RELIABILITY OF SHIPBOARD ELEVATORS — THERE IS HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn 1980, at the Ship Systems Technical Symposium in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, a paper was presented entitled “Reliability of Shipboard Elevators — Is There Hope for Improvement?” It painted a bleak picture of elevators and their future. The history of Navy cargo/weapons elevator installations does reveal a wide variety of equipment sizes and con figurations developed by numerous vendors working to different performance specifications for each contract. The result has been poor reliability, a proliferation of spare parts requirements, and logistic and maintenance nightmares. To correct this, NAVSEA has initiated various efforts, including a program to develop and test improved, standardized designs. The improvements expected by that program include standard capacities and speeds, lightweight construction and easy removability for maintenance. This is being accomplished through standard drawings and detailed, as opposed to performance, specifications. But the key to the success of this effort is to design and test for reliability, maintainability and safety. This is being accomplished by following NAVSEA Quality Assurance Plan 200, which specifies failure mode, criticality, stress, worst case and sneak circuit analyses.New equipment will be tested and evaluated at the new land based engineering site (LBES) at the Naval Ship Systems Engineering Station (NAVSSES), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This site has been designed to test elevator systems and components and simulate shipboard conditions including temperature and humidity. Initially, equipment intended for the new AOE‐6 and AE‐36 classes will be tested. The site will also be able to test cargo and weapons elevator doors and hatches in an aircraft carrier configuration. The site includes a standard hydraulic power unit (HPU) to operate flush deck and in‐trunk hatches and different door types. This paper describes the philosophy and methods for the overall standard elevator RDT&E effort and how it will improve the reliability of shipboard cargo and weapons elevators.