Elevators were, at the onset of their use, remarkably simple machines. The basic concept is easy to grasp: attach some form of lifting system to a box, put some people or some things in it, lift it and lower it. You’ve got an elevator! But, of course, by modern standards, this bare-bones elevator wouldn’t cut it. Contemporary passenger elevators have become much more complex, with advanced systems in place to control the movement of the car and hold the often quite substantial weight of people or cargo as it ascends and descends. In addition, modern elevators have extensive safety systems to guarantee the security of passengers and freight.
A typical modern elevator works using either a hydraulic lift system or a cable system. A hydraulic elevator is comprised of three major parts: the tank, the pump, and the valve. Liquid, typically oil, is forced out of the tank and into a pipe that carries it to a hydraulic cylinder. When the valve attached to this cylinder is opened, the liquid returns to the tank. When the valve is closed, it accumulates in the cylinder and pushes up the hydraulic piston, which lifts the elevator car. When it comes to a stop, no fluid can flow in either direction. And upon being called back down, the valve is opened and the pressurized liquid slowly returns to the tank.
Cable elevators are operated via steel ropes rather than pressure from below. This fairly self-explanatory system functions by moving the elevator up and down in balance with a counterweight on the other side of the cable. This counterweight encourages efficiency by maintaining a consistent level of potential energy for use in moving the elevator.
If this sounds scary, it doesn’t have to. The sensationalized elevator crashes in movies are just that-;sensational and not realistic. In reality, both roped and hydraulic elevators are quite safe, employing safeguards such as built-in braking systems and safeties that engage when the elevator gains too much speed. A Calvert Elevator in Washington DC will not place its contents in danger.
If your commercial building needs a lift, consider purchasing a new Calvert Elevator in Washington DC. Reputable companies such as Elevator Technologies Inc. offer quality products as well as maintenance and repair services to ensure your elevator’s safety and functionality.
