Beyond comparison
With speeds of up to 15 m/sec and with a 68 passenger capacity load, SKYWAY establishes new standards in performance. Not only that but it introduces a revolutionary Super Double Deck car design that is both stunning to observe and exhilarating to experience. Evolving from the world proven Elevonic 411 elevator, SKYWAY is the brainchild of 150 experts specialising in such diverse fields as high technology materials, artificial intelligence and aerodynamics. Supported by the vast research resources of United Technologies, the team achieved its goal of producing an elevator with a performance and a safety profile that were unprecedented in the industry.
Safety first
SKYWAY establishes new parameters in safety design. One of the keys to this achievement has been the development of a high technology alloy with unmatched temperature, strength and friction characteristics. Used on the wedge face of the safety brake shoe, the high friction properties and low wear rate have proved to be both highly cost effective and robust.
More compact machines
SKYWAY's high capacity, AC gearless machine is available in three sizes - 40, 70 and 100 tons. Boasting 40% weight savings over the previous generation of gearless machines and between 12% and 30% reduction in critical footprint dimensions, the machines represent a family concept. As such, they use common parts and so minimise maintenance requirements and costs.
Smoother ride through Observer
Using a high-speed CPU in the machine sub-system, the Observer control compensates for hoistway inertia factors (rope, car and other hoistway mass). This in turn leads to a more comfortable ride and precision floor levelling.
Engineered to be more comfortable
SKYWAY is not only fast but quiet and smooth. Such an impressive performance derives in part from the analysis of platform, ceiling and ventilation components; and also from the aerodynamics of the car.
Super DD Car Frame
The credit for the Super DD system can be attributed to a customer. Aspiring to be free from the uniform building floor heights imposed by a conventional double deck system, his requirement prompted Otis to develop a concept which permitted a flexible service to floors with different ceiling heights – specifically by featuring a variable extension between the upper and lower cars of 2m.
Driven by a ball screw and helical gear, the pantograph joint provides smooth, precise control with minimum weight and space penalties.
A more intelligent controller
To meet the high demands of serving this super high-rise market, Otis has developed a new control system architecture with a highly intelligent dispatching system using state-of-the-art technology such as Fuzzy Logic, Neural Networking and Artificial Intelligence. The system is capable of controlling up to 12 double-deck elevators (24 doors) in a 140-storey building. And literally translates into significant improvements in average waiting time for hall calls and as much as a threefold reduction of protracted waiting times compared to conventional systems.
Speed of information
The 'freshness' of data is critical to optimum decision- making by the group control system. To this end, the adoption of a newly developed digital BUS architecture called CANBUS (Control Area Network Bus) provides a tenfold increase in communications speed over a conventional system.
Reliability through 'Passport'
Passport is a system, which establishes strict checkpoints from planning and development through to manufacture and delivery. Involving both front-line and senior levels of Otis management, it is a constant reminder that quality is paramount. It is at the heart of the SKYWAY program.
