Re: Need speed switch for DIY funicular/hillside elevator

["ABLE_1" <royboynospam@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This has all be a fun exercise of the grey matter.  Which needs exercised to
maintain some functionality in life.  Well then it hit me.  Why re-invent
the wheel.  Since these funiculars have been in operation all over the world
for quite some time, I thought that it would be good to look at what the big
guys are doing.  My hope is that Jeff has already looked into this at some
point in time.  It might prove beneficial if some of the companies were
contacted to get some input of what safety system they use on their
equipment.

This link is for a number of manufactures
http://www.funimag.com/Funimag-Manufacturers.htm

And this one talks about there safety features
http://www.accumar.com/safety.html

Again Good Luck,

Les


<astutesolutions@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1162061065.466027.213040@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> My dad and I built a homemade hill lift (in Europe refered to as
> funiculars) in Eastern Tennessee.  You can see a working demonstration
> and picture of it at:
>
> http://www.funimag.com/photoblog/index.php/20061026/a-do-it-yourself-funicular/
>
> The tram works fine, but I am trying to figure out some kind of simple
> safety mechanism in the event that the spools break loose from the
> gearbox or shaft and start rotating freely.  Since my wife and kids
> ride this thing, I'd like some kind of backup solution in the event of
> major catastrophe.  We are using 2 cables instead of one even though
> one can handle 5 times the max load, and we have a braking motor to
> stop, but both of those would be moot if the spool spins out of
> control.
>
> I am thinking of having some way of measuring the outfeed speed of the
> cable (or spool) and have some emergency brake apply if a limit is
> exceeded.
>
> Any suggestions?  I thought about putting fan blades at end shaft of
> the spool to have air slow it down, but that would be a little
> unsightly.  I'm looking for a simple solution, one preferably without a
> computer since this is outdoors and needs to be functional 100% of the
> time.  I'll take any flames in stride on this point.  I realize that
> this group is about computer automation, but its the only  one similar
> to this kind of project I could find :-)
>
> Thanks in advance.
> Jeff
>