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Seminar onSeminar on“THE ESCALATORS”“THE ESCALATORS”

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ContentsContents

IntroductionIntroduction Components of the escalatorsComponents of the escalators Working of the escalatorWorking of the escalator AdvantagesAdvantages DisadvantagesDisadvantages ApplicationsApplications ConclusionConclusion

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Introduction

• Charles Seeberger discovered the early escalator in the year 1900.

• The term “escalator”, a Latin word which is a combination of “elevator” and “scala”.

• Escalators, like moving walkways, are powered by constant-speed alternating current motors and move at approximately 1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) per second.

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An An escalatorescalator is a conveyor transport device for is a conveyor transport device for transporting people, consisting of individual, transporting people, consisting of individual, linked steps that move up or down on tracks, linked steps that move up or down on tracks,

which keep the treads horizontal.which keep the treads horizontal.

Definition

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COMPONENTS OF THE ESCALATOR

truss

Handrail set

Landing platforms

The main components of the escalator are

• Motor drive gear system• Landing platforms• Truss• Tracks• Steps• Handrail Assembly

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Motor drive gear systemMotor drive gear system

The escalators work with the alternating current The escalators work with the alternating current motors.motors.

The range of the motors lie between 50HP to 100HP The range of the motors lie between 50HP to 100HP depending on the type and size of the escalator used depending on the type and size of the escalator used and also the area of application.and also the area of application.

The power consumption for escalators is 3.75kw for The power consumption for escalators is 3.75kw for small and 8.5kw for medium and large sized small and 8.5kw for medium and large sized escalators.escalators.

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Landing platformsLanding platforms

These two platforms house the curved sections of the These two platforms house the curved sections of the tracks, as well as the tracks, as well as the gears and motorsgears and motors that drive the that drive the stairs. stairs.

The top platform contains the The top platform contains the motor assemblymotor assembly and the and the main drive gearmain drive gear, while the bottom holds the step , while the bottom holds the step return idler sprockets.return idler sprockets.

The maximum angle of inclination of an escalator to The maximum angle of inclination of an escalator to the horizontal floor level is 30 degrees with a the horizontal floor level is 30 degrees with a standard rise up to about 60 feet (18 m). standard rise up to about 60 feet (18 m).

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Truss and TracksTruss and Tracks

The The truss truss is a hollow metal structure that bridges the is a hollow metal structure that bridges the lower and upper landings. It is composed of two side lower and upper landings. It is composed of two side sections joined together with cross braces across the sections joined together with cross braces across the bottom and just below the top. bottom and just below the top.

The The track systemtrack system is built into the truss to guide the is built into the truss to guide the step chain, which continuously pulls the steps from step chain, which continuously pulls the steps from the bottom platform and back to the top in an endless the bottom platform and back to the top in an endless loop. loop.

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StepsSteps The steps themselves are The steps themselves are

solid, one piece, die-cast solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel. aluminum or steel.

The steps are linked by a The steps are linked by a continuous metal chain that continuous metal chain that forms a closed loop. The forms a closed loop. The front and back edges of the front and back edges of the steps are each connected to steps are each connected to two wheels. two wheels.

The position of the tracks The position of the tracks controls the orientation of controls the orientation of the steps. the steps.

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Handrail AssemblyHandrail Assembly• A handrail is simply a rubber conveyer belt that is looped around a series of wheels. This belt is precisely configured so that it moves at exactly the same speed as the steps, to give riders some stability.

• In an escalator, the handrail is pulled along its track by a chain that is connected to the main drive gear by a series of pulleys.

• The handrail provides a convenient handhold for passengers while they are riding the escalator.

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Working of the EscalatorWorking of the Escalator

An escalator is a continuously moving staircase. Each An escalator is a continuously moving staircase. Each stair has a pair of wheels on each side, one at the stair has a pair of wheels on each side, one at the front of the step and one at the rear. front of the step and one at the rear.

An An electric motorelectric motor turns the drive gears at the top, turns the drive gears at the top, which rotate the chain loops. which rotate the chain loops.

A typical escalator uses a A typical escalator uses a 100 horsepower motor100 horsepower motor to to rotate the gears. The motor and chain system are rotate the gears. The motor and chain system are housed inside the truss, a metal structure extending housed inside the truss, a metal structure extending between two floors. between two floors.

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HOW DO ESCALATORS WORK?

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AdvantagesAdvantages

Decrease the traffic flow of the people in different Decrease the traffic flow of the people in different crowy areas leading to the comfortability of living.crowy areas leading to the comfortability of living.

Higher efficiency(Higher efficiency(ηη).). They have the capacity to move large numbers of They have the capacity to move large numbers of

people, and they can be placed in the same physical people, and they can be placed in the same physical space as stairs would be. space as stairs would be.

They have no waiting interval, except during very They have no waiting interval, except during very heavy traffic they can be used to guide people heavy traffic they can be used to guide people towards main exits or special exhibits.towards main exits or special exhibits.

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DisadvantagesDisadvantages

High costHigh cost for the installation.for the installation. Technical Calculations required are more. Technical Calculations required are more. Risk factors are more, hence safety measures are to Risk factors are more, hence safety measures are to

be considered as a very important criterion.be considered as a very important criterion.

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ApplicationsApplications

Departmental stores and shopping centers.Departmental stores and shopping centers. Public transportation.Public transportation. Factories and other production environments.Factories and other production environments. Military purpose.Military purpose.

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ConclusionConclusion • Escalators are power-driven, continuous moving stairway Escalators are power-driven, continuous moving stairway

designed to transport goods, products and passengers up and designed to transport goods, products and passengers up and down in the vertical as well as horizontal distances.down in the vertical as well as horizontal distances.

• They are implemented at places where installation of the They are implemented at places where installation of the elevators are seemed to be impossible and hence playing a elevators are seemed to be impossible and hence playing a vital role in the present era.vital role in the present era.

• Hence, in the future, escalators are expected in more different Hence, in the future, escalators are expected in more different fields of applications. fields of applications.

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