Fun one trolley. 1

[itsmoked]

Here's an odd one. I need to move a 2000 pound (payload) trolley up a 200 foot 17º grade in about 2 minutes. The track is curved.... So I'm thinking DC. Battery powered. Needs about 5 or 6hp.

The batteries are going to add significantly to the 2000lb payload.

I'm looking for any comments or anecdotes on this subject you folks might have.

Your thoughts on hydraulic drive verses gear chain. I need to consider the down slope here too! The hydraulic would provide speed limiting easily.

Motor supplier suggestions? Voltage 24V? 48? 90?



Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[MikeHalloran]

The helix angle determines whether the worm can be backdriven.
Once worn in, and liberally greased, it probably can, so I'd use a brakemotor.
Ordinary motor bearings won't take the thrust from a worm pinion, so it needs to be mounted on its own set of tapered roller bearings, or radial bearings plus thrust bearings. Then a longish intermediate shaft to get the motor far enough away from the rack to clear the rack.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[dArsonval]

Here's the same requirement with the restrictive word "trolley" removed.

"I need to move a 2000 pound (payload) up a 200 foot 17º grade in about 2 minutes."

What entered my mind is how automobile components are moved through a manufacturing plant
on a link chain drive system driven over head, similar to a "ski lift" for example by a Sumitomo drive.
(As sibeen hinted at in the 20 Nov 13 5:34 post.)

A project started right, is half finished.
Being restricted by the trolley rail system really limits the best method to achieve a necessary result.

This reminds me of the trick question asked in the Marine Corps about what's the most efficient method
to travel over snow? Early answers say, "Snowmobile, Snow Shoes, Skies" etc.
And of course the best answer is helicopter.

Chiming in from the gallery, enjoying the forum.

John

 

[Sparweb]

Funny how the ideas keep coming even though you've tried to call it off.

I don't think anyone's mentioned a capstan yet. If you want to try the cable, but can't carry the 200' spool along with you (or don't want the stationary winch system) then the capstan can do the job without holding more than (I guess) 10 wraps of the cable on the drum. Both ends of the cable attached at the ends of the circuit to be traveled, and it just feeds on and off the capstan as the trolley goes along.

Also (not very 21st century of me to say this, but) have you considered a briggs & stratton solution? It could be the cheapest option.

STF

 

[itsmoked]

The helix angle determines whether the worm can be backdriven.
Once worn in, and liberally greased, it probably can, so I'd use a brakemotor.
Ordinary motor bearings won't take the thrust from a worm pinion, so it needs to be mounted on its own set of tapered roller bearings, or radial bearings plus thrust bearings. Then a longish intermediate shaft to get the motor far enough away from the rack to clear the rack.

Jeez you've given this some good thought with shaft thrust and motor diameters. Neat. I can see this perfectly. I've rebuilt a couple BIG truck winches built around worms.

A project started right, is half finished.

Love it! Totally true too. Absolutely. Of course it depends on what your definition of when "start" is.

Funny how the ideas keep coming even though you've tried to call it off.

Yeah, but we're all still learning and having fun at the same time. Heck, half of what we all do is solve 'thought' problems.

I don't think anyone's mentioned a capstan yet. If you want to try the cable, but can't carry the 200' spool along with you (or don't want the stationary winch system) then the capstan can do the job without holding more than (I guess) 10 wraps of the cable on the drum. Both ends of the cable attached at the ends of the circuit to be traveled, and it just feeds on and off the capstan as the trolley goes along.

Also (not very 21st century of me to say this, but) have you considered a briggs & stratton solution? It could be the cheapest option.

Ah, a capstan. Simple. Effective. I actually fleshed out one for a truck winch. It would allow one to 'rig up' quickly to whatever is available and to pull from both directions as needed. It could also be used at a fixed location instead of a winch. Dragging the 'trolley' fixed to the cable somewhere.

As for the B&S I was told "no noise". It makes the most sense. Toss on a silenced propane powered engine and voila!



Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com