Lift Machinery Spaces

[Bob C.]

I think this is deserving of a new topic but forgive me if not.  Elevators or lifts require motors, pullies and other mechanical machinery and  equipment that is usually at the bottom of the elevator/lift shaft.  However, my experience also shows there is equipemnt needed at the top of the shafts and space required to house it.  There are some lifts that can easily hide the top machinery spaces the but some I don't see that can (C, F & G in the Britannia/Tables of the World/Columbia/Mauretania restaurant, Queens Room and Boat Deck aft, respectively). 

Does anyone have a deck layout that shows where these spaces are or can explain how much space was required above the elevator/lift car?  Seems that there is either an enormous amount of space between decks (false ceiling to deck-plate) or the spaces are cleverly hid in the public rooms (Queens Room for Stairway F lift).

[Peter Mugridge]

From memory on board, the lift ceilings appeared lower than the deck ceilings, so I'm guessing that some of the machinery was mounted on the lift roofs, meaning they would only need a pulley set at the top of the shafts.

On the other hand, I do recall one or two of the lifts "jumping" slightly at some floors, which is a characteristic of hydraulic lifts - I think these require less space in any case?

[Bob C.]

Peter,
    Not sure how hydraulic lifts would work on QE2.  With the long travel of the shaft, the hydraulic shaft would need to go through the bottom of the hull when going to the lower decks unless there was some sort of hydraulic pulley system.  That I am not familiar with. 

I do remember going to the Boat Deck on D Stairway and enjoying calling for the elevator.  If it had not been on use for a while the motors would automatically shut down.  When called, the motors whould start up with the coolest sound (at least it was to me 35 years ago).  Regardless this sound came from above the D Stariway elevators making me thing there was some sort of machinery space required above.

Trivial topic I know but interesting to me. 

[Jeff Taylor]

There are two types of elevators, high speed traction elevators which have the motors at the top of the shaft (one level would suffice) with the car and counterweights suspended (a few, but very few have underslung motors at the bottom level), and cheaper and slower hydraulic installations which have the pumps and cylinders below the car, but which also need pistons supporting the car as long as the vertical travel of the shaft--not generally practical for ships.  Also, most elevators from QE2"s vintage would use DC traction motors, requiring motor generator sets in an AC environment.

[Bob C.]

I found this elevator arrangement at this webpage (http://traditionstraining.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/pg_elevators_lift_archt.jpg). I believe it is similar to the ones on QE2.  At least it has a motor at the top that would sound off when starting up.

[cunardqueen]

Where l work the lift broke down one night, and to actually see the lift machinery was quite amazing, the emergency release was used to lower the lift and occupants to the next level.Even though it was situated on the top, the machinery was much further up than l expected.I would say a further car height.
 
A more modern lift was fitted 8 year ago, and to the left of the lift doors on the wall is where l gather the machinery is situated, Quite how it works l dont know.

But in the event of very rough seas, would the lifts have carried on working as normally, or would the cars have stopped if things became to much regarding the movement.

[highlander0108]

Bob, that diagram probably is pretty close, if not exactly the same equipment on QE2.  I recall looking down at the floor of the A stair lifts and seeing "Otis" on the threshold.  Otis, is regarded as the inventor of the modern traction elevator.  I think I took a shot of it since Otis is headquartered in Connecticut, not far from me, and are part of United Technologies Group, which includes Carrier (HVAC), Sikorsky (helo's), Pratt & Whitney ( jet engines), and hamilton Sundstrand ( aerospace).

Myles, the elevator you describe sounds like the new style, machineroom-less units that are currently the rage in land based applications.  The motor and sheeves actually are located at the top of the cab and runs up and down with the elevator cab.  The closet you describe is typically required for the controller and is very small.

[cunardqueen]

Myles, the elevator you describe sounds like the new style, machineroom-less units that are currently the rage in land based applications.  The motor and sheeves actually is located at the top of the cab and runs up and down with the elevator cab.  The closet you describe is typically required for the controller and is very small. 

Ken that would make sense, if the lifts ever stop again l will take more notice of what lm seeing .

[Rod]

All but one of elevators on QE2 were of the cable type.
The penthouse elevator was a Pickerings hydraulic type, that gave nothing but trouble, and the 2 car lifts were also of the cable type.
All of the elevators had their machinary mounted on top while most of the electrical stuff was mounted directly below.
In rough weather the elevators would still work, as basically they ran on rails for guidance...occasionally though in extreme weather, the safety tape would break. This would enact the "grabs" which stopped the car extremely quickly. Car would then have to be winched up to disengage the grabs.