If you live in an apartment complex or work in a high-rise office building downtown, you may use an elevator on a daily basis. These common machines make your life easier by zooming you up multiple stories above the ground. But have you ever considered how elevators work? The professionals behind residential elevators in Delaware break it down for you.
An elevator is a super simple concept, consisting of a compartment attached to a lifting system. Of course, modern elevators are much more complex and need high quality mechanical systems to handle the significant weight of an elevator and its cargo.
There are two major types of elevator designs, including roped and hydraulic elevators. Roped elevators are lifted and lowered by traction steel ropes that are attached to a sheave. This pulley is connected to an electric motor that, depending upon which way it turns, raises or drops the elevator car.
Hydraulic elevators utilize a hydraulic ram, which is basically a fluid-driven piston mounted inside a cylinder. The pressurized fluid pushes the piston up, lifting the car, when its valve is closed. As the elevator reaches the correct floor, the pump is switched off. To lower the car, the cylinder is electronically opened up, releasing the fluid, pushing the piston down, and gradually lowering the car.
Elevators were invented in the 1800’s and have revalorized modern buildings. The next time you ride an elevator, consider how many components it takes to operate this machine. Take it from the experts of residential elevators in DE; elevators are complex and important systems in modern architecture. If you’re interested in installing or repairing an elevator, give us a call! We’re happy to help.
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