Anatomy of a hydraulic elevator – cantilever hydraulic elevator

The third in this series of anatomy of hydraulic elevators is the cantilever design.  This only is used when you have adjacent openings and don't want to use corner post rails.  Otherwise it is not a very desirable application, it has its place but should not be used for a heavily used environment or where concentric loads are being used. 

Elevator controller – Most hydraulic elevator controllers will have the same functionality with slight differences based on if it is a borehole, single stage holeless, multi stage holeless or MRL.  See a picture of a basic hydraulic elevator controller.  

Motor starter – The motor starter is allows the elevator’s pump motor to run in the up direction.  There are a few different options.  In new installations you should have a solid state starter installed.

Elevator door operator – The door operator is what opens and closes the elevator car doors.  When the car door opens and closes it has a clutch that will pick up hatch door equipment and allow it the open and close.  If an automatic passenger elevator is not at the floor it is nearly impossible for the hatch doors to open by themselves.

Elevator power unit – The elevator power unit has a pump, motor, valve, muffler and hydraulic fluid.  There are two main types of power units;

Dry hydraulic power unit – Typically the pump motor and valve are under the tank.  Appropriate application is for higher capacity elevators, higher travel and anything above 40HP or where you have hydraulic noise concerns.

Submersible power unit – The pump and motor are submerged in oil and the valve is on top of the tank or in the tank above the oil. Appropriate application is for lower capacity elevators, lower travel and anything 40HP and below where you do not have hydraulic noise concerns.

Hole less hydraulic cylinder – A holeless hydraulic elevator cylinder became popular after we realized that lower rise buildings can install these without underground condition risks.

            Positives

Installation of front, rear and adjacent openings w/o corner post rails

            Negatives

Pick on the elevator is not centered therefore loading wears on the components[piston & packing]

Take away – There is an application for the cantilever design; older buildings that have many different landings at different heights on different sides.  This application should only be used when absolutely necessary a borehole or dual holeless would be a more desireable application for 99% of installations. 

Credit - https://www.meiusa.com/ - Minnesota Elevator sells a full line of hydraulic elevator systems.

As always feel free to contact us at www.colleyelevator.com, email Craigz@colleyelevator.com or call 630-766-7230.