Key Innovations and Technologies in Vertical Transportation Systems since 1980

Abstract

Vertical transportation systems have been rapidly evolving since the 1990’s. Lifts without machine rooms have become common, many buildings of 100 or more floors have been built or are planned and new technologies for lifts are being introduced.The common types of lifts produced in 1990 are explained as a baseline for explaining the innovations that have revolutionized lifts since then. These innovations include Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) technology, the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT), Permanent Magnet Alternate Current Motors (PMAC), Independent Wire Rope Core (IWRC) ropes, and Machine Room Less (MRL) lift technologies.Two novel suspension means, coated steel belts and coated carbon belts, are new technologies that are changing lift designs are reviewed.Systems that employ more than one lift per hoistway are explained. These systems can use ropes or they can be rope-less and employ magnetic levitation.Two interesting new technologies that are profoundly changing the lift industry, Machine Learning and Robots are also examined.