Moving
into the power era of the present – that of Electricity – we
might reflect upon the question – what is a machine? Most would agree
that it an assemblage of moveable and non-moveable parts, created to safely
and effectively increase the power and/or speed coming out one end relative
to that entering, the resultant output having a utilitarian purpose. A
toy, however sophisticated, is not a machine. Inventors, engineers, mechanics
and manufacturers have ever sought to make machines lighter, smaller,
portable, more efficient and less expensive to build and/or operate; and
more utilitarian for the needs of the day and a particular era. Early
machines were sited where the work was to be accomplished – an irrigation
ditch, a river, a windy hill. The transmission belt allowed flowing water,
or steam, power to be distributed throughout a factory. Later, underground
water pressure lines assured that power could be taken many miles within
urban areas. With the coming of the turbine generator, electricity could
be distributed with modest expense to many communities with the consequence
that lifting equipment could be operated by the newest kind of power.
With considerable investment having been made in hydraulic equipment,
by both manufacturers and users, it was difficult to wean the latter owners
and operators away from such elevating devices; thus many electric motors
drove pumps and belts to stand-alone reduction gearing. The distance between
gearing and power became increasingly less. How could the transmission
of power be eliminated on site and a significant drive package created
to tap the far-off generator? As mechanical engineers raced to develop
the direct-connected drive machine, the change was being made from the
drum to the traction sheave, electrical engineers strove to harness the
new power with safety devices – slack cable, limit and interlock
switches -- and the development of controllers, associated control devices
and fixtures. Electrical power would change drive and control equipment,
taking the elevator industry to a new plateau, utilizing banks of cars
operating at ever higher speeds in greater comfort. Moreover the network
of electric power assured that elevators would be safe and practically
servants everywhere!
Moving
into the power era of the present – that of Electricity – we
might reflect upon the question – what is a machine? Most would agree
that it an assemblage of moveable and non-moveable parts, created to safely
and effectively increase the power and/or speed coming out one end relative
to that entering, the resultant output having a utilitarian purpose. A
toy, however sophisticated, is not a machine. Inventors, engineers, mechanics
and manufacturers have ever sought to make machines lighter, smaller,
portable, more efficient and less expensive to build and/or operate; and
more utilitarian for the needs of the day and a particular era. Early
machines were sited where the work was to be accomplished – an irrigation
ditch, a river, a windy hill. The transmission belt allowed flowing water,
or steam, power to be distributed throughout a factory. Later, underground
water pressure lines assured that power could be taken many miles within
urban areas. With the coming of the turbine generator, electricity could
be distributed with modest expense to many communities with the consequence
that lifting equipment could be operated by the newest kind of power.
With considerable investment having been made in hydraulic equipment,
by both manufacturers and users, it was difficult to wean the latter owners
and operators away from such elevating devices; thus many electric motors
drove pumps and belts to stand-alone reduction gearing. The distance between
gearing and power became increasingly less. How could the transmission
of power be eliminated on site and a significant drive package created
to tap the far-off generator? As mechanical engineers raced to develop
the direct-connected drive machine, the change was being made from the
drum to the traction sheave, electrical engineers strove to harness the
new power with safety devices – slack cable, limit and interlock
switches -- and the development of controllers, associated control devices
and fixtures. Electrical power would change drive and control equipment,
taking the elevator industry to a new plateau, utilizing banks of cars
operating at ever higher speeds in greater comfort. Moreover the network
of electric power assured that elevators would be safe and practically
servants everywhere!