Knowing Your Vacuum Elevator
The first time you see a vacuum elevator you might think you are staring at something from the future. If you had said that a few years ago, you would have been right. Pneumatic elevators, or glass elevators, are a relatively new chapter in the long, storied history of the elevator.
Vacuum elevators are often used as residential elevators. These types of elevators often cost less and are less complex than full commercial elevators. They often have unique design characteristics for homes and home furnishings. These can be things like hinged wooden-shaft access doors rather than the metal doors we often see on commercial elevators. This does not make residential elevators any less safe. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has a specific safety code which addresses residential elevators. A vacuum elevator is included in the list of elevators that do not use a traditional elevator shaft, machine room or an elevator hoistway. This is one of the benefits of a vacuum elevator. They can fit in spaces that would never be able to accommodate a tradition elevator. It also makes for easier installation. Elevators that do not require machine rooms have been around for almost 20 years.
The residential pneumatic (vacuum) elevator was first developed in Argentina in the late 1990's. They went on sale in the U.S. a few years later.
Vacuum elevators are often made of aluminum and polycarbonate. They work by using air pressure to lift the cab of the elevator. This makes these elevators much less complex than traditional elevators, which rely on pulley and cable systems to operate.
A vacuum elevator has three basic components. The first is the hoist cylinder. It is made of clear plastic or carbon fiber. Then there is the passenger compartment, or cab, of the elevator. A series of vacuum turbines are used to provide the elevator's vacuum power. Turbines at the top of the elevator's tubes draw air out of the tube above the cab and pull the cab upward.
A series of simple controls are used to direct the vacuum turbines and redistribute air pressure within the hoist tube. When air moves to the bottom of the tube, the turbines can push the cab up. When air is released from the bottom of the tube, the elevator cab can be safely lowered.
Vacuum elevators tend to go between two and four levels, depending on the elevator model. Whenever the cab reaches its designated level, steel brakes secure the cab to the landing. When the cab is in the down direction, the turbines briefly turn on and lift the cab off the brakes. When the cab is lowered to its designated level, the steel brakes engage. This ensures a smooth and safe ride.
There are several benefits to vacuum elevators. They are much less expensive than traditional elevators. They are easy to install and professional installers will not have to deal with demolition or excavation in order to fit the elevators into your home.
Check size and weight restrictions if you do research a vacuum elevator. The cabs of these elevators are smaller than traditional elevators.
Vacuum elevators are often used as residential elevators. These types of elevators often cost less and are less complex than full commercial elevators. They often have unique design characteristics for homes and home furnishings. These can be things like hinged wooden-shaft access doors rather than the metal doors we often see on commercial elevators. This does not make residential elevators any less safe. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers has a specific safety code which addresses residential elevators. A vacuum elevator is included in the list of elevators that do not use a traditional elevator shaft, machine room or an elevator hoistway. This is one of the benefits of a vacuum elevator. They can fit in spaces that would never be able to accommodate a tradition elevator. It also makes for easier installation. Elevators that do not require machine rooms have been around for almost 20 years.
The residential pneumatic (vacuum) elevator was first developed in Argentina in the late 1990's. They went on sale in the U.S. a few years later.
Vacuum elevators are often made of aluminum and polycarbonate. They work by using air pressure to lift the cab of the elevator. This makes these elevators much less complex than traditional elevators, which rely on pulley and cable systems to operate.
A vacuum elevator has three basic components. The first is the hoist cylinder. It is made of clear plastic or carbon fiber. Then there is the passenger compartment, or cab, of the elevator. A series of vacuum turbines are used to provide the elevator's vacuum power. Turbines at the top of the elevator's tubes draw air out of the tube above the cab and pull the cab upward.
A series of simple controls are used to direct the vacuum turbines and redistribute air pressure within the hoist tube. When air moves to the bottom of the tube, the turbines can push the cab up. When air is released from the bottom of the tube, the elevator cab can be safely lowered.
Vacuum elevators tend to go between two and four levels, depending on the elevator model. Whenever the cab reaches its designated level, steel brakes secure the cab to the landing. When the cab is in the down direction, the turbines briefly turn on and lift the cab off the brakes. When the cab is lowered to its designated level, the steel brakes engage. This ensures a smooth and safe ride.
There are several benefits to vacuum elevators. They are much less expensive than traditional elevators. They are easy to install and professional installers will not have to deal with demolition or excavation in order to fit the elevators into your home.
Check size and weight restrictions if you do research a vacuum elevator. The cabs of these elevators are smaller than traditional elevators.
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