Electric passenger lifts

Abstract

The author makes a plea for British investigation and design in order to produce a lift more especially suitable to conditions in this country than is possible by following American practice too closely. A number of problems requiring investigation are referred to. The essential parts of a lift and the factors of cost are stated. The advisability of consulting specialist engineers with regard to new construction is suggested. A complaint is made that lift makers are often consulted too late in the development of a new building to enable them to offer the best and most economical scheme. It is maintained that a lift service is more important than the provision of stairs.The methods employed by the author in calculating the lift capacity required in a building are outlined. A plea is advanced for the employment of lifts of higher running speed and improved acceleration, and the method adopted by the author in an investigation of acceleration problems is described.A comparison is made between drum and sheave driving. The effects of the position of the winding engine and of rope-reeving upon maintenance cost are discussed. Types of worm gearing and methods of control are described and the limitations of automatic control emphasized. Microdrive and decelerator devices for attaining automatic floor levelling are detailed and reference is made to a new system of control—the “Auto-Pilot.”Safety devices employed in connection with passenger lifts are described, and the record and infrequency of accidents are discussed and commented upon.