24 replies to this topic

[iceberg210]

Ok so as I understand it, and let me remind you I'm no professional at this or anything but just my understandings.

Since the max speed is relative speed it can also be looked at as the difference in speed between the carpet and the lift if a loading carpet is used. Now according to my copy of the ANSI B77 regs it says that moving carpets (conveyor lift systems) can only go 160 fpm.

7.1.1.2 Capacity and speed.

Maximum conveyor speed shall be 160 feet per minute (0.8 meters per second).

So given this information you can then add 160 fpm to each lift speed (in theory) (and assuming you have the safety equipment for over 600 fpm travel)

Single
600 fpm > 760 fpm

Double
550 fpm > 710 fpm

Triple
500 fpm > 660 fpm

Quad
450 fpm > 610 fpm

Remembering that many HSDetachables run at 1000 fpm a fixed quad that runs only 40% slower but would probably be much cheaper I would think would be very attractive. Now I wouldn't suggest running it at 610 fpm, cause according to section 4.2.5.2 Rope Position Detection if the lift runs faster than 600 fpm you have to have a rope position detection system.

So while this system of conveyors would obviously have advantages for all the different kinds of lifts the greatest amount of benefit is with the FGQ. Seems to me that that 33% increase in speed for the quad would be quite worth it.

A couple questions being does anyone know how much these carpets run for cost?

Also is it possible to run two carpets in succession one speed at one fifty for example and the other one at 300 for example? The question then I suppose is whether that 160 is another relative speed or an absolute speed. Since there is no mention of "relative speed" I would assume the later. Of course it's all up to the body of jurisdiction to interpret the rules it seems so it may come down to how buddy buddy you are with the inspector?

Anyway some random thoughts by a casual observer.

[Allan]

We were quoted in the 150,000 range if I remember right. FG lifts aren't designed to run 600 fpm. For example our electric motor tops out at 1750 rpm, but it's run at 1725 to keep the 2.3 m/s speed. If we turned it up to 1750 I would imaging that would put it near 2.5 m/s.

[iceberg210]

True most FG's aren't designed to run 600 or near that fast. After all the fastest you could get a Riblet was a 550fpm. However if you designed a lift specifically to work with a conveyor (that way you'd hopefully not have any cadence issues) then you could design it for 600 in theory at least.

[LiftTech]

Conveyor: An outdoor transportation system wherein passengers are transported uphill on a flexible moving element (conveyor belt). ANSI does not apply to loading conveyors so the 160 fpm max does not apply, $200,000 +/-

[iceberg210]

Interesting LiftTech. Thanks for the clarification. I find it kind of interesting that ANSI doesn't yet apply to the loading conveyors. I suppose that they assume that the loading conveyors will be handled by whatever body is making sure the installation of the lift is safe.

Also do you know how fast these conveyors usually run then if they aren't covered by ANSI standards?