Magnetic Elevators Coming - United Bimmer Community

**komodo** · 01-18-2006, 04:04 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/17/m...s-all-by-2008/

Quote:

After having recently been stuck in a dark elevator for over a half-hour (and requiring a fire department rescue; thank heavens our PPC-6700 was close at hand to summon help and Orb away the downtime), we're not all that jazzed up about the idea of an elevator that relies on the principal of magnetic levitation. Maglev technology has been around for years as the propulsion method behind certain European and Asian trains, and basically involves using the Physics 101 properties of magnetic attraction and repulsion to provide an object with momentum. Well we're fine if that momentum is occuring parallel to the ground, but we're a little leery of trusting some magnets to suspend us several hundred feet above terra firma (does power outage=free fall?). Seemingly unconcerned with our hesitation, Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corp. has announced that we'll be seeing these potential deathtraps commercially installed within the next few years, hopefully with the Otis-type hacks still fully functional.After having recently been stuck in a dark elevator for over a half-hour (and requiring a fire department rescue; thank heavens our PPC-6700 was close at hand to summon help and Orb away the downtime), we're not all that jazzed up about the idea of an elevator that relies on the principal of magnetic levitation. Maglev technology has been around for years as the propulsion method behind certain European and Asian trains, and basically involves using the Physics 101 properties of magnetic attraction and repulsion to provide an object with momentum. Well we're fine if that momentum is occuring parallel to the ground, but we're a little leery of trusting some magnets to suspend us several hundred feet above terra firma (does power outage=free fall?). Seemingly unconcerned with our hesitation, Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corp. has announced that we'll be seeing these potential deathtraps commercially installed within the next few years, hopefully with the Otis-type hacks still fully functional.

**Dudesky** · 01-18-2006, 04:29 AM

I'm okay with it. Think of how much a train weighs. If the technology can start and stop that thing, I see no problem with it controlling a dinky 8ft x 8ft room, even if it's going vertical. Just don't cut the power

witeshark · 01-18-2006, 11:31 AM

Back up generators. Then it works

**jms** · 01-18-2006, 01:58 PM

dyna-brakes, large spring loaded brakes which slam together when the power is cut. uses solenoids to keep the springs apart. At least that's how they do it on current elevators.

**Chris** · 01-19-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jms

dyna-brakes, large spring loaded brakes which slam together when the power is cut. uses solenoids to keep the springs apart. At least that's how they do it on current elevators.

for the win!

**EnvyM3** · 01-19-2006, 09:54 AM

Aha the good old PPC-6700 to the rescue again. I am so happy I bought that thing, there isn't much it cant do. Check it: http://www.sprint.com/business/produ...lPcsPhones.jsp

**Spieluhr** · 01-19-2006, 06:01 PM

sounds like certain safety precations can be taken to make sure it's safe, but my question is, why? Elevators these days work fine, and "if it ain't broken, dont fix it!"

**komodo** · 01-19-2006, 07:03 PM

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Originally Posted by Spieluhr

sounds like certain safety precations can be taken to make sure it's safe, but my question is, why? Elevators these days work fine, and "if it ain't broken, dont fix it!"

So you don't want them to make better cars either?

I'm for it, especially on those 50+ story hotels where an elevator trip takes forever. I'm sure they won't go to production unless they're completely safe also.

**mullethunter3** · 01-19-2006, 11:40 PM

i cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry, as an engineering student, i get real excited.
i could be putting these things in the skyscrapers i'm gonna build! how cool is that?

**c1apton** · 01-20-2006, 12:02 AM

correct me if I'm wrong, but don't they use magnetics as emergency brakes on elevators? I know movies blow it out of proportion " the falling elevator" but I thought I read somewhere that elevators had magnetic brakes for emergencies.

**Spieluhr** · 01-20-2006, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by komodo

So you don't want them to make better cars either?

I'm for it, especially on those 50+ story hotels where an elevator trip takes forever. I'm sure they won't go to production unless they're completely safe also.

you know i honestly didnt consider the fact of faster elevators, when can they start making these things then? lol

and of course i want them to make better cars. I just didnt see any advantage here to magnetic over cable, until it was pointed out.