----- Original Message ----- From: "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, July 04, 2003 3:04 PM Subject: Re: Spider space elevator? (was: US-based missiles to haveglobalreach)
> On Fri, Jul 04, 2003 at 02:42:21PM -0500, Robert Seeberger wrote: > > > > From: "Erik Reuter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > > Can you imagine if steel elevator cables were replaced with > > > bungee cords? If a bunch of really large people got into the elevator, > > > would the elevator still line up with the floors at each level? > > > > Bad example Erik. > > Sounds like you have only a nebulous idea of how elevators actually work. > > <G> > > Bad statement, Rob, as usual. > Sounds like you have only a nebulous idea of the point. There is a > reason elevators aren't built with bungee cables, Rob, but it sounds > like you have no clue about that. > <G> I got your point Erik, its just silly and exagerrated. > > > The cables do stretch over time, but they are not used to "level" the > > elevator at each floor. > > Bungees stretch much more than steel and much more quickly, Rob. Quite > different than steel cables. Which was rather the point, Rob. Once the load is applied to the bungee cables, they will stretch out to the maximum length. Unless you are proposing some "magical" "supernatural" or "Godlike" bungee cord that does not exist in reality at this time. Its a irrational proposition which is why I deem it silly and exagerrated. > > > "Leveling" is done with a system of limit switches and a "flat ribbon" > > cable that locates each floor for the elevator control system. Newer > > elevator systems do almost all of this electronically. (Elevators tend > > to have a very long use cycle. Where I work, the elevators range from > > 20 to 80 years of usage) > > So, you replace the steel cables with bungees. Ignore the fact that > they would be much thicker than steel to support the same weight. And wouldn't fit in the elevator pulleys. >When > someone gets onto the elevator, the bungee stretches. Too late, its already stretched from the weight of the cab. > Do you think these > feedback systems are built to rapidly reel in and out quickly enough and > long enough lengths of bungee to counteract the bouncing up and down as > people get in and out and keep it perfectly level with the floor? As long as the bungee is able to support the load without failing it would. Thats how elevators work. Its a seperate system that controls "leveling". >Cause > it sounds like this absurdity is what you are claiming. Either that, or > you just totally missed the point. Not really. Your point about spider silk I would take as a given. I think you are dead on regarding that. It was the example/analogy I find to be "slightly" flawed, but only because I have spent a good deal of time working around elevator systems and with the elevator techs and installers. I've worked in the elevator penthouse, the pit, and the shaft. I see 2 smallish problems with your analogy. 1 It ignores the control systems of an elevator and the fact that control systems operate independent of current cable length. 2 Loading on the bungee cord would take it to its maximum length (assuming it could even support the load of a cab). The bouncing you propose is likely a fantasy making the proposal irrational. Erik is a really smart guy, and I would never say anything other. My point is that his analogy doesn't pan out when filtered through practical experience. Don't the bungee cords you've used have a maximum length? xponent I'm Soooooooo Stupid Maru rob _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
