Danube Tower Elevator

A "Behind The Scenes"-Tour at the elevator of vienna's danube tower (Donauturm).
This was filmed on May 27th 1994 with a VHS-C videocam, transfered to DVD in 2004 and finally edited and uploaded here in 2009.
The Danube Tower and it's Elevator was built in 1964. At this time it was the fastest elevator in europe. All the original mechanic parts and the motor are still in operation. At the beginning of the 90's the old Motor-Generator-Set was replaced by a modern electronic controller, which can be seen here in the video.

Some Data:
Shaft Height: ~180m (584ft)
Lift Speed: 6,2m/s (1208fpm)
Lift Capacity: 1200kg (2645lbs)
Motor: Gearless DC, 54kW (73HP), 170RPM, 200V, 330A
Ropes: 8x18mm (8x0,7inch) + Counter-Ropes
Hold Brake: Pneumatic
Door Operation: Pneumatic

More Comments in the Video.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Elevator
• Kone
• gearless
• Vienna
• Danube
• Tower
• Aufzug
• getriebelos
• Wien
• Donauturm

[mas90009]

How old is the motor?

[Fletcher2244]

@mas90009 : The motor seen in the video here is the original one, from the year 1964. At that time the speed was regulated with a Leonard motor-generator set. Around 1990 it was repleced by an electronic controller as seen in the video.

Meanwhile, in spring 2010, the traction machine was completely replaced by a Kone MX40 double-rotor Eco-Disc machine.

[mrmattandmrchay]

1:51 check out those old slot-in cards!

6:48 that's one massive air-intake into the top of the traction machine.

Is the noise at 6:45 related to those air compressors at 7:13 activating and deactivating the brake? I've never seen this type before, only electric.

7:53 Amazing! Would never happen in this day and age - risk asessments, etc.

This is one great video - I used to have some from my old video camera, but accidently recorded over!!

[Fletcher2244]

Yes, the brake is pneumatic. The pressurized air is coming from the compressors as seen in the video. Also the shaft doors are driven by pneumatics. I wondered about that because the movement is as smooth as eletric driven doors and you can't hear any special noise which may point out, that pneumatic is working here.

Concerning "elevator surfing" - my classmate and me were surprised too; but for the building manager it seemed to be a kind of "standard procedure".

[Rizzbriff]

Great Video. They look like double deck elevators. I have only seen/worked on 1 of thse in the UK. Thanks for taking the time to post

[Fletcher2244]

Just one of the elevators is a double deck. The upper cabin is for the visitors, the lower one for the kitchen service. The meals you get in the restaurant are prepared in the basement.

[mas90009]

@Fletcher2244 Why??? modernize :(

[TheTheo58]

Wow! quite an interesting gear less traction machine 70HP it's Big! The shaft way

is similar to the Turbo Lift hoist way in Star Trek T.N.G.

[mas90009]

@Fletcher2244 ok, thanks

[jorologo]

A Great Video. Seeing the double decker cabins reminded me of when I used to repair e service lifts at Sydney Tower working for KONE. Looking at that controller it looked a lot like a TMS 900/9000. Interesting lay out. I really dig those hoist motors with air compressed brakes. Very rare to see as in Australia I have seen these very few times.

[SuperAdriano57]

veri good.

[ascensoribrianza]

Fantastic video!!!!!!

[bearchoirfan]

Every time the motor slows down you can hear the distinct whine of the converter that transforms the AC mains power into DC for use by the motor. It's called a chopper. Many Japanese DC machines of the 1980s feature such.