Cable Brake

[kthompson]

Bruceward,

Another suggestion, IF this will be insured, ask them what type of brakes they require if there is specs on what it must have. They may have specs or they may give you a blank stare.

 

[BruceWard]

Do you have any suggestions on where to obtain insurance for a residential cable car or tram?

 

[Pooh_Bear]

An idea just occurred to me.
Make the cable pass around a cable drum on the cart as the cart moves.
Add brakes to it like a car or truck. Can be mechanical or hydraulic.
The cable drum would spin free except for when the brakes are applied.
If the cable has enough friction on the drum the cart should stop when the brakes are applied.

If you can't get a giant spring from the ACME company then at least
put a pile of old tires at the bottom to cushion the landing.

Pooh Bear

 

[DieselPower]

Hmm, now that's a good idea Pooh Bear. If regular automotive brakes wouldn't provide adequate braking power and have a air source you could use a truck air brake system. You could pick up one or more used air brake backing plates off truck axles fairly cheap with the drums, shoes, slack adjusters and brake chambers. A 16.5 inch diameter drum, 6 or 8 inch shoe would provide massive clamping force. Plumbing the air system would be rather simple.

 

[MikeD74T]

Pooh Bear has the right idea. Put disk brakes on each end of the spool. MikeD74T

 

[MarkV]

What do they use on elevators? I know they have a automatic braking system to stop a free fall.

MarkV

 

[tommu56]

are you trying to go up hill or across a creek

the small cable cars I have seen have a right angle gear box on car and awire that runs to power to run motor and the tugger cable goes around the capspin about 4 or 5 times and there are 2 other load bearing cables and car is hun below them.

tom

 

[BruceWard]

It is going up and down a hill. The distance is in the 160' to 180' range depending on where the top landing is placed. The slope is close to 30 degrees. I intend to have the drive system at the top.

I have revised the plans to build to cars and two tracks. The plan is to have two puller cables. Each puller cable connects to both cars. Each puller cables wraps several times around the spool on two hoists. The hoists are placed at the top of that track and act both as a drive system and as the pulley to make a 90 degree bend in the pull cable. The pull cable will be in a U shape with a hoist at the bottom of each leg.

 

[Philscbx]

I have revised the plans to build to cars and two tracks.

Just to be clear, there will be 2 cars, and sounds as if they are each independent.

One can travel up while the other stays behind.

I think the term 'track' is throwing a curve.
Is there a actual track in the design?

* And 2 cables, pulling both cars.
Each puller cable connects to both cars / this one has me stumped a little.
Is this a backup feature if one hoist is out of service?

I'm not sure if both cars ride the same direction at the same time and next to each other, (one in front of the other), or independent of each other.
With either hoist towing at will one or both cars or both hoists at the same time. Could have a speed issue difference.

With the existing 5 support cables, it passes through cable bearing trucks
(a beam with 5 pulleys at each end) or hanging with only 5 pulleys, it could crab and or try to walk across cables.
Unless other stabilized guide system is devised.

Possible storm damage.

If I recall, the tram system support cables are counter balanced for the load.
If the load ever exceeded the load cables, the cars would get closer to the ground.

The 5 cables carries the weight of both cars, and is your brake control. Brake control within the center of beam.
Brake control could be 2 large flat plates lined, 5 grooves.
Bottom plate ridged, top plate floating above cables from springs between the plates.

The beam with wheels at each end keep the cables running true and flat through the brake plates.
Simple lever inside car roof applies floating plate in clamp mode.
Never touching cables otherwise.
Small trailer leaf spring is the clamping force that lever pulls down on.

Brake on mode would have to lock out either traveling hoist from starting.
A rope could extend out of car to apply brake. Or release.

Now the tricky part, lowering the car with it's hoist.
How much of the car is left with the truck on the cables.
I think I'll leave that one for now.
May have to create a docking hub.

Regardless, it will be fun however you do it.

**
Otherwise alternate design, one is on the way up and the other is on the way down.
Not possible with this one I guess.

Like the tram in Palm Springs Ca. that I have ridden several times.
A wonderful setup. Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Home
Semi counter balanced load.
And clearance to pass each other in high winds at high speed.
The cars even rotate 360 degrees while under way.
Don't pass this up if going through.