Chapter 32: VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION – Special Topics
Summary
This chapter covers a somewhat eclectic collection of vertical transportation topics: hydraulic elevator
systems, residential elevator applications, innovative elevator systems, and material-handling systems.
Shaft space for elevators has a major impact on efficiency of space use. Sky-lobby and double-deck
elevator systems represent attempts to reduce the impact of elevator shaft requirements on building
space efficiency while retaining acceptable performance.
Hydraulic elevators employ a plunger as the motive force, versus the rotating action of a motor and
associated cables employed with traction elevators. Hydraulic elevator designs include the conventional
plunger-type (requiring a hole below the elevator pit), the hole-less type (using a telescoping plunger),
and the roped hydraulic type (in which roping reduces the plunger travel requirements). Advantages of
hydraulic elevators include the absence of an overhead machine room (penthouse), the fact that loads
are carried directly by the ground (instead of structural members), virtually unlimited load capacity, and a
somewhat smaller shaft space requirement. Primary disadvantages of hydraulic elevators include slow
speeds, a limitation to low rise installations, and somewhat inferior ride quality relative to traction
machines.
Freight elevator design considerations are introduced and components and systems reviewed. The main
design issues include: size, weight, nature, and frequency of loads; travel patterns; means of loading; and
elevator car characteristics (doors, speed, capacity). Freight elevators are classified by ANSI into five load
classifications (A, B, C1, C2, C3). Geared traction (with VVVF or umv controls) and hydraulic drives are
most commonly used. Relative cost data for freight elevators are given.
Special elevator designs are briefly addressed. These include systems with observation cars, inclined
elevators, rack and pinion drives, and linear motor drives. Residential elevators and chair lifts are
considered in some detail, with examples of equipment and installations.
Material-handling systems are reviewed. The general need for such systems in buildings is discussed.
Typical systems and applications are presented. These include: manual load/unload dumbwaiters,
automated dumbwaiters, horizontal and vertical conveyors, pneumatic tubes of various types, automated
container delivery, and self-propelled vehicles.
Chapter Outline
SPECIAL SHAFT ARRANGEMENTS
32.1 Sky Lobby Elevator System
32.2 Double-Deck Elevators
HYDRAULIC ELEVATORS
32.3 Conventional Plunger-Type Hydraulic Elevators
32.4 Hole-less Hydraulic Elevators
32.5 Roped Hydraulic Elevators
FREIGHT ELEVATORS
32.6 General Information
32.7 Freight Car Capacity
32.8 Freight Elevator Description
32.9 Freight Elevator Cars, Gates, and Doors
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32.10 Freight Elevator Cost Data
SPECIAL ELEVATOR DESIGNS
32.11 Observation Cars
32.12 Inclined Elevators
32.13 Rack and Pinion Elevators
32.14 Residential Elevators and Chair Lifts
32.15 Linear Elevator Motor Drive
MATERIAL HANDLING
32.16 General Information
32.17 Manual Load/Unload Dumbwaiters
32.18 Automated Dumbwaiters
32.19 Horizontal Conveyors
32.20 Selective Vertical Conveyors
32.21 Pneumatic Tubes
32.22 Pneumatic Trash and Linen Systems
32.23 Automated Container Delivery Systems
32.24 Automated Self-Propelled Vehicles
32.25 Summary
Key Concepts
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sky lobby (as an organizational and zoning approach)
double-deck elevators (as a means of reducing shaft requirements)
hydraulic elevator (as distinct from traction elevators)
hole-less hydraulic elevator (as an alternative to conventional hydraulic systems)
roped hydraulic elevator (as an alternative to conventional hydraulic systems)
freight elevator (as a means of moving materials/goods)
freight elevator load classifications (as a design consideration)
observation cars and inclined elevators (as alternative elevator designs)
linear elevator drive (as a potential new technology)
residential elevators and chair lifts (as related to this scale of occupancy)
material handling systems (as a requirement in many facilities)
dumbwaiters, conveyors, pneumatic tube systems (as material handling options)
automated container delivery (as a material handling option)
self-propelled vehicles (as a material handling option)
Terminology and Metrics
Important Terminology
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ANSI (American National Standards Institute)
sky lobby (sky plaza)
hydraulic elevator
telescoping plunger
hole-less hydraulic arrangement
roped hydraulic arrangement
freight elevator classes (A, B, C1, C2, C3)
VVVF (variable-voltage, variable-frequency) control
umv (unit multi-voltage) control
rheostatic control
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rack and pinion elevator drive
linear motor drive
dumbwaiter
ejection lift
conveyor
pneumatic tube
automated messenger cart
Important Metrics
None introduced.
Links to Resources
Gateway Arch (tram system background):
http://www.nps.gov/jeff/trams.html
ThyssenKrupp Elevator (hydraulic and freight, select the area of interest):
http://www.thyssenkruppelevator.com/products.asp
Otis Elevator (hydraulic and freight, select area of interest):
http://www.otis.com/products/listing/0,1357,CLI1_PRT30_RES1,00.html
Sweet’s System Online (Division 14: people and materials handling):
http://database.sweets.com/sdff14.htm
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