Visual demarcation is usually provided on the front and rear
edges of each step to indicate the edges.
Each escalator step has four wheels below the step; two each on either side. The two wheels that
are closest to the top of the step connect the steps to the two chains that loop around the gears.
The horizontal positioning of that chain at the top and bottom causes the steps, in turn, to flatten
out. The two wheels that are closest to the bottom of the step roll along a rail within the truss for
stability. The grooves in the steps of escalators help with alignment.
Tracks
Track system built into the truss; retain steps and running gear under extreme load requirements
and at the highest speed of operation.
Relative position of Step-wheel track(front wheels of the steps) and trailer wheel track(back
wheels of the steps) causes formation of staircase when the steps move out of comb plate and
also, make the steps lay flat at top and bottom of the escalator.

Controller
Controller is housed in NEMA enclosure. Controllers include a circuit breaker, local disconnect,
motor starter, control relays, fault indicator, and all other functions of escalator controller. Motor
starter limit the starting current of the motor and protect the motor against overload, input power
phase reversals, etc. Controller also include an emergency stop to disconnect the power supply to
the driving machine motor and apply brakes to stop the escalator at controlled speed.
Controllers include a fault indicating device in the front panel of the controller to visually
indicate and identify actuation of safety devices causing escalator shutdown. Controllers have
interfaces for fire alarms and seismic sensors. In case of any such event, emergency stop is
activated.
Also, they are interfaced with SCADA for remote system monitoring.
Handrails & Handrail Drive Systems
The handrails are used by travelers for balance and safety.
The handrail is essentially a long rubber loop, a moving handhold provided for escalator
passengers, which moves over the top of the balustrade and newels. Handrails receive their
motion from the same system that powers the steps, i.e., the main escalator drive through direct
gearing and drive shaft or drive chains so that the handrails and steps operate at the same speed
in each direction of travel.
A handrail guard is also fitted over the outside of the handrail at a point where the handrail enters
or leaves the balustrade. It is designed to keep a person’s fingers out of the handrail opening.
Balustrade
Balustrades are the sides of an escalator extending above the steps. It includes skirt panels,
interior panels, skirt Panels, decks and handrails.
Drip Pans
Drip pans are provided for the escalators to collect oil, grease from step linkages, rain water and
loose debris that may get deposited into escalator truss. Drip pans are sloped so that liquids
collected drain toward the lower section of the truss and finally routed to the industrial drain.
Safety Devices
Safety devices, depending upon the interruption of electric circuit for the operation, are
interlocked to isolate electric power supply to the motor and apply brakes to stop the escalator
smoothly and safely in a direction of travel. It also prevents operation of escalator until safety
hazard/ malfunction has been corrected.
Various types of safety devices are used in escalators – Emergency Stop Button, Overload
Detection Device, Speed Governor, Broken Drive Chain Device, Handrail speed monitoring
device, Skirt Obstruction Device, Missing Step Device, Broken Chain Step Device, etc.
Brakes
Brakes stop the escalator upon activation of normal control, emergency stop buttons, upon
activation of safety devices or upon loss of power.
Overspeed governor
Overspeed governor cuts off the power supply to the motor and bring the escalator to rest when
the speed varies more than the specified percentage of the rated speed.
Landing Plates (Top & Bottom Floor Plates)
The landing platform houses the curved portions of the tracks, gears & motors. The floor plate is
the entry point for moving onto escalator steps. In between steps and floor plate, a comb plate is
used; the comb plates have cleats matching with cleats of the steps.
Landing plates are designed to be supported on the truss head and cover the entire area of
landing within the outline of the truss.
The parts are shown in the two pictures below:

History of Escalators
 Nathan Ames patented an escalator in 1859 that would either by water powered, or hand-crank
powered. However, a working model was not built. The picture shows the patent for this type of
escalator.
Illustration of revolving stairs (U.S. Patent 25,076 issued to Nathan Ames, 9 August 1859)
Leamon Souder got at least 4 patents for escalators, 2 for spiral escalators in 1889, but
working models were not built.
Jesse W. Reno patented the cleat-type escalator in 1892.
George A. Wheeler patented the step-type escalator in 1892. He never built a step-type
escalator, but the patents were sold to Charles Seeberger.
Jesse W. Reno installed the world's first escalator in 1896, at the Coney Island Old Island Pier
in New York, NY.
Jesse W. Reno tried his escalator out again, by installing it at the Brooklyn Bridge in New
York, NY. He removed the escalator a month later, after he was done testing it there.
Jesse W. Reno joined Otis Elevator Co, then retired later, after selling the patents to Otis
Elevator Co.
Charles Seeberger started drawing an escalator model in 1895. This escalator model was
different from modern escalators, as the escalator becomes flat at the end, where you get off
sideways, and then there is most likely an angled comb plate, though it is not safe to stay on the
escalator at the end.
Piat made another type of escalator, consisting of a leather belt, in many pieces, attached
together. A working model was installed at Harrods, London, United Kingdom, in 1898.
In 1899, Charles Seeberger joined Otis.
In 1900, the first commercially-sold escalator, and first step-type escalator was installed by
Otis at the Paris 1900 Exposition Universelle, in Paris, France. The escalator won first prize.
Other types of escalators were also on display.
Hallé made a different type of escalator.
George A. Wheeler made plans for another type of spiral escalator in 1905.
Jesse W. Reno installed a spiral cleat-type escalator in 1906. However, it was never opened to
the public.
Hocquardt got a patent for a different type of escalator in 1906.
Hocquardt later went out of business.
Charles Seeberger invented at least 2 more types of spiral escalators between 1906 and 1911,
but models were never built.
Escalators were marketed under different names by other companies, as the name Escalator
was trademarked by Otis, such as Peelle Motorstair, Westinghouse Electric Stairway, and
Haughton Moving Stairs.
Gilbert Luna patented another type of spiral escalator in 1973, but a model was never built. A
company to manufacture this product was most likely not found.
Mitsubishi installed the first modern spiral escalator in 1985.
Helixator, another type of spiral escalator, is more compact. A full size model does not exist,
but there is a working scale model.
Nowadays, Schindler sells more escalators than any other company, and Otis does not sell as
many escalators anymore, making Schindler as the largest escalator manufacturer in the world.
Walkalator = is a slow moving conveyor mechanism that transports people across a horizontal
or inclined plane over a short to medium distance. Moving walkways can be used by standing or
walking on them. They are often installed in pairs, one for each direction.
Types of Moving Walkaways
1. According To Inclination Angle
Horizontal and Inclined Walkways
a) Zero degrees inclination “Horizontal” Moving Walkways.
b) Up to 15 degrees inclination “Inclined” Moving Walkways.
2. According To the Flat Moving Surface
Pallet Type = A continuous series of flat metal plates mesh together to form a walkway. Most
have a metal surface, though some models have a rubber surface for extra traction.
Moving Belt = These are generally built with mesh metal belts or rubber walking surfaces over
metal rollers. The walking surface may have a solid feel or a "bouncy" feel.
 Both types of moving walkway have a grooved surface to mesh with comb plates at the
ends. Also, all moving walkways are built with moving handrails similar to those on
escalators.
3. According To the Speed
Slow- speed Standard type = The speed of these walkways is determined by the need for safety
upon entry and exit, which generally limits it to approximately half normal walking speed, or
30–40m/min. The slow speed of the walkway causes impatience, and passengers often walk on
the walkway itself or on the adjacent floor rather use the slower walkway.
High-speed walkways = Using the high-speed walkway is like using any other moving walkway,
except that for safety there are special procedures to follow when joining or leaving.
On entering, there is a 10 m acceleration zone where the "ground" is a series of metal rollers.
Riders stand still with both feet on these rollers and use one hand to hold the handrail and let it
pull them so that they glide over the rollers. The idea is to accelerate the riders so that they will
be traveling fast enough to step onto the moving walkway belt. Riders who try to walk on these
rollers are at significant risk of falling over.
At the exit, the same technique is used to decelerate the riders. Users step on to a series of rollers
which decelerate them slowly, rather than the abrupt halt which would otherwise take place.
Parts
History
The first moving walkway debuted at the Worlds Columbian Exposition of 1893, in Chicago,
Illinois. Two Divisions:
1. Passengers were seated
2. Riders could stand or walk
Six years later a moving walkway was also presented to the public at the Paris Exposition
Universelle in 1900.
Three Elevated Platforms:
1. Stationary 2. Moderate speed 3. Six miles an hour
The first commercial moving walkway in the United States was installed in 1954 in Jersey
City, NJ, inside the Hudson & Manhattan RailroadErie station) at the Pavonia Terminal
• Named the "Speedwalk“
• built by Goodyear
• it was 277 ft. (84.5 m) long
• moved up a 10 percent grade at a speed of 1.5 mph (2.4 km/h)
The first moving walkway in an airport was installed in 1958 at Love Field in Dallas, Texas.

HVAC = Short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. The system is used to provide
heating and cooling services to buildings. HVAC systems have become the required industry
standard for construction of new buildings. Before the creation of this system, the three elements
were usually split between three or more devices.

Examples:
Packaged Rooftop Unit (RTU) – rooftop air conditioner used in conjunction with either a gas
fired furnace or electric resistance heating.
Distribution Equipment: Air Handler
Cooling Source: Direct Expansion Coil (Central DX)
Heating Source: Central Furnace (gas or electric)
Fan Control: Constant or Variable Volume (CAV/VAV)
Zone Distribution Type: Typically Single Zone; may be
entered as Multiple Zone with Reheat Terminals Units.

Packaged Rooftop Heat Pump – rooftop heat pump that provides high-efficiency heating and
cooling performance in one self-contained unit. Typically range from 2-ton to 20-ton capacity.
Distribution Equipment: Air Handler
Cooling Source: Direct Expansion Coil (Central DX)
 Heating Source: Heat Pump (electric)
Fan Control: Constant or Variable Volume (CAV/VAV)
Zone Distribution Type: Single Zone
Central Plant Chiller/Boiler – air handling unit with chilled water supplied through an on-site
central chiller, and hot water provided by an on-site central boiler.

Distribution Equipment: Air Handler

Cooling Source: Plant – Chiller
Heating Source: Plant – Boiler
Fan Control: Constant or Variable Volume (CAV/VAV)
Zone Distribution Type: Single Zone or Multiple Zone with Reheat Terminals Units