Sabbath Elevator Energy Accumulator Decoupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sabbath elevators face acceptance issues due to concerns that the weight of users may cause electric motors to draw varying electrical current, which is not permissible according to religious observances.
Innovation Solution
A Sabbath elevator drive system that stores potential energy in a non-electric form, such as through compression of gas and springs or gravitational energy, using energy accumulators to power the elevator motion independently of the user's weight, employing mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic arrangements to maintain consistent energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If an electric motor is used to drive the elevator, then the elevator can be automated for Sabbath use, but the motor draws varying electrical current based on user weight which violates religious observances
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges energy accumulators (hydraulic or pneumatic) before elevator operation begins. The electric motor operates only during idle periods to store energy in accumulators, rather than operating continuously. This preliminary energy storage action eliminates the connection between user weight and real-time electrical current draw, as the motor is disconnected during actual elevator operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Energy accumulators (hydraulic accumulators or pneumatic springs) serve as intermediaries between the electric motor and the elevator load. The motor charges these accumulators, which then power the elevator displacement mechanism. This intermediary decouples the electrical current consumption from the mechanical load, ensuring consistent energy usage regardless of user weight.
2Use of energy by moving object
If energy accumulators are used to store potential energy in non-electric form, then consistent energy consumption is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs hydraulic accumulators with pre-compressed nitrogen gas or pneumatic spring accumulators to store potential energy. These mature, commercially available components provide reliable energy storage with consistent performance. The hydraulic/pneumatic approach simplifies the overall system compared to alternative energy storage methods, as these accumulators are well-understood technologies with standardized designs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures that the elevator's motion is powered by stored energy, reducing the load on the electrical power source and maintaining consistent energy consumption, thereby addressing the concern of varying electrical current usage.
Implementation Method 1
potential energy is stored by compression of a gas and/or spring
Implementation Method 2
gravitational energy is stored by elevation of a weight
Implementation Method 3
the charge/discharge arrangement comprises a hydraulic pump configured to raise a pressure within the hydraulic accumulator to a charged pressure of at least 60 bar
Data Source
AI summary
A drive system provides a displacement mechanism for driving motion of a device using energy stored in an energy accumulator in a non-electric form. A charge/discharge arrangement selectively charges the energy accumulator with energy derived from an energy source while isolated from the displacement mechanism, and the connects the energy accumulator to the displacement mechanism to provide energy for driving motion of the device. The energy accumulator may be hydraulic, pneumatic or gravitational. Examples of devices driven by the system include elevators, escalators and vehicles.